章 18: New Materials, New Friends

After presenting her materials to Elder Lei, Yun was told that she should take them to a refiner to have them made into useful items. She had acquired a number of uncommon creature's bodies and the few who specialized in refining skills within the sect would be ecstatic to have the opportunity.

Arriving outside the living space set aside for such disciples, Yun knocked loudly on the door. A few moments later, after some loud crashing sounds, the door was opened by a petite Felis, "Wha... Who... Why are you here? Go away, I'm very busy!" The Felis declared, nearly closing the door before Yun could speak up.

"I'm Core Disciple Huli Yun, Elder Lei told me that you would be the best person to see about the materials I brought back from the River Wood."

"Materials.... Elder Lei.... Oh! You must be that much-talked-about little fox that is still just a child! I see, so you've brought back some little materials from your adventure and think that I would make you something? Please."

The Felis was once again about to close the door, shaking her head, when a large insectoid head fell on the floor with a heavy thump next to Yun. This head took up the entire width of the hallway and Yun was leaning on it casually, "You don't think I can bring down a vicious beast worthy of your skills?" She taunted. Clearly flaunting her skill and showing annoyance as well.

"You brought this down and severed its head?" Asked the Felis in mild shock. Her mouth twitched continuously as she tried to keep control of herself. This was a rare find! A single Immortal Wyrm carcass was rarely found long dead in the Wood, but now this child had killed it herself and brought an entire corpse?

"Child, do you know the value of what you're leaning on? The hide of this creature is an extremely durable material that can be broken down into strands and woven into an incredibly strong material that does not draw attention like metals. Using an entire corpse of this creature I could make dozens of sets of armor as well as use its mandibles to forge some very deadly large weapons such as scythes. Are you telling me you want to give this to me to work with?"

"Yes, I desire the materials I've brought back be put to use. Are you ready to take me seriously now? You have yet to even properly introduce yourself!"

"You're correct, I have been rude. Huli Yun, it is a pleasure to meet you, this Zhu Cai apologizes for her previous rudeness. Please, put the grim totem of your victory away and join me inside where we can talk privately."

Entering the cavernous interior of Zhu Cai's personal area nearly caused Yun's jaw to fall to the floor. The interior of her personal quarters was massive. One side was dominated by a large material preparation area, the other with a fabrication area, and in the center was a forge for handling metals and tempering materials. On the far side of the room was a small door which lead to a personal space for sleep and hygiene.

After spending nearly four hours together in the project room the two young women were quickly becoming fast friends. Yun learned a lot about material values and what kinds of things she could expect to be made from her kills, while Zhu Cai learned more about this young powerhouse and was anticipating what else she could bring out in the future for her to work on. Between them they made a bond that would give them both benefits through the future; one to hunt and one to create. Together they would neither lack for materials nor monetary needs.

Yun left most of the materials she had gained in a spatial artifact that the Sect had given Zhu Cai due to the enormous needs for space that a refining master had. This artifact was actually an item that had a slot on each of the work-spaces that she possessed so that no matter what she was working on she could retrieve and store materials quickly. Finally shooing Yun out of the room, Zhu Cai turned around with flames in her eyes. She would likely not sleep for days just dealing with the Immortal Wyrm exoskeleton, not to mention the Dragon Lizard and various other creatures corpses.

Each corpse of a vicious beast had at least two valuable parts. Every one of them had a Neidan, which was valuable, but other than that it depended on the creature. Some had valuable bones as hard as any forged metal, some had hides that were incredibly tough, some had components for alchemy scattered throughout their body, and some had things that were excellent for breaking down and rebuilding into something even greater than the source.

Zhu Cai really did have to thank Yun for bringing her such a humongous stock of materials for free, the amount of practice she could gain from this was inestimable. Even if she wasted half of the Immortal Wyrm carcass on failures, she would still make an absolutely incredible amount of growth from practice, as well as obtain a great deal of resources from selling the excess sets to the sect. And this was just one of the many creatures brought to her today!

Leaving the refinery disciples quarters behind, Yun walked slowly back to her own room and took a rest. She still had some time left before the Tournament was set to begin, during which Zhu Cai would finish making at least one set of armor for her as well as refining a new high-quality flexible spear. She had informed Yun of the strength and flexibility of the Immortal Wyrm's protective plate fibers already, so when Yun asked if they could be used in a spear's construction she was pleasantly surprised when Zhu Cai smiled madly at the idea. Neither of them knew what would happen, but between all the materials she brought in there was more than enough for her spear. Yun also left the Volvaka axes with Zhu Cai as a resource for the metals to be used in her spear. She didn't know a lot about metals, but she did know that the Volvaka had incredible techniques.

After resting a few days, giving her group more instructions, and delegating the most senior of them once again to take her position while she was gone, Yun took another extermination mission in the woods. This time, armed with her spatial storage artifact, she was able to prepare much more in terms of supplies, as well as the large income she had from her last mission providing her the resources to purchase such supplies. Loaded down with sufficient materials stored, Yun once again set off into the forest to temper herself before the Tournament would begin in a month and a half.