A few days later, at dawn.
Qin Changsheng was controlling Hu Nan as he practiced the Fire Serpent Technique.
Although Qin Changsheng had already mastered the Fire Serpent Technique, he dared not slacken his efforts for a moment.
"Buzz!" Half an hour later, a special communication talisman suddenly flew to Hu Nan's side.
"Junior Nephew Hu, come to the Sect Leader's Hall immediately!" The Sect Leader's voice came from within as soon as Hu Nan caught the talisman.
Hearing the Sect Leader's voice, Qin Changsheng understood why the Sect Leader had summoned Hu Nan.
It must be because of the Qi Refining Master from the Imperial Sword Manor.
Qin Changsheng put away the communication talisman and controlled Hu Nan to fly towards the Sect Leader's Hall.
In less than half an incense stick's time, Hu Nan arrived outside the Sect Leader's Hall.
Hu Nan sheathed his sword, landed, straightened his clothes, and slowly pushed open the vermilion doors of the hall. The scene inside instantly came into view.
The main hall was already bustling with activity, over a hundred cultivators densely packed throughout.
These individuals were all surrounded by profound and pure spiritual energy fluctuations, their auras steady and composed; they were all Foundation Establishment cultivators from the Heavenly Sword Sect.
Qin Changsheng spotted Lin Hao, Wu Yong, and Jiang Lijuan among the crowd.
Besides them, there were also many older cultivators with even more refined auras, their temples streaked with silver, their expressions calm and composed—all senior brothers and sisters who had successfully established their foundations many years ago.
These individuals usually secluded themselves in the sect's deepest retreats, focusing on cultivation and rarely appearing in public, yet today they were all present.
As soon as Hu Nan stepped into the hall, Jiang Lijuan smiled and waved vigorously at him.
Upon seeing this, Qin Changsheng quickly guided Hu Nan to Jiang Lijuan's side.
Seeing Hu Nan standing not far away, Lin Hao snorted with some dissatisfaction.
"The sect leader suddenly summoned us today?"
"Because Master Chu Yanqiu of the Imperial Sword Manor came here?"
"You mean Master Chu Yanqiu, the one who can forge Earth-grade magic weapons?"
"Who else can be called a weapon-forging master besides him?"
"I heard he's almost at the threshold of Grandmaster!"
"He came this time to find millennium-old black iron to forge a low-grade Earth-grade longsword!"
"As long as the millennium-old black iron is found, Master Chu Yanqiu will reward you with some treasures and an invitation to the Imperial Sword Manor!"
"An invitation! I heard that this invitation allows you to be the first to enter the Imperial Sword Pool to choose a sword five years later!"
The Foundation Establishment disciples all whispered among themselves.
After a short while, a powerful pressure emanated from outside the hall, instantly suppressing the noisy discussions inside.
Everyone subconsciously turned their heads, their gazes all fixed on the entrance of the hall.
Sect Leader Xuan Yangzi walked at the head of the procession, followed by Lin Zhentian, Elder Qingxuan, and Fairy Qingling.
Embraced by these four sect elders, an elderly man in a purple robe slowly entered.
Once all five had entered the hall, the more than one hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators inside immediately composed themselves, their expressions becoming respectful, and none dared to speak casually.
The crowd bowed in unison, their voices resounding throughout the hall: "Greetings, Sect Leader! Greetings, Elders!"
Xuan Yangzi looked at the disciples bowing respectfully, slowly raised his right hand, and waved it, saying, "Disciples, there's no need for such formalities. Please rise."
The disciples responded in unison, "Thank you, Sect Leader!"
Xuan Yangzi turned to Chu Yanqiu beside him, gestured for him to enter, and introduced him to the crowd, saying, "I've gathered you all here today to introduce a distinguished guest."
"This is Master Chu Yanqiu, the master craftsman of the Imperial Sword Manor!"
"Master Chu's craftsmanship is unparalleled; he is a top-tier craftsman renowned throughout the cultivation world. A hundred years ago, a high-grade earth-level magic weapon was crafted by Master Chu Yanqiu."
