Splitting the Heave

“Why are you looking for the Spirit of the Four Seasons? Are you planning to craft a divine weapon?” A look of amusement flashed in Zhang Haogu’s eyes as he looked at Shang Xia.

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“Craft a divine weapon?!” Shang Xia exclaimed in shock. “So… the Spirit of the Four Seasons is used in the refinement of divine weapons?!” 

Zhang Haogu stared at him for a moment before he explained, “That isn’t a secret among qualified blacksmiths. Every single divine weapon possesses its own weapon spirit and a Spirit of the Four Seasons is nurtured by the world. They are exceptional treasures during the process of divine weapon refinement.” Examining Shang Xia even more closely, Zhang Haogu continued, “That is why if you really wish to learn about the Spirit of the Four Seasons, you should go ask a high-level blacksmith. Any one of them who is capable of crafting divine weapons will gather spirits like that.” 

Shang Xia didn’t think that the biggest headache he had would be solved with a short conversation with Zhang Haogu.

Even though Shang Xia was feeling excited about the information he just learned, he felt a trace of worry rising in his heart. “This disciple heard that any of the four spirits are precious objects. Since they are used in the production of divine weapons, high-leveled blacksmiths won’t give them to me so easily…” 

“Are you really planning to use it to refine divine weapons?!” Zhang Haogu asked while chuckling.

Clearing his throat, Shang Xia admitted in a straightforward fashion, “Nope. I’m making preparations to create my advancement medicine.” 

Zhang Haogu’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Oh? That’s new. It’s not often someone uses Spirits of the Four Seasons to craft advancement medicines.” 

Shang Xia chuckled softly but didn’t reply. 

Seeing as he had remained silent, Zhang Haogu continued, “Relax. Spirits of the Four Seasons might be rare, but divine weapons aren’t created that often. Look at our Azure Origin World! How many divine weapons are there in total? Even if the high-leveled blacksmiths collected the spirits, they wouldn't have much use for it. Moreover, there are more spirits out there that can be used. As long as you trade them something of some value, they will probably agree.” 

Watching Shang Xia’s expression transform to one of shock, Zhang Haogu couldn’t help but laugh, “What’s the matter? Don’t you believe me?” 

Shang Xia shook his head hastily. “Of course not. It’s just that I didn’t think it would be so easy.” 

“I heard that Patriarch Shang went around collecting rank four herbs the moment he returned. Is he trying to find the spirits that way?” Zhang Haogu questioned. 

Shang Xia replied truthfully, “Grandpa Ke heard that Patriarch Kou has the Spirit of Spring with him and he’s planning to ask the patriarch for it. However, the herbs might not have anything to do with it.” 

Actually, Shang Ke wasn’t just collecting the herbs for Shang Xia. He was also gathering them for Shang Jian when he made his breakthrough later.

Shang Xia might reveal some information about himself, but he wouldn’t explain things that had to do with Shang Jian. No matter how much he trusted Zhang Haogu, Hiding a portion of the Shang Clan’s strength was always better.

If people were to learn that there was another member of the Shang Clan who was starting to make preparations to charge into the Martial Extermination Realm, things might blow out of proportion. 

After all, the moment Shang Xia and Shang Jian succeeded, there would be four Martial Extermination Realm experts in the clan. Their strength wouldn’t lose out to the Zhu Family before the collision of the worlds!

Zhang Haogu nodded slightly and muttered, “Actually, Patriarch Kou planned to use the Flower Spirit to repair his Hidden Frost Sword if it suffered any injuries. However, his sword is one of the few offensive type divine weapons in our Azure Origin World and even in the Azure Spiritual World! Ordinarily, they would be the ones damaging other divine weapons, not the other way around. From what I heard, the patriarch looks highly upon you. You also have Deputy Patriarch Shang Bo backing you up… I don’t think it will be difficult for you to obtain it.” 

Shang Xia scratched his head and chuckled softly. Another thought flashed across his mind and he asked another question, “Instructor Zhang, you just called Patriarch Kou’s Spirit of Spring the ‘Flower Spirit’. Does that mean that the other spirits also have their own name?” 

Zhang Haogu shook his head and explained, “The Spirits of the Four Seasons are nurtured by the world and they are a general term that refers to any spirit that contains the essence of the seasons.” 

“Would that mean that as long as a spirit is born in their respective season, they can be considered a Spirit of the Four Seasons?” Shang Xia muttered after thinking about it for some time.

“Somewhat…” Zhang Haogu replied.

After receiving Zhang Haogu’s guidance, Shang Xia heaved a sigh of relief and a wide smile formed on his face. Taking out a spirit restraining pouch, something could be seen thrashing about inside. Shang Xia handed it over to Zhang Haogu and asked, “Instructor, I managed to obtain this from some strange windy region in the battlefield between the two worlds. The companion I was traveling with said that it was the Spirit of Wind. I wonder if Instructor Zhang can identify if this is one of the Spirits of the Four Seasons?” 

