Chapter 58: The Secret of the Five Elements Mountain Artifact
Shen Lian: Ninth Level of Qi Refining
Five Element Spiritual Roots: Fire 86, Earth 18, Metal 17, Wood 29, Water 18
Divine Sense: 144 zhang
Alchemist: First Tier, High Grade (1/10000), Unable to Break Through
Talisman Master: Second Tier, Low Grade (1/20000), Unable to Break Through
Beast Tamer: First Tier, Medium Grade (1/3000), Unable to Break Through
—Expand—
Comprehension Points: 121
Divine Insight Points: 0
Within the cave abode, Shen Lian, who had just finished acquiring the inheritance of second-tier, low-grade talismans, opened his eyes, which shimmered with spiritual light. The kinds of second-tier, low-grade talismans were numerous, many of them evolved directly from the first tier, like upgraded versions of the Miasma Expelling Talisman. This time, aside from techniques and experience in crafting talismans, the inheritance included a secret art for talismans. This technique allowed for a secondary nurturing of crafted talismans to enhance their power. Such talismans required special materials for their creation, then were empowered by arranging them in sequences with external forces—a process with a chance of failure.
In theory, if the materials were suitable, a second-tier, low-grade talisman could be elevated to third-tier, though the cost and effort would be significant.
“Blood Spirit Nurturing Talisman Art.”
Shen Lian pondered over this secret art with great interest. Among talismans, there was a special branch known as Talisman Treasures—these could imprint the power of a third-tier magical treasure onto a talisman and seal it within. Such talisman treasures often appeared in the hands of cultivators from old families or sects. Families and sects with deep legacies would often have third-tier magical treasures perfectly suited to their inherited techniques; imprinting corresponding talisman treasures and handing them to their disciples could unleash power surpassing even that of ordinary talismans of the same tier.
For a Foundation Establishment cultivator, possessing two or three third-tier talismans was enough to traverse the myriad islands of the Ten Thousand Star Seas with little opposition.
Shen Lian thought that if he could gather the right materials, he would certainly attempt to nurture a third-tier talisman himself.
...
Half a month later.
A Spirit Boat, patched up twice, sped over the sea’s surface. Shen Lian, dressed in a blue robe, his face slightly lean, traveled while observing his surroundings. After living on a deserted island for so long, he needed supplies to sustain himself—otherwise, he really would become an immortal in seclusion. The alchemical herbs he’d purchased earlier had all been refined into first-tier, medium- and high-grade pills, which he now planned to exchange for spirit stones on Chiba Island.
No matter how much one cultivated, spirit stones always seemed insufficient—there was always something more to buy: Five Element spirit items, spirit beast bracelets, disguise techniques, aura concealing arts, talisman materials, and so on. The stronger one became, the greater the needs.
The gentle waves lapped at the sea’s surface, the sky and sea blending into one at the horizon.
Having lived so long among the Ten Thousand Star Seas, Shen Lian had grown familiar with the ocean. With a glance, he could judge the depth and breadth—where the water was blue, it was vast; where black, it was deep; where bubbling, it was hot; where abundant, it was slippery...
Watching the fish darting through the water, Shen Lian considered whether he should tame another aquatic demon beast. Though Dahei could dog-paddle, it was no match for the kings of fish, shrimp, or turtles in the sea.
With this thought, he could no longer restrain himself; once he returned from Chiba Island, he would search the waters for a suitable sea beast.
As he neared the vicinity of Chiba Island, more spirit boats and fleets appeared around him. Shen Lian slowed his boat to match the common models and blended in with the multitude of cultivators flying toward the city.
...
Meanwhile.
Chu Kingdom, Ninefold Immortal City.
Outside the city, cultivators passed to and fro. Suddenly, a streak of divine light radiating a terrifying aura descended near the city gate, causing the nearby rogue cultivators to retreat in alarm.
The radiance faded, revealing a weathered middle-aged cultivator.
Pei Huoyu glanced around, ignoring the guards at the gate, and strode into the city.
“Isn’t that...”
There were only a handful of Foundation Establishment cultivators near Ninefold Immortal City. The gate guards, seeing the figure charging in, looked on in surprise.
Sixth Tier, West Side of the Immortal City, Sunfire Residence.
Sunfire Residence was famous even in Ninefold Immortal City. Its occupant was not just a Foundation Establishment cultivator, but also a second-tier artifact refiner known as Master Flowing Fire. Countless rogue cultivators dreamed of entering Sunfire Residence, willing to do even menial work for a chance to be taught artifact refining. At the entrance, cultivators were stationed year-round, hoping to become Flowing Fire’s disciples. Under his guidance, several refiners had advanced from first-tier, medium to high-grade.
“Master is not receiving visitors today... Wait, Senior Pei? Senior Pei, you... you... weren’t you...”
