Li Nanzhu took a roll of blueprints from her robes and handed them to Jiang Yifan with a mysterious air. "Fourth Senior Brother, take a look at this."
Jiang Yifan unrolled the blueprints, his brow immediately furrowing into a deep frown.
The blueprints depicted an odd-looking metal object. Its main body was a long cylindrical structure, with a complex mechanical assembly at the rear and six tube-like structures arranged in a ring at the front.
"This is..." A rare note of confusion entered Jiang Yifan's voice.
"I call it the Six-Combination Continuous-Bead Gun," Li Nanzhu explained in a lowered voice. "It utilizes spiritual energy for activation and can fire six spirit energy projectiles in an instant. With a range of up to a thousand zhang, even someone at the Qi Condensation stage can unleash attack power that surpasses the Foundation Establishment stage."
Jiang Yifan's gaze shifted from confusion to intense focus, and finally, a flash of shock appeared in his eyes. His fingers lightly traced the spiritual rune circuits on the blueprints. "This spiritual energy compression structure..."
"Exactly!" Li Nanzhu nodded excitedly. "Through this special circuit, spiritual energy can be compressed into high-density pellets. Combined with this revolving structure, it allows for continuous firing!"
Jiang Yifan's finger suddenly stopped at the energy storage component in the middle of the blueprint. "This part..."
"That's the most critical spiritual energy storage device," Li Nanzhu leaned in to explain. "I referenced a modern—uh, I mean, a special structure recorded in ancient texts that can compress and store spiritual energy, releasing it all at once when used."
Jiang Yifan's eyes grew exceptionally bright. "Interesting. It shares some commonalities with the Explosive Flame Pearl, but it's more advanced. If this structure were applied to a flying sword..."
"Fourth Senior Brother!" Li Nanzhu hurriedly interrupted his wandering thoughts. "Let's focus on making this first!"
Jiang Yifan pondered for a moment. "If we have enough materials, we can give it a try."
"Fantastic!" Li Nanzhu's eyes shone, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing the edge of the blueprints.
Back in her previous life in the modern world, she had been fascinated by such precise mechanical structures. Unfortunately, before she had the chance to study them deeply, she had been sent to the front lines.
Suisui leaned in curiously, its bone claws lightly poking at the blueprints as its soul fire flickered happily with its emotions.
It wasn't that Li Nanzhu hadn't thought about drawing blueprints for machine guns or pistols for Jiang Yifan—back at the field hospital, she could have disassembled and reassembled those weapons with her eyes closed.
However, in this world where spiritual energy reigned supreme, the power of those purely metal creations was simply not worth mentioning.
As they spoke, a commotion erupted in the distance.
Le Changxi of the Sword Heart Sect entered with several disciples. Leading them was none other than Cang Dongqing, dressed in white, the blood-red bead bracelet on her wrist glinting with an eerie light under the sun.
"What are they doing here?" Duan Xianxing frowned. "No one from the Sword Heart Sect is participating in the refining competition."
Feng Qingping sneered. "They're here to scavenge, obviously. Every time the Sect Competition ends, they buy up several good magic tools at high prices."
Zhu Yinxi lightly twirled his jade flute. "They have ulterior motives."
Li Nanzhu noticed that Cang Dongqing was following Le Changxi toward a certain disciple. That disciple wore crimson-red robes, and the jade plaque at his waist identified him as a direct disciple of the Water Moon Sect.
"Senior Brother Lu," Le Changxi greeted him familiarly. "What treasure do you plan on refining this time?"
Lu Tingyun turned around, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes when he saw Le Changxi. "Junior Brother Le! This time, I intend to try an improved version of the Green Rainbow Sword."
As he finished speaking, his gaze fell upon Cang Dongqing, and he froze slightly.
"This is my junior sister," Le Changxi introduced with a smile. "She is very interested in the Dao of refining and came specifically to observe the competition."
