The Warring Crane Sect was built on two massive peaks in the Tianlong mountain range. High above the small villages and cities they looked down on them as if they were ants. For many disciples that was exactly how they viewed those in the mortal world; however, the sect policy was that even ants had some value.
The two peaks were home to two branches of cultivation. The first peak was the martial branch. Many powerful martial artists trained here throughout history, making the Warring Crane Sect the dominant force for over 10,000 Li in every direction. Their lineage traced back over 5,000 years and during that time they had collected a large number of martial skills and cultivation techniques.
Unlike many sects, they did not focus on only one branch of martial arts. They were large enough to hold experts in most weapons and hand techniques. Even the Sword Immortal Sect was jealous of the sword arts they mastered.
The second peak was home to the alchemy branch. Formed long ago by a grandmaster alchemist capable of refining 9th grade healing pills and 8th grade Dao pills, he left behind a profound legacy with pill formulas few had ever heard of.
Having traveled through much of the continent he created a garden with a vast array of spirit plants that were almost impossible to find. The garden he built became the largest source of wealth for the sect and was part of the reason why so many powerful cultivators wished to join.
Wang Zi was the most outstanding disciple in the martial branch. He was tall with smooth skin, well-defined facial features, and black straight hair that fell down his back. Most of the female disciples fawned over him wherever he went.
He was not only considered good looking but also a rare talent whose potential even exceeded the sect master. The elders and the sect master agreed that when he reached the Nascent stage the sect master would go into closed-door cultivation and Wang Zi would take over.
Xu Wei was equally talented in the field of alchemy and had won many competitions. She was lauded as a once in one thousand year’s genius. As a grade 2 alchemist at the age of 20, most believed she had the potential to become a grandmaster in her lifetime.
Her large hazel colored eyes made some exclaim they belonged to a phoenix and her small oval face had made many fall under her spell. She had a thin body that was neither exceptionally curvy nor straight; instead, many considered her proportions perfect. She was truly a kingdom toppling beauty.
Everyone thought they were a match made in heaven and the elders constantly pressured the sect master to engage the two. However, he did not want to interfere with the lives of the younger generation. In his opinion if the heavens deemed their union was meant to be then so be it.
Though this bothered many of the elders, they could only push so hard, so when they saw that Young Master Wang began courting Fairy Xu on his own they became ecstatic. Better yet Fairy Xu appeared open to it, often traveling with Young Master Wang and accepting his many gifts.
Everyone knew it was only a matter of time before they became cultivation partners. Both males and females alike were jealous of their relationship. The eldest brother and eldest sister of the sect had many fans among the disciples; the always-smiling faces of the couple could melt anybody’s heart.
That was why it was strange when they both arrived back to the sect with a frown on their faces. The disciples did not know if something bad had happened or if there was a problem between the two. Rumors began to spread and even the elders began to worry.
In front of her masters cave Xu Wei knew he would not be happy, but she still felt it was the right thing to do. The old man appeared to be in so much pain and she pitied him for having to take care of the disabled boy, so of course she would not make things too hard for him.
However, her master did need the wood and it was not common for it to appear in an open auction. Knocking on the door to his immortals cave, she waited before hearing him tell her to enter. Walking forward she saw her master hunched over a large cauldron.
“Were you able to purchase the wood?” Even before greeting her, he had asked about the Three-Fires Ironwood. However, that was how her master was. He did not care much for personal relationships, just devoted to his research, but for some reason he almost appeared scared of not finishing this recipe on time.
Facing him, she could only recount the story of what happened, slightly exaggerating and attempting to push most of the blame on Wang Zi. She told her master that Wang Zi was unwilling to pay more than the old man had offered and in the end conceded.
However, he did promise to purchase some from the Sun Sect so it should not be a problem. Her master looked upset, but he did not yell or take his anger out on her, simply saying, “Is that so? Do you know the name of the old man who bought the wood?”
Xu Wei did not but she remembered the old man calling the boy Liang so she told him what she knew. Her master looked as though he was deep in thought but she interrupted him by asking, “Should we look to retrieve the wood from him?”
Waking her master out of his thoughts he replied saying, “No, we know nothing about him but he was willing to spend so much for Three-Fires Ironwood which says he has some amount of resources. He also did not care about going against our sect. The Triple-Yang Rebirth pill is a grade 5 pill as well so either he is a skilled alchemist or he knows one.”
“He’s not simple and right now we do not need to bring any more attention to what we’re doing. Never mind, make sure you have that fool purchase the wood from the Sun Sect within the next couple of days, I’ll need it three days from now. If he’s unable to do this then we will look into that man.”
She knew it would not be a problem. She was always able to manipulate Wang Zi and he was always enthusiastic to serve her. Even if she asked him to get it tonight, he would try. Curious she asked, “Are you almost done with the powder master?”
He did not raise his head but replied, “Yes, the strength is good but it disperses too far. I need to contain it in a small area otherwise it will be useless against a strong opponent. Using the Three-Fires Ironwood would greatly increase probability of coagulating the pill earlier in the process. Alright, don’t ask too much, just make sure you get that wood. I’ll think of a punishment for you later, now leave.”
She bowed before exiting his cave knowing that he would not really punish her. He rarely left and hardly bothered with affairs such as these. Theirs was mostly a give and take relationship. As long as she did what he wanted, he would reward her with documents, formulas, and any supplies she needed. It was a mutually beneficial system.
However, now she needed to talk to Wang Zi. Practicing the face she would show him as well as her story, she allowed her eyes to become watery and walked towards the martial peak. She would convince him to leave tomorrow for the wood.
