Chapter 735: Magic Artifact Spirituality

On the peak of Mount Liujia, Yin Qingmei activated the Haotian Mirror, shattering the heavenly tribulation. This signified that the Jade Phoenix Tree had successfully passed its tribulation.

Afterward, Chen Mobai observed that most of the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, which had condensed into the tribulation, began to dissipate. However, a small, highly refined portion surged towards the Jade Phoenix Tree on the mountaintop.

At the wounds where this spiritual plant's branches had been struck down by the heavenly tribulation, an incredibly rich clear light immediately emanated. It slowly began to sprout new buds, presenting a vibrant and thriving appearance.

"So, there's such a benefit after passing a tribulation," Chen Mobai murmured to himself upon seeing this scene. However, he didn't know if this benefit was exclusive to spiritual plants or if cultivators also received it after their tribulations.

It seemed he would need to observe again the next time someone in the sect underwent a tribulation.

He then recalled his own heavenly tribulation when he formed his Golden Core; it seemed to have been entirely absorbed by the Purple Lightning Sword.

Chen Mobai made a mental note of this. Seeing Yin Qingmei still in mid-air, he immediately sent a telepathic message to her, telling her to descend and cultivate the Azure Emperor Longevity Scripture, so she could share the pure spiritual energy refined by the tribulation with the Jade Phoenix Tree.

Upon hearing this, Yin Qingmei hastily flew down.

Chen Mobai immediately took her place, controlling the Haotian Mirror from a distance. He captured the dissipating spiritual energy of heaven and earth and then, with his powerful divine sense, slowly refined all of it into the Haotian Mirror.

This Soulbound Artifact of his, since its creation, had mostly been in Yin Qingmei's hands, illuminating spiritual plants and condensing purple qi.

Three years prior, thanks to the endless solar essence here and the profound mysteries of the Haotian Mirror, a complete strand had already been condensed.

Chen Mobai planned to use it for his upcoming breakthrough to the seventh layer of the Golden Core. This was because his pure Yang spiritual power, from the fifth to the sixth layers of Golden Core and achieving perfection at the sixth layer, had all been enhanced by consuming Immortal Peach Fruits. His foundation wasn't very solid, so if he were to initiate the breakthrough on his own, the success rate wouldn't be very high.

Resources should be used in crucial places—this was a principle Chen Mobai had come to understand most deeply over the years.

Nearly thirty years of accumulation had only yielded this single strand of pure Yang purple qi. If it could enable him to break through to the seventh layer of Golden Core, then it would be used to its fullest potential.

Three days later, the Haotian Mirror had absorbed and refined all the tribulation spiritual energy. Its originally brilliant and gleaming surface began to become more subdued.

It was as if a great sun had instantly transformed into a moon disc.

Chen Mobai waved his hand, and the Haotian Mirror immediately flew down from the sky, hovering before him.

Gently placing the palm of his right hand on the mirror's surface, Chen Mobai sensed the power of this Soulbound Artifact.

A moment later, he withdrew his hand, feeling both delighted and regretful.

The Haotian Mirror, after being tempered by this heavenly tribulation, had already become a peak third-tier Dharma artifact.

Unfortunately, the core of this Dharma artifact was the Six Yang Divine Fire Mirror from the Immortal Sect, and the raw materials used were only third-tier, with even some scraps being second-tier. The refining style emphasized the Immortal Sect's principle of being economical and sufficient.

This time, it was thanks to Chen Mobai. When he refined the Haotian Mirror, he used fourth-tier Longevity Wood to create the mirror frame and incorporated it. This Longevity Wood forcefully propelled it to the peak of the third tier.

This meant that this Soulbound Artifact had now reached its limit.

Going forward, if he still wished to upgrade it, he would only be able to nurture it with spiritual power over long years, to cultivate a Dharma artifact spirit.

Alternatively, he could use higher-grade materials, and advanced refining techniques, to replace the original low-tier materials of the mirror surface.

Chen Mobai wanted to try both methods.

However, since the Haotian Mirror was to be wielded by Yin Qingmei to condense pure Yang purple qi, Chen Mobai wondered if he could have his adopted daughter help him out by nurturing it.

After all, he was so busy, he barely had enough time for cultivation, let alone dealing with various administrative affairs.

As for the second method, it would require at least a fourth-tier artifact refiner to execute.

