Activate the barrier

Ouyang Ye instinctively caught the thrown iron fragment. The moment it landed in his hand, he felt it was exceptionally heavy, far exceeding Black Iron of the same volume, and its touch was icy and piercing, completely out of place in the surrounding scorching environment.

He was already furious, and seeing Su Ye trying to fool him with junk made him even angrier. He wanted to hurl this worthless iron fragment back with all his might and then unleash a torrent of curses.

But just as he was about to exert force, the instinct and intuition of being the number one Artifact Refining Grandmaster of the Taichu Holy Land, having immersed himself in the Dao of Artifacts for nearly a millennium, made him abruptly halt the motion that was about to send the fragment flying!

Beneath that icy touch... what seemed to be hidden?

Ouyang Ye furrowed his brows tightly, suppressing his rage, and brought the iron fragment close to his eyes. His Divine Sense, like the most precise carving knife, meticulously scanned every corner of the fragment, every finest grain.

At first, there was nothing unusual, just like a piece of scrap iron with a special texture.

But when his Hé Dào Realm Divine Sense attempted to penetrate deep into the interior of the iron fragment to perceive the Origin of its material—

"BOOM!!!"

A terrifying will, ancient, vast, overwhelmingly domineering, and containing endless slaughter and destruction, like a slumbering Vicious Beast slightly disturbed, violently rebounded from the deepest part of the iron fragment and slammed into Ouyang Ye's Divine Sense!

"Pfft—!" Ouyang Ye grunted as if struck by a heavy blow, blood once again trickling from the corner of his mouth, his face instantly paling a few shades. But in his eyes, there was no pain; instead, they erupted with an unprecedented, terrifying gleam like a starving wolf seeing flesh and blood!

What was that?!

Although it was fleeting, although it was so faint it was almost dissipating, that was definitely a trace of the Law of the Dao of Artifacts! And it was a Law of such a high level he could neither comprehend nor imagine! Ancient, pure, full of the aesthetic beauty of destructive power! In the mere instant of contact, he seemed to see boundless seas of blood, the fall of gods and demons, and terrifying weapons capable of cleaving stars and destroying worlds!

This was definitely no ordinary Exotic Meteoritic Iron! This was... a treasure! A supreme treasure! A sacred object that would drive any Artifact Refiner mad with desire!

If he could comprehend even the slightest trace of its Law and Concept and integrate it into his own Dao of Artifacts... not to mention forging a Holy Weapon, even impacting the legendary Realm of a Divine Artifact Refiner in the future might not be impossible!

Ouyang Ye's heart uncontrollably pounded wildly, his hand holding the iron fragment trembling slightly—this time from excitement! He clenched the fragment tightly, as if clutching his own path to the Great Dao, afraid it might grow wings and fly away.

He took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled, trying to calm his tumultuous emotions. When he looked at Su Ye again, his gaze had completely changed.

He glanced once more at the mess on the plaza: the emptied weapon racks, the sword embryo that had been "rescued," the Disciples' empty hands and waists, and Lin Waner's bulging sack... Then, his gaze returned to the cold, heavy Black Iron fragment in his hand.

The scales in his heart began to sway violently.

Those weapons, Materials, and sword embryos that had been "borrowed," though precious, were mostly public property, the accumulation of the Divine Weapon Peak. Moreover, weapons could be refined again, Materials could be found again, and the sword embryo... though regrettable, with this iron fragment, he might be able to forge something even better!

But this iron fragment... was a supreme Opportunity that could allow him, Ouyang Ye, to Breakthrough in his personal Dao of Artifacts, and even possibly glimpse a higher Realm! It was personal! Belonging to him, Ouyang Ye!

The loss to the public versus his personal path to the Great Dao... This choice was not difficult for an old monster like Ouyang Ye, who had Cultivated for a thousand years and been stuck in the Hé Dào Realm for centuries.

"Ahem..."

Ouyang Ye cleared his throat twice. The furious crimson on his face visibly faded, his twisted, fierce muscles relaxed, and he forced a smile that could be called "amiable"—though this smile looked particularly awkward on his fierce face.

He waved his large hand, putting away the still faintly humming, seemingly somewhat unwilling Flaming Heaven Mad Saber, and completely retracted the terrifying flames and Aura surrounding him.

"Since... since Nephew Su has good intentions, thinking of our Holy Land's weapons, conducting this... this 'Inter-peak Medical Assistance'..."

