Chapter 1319: Evening Drum

Yes, there is some, but it probably doesn't contain what you're looking for.

Cui Tai really wanted to earn this money, but the Transformation God cultivators present all held extraordinary status and positions. Many of them commanded such respect that even King Lunzhuan, the boss of Wuchang Zhai, had to treat them courteously, so he preemptively set expectations.

The dossier concerning Qing Nü was only initiated by Wuchang Zhai after Chen Mobai achieved Transformation God. This was mainly because Chen Mobai was overly cautious; before reaching Transformation God, he never allowed Danxia Pavilion to sell fifth-grade elixirs. Wuchang Zhai only opened a separate dossier for cultivators who had reached Transformation God or possessed fifth-grade immortal cultivation skills. Previously, any information about Qing Nü was found within the dossiers of the Five Elements Sect or the Azure Emperor of the Eastern Desolation. Any information collected afterward was merely news intentionally released by Chen Mobai. For example, it was said she inherited skills from a hermit of the desolate ruins, excelling in both alchemy and spiritual plant cultivation, and practiced the Abyssal Sutra of the Black Emperor.

Cui Tai understood that the Transformation God cultivators present wished to know Qing Nü's lineage and origins. However, Wuchang Zhai suspected that the so-called hermit from the desolate ruins was a fabricated, non-existent entity. After all, if such a master truly existed, now that Qing Nü had achieved Transformation God, it would be impossible for her master not to appear. They couldn't simply claim the master died while undergoing the nine-layered heavenly tribulation. If that were the case, according to local customs, Chen Mobai and his wife Qing Nü should have mentioned it during the Transformation God ceremony to express their condolences. Since nothing was said, it implied the master was still alive but chose not to attend... Wuchang Zhai could only assume this mysterious hermit was in seclusion; beyond that, there was no detailed information whatsoever.

There had been speculation that Qing Nü's proficiency in water-based alchemy originated from the Heavenly Sea Jellyfish Palace. However, Wuchang Zhai's dossiers only contained confirmed information, so such mere possibilities were not included. At most, during transactions, if a client pressed for more, they would provide this unverified information for the client to judge for themselves.

"Tell me first," a voice quickly transmitted, "we'll owe you for the paid information." Cui Tai quickly received mental transmissions from several Transformation God cultivators. At this level of cultivation, everyone was a prominent figure, so Cui Tai wasn't worried about them not paying. He immediately compiled Qing Nü's dossier into a long string of audio transmissions and sent it to the various Transformation God cultivators. As for the sect leaders from sacred lands like Tai Xu Immortal and Haoran Yiqi Immortal, they had existing balances with Wuchang Zhai, so Cui Tai could simply deduct the fee after sending the transmission.

After listening to Qing Nü's dossier, everyone was quite dissatisfied. "What in the world is this hermit from the desolate ruins?"

There couldn't possibly be anyone in the Eastern Continent with better alchemy skills than those of the Dao De Sect. The most fitting candidate for Qing Nü's master would be True Monarch Wuchen, but Shen Xi could guarantee that Qing Nü was definitely not his junior sister. This was because True Monarch Wuchen's alchemy skills, even at the same cultivation level, could not compare to Qing Nü's. In the Heavenly River Realm, masters typically held back some of their techniques when teaching disciples, making it almost impossible for a disciple to surpass their master. If it wasn't True Monarch Wuchen, then it could only be speculated that she was from the Jellyfish Palace. After all, only the alchemy heritage of that sacred land would surely surpass that of the Dao De Sect. However, no Transformation God cultivator from the Jellyfish Palace had left the Heavenly Sea in thousands of years. Even if someone from there came to the Eastern Continent, they would certainly visit the Dao De Sect first, as Dao De Patriarch was a Jellyfish Palace disciple with an impeccable lineage.

Chen Mobai vaguely perceived the undercurrents among the various Transformation God cultivators but paid them no mind. After all, he could now be considered the foremost figure in the Heavenly River Realm, and Qing Nü had also achieved Transformation God. Displaying her fifth-grade alchemy skills was a groundwork for Danxia Pavilion to expand across all five continents and four seas in the future.

"Esteemed guests," Chen Mobai announced, "since my wife has demonstrated her alchemy skills, I shall also present an offering by refining a magic tool." Seeing Shen Xi and others reluctantly place the Lifeblood Refinement Pills back on the table, Chen Mobai felt it was his turn to show off. He smiled faintly and took out the prepared Kuiraptor hide. The Kuiraptor was a sixth-tier true spirit, and its hide was genuine sixth-tier spiritual material, imbued with the Dao rhythm of the 'Armor' Dao. Using this material, Chen Mobai was absolutely certain he could refine a sixth-tier magic tool; he just wasn't sure how long it would take. Naturally, he hoped to complete it in a short time, just like Qing Nü, which was why he didn't mind expending materials. However, considering that Transformation God ceremonies typically lasted several years, Chen Mobai believed that even if he couldn't finish it quickly, he would still have ample time to nurture the sixth-tier spirituality.

