Chapter 239: Return to Jia Nan Academy
"Join Yuanfu?"
Hearing the words that came out of Mo Yu's mouth, Qiushui was momentarily taken aback. His expression remained calm and indifferent as he responded.
"Since Mo Yu was also at the Di Yan auction, you should know that I refused the invitation from the Young Master of the Barbarian Beast Sect. I'm used to walking my own path and don't like joining any faction. Please, Mo Yu, consider another condition."
Mo Yu smiled, not feeling disheartened or angry by Qiushui's initial refusal. Yuanfu was still in its early stages, and the faction severely lacked strong warriors. Even though Mo Yu had a lead on the Life Devouring Pill, the true combat effectiveness and potential of those artificially elevated warriors remained uncertain.
As for Qiushui, a Dou Ling (Battle Spirit) at the peak of his strength, who could already contend with a Dou Wang (Battle King), if he advanced to Dou Wang, he might quickly become one of the best among them. If Mo Yu could recruit someone like Qiushui into Yuanfu, he wouldn't have to worry as much about Yuanfu's safety when he returned to Jia Nan Academy.
Mo Yu wasn't concerned about Qiushui's refusal. He believed that if the offer was tempting enough, no one could resist.
"Master Qiushui, don't be in such a hurry to refuse. Hear me out first," Mo Yu said, locking his gaze on the scarred man in front of him, smiling calmly. "Regardless of whether you agree or not, I promise to repair your Ice and Fire Twin Swords."
Hearing this, a flicker of emotion passed through Qiushui's usually indifferent eyes. As he looked at Mo Yu, he noticed the confident glint in the youth's serene silver eyes.
Qiushui couldn't help but feel puzzled. Having roamed the Black-Corner Region for many years, countless factions had tried to recruit him, even some of the top-tier factions extended invitations. Yet Qiushui had refused all of them without exception.
Yuanfu was merely a newly established faction. It wasn't even on par with some of the stronger second-tier forces, let alone top-tier factions. What kind of trump card did this young master of Yuanfu have that made him so confident in recruiting him?
Seeing Qiushui deep in thought, Mo Yu smiled slightly and delivered a tempting offer, "I can not only repair your Ice and Fire Twin Swords, but I can also upgrade them to a fifth-tier Ice and Fire Four Symbols Sword."
This calm statement made Qiushui's head snap up. His eyes locked onto Mo Yu, filled with surprise and excitement.
A fifth-tier weapon, the Ice and Fire Four Symbols Sword!
As a swordsman with both ice and fire attributes, just hearing about such a sword made Qiushui's heart skip a beat, especially since it was a fifth-tier weapon. On the Dou Qi continent, blacksmiths were much rarer compared to alchemists. Even fourth-tier alchemists were rare in the Black-Corner Region, let alone fifth-tier blacksmiths.
In Qiushui's mind, there probably wasn't a single fifth-tier blacksmith in the entire Black-Corner Region.
"Can Mo Yu really forge an Ice and Fire Four Symbols Sword?" After a moment, Qiushui managed to restrain his excitement and asked, still skeptical.
After all, not just anyone could forge a fifth-tier weapon. There likely wasn't a single person capable of it in the entire Black-Corner Region, let alone this young Mo Yu.
"Not yet..." Mo Yu shook his head, causing a hint of disappointment in Qiushui's eyes. But Mo Yu quickly followed with a light chuckle, "But very soon, I will be able to."
As soon as these words fell, a powerful surge of spiritual energy suddenly erupted from Mo Yu. The terrifying pressure of his soul spread out like a newly awakened dragon, sweeping through the hall from within the young man.
"This is..."
Qiushui's eyes widened in shock, and he instinctively took two steps back. As a Dou Ling at the peak of his strength, capable of contending with Dou Wang powerhouses, he felt a sense of danger emanating from the young man in front of him.
"Four-tier peak spiritual energy!"
He couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. When Qiushui looked at Mo Yu again, his gaze held a newfound respect. To possess such formidable strength at such a young age, it was clear that this young man would one day have a prominent place among the powerhouses of the Black-Corner Region.
"I was able to forge the Ice and Fire Twin Swords because I have the necessary skills." Mo Yu retracted the overwhelming spiritual pressure back into his body, causing the intense atmosphere in the hall to settle down.
