Chapter 13: Sharpening the Spear, Weaving the Shield
Back in his courtyard on Alchemy Peak, Lin Xuan placed the two jade slips on his desk — Aegis of Shifting Skies and Heavenstorm Lance.
The Scripture Pavilion's attendants had not let him take the originals, of course. Instead, they had allowed him to copy the techniques into his own blank jade slips using his disciple token to authorize the process.
These personal copies contained the exact manuals but were keyed to his spiritual signature, ensuring no one else could use them.
Which meant they were his — and therefore…
> [Upgrade Talent Activated]
Target: Aegis of Shifting Skies → Celestial-Grade Aegis of Shifting Skies
Target: Heavenstorm Lance → Celestial-Grade Heavenstorm Lance
The moment he upgraded them, the jade slips pulsed in his hands. Complex, glowing runes appeared along the surface — patterns that hadn't been there before. His mind was instantly filled with additional layers of each technique: advanced forms, hidden applications, and esoteric theory meant only for grandmasters.
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Testing the Arts
He stepped into his courtyard's training yard and began with Aegis of Shifting Skies.
The base version formed a translucent barrier layered with elemental qi. But the upgraded celestial-grade version did more — it actively shifted the barrier's elemental composition to counter incoming attacks.
Fire qi could be doused with a water layer, lightning dispersed through grounding earth qi, and physical force spread across multiple elemental membranes.
When he moved to Heavenstorm Lance, the difference was even more striking. The celestial-grade art didn't just combine lightning and fire — it wove space affinity into the thrust, allowing the spear to "skip" forward through short-range spatial tears, striking an opponent before they could even register the attack.
A few practice drills left him smiling faintly. "With these… even a core disciple in my realm would hesitate to fight me head-on."
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A Subtle Warning
The next day, while leaving the Alchemy Hall after restocking herbs, Lin Xuan found himself approached by a tall man in grey-green robes. His sharp eyes and faint smile gave the impression of someone who already knew more than he was saying.
"Lin Xuan, isn't it?" the man said smoothly. "I've heard of you — the outer disciple who suddenly became Elder Danfeng's direct disciple."
Lin Xuan gave a respectful bow. "Elder."
"I am Qiu Wansheng, also of the alchemy council. Danfeng is a skilled man… though I must admit, I've never seen him take in someone with no prior alchemy record." Qiu's gaze lingered just a moment too long. "Tell me, where exactly did you learn to refine such pills?"
Lin Xuan kept his tone mild. "I've had… some opportunities. I was fortunate enough to make the most of them."
Qiu's smile didn't falter. "Fortune is a fickle thing, young man. It comes and goes." He stepped past, his robe sleeve brushing Lin Xuan's arm. "I hope yours lasts."
As the elder walked away, Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed. The man's words were polite, but the weight behind them was clear. He was being measured.
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Mission to the Northern Ravine
That afternoon, Lin Xuan accepted a low-profile mission from the outer posting board: clearing a cluster of aggressive Razorbeak Hawks nesting in the Northern Ravine.
The ravine's winds were vicious, making movement arts difficult — a perfect place to test his new defensive and offensive skills under pressure.
The first hawk dove from above, wings slicing through the air like blades. Lin Xuan's Aegis of Shifting Skies shimmered into being, its outer layer instantly shifting to wind-aspect qi. The hawk's slicing gale hit the barrier and dispersed harmlessly.
With a step, his Heavenstorm Lance activated. Lightning coiled around the spear, fire flared at the tip, and space warped just ahead of the strike.
Shhhhk!
The spear tip emerged from a tear in the air directly in front of the hawk's chest, punching through in a single thrust.
The flock scattered, but Lin Xuan moved like a storm, each thrust skipping through space to skewer a target before it could flee.
Within minutes, the ravine was silent except for the crackle of fading lightning.
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Return to the Sect
He stored the hawk corpses and their cores in the Evervault and began the trek back.
The celestial-grade techniques had performed better than expected, but Qiu Wansheng's probing words stayed with him.
If that elder was already interested… it was only a matter of time before interest turned into action.
Which meant Lin Xuan needed to keep growing — fast.