Faraway Immortal

Crimson City is one of the major cities that resides on the southern side of the northern continent. Governed by the Han Family, who serves as the vessel of the Northern Region Emperor, this city has earned a reputation as a bustling hub of trade and commerce. Known for its vibrant marketplaces, it boasts one of the largest markets in the entire northern region, where merchants from far and wide come to showcase their goods and negotiate deals.

Under the basking sun, the streets of the market are alive with the chatter and laughter of people, weaving in and out of the stalls, each more enticing than the last. Wang Zi stood at the edge of the crowd, his heart racing with excitement.

Wang Zi always felt a thrill whenever he saw new items. The vivid colors of fabrics, the gleaming trinkets, and the tantalizing scents of street food filled the air, and he couldn't help but be swept away by the atmosphere.

Yang Xin observed him with a soft giggle, "Like in the past, you always enjoy the market," she teased.

The following day after the meeting with the sect leader, Wang Zi was suddenly invited by Yang Xin to accompany her to collect her pill supply from the esteemed Profound Alchemy Sect. As a devoted servant of the Yang Family, he found himself bound by duty to accept this order. The weight of obligation settled heavily on his shoulders, but he was determined to make the most of this unexpected opportunity.

As he walked alongside Yang Xin, his mind began to race with possibilities. 'Maybe I should use this opportunity to gain some hidden items that were available for the protagonist,' he pondered, recalling the novel.

As they ventured deeper into the market district, they were greeted by a plethora of shops and stalls, each offering an array of unique items.

Wang Zi's eyes darted around, and an idea began to form in his mind. "Sister Xin, shall we go to that stall?" he suggested, pointing eagerly at a shop adorned with a dazzling display of crystal stones.

She nodded enthusiastically, and together they made their way to the shop. The shopkeeper, a jovial man with a beaming smile, welcomed them with open arms.

"Welcome, esteemed customers! What can I help you with?" he exclaimed.

Wang Zi picked up one of the sparkling crystal stones and held it up to the sunlight, watching as it refracted the light into a spectrum of colors. "This is a low-tier forging crystal. With this, you can make at least a lower-tier weapon," he said, analyzing the stone.

The shopkeeper's eyes widened in surprise. "As the esteemed customer said, this is indeed a low-tier forging crystal! It seems esteemed customers have quite the knowledge about forging crystals," he remarked.

Forging crystals are a unique type of crystal stone, renowned for their ability to enhance weapons crafted from cold iron, a material once deemed the strongest among mortals. In ancient times, cold iron was highly prized for its durability and effectiveness, but it soon became apparent that this formidable metal had its weaknesses.

When cultivators, who harnessed the flow of qi, attempted to imbue their cold iron weapons with their energy, they discovered a flaw: the intense power of their qi would cause the cold iron to shatter into fragments, rendering their weapons useless in the heat of battle.

Recognizing this significant limitation, the ingenious minds of the past embarked on a series of experiments, tirelessly seeking a solution that would allow them to merge the strength of cold iron with a material capable of withstanding the energy of qi.

Through trial and error, they unearthed a remarkable discovery: forging crystals, which could be found deep within the mystical spirit caves, were the key to their dilemma. These crystals, imbued with their own unique properties, could be skillfully combined with cold iron to create a new class of weaponry.

The process of enhancing cold iron with forging crystals required not only skill but also a deep understanding of the energies at play. Artisans would carefully incorporate the crystals into the metal, forging a bond that allowed the weapon to resonate with qi, effectively creating a qi circuit within the weapon itself. This innovative enhancement transformed the once brittle cold iron into a formidable tool capable of channeling qi smoothly and efficiently, thereby maximizing the potential of its wielder.

As news of this revolutionary advancement spread throughout the cultivation world, it became increasingly common for cultivators to seek out weapons enhanced with forging crystals. These weapons, now capable of harnessing and amplifying the qi of their owners, allowed warriors to unleash devastating attacks.

In the years that followed, the art of forging crystals became a revered craft, passed down through generations of smiths and cultivators. The spirit caves where these precious crystals were sourced became sacred sites, drawing aspiring artisans who wished to learn.

Yang Xin beamed with pride at Wang Zi's expertise. "Yeah, Brother Wang's knowledge is as vast as the sea, you know!" She chimed in, her voice laced with admiration.

