Troublemaker’s Guide to Immortality

Zhao Wuji had just finished venting his fury when he summoned a disciple to report on Yun Jin's latest movements.

The result?

While he was away at the market, Yun Jin and Yue Zhao had already entered Artifact Peak—and had been inside for quite some time. Yang Hui had even received them privately. No one knew what they talked about during that meeting.

Zhao Wuji's expression turned grim.

He had long been working to pull Yang Hui into his camp.

But that man was slippery. No matter how many hints Zhao Wuji dropped, Yang Hui never gave a clear answer. Still, Yang Hui had always appeared to follow his lead, and Zhao Wuji had assumed that made him half an ally already.

And now?

Yang Hui had gone and received Yue Zhao and Yun Jin in private. He must have heard the rumors. He had to know why those two had come. And even so, he still agreed to meet them.

Was this a sign he was ready to tear off the mask and go against him?

Zhao Wuji's face darkened further. What had once been a fortress-like Tianxing Sect now showed cracks, one after another. He wanted to consolidate his authority again, but the rebellion had spread too far. For now, he didn't even know where to begin.

At the root of it all was still Tianjian Peak.

Zhao Wuji clenched his teeth.

He needed to deal with Tianjian Peak first.

After that, he could settle accounts with the rest, one by one.

They really thought just one Yun Jin could stand against him?

What a joke.

"Keep a close watch on Yang Hui," Zhao Wuji ordered coldly.

He wanted to see just how many disobedient pawns would reveal themselves over the next two months. When the time came, he would deal with them all at once.

~

At Artifact Peak, Yang Hui studied Yun Jin and Yue Zhao for a moment before focusing entirely on Yun Jin. She remained calm, even offering a small, unbothered smile.

Truth be told, Yang Hui hadn't intended to meet them at all. It was only after she had someone deliver the Tai'a Sword that he changed his mind. Now, that very sword rested quietly on the table in front of him.

Yang Hui raised an eyebrow. "This sword has growth potential?"

He didn't seem particularly surprised.

In the cultivation world, growth-type artifacts were not uncommon.

However…

While they were said to have a high ceiling, in practice, such artifacts first required a blood-binding ritual to recognize an owner. From there, any further improvement depended entirely on the owner's forging skill and ability to gather materials. Though some had managed to refine them into high-grade artifacts, the cost in materials along the way often far exceeded what it would take to simply forge several high-grade treasures from scratch.

Because of that, growth-type artifacts gradually fell out of favor. Fewer and fewer cultivators used them.

"Yes," Yun Jin replied honestly, without hesitation.

Right now, this one-star Tai'a Sword was nothing more than an interesting piece of work.

Yang Hui raised his brow again. "This sword has quite the ambition. Two opposing forces combined… if it can be refined further, it might just become a divine weapon."

That was what he said, but his tone remained mild.

He knew Yun Jin's reputation—a sword cultivator with notable talent, and someone who also seemed gifted in planting arts.

Those two pursuits alone would consume most of her time and energy. Did she really have the spare effort to study the forging arts just for a sword that was still at the Yellow-grade?

Yang Hui didn't think so.

She probably sent the sword because she had heard about his odd habit of collecting strange weapons, hoping to cater to his taste.

Unfortunately…

He could not accept this sword.

Yang Hui had already made up his mind. Until the Grand Sect Assembly in two months concluded, he wouldn't take a side or make a move.

Whether it was the Sect Master or Tianjian Peak, there was only one thing to do—stall for time.

Only by staying neutral could he protect himself.

Yun Jin smiled faintly. "Right? Peak Master also thinks this sword is pretty good? Then how about…"

Before she could finish, Yang Hui cut her off. "It's true, I like unusual weapons. But I don't take what I haven't earned. I won't accept this sword. Take it back with you."

Yun Jin: "???"

She froze for a second.

Did he seriously think she was here to offer him a gift?

She arched a brow, then with a single thought, summoned the Tai'a Sword back into her dantian.

Now it was Yang Hui's turn to freeze.

He looked at her in surprise.

She could absorb it into her body…

Had she already performed a blood-binding ritual?

It was common knowledge.

There were three types of magical artifacts.

First, the lifebound artifact. These could only be crafted at the Nascent Soul stage. Once formed, they could be stored in the dantian and nourished continuously. Their power would grow stronger over time. Lifebound artifacts were stronger than ordinary ones, but there was a catch. Any damage to them would also injure the cultivator. If the artifact was destroyed, it could even cost the user half their life.

Because of this, cultivators were extremely cautious when forging lifebound artifacts. Some chose to forgo them altogether. The risks were simply too great, unless one encountered an artifact truly worth the sacrifice.

The second type was the blood-bound artifact. Like lifebound ones, they could be nurtured with spiritual energy and grew stronger over time, though not to the same extent. Damage to the artifact would also hurt the cultivator, but less severely. This was a middle-ground option. Even so, the blood used for the ritual came from the heart and depleted vital energy. Most cultivators would only use this method on one or two treasured artifacts.

Both lifebound and blood-bound artifacts could be stored inside the body and couldn't be seized by others. If someone attempted to forcefully take them, the artifact would lose its spirit and become useless.

The third type was the standard artifact. These were stored in a pouch and used on command. Damage to them carried no consequence for the user. The downside was weaker power and a greater chance of being stolen.

Now that Yun Jin had bound this sword with her own blood, clearly she hadn't brought it here as a bribe.

Yang Hui suddenly felt a little awkward.

Had he… misunderstood her intentions?

He gave a dry cough, then asked, "So, the reason you sent this sword here?"

Yun Jin wore an innocent look. "Reason? I just thought my sword was pretty great and wanted the Peak Master to take a look."

Just for you to admire?

Yang Hui ground his teeth. "Well, I've admired it now. If that's all, then perhaps you should—"

"Peak Master Yang," Yun Jin interrupted, her tone suddenly serious. "Let's talk business. We're wasting too much time with idle chatter."

Yang Hui: "???"

So now he was the one wasting time?