Chapter 1085: Hundred Artisans Sword Peak Unwilling to Freeload

He thought to himself, and a wisp of dark yellow smoke slowly floated out from the Gluttonous Insect Pouch.

As the smoke shifted, faint overlapping shadows emerged, evolving into scenes of human life and the many facets of the world.

“It has some similarity to those things within the Yellow Millet Jade Pillow, but I’m uncertain about its exact function.”

*Lu Xuan silently marveled before cautiously putting away the dark yellow smoke.*

Having experienced entry into Huangliang Village once before and possessing the Yellow Millet Jade Pillow as a foundation, he decided to explore the realm again during his leisure time to temper his Divine Soul and resolve.

Hundred Artisans Sword Peak.

Xu Wenbai was inspecting several returning Sword Mystic Porcupines that had gathered at the peak.

Although the Sword Mystic Porcupines belonged to Hundred Artisans Sword Peak, they were mostly left in a semi-wild state. Most of the time, they wandered around Sword Sect, gathering discarded Flying Swords, Spirit Ores, sword Aura treasures, and the like.

Since corpse-fiend qi had invaded the Sword Mystic Porcupines’ bodies, the entire Hundred Artisans Sword Peak had been more vigilant. Every so often, they thoroughly inspected the porcupines to avoid any unexpected incidents.

Xu Wenbai summoned a Sword Mystic Porcupine over, his palm wrapped in a layer of dark metal as he cautiously sensed the numerous sword blades all over its body.

“Why is its condition so good? The average quality of its sword blades has improved quite a bit—did it encounter some high-rank Flying Sword or Spirit Ore somewhere within Sword Sect?”

*Feeling puzzled, Xu Wenbai withdrew his dark metal-covered hand and continued inspecting another porcupine.*

The Sword Mystic Porcupine subtly shifted, displaying one sword blade after another gleaming with sharp Sword Intent before Xu Wenbai.

“Strange—the condition is still excellent. It’s incredibly rare to see sword blades of such high quality.”

*Xu Wenbai’s doubts grew deeper as he proceeded to examine the remaining porcupines.*

“What’s with you? The quality of the sword blades you’ve generated is simply unprecedented.”

The one undergoing inspection last was the Sword Mystic Porcupine that had visited Lu Xuan’s Cave Mansion multiple times.

At this moment, every segment of its sword blades gleamed razor-sharp, as if they’d undergone countless tempers by the renowned Artifact Refiners of Hundred Artisans Sword Peak.

After consuming various sword Aura treasures, these porcupines would absorb and process the energy, developing spikes resembling sword blades on their exterior. These spikes were semi-finished products for forging swords and needed to be harvested under specific methods for further refining into Flying Swords.

Yet, the sword blades condensed on this porcupine’s body—some of exceptional quality—were already comparable to near-complete Flying Swords.

Having raised these porcupines for years, Xu Wenbai had developed the ability to communicate with them at a basic level.

“You mean, you all went to Junior Brother Lu Xuan’s place, the one who helped resolve the corpse-fiend qi?”

“In his Cave Mansion, there’s a mystical scabbard that can nurture the sword blades on your bodies?”

Xu Wenbai asked incredulously.

“What kind of scabbard would have effects this extraordinary?”

“You bunch of troublemakers—always hogging Junior Brother’s treasure like this? How can this be appropriate?”

*Thoughts raced through his mind.*

“No, I need to report this to Uncle Master Chen and properly recompense Junior Brother Lu.”

Xu Wenbai instructed the others from his sect to watch over the Sword Mystic Porcupines before transforming into a streak of Sword Light and flying to the peak’s summit.

Chen Bingxue, recently having forged a Sixth Grade Flying Sword, had some spare time, so Xu Wenbai didn’t expend much effort to find him.

“Xu Shi Zhi, you’re saying the Junior Brother Lu Xuan—who once discovered the corpse-fiend qi—has a mystical scabbard that nurtures those sword blades on the porcupines’ bodies?”

Chen Bingxue’s expression showed a trace of surprise as he listened to Xu Wenbai’s account.

“Yes, Uncle Master Chen. I confirmed with the porcupines after communicating thoroughly;

it’s undoubtedly Junior Brother Lu.

