After bidding farewell to the two Sword Masters, Qiu Changming took Li Mu and flew on his sword towards the Burial Sword Peak Forbidden Land.
The two hurried along, traversing dense bamboo forests and flying over high peaks, finally arriving at the entrance to the Forbidden Land of Burial Sword Peak.
Burial Sword Peak, true to its name, resembled a sharp sword piercing the clouds, and the Forbidden Land was the heart of this sharp sword. At the entrance, an invisible Restriction blocked the path to the Forbidden Land through a grand Formation, which could only be opened with a Formation token that activated the Restriction.
Qiu Changming took out an ancient green token from his In arms, and as he channeled spiritual power into it, the token glowed with a mysterious light. The Restriction in front immediately rippled, then slowly opened.
As the Restriction opened, a passage beneath Burial Sword Peak was revealed, and the Void Refining Sword Cultivators guarding both sides of the passage looked over with vigilant gazes.
“Elder Qiu!” Seeing Qiu Changming arrive, the two Void Refining Sword Cultivators immediately saluted him with respect. Qiu Changming was a Hall Master of the Sect and had the authority to enter the Restriction. Their gazes then fell upon Li Mu.
“This is the Sect’s newly promoted Grand Elder, Li Mu. From today onwards, he also has the authority to enter this place!” Qiu Changming indicated to the two Void Refining guards.
Upon hearing this, the two Void Refining guards were slightly stunned, looking at Li Mu with faces full of surprise. They had not expected this Soul Transformation Cultivator to assume the position of Grand Elder. The Grand Elders of Xuantian Sword Sect were all Cultivators with heaven-reaching cultivation, the lowest being Void Refining Realm mighty figures. For a Soul Transformation Cultivator to also serve as a Grand Elder was simply unheard of.
However, since Elder Qiu had said so, they naturally dared not question it and quickly responded in unison: “Yes, greetings, Elder Li!”
Li Mu nodded to the two, his eyes looking at Qiu Changming in confusion, as he was still unaware that he had become a Grand Elder.
Noticing Li Mu’s puzzled gaze, Qiu Changming smiled slightly and quickly explained: “Elder Li, your Artifact Refining skills are exceptional. Now you can refine Seven-Order Dao Weapons, and you have successively rendered several great services to the Sect. Today, you even discovered the Sealed Land in the Nether Water Sea Domain for the Sect, indirectly preventing the expansion of the Demon Abyss forces, thus achieving another great merit.”
Qiu Changming paused, then looked at Li Mu and introduced solemnly: “Sword Master Feng and Sword Master Chen asked me to convey their message. To commend your outstanding contributions to the Sect and to acknowledge your Artifact Refining skills, they have decided to promote you to the position of Grand Elder. Within the Sect, you will enjoy higher treatment, unrestricted access to Cultivation Technique exchanges and auxiliary cultivation resource exchanges. From now on, all taxes from Seven Profound Sect will be exempted. If Elder Li is unwilling to be constrained by the subordinate Sect, the Sect can select other positions for you.”
Upon hearing this, a warm current surged within Li Mu’s heart. He had not expected the Sect to bestow upon him such high honor and status, which made him feel especially cherished and moved.
“Many thanks for the Sect’s great kindness, and also thanks to Elder Qiu for conveying the message.” Li Mu calmed his excited emotions and gratefully cupped his hands to Qiu Changming in thanks.
Qiu Changming looked at Li Mu, a glimmer of admiration flashing in his eyes, and smiled: “Elder Li, don’t thank us so quickly. If you can refine Dao Weapons for the two Sword Masters, greatly enhancing the Sect’s foundation, the Sect will naturally not treat you unfairly.”
After hearing the conversation between Qiu Changming and Li Mu, the two Void Refining guards’ eyes lit up, staring at Li Mu with bright, piercing gazes.
“So you are Elder Li, the master of both Artifact Refining and Formations! No wonder!”
“Elder Li, you can refine Seven-Order Dao Weapons now!”
