National Division

Chapter 69 Shen Xian: It really was a mistake to wander into the imperial palace...

Vermilion Bird Hall, Side Hall
Xue Zhihua said, "According to my estimate, if you want to reach the peak of the Grandmaster level, you will need about two thousand pills. Martial arts cultivation is easy to improve, but martial arts skills and martial arts will require time to improve and temper."

In the end, Xue Zhihua frowned, as if she was trying to think of a solution for Shen Xian.

Shen Xian thought to himself, "This, he has a millstone that can deduce, feedback and integrate."

"Didn't Miss Xue say earlier that there aren't many royal alchemists?" Shen Xian asked.

While opening the box with her spiritual power, Xue Zhihua said, "There are few alchemists who can refine Dao Pattern Immortal Pills, and pills that help break through realms are relatively scarce. As for these pills for first and second realm martial artists, and even the pills for third and fourth realm martial artists' daily cultivation, many of them are supplemented with spiritual energy and do not pay much attention to quality."

Shen Xian's lips twitched. He understood. It was a consumable product. Taking too much of it would definitely have side effects.

Xue Zhihua picked out the pills in the Sumeru bag as if selecting fruit: "Especially the pills for first and second realm martial artists. A single batch can produce several thousand pills. Refining them with the Vermilion Bird Flame in the blessed land will yield quite a few pills, but the quality varies. For example, the main ingredient of the Lesser Rejuvenation Pill is ginseng. This may be a rare item in ordinary people's homes, but it is not unusual for the royal family. The Bohai Kingdom will send a lot of it as tribute every year."

Shen Xian understood.

High-grade pills are scarce, and pills with Dao patterns are even scarcer.

"Of course, even with the royal family's abundant reserves of elixirs, it's still not enough to supply the countless first and second realm martial artists across the land. Strengths and weaknesses are relative, and levels and quantities are always relative." Xue Zhihua concluded with a quote from the Daoist scriptures, undoubtedly elevating the theme.

Shen Xian also felt a surge of emotion.

It is indeed a lot to support one person with all the wealth of the world, but it is certainly not enough to support all the people of the world.

Throughout history, in this life and the last, it has always been the same.

It truly seems I've mistakenly entered the heavenly realm; I urge you to lay down the sand in my hand...

Xue Zhihua helped Shen Xian choose some pills, her tone light and cheerful as if she had just finished a task: "Alright, that's about it. Now I'll pick out a divine weapon for you. What kind of weapon do you usually use?"

Shen Xian said, "I can use either sword or saber, but I use a saber more often. I'll choose."

He uses the Yin-Yang millstone to deduce and comprehend martial arts techniques. Given enough time, he can master all kinds of martial arts techniques to a transcendent level.

But I still prefer using a knife more often.

“Then let’s use a sword and a blade.” Xue Zhihua said, leaving the west side hall and walking towards the side hall. She said in a clear voice, “A two-star divine weapon is most suitable for you right now, but I suggest you use a three-star divine weapon, because your martial arts cultivation will soon reach the Innate Realm. Using a three-star divine weapon will allow you to make full use of the weapon’s advantages.”

Shen Xian nodded, and then followed Xue Zhihua to the side hall where the divine weapon was kept. As soon as he entered the hall, he was slightly taken aback.

The weapons racks were densely packed, categorized and displayed in a dazzling array.

The air was thick with the aura of war, but because of the barriers, it did not harm anyone.

Xue Zhihua's clear, melodious voice drowned out the sound of footsteps as she introduced the weapon to Shen Xian: "Divine weapons are made by incorporating the quality and content of celestial veil, along with the skill of the swordsmith, to illuminate different stars. Divine weapons of three stars or higher possess spirituality and begin to be qualified to have their own names. Which one do you like the most? Pick one out."

Shen Xian's gaze swept over the divine weapons on the weapon rack, looking at them from one-star to five-star, but there were no six-star or seven-star divine weapons, perhaps they were not here.

"Ten thousand feet high, a solitary peak, an inky abyss, a void..."

"Broken mountain, startled swan, north wind, wild song..."

"Wan Yue, Jun Wen, Heng Jiang, Ting Chao..."

Shen Xian stared intently; he had already become numb from the previous pill area.

Each weapon is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, combining elegance and sharpness.

I have to say, they all look quite appealing; admiring a divine weapon is like admiring a beautiful woman.

The names of these divine weapons are also quite good.

"When the Demon Slayer Division and the Pacifying Division recruit manpower in the future, these divine weapons should have owners," Shen Xian said in a clear voice, his face as calm as still water.

He already had some framework and plans for the Qilin Pavilion in his mind.

Southern evil spirits and northern demons; pacify the south and slay the north.

He was finally drawn to a long sword, its blade as black as lacquer and as sharp as frost. Three stars adorned its surface, shining subtly yet subtly, while two seal characters were inscribed on its dark gold hilt. He pondered, "This one will do."

The shape of the knife is quite in line with what he usually uses.

Xue Zhihua placed her hand on a plaque on the weapon rack, using her divine sense to read the inscription. Her clear voice rang out: "The Three-Star Divine Weapon, Ink Rain Blade, is three feet two inches and one-tenth of an inch long. Its blade is as black as ink. It is forged by fusing Nine-Ice Cold Iron with star sand from the Milky Way outside the heavens, outlining a rune array. It can cut through hair with a breath and slice through iron like mud. When infused with innate true energy, it can break through the protective Yuan Gang of a Grandmaster. When infused with innate true essence, the ink rain is continuous and dense, which can shield the attack of a Grandmaster's martial will."

