Book 9 - Chapter 4 – Recruiting Uncle Jin

While he was sorting the space, Lei Xinfeng found another seven materials that he could use. He either found or gathered them himself, like the Red Gold. Another three items were from the Ancient Hidden Space. No wonder there were so many people fighting to get a hold of the items in that space.

After some calculations, he found that he was missing about eight items. He was unfamiliar with three of them, while he could probably get the other five kinds.

After putting all the materials he needed in order to condense his stamp, Lei Xinfeng opened his eyes.

By accumulating Lun Yin energy and purify it as much as possible, its possible to reach a point where it undergoes change into Yin energy, he could ascend and gain a sixth Ring Body. This was a bottleneck. Countless practitioners failed here, but Lei Xinfeng wasn’t worried about the ascension itself. His issue was how to condense a Lightning Stamp when he do ascend. He could create a normal one like his grandfather did, but after obtaining the Star Python Records, he didn’t want to compromise his future by half-assing something.

This kind of condensing method requires very meticulous preparation and precise execution, but after successfully condensing a Stamp, it would be extremely powerful. Every attribute practitioner could condense stamps. However, the only other attribute stamps include Fire, Light, Darkness, and Ice. Others, like Earth and Gold are more defense oriented. Wood attributed stamps increase healing power.

After organizing, Lei Xinfeng felt hungry. In this kind of cold weather, he felt every twinge of hunger. Energy expenditure was huge as well in this climate. Taking out two biscuits the size of pan covers, he soaked it in the stew. Instantly, it became delicious, warm, and filling while taking minimal preparation.

After finishing the food, he found there was still a lot of material left in the pot, so he added more meat, mushroom, and water, and set the pot to boil again.

Right after he finished eating, Fengying and Shihu bolted in, both frozen and shivering. “Fuck, this place isn’t fit to live in. I came from right next door, but I’m so cold already.”

Shihu shivered a bit more. When he regained his wits, he said, “This place is too cruel. I’m chilled to my bones. If we go outside, we’ll probably just die. We shouldn’t go out for now.”

“Chuizi and Futou came. They’re planning to help us build a bigger shelter to link our rooms together. I heard that when the weather was coldest here, it would only take seconds to kill you,” Fengying said.

Lei Xinfeng was shocked. “Only a few seconds?” He thought the temperature was probably nearing absolute zero, or it wouldn’t be so deadly.

“Yeah, that’s what they said. Of course, it’s only for a few days. We’ll be fine as long as we don’t go out at that time. We can shield the rest of the cold inside,” Fengying said.

Shihu was already sitting in front of the large brazier. “What good timing. I’m hungry. It’s too easy to get hungry here.”

“Wait, I just added the meat and vegetables. It needs a while before it’s done,” Lei Xinfeng said.

Shihu could care less. A long knife appeared in his hand and he stabbed it into the meat. He began eating, and was joined by Fengying.

“Here,” Lei Xinfeng said, holding out two biscuits.

“Put it on the brazier,” Fengying said.

Lei Xinfeng put the biscuits on top the brazier. After a few dozen seconds, the biscuits began emitting a wonderful smell. Fengying flipped the biscuit. “You know, I like my biscuits burnt, especially after they’ve been soaked in soup.”

Xin Zhaolun and Jin Daya also came in, both shivering nonstop.

Lei Xinfeng laughed. “Why’d all of you come too?”

“Your cooking is good! After a few times, whenever it was time to eat, I couldn’t resist coming here. What, can’t give me any?” Jin Daya asked.

“What nonsense, come eat. If it’s just food, I have more than enough,” Lei Xinfeng replied.

“In Hanya Castle, the most important thing is food, as well as a place to shelter. The coldest times are almost upon us, so it doesn’t hurt to prepare a bit. Or we’ll definitely die,” Xin Zhaolun said.

“We still have ten days to prepare. Don’t worry, Chuizi and Futou is coming to help us build a surrounding shelter and connect our rooms. That way, we won’t need to seal our doors,” Jin Daya said.

Lei Xinfeng didn’t understand. “What do you mean seal our doors?”

“When the weather is at its coldest, we have to close the doors to the outside, leaving only small holes for breathing,” Xin Zhaolun explained.

“Whoa. That’s terrifying,” Lei Xinfeng said. How could was it, to need to seal everyone inside?

