Chapter 223: On The Natal Spiritual Artifact
A bright red scale, as large as a palm, exuded a powerful aura.
The inverse scale of a fourth-order disaster beast, the Red Phosphorus Alligator Dragon.
This item is not cheap; if used for refining spirit artifacts, it would be enough for the core of some Natal Spiritual Artifacts.
Although they had made a bet, they never agreed that the stakes would be this valuable.
Lin Bumo said, “A bet is a bet. Add this as a meeting gift, and it’s just right.”
Giving both items together, Lin Bumo felt a pang of heartache, but it wasn’t entirely unacceptable to give it to a disciple like Su Yan.
He couldn’t help but think: If a centipede were to transform into a dragon, it should be brought to Azure Dragon Peak.
Gu Sanqian smiled, “I’ll thank you on behalf of this boy.”
“Senior Brother Gu, this is my meeting gift for the little one.”
Bi Qingman raised her hand, and a stream of light flew to Gu Sanqian. It was a golden shed exuviae of a fierce insect.
“This Gold Devouring Insect Exuviae is also around fourth-order. It’s compatible with his physique and can be used as materials for Insect Beast metamorphosis or artifact refining.”
If the Gold Devouring Insect reached Great Accomplishment, it would be at least a fifth-order King Beast. If in swarms, even a sixth-order Martial Saint would have to be wary.
“Thank you, Junior Sister.”
Gu Sanqian was quite surprised. He didn’t expect Bi Qingman’s generosity to be slightly greater than Lin Bumo’s. He thought, ‘This boy is lucky. It’s enough to refine a Natal Spiritual Artifact.’
After the competition ended, the crowd gradually dispersed, and the various Head Seats flew back to their respective Main Peaks.
This competition showcased many disciples. Those who caught their eyes would likely be rigorously trained upon their return to increase the Main Peaks’ foundation.
Su Yan finally broke free from the crowd and returned to Guizang Valley.
On Xuan Shuang Mountain, Gu Sanqian flew over.
“Good boy, your hidden techniques even surprised me. Five True Intents suppressed a Half-step Dan Qiao. Your foundation was built with Nine Profound Gold rammed foundation, wasn’t it?”
Gu Sanqian’s face was full of smiles. He had won first place, and in such a decisive manner, stealing all the spotlight. It was only natural for him to be happy.
However, the comment about building his foundation with Nine Profound Gold Rammed Foundation was clearly a joke.
But one thing did surprise him: Su Yan’s foundation was too deep and too solid.
Even he
No, even Poison Dragon Senior Brother, Sect Leader Chu Qidao, and them back then didn’t have such a foundation.
“I just strengthened it a little bit.”
Su Yan was quite pleased with himself. In reality, he had no choice but to strengthen it. Controlling fierce insects and using their techniques, even with the Fierce Insect Cauldron’s assistance, required True Essence.
Moreover, as an Insect Master who commanded fierce insects, if his own body wasn’t strong, it would become a vulnerability. It would be a pity to have his head severed then.
Therefore, Su Yan had been relentlessly strengthening his physique and enhancing his combat techniques.
Gu Sanqian asked curiously, “Your True Essence has increased by at least fifty percent compared to when I was tempering you with the Five Poisons Body Forging Scripture. Did you break through again?”
“Grandmaster, how did you know I refined a Seed Aperture Pill?”
Su Yan grinned, and Gu Sanqian was immediately astonished. This good boy had set a trap for him.
“Third-order Alchemist, you…”
For a moment, even Gu Sanqian didn’t know how to describe his grand-disciple.
‘Even if Senior Brother Tai, Junior Brother Wang, and I combined, we wouldn’t have as many techniques as this kid.’
Body Cultivation, Alchemy, Insect Control, Artifact Refining…
Su Yan was almost turning himself into an all-around martial artist, and not in a superficial way.
“Take these.”
So Gu Sanqian took out the Nine Profound Gold, the Red Phosphorus Alligator Dragon Inverse Scale, the Gold Devouring Insect Exuviae, and the Dragon Nesting Pool’s forging method.
