Two months later.

Blood Bone Island welcomed a guest.

It was none other than Yan Feng.

Compared to many years ago, his aura was more refined, and there was a touch of worldly calm in his expression, clearly reflecting a more stable position within his sect.

Inside Blood Bone Hall, the host and guest sat down.

The lingering fragrance of tea filled the hall.

"Fellow Daoist Yan, long time no see, I hope you’re well," Xu Ping said with a bow and a smile.

"Thanks to Fellow Daoist Xu’s blessings, everything is fine," Yan Feng replied, his smile warm and friendly.

The two exchanged pleasantries, and the atmosphere was congenial.

A moment later, Yan Feng assumed a more serious expression and took out a storage bag. "Fellow Daoist Xu, I’m relieved to say that the rare spiritual materials you entrusted to my sect to collect years ago have finally been gathered."

A flash of light appeared in Xu Ping’s eyes as he took the storage bag, his divine sense probing inside like threads.

Inside the storage space, various spiritual materials were neatly categorized and arranged.

Each item was of top quality, and the quantity was precisely what he had initially requested, if not more.

"Fellow Daoist Yan, your sect’s friendship is truly remembered by Xu Mou. Many thanks," Xu Ping said with a smile as he stored away the bag.

After years of preparation, the materials for upgrading his magic sword were finally complete.

Once successful, the power of the sword array would see a massive improvement!

Yan Feng quickly waved his hands, smiling earnestly. "Fellow Daoist Xu, you’re too kind. It’s the honor of Mystic Water Sect to lend a helping hand to a fellow cultivator."

The current situation in the outer sea is unpredictable, with Star Palace making frequent moves. Yan Feng was more than eager for Xu Ping to ’trouble’ them a bit more.

This way, the friendship between both sides could become deeper and more lasting, so that if Mystic Water Sect ever encountered trouble, Xu Ping would help in return.

Upon hearing this, Xu Ping smiled and didn’t continue the formalities. Instead, he took out a jade box and pushed it forward: "Here are some Fourth Rank talismans I’ve crafted in recent years. A small token, I hope Fellow Daoist Yan will accept them."

When the jade box was opened, inside were ten talismans sparkling with spiritual light, flashing with thunder, enveloped in fire, and bone-chillingly cold. Each one was a Fourth Rank talisman.

Fourth Rank talismans are rare commodities anywhere.

Yan Feng, of course, couldn’t refuse.

The transaction completed, both parties were well pleased.

Yan Feng took a sip of tea, and his expression turned somewhat serious as he said in a low voice, "Fellow Daoist Xu, there is one more thing I need to inform you about."

"Recently, although the Star Palace’s attempts to spy on outer sea activities have been repelled by strong demon race experts, it’s still a highly alarming signal for all major forces in the outer sea."

"Patriarch Yunxiao wishes to unite all major forces in the outer sea like during previous resistances against demonic calamities, to discuss countermeasures together."

"We don’t necessarily aim to confront Star Palace proactively, but hope to form a union that could offer some means of self-defense or negotiation capital should Star Palace make any unusual moves."

"Unite?"

Xu Ping pondered for a moment, carefully weighing the pros and cons of this proposal.

This matter quite agrees with his current thoughts. If all the major forces of the outer sea unite, it will allow him to hide better among them and not stand out too much.

Moreover, if Star Palace truly makes any moves in the future, facing the united forces of the outer sea would pose a much greater challenge.

"I have no objections to this," Xu Ping nodded in agreement, but then his tone changed.

"It’s just that I need to go into seclusion to handle some extremely urgent matters, so I may not be able to participate in the initial various discussion meetings."

"Could I trouble Fellow Daoist Yan to attend these meetings on my behalf, and communicate any important decisions or news to me promptly."

Yan Feng immediately agreed without hesitation, "Rest assured, Fellow Daoist, leave this matter to Yan Mou."

"Currently, it seems that after being expelled by the demon race, Star Palace shouldn’t make any major moves in the near future. The union matter is still in the preliminary consultation stage, so Fellow Daoist can go into seclusion without worries."

After chatting for a while longer, Yan Feng got up to take his leave.

Xu Ping personally escorted him to the hall’s entrance.

Before parting, as if remembering something, Xu Ping added, "By the way, Fellow Daoist Yan, I would also like to trouble your sect to keep an eye out and help collect some spiritual objects that assist Fourth Rank Lower Grade demon beasts in breaking through bottlenecks. The type doesn’t matter, as long as they’re reliable and effective."

Yan Feng was slightly surprised but immediately agreed:

"This isn’t particularly difficult, though such spiritual objects are rare commodities, and it might take some time to gather them."

"As soon as there’s news, I’ll inform you at once."

"Thank you, but there’s no rush in terms of time," Xu Ping nodded in understanding.

These spiritual objects were naturally prepared for the Spirit Worm that had followed him for many years.

This beast had been with him for a long time, and its cultivation had reached the peak of Fourth Rank Lower Grade with solid foundations. It was time to prepare it for a breakthrough to Fourth Rank Middle Grade.

Of course, relying on just one channel from Mystic Water Sect was not reliable enough. He also planned to enlist help from the Golden Spirit Mouse clan of Jin Yuxuan, making sure everything was foolproof.

Once the Spirit Worm successfully broke through to Fourth Rank Middle Grade, with its innate divine ability, the speed at which it could nourish and enhance Blood Bone Island’s spirit vein would greatly increase.

He himself was not far from the Late-Stage Nascent Soul realm, so upgrading the spirit vein to Fourth Rank Upper Grade in advance was an important task that needed early planning.

After seeing off Yan Feng, Xu Ping turned and gazed in the direction of the secret chamber on the back mountain, his eyes filled with anticipation.

With the materials ready, it was time to refine and upgrade the sword array.

...

In the depths of the underground cave, multiple restrictions were activated, isolating it from the outside.

Xu Ping sat cross-legged in the center of the artifact refining room, then swept his sleeve.

Buzz—

A continuous and clear sword hum resounded, and seventy-two magic swords appeared out of thin air, entirely crimson red, with mysterious rune restrictions floating on their blades, hovering before Xu Ping.