“Elder Qin, have you gained any insights?”
Meeting the other party’s gaze, Li Mu smiled faintly and asked with concern.
“Sect Master, your Artifact Refining techniques are so natural, you possess the ability of an Artifact God, making others feel out of reach. Your subordinate has gained some understanding, but I am afraid my foundation is still far from the Breakthrough needed to pass this hurdle.” Qin Wentong’s face showed a bitter smile as he shook his head and said.
“Oh, Elder Qin, feel free to ask me any questions you have.”
Li Mu nodded, showing understanding, and asked with a smile.
Qin Wentong was delighted by these words. After a brief thought, he immediately voiced the doubts in his heart.
“I am deeply honored to observe your Artifact Refining, Sect Master.” Qin Wentong looked at Li Mu and respectfully asked, “However, during the formation of the Artifact Spirit, I always feel somewhat powerless and unable to grasp its profound essence. I wonder if the Sect Master could offer some guidance?”
Looking at Qin Wentong’s sincere gaze, Li Mu pondered for a moment, then smiled and explained, “Elder Qin, the formation of an Artifact Spirit is inseparable from the Artifact Aura. Refining a six-tier spirit treasure is different from a five-tier Spiritual Artifact. The changes in the Artifact Refining process, in addition to the foundation of Artifact Arrays, Artifact Runes, and Artifact Shapes, include the profound Artifact Aura. Whether the Artifact Aura can condense is the key to whether a Spiritual Artifact can give birth to an Artifact Spirit.”
“The Artifact Aura is the soul of a Spiritual Artifact. It exists like the will of the Heavenly Dao. To condense an Artifact Aura, one must first have a very deep understanding of the Artifact Refining Materials. The characteristics, attributes, advantages, and disadvantages of each Material must be known like the back of one’s hand. Secondly, during the refining process, these Materials must be perfectly Fused together to form a harmonious whole. Then, there are the Artifact Arrays, which are divided into Artifact Base Arrays, Artifact Rune Arrays, and so on... Finally, and most crucially, at the very last moment of the refining process, when all Artifact Runes are condensed, the Artifact Aura must also be formed simultaneously to catalyze the Artifact Spirit…”
Qin Wentong listened with great interest, his eyes sparkling, as if he had already seen the hope of advancing further in the Dao of Artifact Refining. However, as Li Mu’s explanation deepened, he gradually realized that he still couldn’t fully comprehend the steps for the Artifact Shape to catalyze the Artifact Spirit. That mysterious process seemed to have an invisible barrier blocking his path of exploration, preventing him from touching the core mystery.
Seeing the confusion and perplexity in Qin Wentong’s eyes, Li Mu couldn't help but smile bitterly. The formation of an Artifact Spirit is an insurmountable chasm for an Artifact Refining Great Master; otherwise, the number of Grandmaster Refiners would not be so small.
This crucial step not only requires the Artifact Refiner to possess superb skill and rich experience, but also demands extremely high talent and Comprehension Ability to advance further on the Dao of Artifact Refining and comprehend the mystery of an Artifact Spirit’s birth.
Qin Wentong clearly hadn't even touched the threshold of comprehending the Artifact Spirit. Li Mu had no intention of belittling him for this. If not for the system panel’s assistance, he might never have reached the height of a Grandmaster Refiner in his lifetime.
Li Mu took a deep breath, looked at Qin Wentong, and proposed, “Elder Qin, you cannot rush this. Comprehending the formation of an Artifact Spirit indeed requires time and Opportunity. How about this, I will refine a six-tier spirit treasure once more, and you observe carefully. Perhaps you can comprehend something from it.”
“Many thanks, Sect Master!” Qin Wentong was immediately overjoyed and thanked him gratefully.
Li Mu smiled and waved his hand. Since he had received such a generous gift from them, he naturally had to teach him wholeheartedly.
With that, Li Mu turned around, forming hand seals. The Spiritual Qi within his body surged out like a tide, unleashing the Artifact Refining Divine Ability—Heavenly Fire as Furnace—re-condensing the Yin Yang Lightning Fire, which had turned into a ball, into a Skyfire Refining Furnace.
