Chapter 1285: Refining Artifacts

Novel

After Luo Yixuan achieved Nascent Soul, Chen Mobai used the Evil Ghost Disk to extract a large amount of innate turbid yin energy for her, which she then used to consolidate and enhance her Yellow Spring spiritual power.

In the following days, Chen Mobai primarily focused on helping the sect enhance its overall strength. The simplest way to do this was to refine magical artifacts for high-level cultivators. He planned to refine a single fifth-tier artifact for each Nascent Soul cultivator in the Five Elements Sect. The reason for refining only one was primarily due to the limited quantity of fifth-tier materials available in the Treasury of the Hall of Merit. Materials of this caliber, if naturally formed, would require at least ten thousand years to develop. However, the Five Elements Sect, even counting from the time of Patriarch Hunyuan, had not been established for more than a thousand years.

Many of the fifth-tier materials in the Hall of Merit were discovered by E Yun during his exploration of the desolate ruins. The rest were all Chen Mobai's spoils of war, such as the bones of the Li Li beast and the old Flood Dragon. Chen Mobai kept or used the essential parts of these fifth-tier true spirit materials himself, gave some to Qing Nü, and placed the scraps he didn't deem worthy into the Hall of Merit, considering them as additions to the sect's foundation. However, these very scraps became the coveted targets for the Five Elements Sect's high-level cultivators.

After Chen Mobai stepped down as sect master, he announced to the high-ranking cultivators that, as a reward for their support during his tenure, he would refine a magical artifact for them once, for a craftsman's fee of ten thousand contribution points. They could decide what artifact to refine and had to provide their own materials. However, since Chen Mobai was the only one refining, it was on a first-come, first-served basis. During this process, Chen Mobai also revealed that if only fourth-tier materials were provided, the artifact might only be refined into a fourth-tier one. He assured, however, that it would possess artifact spirituality, and its future potential for advancement would depend on the cultivator's nurturing. But if fifth-tier materials were provided, as long as their quality wasn't too poor, there was an eighty to ninety percent chance of refining a fifth-tier artifact.

Under these circumstances, every Nascent Soul cultivator in the Five Elements Sect put forth great effort to collect fifth-tier materials. The simplest way was to exchange for those in the sect's treasury. Consequently, these fifth-tier scraps, originally priced at hundreds of thousands or even millions of contribution points, suddenly became highly sought-after. The best ones were immediately exchanged by those who received the news first, such as Yin Qingmei. In this way, after E Yun took office, tens of millions of sect contribution points were directly recovered, settling many accounts.

When Zhou Ye and Zhou Wangshen, who were stationed in Dongyi and Dongling respectively, received the news and returned via teleportation array, they found that only some ordinary fifth-tier scales, hair, and other materials remained—the absolute scraps of the scraps. Despite this, they spared no contribution points to acquire them. After all, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; it was the only sixth-tier artifact refiner in the Heavenly River Realm making a move. Even if the materials' attributes didn't perfectly match their own, they still wanted Patriarch Chen to refine a fifth-tier artifact for them. However, given the chance, they naturally desired perfection. So, after exchanging for materials from the Five Elements Sect's treasury, they began acquiring and collecting fifth-tier materials that better suited their cultivation methods' attributes through various other channels.

When this news reached the One Yuan Dao Palace, Xiao Yuli immediately rushed over, inquiring if the branch sect could also enjoy this privilege. Chen Mobai, of course, treated everyone equally. Compared to the Nascent Soul cultivators of the Five Elements Sect, Xiao Yuli was much more at ease. As the Palace Master of the One Yuan Dao Palace, she had some reserves when she delved into their family's assets. Trusting Patriarch Chen's character, she had already brought her materials with her when she arrived. Seeing Chen Mobai nod, she immediately offered her storage bag with both hands.

Chen Mobai hadn't expected the first person to request an artifact refinement to be a Nascent Soul cultivator from the branch sect. However, adopting the 'buying horse bones with a thousand pieces of gold' approach, he meticulously inquired about Xiao Yuli's requirements. "Your reverence," Xiao Yuli said, "this disciple wishes to refine a bell-shaped artifact." As soon as Xiao Yuli spoke, Chen Mobai understood her intention: to imitate the Hunyuan Bell. After all, it had been proven to be the artifact best capable of unleashing the power of the One Yuan Dao Scripture. Especially after Chen Mobai used it to repel the sixth-tier Kui Beast, its prestige reverberated across the Five Continents and Four Seas. Currently, when cultivators of the One Yuan Dao Palace refine their vital artifacts, bell-shaped artifacts have surpassed flying swords in popularity. Chen Mobai, on the other hand, was an expert in bell-shaped artifacts, as his own vital artifact was the Morning Bell. The Hunyuan Bell itself had undergone a complete transformation and its power greatly increased only after he re-refined it.

