Chapter 58: Yu Ya Defects, Archer Found
Chu Yun’s decisive combat and fierce aura, with him as the tip of the arrow, the four of them broke through the encirclement amidst the chaos. By the time they reached the shore, they directly boarded a sea vessel.
By the time the three great generals of the Jia family reacted, they had already sailed dozens of miles and vanished without a trace.
“Phew… Fortunately, Young Master, you made a swift decision and killed Jia Renhe, breaking through the encirclement while everyone was stunned. Otherwise, things would have been truly troublesome,” Yan Que exhaled a breath of turbid air.
Jin Bihan also patted her chest and gasped, her face filled with lingering fear. “Our strength is far inferior to that of generals. If we had been a step slower, I fear we would have been imprisoned.”
“Why the self-deprecation, little friend? With the strength of you three, possessing the combat power of a Great Demon, you are almost on par with a great general,” Master Yu Ya said, opening his eyes and resting against the ship’s railing for a moment. He had already recovered.
Jin Bihan’s eyes widened slightly, unable to comprehend.
Yan Que chuckled and explained, “In our Archipelago, possessing the combat power of two to three Great Demons is usually considered a great general. The combat power of a Spirit Monster is typically held by the Island Master. Unlike island nations like Dunhuang Country, where only those with Spirit Monster combat power are called great generals.”
“So that’s how it is,” Jin Bihan said with a smile of understanding.
“Then, Uncle Yu Ya, what are your plans for the future?” Chu Yun turned to Yu Ya and suddenly asked.
Upon hearing this, Yu Ya’s originally gloomy expression suddenly lit up, and his eyes burned with intensity. “I want to become the world’s greatest weapon forging master and fulfill the dream of the Zhongqi brothers!”
His tone was extremely firm, possessing a spirit of never giving up until his goal was achieved. The Heaven Spirit True Heart Pill had restored him to his peak strength, and it also made him decide to live on for Zhongqi, fulfilling his best friend’s lifelong dream.
Taking a deep breath, Master Yu Ya continued, “Right. If not for your help, it wouldn’t just be my recovery that was delayed; I might have remained in the dark forever. This is the reward I promised you.”
With that, he handed the Star Settling Bow, the remaining Heaven Spirit True Heart Pills, and the refined Willow Leaf Daggers to Chu Yun.
“This…” Chu Yun was taken aback. He took a Heaven Spirit True Heart Pill and the Star Settling Bow. “The Heaven Spirit True Heart Pill was specifically refined by Zhongqi for you, Uncle. I’ll take one and give it to the Academy. I accept the Star Settling Bow because of our prior agreement. I won’t take the rest. Please keep them, Uncle.”
“How can this be? Do you think your Uncle Yu Ya is a man of his word? Since the prescription wasn’t found, the pills are the only compensation. If you don’t accept them, I’ll be upset!” Yu Ya’s attitude was resolute.
“If Uncle takes a few more True Heart Pills, it will also greatly benefit your dream by improving your potential,” Chu Yun thought, knowing full well the benefits of the Heaven Spirit True Heart Pill, but he had ulterior motives, thus refusing to accept them.
The two sides faced each other, staring intently, for a full half hour.
Finally, Yu Ya sighed deeply and compromised. “How about this: you take two more pills. If you take the same pills consecutively, their efficacy will decrease. It’s a waste if I eat too many. Take two more, or I, your Uncle, will truly lose my temper!”
Chu Yun reluctantly accepted.
Only six Heaven Spirit True Heart Pills were refined. One was consumed by Yu Ya. Three went to Chu Yun, and the remaining two were kept by Yu Ya.
“There’s still something I need to trouble you with,” Yu Ya suddenly said again. “I can’t return to Steaming Pot Island now. To achieve the dream of becoming the world’s greatest weapon forging master, attaching myself to a powerful force would be twice as effective. I wish to join your Shu Island. Is that possible?”
Chu Yun was overjoyed upon hearing this. He had been contemplating how to persuade this weapon forging master to join Shu Island. He hadn’t expected Yu Ya to bring it up directly.
“This is truly a pleasant surprise. To be honest, I was just thinking how wonderful it would be if Uncle could join our Shu Island!” Chu Yun exclaimed with delight.
Jin Bihan also looked on with envy. A talent like Master Yu Ya would be treated with the respect and recruitment of a national scholar, even in Dunhuang Country.
Supreme grade demonic weapons could cause the Jia family to turn their backs on them. A weapon forging master capable of creating Supreme grade demonic weapons was, to any intelligent person, far more valuable than the weapons themselves!
The Drunken Snow Saber did not advance to Supreme grade not because Master Yu Ya was incapable, but because the materials lacked Supreme grade natural treasures. Even under such circumstances, Master Yu Ya managed to evoke celestial phenomena indicating the birth of a Supreme grade demonic weapon.
Although there was an element of exceeding expectations, Master Yu Ya’s skill was beyond doubt.
“Then, as your subordinate, I pay my respects to the Young Island Master,” Yu Ya said with a smile, bowing deeply to Chu Yun.
“Uncle Yu Ya, what are you doing? Just call me Chu Yun,” Chu Yun quickly said.
