C17 Please Stop Fantasizing!

"Old ghost, got any chickens, ducks, pigs, goats, or the like? I'm really struggling here..." Suddenly, Wey Yixiao shuddered violently, his face turned a sickly green, and wisps of white cold air rose from his head.

Yinn Tianzheng was taken aback. "Is your Cold Poison acting up again?"

Yinn Yewang rose to his feet. "I'll check the kitchen right away. Hang in there, Bat King Wey." In a blink, he was gone from the hall.

Yinn Tianzheng slapped his thigh in frustration. "I warned you years ago not to practice the Cold Ice Palm, but you wouldn't listen. Now you've brought this on yourself, needing to suck blood every time the poison flares up to stay warm."

Wey Yixiao made a face like he'd bitten into a lemon. "Sigh, what's done is done, and I regret it. You think I enjoy drinking blood? It's foul and reeks."

Lin Yuanjian murmured to his disciple, "Wuji, this is your chance to win hearts. Are you going to seize it?"

The two exchanged a knowing smile, and Zhang Wuji addressed the suffering man. "Bat King Wey, I have a technique that could free you from the Cold Poison for good."

Wey Yixiao's face lit up. "Really? You have a way, Young Master Wuji?"

Zhang Wuji explained, "Years ago, the Deer Staff Guest's Dark Divine Palm wounded me, and I suffered from the Cold Poison for a long time. But then my master taught me a divine technique that purged the poison completely. I believe I can use my Genuine Qi to help you expel the Cold Poison as well."

Wey Yixiao was beside himself with excitement. "Young Master Wuji, if you can rid me of this curse, I'll be forever in your debt."

Zhang Wuji inquired, "Grandfather, is there a quiet room available?"

"Oh, there's one to the right of the hall," Yinn Tianzheng replied.

With that, Zhang Wuji and Wey Yixiao headed to the room.

Soon after, Yinn Yewang returned, looking ridiculous with two ducks flapping wildly in his hands.

"Where's Bat King Wey?" he asked.

Yinn Tianzheng pointed to the right of the hall, smiling. "Wuji is treating him. With any luck, Bat King Wey won't need to drink blood after this."

"Great, a wasted trip," Yinn Yewang grumbled, dropping the ducks, which squawked indignantly.

A Celestial Eagle Cult disciple quickly scooped up the ducks and took them away.

Lin Yuanjian inquired, "Eagle King, when do you plan to depart for Bright Peak?"

After a moment's thought, Yinn Tianzheng declared, "We can't delay. We'll organize our forces today and set out tomorrow."

Yinn Yewang nodded, his expression turning grave. "Father, I'll call together our brothers from the Tianwei, Ziwei, Tian City halls, and the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermillion Bird, Black Tortoise, and Divine Snake divisions. Those of us from the main altar will lead the way. I'll order the others to make haste and join us en route to Bright Peak."

With a sweep of his sleeve, Yinn Tianzheng gave his blessing. "Go ahead, then."

"Yes!" Yinn Yewang flung his long robe and strode out of the great hall.

Lee Tianyuan inquired, "Does Young Master Lin intend to accompany us on our journey?"

Lin Yuanjian gave a nod, "Naturally. Wuji and I will travel light and make haste, arriving at Bright Peak ahead of the Eagle King's men."

Yinn Tianzheng was elated, "Young Master Lin, your willingness to aid the Bright Cult is greatly appreciated. On behalf of all our brothers, I thank you."

"There's no need for thanks," Lin Yuanjian replied. "I'm doing this to oppose the enemy, save the people, and restore the Han lands."

Lee Tianyuan expressed his admiration, "Young Master Lin's compassion for the masses is truly commendable."

As the trio conversed, Zhang Wuji and Wey Yixiao emerged from the right side of the hall.

"Bat King Wey, how are you feeling?" Yinn Tianzheng asked with evident concern.

With a healthy glow, Wey Yixiao announced, "The Cold Poison has been purged, thanks to Young Master Wuji's extraordinary healing powers."

Zhang Wuji grinned, "No more need for bloodsucking, Bat King Wey."

Yinn Tianzheng burst into laughter, "Congratulations are in order! Hahaha!"

Wey Yixiao responded earnestly, "There are no words to express my gratitude. Young Master Wuji, should you ever require my assistance, I am at your disposal."

"You're too kind, Bat King Wey. It's enough to know you're well," Zhang Wuji said.

After discussing the affairs of the six major sects a bit longer, everyone dispersed.

Yinn Tianzheng made lodging arrangements for Lin Yuanjian and his master, and had two tables of food and wine delivered to their rooms from a nearby tavern.

Lin Yuanjian relished his wine and small dishes, eagerly anticipating his upcoming meeting with the martial arts masters of the Central Plain Community at Bright Peak.

A sudden thought struck him: amidst these warriors brandishing the Heaven Leaning Sword and Dragon Slaying Blade, how could he, unarmed, compete? Without a formidable Divine Weapon, how could he live up to the status of an unrivaled master?

"System, my friend, do you have any Divine Weapons available for exchange?"

"What kind of weapon do you seek?" the System inquired.

"A Ruyi Golden Cudgel," Lin Yuanjian suggested with a twinkle in his eye.

The System advised, "Please abandon such impractical dreams. To exchange for the Ruyi Golden Cudgel, you would need 22,200,000 Essence Stones."

That costly? Lin Yuanjian was taken aback.

"How about the Mo Ye, Seven Star Longyuan Sword, Thunder God's Hammer, Greedy Nine-Headed Serpent, or the Endless Blade?"

"With your current Essence Stone tally, all are but fantasies," the System informed him.

Lin Yuanjian was speechless. Was acquiring a Divine Weapon to wield truly so challenging?

"If you fear the power of others' Divine Weapons, I can recommend two martial arts techniques that will serve as effective counters."

"Do tell," Lin Yuanjian prompted.

"The Five Thunder Extreme Hand and the Iron Refining Hand," the System proposed.

Lin Yuanjian was familiar with these two legendary techniques. The Five Thunder Extreme Hand, a coveted skill by Di Shitian that he never mastered before his death, could harness the destructive power of the five elemental thunders to obliterate all things, rendering any Divine Weapon useless upon contact.

The Refined Iron Hand, originating from the world of wind and clouds, is the Iron Door's closely guarded secret. It ranks a few notches below the Five Thunder Transformation, but it's still a formidable technique. Once mastered, one can unleash a terrifying heat from their palm, capable of melting metal and boiling iron—making it the bane of all metal weaponry, based on the principle that fire overcomes metal.

Between the two, the Five Thunder Transformation is unquestionably superior.

Lin Yuanjian declared decisively, "I'll take the Five Thunder Transformation."

"Regrettably, the host lacks the elemental power necessary. Without meeting the conditions, the Five Thunder Transformation cannot be learned."

Lin Yuanjian was exasperated. "What a useless system..."

"Then I'll settle for the Refined Iron Hand."

"5000 Essence Stones—are you sure you want to proceed? Upon successful exchange, the host will instantly integrate the martial skill without any need for training."

Lin Yuanjian made up his mind quickly. "Let's do it."

"Exchange complete. Essence Stones deducted: 5000. Remaining balance: 19000 Essence Stones."

In an instant, Lin Yuanjian had fully assimilated the essence and techniques of the Refined Iron Hand.

"It looks promising, but I'm curious about its actual power."

"No matter, I'll test it out on that old nun's Heaven Leaning Sword when the time comes."