Soon, a silver-red Skyfire Furnace appeared before Li Mu. Its appearance was magnificent and unique, and it exuded powerful Lightning Spiritual fluctuations, as if it were a miniature Lightning Tribulation, making one dare not underestimate it in the slightest.
As the Heavenly Fire Furnace, condensed from Yin Yang Lightning Fire, formed, the atmosphere within the entire Artifact Refining Room changed, filled with endless Lightning intent.
To refine the next earth-elemental Spiritual Item, using Extreme Yang Heavenly Fire would be more suitable. However, considering Qin Wentong’s presence, Li Mu had no choice but to reluctantly use Yin Yang Lightning Fire. Besides, the Extreme Yang Heavenly Fire was still urging him to provide the three portions of fire-elemental six-tier Spiritual Materials it had used for Artifact Refining last time.
If not for Qin Wentong’s generous gift, Li Mu truly would not have been able to repay this debt.
These thoughts flashed through his mind as Li Mu’s hand seals continuously changed, and the temperature of the Yin Yang Lightning Fire within the Heavenly Fire Furnace also continuously varied.
Immediately after, Li Mu took out the earth-elemental six-tier Artifact Refining Spiritual Materials provided by Nangong Chenxing one by one from the nine storage spiritual pearl. These Spiritual Materials were all extremely precious and rare treasures, each exuding rich earth-elemental Spiritual Qi and power.
Six-tier Mountain Crystal, six-tier Earth Essence Rock, six-tier Purple Nether Rock Crystal… Li Mu threw seven portions of six-tier Spiritual Materials into the Skyfire Refining Furnace.
Under Li Mu’s control, the seven precious six-tier Spiritual Materials, as if endowed with life, slowly flew into the Skyfire Refining Furnace. Under the calcination of the Yin Yang Lightning Fire, they rapidly melted and Fused with each other. The Impurities on their surfaces were expelled, and the essence of the Spiritual Materials and their Material spirituality gradually released under the scorching heat of the furnace fire, converging into a powerful energy fluctuation.
Li Mu formed hand seals, concentrating on Artifact Refining. At the same time, he split a thread of his Divine Sense to transmit to Qin Wentong, explaining in detail, “Elder Qin, watch carefully. I am using the Divine Refinement Method. The Spiritual Materials have been refined and extracted. Next, I will prepare to melt the Artifact Arrays within them and arrange the Artifact Rune Spirit Grids. Pay attention to the formation of the array. The Mountain Crystal, this Spiritual Material, contains the soul of a mountain in its spirituality. The Earth Essence Rock, this Spiritual Material, contains the essence of profound heaviness in its spirituality…”
“Understood!”
Qin Wentong meticulously “watched” Li Mu’s Artifact Refining. He dared not be careless in any part of the process. He pushed his Divine Thought perception to the extreme, capturing every subtle change in Li Mu’s Artifact Refining process. He stared intently at the changes within the Skyfire Refining Furnace, afraid of missing any moment.
Under Li Mu’s explanation, Qin Wentong saw the Fusion process between the Spiritual Materials and felt the relationship between the formation of the Artifact Array and the formation of the Artifact Aura. His heart was filled with excitement and joy, as if he saw his future on the Dao of Artifact Refining, full of hope and infinite possibilities.
As the Artifact Refining process gradually deepened, Qin Wentong’s originally calm state of mind began to become unsettled. Although Li Mu had explained in detail the Artifact Array arrangement, Artifact Rune condensation, and other Artifact Refining knowledge, he understood and firmly remembered it all. However, when he tried to condense the Artifact Runes, Fuse the Artifact Arrays, and catalyze the Artifact Spirit at the crucial moment, it was as if a mysterious and powerful force was preventing him from peeking into the mystery of the final step.
This force made Qin Wentong feel very confused and anxious. He couldn’t help but speak out at this moment, interrupting Li Mu, and pressing, “Sect Master, as soon as this Artifact Array forms, the Artifact Aura condenses. This is too fast! How can I grasp its profoundness?”