"Now that my spiritual energy has reached the peak of the fourth tier, I'm just a step away from breaking through to the fifth tier. Once that happens, I will naturally be able to forge the fifth-tier Ice and Fire Four Symbols Sword."
"As for whether or not I can break through to the fifth tier, I'm sure Master Qiushui has no doubts about that. If you agree to join Yuanfu, I will gift you the Ice and Fire Four Symbols Sword as soon as I reach the fifth tier. What do you say?" Mo Yu's lighthearted offer resonated deeply with Qiushui, causing ripples of emotion in his heart.
Looking at Mo Yu's youthful face, Qiushui realized that with such talent, it wouldn't be difficult for him to advance to the fifth or even the sixth tier.
For the first time, a hint of uncertainty flickered across Qiushui's usually calm and indifferent expression. He found himself in an inner conflict, torn between his long-standing principle of remaining independent and the overwhelming temptation of the Ice and Fire Four Symbols Sword.
Mo Yu remained silent, merely squinting slightly as he waited for Qiushui's final decision. He believed that the conditions he had offered were unmatched by any other faction. A swordsman's attachment to his sword was often profound, almost to the point of obsession.
Missing out on this opportunity meant that Qiushui might never again find such a favorable deal…
As the tea on the table gradually cooled, Qiushui finally broke free from his inner struggle. His gaze became resolute as he looked at Mo Yu.
"Alright, I agree to join Yuanfu!"
Hearing Qiushui's agreement, Mo Yu let out a sigh of relief. Recruiting a powerhouse comparable to a Dou Wang would significantly elevate Yuanfu's status.
"But I have one condition. I will only stay with Yuanfu for two years. During these two years, the Master must deliver the Ice and Fire Four Symbols Sword to me. After two years, if I choose to leave, you must not stop me," Qiushui added.
Mo Yu was momentarily taken aback, but after a brief moment of thought, he nodded slowly.
"If I can't win over Qiushui in two years, then I don't deserve to be the Master," Mo Yu thought to himself.
Seeing Mo Yu agree, Qiushui also felt a sense of relief. The allure of the Ice and Fire Four Symbols Sword was too great, making him abandon his long-standing principle of independence. Still, Yuanfu, despite being newly founded, had a talented leader and, more importantly, a terrifying aura within its ranks that even made Qiushui uneasy.
With such a foundation, it wasn't impossible for Yuanfu to become a first-tier faction in the Black-Corner Region, so joining it didn't feel like a waste.
After agreeing to Qiushui's request, Mo Yu took the damaged Ice and Fire Twin Swords and found a room to begin the repair work.
Although the swords were severely damaged, Mo Yu's mastery in blacksmithing had already reached an extraordinary level. After working for over half an hour, a sword as good as new appeared before him.
Returning to the hall, Mo Yu handed the repaired Ice and Fire Twin Swords to Qiushui, who accepted them with a mixture of gratitude and excitement. Mo Yu then summoned a servant to call back Ling Feng, Meng Yang, and Zi Huo.
A few minutes later, when Ling Feng and Meng Yang arrived at the hall and saw Qiushui standing respectfully behind Mo Yu, their faces showed a mix of surprise and awe. As for Zi Huo, he simply greeted Mo Yu with a cheerful "Big Brother" and obediently stood behind him.
Sensing the ferocious aura hidden within Zi Huo's towering frame as he approached, Qiushui's expression tensed slightly, and he instinctively tightened his grip on his sword.
"Hehe, this is Qiushui. As of today, he has officially joined Yuanfu and will be our guest elder," Mo Yu announced to the three hall masters without any unnecessary words.
As Mo Yu's words fell, Zi Huo's expression remained unchanged, while Ling Feng and Meng Yang couldn't hide their shock.
The 'Deadly Sword' Qiushui might not have been a household name across the Black-Corner Region, but he was well-known. Rumor had it that no faction had ever been able to recruit him, not even when leaders of first-tier factions tried personally.
Yet now, their own Master had managed to bring him into Yuanfu. The mystique surrounding Mo Yu only grew in their eyes.
After delivering the news, Mo Yu paid little attention to Ling Feng and Meng Yang's reactions and continued, "Now that Yuanfu is operating smoothly, it's time for me to leave Stone Rock City and return to Jia Nan Academy."
Ling Feng was momentarily startled before expressing concern, "Master, if you leave, what will happen to Yuanfu?"
