Chapter 88 : Forging the Lifebound Sword

"You flatter me, Granduncle."

"If this Lifebound Immortal Sword can smooth Uncle Lior's path forward on the Dao [the fundamental principle or path in Chinese philosophy], then I am content."

Eldrin Chen replied with a smile. With the Lifebound Immortal Sword, Lior Chen's future prospects brightened considerably. His strength would likely rank among the very best within his Foundation Establishment [the second major realm of cultivation] peers.

Once the Lifebound Immortal Sword was forged, the Third Elder departed Pingyang City that very day. Many affairs awaited him at Verdant Chariot Mountain, and he also needed to arrange the garrison duties for Spiritual Apricot Mountain.

Eldrin Chen, however, remained. Although the Third Elder's Lifebound Immortal Sword was complete, a crucial task still lay ahead.

That task was the crafting of Formation Flags [enchanted banners used to anchor and power magical formations]. The three Jin-weight [one Jin-weight equals zero point five kilograms] and four Liang-weight [one Liang-weight equals fifty grams] of Golden Thread Silkworm Silk [a rare, spiritually conductive silk produced by a specific spirit insect] purchased from the Liu Clan were precisely for forging several sets of Formation Flags for the Six Towns Surrounding Pingyang City.

"Formation Flag Magical Treasure are woven from silkworm silk and require meticulous, patient craftsmanship,"

"Moreover, such artifacts cannot be rashly tempered directly with True Flame [a cultivator's refined internal flame, used for forging and alchemy]; otherwise, they risk being consumed by the flame's intensity."

"Watch closely now."

As he spoke, the Old Patriarch personally instructed Eldrin Chen in the weaving technique. Guided by his spiritual sense [a cultivator's extended perception], strands of silk converged, intertwining according to a specific, esoteric pattern, slowly taking shape as a single Formation Flags. Continue your cultivation journey at audio . novel . com.

After one set of Formation Flags was successfully woven, he then used the True Flame [a cultivator's refined inner flame] to temper the Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements], gradually allowing the essence to fuse into the flags.

Once the Five Elements Essence was fully integrated, his first act was to inscribe Fire-Resistance Formation Runes [protective runes that ward against heat and flame] onto the Formation Flags. Only then did he begin tempering the flags with the True Flame.

The body of a Formation Flag Magical Treasure is inherently fragile. Even with Fire-Resistance Formation Runes inscribed, it could not withstand prolonged tempering. The Old Patriarch meticulously refined the Five Elements Essence into each flag, simultaneously shielding them with his True Essence [the refined energy core of a cultivator] while carving the intricate formation patterns.

After a total of seven days of labor, the Old Patriarch finally succeeded in forging the first complete set of Formation Flags.

This Five Elements Formation Flags set was composed of five individual flags. Chen Thalion had carved a defensive formation array onto each one. When all five flags were activated in unison, they could unleash the Five Elements City Guardian Grand Formation [a powerful defensive barrier drawing power from the five elemental forces].

Gazing upon the completed Formation Flags, he said with a satisfied smile:

"This Five Elements Formation Flags set is a Second Rank Low Grade Formation [a mid-tier defensive formation] treasured by our Chen Clan. By forgoing offensive runes to focus entirely on defense, its protective power ranks among the finest within its grade."

"When powered by a First Rank High Grade Spirit Vein [a high-quality source of ambient spiritual energy], once activated, even Foundation Establishment Mid to Late Stage Cultivators would require more than three hours to breach its defenses."

Eldrin Chen accepted the Five Elements Formation Flags and nodded in agreement. "With this set of Formation Flags, the safety of the Six Town Formation Flags Outside Pingyang City [the six strategic formation nodes protecting the towns surrounding Pingyang City] is assured."

With six sets of Formation Flags still to craft, they wasted no time. The Old Patriarch continued the forging process, aided by Eldrin Chen.

In the blink of an eye, more than a month passed. Chen Thalion had successfully refined four more sets of Formation Flags. When it came time for the final set, the two discovered they were short on Golden Thread Silkworm Silk [a high-quality silk produced by a specific spirit insect, prized for its durability and spiritual conductivity].

Fortunately, the Demonic Banner [an enchanted banner used by demonic cultivators, often imbued with malevolent power] obtained from slaying Zhang Vorgath was also woven from Second Rank Silkworm Silk. The Old Patriarch personally dismantled the banner, extracting five Liang-weight [one Liang-weight equals fifty grams] of the precious silk.

Just as the Old Patriarch was about to begin the final refinement, Eldrin Chen's eyes flickered with a thoughtful light. "Let me try this last set," he offered.

"You?"

Chen Thalion was taken aback, a note of concern in his voice. "This Second Rank Silkworm Silk is exceedingly delicate. If it were accidentally scorched..."

"It's fine," Eldrin Chen replied calmly. "I have some confidence."

Seeing his resolve, the Old Patriarch handed the materials for the final set of Formation Flags to Eldrin Chen.

Having spent days observing the Old Patriarch's artificing firsthand and assisting him in crafting the Formation Flags, Eldrin Chen's own understanding of the artificing art had advanced by leaps and bounds.