At this moment, Artifact Refining had reached a critical juncture. Li Mu was fully concentrated on the Artifact Refining process, his mind completely immersed in the Fusion of Spiritual Materials, the arrangement of Artifact Arrays, and the condensation of the Artifact Spirit. He could not afford to be too distracted by Qin Wentong’s questions.
Those precious Spiritual Materials had already Fused into the Prototype of a shield Artifact within the Skyfire Refining Furnace. Artifact Runes were successively condensed, exuding powerful and rich earth-elemental spirituality and might. These Artifact Runes seemed to be condensed from the essence of the earth, filled with mysterious and profound aura.
As time passed, this six-tier earth-elemental Spirit Treasure gradually took shape in the Skyfire Refining Furnace. Under the catalysis of the Artifact Array’s momentum, the shield Artifact began to condense an Artifact Spirit.
Although this process was long and complex, in Li Mu’s hands, it appeared effortless. Relying on his profound understanding of the Dao of Artifact Refining and exquisite skill, he continuously adjusted the heat and force, supplying Spiritual Qi, to ensure the Artifact Spirit’s spirituality could grow smoothly.
Watching Li Mu’s focused expression and skilled techniques, Qin Wentong couldn’t help but sigh with admiration. He asked himself, it took him half a month to refine a five-tier Spiritual Artifact, and his success rate was only about fifty to sixty percent. However, Li Mu refined a six-tier spirit treasure as if it were effortless, succeeding with every attempt. His high success rate and fast Artifact Refining efficiency were astonishing.
As time passed, the flames in the Skyfire Refining Furnace gradually became gentle, and the Artifact Spirit nurtured within the furnace also began to gradually condense and take shape. Qin Wentong watched this scene nervously, knowing that this was the most crucial moment in determining the success or failure of the Artifact Refining.
Suddenly, a thunderous “buzz” sound came, and a reddish-yellow figure instantly rushed out of the Skyfire Refining Furnace, exuding a powerful aura, as if it were a small mountain, making people feel its immense power and majesty.
Feeling the power and might of this aura, Qin Wentong’s heart couldn’t help but tremble. He immediately realized that this six-tier earth-elemental Spirit Treasure had been successfully refined, and the Artifact Spirit had been successfully nurtured. This made him feel incredibly excited and joyful, and at the same time, he admired Li Mu’s Artifact Refining skill even more.
Li Mu was quick-witted and acted in time to stop the earth-elemental Spirit Treasure, deeply aware of the power of this newborn Spirit Treasure and not wanting it to cause any damage to the Hundred Refinements Pagoda.
Soon, a reddish-yellow little turtle appeared in Li Mu’s palm. Its small head stretched its neck, curiously surveying its surroundings. However, when it saw Li Mu’s palm, it suddenly opened its mouth and bit, showing a fierce expression.
Li Mu smiled faintly, not caring about the ‘little turtle’s’ fierceness, knowing that this was an instinctive reaction when an Artifact Spirit was first born. It only needed a little comfort and guidance to make it calm down. So, he gathered Spiritual Qi in his hand and transmitted it to the ‘little turtle,’ using Artifact Refining techniques to soothe the Artifact Spirit’s emotions.
Under Li Mu’s soothing, the reddish-yellow little turtle quickly showed a very human-like expression of comfort. Its small eyes closed slightly, as if it was enjoying the warmth and security of Li Mu’s palm, completely immersed in a state of spiritual nourishment. This scene made Qin Wentong feel envious. He knew that being able to soothe an Artifact Spirit so easily not only required superb Artifact Refining skill, but also a deep understanding and perception of the Artifact Spirit.
Looking at the little turtle quietly nourishing its spirit, Li Mu also felt a wave of satisfaction. He knew that this six-tier earth-elemental Spirit Treasure had completely taken shape, and the Artifact Spirit had stabilized. Now, it only needed a little more refining and nurturing to unleash its powerful might.
