"Zhu Zhu, this batch of disciples will be handed over to you to... train. They will be your players, and you can gain experience from guiding them. Once everything is perfected, it can be opened to all disciples of the sect," Yun Jin said.
Zhu Zhu answered energetically, "Master, rest assured. I will definitely complete the task."
Yun Jin turned to Yuan Yuan. "Yuan Yuan, in the future, our Celestial Divine Palace will also be an important place for training disciples of the Wushuang Sect. Letting Zhu Zhu design the games is fine, but with her personality, communicating with disciples and planning out their best paths of advancement is something she is not suited for.
You have followed old master across countless small worlds. In terms of breadth of knowledge, who can surpass you? These disciples are like unpolished jade, full of boundless potential, but they need someone to guide their direction. And you, you are the best candidate."
Yun Jin looked at Yuan Yuan with expectant eyes. "I hope you can take the role of a game mentor, guiding them in how to clear stages while subtly teaching them the Dao most suited to their path.
If you discover among them anyone suited to cultivate the Yin Yang Law, notify me at once. I can personally guide them in that. The stronger the Law, the stronger I can become."
Yuan Yuan hesitated at first, but when he heard the last part, he finally nodded.
"Master, rest assured. I will observe them carefully and find the most promising seedlings for cultivating the Yin Yang Law."
Yun Jin smiled faintly. "I will leave a mysterious gift with you. Among them, the one you deem most talented in cultivating the Yin Yang Law, I will take in as my personal disciple. This quota is not limited to the newly accepted disciples. Even the older ones can be considered.
"The final decision will rest in your hands."
Yuan Yuan's body trembled. "Master, you... you would entrust such an important decision to me?"
Yun Jin looked at him with absolute trust. "Besides you, who else could fulfill this role?"
Yuan Yuan fell silent. As an automaton, he was not meant to have emotions. Yet at this moment, his eyes felt strangely heavy. He did not know what that feeling was, but he engraved it deep in his memory. He said seriously, "Master, rest assured! I will definitely find the most suitable successor for you."
Yun Jin patted his shoulder. "I'll be counting on you."
In truth, she was not so desperate to accept another true personal disciple. She mostly wanted to give Yuan Yuan a goal, something that would make his life feel more vibrant. She no longer wished to see Yuan Yuan with that lonely expression again. After this visit, whether it was the new disciples, Zhu Zhu, or Yuan Yuan, all of them were full of motivation.
Leaving her last instructions, Yun Jin found a secret chamber and went into seclusion.
Three months passed.
She had much to accomplish.
The Saint Spirit Pill had to be refined.
The upgrade of the Tai'a Sword also had to begin.
Ever since her cultivation soared by leaps and bounds, the situations where the Tai'a Sword could be of use had become fewer. This was her life-bound treasure. To let it sit unused was pure waste.
Originally, Yun Jin had planned to use a secondary advancement scheme. But now, with the Tian Zhao Stone and Xuan Yin Crystal in her possession, naturally she had to activate the perfect scheme.
The secret chamber she chose came with natural earthfire, making it a natural forging chamber.
Yun Jin set out her pill furnace as well.
The resources at her disposal now were nothing short of astonishing. The materials required for the Saint Spirit Pill could all be found either in the Wushuang Sect or within the Celestial Divine Palace.
As for the materials needed for upgrading the Tai'a Sword, she had gradually exchanged for nearly all of them. Now, with the Tian Zhao Stone and Xuan Yin Crystal, the collection was complete.
Originally, Yun Jin had only prepared an eight-star upgrade plan. At that time, she had not yet broken through to Mahayana.But who would have thought—
By the time she began the upgrading process, she was already at the Mahayana stage. Thus, her plan needed to be slightly altered.
The Tai'a Sword could directly be pushed to nine stars. At nine stars, the sword's grade would reach the peak of the Heaven rank. At that time, Yun Jin's strength would undergo another great leap.
The next stage would be the legendary Saint rank.
Weapons of that caliber had never been owned even by her Master Ji. In this world, there might not even exist materials high enough to support such advancement. Once the Tai'a Sword reached nine stars, if she wished to push it further, she would need to venture to other worlds in search of opportunity.
"Let's begin." Yun Jin took a deep breath and laid out all the materials.
She first placed the ingredients for the Saint Spirit Pill into the furnace. The pill furnace activated on its own. At the same time, Yun Jin split her focus and began forging the Tai'a Sword.
Currently, the Tai'a Sword was only at five stars. Compared to Yun Jin's present cultivation, it lagged far behind. From five stars to six stars. Following the plan, Yun Jin forged with utmost focus.
Three days later—
The six-star Tai'a was completed.
Fragrance began to drift from the pill furnace.
Ten days later—
The seven-star Tai'a was completed.
The pill fragrance grew stronger.
From seven stars to eight stars...
Yun Jin looked at the seven-star Tai'a Sword and paused.
According to the system's plan, this was the time to use the Tian Zhao Stone and the Xuan Yin Crystal. She placed both stones onto the forging platform, her expression turning solemn. Though the stones were required for reaching eight stars, in truth—
Both the Tian Zhao Stone and Xuan Yin Crystal were pinnacle ninth-grade materials. Within this small world, nothing better could be found.
In fact, the nine-star upgrade plan revolved entirely around these two materials. Every other component was designed to complement them. The refinement of these two stones would decide success or failure. If she failed now, she could never find replacements of such high grade.
Yun Jin calmed her mind, ensuring she was in her peak state. Then, without hesitation, she raised her hammer and struck.
Yin and Yang Laws flowed from her fingertips, merging into the stones as she struck them again and again. With every strike, the essence of the Yin Yang Law fused into the process. After thousands upon thousands of strikes, the two stones thinned like fragile wings, their colors transformed.
The red Tian Zhao Stone gradually lost its fiery hue, turning pure white.
The white Xuan Yin Crystal shed its pale surface, revealing a black core beneath.
Yun Jin's movements never ceased. No one knew how long it took, but eventually the two stones became as thin as cicada wings. Yun Jin placed both onto the Tai'a Sword. Her spiritual power wrapped tightly around the hammer as she began another round of forging.