Chapter 232 – Shrouded in Mystery, Successfully Forging a Spirit Artifact, and the First Pot of Gold - Part 1

Li Yuan had clearly overestimated himself. It took him a full eight months—two of which forced him to postpone his wedding—to finally grasp Metal-Spirit Resonance. By then, his father-in-law was practically rolling his eyes in frustration.

Still, when Li Yuan saw the new entry in his skill list—

NEW! Ultimate Skill - Metal-Spirit Resonance - Rank 6 (1/1)

—he felt a well-earned sense of accomplishment.

After that, Zhu Ban, barely concealing his impatience, explained the next step after the Quickening and Metal-Spirit Resonance—hearing the heavens, or simply Heavensense.

“It’s only mentioned as a possibility in our lineage. Whether anyone has actually reached it, we don’t know. As far as I’m aware, neither my master nor any of his predecessors has ever accomplished it.

“If the Quickening is about delicately controlling how added metals are distributed in the primary material, ensuring a superior final product, then Metal-Spirit Resonance focuses on treating source blood as a special forging material. It also frees you from forging only regular weapons, letting you craft everyday tools like gourds, fans, inkwells, or paperweights as spirit artifacts.

“Heavensense, however, is something altogether more remarkable. It’s a living array—a formation that breathes and moves on its own.”

“An array?” Li Yuan asked.

“Exactly. A formation that goes beyond simple strikes and assaults, creating a domain unto itself. That’s all there is to say. I’ll teach you our lineage’s secret art now. Memorize it. If you get the chance, study it. If not, pass it on.”

Master and pupil spent another month in study. Once Zhu Ban was satisfied that Li Yuan had really understood the principles behind Heavensense, he waved his hand in exasperation.

“That’s it! I’ve taught you everything. Time for you to go! The wedding was originally set for March, and now it’s June.I’m at my wit’s end!”

Zhu Ban pretended to act like an ill-tempered old man, literally shooing Li Yuan away. But when they reached the foot of the mountain, he slowed his pace, took out a sealed pouch, and handed it to Li Yuan with great solemnity.

“Open this after the wedding.” Then he produced an unsealed letter. “This is for Huayin. If she ever asks you to avenge someone, give it to her.”

Glancing at the letter, Li Yuan saw no attempt to hide its contents. He nodded, then changed the subject with a grin. “Actually, a three-month delay might have been for the best. It gave the brew enough time to ferment, so the wine will be stronger. Father-in-law, remember to come have a drink.”

Zhu Ban smiled faintly, then his face darkened. “Go on, scram!”

Li Yuan replied firmly, “Father-in-law, you’re sixth rank, and so am I.”

They had spent nearly 20 months together, more or less living in each other’s pockets, so Zhu Ban knew Li Yuan’s temperament well. Rolling up his sleeves, he retorted, “And what if you are sixth rank? You took so long that the wedding got pushed back three months—don’t you dare brag about that. If you don’t get moving, I’ll hit you.”

“Alright, alright, I’m going!” Li Yuan took a few steps, then turned back to bow deeply before leaving.

Zhu Ban watched him with a gentle look in his eyes. Only after Li Yuan’s figure vanished did that slight smile fade from his face.

Meanwhile, Li Yuan couldn’t resist opening the pouch once he was a safe distance away. Inside was a slip of paper. He sighed. “A secret trick, is it?” After hesitating a moment, he unfolded it. Four crimson characters stared back at him.

“Beware the temple master.”

Naturally, this referred to the head of Holy Tree Temple. The note was cryptic, and the fact that Zhu Ban intended it to be read

after

the wedding suggested that something might happen on the big day, but not enough to disrupt the ceremony.

Li Yuan mulled it over, then quietly tucked the note back into the pouch.

˙·٠✧🐗➶➴🏹✧٠·˙

In May, Li Yuan and Cui Huayin were finally wed at the Cui residence. It was a special union, and the banquet soon became a boisterous affair where many guests drank themselves under the table.

The only surprise was that Zhu Ban, who should have been the one person

certain

to attend, simply didn’t show up. He hadn’t turned down the invitation, yet he never appeared. Considering he was both Cui Huayin’s father and Li Yuan’s mentor, his absence felt even more peculiar.

The wedding feast wrapped up. Li Yuan took his bride, the renowned Yin Consort bestowed by imperial decree, by the hand and led her toward the bridal chamber.

Far away, on a moonless road, a middle-aged man draped in a black lotus robe finally came to a stop, his expression somber. A man and a woman traveling with him also halted.

The man chuckled. “Your daughter’s wedding today, still having second thoughts about missing it?”

The middle-aged man shook his head. “No, I’m not sentimental. I just...promised my son-in-law I’d share a drink with him. In the end, I broke my word.”

The man said, “Life rarely goes our way. Nine times out of ten we end up disappointed. This is just one household’s sorrow.”