As Shen Xian listened to Xue Zhihua's description of the characteristics of the Ink Rain Blade, he secretly admired it. He picked up the divine weapon and felt its weight in his hand. Only by circulating his inner energy could he control it freely.

"A fine blade." The Ink Rain Blade was already a three-star divine weapon, imbued with a trace of spirituality. Upon hearing Shen Xian's praise, it emitted a clear and sharp "hum," revealing its full sharpness.

Xue Zhihua chuckled and said, "This sword is enough for you to use until you reach the Grandmaster realm."

As he spoke, he took out a scabbard from the box below and said, "This is a matching scabbard, made of whale skin, which can conceal the blade."

Shen Xian nodded, sheathed the Ink Rain Blade in his hand, concealed the turmoil in his heart, and said, "Now we still need a sword."

Xue Zhihua said, "The sword is here."

Shen Xian arrived at the weapon rack and looked at the divine weapons. The swords were forged in various styles, some elegant and unique, others magnificent and fantastical, reflecting the preferences of different swordsmiths.

Shen Xian scanned the divine weapons one by one.

"Frost, autumn waters, unrestrained, fulfilling wishes..."

"Awakening of Insects, Grain Rain, Grain in Ear, Great Cold..."

"Flowing wind, dragon's roar, evergreen, swirling snow..."

Shen Xian thought for a moment, then walked up to a divine weapon, grasped the hilt, and said, "Let's take this Chengyi."

"The Chengyi Sword is two feet nine and three-tenths feet long. It is a three-star divine weapon and does not possess any of the five elements. When a grandmaster begins to condense his martial will, this sword can carry his martial will and enhance it. Choosing this sword is also a good option," Xue Zhihua explained from the side.

As he spoke, he took a sword sheath for Shen Xian.

Shen Xian said, "I've made my selections, let's go out now."

If any of these treasures were to fall into the hands of the martial arts world, they would cause a bloodbath.

Xue Zhihua said softly, "You are still missing a soft armor. However, martial arts armor is not as mysterious as immortal treasures. It can only protect against weapon wounds. Make do with what you have for now. In a few days, I will see if my senior brother from another branch has any suitable protective treasures for you."

Shen Xian had no choice but to follow Xue Zhihua away from the weapons area and head towards the area where the armor was stored.

Accompanied by Xue Zhihua, Shen Xian selected a soft armor that could withstand damage from a two-star divine weapon before leaving the treasury and arriving at the front hall of the Vermilion Bird Division.

Xue Zhihua put all the magical treasures into her Sumeru bag and said, "That's all for today. If you want to leave, just bow to the Vermilion Bird three times and you'll be able to leave."

Shen Xian nodded.

As the two were talking, Xue Zhihua came to the Vermilion Bird statue and bowed to it three times. "Whoosh..." A flash of spiritual light enveloped the two of them, and they left the Vermilion Bird Hall.

Just after the two left, a dazzling light flashed, revealing two figures.

The person on the right wears a red hawk-shaped crown and a finely embroidered Vermilion Bird Robe, with a crimson phoenix cloak over it. He is tall and slender, with striking eyebrows, fair and handsome features, slightly thin lips, and an icy expression. He is unsmiling and it is impossible to tell whether he is male or female.

Her fair, jade-like hands gripped a long sword with a vermilion scabbard at her waist, named Dragon Sparrow.

Beside him was a tall, elegant, and mysterious woman dressed in a crimson palace gown.

"Si Di, what's wrong?" A beautiful woman dressed with an elegant and noble air, her golden hairpin swaying gently in her hair, asked the Suzaku Commander-in-Chief, Si Di, whose face showed a hint of doubt.

"Your Highness, I think I just caught a whiff of Zhihua's presence." Si Di's voice was cold and indifferent, devoid of any emotion.

Princess Zhenguo chuckled softly, her peach blossom eyes sparkling with delight, her smile captivating and naturally alluring. "Zhihua only recently went to Guhe County, she shouldn't be back yet."

It was she who instructed Zhihua to go.

Si Di frowned slightly, his doubt fading as he said, "Then it must be that I made a mistake."

But once doubts arose in his mind, he naturally wouldn't give up so easily.

Princess Zhenguo said, "You must have been discussing the Dao with Yuqing lately, which has made you too stressed. After we leave the Vermilion Bird Blessed Land, I will have someone ask who else has come to the Human Palace."

They clearly knew Si Di's meticulous and suspicious nature.

Si Di bowed respectfully and said, "Fusheng made a mistake in the Heavenly Palace. The aura of war there is too strong. Your Highness, please wait here. I will go and retrieve it."

The Princess Zhenguo nodded gently and said softly, "Then I will wait for you here."

As she spoke, the beautiful woman in the crimson dress watched as Si Di transformed into a streak of crimson light and flew toward the left eye of the Vermilion Bird statue.

Just as Shen Xian thought, the Seven Star Divine Weapons were located elsewhere, and this place was merely the Human Palace.

(End of this chapter)