Ouyang Ye's tone became "magnanimous":

"Then my Divine Weapon Peak, as a member of the Holy Land, naturally cannot be unreasonable and obstruct such... good deeds that benefit the overall strength of the Holy Land."

His gaze swept over the Disciples watching him eagerly, and he waved his hand: "Those weapons... since they indeed have minor issues like 'fire poison and excessive heat,' let them recuperate longer at Purple Bamboo Peak. Nephew Su's medical skills... uh, artifact skills are superb; he will surely restore them to their former state, even better than before."

After these words, many Disciples nearly spat blood. Peak Revered Master! That's not what you said earlier! Where's your explosive temper? Your Sky-Burning Slash? Just bought off by a worthless iron fragment... no, by a 'Exotic Meteoritic Iron'?!

"As for this iron fragment..." Ouyang Ye's old face reddened rarely, but his hand gripping the fragment tightened even more. He chuckled dryly and, with lightning speed that left afterimages, stuffed the fragment into his Storage Ring, "Your Junior Martial Uncle... ahem, will reluctantly keep it safe for you first. Rest assured, your Junior Martial Uncle's reputation for trustworthiness is well-known in the Holy Land! Definitely won't lose it!"

The surrounding Disciples were all dumbfounded, stunned.

Peak Revered Master... just backed down? Bought off by a worthless iron... no, by Su Ye's 'Money Power'? This change was too fast! What about your earlier world-burning anger? So it was all an act for us?

"Peak Revered Master is wise! Deeply understanding and righteous! Truly a pillar of our Holy Land!" Su Ye's face beamed with a bright smile as he cupped his hands toward Ouyang Ye, his tone sincere, as if genuinely admiring from the heart.

Then, he turned to look at his two Junior Sisters, who had long been "fully loaded" and were struggling to hold back laughter.

"Waner, Light Snow, why not quickly thank Junior Martial Uncle Ouyang for his generosity and understanding? Thank Junior Martial Uncle for his strong support of Purple Bamboo Peak's 'medical endeavors'!"

Lin Waner immediately put away her Black Iron Shovel, temporarily set down the huge sack, and bowed in a proper manner, her small face filled with a sweet yet teeth-grating smile:

"Thank you, Junior Martial Uncle Ouyang! Junior Martial Uncle, you're so generous! May you forge a peerless Holy Weapon soon!"—Inner thoughts: Better not forge it, or else Senior Brother might bring us for another 'free clinic.'

Lin Qianxue also held the "flowing fire" sword embryo, slightly bowed, her cool voice unusually carrying a hint of warmth: "Thank you, Junior Martial Uncle."—Inner thoughts: sword embryo obtained, this trip was worthwhile.

Ouyang Ye looked at these two "robber" girls, the corner of his mouth twitching, especially when he saw the spiritually vibrant sword embryo in Lin Qianxue's arms, his heart aching again. But touching the iron fragment in his storage ring, that ache was immediately replaced by fiery anticipation.

He waved his hand, as if shooing flies, his tone complex: "Alright, alright, enough of this formality! Hurry up and leave, hurry up! This old man... this old man still needs to go into seclusion to refine artifacts!"

His mind was now completely filled with that divine-demonic iron fragment; he only wanted to immediately dive into his Artifact Refining chamber to study and comprehend it thoroughly, with no mind left to bicker with Su Ye and the others.

Su Ye understood implicitly and smiled slightly: "Then this nephew won't disturb Junior Martial Uncle's quiet Cultivation. Farewell."

With that, he gave his two Junior Sisters a meaningful look.

Lin Waner immediately hoisted her colossal sack—now bulging to almost twice her height—but with Spiritual Qi supporting it, it was quite easy. Lin Qianxue carefully placed the "flowing fire" sword embryo into a specially made Cold Jade Sword Case for nurturing.

The three nodded once more to Ouyang Ye and the group of stunned Divine Weapon Peak Disciples. Then, under the watch of countless complex gazes (anger, helplessness, envy, confusion), they swaggered leisurely off the plaza, following the path back, heading out of Divine Weapon Peak.

The setting sun stretched their shadows long.

Behind them were the messy plaza, the tearful Disciples, a Peak Revered Master clutching his storage ring—sometimes heartbroken, sometimes grinning foolishly—and... the most "refreshing" evening in the history of Divine Weapon Peak.