"Fellow Daoist, do you need any help as an assistant?" The moment he saw the materials Chen Mobai produced, True Monarch Yuanhuo, quick-witted as he was, immediately raised his hand from the back row, expressing his desire to partake in this artifact refining opportunity. If a sixth-tier magic tool were truly refined, he, Venerable Yuanhuo, would become a sixth-tier artifact master while still in the Nascent Soul realm. Upon returning to the Blazing Fire Sect, even Patriarch Yan Zhongxian would have to visibly defer to him. Although Yuanhuo also considered that this action might incur a scolding from Patriarch Yan Zhongxian, this was about becoming a sixth-tier artifact master. Once he got involved, his name, Yuanhuo, would be envied by all future generations in the entire Heavenly River Realm's artifact refining industry, even thousands of years later.

"Fellow Daoist, I also have some knowledge of artifact refining," And as soon as Yuanhuo spoke, others quickly caught on. True Monarch Qingfeng, casting aside his dignity, brazenly spoke up as well. "Me too!" "And me!"

Soon, on the entire floating platform, apart from Haoran Yiqi Immortal, Tai Xu Immortal, and Feng Qingshu, who couldn't bring themselves to do it, virtually all other Transformation God True Monarchs gathered around Chen Mobai, showcasing their artifact refining skills. Chen Mobai had always disliked this kind of atmosphere, but since the Transformation God cultivators present had shown him respect by attending Qing Nü's Transformation God ceremony, he naturally had to reciprocate. Thus, he welcomed everyone, waving in any fifth-tier artifact masters to join the refining process. This threshold filtered out Shen Xi and other curious onlookers.

"Fellow Daoist, what kind of magic tool do you intend to refine?" True Monarch Qingfeng, who had been selected, touched the Kuiraptor hide, which was overflowing with Dao rhythm, eager to know what he would be helping to refine next.

"First, I'll make a drum. The larger excess scraps will become a magic robe; the smaller parts will be used for a pair of Thunder-Treading Boots and a Muffled Thunder Pouch..." Chen Mobai outlined his ideas. He had already consulted with Spirit Venerable regarding the sixth-tier Kuiraptor hide, and they had dozens of draft designs.

"This single hide can make so many magic tools?" True Monarch Qingfeng and the others were greatly surprised upon hearing this. In their opinion, the hide would be just enough for one drum, and while the scraps could be used, they would likely only be sufficient for a pair of gloves or a rope.

"I won't delay your time during this Transformation God ceremony. I'll only make one drum, which I intend to name 'Dusk Drum.' Its primary purpose is to awaken and enlighten, to be played when disciples suffer qi deviation, thus serving as a legacy for future generations within the sect." If Chen Mobai were to ascend, he would surely take the Haotian Mirror with him. At that point, relying solely on the Pure Bamboo within the Five Elements Sect would leave a vulnerability against the Dao of Inner Demons, so he had long considered refining a similar magic tool as a substitute. After discussing it with Spirit Venerable Cheng Xuan and others, he decided on this Dusk Drum. Conveniently, among the Dao Fruits on the Elixir Cauldron Jade Tree, there was also a drum-shaped Dao Fruit, which he had already refined and mastered.

With the primary Kuiraptor hide secured, the remaining wood could be the Sun Divine Wood from Mount Panghuang. Although it was only fifth-tier, the Sun Divine Wood contained the pure Yang and ultimate strength of the Great Dao, which greatly countered demonic cultivation methods, making it a perfect match for the Kuiraptor hide. Of course, the main reason was that Heavenly Phoenix Valley did not sell sixth-tier Parasol Divine Wood. If a sixth-tier option were available, Chen Mobai would certainly not use a fifth-tier one. After all, the Parasol Divine Wood was considered an ancestor of the Phoenix clan, and Feng Qingshu wouldn't dare ask for it.

"Fellow Daoist," Shen Xi couldn't help but ask after hearing this, "if you successfully refine this drum, could our sect borrow it in the future if a disciple needs to break through a realm?" True Monarch Qingfeng, however, was indifferent to this, as their Pure Palace possessed the sixth-tier Six Roots Pure Bamboo, which was even more effective against inner demons. But Venerable Yuanhuo, and even Cui Tai of Wuchang Zhai, were highly envious. The cultivation methods of the Blazing Fire Sect and Wuchang Zhai were both prone to qi deviation—the former due to its fiery nature, the latter due to its ominousness. If inner demons could be avoided, they would lose far fewer disciples each year.

"Once this drum is refined, I will place it in the core area of our sect. It will require the cooperation of spiritual veins, terrain, and formations to remain continuously active. Therefore, if any of you have a need, you may send your disciples here." Chen Mobai, recalling the local custom of borrowing without returning, dared not gamble, even though those present were representatives of sacred lands. He could only devise a subtle reason to strictly limit the Dusk Drum's usage location, thereby preventing it from being lent out.

