Danwu Refining Spirit

Chapter Fifteen: Meeting is Fate

The armory was located in a secret underground chamber of the Martial Arts Pavilion, where various weapons plundered by the Xiao family were stored. Upon entering the armory, Xiao Chong was immediately overwhelmed by the sheer variety and abundance of weapons before him. There were knives, swords, axes, and spears, all neatly arranged in rows and columns on weapon racks.

The most striking feature was a round wooden platform in the center of the secret chamber, upon which rested a long sword. The sword was three and a half feet long and two fingers wide, its entire body jet black, emitting a dark, ominous glow that sent chills down one's spine from afar.

"What a fine sword! To be enshrined here, it must be extraordinary. It's a pity that it's not something a mere disciple of the sect can covet."

Suppressing the urge to grab the longsword and run, Xiao Chong circled it several times before finally turning his head away and choosing a crossbow that looked decent.

The crossbow is exquisitely crafted and easy to carry. In particular, the three arrows that come with it have sharp arrowheads and a spiral rune engraved on the shaft. They are neither too light nor too heavy, making them perfect for long-range attacks.

Xiao Chong was well aware of his own combat strength. He had only just entered the field and was not even a martial arts apprentice at the lowest level. If he were to engage in close combat with someone, it would be tantamount to courting death.

"This sword is called 'Immortal Slayer,' and it is the treasure of our Xiao clan. It has been placed here for nearly a thousand years, and we have never prohibited our clan disciples from taking it. But unfortunately, no one has been able to use it until now. Why don't you give it a try?" Seeing that Xiao Chong had only chosen a crossbow, the middle-aged cultivator asked with a smile.

"Do you think I'm stupid? Anyone can see the extraordinary nature of this Immortal-Slaying Sword, yet it's kept hidden in a secret chamber, never seeing the light of day. If there's nothing special about it, it would have been taken long ago. How could it possibly be mine?"

Xiao Chong inwardly scoffed, but outwardly answered respectfully, "This disciple knows it is a fine sword, but I have only just passed the Body Tempering stage and my cultivation level is low. I haven't even touched the threshold of martial arts yet, so how could I dare to covet such a divine weapon?"

Therefore, this disciple believes that rather than aiming too high, it's better to honestly choose a weapon that one can actually use. Besides, if a divine weapon could be taken away so easily, how could it still be here today?

With a meticulous mind and pragmatic approach, the middle-aged cultivator redefined Xiao Chong. He casually picked up a thick-backed cleaver from the weapon rack and said with a smile, "While crossbows are suitable for combat, they are quite inconvenient when cultivating martial arts. I'll give you this cleaver."

"I have already chosen one, how can I take another?" Xiao Chong said politely, but took the cleaver without the slightest hesitation.

"It's alright. This knife isn't anything special. Consider it a bonus. I've been in charge of the armory for many years, so I have some authority over it. The clan chief won't say anything more."

The middle-aged cultivator smiled again, secretly praising, "This lad isn't pretentious; he really has some skills. If nothing unexpected happens, he might be able to secure a place in the clan in the future. Hmm, I should probably pave a way for my descendants as soon as possible."

Xiao Chong was unaware of what the middle-aged cultivator was thinking. Seeing that his purpose had been achieved, he thanked him again and prepared to leave with the old steward.

Just as Xiao Chong was about to walk out the door, the middle-aged cultivator suddenly spoke up: "Please wait, you two."

"Hmm, are you going to back out?" Xiao Chong turned around and glanced at the middle-aged cultivator, but he was still tightly gripping the cleaver that the other party had given him, as if he would turn around and run away if the other party went back on his word.

“Well… Xiao Chong, it’s fate that we met…” The middle-aged cultivator carefully chose his words, but in his heart he kept thinking: Why do I feel like a sucker? As a dignified martial artist, will people look down on me for offering myself up like this?

"Meeting is fate, this line is so familiar, it's just the tone of a charlatan! No, I can't be fooled by him."

Xiao Chong secretly made up his mind.

"According to the normal procedure, shouldn't you take the initiative to come and talk to me, ask me where the connection lies, and then everything will happen naturally? Now you're just standing there without asking any questions, what's going on?"

Seeing that Xiao Chong remained unmoved and his face was still full of wariness, the middle-aged cultivator was extremely frustrated, but he was thinking rapidly about how to win him over.

"Who told me that I wasn't even a member of the collateral branch of the Xiao family? If I hadn't had some talent back then and married a concubine's daughter of the Xiao family, I probably wouldn't have been able to take on the job of guarding the Martial Arts Pavilion."

"But being able to perform my current duties is already a great trust from the Xiao family, and I cannot go any further."

"How can I get him to beg me? Or should I swallow my pride and beg him myself?"

"Sigh, whatever. They say you can't skimp on education, no matter how poor you are, and you can't let your children suffer, no matter how hard life is. For my son's future, I have no choice but to swallow my pride."

"Son, this is all I can do to help you. The rest is up to your luck. Who told you not to be as ambitious as your father?"

These thoughts raced through his mind like lightning. Finally, the middle-aged cultivator steeled his resolve and gritted his teeth, saying to Xiao Chong, "I see that you have just completed body tempering but have not yet cultivated your Yuan Power, so I want to lend you a hand."

"Hmm? Unsolicited kindness is either a sign of ulterior motives or thieves!" Xiao Chong's eyes were sharp as he scrutinized the other man, as if he had already seen through his sinister intentions.

The middle-aged cultivator received no response, and his mind became a tangled mess, fearing that the other party would reject him and ruin his efforts.

"You should know that when we cultivate, the first wisp of Yuan energy is the most difficult to generate. But if someone can leave a wisp of Yuan energy in your body before you start cultivating, it will be much easier," the middle-aged cultivator continued earnestly.

Is this some kind of empowerment? A scene reminiscent of Su Xinghe and Xu Zhu? We're not related, are you really that great? And will there be any side effects?

"Why would you help me, sir?" With a spirit of skepticism, Xiao Chong remained unmoved.

"If my son weren't of mediocre talent and with a bleak future, would I be in such a sorry state? I've gone out of my way to help someone with their fortune, and now I'm being suspected. It's outrageous!"

The middle-aged cultivator had cursed his son a thousand times in his heart, but he couldn't bring himself to tell the truth. So, blushing, he said awkwardly, "It's fate that we met, fate..."

"Don't go too far for yourself, and don't go too far for others. If there's something good to be had, take it first and think about the rest later."

Seeing the middle-aged cultivator's face turn slightly purple, Xiao Chong quickly considered the situation and realized that if he continued to ask questions, the other party might lose his temper on the spot. He bowed and said, "Then thank you for your kindness, sir."

The middle-aged cultivator secretly breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as if he had just fought against a hundred Martial Saints; he was sweating profusely.

Without saying anything more, he told Xiao Chong to sit down on the spot, reached out and touched Xiao Chong's palm, and transmitted a stream of Yuan energy to him.

Xiao Chong felt a warmth in his palm, as if a strange power was entering his body, but when he tried to feel it more carefully, he found nothing.