After melting the five pieces of fifth-tier, five-element-attributed ore provided by Xiao Yuli using Dusky Fire, he effortlessly refined them into a mid-grade fifth-tier stone bell. On the day the bell was completed, its deep resonant chime echoed throughout Huozhen Immortal City. All cultivators who heard it knew that another fifth-tier artifact had come into existence. This immortal city had previously gained renown throughout the Eastern Continent when Chen Mobai publicly refined fifth-tier robes, attracting many artifact refiners to settle there. However, after several decades, as the initial fervor subsided, it inevitably lost a significant number of talented individuals. Therefore, Chen Mobai still chose this location for his artifact refining this time. This decision once again made Huozhen Immortal City highly popular; property prices, which had been falling, began to surge. Areas near the core refining zone where Chen Mobai worked saw prices skyrocket to the point where even rogue Nascent Soul cultivators couldn't afford them.

After Xiao Yuli, the second person to approach him was Chen Lingming. Both were Nascent Soul cultivators from the One Yuan Dao Palace, one the Palace Master and the other a Grand Elder, so their foundations were, in a sense, shared. However, Xiao Yuli had selected the five best pieces, so Chen Lingming's fifth-tier minerals were slightly inferior in quality. Chen Lingming had originally intended to refine a bell as well, but after Xiao Yuli acquired hers, he reconsidered and decided not to duplicate it, choosing a direction that even surprised Chen Mobai.

"Your Reverence's Grand Unity Five Smoke Veil has always been something I deeply admire," Chen Lingming said. "I wonder if it's possible to refine a similar five-colored auspicious cloud?" Chen Mobai felt that Chen Lingming possessed excellent foresight. The Grand Unity Five Smoke Veil not only boasted outstanding defensive capabilities but could also serve as an array core to gather Five Elements spiritual energy, aiding in cultivation. Even at Chen Mobai's cultivation level, where he no longer needed this artifact for combat, he still used it for daily travel. Riding a five-colored auspicious cloud, soaring across the five lakes and four seas, was truly the demeanor of an immortal. At least in terms of stylish travel, Chen Mobai had never seen anything in the entire Heavenly River Realm more outstanding than the Grand Unity Five Smoke Veil, except when he rode the little Yellow Dragon Maiden.

"To refine this item," Chen Mobai explained, "it requires the convergence of five different forms of Five Elements spiritual energy: red glow, clear breeze, water mist, jade dew, and flowing smoke, solidifying them into an artifact through an array. Your five pieces of ore don't quite fit, but it's alright; I will supplement the missing materials for you." Chen Mobai was intent on nurturing Chen Lingming, as he had the potential to reach the Soul Transformation realm, and had been diligent and hardworking without complaint over the years. Therefore, upon hearing his request, he immediately opened the door to convenience for him.

"Your reverence's benevolence, this disciple will never forget!" Chen Lingming exclaimed, overjoyed, and immediately performed a grand bow. "Keep this matter to yourself; don't speak of it outside," Chen Mobai instructed. He didn't forget this, as he had personally witnessed the growth of all the Five Elements Sect's Nascent Soul cultivators, and knew that people worry not about scarcity, but about unequal distribution. If they were to learn that he was treating Chen Lingming, a Nascent Soul cultivator from the branch sect, so favorably, they might feel a sense of unfairness. "Yes, Your Reverence," Chen Lingming naturally understood this point and immediately nodded and swore. In his heart, he felt even greater respect and conviction towards Chen Mobai. It was at this very moment that Chen Lingming genuinely wished to protect the Five Elements Sect, not because he identified with the sect itself, but because it was Chen Mobai's sect, and he wanted to safeguard what Chen Mobai had left behind. Chen Mobai, of course, did not know that his consistent honesty in treating others had earned him Chen Lingming's unwavering loyalty.

As Chen Lingming was about to leave, Chen Mobai suddenly remembered that he was one of the Five Elements Sect's foremost artifact refiners, second only to himself, and immediately called out to stop him. "Your attainments in artifact refining are quite good; it's just that your foundation was somewhat skewed when you first studied at the One Yuan Dao Palace. Since I'm refining the Grand Unity Five Smoke Veil this time, I might as well guide you. After all, it's your artifact; come and assist me." Chen Lingming was even more pleasantly surprised by this. The subsequent process of refining the Grand Unity Five Smoke Veil made Chen Lingming experience a kind of mentorship and care that he had never felt before in the One Yuan Dao Palace.

