A Parent-Child Storage Ring was a specially crafted spiritual artifact, inscribed with the Law of Space.
One parent ring could be linked to multiple child rings.
The higher the quality, the more child rings it could support.
The parent ring stayed with the main body, while child rings could be entrusted to soul projections to prepare for emergencies.
As long as the main body gave permission, the soul projection could utilize the spatial laws inscribed upon it to retrieve items directly from the parent ring.
"This is a high-tier sixth-grade spiritual sword—Frost Sky. It complements your Frost Marrow Sacred Physique perfectly."
"It's a small token of congratulations. I hope Miss Jiang won't find it unworthy."
Holy crap!
A high-tier sixth-grade spiritual sword?!
Everyone in Yong'an City widened their eyes, eager to witness the elegance of such a weapon.
In recent years, the Zhao Clan had been thriving,
Yet their clan leader, Zhao Yancheng, only had a low-tier fourth-grade spiritual blade.
Jiang Wanwan's eyes sparkled.
The Jiang Clan's treasured heirloom was merely a mid-tier third-grade item.
Even though her heart surged with excitement, she didn't make the decision on her own—instead, she looked up at Tara York.
"Though unremarkable, a gift's worth lies in the sentiment behind it."
Tara York nodded. "Take it."
What the hell?
A high-tier sixth-grade spiritual sword called unremarkable?
Thank the heavens it was just a soul projection, or Elder Xu would've coughed up blood on the spot.
As a respected elder of Qingyun Peak of the Misty Sect, his spiritual sword was only mid-tier seventh grade.
And now the sword he just offered as a gift was dismissed as not worth mentioning?
Even that lunatic Lin from Zixiao Peak had been coveting it!
Seeing Tara York's indifferent attitude, Jiang Wanwan quickly pressed down the excitement in her chest.
Though she received it with both hands, her expression remained calm. "Thank you, Elder Xu."
Tara York nodded in satisfaction.
"If even Elder Xu, as an outsider, came bearing a gift, how could I, as the sect leader, fall behind?"
As her voice fell, a sword cry rang through the heavens.
In an instant, every sword-wielding cultivator in the plaza opened their eyes wide in shock.
Their swords were all unsheathing themselves.
Including Elder Xu's newly gifted sixth-grade sword, Frost Sky.
All the blades hovered midair in submission, trembling softly in unison toward one direction.
Following the sword cry, a long sword sliced through the air and flew straight to Jiang Wanwan.
Its blade was as clear as jade and as thin as cicada wings—nearly invisible.
The hilt had a peculiar design, with a water-blue gem set in the center—elegant, exquisite, yet comfortable in hand.
Its tail end was hollow.
Elder Xu's soul projection trembled again.
His eyes nearly glued themselves to the sword.
If he didn't know for sure that he couldn't beat Tara York, he'd have considered killing to steal it.
An eighth-grade high-tier sword.
With a single point of Tara York's finger, the sword let out a melodious cry, wrapped itself like a ribbon around Jiang Wanwan's slender waist,
And locked the blade tip into the hollow of its hilt—
Resembling a crystal belt, enhancing her ethereal beauty.
"This sword is named Waterglint. It's an eighth-grade high-tier spiritual weapon, inlaid with an eighth-grade water-element gem. Consider it a welcome gift."
Elder Xu's eyes were red with envy.
Damn.
He had been so mesmerized by the sword that he hadn't even noticed the embedded gem.
An eighth-grade high-tier sword, paired with an eighth-grade elemental gem—
Even the Sect Master's ninth-grade low-tier Soul-Devouring Spear might be a bit lacking in comparison.
After all, that spear had never once inspired a chorus of blade homage.
Just what kind of background did this Star-Moon Sect have?
Its foundation was terrifyingly deep.
Even the spiritual weapon used by the Misty Sect's holy son was merely a low-tier eighth grade—without any gemstone embedded.
Same position, both direct disciples to their sect masters.
Comparison truly bred despair.
Would the Lady accept another disciple, perhaps?
He had an eighth-grade spiritual root too.
Though lacking a sacred physique, he had already stepped into the Immortal Realm.
He was just… a little older.
He wondered if she might still accept him.
Elder Xu stroked his chin, pondering seriously.
"Thank you, Sect Master, for the sword!" Jiang Wanwan dropped to her knees with a thud, her voice cracking from excitement.
"Rise." Tara York lifted her hand slightly.
A gentle force lifted Jiang Wanwan from the ground.
"You are now the senior sister of the outer disciples of my Star-Moon Sect. You must remain composed."
"Yes." Jiang Wanwan took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. But the corners of her lips just kept lifting, and lifting again.
She had really tried to act composed.
But her sect master had just given her an eighth-grade high-tier sword—
With an eighth-grade water-element gem.
Who wouldn't lose their mind?
The fact she wasn't jumping, screaming, or going nuts already took all her self-restraint.
