"By the way, where is Wind Chimes?"
From the moment she entered Wandering Know-it-all's mansion, she noticed that Wind Chimes was not around.
The safety for someone with Nine Yin Blocked Pulses was incredibly important. Right now, they had not finished getting rid of all the remnants of Class One Hall, and Wandering Know-it-all should not have allowed Wind Chimes to go outside so easily.
"The Lovely Land members escorted Wind Chimes to a place."
"Hmm?"
Phantasmal Shadow and Wu Kuo were both stunned. "The tournament is about to occur soon. I heard that Wind Chimes registered for it as well. Why isn't she staying in Beijing to prepare for it? What could possibly be more important than the tournament?"
"Wind Chimes registered for it to give the people who registered for the tournament pressure and to filter out those who are weak in spirit. After all, she is the successor of Six-fingered Demonic Zither. It won't be easy for her to learn other martial arts," Wandering Know-it-all answered but avoided the question as to where Wind Chimes went.
Phantasmal Shadow and Wu Kuo were both sensible people. When they saw that Wandering Know-it-all avoided the question, they knew that this was definitely related to that person, so they stopped asking questions.
In the past, with the relationship that Wandering Know-it-all and Phantasmal Shadow shared, he might have revealed some answers.
But now, Happy had summoned Wind Chimes and sent her to meet the sect master of Zither Sect, saying that she might be able to get a blessing. If she went there, Wind Chimes might be able to improve.
Since this was a blessing for his only disciple, Wandering Know-it-all did not want to take the risk of talking about it and letting other people learn of it. The escort thing was actually fake.
"Vice Sect Master Ji!"
"Vice Sect Master Ji, are you busy?
It was only when they were some distance away did these members speak up and laugh softly.
"How many batches has it been?"
"It's either the eleventh batch or the twelfth batch…"
In truth, over this period of time, many of the master-level ironsmiths in the Chinese plains learned that Lovely Land obtained a group of supreme-grade materials to create high-grade divine weapons. They were greatly stimulated, and they came to the sect without regard to the cost, hoping that they could work together with Lovely Land. They were willing to help Lovely Land create divine weapons for free.
Ji Feng had received a large group of master-level ironsmiths over this period of time. By now, there were more than one hundred master-level ironsmiths in the sect.
In the beginning, these ironsmiths only chose to work together with Lovely Land, but later on, more than half of them joined Lovely Land, and now, that number was still increasing.
Even though that was not a lot of ironsmiths, master-level ironsmiths were incredibly valuable talents in the whole world.
A master-level ironsmith would mean that he or she had created more than one hundred demon vessels and divine weapons, and they must have enough experience in refining fourth echelon equipment.
Regardless of whether it was Phantasmal Crystals or supreme-grade iron ores of the same grade, there was a limit to the spawning rate for these items. An influential and large sect could at most create two to three master-level ironsmiths, and if a normal sect had a master-level ironsmith, it was considered to be a sect of a considerable scale. Right then, Lovely Land now had nearly one hundred of them. This number was enough to intimidate the divine weapon and armor forging business. In fact, they could monopolize most of the production of high-grade divine weapons and demon vessels.
"I am very happy that you are willing to join Lovely Land as well. But I am afraid that it will be very difficult to achieve your requests."
A normal sect would already be so happy that their bones would turn into jelly when a few master-level ironsmiths wanted to join them, and they would agree to whatever conditions they came up with. But Ji Feng remained as calm as a mountain. In a tone that was very formularized, he answered, "We only have a limited number of supreme-grade divine weapon materials. Right now, most of them have already been used by the seventy or so masters in the sect. I'm afraid that we can't give them all to one of you so that you can push yourself to the level of a deity-level ironsmith."
"What?!"
The master-level ironsmiths who came together had their expressions change.
"Are you an idiot?!"
"How could you distribute so many supreme-grade divine weapon materials to other people? Don't you know the importance of giving them to only a select few so that they can reach deity level?!"