“The Red Phosphorus Alligator Dragon’s inverse scale was a meeting gift from Lin Bumo, and the Gold Devouring Insect Exuviae was from Bi Qingman. If anything happens in the Blood Flood Dragon Secret Realm, please look after their two peaks. I owe them this favor.”
Su Yan immediately showed his joy. These were all fourth-order materials, not easy to obtain normally. He didn’t expect them to be meeting gifts.
“Grandmaster is mighty.”
Gu Sanqian smiled, “You rascal…”
He paused slightly, “If you want to refine a Natal Spiritual Artifact, it’s best to thoroughly study the Dragon Nesting Pool first. The Dragon Nesting Pool was originally a treasure of the Nine Peaks Sect, possessing both suppression and refining effects. After Senior Brother refined it, the effects of this fourth-order Dragon Nesting Pool are even stronger. If you comprehend its key aspects, it will be enough to solidify the foundation of your Natal Spiritual Artifact.”
Gu Sanqian’s guidance surprised Su Yan, who hadn’t expected his Grandmaster to value it so highly.
“A Natal Spiritual Artifact constantly grows and conforms to the martial artist’s form, hence its importance for growth?”
Gu Sanqian shook his head slightly, “Yes and no. A constantly growing Natal Spiritual Artifact is naturally one of the cultivator’s important methods and is linked to their life. However, a more crucial point is that it is related to life cultivation.”
With a thought, a green spiritual bead flew out from his brow, emitting circles of faint green light and a powerful fluctuation. Su Yan, standing nearby, felt his entire being controlled.
Gu Sanqian exerted slight control, and the green spiritual bead retracted its divine might.
“This is my Natal Spiritual Artifact – the Five Poisons Pearl.”
Gu Sanqian said, “Cultivators cultivate for no other reason than the foundation of life, to seek longevity through breakthroughs, and to gain power. This is the root of everything, do you understand?”
True Intent longevity is two hundred years, Dan Qiao five hundred years, Dharma Aspect one thousand years…
Although the desires of all cultivators may differ, breakthroughs are the root of everything.
Su Yan nodded; he naturally understood.
While some martial artists might reduce their lifespan in pursuit of power, if they had a choice, they wouldn’t sacrifice their lives so readily.
Furthermore, apart from lifespan, those whose lives are strengthened naturally become more powerful; this is also the source of power.
Gu Sanqian continued, “Alchemy, artifact refining, spirit sealing, formations – all techniques are merely for life cultivation. Strengthening the foundation and preserving life is the goal.”
“A Natal Spiritual Artifact, apart from its growth potential, must fundamentally be able to aid your cultivation. It should be compatible with your martial arts and have matching attributes, stabilizing your foundation and serving as a protective measure. That is its significance.”
Su Yan pondered, “So, something like the Dragon Nesting Pool, which has inherent suppression and refining effects, if developed properly and compatible with my Innate Martial Body, will accelerate my progress.”
“You are teachable.”
Gu Sanqian smiled and nodded, “My Five Poisons Pearl follows a similar path. It suppresses poisons around me, condenses all poisons into techniques. Body refining, beast taming, and killing enemies are all contained within this inch-sized treasure pearl. The core spirit artifact you should be forging is also of this nature, not some spirit artifact that is famous and you follow suit.”
In the cultivation world, there are not a few who forge flying swords into Natal Spiritual Artifacts, and many seek their sharpness.
It’s truly unknown how far such martial artists can go without the destiny of a Sword Saint, yet they insist on pursuing the path of a swordsman.
After guiding Su Yan, Gu Sanqian did not linger on Xuan Shuang Mountain for long.
Watching his Grandmaster depart, Su Yan put away the three fourth-order items, thinking, ‘I thought my initial preparations were sufficient, but according to Grandmaster, my Natal Spiritual Artifact could perhaps be even more solidified.’