The words of the two Void Refining guards were filled with surprise and admiration. Although they usually guarded Burial Sword Peak, they were not completely unaware of the news within the Sect. Li Mu’s name and his talent in Artifact Refining and Formations had long been a topic of discussion within the Sect.
Now, upon learning that Li Mu could refine Seven-Order Dao Weapons, their gazes towards him instantly became incredibly fervent.
They exchanged glances, then almost simultaneously stepped forward and bowed deeply to Li Mu.
“Elder Li, we two brothers also wish to ask for your help in refining two Dao Weapons. We wonder if you have time, and you can name your price?” Another Void Refining guard stepped forward and earnestly said to Li Mu.
Li Mu was slightly stunned, then smiled: “You two Fellow Daoists are too polite. It’s just that the spiritual materials required to refine Seven-Order Dao Weapons are extremely rare. I wonder if you two have already prepared them?”
Upon hearing this, the two’s expressions immediately became a bit awkward. Although they knew that refining Seven-Order Dao Weapons required precious spiritual materials, they hadn't prepared them in advance. Now that Li Mu asked, they realized this problem.
“This… we indeed haven’t prepared the spiritual materials in advance.” The other Void Refining guard admitted somewhat sheepishly.
Li Mu nodded, expressing understanding. He did not directly refuse their request but politely declined: “You two Fellow Daoists, it’s not that I’m unwilling to help, but the spiritual materials required to refine Seven-Order Dao Weapons are truly too precious and rare. If you gather enough spiritual materials for refining a Dao Weapon, you can entrust it to Elder Qiu then. I generally don’t refuse to refine high-tier Spirit Treasures or even Dao Weapons.”
“Hmm, if you prepare double portions of Artifact Refining spiritual materials, and still wish to refine artifacts then, just come to me to entrust the Artifact Refining.” Qiu Changming smiled slightly, picking up where Li Mu left off, and gestured to the two Void Refining Cultivators.
“Elder Li, please come in! This Sealed Land is filled with golden origin Qi, so please be careful!” After saying that, Qiu Changming quickly changed the subject and made an inviting gesture to Li Mu, indicating the way.
Li Mu nodded, ignoring the eager, fervent gazes of the two Void Refining Cultivators. If the news of him refining Seven-Order Dao Weapons spread throughout Xuantian Sword Sect, there would be too many people seeking his services to refine Dao Weapons. These two, with whom he had no particular connection, could just slowly wait in line!
Li Mu followed Qiu Changming into the underground passage. The surrounding stone walls shimmered with a cold, hard light under the illumination of torches. The passage was so quiet that only their footsteps could be heard, echoing in the vast underground space.
The two sped along on their swords and soon reached their destination: an underground space filled with golden origin Qi. Golden light overflowed, filled with a solemn, mysterious aura, and the air itself seemed to solidify.
“Elder Li, further ahead is the core Restriction area of the Seal Grand Formation. Is observing and comprehending the Dao of gold here sufficient?” Qiu Changming stopped Li Mu and asked with concern.
Li Mu nodded, his gaze looking forward.
In the core of the underground space, dense golden origin Qi permeated, like a gigantic golden egg, emitting terrifying golden origin power. The golden origin wind was like a sword scraping and a knife carving; if one were enveloped by it, their bones would surely turn to dust.
【Sharp Gold Essence Crystal】
【Grade: Fifth-Order Spirit Ore】
【Properties: Sharp gold gleaming, incomparably hard, sharp gold resonance, innate spirituality, unparalleled sharpness.】
【Sharp Gold Essence Crystal, a Fifth-Order Spirit Ore. Sharp Gold Essence Crystal produced in a Sharp Gold ore vein, of superior quality. Sharp Gold Qi flows endlessly, spontaneously emitting golden brilliance, resonating with the vein. The crystal contains extreme sharp gold power.】
【golden origin Profound Crystal】
【Grade: Fifth-Order Spirit Ore】
【Properties: golden origin eternal, profound gold power, golden origin body protection, golden origin radiance, dispels evil and slays demons】
...
【golden origin Essence Crystal】
【Grade: Sixth-Order Spirit Ore】
...