Not the illusory kind found in the Tianhe Realm, but the genuine article from the Immortal Sect.

This was not a difficult matter for Chen Mobai.

Because the Wuqi Daoist Academy, from which he graduated, was the ancestral home of artifact refining for the entire Immortal Sect.

Grandmaster Cheng Xuan, a fifth-tier artifact refiner, was his principal, and Hong Mengkui, the former head of the artifact refining department, was also his nominal teacher.

There was just one issue: he had discussed the Haotian Mirror with Hong Mengkui back then, so Chen Mobai now needed to find a way, using Immortal Sect terminology and excuses, to explain why his Soulbound Artifact had suddenly upgraded to the peak of the third tier.

Fortunately, he had considered this point at the time, and made two mirror frames.

In addition to the fourth-tier Longevity Wood, there was also third-tier spiritual wood from Yumu City.

But if he genuinely wanted Hong Mengkui's help to upgrade the Haotian Mirror, he would also need to prepare fourth-tier raw materials, which could only come from sources with clear origins within the Immortal Sect.

Because within the Immortal Sect, every fourth-tier item had a designated purpose and record.

He couldn't just open another void blind box, could he?

While Chen Mobai was thinking this, on the mountaintop, Yin Qingmei had also opened her beautiful eyes. Her entire fair skin glowed with a radiant luster, and she looked exceptionally vibrant.

"Thank you for the reminder, Sect Master."

After Yin Qingmei concluded her cultivation, she immediately flew to Chen Mobai, and curtsied slightly to express her gratitude.

After absorbing the pure spiritual energy refined by the heavenly tribulation along with her Soulbound Spiritual Plant, her Golden Core had completely stabilized, and even subtly grew a size larger.

"Cultivate diligently. When the time is right, I will hold a Golden Core Ceremony for you."

Chen Mobai was also very satisfied with Yin Qingmei. After all, even during the peak of the ancient Longevity Sect, those capable of cultivating the Azure Emperor Longevity Scripture were extremely rare, with perhaps only one appearing every few generations.

If she hadn't cultivated this Grand Transformation Divine Art, many of the great Longevity Sect techniques Chen Mobai obtained from the Divine Tree Secret Realm would have remained unutilized.

"It is already a fact that this disciple has successfully formed her Golden Core, so whether a Golden Core Ceremony is held or not is unimportant."

Yin Qingmei, however, felt that Chen Mobai might be waiting for Luo Yixuan to truly form her Golden Core and to confirm her status as the Five Elements Sect's foremost fourth-generation cultivator before holding a belated ceremony for her. Thus, she spoke obediently, not wanting to put Chen Mobai in a difficult position.

Luo Yixuan, who was nearby, frowned slightly upon hearing this. She was an expert at feigning obedience, so she naturally recognized Yin Qingmei's current demeanor at a glance.

"We can discuss this matter later. By the way, Qingmei, now that you've formed your Golden Core, you can refine a Soulbound Artifact. Do you have any ideas?"

Chen Mobai simply felt that with the Snow Blowing Palace and Return to Heaven Valley factions still unresolved and the Eastern Barrens not yet fully unified, it wasn't the right time to hold the ceremony. However, he thought about how he was going to refine a Soulbound Artifact embryo for Luo Yixuan, and if Yin Qingmei also needed one, he could refine one for her too.

The only thing was that Yin Qingmei had already formed her Golden Core, and cultivating a second-tier embryo to become third-tier would waste some of her cultivation time.

However, Chen Mobai's positioning for her was never that of a combat type.

"Sect Master, you may decide, but if I could choose, I would wish for a flying sword!"

Yin Qingmei's words made Chen Mobai nod. He then turned to Luo Yixuan beside him and asked.

"Master, I also want a flying sword!"

When Luo Yixuan said this, her gaze was fixed on Yin Qingmei.

"You both want flying swords?"

Chen Mobai hadn't quite expected this. It wasn't that it couldn't be done, but he had always advocated for diversification.

"Master, as your direct lineage successor, I naturally wish to inherit your Path of the Flying Sword!"

Luo Yixuan spoke first, expressing her thoughts.

"The Sect Master's elegance in suppressing the nineteen nations of the Eastern Barrens with a single sword has been greatly admired by this disciple since I reached Foundation Establishment. Therefore, I consider the Sect Master's supreme sword dao as my goal."