Ji Feng remained smiling calmly and relaxedly in the face of the master-level ironsmiths' distressed expressions. "My sect master said that the materials must be distributed equally. No one will be given special privilege. Even if they are master-level ironsmiths, they must use contribution points before they can get the materials. If you want the materials, it'll be simple, it will depend on how you can contribute to our sect."
"What are we supposed to do?" One of the ironsmiths asked eagerly.
"It's easy. Create divine weapons and demon vessels. The grade will determine how many contribution points you can get. The contribution points you gather can be used in exchange for the materials in the sect storage." Ji Feng already did not know how many times he had already repeated this.
He also knew that these ironsmiths would definitely put on a very arrogant attitude next to speak.
"Tsk, create normal divine weapons and demon vessels? That's easy… I'll immediately bring out a batch of divine weapons and demon vessels from the bank. Change it to contribution points immediately."
He knew it!
"Alright." Ji Feng continued smiling, though his smile was stiff now. "We'll do it according to ratio. If you contribute fifteen divine weapons, you will be able to get one Black Sand Crystal, but when it comes to the precise procedure, you can go through it yourself at the headquarters once you join Lovely Land."
Once he finished speaking, Ji Feng used his qi to create a true qi layer that would filter out noise. He put it at his eardrums.
"Fifteen?!"
"You might as well rob us!"
"You're asking for fifteen divine weapons or demon vessels in exchange for a Black Sand Crystal!"
"That's too much!"
The master-level ironsmiths shouted in anger together.
Ji Feng rubbed his ears and continued explaining. "The price for a high-grade divine weapon is one hundred times a normal divine weapon, and it is twenty times the price of a middle-grade divine weapon. We're already providing a discount by asking for fifteen divine weapons or demon vessels for one Black Sand Crystal. There are a few ironsmiths who are gathering materials right now, and they're thinking about reserving a few more Black Sand Crystals—" Before he finished speaking, the sound of a few sect application notices popped up in his ear.
"Welcome aboard to Lovely Land." As Ji Feng stared at the exasperated ironsmiths who looked incredibly determined, Ji Feng released a sigh of relief, as if a huge burden had been removed from his shoulders.
Chapter 1222 - Two Zither Players Meet, Test
Just as the major pre-tournament sparring session went on near Lovely Land's headquarters, Happy, who was the sect master, brought Wind Chimes and an indifferent looking girl to appear in front of a grass lodge in a valley, and it was as beautiful as something that came out of a portrait.
Behind him was his loyal and honest-looking follower, Thousand-faced Human Fox. He was still in the appearance of an old servant. The thief currently stood respectfully behind him with his head bowed and his hands by his sides.
To the left of the grass lodge was a vegetable patch surrounded by thin bamboo sticks and vines. An old man with a hunchback and white hair was currently bending his body while he watered lush Chinese cabbage. His honest expression and attentive gaze made it easy for others to think of him as a normal cit
izen who lived in paradise.
But Wind Chimes had been given a reminder about what was going to happen by Happy beforehand, and she did not dare to underestimate the old man in front of her.
"Is this old man the sect master of Zither Sect?"
When she remembered that this old man was in the dao of heaven and was the sect master of Zither Sect, who was even stronger than Six-fingered Demonic Zither, Wind Chimes became really nervous. She chose to send a private message tentatively. She was afraid that he would hear her and that she would end up offending him.
"Yeah. I've already told you who he is. Now, it depends on your own luck as to whether you will be acknowledged by the sect master and obtain his legacy."
Wind Chimes gave Happy a look that said, "Don't worry about me when it comes to me doing something."
She sat down not far away from the grass lodge and brought out a simple but grand-looking casket from her Universe Bag.
Happy might be acquainted with the sect master of Zither Sect, but he did not immediately go up to meet up with him. Instead, he took one step back with Xu Yao and gave up some space for Wind Chimes to display her abilities.
