“Master of the Three Caves, may I ask how long you plan to retreat this time?” Yuan Ming asked hesitantly.

“A few weeks at the shortest, a few months at the longest. Do you have other matters?” The Master of the Three Caves frowned slightly, seemingly displeased.

“Well, I plan to participate in the White Deer Hill Alliance meeting in half a year. I need to make some preparations during this period, so I may not be able to take care of Huo Chan for a long time.” Yuan Ming explained with a slight hesitation.

“You want to participate in the White Deer Hill Alliance meeting? If I remember correctly, it hasn’t been long since I took you as my disciple?” The Master of the Three Caves said in surprise, clearly taken aback.

“Yes, I will never forget the kindness of the Master of the Three Caves.” Yuan Ming said, clasping his fists.

“There are casualties in every alliance meeting. You have finally escaped from the status of a beast slave. You can practice in peace and don’t take risks.” The Master of the Three Caves advised.

“This opportunity is rare, I am willing to take a risk. I read in a book that a seedling in a greenhouse cannot grow big.” Yuan Ming insisted.

“Well, if you have made up your mind, I will submit your name.” The Master of the Three Caves said.

“Thank you. In the following period, I will take good care of Huo Chan. Please rest assured, Master of the Three Caves.” Yuan Ming said.

“I have another request, I hope the Master of the Three Caves will not blame me.” Yuan Ming continued.

The Master of the Three Caves said, “Speak your mind.”

“I don’t want any other rewards this time, I just hope to learn from the Master of the Three Caves, how to upgrade the Green Fish Sword to a real magical weapon?” Yuan Ming asked with a slight relief in his heart.

“You want to prepare for the White Deer Hill meeting?” The Master of the Three Caves guessed Yuan Ming’s thoughts at a glance.

“Yes, nothing can be hidden from you. This sword has been with me, and we have fought enemies together several times. I have always wanted to refine it into a magical weapon that accompanies me. However, I consulted Brother Amuhe before, and learned from him that the Green Fish Sword is not quite the same as ordinary semi-magical weapons. The spiritual power inside it is extremely condensed, and there is no way to reforge it and upgrade it to a magical weapon.” Yuan Ming said.

Hearing this, the Master of the Three Caves nodded in agreement.

“What Amuhe said is not wrong. When I refined this Green Fish Sword, I was too ambitious and collected several high-quality spiritual materials. I wanted to refine a top-grade magical weapon, but unfortunately, I lacked the last spiritual material, the Thousand-Year Cold Crystal, and I could never find it. In a hurry, I refined this semi-magical Green Fish Sword.” The Master of the Three Caves said with some regret.

Hearing this, Yuan Ming felt a bit discouraged.

He knew the reputation of the Thousand-Year Cold Crystal. Many of the books about spiritual materials in the Bi Luo Cave mentioned this precious spiritual material, which is usually used to refine top-grade and even supreme-grade magical weapons of Yin cold attribute.

Even the Master of the Three Caves, with his status and cultivation, could not find such a treasure. Yuan Ming, a Qi refining cultivator, naturally had no chance to come into contact with it.

Seeing the change in Yuan Ming’s expression, the Master of the Three Caves knew what Yuan Ming was thinking and said, “If you just want to upgrade the Green Fish Sword to the level of a magical weapon, you can also try to find some low-grade ores of the same Yin cold attribute. If you can find suitable materials, I can also help you refine it.”

“Master of the Three Caves, you can help me refine it?” Yuan Ming was overjoyed, almost unable to believe it.

“Don’t be too happy yet, I have conditions for helping you refine the Green Fish Sword.” The Master of the Three Caves said.

“Please speak.” Yuan Ming nodded, feeling that this was reasonable.

“There are many special spiritual materials in White Deer Hill that are hard to find elsewhere. I got the news that last time a disciple of the Black Fire Gate, Sang Yan, brought back White Flame Gold. This time I need you to keep an eye on this disciple of the Black Fire Gate. She will definitely go to find this kind of spiritual material again. You find an opportunity to take her storage bag.” The Master of the Three Caves said.

“Master of the Three Caves, how strong is this person? Will there be other disciples of the Black Fire Gate to help?” Yuan Ming asked, pondering.

“This person is only at the eighth level of Qi refining. With your Green Fish Sword, you should have no problem dealing with her.” The Master of the Three Caves said.

“If that’s the case, I will do my best.” Yuan Ming said.

“Also, Chen Wan, who is overconfident, has also decided to participate in this alliance meeting, so she has been in retreat recently. You should support each other and complete this task together.” The Master of the Three Caves continued.

“Of course.” Yuan Ming nodded.

“Alright, you go and try to find the spiritual materials first. It would be good if you can complete the refining before the White Deer Hill Alliance meeting.” The Master of the Three Caves said.

After thanking the Master of the Three Caves, Yuan Ming left with Huo Chan.

At night, Silver Cat Xiying appeared. He took the opportunity to ask some questions about the practice of the Death Moon method, and finally told the other party about the White Deer Hill Alliance meeting.

The latter seemed to have known it a long time ago, and left a sentence “I’m not interested in these childish games” before disappearing into the night.

Yuan Ming knew the character of the Silver Cat and didn’t mind. He started practicing on his own.