"That's fine," Shen Xi nodded repeatedly upon hearing this. "Fellow Daoist, please be sure to instruct your successor about this matter before your ascension." He hadn't expected to have enough standing to persuade Chen Mobai to lend out such a magic tool. After all, given Chen Mobai's artifact refining skills and the use of sixth-tier Kuiraptor hide, this Dusk Drum would be at least a top-grade fifth-tier artifact, possibly even sixth-tier. Such a high-grade magic tool was rare even in the Dao De Sect, and if Shen Xi were offered to borrow it, he wouldn't dare. Shen Xi was already very satisfied just by securing this benefit for the disciples of the Dao De Sect.

"Fellow Daoist Chen, can disciples of my Southern Continent's Blazing Fire Sect use it?" Yuanhuo asked somewhat awkwardly. As merely a Nascent Soul cultivator, he wasn't really qualified to make demands of a Transformation God cultivator. However, if the Dusk Drum could truly prevent qi deviation, it would be immensely important to their Blazing Fire Sect. Specifically, one of Yuanhuo's disciples had previously failed their Nascent Soul formation due to inner demons. If they failed again, even Apothecary Li might not be able to save them. Thus, for the sake of his disciple, Yuanhuo had no choice but to swallow his pride.

"My Dusk Drum isn't refined yet," Chen Mobai replied. "Let's discuss its use once it's complete." Although Chen Mobai valued his reputation, he was also somewhat petty. While Patriarch Yan Zhongxian's actions against him in Heavenly Phoenix Valley had been harmless, he certainly wouldn't repay malice with kindness. At the very least, that old man Yan Zhongxian would have to apologize in person before the matter could be discussed. Upon hearing Chen Mobai's words, Yuanhuo knew his status was insufficient. He could only sigh and wait until after the Transformation God ceremony to return and appeal to Patriarch Yan Zhongxian, urging him to resolve the grievances between them before the Azure Emperor of the Eastern Desolation ascended. Otherwise, given the Azure Emperor of the Eastern Desolation's personality, the Blazing Fire Sect might soon be seeing off its own Transformation God Patriarch.

"Fellow Daoist, we are all ready. Let's begin!" At this point, True Monarch Qingfeng, Lay Buddhist Fanyun, and other fifth-tier artifact masters had thoroughly reviewed the jade slip Chen Mobai provided regarding the processing of the Kuiraptor hide, reading it three times to ensure they fully understood. They were now eager to participate in what could be the refinement of a sixth-tier magic tool.

"Good!" Chen Mobai nodded, though he didn't actually rely on these fifth-tier artifact masters who were merely making up the numbers; he had originally intended to complete it by himself.

Qing Nü collected the ten Lifeblood Refinement Pills and cleared the stage. On a large table, Chen Mobai extended his hand and marked the cutting lines on the Kuiraptor hide. Then, he summoned his Violet Lightning Sword. With a flick of his finger, the sword spirit instinctively activated its sharp blade and cautiously began cutting along the lines, careful not to make a mistake. Soon, a scrap piece and a corner of the table flew off. Venerable Yuanhuo, standing nearby, instinctively acted as an assistant and immediately reached out to catch them.

"If you fellow Daoists have nothing else to do," Chen Mobai said, pointing at the scrap in Venerable Yuanhuo's hand, "you can also cut along these lines. I plan to use this piece for a cuff." Chen Mobai pointed at the scrap in Venerable Yuanhuo's hand, and quickly, flames ignited on it before extinguishing, leaving behind several scorched lines. Venerable Yuanhuo nodded, took out a pair of fifth-tier scissors from his storage bag, and applied force along the lines.

*Snap!*

His scissors broke instantly against the Kuiraptor hide, and the shattered pieces fell onto the floor tiles with a crisp sound. This scene immediately drew the attention of all the Transformation God cultivators present.

"Although he's a fifth-tier artifact master, he's still only at the Nascent Soul realm; his cultivation is too weak," True Monarch Qingfeng commented upon seeing this. He had previously argued with Yan Zhongxian, so he inherently disliked people from the Blazing Fire Sect. As soon as he finished speaking, True Monarch Qingfeng reached out and took the Kuiraptor hide scrap from Venerable Yuanhuo's hand. He carefully examined the black lines Chen Mobai had left, then extended a finger, and wisps of azure sharpness condensed at its tip.

"Pure Finger!" Upon seeing this, Lay Buddhist Fanyun couldn't help but whisper. The Pure Finger was a supreme skill of the Pure Palace; when cultivated to its peak, it was said that with a single finger, all things would be purified! True Monarch Qingfeng had once gotten into a heated argument with Yan Zhongxian at the Sacred Dao Assembly and, in a fit of nameless rage, directly attacked, using this very finger to annihilate one of Yan Zhongxian's fifth-tier defensive magic tools, greatly boosting his reputation!

But soon, something that shocked everyone occurred. Under True Monarch Qingfeng's Pure Finger, the Kuiraptor hide actually glowed with a clear armored light, deflecting the azure sharpness directly without suffering any damage itself. This sight made everyone's eyes widen. They couldn't help but turn to look at the Violet Lightning Sword, which was effortlessly cutting the Kuiraptor hide, its blade emanating a faint white glow.