Chapter 167 Refining the Renshui Qinglian Platform

The Yan Kingdom (Location) abounds in water and wood elemental veins, yet veins of the other 3 elemental attributes are exceedingly scarce. Not a single Earth-Soil Vein exists, resulting in a pitiful scarcity of earth-attributed heaven-and-earth treasures.

Thus, within the Yan Kingdom, earth-attribute magic treasures were priced over 40 percent higher than other artifacts.

This third-tier, lower-grade Kunwu Earth Bell was worth around 40,000 spirit stones in Chu Kingdom, yet when brought to Yan Kingdom, it could fetch at least 60,000 spirit stones.

After estimating the value of the Kunwu Earth-Steel Bell, Lin Muyang calculated inwardly, "Sixteenth Uncle has only recently broken through to Purple Palace, Mid Stage (Cultivation Realm), and his status within the clan has risen considerably. The elder currently lacks an earth-attribute defensive treasure. If I can acquire this item, I will surely win his favor."

"In that case, when the clan allocates resources for breaking through to the Purple Mansion next time, he might put in a word for me."

At this thought, Lin Mu Yang (Person Name) nodded with a smile and said, "This item is indeed valuable enough to be exchanged for the Profound Water Crystal (Spiritual Object)."

"I'll trade with you."

After exchanging for this treasure, Eldrin and Varen did not linger any longer, departing directly from the Trading Assembly.

After leaving the Trading Assembly, Varen (Person Name) cupped his hands toward Eldrin (Person Name) and spoke with a grave expression.

"Both of us carry priceless treasures, which may very well attract covetous eyes from others."

"The journey back to the Chu Kingdom is long. I plan to rent a spiritual spring cave abode first and go into seclusion to break through to the Zi Mansion realm before making further plans."

"And you?"

"I share your thoughts," Eldrin nodded, then continued, "Why don't you break through to the Purple Mansion realm first while I refine the Profound Water Crystal into a magical treasure? It would be safer for us to return together when the time comes."

"Very well, it's settled then."

The 2 made their agreement and decided to remain on 1000 Star Island to refine the 2 precious crystals before returning to Spirit Isle Lake (Location).

After bidding farewell to Varen, Eldrin returned to his cave abode. Having instructed Lila not to venture out unnecessarily, he began his secluded cultivation to refine the Nenshui Azure Lotus Platform.

He retrieved the family's Second-Class, Low-Grade Artifact Forging Cauldron, then produced the third-tier treasure, Renshui Azure Lotus.

This Azure Lotus of Ren Water was a precious wood-attributed treasure of immense value. Though Eldrin had obtained it many years ago, he had always been reluctant to deploy it in combat, fearing it might be damaged inadvertently during battle.

"I must succeed."

Eldrin murmured gravely to himself, "The Mistwater Blue Lotus is not like common treasures such as Mysterious Iron. Such rare treasures are remarkably delicate—if the refinement fails, the materials will be reduced to ashes. 1 must exercise extreme caution when tempering a treasure of this nature."

While gently simmering the Ren Water Blue Lotus Platform over a mild flame, he slowly integrated the Profound Water Crystal (Spiritual Object) into it, ensuring the lotus wouldn’t be consumed by the fire.

Throughout this process, it was also necessary to protect the innate patterns contained within the Ren Shui Qing Lian, allowing it to gradually merge with the Profound Water Crystal (Spiritual Object).

This was far too time-consuming and laborious. By the time the Profound Water Crystal (Spiritual Object) had fully infused into the Misty River Lotus, Eldrin (Person Name) realized half a month had already passed.

At this moment, Eldrin discovered that a transparent barrier had already enveloped the Azure Lotus of Ren Water.

The Power of Water.

Eldrin's eyes flickered slightly as he understood that the Profound Water Crystal had completely merged with the Nensui Seirendai. From this moment forth, the Nensui Seirendai would never again fear the power of metal and fire.

With this step complete, the Nurturing Water Azure Lotus Platform would no longer be easily consumed by flames. Now began the most critical phase—carving the Soulbound Array Patterns.

The engraving of the Life-Bound Array Runes proved straightforward, though they would grow increasingly profound as his Life-Bound Magical Treasure advanced. Eldrin accomplished the inscription without much effort, then proceeded to the stage of refining the essence of the 5 Elements.

