52: An unexpected encounter with Liu Rumei

Inside the pitiful ruins of the thatched cottage on Luoxia Peak, Yao Delong was completely unaware of this.

He was immersed in the joy of his rapidly surging strength and his insights into his new Cultivation Technique.

The Great Evolution Mixed Yang Scripture at Perfection ran unceasingly, his sea of spiritual energy vast like a golden ocean, and his spiritual energy intensity far exceeded that of his peers.

The Pure Yang Sword Intent, like a dormant divine weapon, radiated an aura in his Sea of Consciousness that made one's heart palpitate!

"There are 32 yin yang points remaining..." Yao Delong communicated with the System in his mind, "Upgrade the Great Five Elements Sword Formation!"

【Ding! Upgrading the Great Five Elements Sword Formation (Human-Grade Medium Grade) to the 'Major Achievement' Realm requires consuming 30 yin yang points. Confirm?】

"Confirm!" Yao Delong did not hesitate.

Although he could not reach Perfection in one step, even a Golden Core Cultivator would find it difficult to reach the Major Achievement Realm.

【Ding! Consumed 30 yin yang points! Great Five Elements Sword Formation proficiency increased to: Major Achievement! Current yin yang points: 2 points.】

A multitude of profound insights regarding the generation and restriction of the Five Elements, the operation of the sword formation, and the coordination of Flying Swords flooded into his mind.

Although not as overarching or insightful into the essence as the Perfection Realm, it greatly enhanced his understanding and control over this sword formation, making it sufficient to set up a sword formation with formidable power.

Yao Delong sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and focused his mind, simultaneously consolidating his surging cultivation, thoroughly mastering the pure yang spiritual energy of the Great Evolution Mixed Yang Scripture, and carefully comprehending the mysteries of the Great Five Elements Sword Formation at Major Achievement.

Time passed quietly during his cultivation.

The next morning, the morning sun rose.

Yao Delong changed into a neat cyan Daoist robe, concealing the overly sharp aura of his Pure Yang Sword Intent, leaving only the steadiness and depth befitting a Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator.

He took flight on his sword, his destination clear—the Mission Hall.

Just as he arrived before the magnificent vermilion gates of the Mission Hall, a familiar and slightly suspicious, charming voice rang out: "This... Senior Brother? Please wait!"

Yao Delong turned his head to see a fiery red, beautiful figure standing there; it was none other than Liu Rumei, whom he had not seen for a long time.

Today, she was wearing a provocative red outfit that outlined her graceful figure. Her pretty face was bright, and her eyes carried a natural charm as they darted about. Her cultivation had clearly reached the Perfection of the Qi Condensation Realm.

【Ding! Target Liu Rumei, Favorability: 70 (Close and Trusting)】

Yao Delong was slightly surprised in his heart.

When they parted last time, this girl's favorability was still around 40 (Initial Favor), so how did it silently increase by 30 points?

Could it be that he had become more handsome and his charisma had increased? Or perhaps... The experience of them suppressing bandits together flashed through his mind.

As these thoughts turned in his mind, his face wore a gentle smile: "Martial Niece Liu, it has been many days, your cultivation has improved quite a bit."

Upon hearing this voice and carefully examining the steady, handsome, and sharp-featured face before her, as well as that unfathomable Foundation Establishment aura that nonetheless made her feel a faint sense of familiarity, her beautiful eyes were first blank, then suddenly widened, her small mouth slightly agape, her face full of disbelief: "You... you are... Martial Uncle Yao?!"

"It is indeed This Yao." Yao Delong nodded with a smile, "What, have I, your Martial Uncle, changed so much that you cannot recognize me?"

"My heavens..." Liu Rumei covered her small mouth and walked around Yao Delong twice, the surprise in her eyes almost overflowing, "Martial Uncle, you... you not only reached Foundation Establishment, but you also... also became so... ah!"

She realized her loss of composure, her pretty face flushed slightly, and she quickly changed the subject, "Martial Uncle, are you here to accept a mission?"

Yao Delong replied frankly: "Indeed. I am in urgent need of contribution points and would like to find some missions with high rewards."

"That is such a coincidence!" Liu Rumei's eyes lit up, and she said excitedly, "This Disciple just accepted a search mission! The reward is quite generous!"