When it was his turn to take the lead, no major mishaps occurred. In just two days, he had woven the Formation Flags to completion.

"The weaving of this entire set is nearly flawless," Chen Thalion examined the flags, unable to contain his admiration. "It's hard to believe this is your first time refining a Second Rank Magical Tool [an enchanted artifact of significant power, requiring considerable skill to create]."

Eldrin Chen did not reply. For Formation Flags [enchanted artifacts used to set up formations], the most troublesome task was yet to come: integrating the Five Elements Essence [a refined spiritual essence containing the power of the five elements].

He proceeded step by step, continuously tempering the flags with the Five Elements Essence and inscribing formation runes, until finally, this set of Formation Flags was successfully forged.

"Hiss—"

Gazing upon the completed Formation Flags, the Old Patriarch drew a sharp breath and could not help but give Eldrin Chen a long, appraising look. "Your talent... may be even more astonishing than I imagined."

"It is a pity the clan has failed you all these years, lacking a master to guide you."

"It matters not," Eldrin Chen replied with serene calm. "To forge one's own path step by step may lead to a more solid foundation, and perhaps reveal wonders unseen by others." Discover more cultivation stories at audio‑novel.com.

The successful forging of a set of Formation Flags signified that Eldrin Chen's mastery in both Artificing Art [the art of crafting magical tools] and Formation Art [the art of creating magical formations] had ascended to the Second Rank. The Old Patriarch felt a surge of exhilaration, yet it was tinged with a profound sense of melancholy.

He was exhilarated by Eldrin Chen's astounding comprehension, yet melancholy because comparing oneself to such a prodigy could indeed be a bitter pill to swallow.

After a long moment of silence, he produced two scrolls of ancient texts and handed them to Eldrin Chen.

"These are the ancient tomes on artificing and formation arts, passed down within our clan for centuries. I have recompiled them, integrating my own understanding of these two paths. They should offer you some guidance."

After leaving the Artificer's Workshop, the two of them proceeded to visit each of the Pingyang Six Towns one by one, setting up protective formations in these towns.

By the time all this work was completed, three months had already passed since their return from Verdant Ink Mountain.

"Finally, it's all taken care of."

As the Formation Flags were placed in the final town, the Old Patriarch let out a sigh of relief.

He glanced at Eldrin Chen and said with a smile, "Thanks to the aid of your Spirit Peach [a fruit imbued with spiritual energy that aids cultivation] and the recent great battle, I feel my accumulation is now sufficient."

"You're about to make a breakthrough?" Eldrin Chen could not help but ask with delight.

Chen Thalion's breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Eighth Layer was no small matter. Once this step was taken, the Old Patriarch's True Essence [the refined spiritual energy within a cultivator's body] would increase by twenty percent. At that point, whether it was the Separated Flame Soul-Burning Formation or the several Second Rank High Magical Tools, all could unleash significantly greater power.

"Indeed," Chen Thalion nodded. "Do not return just yet. In the coming days, I plan to enter seclusion to break through my cultivation. I need you to hold the fort and oversee Pingyang City in my stead."

"Understood. Leave this matter to me."

While Chen Thalion entered seclusion for his breakthrough, Eldrin Chen remained within Pingyang City. He spent his time both tempering and restoring the spiritual energy of several damaged magical treasures and contemplating the mysteries of the Metallic Essence Divine Thunder [a powerful thunder-based divine ability harnessing the essence of metal].

In the blink of an eye, two months passed. On this day, a powerful aura emanated from within the Pingyang City Spirit Spring [the spiritual spring that nourishes the city]. The Old Patriarch had finally advanced another step, reaching the eighth layer of the Foundation Establishment [the second major stage of cultivation where one builds a solid foundation for their future path] realm.

"Success."

Eldrin Chen allowed a faint smile to touch his lips. However, as the Old Patriarch was consolidating his newly gained cultivation, he did not disturb Chen Thalion.

Another three to five days passed. Before Chen Thalion had even emerged from seclusion, uninvited guests arrived outside Pingyang City.

Several figures streaked across the sky. At their head was a man of striking appearance, an Azure-Robed Man whose bearing was extraordinary. An aura of sharp, intimidating power radiated faintly from him.

The man cast a glance at Pingyang City's City Guardian Grand Formation [a powerful defensive array protecting the city]. His calm eyes flickered slightly, and he let out a cold snort.

"Where is Thalion Chen? Show yourself before this lord."

"Trouble."

Eldrin Chen's expression shifted abruptly, his face turning grave.

The newcomer was actually a Purple Mansion Cultivator [a cultivator who has opened the third major energy center, the Purple Mansion, within their body]. Though his presence seemed slightly less overwhelming than that of Elara Lin from Celestial Ruins Mountain, he still exuded a formidable and intimidating aura.

Before he could utter a word, Old Patriarch burst forth from his secluded cultivation, intercepting him with a swift motion. He then offered a respectful bow to the Azure-Robed Man and spoke.

"Might I inquire if the esteemed senior before us is Mordecai Lin of the Green Sun Sect?"

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