“Congratulations, Sect Master, you have successfully refined another Spirit Treasure. If Elder Nangong Chenxing knew about this treasure, he would be so happy. We must make him increase the Artifact Refining reward!” Qin Wentong stepped forward, looking at Li Mu with sincere admiration and congratulating him.
Li Mu laughed heartily and joked, “Haha! You do that job. If you succeed, I’ll split it with you!”
Qin Wentong was stunned for a moment upon hearing this, then immediately understood that Li Mu was joking, and promptly responded with a laugh, “No problem! Elder Nangong Chenxing is skilled at brewing Spiritual Wine. I will definitely demand a batch from him, otherwise, he can forget about getting this top-grade Spirit Treasure.”
Li Mu laughed heartily upon hearing this: “Good! Then it’s settled. I’ll leave this matter to Elder Qin!”
“Elder Qin, have you gained anything from this observation?” Li Mu changed the subject, looking at Qin Wentong and asking with concern.
Hearing this, Qin Wentong showed a bitter expression and informed Li Mu of his crucial problem: his inability to perceive the formation of the Artifact Array and the catalysis of the Artifact Spirit.
Li Mu didn’t have a good solution for this point. So, after a brief rest, he continued to refine the water-elemental Spirit Treasure entrusted by Elder Ge.
...
Time flew by, and fifteen days passed in a blink of an eye.
Li Mu successfully completed the Artifact Refining of all the Spirit Treasures entrusted by the three Elders. Looking at the six-tier spirit treasures in his hand, which exuded powerful auras and vibrant light, he nodded with satisfaction. Then, he handed them over to Qin Wentong to transfer on his behalf.
“Thank you, Sect Master!” Qin Wentong excitedly took the Spirit Treasures and thanked him gratefully, “Although this Artifact Refining observation didn’t allow me to Breakthrough the barrier, it has benefited me greatly!”
“Elder Qin, you are too polite. I will inform you next time I refine Artifacts!” Li Mu smiled and nodded upon hearing this, then bid farewell.
“Thank you, Sect Master!” Qin Wentong thanked him joyfully.
Soon, under Qin Wentong’s enthusiastic escort, Li Mu left the Hundred Refinements Pagoda and flew by sword towards Heaven Sword Peak, the location of the Xuantian Sword Sect’s Scripture Pavilion.
Li Mu’s current identity was not only the Sect Master of Seven Profound Sect but also a Guest Elder of Xuantian Sword Sect. As a Guest Elder of Xuantian Sword Sect, he was qualified to enter the Scripture Pavilion to read high-level information or exchange for high-level resources.
The Scripture Pavilion is the wisdom treasure trove accumulated by the Xuantian Sword Sect over tens of thousands of years. It contains countless scriptures, various precious ancient texts, and Legacy Secret Codes, making it a Holy Land for study that every Xuantian Sword Sect Disciple dreams of.
Li Mu prepared to go to the Scripture Pavilion to thoroughly study and understand the Chaotic Secret Realm, the barrier between Soul Transformation Clones, high-level spiritual plants, and many other knowledge related to cultivation.
Compared to other high-level Cultivators, Li Mu was still young. Although he possessed the Divine Abilities of Spiritual Energy Absorption and Identifying Myriad Spirits, his knowledge in cultivation was relatively weak. To go further and higher on the Dao of cultivation, he must continuously learn and improve himself.
Li Mu changed into a solemn and mysterious Elder’s robe, and at his waist, he wore the Elder’s token that represented his status. He flew by sword all the way, rushing like lightning towards Heaven Sword Peak.
The Xuantian Sword Sect Disciples he encountered along the way, seeing his Elder’s robe and Elder’s token, stopped their sword flights one after another and respectfully bowed in greeting, their eyes filled with awe and envy. After all, being able to become a Guest Elder of the Xuantian Sword Sect was something every Disciple dreamed of.
Li Mu smiled and nodded in acknowledgment, not feeling complacent about it in his heart, knowing that the reason these Disciples were so respectful to him was more because of the Elder’s robe he wore, rather than anything else.
Approximately three days later, Li Mu finally arrived at the Xuantian Sword Sect’s Heaven Sword Peak.
