Troublemaker’s Guide to Immortality

"Yes, it took quite a bit of effort," Yun Jin replied, placing the Tai'a Sword gently on the table.

Yang Hui had a bad feeling. If he looked at it, he knew he would only feel worse. Still, his hand moved on its own, lifting the sword and inspecting it closely.

Yun Jin's lips curved almost imperceptibly.

Yang Hui scrutinized every inch, over and over, without saying a word for a long time.

Yun Jin wasn't in a rush. She sipped her tea slowly, completely at ease.

At last, Yang Hui raised his head.

He stared at her, slightly dazed. "You came up with this star-upgrade method?"

Yun Jin nodded. "Why? Is something wrong with it?"

Yang Hui's lips trembled.

Wrong?

What could possibly be wrong?

Originally, the Tai'a Sword was an extreme weapon born from a rare coincidence. While it had value for study, its path to growth had been incredibly limited.

Yet with this star-upgrade, the sword had gained a new presence. A balanced, upright, and righteous aura.

Majestic. Grand.

Gone was the eerie energy of the past. Now it radiated a noble clarity.

This upgrade had truly set the Tai'a Sword on the right path.

"I can guess you used balanced materials," Yang Hui murmured. "But which ones exactly…"

"Abyssal Yin Ore and Blazing Yang Ore," Yun Jin answered plainly.

Yang Hui's eyes lit up.

So those were the ones.

But still…

The world had no shortage of neutral and stable materials. There were plenty of wood- and earth-type stones. Why those two? Neither had any particularly special qualities.

And yet, somehow, they had harmonized with the Tai'a Sword perfectly.

He wanted to ask.

But he already knew what she would say.

She would definitely say, "Because I'm a genius."

That answer was maddening.

But after thinking it over, Yang Hui realized… it might be the only explanation.

If she weren't a genius,

How could she reach second-grade refining in just twenty days?

If she weren't a genius,

How could she devise and complete a star-upgrade plan entirely on her own?

Someone like her… was simply born for artifact refining.

In that moment, Yang Hui looked at Yun Jin differently.

A talent like this, and she wanted to be a sword cultivator?

Why waste time on sword training?

She should devote herself completely to refining.

With time, she might become the next ninth-grade refiner on the continent.

"There's a problem with my upgrade plan?" Yun Jin asked.

Yang Hui steadied himself, then shook his head. "No. It's excellent. Choosing Abyssal Yin Ore and Blazing Yang Ore was a stroke of genius. Yun Jin, you were born to refine. You're destined to become an artifact master."

"Really?" Yun Jin looked surprised. "I thought my talent was supposed to be average."

Yang Hui grit his teeth. "Speak properly, would you?"

Yun Jin immediately quieted down.

Yang Hui took a moment to collect himself, then continued, "A talent like yours shouldn't be buried here. Yun Jin, pack your things. I'll escort you out of here tonight. I'll recommend you to a friend of mine. He's a rogue cultivator, but his refining skill is no less than mine. If you follow him, you'll go far. Don't come back."

Yun Jin hadn't expected this. She blinked, then said, "Peak Master Yang, did you forget? I'm still bound by a contract with Ruan Jun. I can't leave."

Yang Hui's expression shifted.

He really had forgotten.

In a month, Yun Jin would have to duel Ruan Jun to the death.

With her current cultivation… wasn't that suicide?

Speaking of which, Yang Hui casually checked her qi.

Then he froze.

Wait.

When did she reach the Golden Core stage?

She'd been here two months, one of which she spent in the Earthfire Chamber with barely any spiritual energy.

And now she was at Golden Core?

Yun Jin looked at his expression and said humbly, "I had a moment of clarity while in the Earthfire Chamber and just broke through naturally. It took me a full two months to reach the Golden Core stage, which shows how average my talent really is."

Yang Hui's teeth creaked from how hard he clenched them. "Does anyone else know you've broken through yet? Aren't you worried I'll tell others?"

Yun Jin looked relaxed. "Then I'll thank Peak Master Yang. I love showing off. If everyone finds out, I'll be grateful for your help in spreading the news."

Yang Hui was at his wit's end. "You're really not afraid I'll report you to the Sect Master?"

"Not at all." Yun Jin shook her head.

Yang Hui narrowed his eyes. "Why not?"

Yun Jin opened her mouth.

"Answer properly," Yang Hui warned.

Yun Jin closed her mouth and sighed regretfully. "Senior Brother Yue already said it. You pretend to suppress Tianjian Peak, but secretly you've been helping us. In other words, you're already the Sect Master's undercover agent. If you turn on us and we expose your double role, your cover will be blown. Then…"

She said "undercover agent" so many times that Yang Hui's head started spinning.

"Enough! Shut up!" he barked.

Yun Jin fell silent but looked at him with accusing eyes.

He told her to speak.

And now he told her not to?

This peak master was unreliable.

Yang Hui had a headache. "Yue Zhao knows I'm helping you? How?"

"Maybe he's just smart?" Yun Jin offered.

Yang Hui: "..."

Was she calling him dumb?

He didn't argue. Instead, he said, "Yun Jin, your refining talent is incredible. How about this—I'll give you a recommendation letter. Leave Tianjian Peak and go to a top-tier refining sect. Once they see your talent, they'll take you in. They might even help you neutralize the contract with Ruan Jun. This is your only chance."

He looked at her earnestly.

This time, he truly wanted to save her life.

Yun Jin smiled. "I appreciate the offer, Peak Master, but I'm fine here. I want to settle things with Ruan Jun myself. Besides, refining sects don't really appeal to me."

Yang Hui was about to persuade her again, but her last words made him flare up.

"The heavens gave you this talent so you could refine! Anything else would be a waste!"

Yun Jin blinked. "But… I'm good at swordsmanship too."

"That's not the same as refining!" Yang Hui argued.

"I learned the Azure Lotus Sword Art in one month," Yun Jin said calmly.

Yang Hui fell silent.

Hmm… that was impressive too.

"My talent in herb cultivation is also decent," Yun Jin added.

"How could that compare—" Yang Hui began instinctively.

"I became a second-grade planter in fifteen days," Yun Jin said truthfully.

Yang Hui was quiet again.

That was also… quite impressive.

She hadn't even mentioned alchemy yet, but he had already given her multiple [+500 Emotional Value.] boosts.

Feeling a little sorry for his poor nerves, Yun Jin kindly poured him another cup of tea and said, "So let's skip the refining sect. I'll just stay here."

Yang Hui took a sip, trying to calm himself. "Refining has endless potential. You should make a choice. It would be best to specialize."

"Choose?" Yun Jin looked confused. "Why do I need to choose? Practicing them all doesn't really take that much time."

Yang Hui opened his mouth to give a stern lecture.

But then he remembered all her accomplishments… and said nothing.

It really didn't seem to take her that much time at all.