Although the mystical scabbard cannot elevate the rank of the sword blades to unprecedented heights, it undeniably nurtures the porcupines.”

Xu Wenbai replied quickly.

“Even a slight effect is already remarkable. Even if its efficacy wanes over time, the cumulative benefit would be substantial.”

Chen Bingxue nodded lightly.

“Those porcupines have been occupying Junior Brother Lu Xuan’s treasure for so long—it’s essential that we properly express our gratitude to avoid others saying we Hundred Artisans Sword Peak are ungrateful.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Wenbai’s thoughts shifted, and he quickly came up with an idea:

“Uncle Master, I’ve heard Junior Brother Lu has a deep passion for rare Spirit Seeds and saplings. Why not gift him a high-grade Spirit Seed or sapling?”

He suggested aloud.

“That works. You make the arrangements—we recently acquired a high-grade Spirit Seed at the peak, which would be perfect to give to Junior Brother Lu.”

“Uncle Master, considering the mystical scabbard’s significant benefits to the porcupines, should we consider purchasing it from him for a high price?”

Xu Wenbai hesitated for a moment before asking.

“We can tentatively bring it up with Junior Brother Lu to see if he’s willing. If he is, as long as the price is within the peak’s capacity, we’ll make it happen.”

Chen Bingxue harbored strong interest in the scabbard held by Lu Xuan.

Within Hundred Artisans Sword Peak, the Sword Mystic Porcupines were held in high regard. If they could obtain the scabbard, it would enhance the porcupines’ growth significantly, bringing mutual benefits to the peak.

Though Lu Xuan was a fellow member of Sword Sect and highly regarded by the True Sword Master of Huan Zhen Sword Peak, neither Chen Bingxue nor Xu Wenbai harbored any personal greed.

Three days later, Chen Bingxue and Xu Wenbai arrived at Huan Zhen Sword Peak together.

“Junior Brother Lu Xuan, I am Xu Wenbai of Hundred Artisans Sword Peak, here with Uncle Master Chen Bingxue to visit you.”

Xu Wenbai, having been to Lu Xuan’s Cave Mansion once before, noticed the White Ape guarding the entrance was absent and promptly transmitted his voice into the depths of the cave.

Inside the cave.

Lu Xuan, who was in the middle of cultivating Spirit Plants, appeared puzzled.

“Why are Uncle Master Chen Bingxue and Senior Brother Xu Wenbai here?”

His figure flickered as he hurried to the cave’s entrance at top speed.

“Lu Xuan greets Uncle Master Chen and Senior Brother Xu! I apologize for failing to greet you properly!”

He respectfully addressed Chen Bingxue, who stood in the forefront.

Chen Bingxue smiled lightly, his tone warm, “No need for formalities, Junior Disciple Lu.”

Lu Xuan invited the two into his Cave Mansion.

“Junior Disciple, the two of us are here today to properly express our gratitude toward you.”

After sitting, Chen Bingxue spoke with a gentle smile to Lu Xuan.

Lu Xuan instinctively asked in a low voice, “Gratitude?”

*For some time, Lu Xuan had been focused on cultivating Spirit Plants within his cave, preparing for his Nascent Soul breakthrough, and hadn’t had any interactions with members of Hundred Artisans Sword Peak.*

*The only thing worth thanking him for was resolving the corpse-fiend qi incident afflicting the Sword Mystic Porcupines years ago.*

“Have the Sword Mystic Porcupines from Hundred Artisans Sword Peak interfered with your cultivation or Spirit Plant cultivation recently, Junior Disciple?”

Chen Bingxue asked with a smile.

“Ah, so that’s what this is about.”

*Lu Xuan suddenly understood.*

He had lured the porcupines over with maintenance excuses to allow his scabbard to interact with their sword blades, occasionally gaining sword Aura treasures they offered as thanks.

*Having already benefited significantly, he didn’t quite expect Hundred Artisans Sword Peak to send a Nascent Soul True Monarch personally to express gratitude.*

*For a moment, Lu Xuan, who often profited without shame, felt mildly uncomfortable.*

*Of course, at the prospect of an incoming treasure, any trace of guilt quickly evaporated.*