---

After leaving the range of Divine Weapon Peak's Mountain-protecting Formation and flying out over a hundred li, confirming no one was pursuing (nor could they possibly pursue).

"Pfft—hahaha!!!"

Lin Waner finally couldn't hold back any longer. Placing the sack on the Flying Shuttle beneath her feet, she laughed uproariously without any grace, tears streaming from her eyes.

"Senior Brother! Senior Brother, did you see it! Junior Martial Uncle Ouyang's expression! When he took the iron fragment, his eyes went wide! And then his face changed faster than flipping a book! Hahaha! I'm dying of laughter!"

She laughed while excitedly waving her arms and dancing:

"We really hit the jackpot today! Hit the jackpot! That Flaming Dragon Spear—I secretly sensed it—is definitely Heaven Rank material! Though it has some issues, Senior Brother, you can definitely fix it! And those miscellaneous Spiritual Artifacts, at least fifty or sixty pieces! The Materials are countless! And Senior Sister Light Snow's sword embryo is clearly no ordinary item!"

Lin Waner's eyes sparkled as she began planning: "When we return, I'll have Senior Brother use these Materials to forge me a hundred... no, a thousand various Flying Swords! I want to set up a Ten Thousand Swords Grand Array on Purple Bamboo Peak! No, arrange them to spell 'Purple Bamboo Peak is the Richest'!"

Su Ye smiled and ruffled her twin-tails, which were trembling with excitement: "Look at your lack of ambition. This is just the beginning."

His gaze turned toward the distant peaks shrouded in mist and clouds, from one of which faint sounds of various beast roars and bird cries could be heard.

"Tomorrow, I'll take you to Beast Taming Peak for a visit."

Su Ye's tone was relaxed, as if talking about going on an outing.

"I heard the Spirit Beasts there have recently, due to poor Food, crowded living conditions, and lack of care, Commonly suffering from 'Spirit Beast Depression' and 'Anxiety Disorder.' Their emotions are very unstable, severely affecting their physical and mental health and reproduction efficiency."

He put on a deeply concerned expression:

"As fellow Disciples, how can our Purple Bamboo Peak stand by and do nothing? We must go to provide professional 'psychological counseling' and 'environmental therapy' intervention."

Upon hearing this, Lin Waner's eyes widened even more than before, her small mouth slightly agape, then ecstatic: "Beast Taming Peak?! Really, Senior Brother?! That's great! I've long heard Beast Taming Peak's 'Braised Ironclad Rhinoceros Tail,' 'Steamed Azure Water Phoenix Egg,' 'Charcoal-grilled Golden Flame Lion King Leg' are absolutely amazing... Oh no, no!"

She quickly covered her mouth, then earnestly corrected herself:

I mean, I've long wanted to use our Purple Bamboo Peak's signature therapy to help those poor, depressed Spirit Beast friends! Especially that 'Crimson Flame Lion King' who's said to be irritable and severely prone to manic depression—I think it particularly needs my 'loving care'!

Seeing her desperately trying to hide her burning 'foodie Soul,' both Su Ye and Lin Qianxue couldn't help but laugh.

Though Lin Qianxue remained cool and aloof, her arms holding the Cold Jade Sword Case unconsciously tightened. Beast Taming Peak... besides Spirit Beasts, there also seemed to be many rare Materials suitable for refining into sword artifacts, like beast bones, sharp claws, and horns... Hmm, worth checking out.

The three of them chatted and laughed all the way, their Flying Shuttle cutting through the clouds and mist as they sped toward Purple Bamboo Peak, laden with the bountiful results of today's 'free clinic' and full of anticipation for tomorrow's 'psychological counseling.'

The evening glow cast a warm golden edge around their figures.

---

Purple Bamboo Peak, in front of Cold Jade Palace.

Yun Yuzhen, clad in spotless white robes, stood quietly in the Wind-Listening Pavilion at the cliff's edge. The mountain breeze brushed past, lifting her waterfall-like black hair and fluttering sleeves, making her resemble a Heavenly Immortal descended to the mortal Realm—ethereal and aloof.

Her beautiful eyes, which seemed to contain swirling galaxies and unfathomable depths, gazed toward Divine Weapon Peak. With her cultivation, even a hundred miles away, she could see every detail. Everything that had just happened on Divine Weapon Peak's plaza—Su Ye's bizarre method of devouring the flowing fire Saber Qi, Ouyang Ye's dramatic shift from fury to compromise, and finally the iron piece Su Ye gave that made Ouyang Ye lose composure—all fell clearly within her Divine Sense perception.

