After obtaining the Snow-Embroidered Sword, Tao Mian didn't immediately head to the next destination. Instead, he took some time to visit the Xuanji Tower with Rong Zheng.

Xuanji Tower is the largest place in the mortal world for crafting magical artifacts and weapons. It gathers craftsmen of eight categories: wood, stone, iron, gold, silver, copper, jade, and felt, known collectively as the Eight Great Craftsmen.

Its reputation not only resonates throughout the mortal world but is also renowned in the realms of immortals and demons.

Tao Mian brought Rong Zheng along this time to consult an expert about the condition of the Snow-Embroidered Sword.

"Swords and knives fear being left idle the most. Hanging them on walls or sealing them in boxes is a waste of their potential. We should actually seek out Elder Hongyan, as a swordsmith is the one who understands each of his swords best. But if he finds out that the Snow-Embroidered Sword was left to gather dust in a corner for over a year, he might be too angry to deal with us."

As Tao Mian spoke, he took out a jade pendant from his pocket.

The jade pendant was a clear, bright blue, clearly not an ordinary item, with the character "Lu" inscribed in a flowing script, likely a token given to him by someone.

Rong Zheng, walking beside him, curiously leaned over to examine the beautiful and exquisite jade pendant.

"I've heard of Xuanji Tower's reputation. But Little Tao, I've also heard that Xuanji Tower doesn't take on temporary jobs, and you need connections to get in. Are we just going to barge in like this?"

Tao Mian was confident.

"Let me introduce you to another close friend of mine."

"You have friends in Xuanji Tower too? I thought you only had Shopkeeper Xue as a close friend in the mortal world?"

"Tsk, I've lived for over a thousand years. How could I have just one friend? You're underestimating me."

"How many do you have then?"

Tao Mian held up one hand, spreading his fingers.

"Five? That many?"

Then he folded three fingers back.

"…So it's still just two!"

"Quality over quantity, Little Hua. You're mistaken."

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

"Whatever you say, you're always right. I won't argue with you."

The Shi Fu and disciple chatted idly as they passed through the bustling crowd, arriving at the main entrance of Xuanji Tower.

This place was located in the most prosperous area of the entire Capital City, where every inch of land was precious. Yet the owner of the tower had generously occupied a significant piece of land and even dug out a large artificial lake, with its water source exclusively for the craftsmen inside to use for making weapons.

From the outside, Xuanji Tower was symmetrical and exceptionally well-structured. The entire building was cast in pure copper, with eight copper snakes coiling around tall pillars reaching into the clouds. Most of the building's surface had turned black, which didn't make it look old but rather exuded a stable and dignified aura, a distinctive feature of Xuanji Tower.

Two heavily armored guards stood at the main entrance, requiring a black and gold letter for entry.

Tao Mian, arriving uninvited, naturally didn't have such a thing and was stopped by one of the guards.

The guard wore a heavy silver helmet, obscuring his expression and adding to his imposing presence.

Moreover, they were exceptionally tall men, standing at the entrance, creating a strong sense of presence.

Rong Zheng initially believed in Tao Mian, but now it seemed that his jade pendant was ineffective.

He had spoken so confidently, he probably even convinced himself.

She sighed inwardly, thinking of patting Little Tao on the shoulder and suggesting they retreat for now and sneak in later at night.

People lined up behind them were also urging them impatiently.

Tao Mian, however, remained completely still, unfazed. The guard blocking him was somewhat intimidated by his confidence and didn't react immediately.

The guard beside him, who had probably been working here longer, recognized the token hanging from Tao Mian's waist. He quickly pushed aside his obstructive companion, bowed respectfully, and gestured for Tao Mian to enter.

This jade pendant was a token left by the Shi Fu of Xuanji Tower for close friends, with no more than three in existence worldwide. It allowed the bearer to enter Xuanji Tower at any time and choose any weapon they fancied.

Tao Mian wasn't interested in choosing weapons; he was here for repairs.

Rong Zheng hadn't expected the Fraud Immortal's token to actually be useful.

She quickly followed, and sure enough, no one stopped her.

Rong Zheng was surprised and couldn't help but speak softly to Tao Mian.

"Little Tao, that thing of yours isn't just for show?"

"Tsk tsk," Tao Mian was still dissatisfied, "Next time, I should have their Shi Fu give me a 'pass' plaque. I'll hold it up as I walk in and see who dares to stop me."

"…"

Rong Zheng was so focused on talking to Tao Mian that she didn't have time to take in the scenery inside the tower. When she finally came to her senses, she realized that the interior of Xuanji Tower was even more grand.

The tower was divided into eight floors, and they walked along the outer circular staircase. In the center was a giant copper lotus, with several open lotus leaves, each serving as a forging platform where Shi Fu craftsmen and apprentices were busy, the sound of hammering and the Shi Fu's scolding filling the air.

More amazingly, these forging platforms weren't fixed; they moved up, down, left, and right within a certain range through gears and chains.

Like a real lotus growing amidst molten iron and copper, swaying gracefully.

Rong Zheng couldn't help but wonder what kind of person the owner of Xuanji Tower was, to so harmoniously combine strength and elegance.

Under the guidance of the steward, her curiosity was soon answered.

The Shi Fu of Xuanji Tower turned out to be a beautiful woman.

The steward led them to a place that wasn't any luxurious room one might imagine but an ordinary forging platform.

An elderly blacksmith was hammering a red-hot sword, and someone dressed plainly, even with patches on their clothes, stood with their back to them, watching the Shi Fu forge the sword.

Initially, Rong Zheng thought it was an apprentice and didn't pay much attention. But when the steward said, "Shi Fu, the guests have arrived," she was shocked, her mouth agape.

This unassuming, somewhat poor-looking apprentice was actually the Shi Fu of Xuanji Tower?

Even more surprising was when the figure turned slightly, revealing a well-defined profile.

The Shi Fu, like her, was a woman.

Rong Zheng was momentarily overwhelmed with new information, her mind unable to process it all, leaving her stunned.

The woman appeared ageless, alluring in a way that was enchanting yet not vulgar. Her charm wasn't crafted through sheer, delicate clothing or heavy makeup. Even in coarse fabric and bare-faced, her smile evoked the image of a peony, half-bloomed, opening freely in the wind.

Her first glance landed on Tao Mian's face, then shifted to Rong Zheng beside him, with a slight smile.

"Tao Lang, is this Miss Yuan Di?"

Rong Zheng was taken aback, not expecting this old acquaintance of her Shi Fu to still remember the Second Disciple from Peach Blossom Mountain.

It seemed the other party not only ignored worldly affairs but had also lived long enough.

Tao Mian coughed, a bit embarrassed.

"Ah Jiu, let me introduce you. This is my Fifth Disciple, called Little Hua."

"A little girl?"

"…Her surname isn't Little."

"Miss Hua?"

"…Just call her Little Hua."