Huo Chan, who hadn’t felt this comfort for a long time, subconsciously wanted to burrow into Yuan Ming’s arms.

But as soon as it got close, it suddenly woke up and looked guiltily towards the window.

Although it didn’t see the figure of Silver Cat Xiying, it finally only snuggled up to Yuan Ming’s leg and lay down.

The next day.

Early in the morning, Yuan Ming went to the Gui Cang Pavilion and exchanged two techniques with his remaining contribution points.

One of them was called “Green Sword Technique”, a middle-level technique for the Qi refining period. It was an advanced version of the Wood Thorn Technique. It also released wood thorns through the technique, but it no longer needed to be condensed from trees or the ground.

Instead, it only needed to reverse one’s own mana, and it could condense sharp wood thorns out of thin air, and project them in the void, just like controlling a flying sword. Both its power and speed were extraordinary.

The other technique was a low-level defensive technique called “Wood Shield Technique”.

When casting this technique, it also needed to condense mana. Through a special operation method, it burst out from the palm and fingers, and condensed a green shield with a radius of three feet on it.When the round shield was activated, a green light would gather on its surface, revealing a layer of wood grain texture. It looked like a verdant wooden shield, capable of defending against some low to mid-level Qi refining attacks.

After obtaining the technique, Yuan Ming began to practice diligently.

Thanks to the foundation of the Wood Spike Technique, the learning of the Green Sword Technique went smoothly. In just three days, Yuan Ming had basically mastered the essentials.

On the other hand, the Wood Shield Technique took a lot of Yuan Ming’s energy to practice.

Although this technique was just a low-level defensive spell, it was not easy to cast. It required strict control of the flow and output of mana. The mana output from the five fingers must be even, otherwise, it would be difficult to condense a round shield.

Once the shield was unbalanced, its defensive effect would be greatly reduced.

Eventually, it took Yuan Ming almost half a month to finally master this technique. At this time, he received a message from Chen Wan, saying that the Third Cave Master had come out of seclusion.

In the evening, Yuan Ming went to the back mountain and returned the Fire Glutton to the Third Cave Master.

Seeing that he had not yet found the spiritual materials for refining the Green Fish Sword, and had no contribution points to reward, the Third Cave Master directly gifted him the storage bag and spirit beast bag that he had previously borrowed.

After thanking him, Yuan Ming left the Fire Refining Hall.

In a valley near the Refining Furnace Hall mountain, Yuan Ming met Wu Lu.

For a while, to avoid suspicion, Yuan Ming did not go to see Wu Lu even when he returned from his travels.

After coming out of seclusion this time, he deliberately paid attention to the news of the Beast Slave Hall and the Beast Taming Hall. Seeing that both sides had been calm, he took the initiative to meet Wu Lu.

Upon seeing Wu Lu, Yuan Ming was somewhat surprised.

The Wu Lu in front of him was wearing the attire of a registered disciple of the Beast Taming Hall, with a faint smile on his face. His entire aura had undergone a great change.

“Brother Yuan, why are you looking at me like this?” Wu Lu was the first to laugh proudly.

“Brother Wu Lu, you’ve changed so much that I hardly recognize you,” Yuan Ming said.

“After Kun Tu’s death, Elder Meng Shan saw potential in me and promoted me. Fortunately, I was quick on my feet and managed to become a registered disciple. I’ll need Brother Yuan’s guidance in the future,” Wu Lu said.

“Congratulations, congratulations. You are truly capable. I’ll need Brother Wu Lu’s guidance in the future,” Yuan Ming politely said.

“Brother Yuan, you’re too modest. I have some news for you. After the sudden accident last time, when Brother Kun Tu was killed, the sect sent people to investigate but found nothing. It’s been more than half a year now, and it’s probably hard to find the murderer,” Wu Lu added.

“What should we do? Won’t we be on edge when we go out on official business in the future?” Yuan Ming pretended to be panicked, but a weight was lifted from his heart.

“What’s there to worry about? I think the sect won’t send us out for a while. Everyone can focus on cultivation,” Wu Lu said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Yuan Ming understood.

“Brother Yuan, the Bai Lu Hill Alliance Meeting is about to begin. Will you participate?” Wu Lu changed the topic.

“I was planning to participate. What about you?” Yuan Ming asked.

“You’re really going? I thought you wouldn’t take any risks after the danger you encountered last time,” Wu Lu said, surprised.

“If I want to improve, I have to take some risks,” Yuan Ming said with a bitter smile.

“That’s true. I also plan to try my luck this time. Relying on the sect’s resources, how can we improve our cultivation? We must support each other then,” Wu Lu nodded and said with a smile.

“Brother Wu Lu, you’re always thoughtful. Why would you need my help?” Yuan Ming glanced at him and said.

After the last incident, he had realized that Wu Lu’s identity might not be simple. His insight, methods, and temperament were not something a person of wild origin could have.

“Brother Yuan, you may not know this. I’ve asked people who have been there before. In previous alliance meetings, not only did the five major sects fight and suffer casualties, but even our own people would fight over worldly possessions. So before this meeting, the sect will gather all participating disciples and set rules. The Grand Elder might even show up,” Wu Lu said.

“How could disciples of the same sect kill each other? The elders really need to manage this,” Yuan Ming said indignantly. This was news that the Third Cave Master had not mentioned.