Entering the passage to the Sealed Land, various high-grade gold-element Spirit Ores and crystals appeared in Li Mu’s sight, their detailed attributes continuously displayed under his Talent Divine Power - Identify Myriad Spirits. The golden luster emitted by these Spirit Ores and crystals shimmered in the dim passage, dazzling the eyes.
Noticing Li Mu’s gaze on the various high-grade gold-element Spirit Ores, Qiu Changming smiled slightly and introduced: “Elder Li, you exchanged quite a few high-grade gold-element spiritual materials in the Contribution Hall before, didn’t you! However, that quantity is just a drop in the ocean compared to this Extreme Gold ore vein. This ore vein has accumulated over tens of thousands of Years, containing countless rare gold-element spiritual materials. Their quality and quantity are unimaginable to the outside world.”
“This place is also one of Xuantian Sword Sect’s most important Sect foundations.” Qiu Changming looked at Li Mu and solemnly introduced: “Everyone who can enter this place is a core force of the Sect. Elder Li, you were able to receive this honor not only because of your outstanding Artifact Refining skills, but also because of the Sect’s trust in you.”
“Many thanks, Elder Qiu!” Li Mu thanked him knowingly.
The grand Formation ahead was comparable in scale to the Seal Grand Formation of the Extreme Yin Land. The golden origin Qi was like golden flames, converging into a brilliant ocean, surging and churning within it, emitting a shocking fluctuation and harboring infinite power.
Below, there was a Ling Peak enveloped by the sea of golden origin. The entire Ling Peak glowed with a golden-yellow luster, towering majestically like an immortal deity, silently guarding this place. It was completely encased in dense golden origin Qi, and it was the Formation eye area of the golden origin Gathering Formation, one of the seven sub-Formations of the Chaos Seal Formation.
The golden origin Gathering Grand Formation was still complete, and there was no leakage of Formation power due to the passage of Years.
Li Mu’s Divine Sense swept around and discovered several high-grade gold-element Spiritual Plants: Golden Blade Spirit Vine, Crimson Gold Spiritual Plant, only seven or eight types in total, significantly fewer in scale and variety than the Spiritual Plants in the Extreme Yin Land.
Discovering the presence of gold-element Spiritual Plants, Li Mu couldn't help but feel a little secretly pleased. His calculations had not been in vain. If he could plan a spiritual field here to plant high-grade gold-element Spiritual Plants, they would require almost no effort and could grow efficiently by leveraging the favorable conditions of this place.
Seeing Li Mu staring at the Seal Grand Formation ahead, sometimes frowning, sometimes smiling, appearing extremely odd, Qiu Changming thought he was studying the Seal Grand Formation and comprehending the Dao, so he quietly stood by and waited.
“Elder Qiu, I plan to occupy a spiritual land here for Artifact Refining. Is that alright?”
Li Mu suddenly turned to look at Qiu Changming, indicating.
“Of course, as long as it doesn’t affect the Seal of the grand Formation, Elder Li, feel free to do as you wish.” Qiu Changming nodded readily and agreed decisively.
Li Mu smiled slightly, took out the four directions house from his nine storage spiritual pearl, found an open space, and released it with a flick of his hand.
In the blink of an eye, emitting a green light, the Magical Artifact instantly enlarged, and a house appeared on the open ground. Li Mu plunged into the Artifact Refining Room of the four directions house, summoned the Yin Yang Lightning Fire, and condensed the Skyfire Refining Furnace, preparing to begin Artifact Refining.
Li Mu’s Divine Sense entered Sword Master Chen’s storage ring, selecting high-grade spiritual materials for refining Dao Weapons.
Among them, two eight-order gold-element spiritual materials containing rich Dao rhythm immediately caught Li Mu’s eye.