‘First, I’ll practice Molten Fire Three Transformations and Intent Casting Method to the Transformation Realm, then thoroughly study the refining method of the Dragon Nesting Pool… Although there are some rumors about the Flood Dragon Secret Realm, there should still be some time.’
Su Yan made his decision, but he didn’t have enough conditions on Xuan Shuang Mountain to hone these two artifact refining techniques.
…
“Help the Artifact Refining Pavilion refine artifacts?!”
Long Hongwen looked at Su Yan before him, appraising him from head to toe.
“The number one on the Tiger Ranking comes to refine artifacts here. You truly have a humble demeanor.”
An Artifact Refiner is not a blacksmith and naturally wouldn’t be looked down upon without reason. However, Su Yan wanted to refine artifacts, not have custom high-level weapons made for someone else. He was aiming for the standard armor of the Mountain Guard.
With his status, doing this was somewhat inappropriate.
“Yes,” Su Yan nodded, “I previously exchanged for artifact refining techniques at the Artifact Refining Pavilion. Now that I’ve reached beginner level, I want to hone them further.”
“I’ve seen many disciples refine Natal Spiritual Artifacts. For someone to put in such hard work…”
Long Hongwen racked his brain and showed some distress. To say it was hard work, wasn’t this just competition?
“You’re among the top five now.”
He finally nodded, “Take this token. It’s for the Bing character, number three refining furnace. I’ll go with you to take a look. If you can refine a first-order mid-grade sharp weapon with material loss within thirty percent, I’ll agree to your request to hone your artifact refining techniques.”
The Artifact Refining Pavilion had its own Artifact Refiners, mostly Outer Disciples and Inner Disciples, who were responsible for the sect’s artifact refining.
There were usually requirements not to waste resources easily.
If it were an ordinary disciple, Long Hongwen would have to test them and have them first obtain an Artifact Refiner rank before allocation.
This time, Su Yan was given special treatment. Although he still had to refine, the thirty percent loss rate was relaxed by thirty percent above the standard for a first-order Artifact Refiner.
“This is a good opportunity for Elder Long to guide me.”
The two entered the room where the refining furnaces were located. Long Hongwen pointed at the materials and said, “Black Steel is here, enough for about ten Black Steel Sabers.”
Su Yan nodded, controlled the furnace fire to erupt in fierce flames, and then began to forge the Black Steel. A large iron hammer continuously tempered the Black Steel.
Long Hongwen glanced over. He could indeed perform the forging technique, but it wasn’t profound. To refine with a furnace, one had to transform True Essence into a forging hammer and furnace fire, as if it were an extension of one’s own arm.
Using a hammer was merely a transitional phase.
Ding-dang sounds echoed continuously. An hour later, a Black Steel Saber was tempered from the furnace fire.
Long Hongwen took the Black Steel Saber, glanced at it, and said, “First-order low-grade. It seems you’ve learned Molten Fire Three Transformations, but you’re still not skilled enough. Just practice more.”
Saying this, he turned and left.
Su Yan, however, smiled, “Not skilled enough, then I’ll just practice more.”
The proficiency of Molten Fire Three Transformations was only at the beginner stage. How could he forge a premium product?
Wasn’t the purpose of coming here to improve his artifact refining skills?
With a wave of his hand, he summoned the Flame Armored Scorpion to assist him in controlling the flames.
Then he swung the large forging hammer, and the ding-dang sounds echoed as he tempered and forged the Black Steel.
This continued for a full seven or eight days.
From manually holding the hammer and forging, by the fourth day, Su Yan began to refine using the furnace, transforming his True Essence into an arm within the furnace, continuously melting and shaping the Black Steel.
Over several days, the material throughput in Su Yan’s Bing character, number three refining room, steadily increased.
From the original quantity of ten Black Steel Sabers per day, it slowly increased to twenty, then thirty, and eventually to forty.
“Damn monster.”
Long Hongwen touched a freshly forged Black Steel Saber in his hand. It was Su Yan’s work.
He couldn’t figure it out. He ran his palm along the blade, feeling a faint sharpness.
