C5 Radiant Moon

Jia Ren carefully examined Soong Hee's condition and, seeing that he was unharmed, turned to Lin Xi with a grave expression.

"General Lin, you've truly recaptured your past splendor. I hold you in high regard," he said as he tossed a Storage Bag to Lin Xi. "However, one mustn't be reckless in their youth. Failing to watch your step can lead to a nasty fall."

With those words, he departed with Soong Hee, and the crowd gradually dispersed.

Clutching the Storage Bag filled with two hundred thousand Spirit Stones in her left hand and a black dagger in her right, Lin Xi felt her efforts had been richly rewarded.

She made her way back to the General Mansion and headed directly to the secluded back mountain, a place of solitude where she had practiced her cultivation since childhood. Settling on a massive boulder, Lin Xi watched as a blue glow enveloped her and Loong Yuv materialized before her.

"The dagger you hold possesses the potential to become a Divine Artifact. I know how to make it into a true one," Loong Yuv revealed.

Lin Xi was astounded at the mention of a Divine Artifact, a concept she had never even dared to contemplate before.

"Ms. Loong Yuv, can you really...?" Lin Xi began, but Loong Yuv cut her off.

"No, even if I could, I don't feel like doing it. I'll teach you the method, and you can forge it yourself."

Initially, Lin Xi felt a twinge of disappointment, but she quickly realized that if she mastered the art of forging Divine Artifacts, she would surpass even Jia Ren, the renowned Artifact Refining Master.

"Ms. Loong Yuv, does that mean I could become an Artifact Refining Master too?" she asked eagerly.

Loong Yuv chuckled. "Please, what I'm going to teach you is a hundred, no, a thousand times more potent than that. This legacy is meant solely for crafting divine weapons!"

Lin Xi's excitement surged, and she was eager to begin.

Loong Yuv, noting Lin Xi's enthusiasm, spoke earnestly, "You were quite clever today, using the Myriad Dao Sword Intent to envelop the dagger and achieve armor penetration."

"Now, you must thoroughly master the Myriad Dao Sword Intent. Once you've done that, I'll teach you the Sword Skill, which is incredibly powerful."

Lin Xi's blood surged with excitement. The technique Loong Yuv had taught her was straightforward, identical to the one Lin Xi used when she shattered the armor. Yet, mastering it was no small feat.

Seated cross-legged, Lin Xi channeled the Myriad Dao Sword Intent from the sword case within her dantian to the exterior, enveloping her body in its energy. Having experienced it once before, Lin Xi caught on quickly. But as the sword intent coiled around her, she was met with a piercing pain.

"To master this sword intent, you must learn control. Your pain stems from not yet having full command over this power," Loong Yuv explained.

With a furrowed brow, Lin Xi tirelessly repeated the initial movements, circulating the sword intent throughout her body before retracting it. Hours passed, and her clothes were drenched in sweat. Yet, when the Myriad Dao Sword Intent finally cloaked her without pain, Lin Xi's expression softened significantly.

"Now, infuse the sword intent into that dagger. Channel it all in," instructed Loong Yuv.

Lin Xi drew the dagger and laid it on her lap. Guided by her Spiritual Force, the Myriad Dao Sword Intent from within her flowed towards the blade. As the sword intent made contact, a chilling sensation gripped Lin Xi, reminiscent of touching ancient ice, the cold seeping deep into her bones. But as the intent intensified, the dagger began to quiver.

Confused, Lin Xi inquired, "Ms. Loong Yuv, what's happening?"

"Don't stop, keep going!" came the firm reply.

Lin Xi steadied her mind and persisted. The dagger now hovered in mid-air, emitting a roar like that of a wild beast. Loong Yuv's body shook as a powerful wave of Spiritual Force enveloped the area, transforming into a streak of blue light that shot into the dagger.

"Who dares to attempt control over me?" a voice boomed, the surroundings engulfed in darkness, clouds churning overhead, thunder echoing ominously.

Suddenly, a flash of blue light cut through the gloom. Loong Yuv appeared and spoke, "Ice Green Jade, why the commotion?"

With those words, the space seemed to freeze; the thunder ceased, and the dark clouds stood still.

Suddenly, a Demonic Beast emerged from the shadows—a massive, all-black python.

It cautiously extended its head, inching closer to Loong Yuv.

"Master Loong Yuv, what brings you here?"

The black python glided up to Loong Yuv's side, inquiring with utmost respect.

"How can you ask that? Didn't you feel the sword intent just now?"

The python paused, momentarily taken aback, "Is it Myriad Dao, our Master?"

"No, it's his son."

The python had been asleep when the Myriad Dao Sword Intent infiltrated the dagger. But as the sword intent's energy intensified, it roused the python, who only then recognized the Myriad Dao Sword Intent.

"I'm here to tell you that you must now assist the young man outside, helping him return to the Nine Prefectures."

...

Unaware of Loong Yuv's experiences, Lin Xi's Spiritual Force was nearly depleted. Yet, Lin Xi noticed the dagger before him undergoing a transformation.

It radiated a black glow as the rust on its body faded, revealing its sharp edge once more.

As Lin Xi struggled to maintain consciousness, Loong Yuv suddenly appeared on his shoulder, gazing at the dagger suspended in mid-air, and declared, "It's ready."

Lin Xi collapsed onto the stone, utterly spent.

The glow from the dagger dissipated, and with a mere thought from Loong Yuv, the dagger was secured inside Lin Xi's Storage Ring.

"This dagger can now be considered a pseudo Divine Artifact, but it's perfectly suited for your current needs."

Catching his breath, Lin Xi inquired, "What does this dagger do?"

Loong Yuv elaborated, "Named Radiant Moon, when you channel your Spiritual Force into it, it will cloak you in invisibility, making you undetectable to the average person."

Lin Xi gave a wry smile, recognizing it as a weapon designed for assassination, yet indeed fitting for a dagger's traits.

To his amazement, Lin Xi also realized his cultivation had reached the ninth level of the Mortal Exuviating Stage, on the cusp of breaking through to the Spirit Martial Stage.

Yet, to achieve the Spirit Martial Stage, he still needed one more thing—a Beast Soul attuned to his Spiritual Force.

"When you break through to the Mortal Exuviating Stage, I'll teach you how to craft a Divine Artifact."

Another two hours passed, and Lin Xi's Spiritual Force was largely replenished, prompting her return to the General Mansion.

Upon reaching her room, a guard approached. "Young Lord, the General requests your presence."

Lin Xi acknowledged with a nod, indicating her understanding.

Arriving at Lin Changqing's room, Lin Xi discovered Lin Zhengyi was also present.

"Lin Xi, we've just been informed of Spirit Rank Demonic Beast activity in the Burning Moon Forest, and it appears there's more than one. The royal family has tasked us with resolving the issue."

"This mission involves not only our Lin family but also several young nobles from the royal family. You will accompany Zhengyi, providing mutual support."

In Celestial Azure State, the strength of Demonic Beasts is categorized as follows: Mortal Rank, Earth Rank, Spirit Rank, King Rank, Heaven Rank, Monarch Rank, Demon King, Demon Monarch.

Given that Spirit Rank Demonic Beasts are known to possess valuable treasures, it's no surprise that the aristocratic youth are being mobilized for the task.