The middle-aged man neither agreed nor denied it. He merely turned to face north, lifting his hand as if holding an invisible cup. It was like he was making a toast to someone who wasn’t there.

When he lowered his arm, he spoke quietly, “Large clan or small, I don’t care. I want the Holy Tree Temple to be destroyed, and I want the Jing Clan erased...down to the last living soul.”

The other man inclined his head and smiled. “That is what you wish, and it’s what we want as well.”

˙·٠✧🐗➶➴🏹✧٠·˙

Inside the bridal chamber...

Cui Huayin’s hand was icy cold, her entire body like a block of ice. After entering the room, she sat by the bed in the glow of red candles, her face hidden under a scarlet bridal veil.

Li Yuan, somewhat tipsy in his wedding finery, closed the door behind him. Glancing surreptitiously at the numbers floating beside his new bride, he saw 325~340, which was among the highest seventh rank readings he’d encountered.

This marked her as one of the strongest possible at seventh rank, the pinnacle that could only be achieved with a first-rate weapon, complete mastery of one’s skills, and near-flawless cultivation. In other words, aside from not having the power to ignite source blood, her strength at seventh rank was comparable to what he’d possessed back then—perhaps even a step above, since her weapon was undoubtedly superior.

But still...carrying a weapon even on one’s wedding night?

A smooth motion of Li Yuan’s sleeve sent a flawless blood-red dagger sliding out and into his hand. He slipped it under the pillow on the window side of the bed, then took a quick look at his own status screen.

His power level had crept from 2,100~2,850 up to 2,600~3,350, all thanks to forging two

perfect

sixth rank short blades while mastering Metal-Spirit Resonance. They far outclassed the blades he’d once bought in Northriver Prefecture for 120 taels of blood gold. One he wore at his waist, the other hidden in his sleeve.

Even if both short blades were somehow lost, he still had the Ghost Bow in his equipment slot, ready to draw at a moment’s notice. No drunken, disarmed warrior’s fate for him—no risk of being cut down by random foot soldiers just because he lacked a weapon.

At present, he was already at the peak of

half-step

fifth rank. To top it off, Li Yuan had the sense there was something

unique

to his power, some

original

flair that made it stronger than expected. He still recalled Elder Zhu’s 1,360~3,080; that awe-inspiring strength felt like it had been only yesterday.

And if they were to fight now...well, as a half-step fifth rank, perhaps he really could overpower Elder Zhu.

From beneath her bridal veil, Cui Huayin seemed to tilt her head. Her gaze lingered momentarily on the short blade Li Yuan had just hidden.

Meanwhile Li Yuan undid his belt, pulling free the other short blade. His knees on the bed, he slipped it underneath the pillow on the inner side. He tugged the corner of the silk bedding to conceal the blade.

Cui Huayin’s cool voice came from behind the veil, “I never realized just how cautious you could be.”

Li Yuan chuckled. “Did you think I was careless?”

She paused, then said, “I’ve always thought of you as a good man.”

After a moment of silence, she added, “You’ve already obtained what you wanted, and tonight I’ll offer myself to you as well. Our marriage is consummated. Both of us get what we need.” Her voice was so calm it was as though her body belonged to someone else, as if all of this was no more than a transaction.

“And what do

you

get out of this?” Li Yuan asked.

“I’ve spent eight years here in the Cui Clan. I’m ready to step away. You’re the best option. I don’t particularly

like

you, but I do admire your gifts.”

Li Yuan raised his hand to forestall further explanation. “Are you stuck at seventh rank?”

She nodded.

He asked, “Will you tell me about it?”

A look of surprise flickered across her face under the veil. “You want to help me?”

He replied lightly, “If not you, who else?”

She couldn’t help but give a slight shake of her head, an almost amused expression. This wasn’t how she’d pictured the scene. She knew her own appearance—cool, pure, untouchable. Often a mere glance would kindle in men the fiercest desire for conquest, and tonight was the moment for this man to conquer her. She was even willing to yield herself, once promised to an emperor, to him.

Yet, with victory so near at hand, he suddenly focused on

her

concerns.

“It’s a long story,” she murmured.

Li Yuan lifted her bridal veil and slid his hand beneath her crimson robes.

Cui Huayin felt scorching warmth against her ice-cold skin, like a living flame against a flawless glacier.

Li Yuan’s hand only moved enough to untie her sash, sliding away her clothes before lifting her onto the wedding bed. Then, in swift succession, he undressed himself and lay down beside her.

“Night is long,” he said with a slight smile. “No matter how long your story, we’ve plenty of time.”

But instead of talking, Cui Huayin turned on him like a rider mounting a horse, looking down from above. Her voice was cold, “I hate seeing you willing to sacrifice your own interests for my sake. Enough chatter, get on with what you’re here to do.”

And so, in the deep hours of the wedding night, they gave themselves up to the moment...