Pei Huoyu glared at the gatekeeper, his spiritual energy surging as he strode into Sunfire Residence.
In the main hall at the rear, Master Flowing Fire, resting, was jolted awake by the surging aura.
“Daoist Pei... you’re... Daoist Pei, it’s been a long time.”
Seeing the figure enter, Flowing Fire was first stunned, then forced a bitter smile onto his face.
What a mess!
“Master Flowing Fire, I hope you’ve been well. I am here to retrieve the artifact you refined for me.”
Pei Huoyu wasted no time on pleasantries.
“Please, Daoist Pei, have a seat. This matter requires some discussion... let me explain...”
Pei Huoyu’s brow furrowed, and the fiery energy in the hall stilled.
“What happened to my artifact?”
“Please, Daoist Pei, have a seat. Here’s what happened...” Despite Pei Huoyu’s chilling aura, Flowing Fire regained his composure. It was only a second-tier artifact—no need for such drama.
“You’re saying that, seeing I hadn’t come to collect it, you auctioned it off instead?”
Moments later, the coldness radiating from Pei Huoyu turned to murderous intent.
“Daoist Pei, it was just an artifact. Many fellow cultivators witnessed you dueling other Foundation Establishment experts outside. Rumor had it you perished. I see no fault in auctioning it off.”
Flowing Fire’s expression grew cold. He, too, was a Foundation Establishment cultivator and an artifact refiner at that—he would not suffer such indignity.
“I admit I handled this poorly. I’ll seek out more Five Element materials and refine you an even better artifact.”
Previously, when Pei Huoyu had commissioned the artifact, he’d provided his own materials; Flowing Fire merely charged a processing fee. But after finishing the artifact, Pei Huoyu vanished, and rumors spread of his death. Flowing Fire waited for over two years with no sign of Pei Huoyu, finally auctioning off the artifact after a total wait of four years.
Was this really his fault?
Still, as a craftsman whose reputation was his livelihood, Flowing Fire admitted he was in the wrong. Since Five Element Mountain had been sold, he would simply forge a replacement for Pei Huoyu.
“Heh...” Pei Huoyu’s lips curled into a cold smile, and his eyes narrowed, glinting with murderous intent.
“Daoist Pei, don’t push too far. I already promised to remake it. You—”
Flowing Fire, shocked, summoned a crimson flame to his hand as the hall rumbled and a fiery formation enclosed them.
But Pei Huoyu was faster. With a flick of his finger, a five-colored ring slammed down upon Flowing Fire’s head.
“An instant-cast spell!”
Flowing Fire was both shocked and dismayed. Artifact refining was his strength, not combat. The five-colored ring, brimming with destructive energy, cut his spellcasting short.
Pei Huoyu’s body flashed, instantly closing the distance. Five-colored cords snaked from his hand, binding Flowing Fire tightly.
“Who bought Five Element Mountain at the auction?”
“Auction rules forbid revealing buyers. I don’t know.”
The five-colored chains locked Flowing Fire in place, the Five Element spiritual power drilling into his body like barbs, dispersing even his Foundation Establishment true essence.
“Daoist Pei, what are you doing? Fighting is forbidden in the Immortal City. Do you intend to defy Ancestor Qiushan’s decree? I already promised to remake your artifact. What more do you want?”
“To remake it!”
With a furious shout, Pei Huoyu grabbed a small bronze cauldron nearby and smashed it against Flowing Fire’s head.
Bang!
“To remake it!”
Bang!
“You think you’ll just remake it, do you? Damn you!”
Crack, crack...
Under the relentless blows, Flowing Fire’s skull fractured, blood splattering onto Pei Huoyu.
“Pei Huoyu, do you mean to kill me over this? I have a place in this city—”
Bang!
“What do you want from me? What did I do wrong? People saw you fighting outside, then you vanished. Who wouldn’t think you died out there? That Five Element artifact sold for two thousand spirit stones. I’ll give you four thousand. Four thousand should more than cover the cost of your materials.”
“Two thousand spirit stones!”
Pei Huoyu, slowing his assault, focused his gaze, murderous intent surging again.
For a standard second-tier, low-grade artifact, two thousand was fair. But Five Element Mountain had been refined with Five-Colored Stone—an item from the Five Element Immortal Palace, valuable even to Nascent Soul ancestors.
To sell it for two thousand spirit stones!
This fool really thought it was just an ordinary material.
He’d thought fleeing to the southern wilds would make things easier, but he hadn’t counted on this idiot actually selling Five Element Mountain.
Bang!
“Two thousand spirit stones!”
Bang!
“Take your two thousand! Take your two thousand!”
Bang! Bang! Bang!
“Damn you and your two thousand!”
Bang! Bang! Bang!
...