【vein pattern gold】
【Grade: Eighth-Order Spirit Ore】
【Properties: Innate Dao patterns, golden origin eternal, sharp gold radiance, indestructible, foundation of extreme gold.】
【Status: Gold spirit unmanifested, sharpness restrained】
【A piece of vein pattern gold, nurtured and born in a gold-element Heavenly Spirit ore vein over 100,000 Years, brimming with endless golden origin power. After the baptism and tempering of long Years, the metallic patterns on the surface of the spiritual crystal have become naturally formed. Only by calcining it with Heavenly Fire can its activity be stimulated, thereby allowing one to glimpse the secrets of the metal within and comprehend the Dao of gold.】
【Star Core Gold】
【Grade: Eighth-Order Spirit Object】
【Properties: Star gold, myriad amounts, gold domain eternal, gold spirit immortal, essence of gold.】
【Status: Spiritually abundant, Dao rhythm restrained】
【A star core crystal born from an outer Star Domain, containing endless essence of gold. After tens of thousands of Years of refining, the golden patterns on the golden crystal's outer shell have stabilized and solidified, with the Dao rhythm deeply hidden.】
With the Talent Divine Power - Identify Myriad Spirits, the detailed attributes of the two eighth-order gold-element Spirit Objects were presented in Li Mu’s eyes.
Li Mu examined the two eighth-order gold-element spiritual materials, falling into contemplation.
Refining Seven-Order Dao Weapons with eighth-order Spirit Objects would significantly increase the success rate. However, the two eighth-order gold-element Spirit Objects had conflicting properties and unique characteristics, so they could only be refined separately. If successful, taking one as a reward wouldn't be too much, would it?
Thinking this, Li Mu smiled slightly and sent the vein pattern gold into the Skyfire Refining Furnace, channeling spiritual power to help the Yin Yang Lightning Fire melt it.
The melting of eighth-order gold-element spiritual materials was destined to be a lengthy process. After several hours of calcination, the vein pattern gold only slightly turned red.
Qiu Changming watched silently from the side, understanding that refining Dao Weapons was not easy and required a great deal of Li Mu’s energy and time.
Watching Li Mu fully concentrate on Artifact Refining, Qiu Changming decided not to disturb him further. After a soft farewell, he turned and left.
Li Mu was fully focused on controlling the temperature within the Skyfire Refining Furnace. The Yin Yang Lightning Fire surged inside the furnace, but the vein pattern gold showed no signs of melting under the scorching heat of the furnace fire. By the time Qiu Changming left, his figure was completely out of sight.
Li Mu summoned the Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix from his spirit control treasure bracelet and had her release Extreme Yang Heavenly Fire to assist in Artifact Refining.
The Celestial Void Cauldron appeared in response, and a Purple-Gold Fire Phoenix, now a size larger, flew out from within the cauldron. She circled around Li Mu a few times with spread wings, excitedly chirping a few times at him.
Looking at the Purple-Gold Fire Phoenix, which had manifested from the Extreme Yang Heavenly Fire’s spirit, Li Mu smiled with satisfaction. Ever since she absorbed the Extreme Yang Flame Crystal, her spirituality had grown tremendously, and the power of the Heavenly Fire she released had also become much stronger.
“Stop acting cute and get to work. If you do a good job, I’ll reward you with a six-order fire-element spiritual material.” Li Mu pointed to the Skyfire Refining Furnace and said to the Purple-Gold Fire Phoenix.
Upon hearing this, the Purple-Gold Fire Phoenix chirped excitedly, then flew above the Skyfire Refining Furnace and plunged into it.
Soon, the Extreme Yang Heavenly Fire and Yin Yang Lightning Fire intertwined, and the temperature inside the furnace suddenly soared, greatly accelerating the melting of the vein pattern gold. Seeing this, Li Mu was delighted, knowing that this time, refining the Dao Weapon should be no problem.
Li Mu fully concentrated on observing the changes in the heat, while simultaneously adjusting the output of spiritual power to ensure the smooth progress of the Artifact Refining process.
Time passed bit by bit. With the assistance of the Extreme Yang Heavenly Fire, the vein pattern gold gradually melted into a golden liquid, churning within the Skyfire Refining Furnace. Li Mu carefully controlled the heat, while mentally conceiving the shape, artifact patterns, and artifact Formations of the Dao Weapon. (End of Chapter)