One must understand that in the One Yuan Dao Palace, even as a Dao Child, he had to self-study many things. Even when Nascent Soul elders explained cultivation methods to him, many of his questions went unanswered. Some, like Tu De, intentionally withheld answers to hinder his cultivation progress. But under Chen Mobai, no matter what he asked, he received the most detailed and specific answers. After explaining, Chen Mobai would also genuinely ask if he had understood, or if the explanation was too profound, and so on. "Aunt Zhuo and the others were truly fortunate to have Patriarch Chen, the best teacher in the world," Chen Lingming mused. When the Grand Unity Five Smoke Veil was refined and handed to Chen Lingming, he felt a deep sense of emotion. Chen Lingming even thought to himself that if he had been the Dao Child of the Five Elements Sect, reaching Soul Transformation would likely have been a certainty. Unfortunately, the first thing E Yun did upon becoming sect master was to appoint Jiang Zongheng and Zhuo Ming as the Five Elements Sect's new generation of Dao Child and Saintess. This matter was also strongly requested by older generation Nascent Soul cultivators of the Five Elements Sect, such as Zhou Shengqing. With a Dao Child and Saintess, the Five Elements Sect had all the aspects comparable to the Three Great Sacred Lands of the Eastern Lands, making its title as a Sacred Land more fitting. The Dao Children and Saintesses of the various Sacred Lands were generally replaced every two hundred years. The Five Elements Sect's current decision was already considered late compared to sects like the Nine Heavens Demon Eradication Sect.

"Remember the incantation for consecrating this item well," Chen Mobai said, handing a jade slip to Chen Lingming. "In the future, I plan to compile the refining method for this artifact into a textbook for all disciples who wish to become artifact refiners to study. After I leave, if you have time, you can give more lectures at various academies." Chen Lingming nodded repeatedly, indicating he would keep it firmly in mind.

After Chen Lingming and Xiao Yuli's fifth-tier artifacts were completed, the remaining Nascent Soul cultivators of the One Yuan Dao Palace could no longer sit still and rushed to the Eastern Wilderness one after another. Even the Master of Mount Shuidu, who had long ago left and established his own sect in the Dongling Region, shamelessly came along with Lianshui and the others to pay respects. Chen Mobai did not turn them away, but since a craftsman's fee of ten thousand contribution points was required, these Nascent Soul cultivators, after receiving approval, went directly to Beiyuan City to accept tasks. Among them, Yanhua did not need to worry about this, as he had previously been in charge of matters related to the treasure ships under Chen Lingming's guidance, and had sufficient contribution points in his account.

Before accepting tasks, Lianshui first went to see his younger sister, Xuan Shui. Xuan Shui had returned to the Eastern Continent twenty years ago. Although her unmarried pregnancy made Lianshui very angry, both children had been born and had already entered the Yellow Dragon Cave Mansion as disciples, so as their uncle, he could only accept it. Chen Mobai had originally intended to take Xuan Shui's two children as his disciples, but after some thought, considering that he could ascend at any time, he decided against it. Coincidentally, their special physiques required Qing Nü's care, so he directly had Qing Nü accept them as her disciples. As Qing Nü was also quite busy with alchemy, it was instead her eldest disciple, Jin Ling'er, who usually took care of them. After Xuan Shui returned to the Eastern Continent, she also directly moved to the Eastern Wilderness to be close and take care of her two children. Under Qing Nü's medical treatment, these two children had grown up successfully, graduated with good results from the Longevity Academy, and joined the Five Elements Sect. Despite this, Xuan Shui still settled in Beiyuan City, unwilling to let her children out of her sight. The benefit of artifact refining was for Nascent Soul cultivators, so Xuan Shui also had a share. However, because she was single-mindedly focused on raising her two children, she instead pleaded with Chen Mobai to refine two vital artifact embryos for them. Chen Mobai naturally agreed to this.

The rapid progress of the Nascent Soul cultivators from the One Yuan Dao Palace put pressure on those from the Five Elements Sect, who then began to leave the Eastern Wilderness to collect fifth-tier materials from various regions of the Eastern Continent. Chen Mobai also drew up a refining schedule for the artifacts, one by one, according to the order of requests.

However, during this process, another person intervened: Zhang Pankong. He wasn't there to request an artifact refinement; rather, he had collected the materials listed on the inventory Chen Mobai had given him. Among them, the most precious were those required for the advancement of the Eight Scenic Lamp of Tusita. He had previously asked the Grand Void Ethereal Palace to collect them, but presumably the remuneration wasn't sufficient, so it hadn't been completed. This time, however, the allure of the Longevity Grand Dao Pill was sufficient. Zhang Pankong directly sought out True Monarch Dakong, who, for the future of the Eastern Continent branch sect, also approached the main lineage. He arranged for Immortal Taixu to personally communicate with True Monarch Ziqi. It was unknown what agreement was reached or what price was paid, but they finally exchanged for the sixth-tier materials Chen Mobai needed from the Purple Cloud Heavenly Palace.

"Brother Zhang, thank you," Chen Mobai said, smiling as he saw the several sixth-tier materials in his hand and confirmed there were no issues. With these, the Eight Scenic Lamp of Tusita could be upgraded to the sixth-tier. Besides these, the list also included some medicinal ingredients needed from the Jellyfish Palace's Immortal Scroll Jade Slip, intended to help Qing Nü refine the Grand Unity Three Lives Pill and other pills for elevating Soul Transformation realm cultivation.