As soon as he finished speaking, all the disciples bowed in unison, their voices filled with reverence: "Greetings, Master Chu!"
Faced with their respectful greetings, Chu Yanqiu showed no airs: "You need not be so polite, please rise. I am but an old man who tinkers with firearms, unworthy of the title 'Master,' and even less deserving of such respect from you all."
"Thank you, Master!" The crowd rose to their feet.
Chu Yanqiu's gaze slowly swept over the more than one hundred Foundation Establishment cultivators in the hall before he spoke.
"I have troubled the Heavenly Sword Sect today, and I am deeply grateful for the hospitality extended to Sect Leader Xuan Yangzi and the elders." Chu Yanqiu first gestured to Xuan Yangzi and the others, then changed the subject, revealing the purpose of his visit.
"I've recently been working on forging a low-grade Earth-level longsword. Everything is ready, except for one crucial material—Millennial Mystic Iron."
"I've come here today precisely to find this Millennial Mystic Iron!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a slight commotion arose in the hall. The disciples whispered among themselves, their eyes filled with surprise.
Millennial Mystic Iron was a rare treasure for forging weapons; ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators rarely even saw it. They hadn't expected Master Chu Yanqiu to have come here specifically to find such a treasure.
Chu Yanqiu raised his hand and gently pressed it down, instantly quelling the commotion in the hall.
"I know that Thousand-Year-Old Mystic Iron is rare, therefore I promise today that whichever disciple can produce it will be rewarded handsomely."
"Firstly, I will impart all my lifelong expertise in crafting natal magic weapons without reservation; secondly, I will bestow upon them an invitation to the Imperial Sword Manor. Holding this invitation, they will be granted the privilege of entering the Imperial Sword Pool first in five years to choose their own sword!"
These words exploded like thunder in the ears of the disciples. The once quiet hall instantly erupted in excitement, every Foundation Establishment cultivator's face filled with elation and joy.
Discussions and exclamations rose and fell, echoing throughout the main hall. Even the senior brothers and sisters who had been in seclusion for years showed signs of emotion.
They were all Foundation Establishment cultivators, who had cultivated for many years but remained stuck at the threshold of crafting natal magic weapons.
A natal magic weapon is the foundation of a cultivator's path of cultivation, as it relates to the upper limit of their future cultivation. However, the method of crafting it is obscure and difficult to understand, and the slightest carelessness can lead to failure. Many cultivators spend their entire lives without being able to craft a natal magic weapon that suits them.
Master Chu Yanqiu's promise that anyone who provides the Millennium Mystic Iron will receive the secrets to forging a natal magic weapon is undoubtedly a shortcut for them, allowing them to avoid countless detours and achieve twice the result with half the effort.
What excites them even more is the invitation from the Imperial Sword Manor.
Every hundred years, the Imperial Sword Manor's Sword Pool opens.
Within the Sword Pool lies a low-grade Earth-level magic weapon, a longsword.
If they can enter the Sword Pool first, they can be the first to choose a low-grade Earth-level magic weapon.
Lin Hao is also extremely excited; he also wants the invitation and the qualification to forge a natal magic weapon.
However, he has only heard of the Millennium Mystic Iron, never actually seen it.
Lin Hao glanced around, then cupped his hands in a respectful greeting to Chu Yanqiu and asked, "Master Chu, if I may be so bold as to ask, what exactly does this Thousand-Year Black Iron look like? Our cultivation is still shallow; we have never seen such a treasure before. Even if we were to encounter it by chance, we would likely struggle to recognize it."
Upon hearing this, everyone nodded in agreement, their eyes filled with anticipation as they looked at Chu Yanqiu.
Most of them, like Lin Hao, had only heard of the Thousand-Year Black Iron but had never seen its true form. Without knowing its appearance, even if they had the opportunity to encounter it, they would likely only pass it by.
Seeing the expressions on everyone's faces, Chu Yanqiu showed no impatience whatsoever. Instead, a gentle smile appeared on his face. "There's no need for you all to be so formal. It's normal not to know what the Thousand-Year Black Iron looks like, after all, this item is extremely rare."