Chapter 87 Refining the Mingyuan Ethereal Spirit Sword

This is precisely what makes immortal sword-type magical treasures so precious. A flying sword not only delivers peerless offensive strikes, but can also form protective sword auras around the wielder, and even be ridden for aerial travel. Their value consistently ranks highest among magical instruments of equivalent grade.

Defensive artifacts are the foundation of 1's survival, thus they are of secondary importance, followed by treasures such as the Purple Sun Cauldron (Magic Treasure), Violet Light Mirror (Magic Treasure), and the Thunderbolt Demon-Repelling Shuttle (Magic Treasure)—all top-tier second-grade treasures.

At this thought, Chen Changxuan smiled faintly. "You've always been prudent and thoughtful, capable of making your own decisions when faced with challenges. It seems I've worried unnecessarily."

After speaking, he brought out some of the resources obtained from this harvest.

Although they had slain 3 Foundation Establishment experts from the Lin family this time, the items useful to the duo were surprisingly scarce. Unlike the highly favored Lin Baixi, the other 3 cultivators were merely at the Foundation Establishment, Early Stage (Cultivation Realm)—their wealth and status paled in comparison.

Their storage pouches contained a mere 3,000-odd spirit stones in total, with only 1 mid-grade Tier 2 magical instrument and about 6 or 7 low-grade Tier 2 ones.

These treasures were of no interest to Eldrin or the old clan leader. Aside from a couple of decent magical artifacts that Chen Changxuan intended to repurpose as formation tools to reinforce Pingyang City’s defensive array, the rest were unceremoniously deposited into the clan treasury.

After dealing with all these matters, the 3 of them did not leave, but instead proceeded together to the Artifact Refining Room.

"Previously, dealing with the Lin family delayed the forging of your life-bound magic treasure." Upon entering the refining chamber, Chen Changxuan said to the Third Elder, "Now with Eldrin and I joining forces to assist, the crafting of the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss will proceed nearly 30 percent faster."

As he spoke, he retrieved the millennium-old cold iron and placed it into the artifact forging furnace, beginning to craft the Mingyuan Void God Sword.

Chen Changxuan continued refining while controlling the flames to temper the millennium-old cold iron, all the while explaining to Eldrin.

The process of refining Millennial Frost Iron differed greatly from that of Millennial Crimson Iron. Millennial Frost Iron was a natural treasure of pure Yin(Elemental Property) nature.

"The Solar True Flame and Heaven-Scorching Li Fire of our Chen Clan possess overwhelmingly potent and unyielding power. Should we employ them for refinement, I fear it may diminish their inherent potency."

"To refine this treasure without diminishing its potency, it is best to temper it with the art of Ding Fire."

"Our Chen Clan does not possess cultivation methods for the Fire of Bing and Ding, but we do have a second-order spell called the Blue Spirit True Fire, which can barely substitute for Ding Fire spells."

As Eldrin (Person Name) listened to the old clan leader's account, his comprehension of artifact forging deepened with growing clarity.

Over the past few years, the Old Patriarch had repeatedly instructed him in artifact forging and array formations. During his spare time, he would occasionally practice with first-tier materials. Though he hadn’t crafted extensively, he had now reached the threshold of becoming a second-tier Array Master and Artificer.

Ever since the old clan leader laid eyes on the magical artifact he had forged, he was utterly astounded, convinced that the young man’s comprehension far surpassed what he had ever imagined.

From then on, every time she crafted magical artifacts or formations, she would have him observe by her side, providing meticulous guidance and nurturing with utmost dedication.

Bing Fire is the fire of pure Yang, as seen in the Divine Bing Fire Thunder technique, which manifests as the Pure Yang Divine Thunder—a flame of even more domineering nature. In contrast, Ding Fire is the fire of pure Yin, gentler and more subtle in its essence, making it far more suitable for refining water-attribute magical artifacts.

It is said that the Ding Fire Divine Thunder is also renowned far and wide, hailed as the Pure Yin Divine Thunder, standing side by side with the Bing Fire Divine Thunder, possessing extraordinary destructive power. Unfortunately, this divine ability can only be successfully cultivated by female practitioners.

The Chen Clan possessed no Ding Fire spells, yet they had a relatively gentle Blue Spirit True Flame, which could barely substitute for Ding Fire techniques.