Although Yin Qingmei's words were different, their underlying meaning was similar to Luo Yixuan's.

"So, they both admire my sword dao!"

Hearing this, Chen Mobai couldn't help but smile, and coincidentally thinking of the three Yin Void Bamboos he had obtained from the Desolate Ruins, he nodded.

"Alright, I understand. I'll let you know once I've finished refining the flying sword embryos."

Zhuo Ming, who was nearby, listened with an envious expression.

However, her Myriad Things Thick Virtue Cauldron was enough for her to strive for a lifetime, so Chen Mobai didn't plan to give her a second Soulbound Artifact embryo, which would only add to her burden.

"Qingmei, this Haotian Mirror has significantly increased in power after being tempered by this heavenly tribulation. You can take it and use it as your own Dharma artifact for now. Later, I will impart to you a mantra for nurturing Dharma artifacts. If you manage to cultivate a Dharma artifact spirit with it in the future, you may use this Soulbound Artifact of mine as your own."

As Chen Mobai's words fell, Yin Qingmei's beautiful eyes lit up, and she happily reached out to receive the Haotian Mirror.

This third-tier Dharma artifact had accompanied her for twenty years, and she was already very familiar with it. Moreover, during twenty years of condensing pure Yang purple qi, she felt as though this artifact was an extension of herself, with her essence, qi, and spirit all resonating with it.

It was precisely because of this that during the Jade Phoenix Tree's tribulation, she was able to, with her newly formed Golden Core strength, easily unleash the power of the Haotian Mirror and dispel the heavenly tribulation.

Chen Mobai asking her to nurture the artifact made Yin Qingmei exceptionally happy.

She felt that the Sect Master valued her, especially since he hadn't even bestowed a third-tier Dharma artifact upon his own disciple, Luo Yixuan.

"Thank you, Sect Master. This disciple will certainly not fail your expectations."

Fifth-tier Dharma artifacts possess spiritual intelligence no less potent than Nascent Soul cultivators. It was precisely for this reason that the Immortal Sect would begin cultivating the spiritual intelligence of artifacts before they reached the fifth tier, and the Purple Lightning Sword was a typical example.

The spiritual intelligence of the top-grade fourth-tier Purple Lightning Sword was like that of a child.

The day it upgraded to a fifth-tier sword artifact, its spiritual intelligence would be like that of a teenager.

The Tianhe Realm was slightly behind in this regard. Most fifth-tier Dharma artifacts were refined using materials that inherently possessed powerful spiritual qualities, so if an artifact was successfully refined, a cultivator could easily give birth to its spiritual intelligence after nurturing it for a period.

On the other hand, in the Immortal Sect, due to the strict requirements for materials, spiritual intelligence was most often cultivated first. Once the spiritual intelligence was mature, the artifact spirit would then guide the transformation.

Chen Mobai imparted to Yin Qingmei the key techniques and methods for cultivating artifact spirits. This was considered the most basic knowledge in the Immortal Sect and did not have specific intellectual property rights, so imparting it to her was not a violation of his Heart of Dao oath.

Because in the Immortal Sect, when many cultivators had no hope of further advancement, the higher-ups would guide them to try some very time-consuming things, especially Golden Core Perfected Lords.

Such as cultivating artifact spirits.

There was once a Foundation Establishment cultivator who cultivated spiritual intelligence in his second-tier flying sword. However, due to material limitations, the moment the spiritual intelligence was born, the flying sword cracked because it couldn't bear it.

However, third-tier materials could generally withstand the spiritual intelligence of an artifact.

Especially since the Haotian Mirror had fourth-tier Longevity Wood as its frame, Chen Mobai was even less worried.

"You can use this matter to pass the time when you are free. Do not spend too much effort on it. Your own cultivation is the priority."

Chen Mobai was afraid that Yin Qingmei would treat his instructions as a mandatory task, so after giving her the Haotian Mirror, he immediately emphasized this point.

"Yes, Sect Master!"

Since the Haotian Mirror also had the task of illuminating the Great Sun Purple Rice, Chen Mobai also gave some instructions to Zhuo Ming.

The Haotian Mirror's grade had increased, which might cause the usual illuminating light to become more intense. He told them to be careful during their next attempt.

Of course, Chen Mobai also didn't forget to extract the stored pure Yang purple qi from it, which was approximately one-sixth of a strand.

