Jun Luo tied the sword tassel onto his weapon immediately. "Thanks. The wrist is indeed very important for a sword cultivator."
"I'm glad you can use it. I only realized how vital it was during our sparring sessions."
Jiang Yao scratched the back of his head and pulled out a bracelet, handing it to Wen Xuan. "This is a one-time defensive artifact. If someone gets too close, the bracelet can form a shield that covers your entire body."
"It can hold out for ten breaths against an attack at the power level of Qi Refining level nine."
Wen Xuan's weapon was a mace, which gave her an advantage at a distance but left her slightly weaker in close-quarters combat.
She took the bracelet and put it on her right wrist. "I didn't expect this, Jiang Yao. You look so simple, but you're actually quite thoughtful."
Jiang Yao's hand paused as he reached into his storage bag.
Giving Wen Xuan a speechless look, he pulled out two armguards and handed them to Mu Chenze. "Chenze, your weapon is a folding fan, which works for both long and short-range combat, but there's one risky point."
"If someone finds a way to cut off your connection while you're controlling the fan remotely, these two armguards can serve as backup weapons."
"I remember you know some close-combat techniques, right?"
"I do."
Mu Chenze rolled up his sleeves and snapped the armguards onto his forearms. He chuckled and said, "If that situation really happens, they'll think I'm empty-handed, but I'll actually have artifacts ready to catch them off guard."
After Jiang Yao finished distributing his artifacts, the four of them turned their gazes toward Jun Luo.
Jun Luo didn't delay either, handing each of them a white crystal.
The crystals felt cold to the touch, and their spirit energy was restrained, making it impossible to tell what they were at a glance.
Seeing their confused expressions, Jun Luo explained, "These are sword array prototypes."
"I've sealed six strands of sword qi inside each crystal, arranged into a rudimentary sword array. It can heavily injure a cultivator at Qi Refining level nine."
"Though it's not a complete sword array, it should be enough."
Gu Ningyun's eyes lit up. "Jun Luo, you actually researched a sword array? That's incredible!"
"The research isn't fully mature yet. It uses knowledge from arrays, talismans, and the sword. If you want to learn, I can teach you later."
Jun Luo continued, "The method of use is similar to array plates or talismans. Just infuse it with spirit energy and throw it."
That was certainly convenient.
After finishing the distribution of supplies, the five of them looked at one another. Half a breath later, four of them burst into laughter, and even Jun Luo's expression softened with warmth.
Wen Xuan said, "The things the four of you prepared are all targeted at high-level Qi Refining cultivators."
"But among our fellow disciples in this batch, it seems no one has even broken through to Qi Refining level five yet?"
"Just because we're prepared doesn't mean they aren't. We mustn't underestimate the enemy," Mu Chenze said.
Wen Xuan nodded. "That's true."
"Whether we use them or not, it's better to have them and not need them." Jiang Yao suddenly pulled out a jade slip. "Stop dwelling on that. Let me show you something good."
Gu Ningyun focused her gaze. "《New Disciple Xiaosheng's Remarks》?"
"You bet! I spent five points just to buy this!"
Jiang Yao swiped his index finger across the jade slip, and a light screen appeared in mid-air. "According to that fellow disciple named Qin Xiaosheng, this contains strength assessments for almost all the disciples in our batch."
Everyone leaned in to look—
The very first person on the light screen was Jun Luo.
Name: Jun Luo
Team: Ruiyu Pavilion, Qixia Peak
Cultivation: early stage of Qi Refining level four
Expertise: sword techniques, arrays, drawing talismans
Role: attack, control
Note: This person possesses a natural talent for the sword and has already refined ice-attribute sword qi. He is a frequent visitor to the Trial Tower and also practices the Dao of Talismans and Arrays. He is extremely powerful and must be approached with caution.
Mu Chenze bumped Jun Luo's shoulder and raised an eyebrow. "Your fearsome reputation precedes you, Jun Luo."
Everyone continued looking down the list.
Name: Zhu Zijin
Team: Bailu Pavilion, Feiluan Peak
Cultivation: early stage of Qi Refining level four
Expertise: sword techniques, alchemy
Role: attack, support
Note: This person possesses a natural talent for the sword and has already refined gold-attribute sword qi. He is powerful and has the support of medicinal pills. He must be approached with caution.
They scrolled through the list one by one. Including Jun Luo and Zhu Zijin, the first five were all naturally talented sword cultivators.
Until they reached the sixth.
Name: Jiang Yao
Team: Ruiyu Pavilion, Qixia Peak
Cultivation: early stage of Qi Refining level four
Expertise: spear techniques, artifact refining
Role: attack, defense
Note: This person's gold spirit energy is exceptionally sharp, suggesting a possible special constitution. He is skilled in artifact refining and likely carries many defensive artifacts. Proceed with caution.
Jiang Yao scratched his head. "I only bought this because I saw my own name on it."
"I've only revealed my gold spirit energy while doing missions at our Ruiyu Pavilion and the Artifact Peak. Since he even knows that, his information seems quite reliable."
"Based on your and Jun Luo's info, it does seem reliable, but..."
Wen Xuan spent a long time rummaging through the names of those talented sword cultivators. "Why don't I see Ningyun's name?"
"Oh, her name is further down."
Jiang Yao scrolled down for a while and pointed toward the tail end of the level four cultivators. "Here."
After saying that, he looked at them with an expression like he was waiting for a show to start.
Name: Gu Ningyun
Team: Ruiyu Pavilion, Qixia Peak
Cultivation: mid-stage of Qi Refining level four
Expertise: guqin, sword techniques, drawing talismans
Role: support, attack
Note: This person possesses a natural talent for the sword, but according to investigations, she prefers musical rhythm over the sword. She is especially skilled in playing healing melodies and follows a support path. Although her cultivation is high, she is not a threat.
Wen Xuan was in disbelief. "Was this 《New Disciple Xiaosheng's Remarks》 really written by Qin Xiaosheng? He ranked you at the bottom of level four and said you're not a threat? Did he get his head caught in a door?!"
Gu Ningyun chuckled. "See, I told you I'm just a weak music cultivator!"
Wen Xuan asked, "Why didn't he mention that you've been grinding the Trial Tower for two months?"
"I was shocked when I first saw it too," Jiang Yao said.
"Ningyun also went to the Talisman Hall three months ago," Jiang Yao added. "Shouldn't they be cautious of her talisman methods as well?"
"Normally, it's hard to see significant results in learning to draw talismans in just three short months," Jun Luo noted.
Wen Xuan countered, "Then what about the Trial Tower?"
"Is it possible that Ningyun's performance of 《Zongjiao》 left such a deep impression that they've underestimated her and ignored her low-key talent for the sword?" Mu Chenze was quite calm.
Seeing the confused looks on their faces, he opened his identity jade token. "I'll forward a message to you, and then you'll understand."
Gu Ningyun sent her divine sense into the device and clicked on "Prosper Together."
The latest message was the one Mu Chenze had just sent—a forum post from the Xiaoyao section.
Gu Ningyun clicked it. The message was a hot topic from several months ago, with thousands of comments beneath it, and more were still being added even now.
Yan Feng of the Sword Peak: Those in need of healing, come quickly! Under the pomegranate tree at the main entrance of the Trial Tower, there is a music cultivator junior playing healing melodies. Three points for minor injuries, six points for major ones. I've tested it myself; the quality of the healing is guaranteed!
He Wenyue of the Sword Peak: Only six points? Is there really such a good deal? Which junior from the Music Peak is it? There are only a few people on the Music Peak, and I know everyone with lower cultivation than me. I've never seen anyone so skilled in healing melodies!
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