Over the past few years, Eldrin had also cultivated the Blue Spirit True Fire. Compared to the abstruse and incomprehensible divine abilities, this particular spell was not overly difficult to master. By now, he had attained a preliminary grasp of it.

Without the aid of an underground fire vein, the 2 could only jointly channel the Blue Spirit True Flame to refine the millennium cold iron. After a full half month of continuous effort, they finally succeeded in smelting the millennium cold iron into a clear, transparent liquid substance.

Essence of Solar Water.

After completing this step, the old clan leader said.

Eldrin hastily retrieved the Essence of Kui Water and poured it into the artifact refining furnace.

Without another word, the Old Patriarch channeled the Essence of Kui Water into the liquefied millenium-old cold iron, refining it repeatedly with his True Flame. A full 7 days passed before he finally produced a mass of pale blue liquid substance.

He then channeled his true essence to shape the sword's form, and soon enough, the nascent sword embryo finally took shape.

“Lior (Person Name)。”

As the sword fetus took form, Chen Changxuan immediately called out in a loud voice.

Lior reacted swiftly, immediately channeling his vital energy as he continuously imprinted the formation patterns of the Mingyuan Virtual Spirit Sword into it.

Back then, Eldrin had successfully inscribed the array patterns in just 15 minutes. The Third Elder's comprehension was far inferior to his, and his understanding of array patterns couldn't compare either. It took him 1 and a half hours to barely complete the inscription.

"Finally, it is done."

After carving the sword embryo, Lior (Person Name) breathed a sigh of relief. With this most critical step completed, the rest would be a matter of meticulous refinement over time.

This time, he took out the long-prepared Mystic Water Essence and Astral Metal Essence, beginning to meticulously refine them into the magical artifact.

According to the refinement formula of the Mingyuan Void God Sword, it should involve tempering Geng Metal energy. However, after careful analysis, Eldrin proposed an alternative method of replacing it with Xin Metal energy.

The reason he employed Metallic Yin energy instead of Metallic Yang energy was that Eldrin believed Water of the Tenth Celestial Stem represented living water—the essence of rain and dew. This water thrived when nourished by the dark metal of Metallic Yin, yet feared obstruction from the unyielding nature of Metallic Yang.

He reasoned that if he were to employ the energy of Geng Metal, it would result in a clash between water and metal, likely diminishing the efficacy of the Essence of Kui Water. Conversely, by refining it with the energy of Xin Metal, metal would give rise to water, thereby maximizing the sword’s potential.

After some deliberation, the Old Clan Chief acknowledged Eldrin's suggestion and boldly decided to alter the formula of the Mingyuan Void God Sword, replacing the energy of Geng Metal with that of Xin Metal.

As Lior (Person Name) refined the immortal sword, Eldrin (Person Name) observed attentively from the side, gaining deeper enlightenment into the Dao of Artifact Forging.

Kui Water is the essence of rain and dew—a water element brimming with vitality, gentle and enduring, though its potency is somewhat subdued.

Ren Water represents the waters of rivers, lakes, and seas. If 1 were to forge a sword using the legendary Profound Water Crystal (Spiritual Object), its power might resemble the descent of the celestial river—vast, unstoppable, and surging with immense force. It would likely not be inferior to the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure).

"It is a pity that throughout the vast expanse of the Chu Kingdom (Location), not a single Profound Water Crystal (Spiritual Object) has ever been produced, let alone the methods for forging superior water-attributed immortal swords."

After a moment of contemplation, Eldrin suppressed the thought deep within his heart.

A cultivator with 5 spiritual roots also possessed 1 more advantage—though it was debatable whether it truly counted as such—they could refine up to 5 Life-Bound Magic Treasures.

Alas, an ordinary cultivator would exhaust their entire focus just to refine a single life-bound magic treasure. To refine 5 simultaneously would exact a price beyond endurance, for it would drag the cultivator’s cultivation speed down by severalfold.

Moreover, the higher the grade of a life-bound magic treasure, the greater its consumption of the 5 Elements essence.

Some mighty cultivators could even sustain a vast nation and a massive immortal clan by purchasing the 5 Elements' Essence. This demonstrates that while Natal Magic Treasures and high-level divine abilities possess formidable power, the amount of 5 Elements' Essence required to cultivate them is truly staggering.

Moreover, nurturing a life-bound magic treasure can affect a cultivator's progress. Managing just 1 such treasure is manageable, but simultaneously refining 2 or 3 would strain even the direct descendant of a Primordial Spirit Dao Monarch.

