During this period, Li Yunxiao had been in a state of mental disarray, with various images constantly flashing through his mind, as if he had become a different person. At times, he would experience epileptic episodes, screaming, crying, laughing uncontrollably.
What was even stranger was that a voice seemed to keep echoing in his mind, as if reciting some mysterious scriptures. Sometimes, when he listened closely, it sounded like a cultivation method, and his body would involuntarily begin to move in sync with it. The more chaotic his mind became, the more fragments of memories surfaced, becoming clearer and more complete.
Finally, one day, he was tormented to the point of fainting. When he awoke again, all the fragments had seamlessly connected, presenting themselves clearly in his mind. Li Yunxiao's eyes shone with clarity, as if they contained ancient stars. He had finally awakened.
"I can't believe I've been reborn?" Li Yunxiao's eyes flickered with starlight as he slightly turned his head to look out the window at the towering statue. "The year 1033 of the Tianwu Calendar... Has it really been fifteen years since Gu Feiyang died?"
Fifteen years ago, one of the Ten Great Martial Emperors of the Tianwu Realm, the Breaking Army Martial Emperor—Gu Feiyang, had unexpectedly perished in the Tiandang Mountains, shaking the entire continent! Afterward, the various factions began to stir, and conflicts became increasingly intense. The once silent Tianwu Continent was once again in turmoil.
"Heh," Li Yunxiao grinned, softly sighing. "I didn't expect to have been reborn for fifteen years. Gu Feiyang, I've finally returned."
Suddenly, a cold reprimand came from the front. "Li Yunxiao!"
"Whoosh!"
A sharp sound cut through the air. Li Yunxiao slightly raised his head and saw a piece of chalk flying towards his face, about to strike him.
With a casual flick of his fingers, he intercepted the chalk and placed it on the desk. He then looked at the increasingly cold face of his homeroom teacher, Luo Yunshang, with a calm gaze.
Li Yunxiao had been daydreaming during class, and this was not the first time. In fact, it had happened so often that if he wasn't daydreaming, it would make her suspicious. But Luo Yunshang's mood was clearly not good today, so she needed someone to vent her frustration on.
And the well-known "useless" Li Yunxiao was undoubtedly the best candidate. For a long time, whenever a teacher was in a bad mood, they seemed to habitually pick on him. Everyone knew that when a teacher was upset, Li Yunxiao was bound to have bad luck.
The entire class began to whisper and laugh in anticipation, some even starting to cheer and jeer.
Li Yunxiao narrowed his eyes, looking at Luo Yunshang on the podium, thinking to himself, This girl's figure is pretty stunning. With long hair and a handsome face, if she wore a red robe, silver battle boots, a sky-blue cloak, and wielded Frostmourne, she would look just like another version of the Scarlet Lotus Martial Emperor. Heh, she has potential for a uniform fetish. Wonder if the Scarlet Lotus girl would kill me if she found out about this.
Luo Yunshang suddenly felt a strange shiver in her heart. It seemed like there was a glint of a smile in Li Yunxiao's eyes, causing her to involuntarily shudder. It felt like a gentle little rabbit had suddenly been locked in the gaze of a fierce tiger, and the sense of powerlessness made her feel as if she had fallen into an ice cave.
What was that just now? His gaze… did he just smile? Impossible! I'm a Fourth-Phase Grand Martial Master. How could I lose my composure just from the look of an ordinary student? It must be that I've been preoccupied with that matter lately, causing my mind to wander.
The shock in her eyes disappeared almost instantly, and after losing her focus for a brief moment, she quickly regained her composure. Her eyes darkened, and a cold smile appeared on her lips. "Li Yunxiao, we were just talking about the refining of Xuan Weapons. Can you tell me, how many different methods are there for refining ordinary Xuan Weapons?"
Luo Yunshang was teaching a basic course on crafting, and although only a few students could become Refining Masters, every martial artist needed to understand the fundamentals of crafting.
Refining Xuan Weapons? Li Yunxiao thought with a casual smirk, I'm a Nine-Grade Emperor-level Refining Master in the Tianwu Continent. Who in the world would dare lecture me on the way of refining except those old geezers?
He casually replied, "There are forty-eight methods for refining ordinary Xuan Weapons."
"Forty-eight?"
The classroom fell silent for a moment before erupting into uproarious laughter.
"Haha, this kid is definitely sleepwalking."
"I knew it! He looks so calm, but I thought he knew the answer!"
"Tch! If he knew this, I'd have already become the Imperial Iron Guard!"
Li Yunxiao furrowed his brow and glanced at the textbook in front of him. Flipping it open, he quickly saw a line: The refining methods for ordinary Xuan Weapons total thirty-six. They are…
He closed the book and saw the words Basic Crafting Techniques on the cover. Below it, in smaller text, it read: Written by Yang Di.
Yang Di? Didn't I tell that kid there were forty-eight methods? He actually didn't take my words seriously. He won't be attending my class again from now on.
He immediately sentenced the author, Yang Di, to death. If Yang Di knew this, he'd probably cry himself to death.
