Chapter 9: A Cunning Plan and an Unexpected Arrival

The two words ‘artifact forging’ utterly bewildered Sun Biyue and her companion.

Beyond the orthodox paths of cultivation, the cultivation world also encompassed numerous auxiliary practices. These included artifact forging, alchemy, formation arrays, beast taming, and a myriad of other specialized professions.

These auxiliary paths were generally rarer and held greater prestige than typical cultivation. Their methods were far more uncommon than the orthodox techniques of immortal cultivation, yet simultaneously, achieving significant mastery in them proved considerably more challenging.

For instance, the Moonfall Sect boasted only a single alchemist and no artifact forgers. Conversely, the neighboring Spirit Sword Mountain housed artifact forgers but lacked any alchemists.

Such specialized skills demanded a profound legacy. Without an inherited tradition, it was exceedingly difficult for anyone to awaken their innate talent and embark upon these unique paths.

“What is it, Grandmaster? Mother? Why are you both staring at me with such astonishment?” Su Yun inquired, a perplexed expression settling upon her features.

Su Yun now possessed a pure fire spiritual root, an ideal foundation for artifact forging. The true dilemma, however, lay in the Moonfall Sect’s complete lack of such techniques.

“Oh? There’s no issue with your desire to forge artifacts,” Sun Biyue began, a wry smile touching her lips. “The real predicament is that our Moonfall Sect simply doesn’t possess the necessary techniques. You’ve truly put me in a difficult spot.”

Hearing this, Su Yun instinctively glanced at her mother. Su Muxue, equally helpless, merely shook her head.

Had they possessed the requisite techniques, they would have long since cultivated their own artifact forgers.

“This?” Su Yun sighed, a crestfallen look on her face. “Very well, it seems I’ll have to devise a solution on my own.”

Noticing her daughter’s profound disappointment, Su Muxue’s eyes suddenly lit up with an idea. She swiftly turned to Sun Biyue.

“Master, there must still be a solution,” Su Muxue prompted, a knowing look in her eyes. “Consider, for instance, our neighbors…”

Su Muxue’s words immediately sparked a realization in Sun Biyue.

“Are you suggesting we send Yun’er to the neighboring sect?” Sun Biyue questioned, a hint of skepticism in her tone. “But will they truly agree to such a request? It seems a bit far-fetched.”

However, Su Muxue merely shook her head, a subtly sly smile playing on her lips. She then leaned in and whispered a few words into her master’s ear.

Upon hearing the suggestion, Sun Biyue’s eyes gleamed with understanding. She then turned her gaze towards Su Yun.

Su Yun watched the two women conspiring, a look of utter confusion etched upon her face.

“Mother, Grandmaster, what exactly are you discussing?” Su Yun asked, taking a step back. “If there truly isn’t a viable solution, then let’s simply drop it. I can always reconsider once my cultivation advances.”

Sun Biyue, however, merely let out a knowing chuckle.

“My child, a method does exist,” Sun Biyue declared, a peculiar smile playing on her lips. “The only question is whether you are willing to undertake it.”

Su Yun’s face was once again filled with a myriad of questions.

A short while later, Su Yun and Su Muxue emerged from Sun Biyue’s secluded chamber. The moment they stepped out, Su Yun couldn’t help but address her mother.

“Mother, you and Grandmaster are rather cunning,” Su Yun exclaimed, utterly speechless. “To suggest I infiltrate the neighboring Spirit Sword Mountain and secretly learn their techniques? Is that truly appropriate? And furthermore, why would they even accept me?”

Indeed, the master and disciple’s scheme was to have Su Yun formally apprentice at the neighboring Spirit Sword Mountain. After all, Su Yun had recently undergone a gender change, acquired a fresh identity, and had just embarked on the path of cultivation.

“Rest assured,” Su Muxue declared. “With the token your Grandmaster has provided, gaining entry to Spirit Sword Mountain will pose no problem. However, whether you can successfully acquire their artifact forging techniques after joining will depend entirely on your own ingenuity.”

Su Yun hesitated, a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. For if she were to do this, wouldn’t it entail leaving the Moonfall Sect?

“This? Mother, I—” Su Yun began, but her words were swiftly cut off by Su Muxue.

“Alright, I understand what you’re about to say,” Su Muxue chuckled reassuringly. “Don’t fret. Our two sects are situated so close to each other. Once your cultivation reaches a higher level, returning will be utterly effortless, won’t it?”

After a moment of contemplation, Su Yun offered no further words.

Just at that moment, a voice, sharp and resonant like a drawn sword, echoed from beyond the Moonfall Sect’s perimeter.

“Ning Chong of Spirit Sword Mountain, accompanied by ten newly advanced disciples, has arrived to pay respects to your esteemed sect,” a voice boomed. “We wonder if the esteemed cultivators of Moonfall Sect would be willing to receive us?”

It was Ning Chong’s voice. They had already reached the very entrance of the Moonfall Sect’s mountain gate.

The sound caused Su Muxue to stiffen instantly.

“The troublemakers have arrived,” Su Muxue muttered, her brow furrowed in a frown.

“Speak of the devil,” Su Yun observed, turning to Su Muxue. “To come paying respects at this particular moment, are they not simply seeking trouble? Did Spirit Sword Mountain manage to recruit some exceptional talents during their last intake of disciples?”

