C11 Yang Ying Was about to Get His New Long Sword

Yang Ying made his way to the Mission Hall and headed straight for Deacon Lee. With a glance, Deacon Lee asked, "What treasures have you brought this time?"

Handing over the contents of his backpack, Yang Ying watched as Deacon Lee eagerly received them. "Looks like you're bringing in parts from eighth-grade demonic beasts now! Not bad, your strength is impressive," Deacon Lee remarked with a chuckle.

However, upon inspecting the last few items, Deacon Lee fell silent and gave Yang Ying a probing look. "Where did you get these claws from the Water Cloud Beast?"

A bit bewildered, Yang Ying responded, "I obtained them by slaying the Water Cloud Beast!"

Deacon Lee, observing Yang Ying's puzzled expression, let out a wry smile. "That's a Water Cloud Beast we're talking about, with the bloodline of the divine Water Kirin! Don't tell me it's the one from Cold Pond?"

"Yes, that's the one—the Water Cloud Beast from Cold Pond," Yang Ying confirmed.

"How on earth did you manage to kill it? The Water Cloud Beast possesses the Water Kirin's mastery over water!" Deacon Lee exclaimed, eyes wide with disbelief.

"It wasn't in the water. It came onto land to battle me!" Yang Ying replied, still somewhat perplexed by Deacon Lee's intense gaze.

Deacon Lee pondered for a moment before replying, "That doesn't add up. Even on land, it should have been able to defeat a ninth-level Qi Refining cultivator!"

"Maybe it's because I'm quite handsome, and it just gave up," Yang Ying joked, forcing a dry laugh.

Deacon Lee paused, momentarily at a loss for words, then asked, "You're certain you don't want to keep this claw?"

Lifting his sword, Yang Ying said, "The claw would make a good dart or arrowhead, but I prefer my long sword."

"Fair enough, these Spirit Stones are yours then," Deacon Lee said, passing over three medium-grade Spirit Stones.

Yang Ying's eyes widened as he realized what they were. He quickly accepted the Spirit Stones, saying, "Thank you, Deacon Lee!"

Clutching the Spirit Stones, he left the Mission Hall with a spring in his step, delighted by his reward. After all, it took a hundred low-grade Spirit Stones to exchange for just one medium-grade Spirit Stone, and a hundred of those for a single high-grade Spirit Stone.

Certainly, it was Yang Ying's first encounter with medium-grade Spirit Stones, not to mention the elusive high-grade ones.

As Yang Ying stepped out of the Mission Hall, intent on locating Wang Mingxuan, he looked up to find Wang Mingxuan already approaching. "I was just thinking about you, and here you are," he said.

From a distance, Wang Mingxuan called out, "Senior Brother Yang, I knew I'd find you here! When I heard you were back and couldn't find you at the dorm, I figured you'd be at the Mission Hall!" He hastened towards Yang Ying as he spoke.

Upon reaching Yang Ying and noticing the medium-grade Spirit Stone in his hand, Wang Mingxuan paused, astonished. "Senior Brother Yang, have you struck it rich? Is that a medium-grade Spirit Stone? May I see it?"

Yang Ying handed over the Spirit Stone, remarking, "Take a look. It's also my first time seeing a medium-grade one."

Wang Mingxuan eagerly examined the Spirit Stone from every angle before returning it to Yang Ying. "It's definitely medium-grade. The spirit energy in this is far superior to that of a low-grade Spirit Stone!"

Taking back the two medium-grade Spirit Stones, Yang Ying offered one to Wang Mingxuan, saying, "Keep this piece!" Seeing Wang Mingxuan's reluctance, he quickly added, "I'm going to need your help with my sword this time!"

"That's a given! Then I'll accept it without further ado," Wang Mingxuan replied, then as if a thought just struck him, he asked, "Senior Brother Yang, did you truly defeat the Water Cloud Beast?"

"Yes, let's head out. The beast's blood is in my dorm," Yang Ying said, leading the way.

"Senior Brother Yang, have you reached the pinnacle of Qi Refining?" Wang Mingxuan asked, his eyes gleaming with admiration.

"How could that be? I've only reached the ninth level. It was a fortunate breakthrough," Yang Ying said, modestly touching his nose.

"You're at the ninth level already? How did you manage that?" Wang Mingxuan stopped in his tracks, his voice rising with excitement before softening, "I'm still at the seventh level."

"Keep pushing yourself! You'll make it through," Yang Ying encouraged him with a supportive smile.

Upon arriving at Yang Ying's dormitory, the sight of the Water Cloud Beast's blood, scales, and massive hind legs instantly lifted Wang Mingxuan's spirits. He excitedly scanned the room, taking it all in.

Holding the jar filled with the beast's blood, Wang Mingxuan turned to Yang Ying and proposed, "Senior Brother Yang, should I go find Senior Brother Zhao right now?"

Glancing at the sky, Yang Ying replied, "Look, it's mealtime. Better to wait until after you've eaten to head out."

"No worries, I'll be back in a flash..." Wang Mingxuan didn't even finish his sentence before darting out the door.

Left alone, Yang Ying settled into his chair, replaying the recent days' hunts in the Back Mountain in his mind. The memory of his sword proving ineffective against the Water Cloud Beast's scales was vivid; he was lucky to have traded blows to exploit the beast's vulnerability. Otherwise, the outcome could have been dire. The urgency to replace his weapon was clear. He was counting on some positive news from Junior Brother Wang.

Yang Ying remained seated, immersed in recollections and contemplating his next move, until a voice abruptly broke his concentration. "Senior Brother Yang, look!"

Leading the way, Wang Mingxuan was back, accompanied by a young man in a yellow robe, both of them approaching swiftly.

Yang Ying rose to greet them outside. As Wang Mingxuan stepped forward, he introduced, "Senior Brother Yang, this is Senior Brother Zhao from Biyun Peak, an expert in crafting!"

With a respectful bow, Yang Ying greeted, "Senior Brother Zhao!"

Senior Brother Zhao grasped Yang Ying's hand, his excitement palpable. "Junior Brother Yang, do you have any more of the Water Cloud Beast's blood?"

Internally, Yang Ying mused, "He might just be crazy!" Aloud, he assured, "I have some left."

He retrieved the remaining blood from inside. "Senior Brother Zhao, here's all the blood that's left."

Taking the basin, Senior Brother Zhao sniffed it, dabbed a bit on his finger, and tasted it. His face lit up, "Yes, this is it! Now I can ascend to the rank of an advanced craftsman!"

It was as if he had only just realized, and he turned to Yang Ying, saying, “Junior Brother Yang, the sight of the beast blood that Junior Brother Wang brought over just now got me overly excited! The blood of the Water Cloud Beast is incredibly valuable to me, and I'm at a loss for what I could possibly offer you in exchange.”

He appeared somewhat sheepish as he continued to speak to Yang Ying, “I’ve heard you’re in search of a long sword. What if I traded you this long sword I’ve crafted for the beast blood? It’s a top-grade magic weapon!”

Yang Ying was momentarily taken aback, “Exchanging beast blood for a top-grade magic weapon doesn’t seem quite right, does it?”

“I could refine four or five magic weapons with this beast blood! Obtaining the blood of a Water Cloud Beast is no simple feat! If anything, I’m the one benefiting from this deal! I haven’t come across the blood of a Water Cloud Beast in many years,” Senior Brother Zhao explained.

Yang Ying replied, “Senior Brother Zhao, you’re in need of the Water Cloud Beast’s blood, and I need a Magic Tool Long Sword. We each have something the other requires. So, I’ll gladly accept your offer without further ado!”