With the increase in the Haotian Mirror's power, the progress of condensing pure Yang purple qi should also increase somewhat.

Based on Chen Mobai's recent personal test, it might be possible to condense a complete strand in about fifteen years.

This made him very satisfied.

This was because the top-grade fourth-tier Pure Yang Treasure Mirror in Yuanyang Temple on Five Peaks Immortal Mountain could only condense a complete strand in ten years.

However, this was also because the Pure Yang Treasure Mirror was not driven by a cultivator and relied entirely on its own power. Moreover, the Immortal Sect was shrouded by a sky curtain, so the solar essence falling above Yuanyang Temple was limited.

Unlike here, where as long as one's ambition was grand enough, all the essence of the sun and moon in the entire Eastern Barrens belonged to Chen Mobai.

It was just a pity that he didn't have the time to condense it.

Chen Mobai stayed on Mount Liujia for another three days. He gave Zhuo Ming some of the Coiled Dragon Spiritual Rice and Fire Crystal Rice he had obtained. Both types of spiritual rice could help her quickly refine the Nirvana Pill and elevate her Nine-Ren Dharma Body to the third tier.

That day, having confirmed that Yin Qingmei had mastered the method for cultivating artifact spirits, Chen Mobai, satisfied, departed with Luo Yixuan.

Of course, before leaving, he didn't forget to inform Yan Yuanhao, who was at the foot of the mountain.

Learning from Chen Mobai that Yin Qingmei had successfully formed her Golden Core and was now stabilizing her realm after passing the heavenly tribulation, he was extremely excited.

Because this signified that the Golden Liquid Jade Return Pill was indeed as described, an incomparably precious Golden Core Elixir.

Although it was normal for Yin Qingmei, as a Heavenly Spiritual Root, to be able to form a Golden Core.

But she, having just formed her Golden Core, was able to defeat the heavenly tribulation, indicating that she had surplus power after forming her Golden Core. It was clear that this must be the effect of the Golden Liquid Jade Return Pill.

The Foundation Establishment cultivators within the Five Elements Sect, upon hearing this successful news, felt a sense of empathy and identification, hoping that they too could obtain the Golden Liquid Jade Return Pill.

Among them, naturally, was Zhou Wangshen.

He diligently cultivated in Xiaojun, hoping to reach the peak of Foundation Establishment as soon as possible. At the same time, he quietly developed his own influence and frequently accepted tasks from the Spiritual Treasure Pavilion to accumulate contributions, striving to ensure that when the sect next offered the Golden Liquid Jade Return Pill, he wouldn't fail like Zheng Deming and Luo Xue'er had this time.

After receiving Chen Mobai's message, he dared not delay for a moment, even abandoning a Spiritual Treasure Pavilion task that was halfway completed.

By the time Chen Mobai returned to Beiyuan City, Zhou Wangshen had already been waiting there for seven days.

This was mainly because when Chen Mobai left Mount Liujia, he also took Luo Yixuan to visit Hanying Lake again. Afterward, he also took Luo Yixuan to inspect the progress of the Blackwater development.

Previously, it had been put on hold for a while due to Yin Qingmei's Golden Core formation.

Now that Luo Yixuan had returned, it was opportune for her to once again lead the sect cultivators and external laborers to speed up progress, to avoid a situation where Hanying Lake's fourth-tier spiritual vein successfully upgraded while Blackwater had not.

"Nephew Zhou, you've waited a long time."

Upon his return, Chen Mobai immediately received Zhou Wangshen in the main hall. He spoke to him gently, and Zhou Wangshen, somewhat overwhelmed, bowed, stating that it was only proper for him to wait for the Sect Master.

"The reason I asked you to come this time..."

Chen Mobai was about to mention the matter of the Five Elements Essence when he suddenly sensed someone waiting at the door. With a flick of his divine sense, he knew it was E Yun, and immediately told Gu Yan, who was beside him, to bring him in.

For E Yun to arrive suddenly while Chen Mobai was occupied, it certainly wouldn't be a minor matter.

"Sect Master, this was urgently sent from Eastern Yi."

As expected, after E Yun entered, he solemnly handed over a letter.

Chen Mobai glanced at the cover, saw it was from the Heaven's Feast Restaurant, and immediately knew what the matter was.

Although Shen Shanqing had taken Liu Wenbo to Eastern Wu, he had previously instructed the Heaven's Feast Restaurant's manager that if any