The sect master of Zither Sect was someone in the dao of heaven. Normal methods would not be feasible if they wanted to activate his quest.
They could only rely on Wind Chimes' superior zither skills and the extraordinary nature of Nine Yin Blocked Pulses!
Thud.
With a soft thud, she opened the casket, revealing the black and domineering Sky Demon Zither within.
At the moment she opened the casket, Happy had his expression change a little. He immediately sensed a powerful, restrained, and grim presence from the casket.
It was incredibly strong.
"This Wind Chimes… She has been practicing a lot usually." Happy quickly noticed that Wind Chimes had improved by leaps and bounds over the past month. She might have received a stimulus from Wild Wolves and had practiced even harder and more diligently over the past month.
When he thought of this, Happy instantly calmed down.
If Wind Chimes had such firm beliefs, then even if they failed this time and she did not obtain the sect master's acknowledgement, she could still improve by leaps and bounds when she had a chance in the future. She would become a peerless elite who could fight independently on her own in the game.
"You regard her highly."
During their way here, Xu Yao had not spoken a lot. Now, she finally did, but her tone was flat, as if she was talking about something that had nothing to do with her.
After going through certain things, they could understand some of their gazes and actions. It was impossible that Xu Yao did not know the meaning behind his actions.
Happy immediately nodded and answered, "After I woke up, I went to understand Nine Yin Blocked Pulses. The first year is pure torture, and the usual person will not be able to endure it. Wind Chimes has the tenacity, and she's pretty lucky. She also knows how to appreciate her blessings. All these are praiseworthy.
"Wind Chimes is indeed pretty good. Nine Yin Blocked Pulses might have allowed him to improve very quickly and the physical constitution will also provide its own attributes when she practices whatever martial arts it is, if she makes a mistake, she will fall into the depths of hell. The usual person will have a hard time taking up this responsibility.
"That's why Wind Chimes can only be an elder in Lovely Land instead of a vice sect master…"
"In truth, even if there is no Wind Chimes, you still have a lot of friends you can use. You don't need me to help you."
Xu Yao's tone was indifferent.
Ever since his body recovered, Xu Yao was convinced by Happy and the young nurse to buy a new VR Helmet and returned to World of Martial Arts. Over the month, she managed to reach Moksha Realm.
Right now, Xu Yao was a normal leader in Lovely Land.
But Xu Yao and Happy knew very well that Xu Yao did not enter World of Martial Arts to play. Instead, she joined because Happy needed someone he trusted to help him. After all, the responsibility to take care of Lovely Land was getting bigger, and no matter what, Happy could not take care of everything on his own. Since Xu Yao was the one he trusted the most, he hoped that she could help him share some of his burden.
"The burden from Lovely Land is too great. I only have a few people to help me, and that's not nearly enough. I need you!"
Happy turned his head around to cast a glance at Xu Yao. His tone was very serious.
"There are plenty of talented people in Lovely Land…"
"They have their own things to do." He paused for a moment. Then, Happy's tone became gentle. "I know what you want to say. There are indeed a lot of famous people in Lovely Land. We have four vice sect masters, and one of them is One Emperor, currently the strongest swordsman in the world. It's a pity that his whole focus is on practicing the sword, and he can't help me when it comes to managing the sect. That's why I sent him away from the Chinese plains and asked him to organize the Imperial Army to attack the Wild Wolves. Hero of Wisdom Ji Feng contributed greatly when the Wild Wolves descended in the Chinese plains. Right now, he's among the top ten in the Famous People Rank. He has indeed helped me a lot, but he has a lot of tasks he has to do every day, and he doesn't even have the time to train. I don't even have to mention Vice Sect Master Wandering Know-it-all, I'm already showing him great respect by giving him the title of vice sect master in Lovely Land. I have no reason to make him work for me, because I don't have the money to pay for someone who is worth so much money. The last candidate for vice sect master will be even more ridiculous than they are."