Elder Xu's soul projection once again stared with wide, nearly bulging eyes.
Wait, what?
Frost Marrow Sacred Physique… eighth-grade root… and she was just an outer disciple?
Then someone like him—eighth-grade root, no sacred physique—
Wouldn't even qualify as an outer disciple?
Below outer disciples were servant disciples.
And their status surely wouldn't compare to his current role as an elder of the Misty Sect.
He needed to rethink things.
"You are the head of the Jiang Clan?" Tara York looked toward Jiang Huai.
"Your humble servant, Jiang Huai. Greetings, Sect Master," Jiang Huai stepped forward with excitement.
"Since Jiang Wanwan has joined my Star-Moon Sect, would your Jiang Clan be willing to become our affiliated clan?" Tara York asked casually.
Coincidentally, there was a mission for this in her quest log—might as well accept it.
Besides, as Sect Master, her primary task was to seek out exceptional talents and raise future Emperors.
The many miscellaneous affairs of the sect needed others to manage.
This Jiang clan elder seemed agreeable enough.
She had inquired about him around town earlier—seemed to be of decent character.
He was worth trying out. If it didn't work, she could always find another.
"Yes! I'm more than willing!" Jiang Huai shouted, voice cracking. "From today onward, my Jiang Clan will serve as an affiliate of the Star-Moon Sect!"
"Very good." Tara York nodded. With a flick of her wrist, a men's hairpin appeared in her hand.
Elder Xu's projection widened his eyes again.
Mid-tier seventh grade.
Then, Tara York took out a carving knife and made a few quick strokes.
The hairpin transformed into a high-tier seventh-grade artifact.
Elder Xu's eyes nearly popped out.
That… was Spirit-Enhancing Art!
Their Misty Sect only had a fragment—utterly incomplete.
It had been discovered in some ancient ruin.
For three thousand years, no one had ever succeeded in using it.
Instead, they had destroyed countless artifacts attempting it.
The Sect Master eventually declared it forbidden.
He had thought this so-called Spirit-Enhancing Art was just fiction—nothing more than myth in ancient texts.
But today, he saw it firsthand.
Right before his eyes, the Sect Master of the Star-Moon Sect casually carved a few strokes—
And upgraded a mid-tier seventh-grade item into a high-tier one.
If word of this got out, how many jaws would hit the floor?
Tara York didn't care at all about whether someone could upgrade their spirit root or not. It was just a seventh-grade spirit tool, after all.
At this moment, her system space was already filled with imperial-grade items, and she couldn't bring herself to be interested in such a trivial seventh-grade item. However, the star and moon pattern she had just carved into this hairpin was quite nice.
Her year of carving lessons hadn't been in vain. Back then, she had spent a significant amount on the tuition, over ten thousand.
The more Tara looked at it, the prouder she became, silently complimenting herself in her mind. She then decided that in the future, all affiliated forces of the Star-Moon Sect would use this type of hairpin as their token.
"This hairpin is the symbol of our Star-Moon Sect's affiliated forces, take good care of it." Tara waved her hand, and the hairpin floated toward Jiang Huai.
Jiang Huai's hands trembled with excitement, as though he had developed Parkinson's disease.
"Th-thank you, Sect Leader. I will certainly do my utmost for the Star-Moon Sect, even if it means walking through fire or mountains of blades, I will not hesitate."
A seventh-grade high-tier item!
Should he insert this hairpin from left to right, or right to left?
Would it be unsafe if he put it in his hair?
What if it falls out?
He would have to make sure his hair was tied tight from now on.
And he must always wipe it clean to ensure that the pin stays in place.
Tara smiled, flicking her wrist again, and with a light wave, a seventh-grade mid-tier robe and a seventh-grade mid-tier golden silk nine-ringed sword appeared in front of Jiang Huai.
"S-sect Leader, is... is this also for me?" Jiang Huai stuttered, confused.
Tara nodded. "Since you're now an affiliate of the Star-Moon Sect, it wouldn't do for you to be so poor. It would be a joke if word got out."
"Thank you, Sect Leader." Jiang Huai hugged the items to his chest, smiling like a fool.
The others around them were so envious their eyes almost turned red.
This old man Jiang really had good luck.
From now on, the entire city of Yong'an would belong to the Jiang family.
Apart from the Zhao family, several other prominent families, as well as the City Lord's mansion, were all thinking about how to win the favor of the Jiang family.
As for the Zhao family, they looked like they were facing a great enemy.
In recent years, relying on Zhao Wuwei's admission to the Miao Sect, they had been suppressing other families, especially the Jiang family.
The head of their family, an old man in his eighties, even wanted to take the 13-year-old Jiang girl as his concubine. If she refused, he threatened to annihilate her entire family.
They had even killed more than ten members of the Jiang family over a low-tier spirit stone mine in the eastern part of the city.
Among them was the Jiang girl's eldest uncle.