“Oh?” Examining the pouch, Zhang Haogu quickly formed his conclusion even though he didn’t open the seal. However, he had to add, “How did you manage to run into it? Not to mention capturing the highly elusive Wind Spirit…” He shot Shang Xia a suspicious glance and he continued, “It’s difficult for even Martial Extermination Realm experts to capture it. Did you really do it yourself? Oh right, what was that about your companion?” 

“Of course I didn’t do it myself…” Shang Xia quickly explained how he found the Lightning Bird and the flock of Mutated Rain Swallows again.

The old instructor couldn’t help but sigh, “The windy region contained in a deep valley? Lightning and wind extermination qi contained in the air? I’m surprised that a place like that even exists in the battlefield between the two worlds! Looks like something changed since the Origin Tide.” 

Turning to Shang Xia, he couldn’t help but praise him again. “Kid, you are truly lucky. The Lightning Bird probably made its nest there because of the extermination qi contained in the air. From how you said it captured the Spirit of Wind, it should be close to a rank four spiritual beast.”

Initially, the Lightning Bird and Shang Xia were enemies. However, the two of them went through many trials together and they assisted each other in many ways that benefited each other. Eventually, they developed enough trust for each other and the two could be considered good friends.

Even though Sshang Xia had guessed how strong the Lightning Bird was, he couldn’t help but feel a burst of joy in his heart when he heard Zhang Haogu mentioning it. 

Noticing Shang Xia’s reaction, Zhang Haogu sighed involuntarily. Turning to the pouch in his hand, he muttered, “It’s not difficult to tell which essence it contains. As long as we draw out a small strand of its energy and release it on some flower and grass, we’ll know.” 

As soon as the words left his lips, Zhang Haogu pointed casually at the opening of the pouch. At the same time, a thin copper strand emerged from his fingertip and spun around the pouch. It quickly suppressed the Spirit of Wind that wanted to escape.

In the split second he did that, a soft wind emerged from the pouch and blew against the grass under his feet.

Under Shang Xia’s shocked gaze, the grass that was swaying in the wind a moment ago started to wither. It didn’t take long before they were dead.

“Spirit of Autumn?” Shang Xia didn’t need Zhang Haogu to make the evaluation.

Sealing the pouch, he handed it back to Shang Xia. “Looks like you’re really lucky. You basically got your hands on the Spirit of Spring and Spirit of Autumn already.” 

Keeping the bag, Shang Xia brought up yet another topic. “Instructor Zhang, you said that the Lightning Bird is starting to advance and it’s trying to absorb wind and lightning extermination qi. Is it possible for it to refine both types of qi at the same time?” 

Glancing at Shang Xia from the corner of his eye, Zhang Haoguu immediately saw through Shang Xia’s intentions. “You’re thinking of asking if it’s possible for cultivators to do the same. Hahaha, you wish to know if it's possible to refine multiple strands of extermination origins at once, right?” 

Shang Xia didn’t deny but he also didn’t mention the method recorded on his Crimson Soul Tablet.

“No one tried whatever you’re thinking of before. However, it should be possible in theory. The only problem is that it’s too big of a risk for a cultivator to refine multiple strands of extermination origin at the same time. Moreover, it’s not easy to retrieve several extermination origins at the same time. Even holy lands wouldn’t dare to dream of doing something like that. Even if they manage to gather a few of them, they wouldn’t allow someone who’s about to advance to behave recklessly. The moment they try refining multiple extermination origins and they start to clash, the cultivator would lose control of their inner qi and explode.” 

An amused expression remained on Zhang Haogu’s face as he continued, “Youngsters like you are daring and are willing to try anything. It’s good to be confident in your abilities but taking things step by step is the way to go. Being bold but knowing your limits is the most important thing. You’re still really young but you’re already much stronger than your peers. You don’t have to be in such a rush!” 

Shang Xia chuckled bitterly. “Instructor Zhang, of course I understand where you’re coming from. However, I’m afraid I’m truly out of time!” 

Shang Xia wasn’t wrong. However, he didn’t expect anyone to understand the situation he was in. Even Zhang Haogu, the member of the institution Shang Xia trusted the most in the battlefield between the two worlds wouldn’t be able to comprehend his current plight!

After a short period of silence, Zhang Haogu broke the silence with a soft chuckle. “Since that’s the case, do what you need to do. No matter what, instructors and deacons of the institution are still here to take care of things. You do what you need to. There’s no need to force any of you to do anything at the moment.” 

…

When Shang Xia was done with his questions, Zhang Haogu started allocating him his job for real. He strolled around the territory with Zhang Haogu and with the instructor’s introduction, Shang Xia quickly learned about the other Talisman Masters he was working with. There were two others who were rank three Talisman Masters and they were Gong Hang and Fan Yuanhui. Other than the two of them, there were also seven rank two Talisman Masters.

Those were the important craftsmen but there were also more than ten rank one Talisman Masters ready to deal with the grunt work. Counting everyone else in the Talisman Hall like the Ink Craftsmen, Talisman Paper Craftsmen, Brush Makers, and the other miscellaneous workers, there were close to 300 people who made up the Talisman Hall!

All of them were gathered there at the moment and Shang Xia could tell that more than 90 percent of members in the Tongyou Institution who had anything to do with talismans were present.