Watching the three youngsters return laden and jubilant, drawing closer, an extremely faint yet breathtakingly beautiful curve involuntarily appeared at the corner of Yun Yuzhen's peerless face.

That curve held helplessness, doting, and a hint of... hidden pride?

"This Rebellious Disciple..."

She murmured softly, her voice like icy spring water striking jade, yet carrying warmth.

"His methods are becoming more and more... unique. Even that stubborn, explosive old fossil Ouyang Ye can be easily handled by him."

Recalling the dark vortex in Su Ye's palm, her delicate brows furrowed slightly.

"That's definitely not some 'Great Yin Fire Devouring Art.' That intent of devouring all methods and returning everything to nothingness... resembles a certain forbidden Demonic Technique from ancient legends. But this kid has no Devilish Qi on him; instead, his Foundation is pure, even with a trace of Innate Dao essence... Strange."

"And that iron piece he gave Ouyang Ye..." Yun Yuzhen's Divine Sense was incredibly sharp. Though distant and with the iron piece's Laws restrained, she still faintly sensed an unusual Aura of ancientness and dominance. "To make that old fellow Ouyang Ye change expression instantly, it must be an extraordinary treasure for Artifact Refining. Where did this Rebellious Disciple get such a thing?"

Her beautiful eyes shifted, deep within them flashing myriad thoughts.

"It seems the secrets on my Disciple are more numerous and interesting than I imagined..."

However, she didn't delve deeper. Everyone has their own Opportunities and secrets. As long as he doesn't stray from the Righteous Path or harm the sect, she, as his Revered Master, is happy to see it. In fact, seeing Su Ye handle the Peak Revered Masters of various peaks with such ease, 'acquiring' resources to strengthen Purple Bamboo Peak in his own way, she felt somewhat gratified.

It's just that his methods... are truly a bit... well, unconventional.

"Forget it, let him be. At least it's more... civilized than when I alone struggled to support Purple Bamboo Peak and had to 'borrow' everywhere?" Yun Yuzhen recalled some 'past events' from her youth, her face warming slightly before returning to its aloofness.

But soon, her thoughts drifted involuntarily to last night.

In the Cold Jade Pool, the misty Spiritual Qi, the steaming vapor, the tightly pressed scorching bodies.

Once you've tasted the marrow, you know the flavor.

This phrase surfaced so clearly for the first time in the heart of this aloof, transcendent Great Power of Tribulation Crossing Realm who looked down upon all beings.

She could even clearly feel it deep within her flat, firm abdomen, in her Dantian Qi Sea.

That feeling fascinated her and also gave her... an unspeakable longing.

She gently raised her jade-like slender hand, unconsciously touching her flat abdomen. Through the thin clothing, she could still feel the lingering warmth of that power.

A captivating blush quietly spread across her peerless cheeks, more splendid than the evening glow on the horizon.

"Since you're back..."

Her red lips parted slightly as she whispered, her voice so low only she could hear.

"Then last night's... unfinished 'healing' and 'assistance in Cultivation'..."

She paused, her long eyelashes trembling slightly as if making a decision.

"Tonight..."

"Perhaps we can try a different... position?"

"I hear that... it's more effective and can more comprehensively... channel the primal power?"

After speaking, even she felt her cheeks burn, her heartbeat inexplicably quickening. She swiftly collected herself, resuming her ethereal, immortal-like demeanor, though deep in her eyes rippled a subtle, feminine charm and anticipation.

She turned, her steps light yet carrying an undeniable resolve, and walked into the crystalline, icy Cold Jade Palace behind her.

Casually.

Her slender fingers bloomed like orchids, gently pointing toward the Void Realm outside the palace gate.

"Hum—"

A transparent, intangible light screen, imbued with terrifying icy Dao Laws, instantly enveloped the entire Purple Bamboo Peak main peak like an inverted giant bowl. Snowflake-like runes flowed on the screen, emitting a Soul-freezing chill.

Purple Bamboo Peak's Mountain Protection Array—Ten Thousand Miles Frozen Realm, activated!

Not to guard against external enemies.