Su Muxue was undoubtedly intimately familiar with the affairs of Spirit Sword Mountain. Given the ongoing rivalry between their two sects, it was only natural for them to closely monitor each other’s circumstances.

“Indeed,” Su Muxue affirmed. “Three years ago, they successfully recruited a pair of twin sisters who possess rare ice spiritual roots and are naturally telepathic. They are likely the Spirit Sword Mountain’s unparalleled prodigies, a talent seen perhaps once in a millennium. We fully anticipated they would seize this opportunity to stir up trouble, and true to our predictions, they have arrived.”

Su Yun nodded slowly.

Su Muxue had previously informed her that while the two sects outwardly appeared to be adversaries, their actual relationship was considerably better than with most other factions.

“Then what about me?” Su Yun asked, a conflicted expression on her face.

“Let me escort you back to your residence first,” Su Muxue said, lifting Su Yun into the air. “You should tidy up all that ‘junk’ you keep there. Honestly, I always knew you had a fondness for artifact forging; you’ve loved tinkering with all sorts of peculiar contraptions since childhood. Yet, you truly managed to create something quite remarkable. What exactly was that hidden weapon you used to pierce Han Yu today? Its attack speed was astonishingly swift!”

This unexpected question left Su Yun at a loss for words.

“Well, that object is called a ‘gun’,” Su Yun replied casually. “I fashioned it when I was bored, drawing inspiration from various mechanical arts.”

‘It was best not to carelessly divulge details from her previous life.’

“Truly, you are my daughter!” Su Muxue praised, her voice filled with pride. “Even before you could cultivate, you managed to craft such a formidable device. Once your cultivation advances and you master artifact forging, I have no doubt you’ll create even more incredible things. Your mother has great faith in you.”

Under Su Muxue’s enthusiastic praise, a faint blush once again crept onto Su Yun’s cheeks.

Before long, Su Yun returned to her own residence, conveniently located right beside Su Muxue’s.

“Very well,” Su Muxue instructed once they had landed. “If you have anything to pack, see to it now. I will personally escort you out of the Moonfall Sect tomorrow.”

Su Yun nodded in understanding. Su Muxue, meanwhile, immediately soared towards the Moon-Gazing Platform. After all, esteemed guests had arrived, and the visitors were none other than the Grand Elder of the neighboring Spirit Sword Mountain. As the Sect Master, her presence was absolutely imperative.

As for Su Yun, she swiftly gathered her long skirt and entered her room. The moment she stepped inside, a chaotic assortment of metal and wooden models met her gaze, scattered everywhere.

These were all weapon models from her previous world. Handguns represented merely the most fundamental among them; upon closer inspection, models of various firearms, including even large sniper rifles, were present. Theoretically, the fabrication of such weaponry was not inherently complex.

The true challenge lay in the materials. It wasn’t as if any rudimentary metalworking could suffice for crafting firearms. With Su Yun’s former capabilities, she had dedicated an immeasurable amount of time simply to refine a suitable barrel, barely managing to create one capable of firing handgun bullets.

Lacking spiritual power and the ability to forge artifacts, she relied solely on manual grinding and crafting, which resulted in an alarmingly high error rate. The floor was littered with metal tubes of varying lengths—all failed prototypes due to flawed barrels. This sight alone bore testament to the countless failures Su Yun had endured over the years before finally producing a crude handgun.

Su Yun immediately approached a mirror in her room, scrutinizing her current reflection. How to describe this face? It appeared only marginally more mature than her previous male visage; the overall difference was negligible.

“How utterly bizarre,” she mused. “Yesterday, I was still a man, and today I’ve transformed into a woman? Ah, the world is truly unpredictable! Oh, that’s right.” Having spoken, Su Yun closed her eyes once more, activating the Phoenix bloodline within her.

As the bloodline activated, fiery red energy once again surged from within her, swiftly enveloping her form. When the crimson light finally dispersed, Su Yun had transformed back into the captivating, red-eyed woman she had previously been.

With each activation of this potent force, Su Yun perceived a significant surge in her strength, feeling considerably more powerful than in her ordinary state.

Su Yun slowly opened her eyes, gazing at her reflection in the mirror.

At the sight, Su Yun was utterly stunned. The figure in the mirror could no longer be described as merely human; she was an absolute enchantress, a true marvel.

Her face was already exquisitely beautiful, but upon activating the inner power, it appeared as though she had adorned herself with a vibrant, fiery red makeup.

In a single word: exquisitely perfect. She resembled a princess, radiating an ethereal beauty.

“How does it even apply makeup automatically?” Su Yun mused, reaching up to wipe at her fiery red lips. Yet, after several attempts, she realized it wasn’t makeup at all; not a trace of red stained her hand.

Beyond that, the golden and crimson ornaments adorning her body proved virtually impossible to remove. They were either seamlessly fused with her attire or directly melded with her very flesh.

For instance, the ruby earrings dangling from her ears appeared to have grown directly from them. Similarly, her intricate hair ornaments were inextricably bonded with her tresses.

The reason they couldn’t be removed was simple: this entire appearance was a manifestation of her bloodline power. She had not yet reached the stage where she could consciously alter this form.

Even more peculiar, upon transforming into her current appearance, the clothes she had been wearing automatically vanished from sight.

Once Su Yun confirmed her ability to freely activate and deactivate this power, she transformed back once more. As expected, her original attire reappeared on her form.