She hurriedly explained: "The mission is to find three Pill Cloud Peak Disciples who entered the depths of the White Cloud Mountain Range to collect herbs but have not returned on time. The mission Rank is Grade C Upper."

"The reward is 200-400 contribution points, or one foundation establishment pill! The reward will fluctuate based on the number of people found."

"The minimum requirement is participation at the Perfection of the Qi Condensation Realm, and the team requires six people. I have already found the other four Senior Brothers and Sisters, and we are just missing one! Martial Uncle, you have come just in time!"

Yao Delong was secretly pleased when he heard this.

The upper limit of 400 contribution points for this mission reward was just enough to cover most of the 500 points he owed Luo Tianying.

He immediately made the decision: "Good! I will take this mission!"

"That's great!" Liu Rumei smiled like a flower, "Gather outside the mountain gate tomorrow morning! Those four Senior Brothers and Sisters are all trustworthy people!"

After finalizing the mission, Yao Delong bid farewell to Liu Rumei.

He did not return to his peak immediately, but instead flew on his sword toward another core important location of the Sect—Spirit Forging Peak!

The "Treasure Hall" here, although not as famous as the Sect's "Treasure Pavilion," had the advantage of being high-quality and inexpensive. Moreover, most items were produced and sold by the Spirit Forging Peak Disciples themselves, offering a wide variety and affordable prices, making it the preferred place for ordinary Disciples to purchase equipment.

Although Yao Delong now possessed a large sum of money, the idea of being thrifty and managing his household remained deeply ingrained.

As soon as he stepped into the Spirit Forging Peak's Treasure Hall, a unique aura mixed with metal, fire, and spiritual minerals rushed toward him.

In the spacious hall, various Magic Treasures, Spiritual Artifacts, armor, and Formation Plates were on display, glittering with various spiritual lights, dazzling to the eyes.

Disciples coming to make purchases were coming and going in an endless stream.

Yao Delong had a clear goal and walked straight toward a deacon Disciple responsible for reception in the hall.

"This Senior Brother, I need to purchase Flying Swords." Yao Delong got straight to the point.

"Oh? I wonder what Rank and what attribute of Flying Swords you need, Senior Brother?" The deacon Disciple was respectful, as the person before him had a deep aura and his cultivation had clearly reached the Late Foundation Establishment Stage.

"I need five Flying Swords." Yao Delong said calmly, "The attribute requirements are: Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth, complete with all Five Elements. Among them, the four swords of Metal, Wood, Water, and Earth must be Medium Grade Earth-Grade Weapons. And that one with the Fire attribute..." He paused, his voice clear, "I want a top-grade earth artifact!"

As soon as these words were spoken, not only was the deacon Disciple stunned, but several other Disciples who were selecting Magic Treasures nearby also looked over, casting surprised gazes.

"Five Earth-Grade Weapon Flying Swords?! And one of them is a top-grade earth artifact?!"

"Which Senior Brother is this? What a huge expenditure!"

"Look at this aura... Late Foundation Establishment Stage? I haven't seen him before? A newly promoted Senior Brother?"

"Wait... he just said he wanted Five Elements attributes? Could he be planning to set up some Five Elements sword formation?"

The crowd discussed in low voices, their eyes looking at Yao Delong filled with curiosity and a trace of awe.

In the eyes of ordinary Disciples, buying five Earth-Grade Weapon Flying Swords in one go, with one of them being a top-grade earth artifact, this was definitely someone with deep pockets!

The deacon Disciple came back to his senses and hurriedly said: "Senior Brother, please wait. Medium Grade Earth-Grade Weapon Flying Swords are always in stock in the hall, priced at 150 Mid-Grade Spirit Stone each. As for the top-grade earth artifact Fire attribute Flying Sword..."

He flipped through the accounts, "There happens to be one 'Red Flame Refined Gold Sword,' which was personally forged by Senior Brother Wu Feng. It uses Red Flame Refined Gold as the main material and fuses a trace of Earth Vein Fire Fiend, possessing extraordinary power, priced at 300 Mid-Grade Spirit Stone. The total for all five is... 800 Mid-Grade Spirit Stone!"

"Hmm, that will do." Yao Delong did not change his expression and was about to take out the Spirit Stone from his Storage Pouch.

"Wait!"

Just at this moment, a voice filled with a bit of excitement and eagerness came from nearby.