JSCMU-Chapter 150: Peerless Genius

“Yes. It took me quite a bit of effort,” Yun Jin said as she took out the Tai’a Sword and gently placed it on the table.

Yang Hui had a feeling.

If he looked at it, it would only further provoke him.

But.

His hand moved on its own and picked up the Tai’a Sword, carefully inspecting it.

The corners of Yun Jin’s lips curled up slightly, almost imperceptible.

Yang Hui examined it thoroughly, up and down, over and over, and didn’t speak for a long time.

Yun Jin wasn’t in a rush either. She sipped her tea slowly, appearing completely relaxed.

Finally.

Yang Hui looked up.

He stared at Yun Jin somewhat dazedly, “This upgrade plan… did you come up with it?”

Yun Jin nodded, “What’s wrong? Is there a problem?”

Yang Hui’s lips trembled.

Problem?

What kind of problem could there be!

Originally, this was an extremely unique sword born out of a rare coincidence. While it had significant research value, its future upgrades would be extremely difficult.

But Yun Jin’s upgrade directly imbued this Tai’a Sword with a hint of balance and harmony.

Upright and righteousness.

Majestic and grand.

Gone was the previous eerie and sinister aura, replaced with a sense of honest and honorable strength.

This refinement was the first true step in guiding the Tai’a Sword onto the right path!

“I can guess that you used materials with balanced properties, but exactly what…” Yang Hui muttered.

“Wood-Green Stone and Earth-Yellow Stone,” Yun Jin answered.

Yang Hui’s eyes lit up.

So it was these two.

But he still didn’t understand.

In this world, there are many minerals with balanced and harmonious properties.

There are many wood and earth attribute minerals too.

Out of the vast ocean of minerals, why did Yun Jin choose these two that didn’t seem special at all?

Why did these two minerals combine with the Tai’a Sword so well?

Yang Hui wanted to ask.

But he already guessed what Yun Jin’s answer would be.

She would definitely say, it’s because she’s a genius.

That answer was infuriating.

But the more Yang Hui thought about it, the more he felt like it might really be the only answer.

If not a genius.

How could someone reach second-rank refiner in just twenty days?

If not a genius, how could she independently develop a star-upgrading plan, and even complete the upgrade all by herself?

Such a person was born for the art of refining!

At that moment, the look in Yang Hui’s eyes as he stared at Yun Jin changed.

A refining prodigy like this, wanted to be a sword cultivator?

What sword cultivation?

Practicing swordsmanship is such a waste of time!

She should completely devote herself to refining.

By then, this continent might truly see the rise of a new ninth-rank master refiner!

Yun Jin asked, “Is there something wrong with my star-upgrading plan?”

Yang Hui had already calmed down. He shook his head and replied gently, “No problem. Your plan is excellent. The Wood-Green Stone and Earth-Yellow Stone were strokes of genius. Yun Jin, you were born for refining. You were meant to become a refiner!”

“Really?” Yun Jin looked surprised. “Isn’t my talent supposed to be just average?”

Yang Hui couldn’t hold it anymore. He gritted his teeth, “Speak properly!”

Yun Jin immediately behaved herself.

Yang Hui took a moment to compose his emotions before saying, “With your natural talent for refining, you shouldn’t be buried here. Yun Jin, pack your things. I’ll escort you out of here tonight. I’ll recommend you to a friend of mine. Though he’s a rogue cultivator, his refining skills are no worse than mine. If you follow him, you’ll go far, and never need to come back.”

Yun Jin didn’t expect such a statement. She was briefly stunned before replying, “Peak Master Yang, have you forgotten? I have a contract with Ruan Jun. I can’t leave.”

Yang Hui’s expression changed.

He momentarily forgot that.

In just a month, Yun Jin would have a life-and-death duel with Ruan Jun…

With her current cultivation, wouldn’t that be suicide?

Speaking of cultivation, Yang Hui casually scanned her.

Then he froze again.

Wait.

When did she reach Golden Core Stage?

She had only been here for two months, one of which she’d spent in the Earth-Fire Chamber that lacks spiritual energy.

