Chapter 9 - Sword Nourishing Master

The task Lin Xuan undertook was a familiar one, the repair of swords.

It was a fourth-level task, which involved repairing three longswords for a total of thirty Contribution Points and an additional twenty low-grade spiritual stones.

A fourth-level task was considered quite difficult outside, and furthermore, one had to repair all three longswords to receive the Contribution Points, so it had been left unclaimed for a long time, which fortunately worked out in Lin Xuan’s favor.

When Lin Xuan took the Task Token to register, the registering disciple looked at him in surprise and reminded him, “Make sure you understand, you only get the Contribution Points if you repair all three longswords; even one less won’t do.”

“If you damage them further, there will be compensation required.

Think it through carefully.” The registering disciple didn’t believe Lin Xuan was capable of repairing them.

The task had been available for a long time without takers, which spoke volumes about its difficulty.

Lin Xuan nodded, indicating he understood.

The registering disciple said no more but pulled out three slightly narrow longswords and handed them to Lin Xuan.

“You can take them home or complete the repair here.” the registering disciple said.

Lin Xuan took a brief look and noticed some complexities, he asked, “Brother, do you have similar weapon repair tasks?”

“First finish these,” the registering disciple dismissed, “Focus on the task at hand!”

Lin Xuan smiled helplessly and carried the three longswords back with him.

Weapon repair was a technical job that required some secret techniques.

As a disciple of Sword Pond Prefecture, he had learned the ways of weapon repair since childhood.

Though he couldn’t be called a master, he was still quite capable of handling such tasks.

Sword Pond Prefecture was very famous in Daxia Kingdom, not only for their formidable strength but also for their weapon repair abilities.

On the Spirit Martial Continent, there was a special profession known as Artifact Nourishment Masters.

They could repair weapons with extraordinary methods, even enhancing the weapons’ power.

Sword Pond Prefecture had a unique mastery in cultivating longswords, which is why they were also known as Sword Nourishing Masters in Daxia Kingdom.

In Sword Pond Prefecture, there was a vast sword pond containing tens of thousands of treasure swords, where the Sword Nourishing Masters usually worked.

Lin Xuan had grown up soaking in the waters of that sword pond.

Lin Xuan returned to his new residence and shut the door.

This dwelling area was for Outer Disciples, each having an individual small cabin, and the decor was many times better than his previous abode.

He placed the three longswords on the table, drank some water, and then picked up a dark red longsword.

Lin Xuan cut his fingertip and with his blood, drew a rune over the crack.

Streams of spiritual energy in the air converged into small luminous spots, gathering towards the rune like hundreds of fireflies dancing.

Though it was just a small rune, it contained the painstaking efforts of several generations.

Every half hour, Lin Xuan would redraw it, and after three times, the gap in the dark red longsword was gone.

Buoyed by his success, Lin Xuan energetically repaired the remaining two swords, taking not too much time in total.

However, his face turned somewhat pale, as performing these tasks greatly drained his spiritual power and energy.

He sat cross-legged, clasped his hands together for seals, and operated the Longevity Technique with full force, circulating the spiritual power within his body.

After two hours, Lin Xuan opened his eyes, having reached his optimal state.

“Thirty Contribution Points secured,” Lin Xuan smiled slightly and, shouldering the three longswords, headed straight for the Task Hall.

“What?

You’ve completed it already!” the registering disciple’s eyes widened in shock.

After a thorough inspection, the registering disciple couldn’t find anything amiss.

“Damn, how did this guy manage to repair them?” the registering disciple wondered in alarm.

“Brother, are there any other similar tasks?”

“Yes!” the registering disciple thought for a moment and then said solemnly, “This task is above fourth level.

Normally, Outer Disciples shouldn’t take it.

But since it’s been sitting for so long, maybe you should give it a try.”

“What’s the reward?” Lin Xuan was focused on the Contribution Points.

“One hundred Contribution Points, plus fifty low-grade spiritual stones,” the registering disciple declared.

“One hundred!” Lin Xuan exclaimed, attracting puzzled looks from surrounding disciples.

He quickly lowered his voice, “Brother, are you sure?”

The registering disciple, seeing Lin Xuan’s anxious expression, felt a bit amused.

“Don’t be nervous, besides you, I doubt anyone else would take this task,” said the registering disciple, “But I must remind you, this longsword is very valuable.

If you’re not confident, it’s best not to accept it.”

For that hundred Contribution Points, Lin Xuan said without hesitation, “I’ll take it!”

The registering disciple noted it down, then carefully took out a rectangular box.

“This is a human-level low-level treasure.” said the registering disciple as he opened the box.

Upon seeing the longsword, Lin Xuan took a deep breath.

The three-foot-long sword was almost half-covered by a brownish liquid.

Lin Xuan took the longsword back with him and studied it carefully, realizing that the damage on this human-level low-level treasure was more severe than he had anticipated.

“It seems some materials are needed to properly repair this longsword,” Lin Xuan mused seriously, resting his chin on his hand.

“There is a type of Yin Herb, highly corrosive, that should be able to remove the brown stains,” Lin Xuan had some ideas and decided to make a trip to the Taihang Mountain Range the next day.

With a plan in mind, Lin Xuan once again immersed himself in cultivation.

Previously, Lin Xuan hadn’t been able to unlock the Spirit Vein, so he had limited access to his family’s martial arts books.

Now, he only had the Outer Heaven Flying Star technique and a set of basic swordsmanship and step techniques from his family.

Basic martial arts had their advantages; they could be considered the blueprint for all advanced martial arts.

Taking basic swordsmanship as an example, it included all the fundamental movements and correct ways of exerting force in sword skills.

Lin Xuan quickly delved into his practice…

The next morning, Lin Xuan set off for the Taihang Mountain Range.

A gentle breeze blew through the forest, rustling the trees, as Lin Xuan practiced the Basic Step Technique while traveling.

The Yin Herb grew on the shaded, moist side of the mountain.

Lin Xuan searched all over but found nothing.

After searching all morning to no avail, he sat down on the ground, took out his provisions, and began to eat.

Soon, sounds of fighting and faint roars of beasts came from up ahead.

Curious, Lin Xuan moved swiftly towards the source of the noise.

Swoosh!

Lin Xuan ducked into the nearby bushes and looked up.

In front of him, there were two groups of people, with a two-meter-long Blood-eyed Wolf in the middle, fighting a skinny youth.

Lin Xuan recognized the youth; it was Luo Yi, the one who had helped him resolve his questions.

Luo Yi wielded a short sword, constantly stabbing at the Blood-eyed Wolf.

On average, one out of every three thrusts hit the wolf.

Its sharp fangs bared, the wolf continuously swung its sharp claws, leaving trails of cold light in the air.

Lin Xuan watched anxiously, but soon, he was amazed to find that Luo Yi’s step technique seemed quite unique.