“Rites must not be neglected. Moreover, you are worthy of this bow!” Master Yu Ya gazed deeply at Chu Yun, his expression moved. “Firstly, you are young and promising. I, your Uncle, was nothing compared to you in my youth, worthy of respect. Secondly, it is all thanks to your help that the mystery was unraveled and I learned the truth. Thirdly, during my darkest times, only you and Zhongqi offered comfort, urging me not to give up. To be honest, though we haven’t known each other long, I consider you a true friend beyond age.”
“Uncle…” Chu Yun was also very moved. He knew that with Master Yu Ya’s skills, he would be a welcome guest anywhere. Yet, he chose Shu Island.
Was Shu Island powerful?
No, it wasn’t.
It had a reputation, but a thin foundation. Even as the leader in the sea salt market, its development time was too short. Its strength in the Archipelago was only at the peak of the second tier.
Yet, Master Yu Ya chose Shu Island. This was entirely on Chu Yun’s account.
“My adoptive father is currently worried about shipbuilding. Our Shu Island is in great need of a weapon forging master. If he learns of this good news, he might forget to sleep from joy,” Chu Yun suddenly thought of this and couldn’t help but laugh heartily.
“I am also looking forward to a man like your adoptive father, who chooses an adopted son to inherit his legacy over his biological son. Do you know why I get along with you? It’s because I see a warmth in you. As for shipbuilding, I have the skills. I can’t guarantee Upper grade warships, but I am confident in Middle grade warships,” Master Yu Ya said, patting his chest.
Warships were also a type of demonic weapon.
Upper grade potential warships could cultivate to the Spirit Monster level, which was very rare. Even island nations like Dunhuang Country had few of them. Middle grade warships were flagships in the Archipelago and were also rare. First-tier powers would eagerly seek them, but they were priceless!
Chu Yun felt warmth and joy from the bottom of his heart. With Master Yu Ya, the supply of warships could be guaranteed. This would instantly elevate Shu Island to the forefront of the Archipelago in this regard.
“By the way, there’s one more thing I need to caution you about,” Master Yu Ya said, pointing at the Star Settling Bow. “This is my peak work from years ago, with Upper grade potential, capable of cultivating to the Spirit Monster stage. It now possesses the cultivation of the Great Demon level. However, demonic weapons, being artificially crafted rather than naturally formed, even Supreme grade demonic weapons have flaws.”
Chu Yun nodded, he knew this.
The Drunken Snow Saber was like this; the longer it was used, the sharper and heavier it became. The legendary Ruyi Staff could make a man’s lower body change size, growing and shrinking daily. Worst of all, the Sunflower Needles directly led to impotence, which was quite disheartening.
These demonic weapons, being man-made, had flaws. Unlike Demonic Beasts or Demonic Plants, which were born of heaven and earth, the spiritual energy they fed back contained natural Dao charm, and did not indiscriminately alter the body, causing specific defects.
“It’s good that you understand. The Star Settling Bow also has its drawbacks. The bowstring is primarily made of Cold Star Silk. The longer it is used, the coldness will corrode your fingers. Mild cases will result in numbness, and severe cases could lead to congelation. You must be extremely careful, use it with caution, and do not freeze your fingers, causing lifelong disability,” Master Yu Ya cautioned with a solemn expression.
“Understood,” Chu Yun nodded, keeping it in mind. He suddenly remembered something. “Right, speaking of bows and arrows, Uncle, could you take a look at this broken arrow?”
He took out the broken Meteor Arrow he found in the king’s nest of the Black Wood Crow flock.
“This is a broken Meteor Arrow, an arrow from the Meteor Archer Corps, the strongest elite unit of the Mongol Yuan Nation back in the day. This is an arrow specifically designed for the Meteor Archery technique, capable of maximizing the power of the Meteor Arrow Dao method,” Master Yu Ya recognized its origin at a glance.
“Uncle, can you use this broken arrow to forge a complete Meteor Arrow?” Chu Yun asked with expectant eyes.
“Hmm, it’s barely possible. With this broken arrow, I can replicate about fifty percent, but not the Meteor Archery technique itself. Young Island Master, if you want to build a Meteor Arrow elite corps like the Mongol Yuan Nation had, that would be very difficult,” Master Yu Ya advised euphemistically.
Chu Yun found it strange and asked, “I can currently replicate Meteor Arrows, and the Academy’s Scripture Repository also contains the Meteor Arrow Dao method. Why can’t I create Meteor Arrow archers?”
“The key is not in the Meteor Arrows themselves, but in the Meteor Archery technique,” Jin Bihan suddenly interjected.
“Meteor Archery?”
Jin Bihan slowly shook her head. “Once one masters the Meteor Archery technique, any arrow can produce a powerful attack effect. Meteor Arrows are merely Minor Demon Soldiers created to assist the Meteor Archery technique. The arrows are not the main focus; the true focus is the Meteor Archery Dao method.”
Jin Bihan spoke eloquently. In the past, Dunhuang Country had also studied the Meteor Archer Corps, which once flourished in the Mongol Yuan Nation. They spent a huge sum of money but ultimately had to give up. Therefore, Princess Dunhuang was quite knowledgeable on this matter.
“It’s easy to grasp the Meteor Archery technique, but very difficult to use. Many monstrous geniuses, no matter how hard they try, cannot use it. Conversely, some ordinary people who awaken their Spirit at forty or fifty years old can use the Meteor Archery technique. There’s a saying that they have grasped the profound meaning of ‘meteor.’ As for what that profound meaning is, the practitioners themselves cannot explain it clearly.”
