C12 Disciple 12 Star Moon Crystal

"A guest Sword Crafting Master?" Lin Yu inquired with a hint of confusion.

"I realize it's a bit forward to ask, but with your mastery of sword crafting, you're more than capable of handling the role. Plus... it's merely an honorary title. You're free to come and go as you please; there's no obligation to assist others with their sword forging unless you wish to. Does that sound agreeable to you?" Yao Wanli paused thoughtfully before adding, "I've also heard about your interest in the ores from our Myriad Mile Sword Crafting Pavilion. Are you planning to forge a sword? If you agree to become a guest Sword Crafting Master with us, you'll have unrestricted access to our materials!"

Lin Yu felt a stir of interest. Indeed, he had been contemplating crafting his own sword, especially after visiting various weapon shops the previous day and finding little that impressed him. The few items that did were prohibitively expensive, well beyond his means. Crafting his own sword seemed to be the only viable option.

After a moment's reflection, Lin Yu responded, "I have no objections to becoming a guest Sword Crafting Master, but there's one condition you must agree to."

"Go ahead..."

"Absolute confidentiality. Whatever I do within the Myriad Mile Sword Crafting Pavilion cannot be disclosed," Lin Yu stated quietly.

Yao Wanli's initial surprise quickly gave way to understanding. Lin Yu, currently at the Fourth Level Yellow Rank, had limited self-defense capabilities, yet possessed exceptional sword crafting skills. If word got out, it would undoubtedly attract unwanted attention. Some might even resort to kidnapping Lin Yu to exploit his talents—a clear case of 'the innocent man burdened by his treasure.'

"I understand... The matters here will not reach a fourth ear," Yao Wanli assured him, nodding gravely.

"Thank you, senior," Lin Yu expressed his gratitude.

"Lin Yu, we're colleagues now. I'm looking forward to working together," Yao Xi chimed in cheerfully.

"The pleasure is mine," Lin Yu replied, gently shaking Yao Xi's hand.

A blush crept onto Yao Xi's cheeks. She couldn't fathom why, but the thought of spending more time with Lin Yu filled her with joy, a feeling surpassing even that of creating a perfect masterpiece.

"Maybe Lin Yu's sword crafting skills are just that impressive!" Yao Xi reassured herself silently.

"What kind of materials do you need to forge your sword, Lin?" inquired Yao Wanli. Yao Xi listened intently, her heart swelling with anticipation. Lin Yu had crafted an incredible sword from mere Flame Profound Iron, and surely he would take even greater care with his own. Given his standards, the outcome was bound to be astonishing—so much so that Yao Xi scarcely dared to imagine it.

"A cook can't work without ingredients. I can't say for sure right now... I'd like to see what materials are available before deciding," Lin Yu responded gently.

"Great! How about I take you to the material room right now?" Yao Xi suggested eagerly.

"Thank you, Miss Yao..."

"Please, don't keep calling me Miss Yao; it feels so formal. I'm only fourteen, younger than you. Just call me Xi, okay?" she said with a giggle.

"Alright... Xi..."

Yao Xi blushed, a sweetness in her heart surpassing any honey. She eagerly took Lin Yu's hand and led him outside. Yao Wanli, sensing something different about his granddaughter, wisely chose not to intrude on their moment.

As Lin Yu was led back to the familiar place, he noted the stark contrast in treatment. Yesterday, Yao Xi had been scornful, but today she was pleasantly compliant—a turn of events that Lin Yu found both surprising and intriguing.

"Here we are," Yao Xi announced, pointing to a towering iron gate. She produced a key from her chest and unlocked it. As Yao Wanli's cherished granddaughter, Yao Xi enjoyed many privileges, including free access to the well-guarded material vault.

Upon opening the gate, Lin Yu was astounded by the array of ores inside. He had been aware of the Myriad Mile Sword Crafting Pavilion's wealth, but the reality far exceeded his expectations.

"I've definitely come to the right place," Lin Yu murmured. With such an abundance of rare ores, he was confident he could select the perfect ones for his needs.

"Isn't it something? Let's go," Yao Xi said, holding onto Lin Yu's hand firmly as they moved forward. Lin Yu recognized many of the ores by name, but he felt a twinge of disappointment. While the materials were adequate for sword crafting, Lin Yu's high standards meant he would have to be extra discerning, especially since he was customizing two swords for himself.

"Why? Haven't found the right one?" Yao Xi inquired gently upon noticing the disappointment in Lin Yu's eyes.

Lin Yu gave a slight nod, having seen few that truly appealed to him.

"Don't worry, there's still one more," Yao Xi said with a playful twinkle in her eye. She tugged Lin Yu along as they ventured deeper until they came upon a rusty iron door that, despite its wear, exuded a sense of impenetrable solidity.

"It's like a hidden world back here..." Lin Yu murmured. Yao Xi had already deftly produced a second key and unlocked the door with two crisp clicks. She beckoned to Lin Yu, "Come help me out; I can't manage this on my own..."

"Sure..." Lin Yu pressed his palms against the door, feeling the chilly metal beneath his touch. Could even a Heaven Rank Expert struggle to open such a door? he wondered silently. Together, they strained and barely managed to pry open a sliver.

"Whew... Grandpa used to swing it open with just one hand, believe it or not..." Yao Xi mopped the sweat from her brow, breathing heavily.

"Is that so? Your grandpa must be quite formidable," Lin Yu remarked.

"Absolutely... He's a peak Earth Rank master. Impressive, right?" Yao Xi boasted with a grin. Lin Yu felt a twinge of awe; he recalled being nearly overwhelmed by a slap from Chu Xiangyue, who was merely at Profound Rank Level Two, the previous night. How formidable then must Yao Wanli be at the pinnacle of Earth Rank?

Instant defeat was a given, Lin Yu concluded internally, yet the prospect of facing such a formidable adversary only fueled his determination to grow stronger.

After a brief rest, they resumed their efforts and, summoning all their might, finally swung the door open. The space beyond was considerably more cramped than the exterior suggested. Yao Xi instinctively grasped Lin Yu's hand, and in the faint light, he could make out the entirety of the chamber. His eyes narrowed in awe at the sight of a semi-translucent crystal glowing softly in the distance.

"Star Moon Crystal?" Lin Yu exclaimed, recognizing the rare mineral said to have formed over millennia atop Kunlun Mountain, bathed in the celestial energies of the sun and moon. He glanced around, his eyes wide with wonder.

The Crimson Cloud Fire Stone is rumored to originate from the Fengdu Ghost Realm, a place steeped in heavy Yin Qi.

Thunder Soul Crystals are the prized possessions of Thunder Attribute cultivators, found in the endless Thunder Sea.

Rock Iron Earth Soul is sourced from thirty thousand miles beneath the earth's surface, and when it comes to hardness, it's a rarity for any ore to match it.

...

The cramped room housed only sixteen types of ore, yet each was a paragon of rarity, virtually impossible to find in the world, and each was worth a small fortune.

"Pretty impressive, huh? Grandpa found all of these on his adventures around the world. They've remained untouched until now," Yao Xi said with a smile.

"They're so valuable... Can I really choose one?" Lin Yu asked, his voice tinged with hesitation, though his gaze was irresistibly drawn to the exquisite ores.

"Absolutely. Grandpa gave clear instructions—you're free to use anything in the material room. Moreover... these top-grade ores will only reach their true potential in your hands!"

"Hmm?"

"These items were collected by Grandpa long ago. He had aspirations to forge his own sword, but his skills were limited, so they've just been sitting here, serving no purpose beyond decoration. But you're different. Your Sword Crafting Technique surpasses even Grandpa's. I'm confident that you can master them and craft an unparalleled divine weapon," Yao Xi declared with unwavering conviction, her trust in Lin Yu seemingly unshakable.

"Then I'll accept with gratitude," Lin Yu replied, not one to be bashful.

"Hehe, that's the spirit... Which one will you choose?" Yao Xi inquired, her curiosity piqued.

"I'll take the Star Moon Crystal..."