The Governor''s Mansion.


    “Make sure there are no slip-ups! If anything goes wrong, your lives will be at stake. Be vigilant!” Commander Fang barked out orders.


    “Yes, sir!” A group of personal guards responded, their alertness far more heightened than usual. Outside the meditation chamber, an assembly of elite guards stood watch. These guards understood the importance of their role—after all, the governor had returned from Mount Cangya with a precious treasure. Whatever he was doing inside the room must be of the utmost significance.


    Commander Fang moved to a patch of grass nearby, where he sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and quietly stood guard.


    Inside the chamber, the governor sat on the bed, carefully taking out the jade box from his robes.


    “The Millennium Ice Jade Fruit—worth twenty years of life,” the governor muttered, his eyes gleaming with excitement. As a member of the Nanying Wen clan and now holding the position of governor, he was no stranger to cultivation techniques and treasures. Yet, opening the path to immortality required innate talent, and the governor had to admit that his aptitude was average at best. Unlike people like Jia Huairen, whom he disdained, they at least possessed genuine talent for cultivation.


    Without attaining the immortal path, his lifespan would be no different from an ordinary person’s.


    “If I can extend my life by another twenty years, I might climb one rank higher, to fourth grade.” The governor mused to himself. Advancing to third grade was beyond his ambition, as the requirements for higher positions were exceedingly demanding, both in terms of background and personal strength. High-ranking officials didn’t just govern ordinary citizens—they were tasked with countering supernatural threats, including demons and monsters.


    With a crisp bite, the governor sank his teeth into the vibrant, purplish-red Millennium Ice Jade Fruit. The fruit instantly melted in his mouth, its cool essence flowing down his throat and spreading through his entire body. A faint fragrance filled the air, bringing a sense of euphoria to every fiber of his being.


    His skin tingled, and his muscles and bones quivered. The governor shuddered slightly, overcome by the sensation.


    “Excellent!” He quickly consumed the rest of the fruit in one go, leaving only the clean, bare seed behind.


    As the fruit''s potent energy took effect, the governor''s body underwent visible changes. His previously gray and brittle hair gained a lustrous sheen, with most strands turning jet black. Wrinkles on his face smoothed out, and his complexion grew healthier with a rosy hue. Even his previously clouded eyes became much clearer.


    Feeling the miraculous transformations coursing through his body, the governor looked down at his hands and arms, marveling at the renewed vitality in his skin and muscles. Overcome with excitement, he hurried to a bronze mirror.


    “This is me…” he murmured, staring at his reflection.


    He appeared as if he had reverted to his appearance from twenty years ago. Compared to Qin Liehu, Qin Yun’s father, he now looked like a peer rather than someone significantly older.


    “I look like I’m fifty again,” the governor muttered before his expression twisted in discomfort. Holding his stomach, he suddenly bolted out of the room.


    “Governor!” The guards outside immediately saluted, their eyes widening in astonishment at his youthful appearance. Even Commander Fang, sitting nearby, opened his eyes in surprise. The governor no longer looked like Wen Chong’s father—he resembled his older brother instead.


    “Prepare hot water—I’ll need to bathe and change soon,” the governor instructed before rushing off.


    “Governor!” Commander Fang called out as he rose to his feet.


    “Old Fang, I’m just heading to relieve myself!” the governor shouted without stopping.


    Commander Fang laughed. “Look at him go! The power of spiritual fruits is truly extraordinary—it made him twenty years younger in an instant.”


    Elsewhere in the governor’s mansion.


    Yi Xiao sat at her desk, reflecting on her experiences during the trip to Mount Cangya. A faint smile appeared on her lips as she picked up a brush and began writing a letter.


    She quickly finished.


    “Now that the Mount Cangya affair is settled, it’s time to focus on the real task,” Yi Xiao thought to herself. “Once my martial uncle arrives, we can join forces to eliminate the Water God demon.”Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    “Qin Yun is quite capable, and since he hasn’t entered the innate realm, the Water God demon likely wouldn’t consider him a serious threat. Should I invite him to join us?” Yi Xiao pondered.


    The Water God demon was undoubtedly stronger than the White Tiger demon.


    Still, there were many beings in the world far stronger than the Water God. A single elder from a Daoist or Buddhist holy land would surpass the Water God demon in strength. However, the Water God had an advantage—it dominated the five-hundred-mile Lan Yang River. Even an innate Golden Core cultivator would struggle to deal with it. The Water God was cunning and cautious.


    On the other hand, it tended to underestimate juniors who hadn’t yet reached the innate stage.


    After all, no matter how exceptional a junior was, how much could they truly defy the odds? Being able to contend with a typical innate False Core cultivator would already be a feat worth celebrating. Qin Yun had yet to prove himself capable of slaying such a demon in single combat. The Water God was far more formidable than the likes of the White Tiger demon.


