After sleeping for a while, Jin Yun opened his eyes, feeling refreshed.
Still in the tree, he looked at his body only to see it clean.
"Who…?" Jin Yun was confused upon realizing there was no more blood on his body.
"Someone used a spell on me while I was asleep? Was there another person here? Where are they?"
He started looking around, but in the end, he found no one.
"Thank you…" He gave up searching and simply murmured into the air, hoping the person was still nearby.
"You're welcome."
Hearing this voice from above, Jin Yun immediately looked to the sky.
"A strong person… What are they doing here?"
He formulated several theories and eventually reached a conclusion:
'Are they interested in me?'
That wasn't unusual. Many elders of the sect had their eyes on him.
Moreover, there were also the core disciples.
Everyone wanted to witness the cultivation of the madman.
Jin Yun didn't like this. It was uncomfortable. But he understood that he was abnormal.
He could even be mistaken for a Demonic Cultivator or someone possessed.
In this regard, being watched was actually beneficial, as it justified his rapid cultivation and the auras he acquired from metals, helping to avoid trouble and making his life somewhat easier.
Many people in the sect had a good impression of him.
In the Outer Court, Jin Yun was the most influential. His daily efforts motivated disciples to train.
Even the elders helped him master the new auras he acquired.
With this last thought, a smile appeared on Jin Yun's face.
Still looking at the sky, he opened his mouth to ask:
"Senior, may I know your name?"
"Yin Xiu."
"…" Jin Yun didn't believe what he heard, even blinking a few times.
"You are the Peak Master of Metal?"
"Yes."
"I see…" Jin Yun fell silent, unsure of what to say.
'Did I manage to catch Yin Xiu's attention? Is she also interested in my cultivation?'
'Interesting.'
Jin Yun smiled. A part of his future plans could now be realized.
All he needed was to survive the refinements.
"Thank you for your kindness, Master!" He clasped his hands and jumped from the branch.
On the ground, he waved toward the sky and headed toward the veil.
'For now, I won't make contact with Yin Xiu. I'll let her grow interested in me naturally, without forcing anything.'
That's why he left without saying much. If he showed his intentions too soon, it would only make the Metal Peak Master perceive him differently.
Currently, in her mind—according to his calculations—he was just someone hardworking, unafraid of death, and willing to do anything to keep advancing in cultivation.
And that was true!
But Jin Yun was also opportunistic.
This was due to his cultivation, which required increasingly stronger metals.
Alone, he had no way to explore the entire world, not even within the sect.
That's why it was crucial to find people willing to help him.
...
After a while, on the fifth floor, Jin Yun emerged from the vortex, dressed in his white robe.
He descended to the first floor, and unlike before, the place was crowded.
Almost everyone who saw him waved, treating him like an older brother.
Jin Yun just smiled. Even without speaking much to others, he returned the gesture with a polite smile.
The disciples, upon receiving this, seemed to change their expressions.
"…?" Jin Yun furrowed his brows and quickened his steps toward the old man who was still sleeping.
"Elder Wu, you can check that I didn't take anything."
The old man opened his eyes, irritated. "Just say what you want, kid. And congratulations on surviving another day and successfully advancing."
"Thank you." Jin Yun felt awkward. "Elder, can you help me investigate a place with poisonous ore? Preferably one with a lot of venom."
"Madman!" Old Wu slammed the table, shocked by Jin Yun's words, but soon calmed down. "Why? If you give me a good reason, I might help."
"I want to break through to the tenth level of Origin Condensation. As everyone in this sect knows, my method is unique, and breaking into a major realm is a hundred times harder for me than for normal cultivators."
"That's the most I can explain. The rest is personal."
Old Wu just stared at him with his weary, dark-circled eyes.
"When do you need it?"
"Four months. That's enough time to reach the tenth level. Of course… if I survive! As you know, my life is madness." Jin Yun joked.
"Kid, I'll only find the location. The method to obtain the ore is up to you. This old man isn't generous enough to get something for free for others. Especially for someone who might turn into a ghost." Old Wu grumbled with a grumpy expression.
"I asked you to investigate, Elder Wu, not to retrieve it for me." Jin Yun was also displeased. For a moment, a cold tension filled the room.
But that was soon broken when a young man appeared. He had red hair and eyes of the same color.
Sensing the hostile atmosphere, he grabbed Jin Yun by the arm.
"Jin Yun, remember our promise from yesterday?"
He pulled Jin Yun away, who now had a question mark in his head.
Old Wu, watching the boy leave, felt a mix of emotions.
Deep down, he liked Jin Yun. In all his years, he had never seen a youth like him.
"Poisonous ore? What is this boy planning? Is he going to absorb Poison Qi like he did with the others?"
The old man had many doubts but reached no conclusions. He simply lay back on the counter.
"I hope you keep bringing surprises, kid Jin. Unique paths in this world are countless… but how many can reach the end?"
He murmured while closing his eyes.
...
Outside the Pavilion
Jin Yun looked at the red-haired young man.
"What promise did I make to you? I don't remember making any."
"Are you an idiot?" Huo Lie frowned. "If you had kept staring at the elder, you would have been beaten. To save you, I lied, you damn fool!"
"Watch your words, damn it! We are civilized people!" Jin Yun retorted.
"And besides, the old man wouldn't do anything. He may act that way, but he has a kind heart. He keeps that stern face so disciples don't disturb his sleep."
Huo Lie was stunned.
"You're not just crazy physically but also mentally! How the hell can you say that here? Elder Wu has incredible hearing."
"Relax. The old man doesn't use his hearing, only his spiritual sense. He has control over this entire place and the Secret Realm."
"How do you know so much?" Huo Lie raised an eyebrow.
"Studies."