When she heard this, Xue Yao's lips had already curled into a smile, because she could not help herself with it. Even so, she still forced herself to prevent from turning into a full blown grin.
"What about Phoenix Dances or your three best friends? When you were unconscious, they did everything they could to help you take revenge on Class One Hall and Blood Alliance. With them helping you, what is there for you to worry about?"
When Xu Yao mentioned the Three Lonely Wolves, Happy s.u.c.k.e.d in a deep breath and smiled as he said, "Did you actually think I didn't ask them?
"Those three guys said that they stirred up the people in the University of South China, and these people sacrificed too much for me. Now, their full attention is on taking care of those people. I agreed to it, and I gave them a resource point near Baokang. They're going to manage it so that everyone can rest and recuperate." He stopped talking for a moment before he explained, "The Three Wolves mentioned that right now, I'm in the spotlight, and they, too, want to get to Inaction Realm and learn some ultimate techniques so that they can be awesome as well. Now, all of them have gone into isolated training. Can't I fulfill their wishes a little? Do I really need to drag them over to help me work?"
Happy sounded a little anguished and resigned.
In truth, he did not ask for his friends to help him because with their current strength, they could not control Lovely Land. If he forced them into a position that was too high for them, it would not be good.
"Of course, right now, Tea Words and Phoenix Dances are in charge of certain tasks in Lovely Land. But they used all sorts of reasons to refuse being the vice sect master. I just can't think of a suitable candidate for the fourth vice sect master."
"If they're not suitable, did you actually think that I would be suitable?"
"Of course you are!
"I refuse to believe that there is anyone who will not listen to the wife of the sect master." When he said this, Happy smiled.
Xu Yao rolled his eyes at him and pretended as if she did not hear him.
At that moment, zither notes rang ahead of them.
Right when the zither notes rang, the white-haired old man who had his back hunched as he tended to the juicy-looking Chinese cabbage in the vegetable patch froze for a moment. It was as if something had tugged at his heartstrings. A brilliant flash shone in his eyes, and his ears per
ked up a little.
Even though the white-haired old man's movements were very minute and he quickly returned to continue tending to his Chinese cabbage, to Happy, who had a very s.e.n.s.i.t.i.v.e spirit sense, this slight change in the old man's movements was enough to tell him everything.
Happy no longer spoke. He cast his gaze on Wind Chimes while he paid quiet attention to the sect master's reaction.
'But I wonder whether Six-fingered Demonic Zither's legacy will clash with the sect master's legacy…'
Right now, Happy's only worry was that their legacies would clash.
Wind Clash knew this as well. However, when she remembered seeing how smooth the sect master's zither forces were in the battle replay Happy sent her and how relaxed he was when he executed them, she could not help but come over to visit him.
Laughing at the mundane world was the song Wind Chimes played.
The excited notes contained the chivalrous and kind nature of wanderers. With Wind Chimes' white clothes, which made her look refreshing and otherworldly, the valley instantly looked as if it belonged in another world.
The sect master of Zither Sect listened to it for a while before he continued to tend to his Chinese cabbage. He looked as if he did not understand what was being played at all
After Wind Chimes finished playing the piece, the sect master gave no reaction.
Wind Chimes did not give up just because of that.
She frowned a little. When the last note was about to fade away, she lifted her pinky, and a note that caused souls to shudder rose into the air.
The trees and flowers in the valley swayed and shuddered.
"...What is Wind Chimes doing?" When Xu Yao noticed the change in Wind Chimes' presence and the change in her song, she was shocked.
A light crease appeared on Happy's brow, he explained softly.
"Wind Chimes wanted to use her zither skills to move him and allow the sect master to witness her skills. But it's clear that it didn't work."
More excited notes appeared in the air. The aggressive will in them were connected together, and it felt as if a storm was approaching.
Sword Among Us c1-1268 Page 681