This time, he had prepared a considerable amount of both Jia Wood and Ren Water energies, gradually integrating them bit by bit.

This was a painstaking endeavor. Even with his current level of cultivation, it took him a full 2 months to refine this magic treasure from the lower second-grade to the upper second-grade.

As the Ren Shui Qing Lian Tai (Magic Treasure) was successfully forged, Eldrin (Person Name) opened his mouth once more and exhaled a wisp of Primordial Chaos Qi (Cultivation Energy), merging it into the lotus platform.

The Azure Lotus Throne of Ren Water blazed with radiant light. Though it had not advanced to the third rank, its foundation had been profoundly elevated, just like the Li Fire Sword of the Returning Abyss (Magic Treasure).

After accomplishing all of this and refining the treasure, Eldrin gazed at the Nenshui Qinglian Platform, sensing it briefly. He discovered that this Nenshui Qinglian Platform could store twice his original true essence.

"It's a pity the 5 Elements energy is still somewhat lacking. If it could advance to the third-tier lower grade, it might be able to store 3 times my current primordial energy."

A thought flashed through Eldrin's mind, and his fondness for this Life-Bound Magic Treasure grew by another significant measure.

With this treasure, his final weakness was mended. Even when facing a Zi Palace cultivator, he likely wouldn't be at a disadvantage in terms of spiritual energy.

Storing the Azure Lotus Throne of Ren Water into his dantian, Eldrin suppressed the excitement within his heart and rose from his secluded cultivation chamber.

"It is time to end my seclusion."

Stepping out of the seclusion chamber, he immediately spotted a figure rushing toward him. Lila (Person Name), her eyes red-rimmed, clutched his arm and spoke.

"Uncle, I thought you had abandoned me."

"How could that be?"

Eldrin gently patted her head, only then realizing he had been in secluded cultivation for over 3 months.

And Lila (Person Name) had actually made remarkable progress during this period, her cultivation finally breaking through to the Qi Refining Realm.

She was merely 10 years old this year. With her rare spiritual root aptitude, once she formally embarked on the path of cultivation, she would likely break through to the ninth level of Qi Refinement in just 7 or 8 years at most.

"Not bad. It seems you haven't neglected your cultivation during my seclusion."

A faint smile graced Eldrin's (Person Name) lips as he gently patted her head. "Since you've been working so diligently," he said with a warm smile, "I'll take you out for some fresh air today."

Leading the little girl out of the cavern abode, he first made his way to the secluded cultivation chamber where Varen (Person Name) was in closed-door meditation, only to find that Varen (Person Name) had not yet emerged.

Having secluded himself for so long, it was rare to take the little 1 out for a stroll. Eldrin simply continued wandering through the market with the girl.

"Uncle, I'd like a candied hawthorn stick."

Lila had been cooped up for far too long. The moment she emerged, she began bouncing with excitement, refusing to let go of Eldrin's hand. Her eyes sparkled with uncontainable joy.

"Hmm."

At that very moment, a man in the distance flashed a gleam of spiritual light in his eyes. He let out a soft exclamation upon seeing Lila (Person Name) and called out to stop Eldrin (Person Name).

"Halt, Fellow Daoist."

"Hmm?"

Eldrin's eyes shifted, his gaze falling upon the newcomer, a flicker of coldness instantly flashing through his pupils.

The 1 who spoke was someone he recognized—Deng Yuanwu, a direct descendant of the Deng Immortal Clan. He cast a glance at Lila (Person Name) standing beside Eldrin (Person Name), his gaze tinged with a hint of covetousness and an air of condescending arrogance.

"The girl beside you is rather comely. I happen to be in need of a maidservant."

"If you're willing to sell her to me, I can give you 10,000 spirit stones."

"Uncle."

Lila trembled with fright, clutching Eldrin's hand as she hid behind him, her gaze pleading as she looked at him.

Eldrin gently patted Lila's head to comfort her, then turned to Deng Yuanwu with a tranquil expression and calmly declined.

"This girl is my niece, I'm afraid she is not for sale."

"Hmph—" A cold glint flashed in Deng Yuanwu's eyes as he threatened, "Do you know who I am?"

"In the Yan Kingdom, our Deng Family is the law of the land. If you wish to survive here, you'd best not defy me."

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