Chapter 236: Growth

Shang Xia knew that Duan Hong had the ability to repair graded weapons. He was also skilled enough to modify one!

After all, Duan Hong repaired Shang Xi’s pair of knives in the past. Repairing a weapon was much easier than making one from scratch anyway. Since Duan Hong was going to attempt to create a low-grade spear anyway, giving him the low-grade halberd to practice on didn’t seem too bad.

If Duan Hong managed to modify his halberd and successfully create the low-grade spear, Shang Xia would have struck it big. However, Shang Xia was obviously the only one who was rich enough at the moment to give Duan Hong a graded weapon to play around with.

Ignoring the cost of modifying the Waning Moon Halberd to turn it into the Waning Moon Spear, Shang Xia knew that changing the base of a weapon from a halberd to a spear would definitely affect its quality. Even if it remained as a low-grade weapon, it could barely be considered one. However, all he wanted was to use it as a placeholder before his actual spear was completed!

He couldn’t be bothered that he would destroy the halberd. After all, he had three other graded weapons in his possession.

Rather than keeping it in his Embroidered Cloud Case as decoration, he might as well bring out the halberd and increase his strength as much as possible.

After Duan Hong left and brought away the two younger disciples of the Shang Clan who he introduced as his disciples, he still felt his head spinning.

From what he knew, the Shang Clan only had so many graded weapons. He didn’t expect Shang Xia to bring out one for him to play with.

Watching Duan Hong’s leaving figure, Yan Qi chuckled in amusement, “Young master, you definitely scared Master Duan Hong this time.”

After he spoke, he discovered that Shang Xia was playing with another short blade in his hand. With his pupils widening in fright, Yan Qi shuttered, “This… This… Isn’t this…”

When Zhu Ying challenged Shang Xia in the past, he wanted to use the exact same short blade. Many people had seen it before.

Shang Xia sniggered softly in response, “Yeah, this is the blade you’re thinking about. It’s mine now. However, I’m not good at using short blades. Uncle Yan, you can have it. I know that the dagger Aunt Xi gave you in the war is too short and you’re not used to it.”

Yan Qi’s gaze couldn’t leave the short blade, but he shook his head resolutely. “No. I cannot accept it. This is a mid-grade weapon! It’s too valuable.”

He knew that the Shang Clan was severely lacking in mid-grade weapons. He couldn’t accept such a huge gift from Shang Xia.

However, the blade came flying over before he could say anything else.

Grabbing it hastily, he tried to return it to Shang Xia. “Young Master, this…”

Pushing his hand away, Shang Xia said in all seriousness, “Uncle Yan, you have been taking care of me all this while. You can even be considered half my father! Don’t tell me our relationship isn’t worth as much as this sword.”

A trace of gratefulness flashed in Yan Qi’s eyes and he muttered softly, “I’ll accept Young Master’s favor! I will definitely remember your grace!” When he spoke, a short dagger appeared in his palm.

“Since I obtained the short blade, I shall return this dagger to you.”

The Origin Light Dagger didn’t really suit Yan Qi in the first place. As such, Shang Xia didn’t reject it. Instead, he jokingly reminded Yan Qi after retrieving the dagger. “Uncle Yan, don’t forget to disguise the blade a little. Even though Zhu Ying’s death might have wiped everything clean, it’s not a good idea to wave it openly.”

Yan Qi nodded solemnly. He seemed to have thought of something as he played with the dagger in his hand and he continued, “I forgot to say this earlier, but Young Lady Mu Qingyu returned with the Yun Family’s convoy.”

Shang Xia’s eyes widened in shock. “Oh? Is she still alive? Alright then. It’s good to be alive.” Shang Xia felt a little guilty in his heart. After all, he left her behind when he chased after Zhu Ying back then.

“Young Lady Mu’s condition isn’t too bad. I heard that she ran into quite a few fortunate encounters in the Coral Forest and experienced a huge increase in cultivation strength.”

Shang Xia’s thoughts immediately returned to the stack of herbs Zhu Ying left behind and his heart started to ache slightly.

…

After instructing Yan Qi to continue taking note of the situation in the city, Shang Xia returned to his Yifeng Pavilion.

A loud cry came from the skies and several chirps could be heard in succession. Raising his head, Shang Xia saw four tiny little birds raising their heads to the skies above with their small beaks wide open.

A gray shadow descended from the skies as Yan Ni’er made a graceful twist in the air before returning to her nest.

The next thing he knew, she released the foot-long fish in her mouth and the four little Rain Swallows rushed towards it.

Several sparks of lightning flashed through the nest, causing the three other rain swallows to jump in fright. In the next moment, they started twittering away as they went over to complain to Yan Ni’er.

Shang Xia stared intently at the little bird who was emitting a soft silver glow and was a little larger than the other three. The little bird was tearing away at the flesh of the fish Yan Ni’er brought back.

A smile found its way onto Shang Xia’s face as it wasn’t the first time that happened. It was basically a daily occurrence that brought Shang Xia a little joy in his otherwise dull life.

Shang Xia named the little swallow when it just hatched, and it was called Yan Lei. It was precisely the descendant of the Lightning Bird and Yan Ni’er. Perhaps it was because Shang Xia gave the Lightning Bird and Yan Ni’er an overall boost with his constant provision of the ball of lightning, their descendant seemed a lot stronger the moment it was born.

That also allowed it to become the fastest among its three other siblings when it came to fighting for food.

Clearly, its actions were unacceptable in Yan Ni’er’s eyes. She wouldn’t allow one of her children to behave so impolitely and she chirped angrily at Yan Lei.

𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Yan Lei seemed to understand its mother well and it lowered its head before moving slightly to the side. The soft silver glow around it also disappeared.

The three other little swallows quickly rushed over and started their feast.

Unfortunately for them, the most delicious part of the fish had already been eaten by Yan Lei.

After watching her kids eat for a little while, Yan Ni’er emerged from her nest and landed on Shang Xia’s shoulders.

With his inner qi slowly circulating around his body, several bolts of lightning appeared around Yan Ni’er. She flapped her wings in joy while letting out happy chirps as she bathed in the web of lightning Shang Xia summoned.

All of a sudden, another figure emerged from the nest and charged towards Shang Xia. Sadly, Yan Lei wasn’t able to fly properly yet and it tumbled about in the air unsteadily.

Reaching out to hold Yan Lei, a chuckle left Shang Xia’s lips. Before he could do anything, Yan Lei struggled violently out of his palm and hopped over to his shoulders. Evidently, it wanted to bathe in the web of lightning too.