Forging an immortal sword was a time-consuming and laborious task. The Third Elder toiled for another full half-month before finally succeeding in refining the Mingyuan Void God Sword.

"Hymn—"

A clear sword cry resonated through the air as all present watched an azure sword radiance shoot forth from the forging furnace, piercing directly between Lior's brows.

After storing the Mingyuan Void God Sword, the Third Elder beamed with joy and said, "Never in my life did I expect to obtain a soul-bound magic treasure."

Eldrin's deduction was indeed correct. Forged with the essence of Xin Metal, the power of this sword has actually surpassed the records by 20 percent.

The old clan elder stroked his long beard, a trace of astonishment flashing across his face. "To apply the principles of sovereign, minister, assistant, and courier from alchemy to the art of artifact forging—Eldrin's comprehension and talent likely far exceed anything we could have imagined."

Chapter 1: The Reborn Youth The biting cold wind howled, carrying with it flakes of snow that danced in the air. In the dilapidated temple, a youth dressed in tattered blue robes slowly opened his eyes. "Have I... truly been reborn?" Murmured Lin Xuan (Person Name), his gaze sharp as a blade. In his previous life, he had been the revered Flaming Sword Immortal Venerable, yet fell victim to a conspiracy and perished during his Heavenly Tribulation. Never did he imagine he would return to his 15-year-old self. Just as he was lost in his thoughts, a burst of arrogant laughter came from outside the temple. "Lin Xuan, you trash! Hand over the Spirit Gathering Pendant (Magic Treasure) your father left you, and perhaps I'll spare your miserable life!" 3 figures swaggered in. The leader, a young man clad in luxurious brocade robes, was none other than Zhao Shan (Person Name), the young master of the Zhao Family in Azure Cloud City. Lin Xuan's eyes narrowed slightly. He remembered this scene all too well—it was the very reason he had missed the selection trial of the Azure Cloud Sect (Sect Name) in his previous life, thus setting him on a path of hardships. "Hah, do you truly believe you're worthy?" Lin Xuan's lips curled into a cold smile. Although his cultivation had regressed to the first level of Body Refining, the combat techniques and insights from his previous life remained intact. "You're seeking death!" Zhao Shan's face darkened. "Attack! Cripple him!" The 2 attendants flanking him immediately channeled their spiritual energy, their fists whistling through the air as they lunged toward Lin Xuan. But in that very instant, Lin Xuan's figure blurred. Like a swimming dragon, he agilely evaded the combined assault. With 2 crisp "snaps," the 2 attendants were sent flying, crashing heavily to the ground. "How is this possible!" Zhao Shan's eyes widened in disbelief. This trash, who hadn't even formed a Dao Foundation, had actually taken down 2 Body Refining third-level experts? "Could it be that you've been hiding your strength?" Realization dawned on Zhao Shan, his expression shifting dramatically as he hurriedly reached for the talisman paper inside his sleeve. However, Lin Xuan was faster. In a flash, he appeared in front of Zhao Shan, his finger pointed like a sword, aimed directly at the latter's dantian. "Ah—!" A blood-curdling scream echoed as Zhao Shan collapsed to the ground, his cultivation completely destroyed. "Scram." Lin Xuan's voice was icy. "Go back and tell your Zhao Family, sooner or later, I will settle every single debt." After the 3 fled in panic, Lin Xuan finally had a moment to assess his current condition. "Body Refining first level... far too weak." He shook his head. "I must join the Azure Cloud Sect as soon as possible. Only there can I obtain sufficient cultivation resources." His gaze then fell upon a simple, unadorned pendant around his neck—the very Spirit Gathering Pendant that had sparked the conflict. "In my previous life, I only discovered the secret of this pendant after reaching the Golden Core stage. It actually contains the complete inheritance of the Immortal Vanquishing Sword Canon (Cultivation Method)." Lin Xuan closed his eyes, circulating the cultivation technique he was most familiar with. The surrounding spiritual energy began to gather toward him at a perceptible rate. An hour later, his eyes snapped open, a glint of delight flashing within them. "As expected of a top-tier cultivation method. In just 1 hour, I've already reached the peak of the first level of Body Refining." He stood up, his gaze firm. The path to immortality was fraught with countless hardships, but he, Lin Xuan, was determined to tread it once more. "In this life, I will surely ascend to the very peak of the Dao!"