Yun Xi encountered no trouble on her return journey to Haoran Sect. When her flying boat descended at the sect gates, five days had already passed. Only half a day remained before the registration deadline for the upcoming grand competition.
Retracting her flying boat, Yun Xi's figure flickered and she slipped into the sect, heading straight toward the Inner Sect's Disciple Hall.
Inside, Elder Han was organizing jade slips when he sensed a gust of wind blow past. Looking up, he saw Yun Xi standing before him. He set down the jade slip in his hand, just about to greet her as "Martial Sister," when he noticed the spiritual fluctuations around her. They were far beyond what a Foundation Establishment cultivator should possess.
With surprise in his voice, he said, "Junior Sister Wei, you've broken through again?"
Yun Xi gave a soft smile and handed over her identity token. "I came across a fortunate opportunity while I was out and managed to advance to Golden Core. I rushed back to participate in the sect's grand competition. Am I still in time to register?"
Elder Han smiled in return. "Congratulations, Junior Sister Wei. You're still in time. There aren't many participants in the Golden Core bracket, so let me first update your identity token, then I'll handle your registration."
"Thank you for the trouble, Elder Han."
"No need to be so polite."
Elder Han personally updated her token information. From now on, Yun Xi would receive offerings appropriate for a Golden Core cultivator.
After registering her for the competition, he returned the token respectfully and added, "Junior Sister Wei, you've come back at just the right time. The competition begins tomorrow. However, since there are many participants in the Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment brackets, the first three days will be eliminations. You still have three days to prepare."
Yun Xi accepted the token with a bow of thanks. "Thank you for the reminder, Elder Han. I'll keep it in mind."
With that, she turned and left the Disciple Hall.
Her visit lasted no more than fifteen minutes, yet news of her condensing a Golden Core at the age of sixteen spread through the Inner Sect like wildfire. The disciples who had glimpsed her began spinning tales, painting her achievements with awe and mystique.
Meanwhile, Yun Xi had already made her way to the Artifact Refining Peak. She was looking for the same peer who had helped her refine the Five-Colored Python robe, hoping he could repair it—and to inquire whether he could also help upgrade her alchemy cauldron.
Xi Muran, upon seeing Yun Xi—who just days ago he would've addressed as "Martial Sister"—bowed respectfully and said, "Congratulations on advancing to Golden Core, Martial Uncle Wei."
"Nephew Xi, you're too polite. Can this robe still be repaired?"
Xi Muran examined the tattered Five-Colored Python robe and sighed. "Martial Uncle, this robe is nearly ruined. Even if I patch it up, it's no longer suitable for someone at your cultivation level. You'd be better off forging a new one."
Yun Xi had expected this answer. She smiled. "The Five-Colored Python was a beast I hunted alone during the beast tide at Baohua Mountain. It holds some sentimental value. I don't intend to wear it again—just keep it as a memento. Please go ahead and repair it."
"No problem. If you're not in a rush, I'll restore it slowly."
"No rush. As for upgrading the alchemy cauldron?"
Xi Muran scratched his head awkwardly. "Martial Uncle, I'm more skilled at refining robes and defensive artifacts. Upgrading a cauldron isn't really my strength. I can introduce my master to you—he's much more suited for it."
"Your master is?"
"Peak Lord of Artifact Refining Peak, Yu Lian Zhēnjūn."
"Is that really appropriate?"
Yun Xi hesitated. She was just a newly advanced Golden Core cultivator. Asking a peak lord to upgrade a cauldron felt like overkill—it wasn't exactly a challenging task.
But Xi Muran knew his master well. He lowered his voice and said, "Martial Uncle, the materials you're using to upgrade your cauldron are extremely rare. My master will definitely be interested. If he takes the task, he could easily upgrade your cauldron to spirit treasure grade. If he's in the mood, pushing it toward mystic treasure level might even be possible."
Yun Xi's heart stirred. If her Ziyu Panlong Cauldron could be elevated to a mystic treasure, it might last her all the way until ascension. She immediately cupped her hands and said, "Nephew Xi, I'll trouble you to deliver both the cauldron and the upgrade materials to your master. If he agrees to take the commission, I'll be sure to offer a payment he finds satisfactory. Also, please help me choose two or three robes from your master's stock. No need to trouble a second person if one can handle it all."
She handed him a storage pouch containing the Ziyu Panlong Cauldron and a piece of purple-gold meteoric iron. She added another pouch filled with spirit stones as a deposit.
Xi Muran accepted the items and went off to find his master.
Yu Lian Zhēnjūn was a towering man over two meters tall, with a thick beard and a body that seemed sculpted for blacksmithing rather than cultivation. Even in his robe, the bulging muscles beneath were unmistakable.
When Xi Muran presented the items and explained the situation, Yu Lian Zhēnjūn's first instinct was to refuse. To him, this task was like using a butcher's knife to kill a chicken—something even his senior disciple could easily handle.
But Xi Muran quickly urged, "Master, don't be so quick to refuse. At least take a look at the upgrade materials."
Yu Lian Zhēnjūn set down his teacup, extended his divine sense into the storage pouch, and upon seeing the purple-gold meteoric iron, his breath hitched. With a wave of his hand, he summoned the box containing the material and inspected it closely. After confirming its authenticity, he grinned and said, "Good disciple, you've brought your master something excellent. I'll take this job. Tell that girl to come back in a month to retrieve her cauldron."
"Yes, Master. Martial Uncle Wei also asked to choose a couple of robes."
Still studying the purple-gold meteoric iron, Yu Lian Zhēnjūn replied without looking up, "Go pick two from the storeroom yourself. The girl's Yu Ling's disciple. She's not short on spirit stones. Pick the best."
"Yes, Master."
Xi Muran took the token and entered the storeroom. According to Yun Xi's request, he picked out three complete robe sets, each with matching boots and accessories.
When Yun Xi received confirmation that the upgrade was accepted, she also gained three new sets of robes. To her surprise, Xi Muran had a good eye: a black robe with gold trim and subtle patterns, a white robe with blue cloud motifs, and a crimson robe embroidered with dark golden designs. All were rare, low-grade mystic treasure–class robes.
Grinning proudly, Xi Muran said, "Martial Uncle Wei, my master was busy with the materials, so I picked these robes myself. These three are the best of the lot. You could wear them all the way to the ascension realm."
Yun Xi beamed, dimples showing. "I like all three of them. How much do they cost?"
"Ten thousand high-grade spirit stones."
Yun Xi winced at the price and reached for her storage pouch, but Xi Muran quickly added, "Per robe. Including my master's labor for the cauldron, the total is thirty-five thousand high-grade spirit stones. It's already a generous deal. My master wouldn't lift a finger for just anyone. He says these pieces are like his own children."
Yun Xi stared at Xi Muran's mouth as it moved, but her mind had already locked onto just one phrase: "Thirty-five thousand high-grade spirit stones."
In the end, she gritted her teeth and handed over the payment. It was the single largest expense she had ever made—and it felt like her heart was bleeding.
She left with the three robes and a token to retrieve her cauldron, descending Artifact Refining Peak without a backward glance. If she lingered even a moment longer, she feared she might actually flip Xi Muran over in a fit of regret.