"Don't worry. Even though I'll be gone, Yuanfu still has Zi Huo and Qiushui. If any trouble arises, have Qiushui or Zi Huo lead the Lion Hall to handle it," Mo Yu replied calmly.
Hearing this, Ling Feng nodded and relaxed. With Zi Huo and Qiushui present, only a first-tier faction would pose a threat to Yuanfu.
After finishing his instructions, Mo Yu turned to Zi Huo, patted him on the shoulder, and said with some reluctance, "Zi Huo, I'm leaving Yuanfu in your hands."
The reason Mo Yu didn't bring Zi Huo to Jia Nan Academy was twofold: first, to have someone guard Yuanfu, and second, because the academy didn't allow outsiders inside. Until Mo Yu had enough power, he couldn't force the academy to break this rule.
"Don't worry, Big Brother. I'll protect Yuanfu," Zi Huo replied with a sincere smile, but deep within his fierce eyes, there was a flash of determination.
"Zi Huo, when I return, I'll forge a suitable weapon for you."
After giving his final instructions, Mo Yu's back trembled slightly as the Purple Cloud Wings extended from his shoulders. With a light flap, he soared into the sky, turning in the air before shooting towards the northern horizon.
This journey lasted for three days.
Three days passed swiftly as Mo Yu traveled non-stop, closing the distance between him and Jia Nan Academy.
On the third day, as evening approached, the exhausted Mo Yu slowed down and eventually landed on a small hill.
Standing on the hilltop, Mo Yu gazed into the distance, where he could see the faint outline of a small town nestled between two towering mountains.
This town was Peace Town, the first town you would encounter upon entering Jia Nan Academy!
Looking at the town, Mo Yu didn't immediately enter. Instead, he carefully took out a small bottle from his storage ring. Opening the bottle, he revealed two red pills inside.
The pills were blood-red and about the size of a dragon's eye. They had a mysterious appearance, resembling transparent beads filled with blood. In the center of each pill, there was a small, dark red spot that looked like a tiny eye, giving the pills a strange and eerie aura.
These two pills were the Life Devouring Pills that Mo Yu had obtained from a secret cave in the mountains near Jia Nan Academy just one day ago, guided by the mysterious map!
As seventh-tier pills, and possibly the last two remaining on the continent, the contents of this small bottle were incredibly valuable, worth far more than their weight in gold.
Apart from the flawed Transformation Pill, these Life Devouring Pills were the highest-quality pills Mo Yu had encountered since his rebirth.
With these two pills, Yuanfu could produce two Dou Wang powerhouses in a short time!
Carefully holding the bottle, Mo Yu noticed that the bottle cap was engraved with some kind of energy pattern, which seemed to have a sealing effect.
"Seventh-tier pills, even their containers must use energy suppression," Mo Yu murmured, raising an eyebrow. He didn't take the pills out, knowing that such high-grade pills couldn't be left exposed; they could trigger unusual phenomena.
In addition to the two Life Devouring Pills, Mo Yu had also obtained a red scroll, containing the recipe for the Life Devouring Pill. Unfortunately, Mo Yu's alchemy skills were limited, so he could only store the recipe away for future use.
Having gained such a treasure, Mo Yu was in high spirits. Without worrying about the dust covering him, he quickly descended the hill and joined the dirt road leading to the town.
Once within Jia Nan Academy's territory, Mo Yu noticed a palpable sense of order. The usual scenes of violence common in other parts of the Black-Corner Region were completely absent here.
This alone was evidence of Jia Nan Academy's control over its domain.
After about ten minutes, Mo Yu arrived at the town's entrance. He glanced up at the sign above the gate, which bore the simple and ordinary name, "Peace Town."
Just as he was about to step into the town, Mo Yu noticed that the noise around him had suddenly quieted. Curious, he turned his head and saw that many of the travelers from the Black-Corner Region had gone pale and were trembling as they stared at a large tree not far from the town's gate.
The tree was pitch-black, with its branches spreading out in all directions like claws. In the fading light of the setting sun, it gave off a chilling aura.
Mo Yu's eyes scanned the tree with interest. He saw that several corpses were hanging from its branches, pierced through by the tree limbs. The wind made the bodies sway, producing a creepy creaking sound.
Although the bodies were long decayed, their lingering aura revealed that they had once been renowned Dou Wang or even Dou Huang powerhouses.
"So this is the Dead Tree of Souls… Jia Nan Academy is indeed formidable," Mo Yu muttered under his breath.
(End of Chapter)
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