And now she’s at Golden Core?

Yun Jin, seeing his expression, said modestly, “Back in the Earth-Fire Chamber, I had an insight and naturally broke through. It took me a full two months just to barely reach Golden Core. My talent really is quite average.”

Yang Hui clenched his teeth so hard they cracked. He growled, “No one outside knows you’ve reached Golden Core yet, right? Aren’t you afraid I’ll expose you?”

Yun Jin appeared unconcerned, “Then thank you, Peak Master Yang! I just love showing off in front of others. If everyone finds out, I should thank you for the publicity.”

Yang Hui had no way to deal with her. He couldn’t help but ask, “You’re really not afraid I’ll report you to the Sect Master?”

“Not afraid.” Yun Jin shook her head.

Yang Hui narrowed his eyes. “Why not?”

Yun Jin was just about to answer.

Yang Hui snapped, “Answer properly.”

Yun Jin regretfully swallowed her original response and answered honestly, “Eldest Senior Brother already said this. Peak Master Yang, on the surface you suppress Heavenly Sword Peak, but secretly you’ve been helping us. In other words, you’re already a double agent for the Sect Master. If you act as a double agent on our side too, and we report it to the Sect Master, your act won’t hold up anymore. By then…”

Yun Jin called him a double agent over and over, and Yang Hui’s head started to ache.

He gritted his teeth. “Enough! Shut up!”

Yun Jin did shut up, but the look she gave him was full of accusation.

Wasn’t it you who asked me to answer?

I only said a few sentences.

Now I’m not allowed to speak?

This Peak Master, unreliable.

Yang Hui had a real headache now. He said slowly, “Yue Zhao knows I’ve been helping you in secret? How does he know?”

Yun Jin replied, “Maybe he’s just smart?”

Yang Hui: “…”

So you’re saying I’m dumb?

He didn’t want to argue anymore. He only said, “Yun Jin, your refining talent is absolutely astonishing. How about this, I’ll write you a recommendation letter, and you leave Heavenly Sword Peak to join a top refining sect. As long as you show your talent, they’ll definitely take you in. If you show enough promise, they might even help you bear the contract backlash! Yun Jin, this is the only way.”

Yang Hui stared firmly at Yun Jin.

This time, he truly wanted to save her life out of appreciation for her talent.

Yun Jin smiled, “Thank you for your kind offer, Peak Master, but there’s no need. I’m doing just fine at Heavenly Sword Peak. As for Ruan Jun, I want to settle that matter personally. Besides, a sect focused only on refining isn’t really what I love.”

Yang Hui was preparing to persuade her further, but after hearing that last line, he immediately became anxious, “Heavens gave you such talent precisely so you could pursue refining! Doing anything else is straying off the right path!”

Yun Jin blinked, “But… I’m pretty talented at sword cultivation too.”

“Can that compare to your refining talent?” Yang Hui was flustered.

“I mastered the Azure Lotus Sword Technique in one month,” Yun Jin said truthfully.

Yang Hui fell silent.

Emmm…

Come to think of it, that was also rather monstrous.

“I’m also talented in botany techniques,” Yun Jin added.

“How could that compare to refining?” Yang Hui reflexively replied.

“I became a second-rank master botanist in fifteen days,” Yun Jin continued honestly.

Yang Hui went silent again.

That talent… also seemed monstrous.

Yun Jin hadn’t even mentioned her alchemy talent yet, and Yang Hui had already given her plenty of Emotion Points.

After all, he was an old man. She couldn’t make his blood pressure spike too much. Out of kindness, Yun Jin poured him another cup of tea before saying, “So let’s forget about the refining sect. I’ll just stay here.”

Yang Hui took a sip of tea, trying hard to calm down, “Refining has a vast future. You should really make a choice. It’s best if you specialize in this art.”

“Make a choice?” Yun Jin looked a little confused. “Why should I make a choice? I’m cultivating everything, and it doesn’t really take that much time.”

Yang Hui was just about to open his mouth to lecture her.

But then he thought about Yun Jin’s long list of achievements… and fell completely silent.

It did seem… like it didn’t really take her much time?