Most importantly, there was also the reward of a single Pine Crane Pill. That was what truly made Great Emperor Haotian's heart stir.
He knew the value of a Pine Crane Pill all too well.
Moreover, this kind of pill simply could not be mass-produced. Even Jiang Chen himself didn't have any on hand at the moment — which spoke volumes about just how rare it was.
The two discussed the finer details for a while longer, hammering out the specifics before finally descending the mountain.
Upon returning to the sect's inner grounds, Great Emperor Haotian personally arranged for Jiang Chen and the four great emperors to stay in his own Great Emperor's guest villa. The level of hospitality was beyond anything that could be surpassed.
Seeing Great Emperor Haotian treat this Young Lord Jiang with such great importance, the people of the Nine Yang Celestial Sect were all amazed. At the same time, they silently fretted on behalf of Supreme Elder Chen Lei and Supreme Elder Wu Gong.
Forging the flying swords, according to Great Emperor Haotian's estimate, would take at minimum seven days and possibly as long as half a month.
Jiang Chen made one demand — he had to be personally present throughout the entire process.
Great Emperor Haotian had wanted to refuse, but Jiang Chen's attitude was unwavering.
Left with no choice, Great Emperor Haotian had to agree. After all, the art of artifact refining was not something that could be easily stolen through observation.
…
Twelve days later, the gates to the Nine Yang Celestial Sect's artifact forging formation burst open with a thunderous rumble. Great Emperor Haotian staggered out, his steps heavy with exhaustion.
"Young Lord Jiang, these past dozen days have worked me to the bone!" he exclaimed in admiration. "But what astonishes me even more is that you actually possess such mastery in the art of artifact refining!"
"Ha ha, Sect Master Haotian flatters me," Jiang Chen replied, though inwardly he was brimming with joy. The forging process had been grueling, but the rewards were more than worth it.
The set of flying swords had been forged to perfection.
Over four hundred catties of Celestial Meteorite True Iron Spirit Seed had been completely incorporated into all eighty-one flying swords. Every single blade was filled to its ideal capacity, reaching a state of flawless completion.
Fortunately, the Nine Yang Celestial Sect possessed an ancient artifact forging formation. Otherwise, relying on manual craftsmanship alone, even a peak great emperor like Haotian would never have been able to complete this forging.
What surprised Great Emperor Haotian the most was that when using the ancient forging formation, he himself had struggled to keep up — yet Jiang Chen had repeatedly offered him exquisite suggestions at critical junctures, enabling him to achieve breakthrough after breakthrough in technique.
"Young Lord Jiang, I am not merely flattering you. Everyone says you are overflowing with talent. I never imagined that your mastery in artifact refining would be equally profound. Your depth of knowledge has truly won my admiration, Young Lord."
Great Emperor Haotian spoke these words from the bottom of his heart. Even now, he was still deeply shaken — a young genius whose talent could reach such a terrifying degree.
Was this truly someone the Nine Yang Celestial Sect could afford to have as an enemy?
Just thinking about it gave him goosebumps. He had made up his mind: unless he had absolute certainty, he must never oppose this young man.
Having obtained the results he wanted, Jiang Chen had no intention of lingering at the Nine Yang Celestial Sect.
The very next day, he requested to take his leave. Great Emperor Haotian knew there was no way to make him stay and personally escorted him beyond the mountain gate.
"Young Lord Jiang, I won't see you any further. The gates of the Nine Yang Celestial Sect will always be open to you. Whenever you have time, do come visit."
"Ha ha, of course. Sect Master Haotian, don't forget our agreement. Within ten years, I will fulfill my promise." Jiang Chen waved with a smile, then departed with the four great emperors, drifting away as lightly as a breeze.
Watching Jiang Chen vanish from sight, Great Emperor Haotian stood silent for a long time. After a good while, he let out a soft sigh. "A genius of this caliber has emerged from the human territories. The unchanged balance of power that has held for thousands of years... it truly is about to change."
Great Emperor Haotian's tone was complicated as he raised his gaze to the horizon, watching the clouds drift and swirl overhead, overcome with emotion.
Shangguan Yanqing chimed in, "What makes this young man most frightening is that he seems to be a true polymath — there is no field in which he is not exceptional. He is destined to be someone who creates an entire era. If our Nine Yang Celestial Sect were to make an enemy of such a genius, it would be nothing short of insanity."
Great Emperor Haotian nodded gravely. "Go and summon Supreme Elder Chen Lei and Supreme Elder Wu Gong for a meeting."
In the Blazing Sun Hall, only Supreme Elder Chen Lei was in attendance. Supreme Elder Wu Gong had secluded himself in closed-door cultivation.
But Great Emperor Haotian declared, "Supreme Elders Ximen and Lü Yuan — go and fetch Supreme Elder Wu Gong. Tell him that I order him to come out immediately. Unless he is in a life-or-death seclusion where emerging means death, he is to come and see me at once."
His tone made it unmistakably clear that his resolve was absolute.
Every senior member of the Nine Yang Celestial Sect felt a chill run through them.
Supreme Elder Wu Gong ultimately could not escape the summons. He was forced to emerge from seclusion.
"Sect Master, Wu Gong is guilty. I beg for punishment." The moment Supreme Elder Wu Gong arrived, he prostrated himself on the ground.
Supreme Elder Chen Lei shot to his feet. "Sect Master, if you wish to take revenge on this old man, go ahead and do it. But asking me to beg for mercy — never!"
Great Emperor Haotian regarded the two of them with an icy gaze. "You are both pillars of my Nine Yang Celestial Sect, people in whom I have always placed deep trust. That day, when you blocked the path at the mountain gate — I can understand your feelings. And your actions fell within your authority. Though I was furious, I had no intention of using this as an occasion for revenge. The reason I have called you here today is to make one thing perfectly clear!"
"Remember this well! From this day forward, the Nine Yang Celestial Sect and Jiang Chen are allies, not enemies. Every member of the sect, from top to bottom, must be united as one. All orders flow from me, the Sect Master. Should anyone provoke trouble on this matter and bring calamity upon our sect, they will be a traitor to this family. And when that time comes — do not say I did not warn you!"