Chapter 525: Yin Tower

‘Three Lifebound Magical Artifacts?!’

‘He’s only at the Blood Strengthening realm, yet he’s mastered three Lifebound Magical Artifacts?!’

Even Ren Fei of the Rebirth Palace was defeated in such a short amount of time. With three Lifebound Magical Artifacts providing both attack and defense, almost no one in the Blood Strengthening realm could be his opponent in a conventional battle, unless they resorted to some desperate, life-risking techniques.

The Divine Weapon Tomb had produced quite an incredible junior.

A look of astonishment appeared in the eyes of the assembled Elders.

Meanwhile, the disciples in their seats were equally surprised by the skills Liu Tie had displayed, and they were also intrigued by his words.

‘The mysterious disciple from the Red Heart Sect? The one everyone was talking about after the Ghost City in the Dream incident?’

If the rumors were true and that person were to fight, it was indeed possible he could defeat this Liu Tie.

Everyone’s gaze turned toward the Red Heart Sect’s seating area, as if trying to confirm if that person was present.

In the Miaoyin Hall seating area, Zhuang Li watched the Red Heart Sect’s section with a slightly playful expression, his gaze landing on the seemingly inconspicuous Zhao Xuanqi, who was hidden among the other disciples.

However, Zhao Xuanqi showed no reaction. His expression didn’t change in the slightest, giving no hint that he was affected or had any intention of making a move.

‘The techniques of the Artifact Refining Lineage truly are in a class of their own. The combined effects of the three Magical Artifacts have created a qualitative change. Without stacking multiple Secret Techniques, even I, two months ago, would have struggled to defeat this person.’

‘But as for now… it would be an easy victory.’

‘Still, I’m trying my best to hide my identity. It’s not worth exposing myself over a petty squabble.’

Seeing no response from the Red Heart Sect, a hint of disappointment appeared in Liu Tie’s eyes on the stage.

Ren Fei, who had been knocked from the stage, wore an ugly expression but couldn’t bring himself to say a word. Zhao Xuanqi was indeed stronger than him—a fact he was utterly convinced of after the Ghost City incident.

“Zhao from the Red Heart Sect isn’t here this time,” Ren Fei said to Liu Tie, taking a deep breath to calm the turmoil in his body. “Your three Lifebound Magical Artifacts, with their integrated Attack and Defense, are truly powerful. But back in the Ghost City, Zhao once created a talisman’s Form while only at the Blood Strengthening realm. I doubt you could withstand that.”

‘Even though I lost,’ he thought, ‘the Heqing Dao Martial Realm can’t lose face.’

“Creating a talisman’s Form at the Blood Strengthening realm? That is indeed a monstrous feat. It’s a shame I can’t exchange a few moves with this Zhao from the Red Heart Sect.”

Liu Tie said with a sigh, the expression on his face not seeming feigned.

“Why would Senior Brother Zhao need to act? I’ll face you!”

Just then, a clear, feminine shout rang out. He Xijun, who was sitting beside Zhao Xuanqi, took a step forward and dashed toward the stage.

Zhao Xuanqi picked up the teacup beside him and took a sip. ‘I know He Xijun’s capabilities perfectly well. She is definitely not his match. Among all the people from Heqing Dao, probably only Ren Fei using “Infinite,” or Chi Li from the Yin Mountain Sect—if he hasn’t advanced in realm yet—using the Red General’s Forbidden Skill to its absolute limit would have a chance to fight this person and break through his three Magical Artifacts.’

“Elder Jiang has taken on a fine disciple! The Divine Weapon Tomb truly produces a wealth of talent. It’s enviable.”

The Elders all exchanged pleasantries with Jiang Shitai.

“You flatter me, you flatter me. If one has some accomplishments in the path of Artifact Refining, it does give them an advantage on the stage, haha.”

Jiang Shitai downed a cup of wine, his face beaming. In truth, he was swamped with duties, but he had taken the time to come here specifically for this moment of public glory.

‘So satisfying. Totally worth it.’

“By the way, Elder Qiu, if I may be so bold, what’s the deal with that mysterious disciple of your Red Heart Sect? Are you really not going to let the other sects meet him? Working in isolation isn’t a good thing,” one of the Elders asked Qiu Qing with some curiosity.

“Hahaha, that’s Master Zhu’s business. It has nothing to do with me. I don’t know a thing.”

Qiu Qing laughed ambiguously, passing the buck to his own Sect Leader. He secretly glanced at the beaming Jiang Shitai and grumbled unhappily to himself:

‘We missed our chance to show off. What a pity, what a pity. That damned brat, what’s he hiding for? He’d better not give me an opening, or else…’

…

…

Outside South Mansion, on the peak of a great mountain, two cloaked figures stood against the wind. The fierce evening gales at the summit whipped their black robes, making them flap loudly.

Of the two cloaked figures, one was tall with exceptionally broad shoulders, while the other had a slender, willowy frame and appeared to be a woman.

The two stood on the mountain peak, gazing in the direction of South Mansion. The majestic city and its evening lights were reflected in their eyes.

The woman held thin twine and straw in her hands. A pair of fair, jade-like arms extended from her black robes, her hands moving with incredible dexterity as she wove the straw and twine together. She was complaining softly, “Celestial Derivation, didn’t they say they were only sending you and Gui Cang? Why did you drag me along too? I’m very busy, you know. And just to be clear, I only brought a dozen or so Lifebound Magical Artifacts with me this time, and they’re all for defense. Don’t drag me into a fight.”

As she spoke, her nimble hands had already finished weaving a bird. Then, with a flick of her finger, she forced out a drop of blood and let it seep into the straw bird.

GURGLE GURGLE!!

The straw bird’s body suddenly squirmed. Twisted flesh and blood oozed from between the gaps in the straw, rapidly covering its body until it finally transformed into a creature of real flesh and blood.