Wang Zi waved his hand dismissively, a humble smile on his face. "No, Sister Yang, my knowledge cannot even be considered a grain of sand in this world compared to the scholars who are studying eternally," he replied modestly.

After a brief exchange, he decided to purchase several forging crystals, but his attention was suddenly drawn to an exquisite crystal necklace that glimmered in the corner of the shop. "What is this?" he asked, intrigued as he pointed to the necklace adorning the shopkeeper's neck.

"This is a necklace I found by chance in the Southern Region while fishing. It looked good, so I decided to keep it for myself," the shopkeeper explained, his fingers brushing over the necklace with fondness.

Without hesitation, Wang Zi pulled out a substantial amount of gold coins. The shopkeeper's eyes sparkled with delight as he accepted the payment, and soon Wang Zi and Yang Xin were on their way.

As they continued to explore the market, they stopped at numerous shops and stalls, buying everything they needed.

After a while, they eventually reached the Profound Alchemy Sect, a towering structure adorned with intricate carvings and surrounded by lush gardens that seemed to hum with the disciples of the sect studying. Wang Zi turned to Yang Xin. "I need to buy something else. I will be back in a few minutes," he said, excusing himself with a swift nod before he ventured off into the bustling market area just outside the sect's grand entrance.

Yang Xin watched him go, her thoughts swirling with curiosity about what he might be seeking. She shrugged it off and focused on her own task.She approached the Elder of the Profound Alchemy Sect. The Elder greeted her with a knowing smile and began to guide her through the hallways adorned with ancient scrolls.

As they walked, Yang Xin absorbed the atmosphere, the faint scent of herbs and minerals wafting through the air, punctuated by the occasional burst of energy from practitioners honing their skills nearby. The Elder led her to the pill collection center, a space filled with shelves lined with jars and boxes. After some time spent in meticulous selection, The Elder presented her with a small, ornate box, its surface glimmering with hints of gold.

"Here, young lady, are your thirty-third-grade Qi Refining Pills," she said as she handed over three neatly packaged boxes.

Just as she reached out to pick them up, a voice interrupted her.

"Xin'er? I didn't expect to meet you here," a youth adorned in luxurious robes approached her, flanked by several peers. His striking crimson hair caught the sunlight, making him appear almost regal. His name was Han Li, her fiancé, and his presence instantly changed the atmosphere around them.

She turned to face him, her expression icy as she replied, "Oh,Brother Han, I didn't expect you either," her tone laced with indifference.

"Cold as always, even to your fiancée." Han Li remarked, a teasing smile on his face as he surveyed the shop. Then, his gaze turned sharp as he continued, "It seems like your favorite mutt didn't come with you today."

At his words, Yang Xin's demeanor shifted, her eyes narrowing dangerously as she exuded her aura as a Spirit Purification Realm Cultivator. The air around them thickened, and the youths accompanying Han Li began to falter, collapsing to their knees under the pressure of her presence.

"Well, to think I could see my fiancée's angry face after our long reunion," he chuckled, seemingly unfazed as he reveled in the tension.

But the moment was short-lived. Han Li's aura, powerful and commanding, easily suppressed Yang Xin's own. "Second Stage of Spirit Purification Realm! As expected of my future wife," he declared with a smug grin, relishing in the display of power.

Yang Xin felt a chill run down her spine. The realization that Han Li had surpassed her struck her like a bolt of lightning; she had initially believed him to be at her level, but now it was clear that his strength far exceeded her own.

"But still, it doesn't match my Fourth Stage of Spirit Purification Realm," he added nonchalantly, a hint of arrogance in his voice.

"Fourth Stage?" she echoed, her face paling at the implication.

"Well, I will forgive you for harming my subordinates, but don't try this again," he warned, his eyes turning void of any emotion, a stark contrast to the playful demeanor he had shown moments before. With a swift kick to one of his subordinates, he commanded them to stand back, his authority palpable.

"See you again in two months," he said coolly as he turned on his heel, leaving the sect without a backward glance.

Yang Xin stood there, her heart racing and thoughts swirling with anxiety as she processed the words he had left behind. The weight of his words hung in the air like a specter, darkening her mood as she exited the sect, leaving the Qi condensation pills untouched.