“Of course it’s terrifying. Once, a Ninth Ring Sage froze to death because he didn’t seal his entrances. Even his brazier was no use.”

Jin Daya interrupted to clarify. “Well, he was too careless. Not only did he not seal the door, he didn’t cultivate either. He just covered himself with pelts and went to sleep. His brazier blew out in an instant come night, and he died without realizing it. When the cold was past, he was discovered, but by then, it was too late for him.”

Lei Xinfeng choked. “What the hell? A Ninth Ring Sage…that kind of expert froze to death?” He knew that his power was a far cry from Ninth Ring Sages. He couldn’t be careless, or he’ll die the same way.

“Ah Feng, don’t worry. As long as we’re prepare, the cold can’t touch us. Chuizi and Futou are already helping me. We’re going to build a corridor connecting our rooms, and we’ll close the entrance to the corridor when the time comes.” Xin Zhaolun said.

Jin Daya was still eating, and he talked around his mouthful. “You should make some more food. Those two are coming in soon, and they eat more than I do.”

Lei Xinfeng agreed with a smile. He didn’t mind cooking. It was a necessary life skill.

He relit the brazier and put a large copper pot on top of it. It was easy to make food. Just add water and some materials, then wait. Simple.

Suddenly, Xin Zhaolun smiled. “Old Ya, tell Ah Feng.”

“Tell me what?”

Jin Daya said, “I’ve decided to become your bodyguard. I’m getting old, and it’s about time that I find a place to stay.”

Lei Xinfeng was really happy. Ninth Ring Sages are an exceptional existence even in secret sects. Never mind a bodyguard, they can attain even loftier positions, especially when their benefactor is still in a period of growth. Because their master was still growing, they play a large role in helping their master, whether it be in battle or gathering materials.

“That’s great! Don’t worry, I won’t treat you unfairly,” Lei Xinfeng declared.

Jin Daya smiled bitterly. “It’s too difficult to obtain Yin Rings. I don’t need anything else, just a stable source of Yin Rings.”

“Don’t worry! From now on, I will give you the Yin Rings that you need, Uncle Jin.”

At that, Jin Daya stood up and greeted Lei Xinfeng formally. “I offer my greetings, Master” he said.

Lei Xinfeng greeted in kind. “I’ll be relying on you in the future, Uncle Jin.”

Finally, the formal agreement between the two of them have concluded. Lei Xinfeng told Jin Daya to sit. “Uncle Jin, there’s no need for you to call me Master. Ah Feng is fine.”

“Haha, I know you don’t mind. But it’s only good manners to say it the first time. I’ll call you Ah Feng from now on.”

Lei Xinfeng nodded. “Uncle Ying and Uncle Hu are currently my main bodyguards. Now, all three of you are my bodyguards.”

He did not give Jin Daya the position of head bodyguard, and Jin Daya understood. After all, he did just join. It wouldn’t do to give him the highest position right off the bat.

Fengying laughed. “How did Brother Jin decide?”

Jin Daya smiled bitterly. “I’m tired. Plus, I’m clumsy in both words and action, and I don’t know how much trouble that’d gotten me in. During this auction, I finally understood that my personality was too bad, and that it was better to have someone behind me.”

Xin Zhaolun laughed. “Don’t underestimate Daya, he was once an inner sect elder of a large sect.”

“It’s not worth mentioning,” Jin Daya said. “I left long ago, and I don’t plan on going back.”

“Many elders of these sects leave, to live for themselves,” Xin Zhaolun said.

Jin Daya said, “It’s hard to ascend in those sects, especially for us. I was originally a Seventh Ring Sage. Had I not left, I never would’ve gotten to this point. Now that have nine Ring Bodies, there’s no path left for me to walk. To join a secret sect and preserve my life…its not bad at all.”

He’d long have such thoughts, but it was just that he couldn’t find an appropriate secret sect.

And like that, Xin Zhaolun helped Lei Xinfeng recruit Jin Daya, and after some consideration, Daya agreed. To Lei Xinfeng, it represented new opportunities, and for Daya, new chances.

What? The title is relevant beyond the first half of the previous chapter? Consider me impressed. How long is this Hanya castle arc? Gimme that sixth Ring Body, that Stamp, and that Chaos Wheel.