    “I’ll wait for my martial uncle to arrive and let him decide.” Yi Xiao sealed the letter and left her study, instructing the staff to send the message to her martial uncle, informing him that she was ready for action.


    The Qin Family Estate.


    Lanterns were already hung throughout the estate, and numerous guards patrolled the grounds, many equipped with crossbows designed for slaying demons.


    In the inner courtyard, laughter filled the air as Qin Yun sat drinking with his elder brother, Qin An, and their father, Qin Liehu.


    “Yun’er, you’ve reached a level where you can rival the White Tiger demon. In Guangling County, only Commander Fang and Master Mei Xia could be considered your equals,” Qin Liehu said, grinning as he took a hearty swig of wine. “Still, it’s unnerving to think how dangerous that trip to Mount Cangya turned out. Who would’ve expected the White Tiger demon from Zhenshan County to show up?”


    “Second Brother,” Qin An interjected. “The Water God demon entrusted the White Tiger demon to guard the spiritual fruit—it must’ve been incredibly important to him. Now that you’ve taken it, the Water God will surely hold a grudge.”


    “There’s no need to panic,” Qin Liehu reassured them. “The Water God demon is unlike ordinary demons. Typical demons, like the White Tiger, focus on occupying territories and plundering freely. Even that axe Yun’er brought back would be enough to make them weep. But the Water God governs the lives of millions in Guangling County. While the people may live in poverty, the Water God still accumulates enormous wealth through his dominion.”


    “He’s cautious and cunning, avoiding unnecessary losses. He wouldn’t recklessly expend resources over minor grudges. But if he does strike, he’ll make sure it’s a sure win.”


    Qin Yun nodded. “The Water God is indeed shrewd. For now, ensure the women in the household avoid going out unnecessarily. If they must, they should bring plenty of guards armed with crossbows designed for slaying demons.”


    “Better to err on the side of caution,” Qin Liehu agreed.


    Late at night.


    In Qin Yun’s private courtyard, no servants were allowed entry.


    “This giant axe…” Qin Yun sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion under the veranda, gazing at the massive weapon lying in the courtyard. It was so enormous that it couldn’t fit inside the house.


    Standing upright, the axe was taller than ten feet, with a blade so large it couldn’t pass through the doorway even when laid flat.


    “Shhh.”


    Qin Yun extended his finger, releasing a golden beam of light that expanded in the wind to form a three-inch silver flying sword.


    The miniature sword hovered above the axe. Qin Yun chanted a spell, activating the sword’s internal essence. A glowing aura enveloped the blade, which began absorbing the axe’s essence. Tiny sparks of light floated up from the axe, merging into the flying sword. If the White Tiger demon knew its prized weapon was being refined, it would undoubtedly be heartbroken.


    “Buzz…”


    A crack appeared on the axe’s surface as Qin Yun deliberately weakened it to facilitate its breakdown. Without this approach, he wouldn’t have been able to dismantle such a formidable weapon.


    “What a treasure. This axe is almost entirely composed of rare metal elements, some of which I’ve never even encountered,” Qin Yun marveled. His life-bound flying sword seemed to cheer as countless sparks flew into it, resembling a swarm of fireflies.


    The life-bound flying sword excels at absorbing metallic objects.


    Even scrap copper and broken iron are gladly consumed.


    However, when it comes to materials of water, fire, wood, or earth elements, the sword is far more selective. For instance, in terms of water-element materials, it has only absorbed a single "Cold Essence Spiritual Liquid" thus far. But with metallic objects, the absorption capacity is significant, and it isn''t picky. Especially this time—the giant axe contained some rare materials that had never been absorbed before, allowing the life-bound flying sword to consume them with remarkable speed.


    When absorbing materials for the first time, the amount tends to be substantial.


    "Crack, crack, crack—" The entire giant axe developed seven large fissures on its surface as the life-bound flying sword absorbed it, breaking the axe into many small fragments. Even the axe handle snapped into three pieces.


    From the seven fissures, the life-bound flying sword absorbed over 300 pounds of material before it could take no more.


    "Many of these are materials I''ve never encountered before. The White Tiger demon''s collection of materials is far more comprehensive than mine," Qin Yun thought to himself with a sigh. "Absorbing more than 300 pounds in one go… but starting tomorrow, it will probably only manage to absorb 30 to 40 pounds per day."


    The slower absorption of Star-pattern Steel was due to its uniformity as a single type of material.


    The giant axe, on the other hand, contained a wide variety of materials. Absorbing a little from each type added up quickly.


    Following this, the life-bound flying sword absorbed a small amount of "Cold Essence Spiritual Liquid" before stopping for the day. It was clear that absorbing water-element materials was significantly slower.


    "With this giant axe, the day my life-bound flying sword is fully refined might result in it directly becoming an eighth-grade magical treasure," Qin Yun thought with excitement and anticipation. For so many years, he had never owned a magical treasure! Now, the day when he could finally wield one was just around the corner—and it would be his very own life-bound flying sword.