With Yun Yuzhen's Tribulation Transcendence Realm cultivation, within Taichu Holy Land, those who could make her activate the full Mountain Protection Array were few and far between.

Activating it now had only one purpose: to prevent a certain Rebellious Disciple, who had just returned from the 'free clinic' and might try to slip away or delay, from escaping 'treatment.'

And to prevent... the commotion of healing and Cultivation from disturbing others.

As the light screen closed, the connection between Purple Bamboo Peak main peak and the outside world instantly became blurred and isolated.

The doors of Cold Jade Palace closed silently behind Yun Yuzhen.

Inside, night pearls lit up one after another, their soft glow illuminating the palace like a dreamy crystal palace.

It also illuminated Yun Yuzhen's peerless face, aloof with a hint of blush, her eyes shimmering with moisture.

She slowly walked toward the depths of the bedchamber, to that wide jade bed carved from ten-thousand-year cold jade, large enough to accommodate several people...---

"A—choo—!!!"

Su Ye, who had just landed on the outskirts of Purple Bamboo Peak, sneezed earth-shatteringly without warning, shaking the nearby bamboo leaves into a rustling fall.

He rubbed his slightly itchy nose, an inexplicable sense of foreboding rising strongly within him. This premonition was so familiar, so intense, it made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.

"Strange..."

Su Ye frowned, unconsciously flexing his waist. He hadn't done much today, just stood and spoke a few words, devoured a Saber Qi—why did he feel... a faint soreness in his lower back? As if he'd forged eighteen types of weapons overnight?

He instinctively looked up toward the mountaintop, where Cold Jade Palace loomed faintly in the twilight and rising icy mist, like an immortal palace or divine hall.

Faintly, he seemed to see the illusion of the palace doors slowly closing.

A piercing, familiar 'gaze' filled with endless chilliness faintly emanated from the mountaintop.

That gaze seemed mixed with a hint of... irresistible tenderness? And a kind of 'longing' like a hungry tiger eyeing a lamb?

Su Ye shivered violently.

There... seemed to be a beautiful yet 'insatiable' tigress named 'Revered Master,' lazily lying in her den, licking her claws, sharpening her teeth, opening her warm yet dangerous embrace, waiting for him, this 'fat lamb,' to walk right into the trap for another round of 'deep healing' and 'assistance in Cultivation.'

"Ahem, Waner, Shallow Snow."

Su Ye paused, his face showing an extremely natural, caring expression for his Junior Sisters.

"Senior Brother suddenly remembers, the situation at Beast Taming Peak seems particularly urgent! Several rare Spirit Beasts have shown signs of refusing food and self-harm! Life is paramount; illness waits for no one!"

His tone urgent, his gaze firm:

"How about... we set off now? Conduct psychological intervention overnight? A moment earlier might save several innocent Spirit Beast lives!"

Saying this, he made as if to turn and summon his Flying Shuttle again.

However.

Before his heel could leave the ground.

A clear, melodious yet Soul-piercingly magnetic and unquestionably authoritative command voice directly resounded in the deepest part of his Sea of Consciousness, like a thunderclap, shaking his Divine Soul:

"Su. Ye."

The voice enunciated each word, crystal clear.

"Immediately."

"Right now."

"For your Revered Master..."

"Get. In. Here."

A brief pause, the voice seeming to carry an extremely faint, almost imperceptible languor and... temptation?

"Your Revered Master's 'Bottleneck'..."

"Has loosened a bit again."

"Need you... to. Guide. Me. Well."

The last four words seemed to have hooks, lightly scratching Su Ye's heart, making him go numb all over and see black before his eyes.

Su Ye: "..."

He looked up at the already activated, rune-flowing Mountain Protection Array light screen, then down at his faintly sore waist.

On his face appeared a resigned smile uglier than crying.

It seems.

Tonight is destined to be another sleepless night of 'heavy responsibilities,' 'exhausting efforts,' and 'utmost dedication.'

This isn't Cultivation.

This is clearly... paying tribute! And the high-quality, high-consumption, unavoidable kind!

Su Ye sighed deeply, straightened his robes, waved to his two Junior Sisters—one looking puzzled (Lin Waner) and the other understanding (Lin Qianxue)—then, with 'composed' and 'resolute' steps, embarked on the 'journey' toward the mountaintop palace shimmering with 'man-eating' icy light.

His back, in the twilight, appeared exceptionally 'tragic.'