Ignoring the mocking voices around him, Li Yunxiao said lightly, "The official refining methods are thirty-six. However, sixty years ago, Gu Feiyang, relying on his unparalleled talent, created twelve advanced methods, which were recognized by the Refining Master's Guild and included as basic methods. So, the total number is forty-eight."
"Tch, this kid is talking nonsense. Does he think he knows more than Master Yang Di?"
"Haha, this kid is probably just scared of being punished and started babbling."
"Exactly, Yang Di is the student of the great Martial Emperor Gu Feiyang. How could he not know the basic refining methods?"
The class erupted with even more ridicule, but then a stern shout made everyone go silent.
"Silence! What he said is correct!"
Luo Yunshang slammed her hand on the desk, and a powerful gust of wind spread out, causing everyone to feel an overwhelming pressure that made their faces change in fear. The students close to the podium turned pale, as though they were about to bleed.
Li Yunxiao calmly felt the wind pressure but only smiled faintly in his heart. Second-Phase Fourth-Phase, not bad. She seems to have a strong soul power. At the very least, she's a high-level crafting apprentice. He was slightly surprised. He had known that Luo Yunshang was formidable, but he didn't expect her to be at the Fourth-Phase.
The Martial Realm has nine levels: First-Phase (Martial Apprentice), Second-Phase (Martial Master), Third-Phase (Great Martial Master), Fourth-Phase (Martial Sovereign), Fifth-Phase (Martial King), Sixth-Phase (Martial Sect Leader), Seventh-Phase (Martial Emperor), Eighth-Phase (Martial Respect), and Ninth-Phase (Martial Emperor). The peak of the Ninth-Phase can receive a title from the Holy City, becoming a titled Martial Emperor.
Each level is further divided into nine sub-levels, from one-star to nine-stars.
Luo Yunshang stared coldly at Li Yunxiao, a trace of astonishment flashing in her eyes. She surveyed the room and then began to explain.
"The basic methods of refining have always been thirty-six. Sixty years ago, Gu Feiyang, with his unparalleled genius, created twelve additional advanced techniques, which were recognized by the Refining Master's Guild and included as basic methods. However, these twelve techniques are too difficult for ordinary people to master, so when Yang Di wrote this Basic Crafting Techniques book, he didn't include them."
The students were all shocked, gazing at Li Yunxiao with disbelief, as though the bottom-ranked student had suddenly solved a problem that even the top students couldn't.
Luo Yunshang was also very surprised. The fact that there were forty-eight basic refining methods was not a secret to refining masters, but for a martial apprentice to know this was indeed rare.
Suddenly, an idea crossed her mind. They say Li Yunxiao is a waste in martial cultivation. Could it be that he has a talent for refining? Did he study some materials on his own? This thought made her heart race. If she could cultivate a refining master, his value would far exceed that of a martial cultivator!
Let's test him further!
Luo Yunshang raised her head just in time to meet Li Yunxiao's eyes, which were smiling gently at her. It felt as though a teacher were looking at their disciple, which made her feel a burst of anger rise within her. She sneered and said, "Don't think that learning some obscure knowledge means you can skip class. Let me ask you another question. If you answer correctly, you won't have to attend my class anymore, and I'll give you full marks. But if you get it wrong… hmph! You'll spend three hours in the Tenfold Gravity Room!"
"Zzz!~"
"Three hours in the Tenfold Gravity Room? How harsh!"
"Haha, you didn't notice, but Teacher Nalan's mood has been terrible today, so this kid is in for it."
"Heh, serves him right. He looks so smug; I just want to go up and kick him a few times!"
"Wow, did you hear? The question is really tough! Everyone knows you have to add Heavenly Crystal Sand when refining Xuan Weapons, but why?"
"Yeah, it's like asking why 1+1 equals 2. Haha, looks like Teacher is purposely messing with Li Yunxiao today. Heh!"
"Three hours in the Tenfold Gravity Room?"
Li Yunxiao sighed slightly, shaking his head. If it were before, even with a thousandfold gravity, he wouldn't have felt a thing. But in his current body, tenfold gravity was indeed quite difficult to endure.
His helpless expression was quickly interpreted by Luo Yunshang as fear. The admiration she had just felt for him vanished, and she couldn't help but look down on him again, thinking to herself, A waste in martial cultivation is still a waste. He hasn't changed a bit.
But after asking the question, she immediately regretted it. She felt a slight guilt, wondering if her prank would harm his confidence and self-esteem. After all, he had answered a basic question excellently earlier, showing a side of him that was more studious than usual. Would this stunt crush the budding flower before it had a chance to bloom?
While she was lost in thought, Li Yunxiao answered without any hesitation.
"Actually, refining Xuan Weapons doesn't necessarily require Heavenly Crystal Sand. It's just that ordinary refining masters have difficulty mastering the balance of materials during the refining process, so they need the neutralizing properties of Heavenly Crystal Sand to assist in the fusion."
Once he finished speaking, the entire classroom fell into an eerie silence. Everyone exchanged confused glances because they didn't understand a word of what Li Yunxiao had just said.