Cang Dongqing bowed slightly, revealing a glimpse of her snowy-white neck. "I have long heard that the refining techniques of the Water Moon Sect are unparalleled under heaven. To be able to witness Senior Brother Lu's work today is truly Dongqing's honor."
The tips of Lu Tingyun's ears turned slightly red. "Junior Sister Cang, you flatter me. Our Water Moon Sect is indeed known for refining, but I only possess a bit of talent. I'm nowhere near as skilled as my Eldest Senior Brother."
"Senior Brother Lu is too modest," Cang Dongqing's voice was as soft as water. "I've heard that this competition uses standard-issue refining furnaces, which truly tests one's real skill. Being able to refine the Green Rainbow Sword under such conditions is enough to prove your mastery, Senior Brother Lu."
The smile on Lu Tingyun's face deepened. "Junior Sister Cang, you certainly know quite a bit about refining."
"I only know the basics," Cang Dongqing lowered her head with a shallow smile. "Back at the Sword Heart Sect, I often heard my fourth senior brother mention your refining talent, Senior Brother Lu."
Le Changxi interjected at the right moment. "Indeed. The Flowing Cloud Hairpin that Senior Brother Lu improved last time was highly praised even by our Sect Leader."
The faint sound of their conversation drifted over, causing Li Nanzhu's brow to twitch involuntarily.
She saw how Cang Dongqing always lowered her head at the perfect moment. Every look seemed meticulously calculated to express admiration without appearing frivolous.
Since Liu Qingyang was consistently avoiding her, she could only start by working on the other direct disciples first.
Just then, Liu Qingyang walked quickly from the refining area and grabbed Chu Chenzhou, who was nearby lost in thought. "Eldest Senior Brother! I have a question to ask you!"
As Chu Chenzhou was forcibly pulled away, Cang Dongqing's smile stiffened for a split second before returning to its gentle and charming state.
"Liu Qingyang is certainly alert," Feng Qingping whispered, having appeared beside Li Nanzhu at some unknown time.
Li Nanzhu nodded slightly, her gaze still locked on Cang Dongqing. She watched as the girl quickly adjusted her emotions and resumed her pleasant conversation with Lu Tingyun.
"Senior Brother Lu, are you using the Seven-turn Fire-control Technique this time?" Cang Dongqing pointed at the refining furnace on the platform, her eyes full of curiosity.
Lu Tingyun said in surprise, "Junior Sister Cang, you can even recognize that?"
"It's just a guess," Cang Dongqing chuckled, covering her mouth. "I saw that the hand seals you used while regulating the fire earlier were quite unique and very similar to the Seven-turn Fire-control Technique."
"Junior Sister Cang, you are truly knowledgeable." A flash of admiration appeared in Lu Tingyun's eyes. "This Seven-turn Fire-control Technique is indeed a secret transmission of my Water Moon Sect. I didn't expect you to recognize it at a glance."
Le Changxi chimed in, "When my junior sister was at the Sword Heart Sect, she often went to the Library Pavilion to study refining manuals."
"It's only superficial knowledge," Cang Dongqing said modestly, then changed the subject. "However, I've heard that true refinery masters can often integrate their own understanding into the most basic fire-control techniques. Looking at your methods, Senior Brother Lu, you must have already reached that level?"
Lin Qingyu was elated by these words, and the smile on his face grew even more brilliant. "Junior Sister Cang, you truly have a keen eye. I have indeed added some of my own insights into the Seven-turn Fire-control Technique..."
Li Nanzhu watched from the sidelines, forced to admit that Cang Dongqing's methods were indeed sophisticated.
Every word seemed carefully designed to showcase her own knowledge while perfectly complimenting the other person.
This kind of subtle, silent ingratiation was far more lethal than blunt flattery.
She witnessed all of this but felt helpless. The Water Moon Sect disciples were clearly avoiding them on purpose, likely having received some sort of instruction.
"I need to think of a way..."
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