“Second-order sharp weapon. Such great progress in just seven days.”
“Elder, Senior Brother Su said he wants to try refining a batch of guard armor.”
Guard armor was the standard armor of the Mountain Guard, mostly first-order high-grade. However, one piece of armor was equivalent to ten weapons, and forging a set of armor was far more difficult than forging weapons.
“Give it to him. Start with three sets.”
Long Hongwen, refusing to believe it, directly ordered materials to be sent. Su Yan had already proven his skill as a second-order Artifact Refiner. Forging armor was not a secret.
Long Hongwen became increasingly curious about Su Yan’s capabilities, so materials were continuously sent to him.
Su Yan naturally did not refuse. As soon as the materials arrived, he began refining.
Flames continuously tempered, and in the refining furnace, Black Steel, Red Gold, and Fine Iron were constantly melted and their forms changed under his control.
The flames changed continuously, and under the control of True Essence, strength was infused into the ore.
The guard armor slowly took shape and was forged by him in no time.
As time passed, the grade of the artifacts Su Yan forged became higher and higher.
His abundant True Essence became the foundation for his continuous weapon refining. An ordinary disciple, controlling such a furnace and forging constantly, could only produce seven or eight Black Steel Sabers a day.
However, Su Yan could achieve much more, meaning he received more training.
More than a month passed in the Artifact Refining Pavilion, and the sound of hammering echoed from the refining rooms.
Su Yan sat cross-legged, the refining furnace, under the layered flames, continuously absorbing surrounding Spiritual Energy and injecting it into the weapons.
Behind Su Yan, the True Intent of the Poison Star Ape had already manifested, its hands acting like hammers, as if continuously forging a long saber that had melted Black Steel, Red Gold, and Mysterious Steel through the refining furnace.
“Molten Fire Three Transformations for forging the artifact itself, and Intent Casting Method is to infuse True Intent into the weapon. When the two are combined, the weapon becomes indestructible and can wield the power of True Intent, possessing special abilities.”
Continuously forging weapons without rest, Su Yan’s progress was terrifying. At this moment, his eyes were enlightened, and the True Intents behind him all shrunk in size and appeared in the refining room.
Star Moon Centipede, Poison Star Ape, Green-scaled Poisonous Flood Dragon, Flame Armored Scorpion, Troop Devouring Ghost Moth, Heavenly Fiend Mother Locust, Shadow Horn Spider, and Rock Demon Ant Queen…
True Intents manifested, and they used their power like great hammers to forge this blade.
The Troop Devouring Ghost Moth’s power manifested, transforming into the third-order spirit artifact, the Black Crystal Saber, that it had once devoured.
A wisp of the Troop Devouring Ghost Moth’s True Essence manifested as a Black Crystal Saber and was imprinted onto the blade.
Instantly, the blade vibrated and transformed into a pitch-black long saber.
It contained one-third of the Black Crystal Saber’s artistic conception, but more importantly, it was imbued with the power of Su Yan’s True Intents, with faint beast roars echoing from it.
It was done.
【 Molten Fire Three Transformations: Transformation Realm 】
【 Intent Casting Method: Transformation Realm 】
A total of over a thousand weapons were refined, from first-order low-grade to the current continuous production of second-grade weapons.
Su Yan had already honed his skills to an extremely high level.
He raised his hand and grabbed it; the scorching Steel Slash Saber fell into his hand.
“I can give Elder Long a gift.”
Su Yan strode out of the refining room and into the Artifact Refining Pavilion, where Long Hongwen was meditating and slacking off.
Upon seeing Su Yan approach, he sat up slightly straighter and looked up at him, “Why did you come out early today?”
“I’m leaving.”
Long Hongwen was startled, “You’ve honed them sufficiently. To refine a decent Nascent Spiritual Artifact Embryo, you would need at least the skill of a second-order upper-grade Artifact Refiner.”
The implication was that his progress was not slow, but in just over a month, it was impossible for him to have become a second-order upper-grade Artifact Refiner.