This was a deep hatred—how would they resolve it?
Should they tie up that old man and his sons and grandsons and bring them to the Jiang family to apologize?
They, the side branches and guest elders, should be able to survive if they did this, right?
Elder Xu's phantom eyes grew even redder.
Like laser beams.
A seventh-grade high-tier, two seventh-grade mid-tier...
He was an elder of the Miao Sect, one of the ten grand elders, a position revered by tens of thousands.
Yet, in the end, he was still inferior to the head of a small affiliated family of the Star-Moon Sect.
He only had a seventh-grade mid-tier long sword.
Aside from that, the most powerful item he had was the sixth-grade high-tier Shui Han Tian, but when it was presented as a gift, it was criticized as being beneath the standards.
Now, look at old man Jiang.
He only had a third-grade physique and was at the first stage of the Gathering Sea realm.
One finger from him could crush an entire group.
And yet?
He was much poorer than the others.
In that moment, Elder Xu's phantom mind began to entertain the idea of possibly joining the affiliated forces of the Star-Moon Sect.
But it wasn't over yet.
Tara took out a talisman and waved it at Jiang Huai. "This contains ten strikes, which can protect your life in times of danger."
"Thank you, Sect Leader." Jiang Huai's mouth stretched into a grin, reaching his ears.
Elder Xu's phantom eyes widened again.
Ten strikes...
Normally, life-saving talismans only had one strike, at most three.
This was the first time he had seen one with ten strikes.
The Sect Leader of the Star-Moon Sect was indeed extraordinary.
"Elder Xu, I have something I need your help with," Tara said, looking at Elder Xu's phantom with a smile.
"Please give your orders, Sect Leader." Elder Xu's phantom immediately cupped his hands.
Tara smiled and waved her hand. "It's not exactly an order."
"My Star-Moon Sect was only established yesterday, and we are looking to recruit disciples to grow the sect."
"I'm still new to this place and unfamiliar with it."
"That's why I'd like to ask for your help, Elder Xu."
"I won't let you help for free." Tara waved her wrist again, and a small silver-white mirror appeared in her hand.
She then flicked her wrist and pushed it toward Elder Xu.
"This is the ninth-grade high-tier spiritual tool, the Qing Yan Mirror," Tara said. "When activated, it will burn the soul of the person it reflects with the Qing Yan flames."
"At best, they'll be seriously injured; at worst, they'll go into madness and explode."
"However, with your current cultivation, controlling it will be difficult. You can use it once a month at most."
Elder Xu's phantom eyes instantly widened, like copper bells.
Ninth-grade... high-tier...
The Sect Leader only had a ninth-grade low-tier spear.
"Rest assured, I will get this done for you," Elder Xu's phantom said, trembling as he received the mirror.
He almost wanted to hug it and kiss it.
But he feared his saliva might soil the ninth-grade spear.
"I'm not sure what the recruitment criteria are..." Elder Xu's phantom asked, trying to calm his excitement.
Tara flicked out a piece of paper that floated in front of Elder Xu's phantom.
Elder Xu's phantom swallowed.
Even a casually written piece of paper was seventh-grade low-tier?
Was this even human?
Suppressing his shock, Elder Xu's phantom studied it closely.
The more he looked, the more shocked he became.
Outer sect errand disciples: Seventh-grade spiritual root.
Outer sect ordinary disciples: Eighth-grade spiritual root.
Outer sect elite disciples: Ninth-grade spiritual root.
Inner sect ordinary disciples: Yellow-grade spiritual root.
Inner sect elite disciples: Mysterious-grade spiritual root.
Inner sect elder's personal disciples: Earth-grade spiritual root.
Sect Leader's personal top disciples: Heaven-grade spiritual root, Imperial-grade spiritual root.
Elder Xu's phantom's hands began to shake uncontrollably as he held the recruitment standards.
Their Miao Sect's holy son only qualified to be an outer sect elite disciple.
But it seemed like he met the standard for an outer sect ordinary disciple.
What a pleasant surprise.
"Sect Leader, I can help you find a few outer sect disciples, but it will be very difficult to find inner sect ones," Elder Xu's phantom said, pursing his lips nervously.
He then returned the Qing Yan Mirror with both hands. "I don't dare to take credit for your expectations."
"What I give out from my sect should never be taken back," Tara said, her tone displeased. "If you don't like it, just throw it away. It's just a ninth-grade item."
"It's not that I don't like it, but I feel undeserving of it. Since Sect Leader insists, I'll humbly accept it," Elder Xu's phantom hurriedly said.
"I'll definitely find you some outer sect disciples. As for the inner sect, I can only try my best."
"If I can't find them, please don't blame me."
"That's fine," Tara nodded.
"I don't know where your sect is located. Once I find suitable candidates, I will personally deliver them," Elder Xu's phantom asked, eager to assist.
"It's three thousand miles north, at Wanjue Mountain," Tara said.
Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked.