C3 You Want to Borrow a Knife to Kill Someone

High-Grade Earth Level Spirit Gathering Pill?

Despite the dire situation facing the Celestial Sword Sect, Ye Jingxian couldn't help but feel the urge to laugh. Ye Dongling and all the members of the Celestial Sword Sect shared the sentiment.

They finally realized why Shen Feixue had made such audacious statements; it seemed she wasn't thinking straight.

The High-Grade Earth Level Spirit Gathering Pill hadn't been seen for over a century. The only known existing pill was safeguarded within the Mysteries Pavilion at the Imperial Court.

Now, Shen Feixue claimed she would produce not one, but two High-Grade Earth Level Spirit Gathering Pills to settle a debt. It was clear evidence of her questionable sanity.

However, in the next moment, everyone's hope was rekindled as they turned their attention back to Ye Dongling's actions.

The fate of the Celestial Sword Sect hinged on her.

With this immense responsibility, Ye Dongling continued to advance towards Bi Zhuang with a beaming smile.

"Three," Shen Feixue declared once more.

"Shen Feixue, stop this nonsense!" Ye Jingxian bellowed. "Guards, throw him out!"

"The final offer is five."

"It's a deal!" Bi Zhuang pushed the approaching Ye Dongling aside and turned around.

Like everyone else, he didn't believe Shen Feixue could produce a High-Grade Earth Level Spirit Gathering Pill. Such a pill was worth far more than a hundred Low-Grade Yellow Level Spirit Gathering Pills.

The initial offer of two pills was bizarre enough, so he hadn't taken it seriously. But as the price increased, he grew intrigued. After pondering, he concluded that even if Shen Feixue failed to deliver, it would have no impact on him or the Big Blade Sect. Thus, he agreed to the deal.

"Return in seven days."

"I expect you to honor your word!" Bi Zhuang called out, then departed with his companions without a backward glance.

"Young Master Bi, please wait..." Ye Jingxian, along with the four elders, attempted to pursue them, but to no avail.

Ultimately, Ye Jingxian had to halt, stroking his beard and shaking his finger at Shen Feixue. "Shen Feixue, you..." But he couldn't finish his sentence.

Shen Feixue coolly disregarded Ye Jingxian's fury and turned her gaze toward Ye Dongling, who stood somewhat bewildered after being pushed aside by Bi Zhuang. Her expression remained as impassive as always as she stated, "As my woman, your fundamental duty is to be obedient. You understand what I mean, right?"

"You..."

Ye Dongling found herself at a loss for words. Normally, she could easily mock Shen Feixue, but now, she was rendered speechless, forced to watch as Shen Feixue's silhouette vanished through the grand hall's entrance.

"Grandfather, why didn't you reprimand him?" Ye Dongling whined.

Ye Jingxian, left with no other option, tried to soothe her with excuses, much like he was trying to reassure himself, "Don't worry. In seven days, he'll be dead."

In the past, Ye Jingxian would have acted without hesitation, but now, he refrained. Shen Feixue's abrupt change in demeanor today had taken him aback. Yet, despite his surprise, he knew that not just anyone could produce a High Grade Earth Level Spirit Gathering Pill.

By promising five pills to Bi Zhuang in front of an audience, Shen Feixue was practically signing her own death warrant. If Bi Zhuang failed to receive the Spirit Gathering Pills, he would undoubtedly feel played by Shen Feixue and seek retribution. Bi Zhuang might seem jovial, but he was merciless in combat; Shen Feixue would likely meet her end at his hands.

Without Shen Feixue, who would stand in the way of Ye Dongling's pursuit of happiness? Who would prevent the alliance between the Celestial Sword Sect and the Big Blade Sect through marriage?

The strategy of using another's hand to deal the fatal blow was sheer genius, especially since the victim was practically asking for it. With this realization, Ye Jingxian's rage subsided significantly.

"I can't fathom what's gotten into him, daring to speak to me that way. Hmph," Ye Dongling fumed, unable to shake off her irritation. She couldn't grasp why such an odd turn of events had occurred, with someone changing so drastically.

"Never mind. In seven days, you'll get your wish to marry Bi Zhuang. Then, you'll be the happiest woman under the heavens."

Ye Dongling's cheeks flushed as she shyly covered her face, "Grandpa, you're so annoying, always teasing me. Nothing's even been decided yet."

Ye Jingxian chuckled heartily, continuing his playful banter, "Do you really think Shen Feixue can produce a Spirit Gathering Pill?"

"If she manages that, it'll be the day the sun rises in the west!"

But could Shen Feixue actually produce one?

She had access to a range of medicine pills from Earth Level to Heaven Level and even Holy Level, yet she lacked any Yellow Level, which she considered trash. If not for the constraints of the system, she could have presented them all and been done with it today.

It was her way of honoring a debt, a gesture of gratitude towards the previous Old Sect Master who had sheltered Shen Feixue.

Without the Old Sect Master's protection, with her feeble constitution, she wouldn't have lasted a month in a world rife with demonic beasts and cutthroat human intrigue.

She opened the system to check the materials needed.

"Spiritual Gathering Grass, Meridian Opening Flower..." The myriad of herbs before Shen Feixue was dizzying, yet they weren't the crux of the matter. The essential component was the Demonic Beast Core.

In her past life, she had slain innumerable demons, never short on Demonic Beast Cores. At the time, she hadn't seen their value, casually gifting them away. Now that she needed them, she didn't have a single one to her name.

Should she swallow her pride and ask others for help?

Shen Feixue immediately dismissed the thought, preferring to rely on her own resourcefulness.

That very afternoon, she took the legacy left by the former Shen Feixue and descended from Celestial Cloud Mountain, not returning until the sun had set.

On that day, against the backdrop of Celestial Cloud Mountain's stunning sunset, a rather inconspicuous carrier pigeon took flight.

For the following two days, Shen Feixue remained secluded in her room, deeply immersed in meditation, channeling the Sword Core to absorb spiritual energy.

Once the Sword Core had amassed enough spiritual energy, it would be time to forge the Sword Body. At that moment, the Sword Core within her dantian would fully take on the form of a sword, marking her true initiation into the Sword Path, where she would wield Qi to command the sword.

The process was immense. With the System Panel, he could clearly see how much spiritual energy he needed to accumulate to form the Sword Body.

The stark numbers were displayed plainly.

[Current Sword Core Stage, Spiritual Energy required for Sword Body: 82/10,000,000,000.]

Despite being mentally prepared, Shen Feixue still struggled to accept the figure. The inferior constitution of this body meant she needed far more spiritual energy to achieve the Sword Body than in her previous life.

Moreover, the rate at which this body absorbed spiritual energy was frustratingly slow. In two days, she had only converted 82 points of spiritual energy.

Previously, she had looked down on those who boosted their cultivation with various medicine pills.

But now, how she wished for a pile of cultivation-enhancing pills, like the Spirit Gathering Pill, to consume without restraint.

Regrettably, while she could handle Earth Level pills and above, her current body couldn't withstand the potency of high-level pills without risking going berserk and possibly dying again.

She needed to find a way to obtain Yellow Level medicine pills!

Shen Feixue gathered her thoughts, regulated her breathing, and continued her meditation, focusing on her cultivation despite its minuscule efficiency.

The Sword Competition was tomorrow. Frankly, she wasn't concerned about it. With over a thousand years of experience, if she claimed to be second best in swordsmanship, no one would dare to claim first.

Suddenly, the sound of flapping wings broke the silence. A pure white carrier pigeon landed on the windowsill, cooing.

At last!

Half of Shen Feixue's anxiety dissipated. She fed the pigeon some food as a reward, then opened the door and made her way toward the back mountain.

The back mountain was a deep cliff, rarely visited, and the Celestial Sword Sect seemed to have little interest in managing it. The mountain was overrun with weeds as tall as a person.

At this moment, Shen Feixue was wading through the thick underbrush, making her way with difficulty.

"Halt!" A cold voice rang out, followed by a shadow descending swiftly from the sky, landing in front of Shen Feixue.

The voluminous black robe concealed his entire form, with even his head shrouded beneath the hood, leaving no trace of his face visible.

"You're looking for me?" the shadowy figure inquired.

"Yes," Shen Feixue confirmed with a nod.

"What for?"

"I need ten Demonic Beast Cores, rank notwithstanding."

The certainty in her voice caused the shadow to pause, the eyes beneath the hood seemingly scrutinizing Shen Feixue.

After a moment, he finally spoke, "On what grounds?"

Shen Feixue remained silent, instead producing the red snowflake mask from within her cloak.

Though the face of the man in black was obscured, the quiver in his stature betrayed his astonishment.

"Where did you get this?" His words came out stammered.

To the average person, this mask might seem unremarkable, perhaps even unrecognized. But to those with power and prestige, it was universally known and revered, an icon no one dared replicate. It was the exclusive mask of Sword Immortal Feixue, who had held the top spot on the Demon Slaying Ranking for centuries, unchallenged.

The sight of it in the hands of a young man was bound to cause a stir.

"Will you give them to me or not?" Shen Feixue's tone remained cool and detached. If circumstances allowed, he would have revealed his true identity to the man before him.

Regrettably, should the Constellation Peak or the Xiao family learn of his current guise, they would surely seek to destroy him root and branch. Thus, he could not disclose the truth.

Not yet, at least.

It was for his own safety as well as for the man in black before him.

Turning to this shadowy figure was a last resort, after long deliberation and no other options.

Having sought him out, Shen Feixue could not afford to show his usual warmth. He must remain aloof, careful not to expose any weakness.

As Shen Feixue's words fell, the man in black lifted his hand. From the expansive sleeve, his right hand emerged, the storage ring on his thumb shining brightly. Soon, ten cores of varying hues materialized in his palm.

While passing the cores to Shen Feixue, his other hand slowly extended, reaching out to caress the mask. "Young man, may I have a look at that mask?"

"No need. You may go," Shen Feixue said as she turned away.

"Little brother, wait a moment..."

"Your friend is in good health. Don't worry about him. Someday, he'll seek you out," Shen Feixue added, then left without further delay.

The man before her was the only friend, aside from her enemies, who knew that she had destroyed her Divine Sword of Destiny. He had traveled great distances upon receiving her message. His actions at this moment touched Shen Feixue deeply, despite her having lived for a millennium, a time during which her heart had grown still.

Adversity reveals true friendship. It's not that true feelings only arise during hard times, but rather, in the midst of adversity, a fragile heart is more apt to recognize them.

The world is replete with genuine emotions; they are simply waiting to be felt, discovered, and treasured!

Once back inside, Shen Feixue summoned the system.

"Exchange for a High Grade Earth Level Spirit Gathering Pill!"