Daoist Competition

Once this furnace fire is ignited, it must burn vigorously and intensely. Ensuring its steady blaze is no simple task, as those lacking sufficient elixir power cannot even fan the refining fire into action. A minor insufficiency in the fire could lead to the complete ruin of prior efforts. They had seen many confident individuals before, who ultimately ran out of elixir evil and met failure.

"Oh?"

Zhang Yan’s interest was piqued. He had never refined a magic artifact before. Once cultivators reach the Hua Dan Realm, many of the Dharma treasures they favor are self-refined using treasure materials. The Merit Institute also houses numerous Daoist Books detailing artifact refinement techniques, available for disciples to peruse.

However, Zhang Yan had never lacked for Dharma treasures, so such notions had never crossed his mind. Today, he found the opportunity intriguing and wanted to see firsthand the difficulties involved in refining. Smiling, he spoke, "Since Daoist Zhao has asked for my assistance, and as we are all part of the Xuanmen lineage, I shall gladly oblige."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Houzhou and the other three were overjoyed. They stood up in unison, bowed deeply, and said, "Daoist Zhang, you are truly virtuous!"

Zhang Yan smiled, waved his sleeve, and said, "Please, no need for formalities. Do take your seats."

The four resumed their seats. She Yutang exchanged a glance with Zhao Houzhou; after seeing him nod lightly, she said, "Does Daoist Zhang plan to follow us back to the True Temple, or would you prefer to find a suitable Cave Mansion nearby to refine the Dharma treasure?"

The Spiritual Energy was abundant in the Zhao You Heavenly Pond. She was quite inclined to refine the treasure here, but since Zhang Yan had not mentioned it, she felt it would be impolite to propose. Returning to the sect’s mountain gate would take considerable time and delay. The ideal alternative would be to borrow a refining room in the flying boat Immortal Market nearby. It would only take three days and cost a modest amount of Spiritual Shells.

Zhang Yan waved his hand and said, "There’s no need for such trouble. In this Zhao You Heavenly Pond, I already have an Artifact Refining Furnace. I wonder, have the two of you brought the refining fire?"

At these words, Zhao Houzhou’s face lit up with surprise and delight. He hurriedly replied, "Yes, yes, we brought it!"

The Artifact Refining Furnace is largely the same across the world, but refining fires differ—there are over 360 types. The type of refining fire must precisely match the artifact being forged; even the slightest mismatch renders the final product flawed and incomplete.

These refining fires are cultivated within sects, and cultivators can carry them for use during external artifact refinement.

The only exception is large magic artifacts used for traversing Yun Tian, such as the flying boat, flying palace, heavenly tower, and Cloud Que. Since their purpose is limited to transportation and self-defense, they require less precision and can be refined using the Earth Fire Sky Pit.

"If that’s the case, there’s no time to lose. Daoist Zhao and Daoist She, please follow me," Zhang Yan said with a smile as he stood. Then, turning to Luo Xiao, he added, "Daoist Luo, while I’m away, make sure to entertain Daoist Jin and Daoist Yan well."

Luo Xiao replied crisply, "Yes, sir."

Zhang Yan extended a finger, and an Array Gate opened before him. Then, gesturing toward Zhao Houzhou and She Yutang, he led the way inside.

Zhao and She hurriedly followed. Upon stepping through, they found themselves in an entirely different realm.

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Before their eyes lay a Cave Mansion, approximately twenty zhang in both width and length. In the center was a Fire Pool filled with fine, grayish-white sand. Four cushions were arranged around the Fire Pool, while Yin Yang Wind Eyes flanked the north and south sides, capable of being opened or closed.

However, their focus quickly shifted to the furnace tripod hanging above the Fire Pool. The tripod was entirely red copper in color, composed of three tiers. The uppermost tier had a roofed lid, intricately crafted, with four fire gates, each adorned with a single-horned exotic beast whose copper bell-like eye gleamed. The middle tier extended four dragon heads, each spitting out a Golden Ring, through which thick chains suspended the tripod. The lowest tier bulged like the belly of a pot and was supported by three fierce fish-dragon sculptures, their tails raised and heads cocked upward, serving as three tripod legs.

Zhao Houzhou exclaimed in admiration, "Daoist Zhang, your furnace tripod is extraordinary!"

Zhang Yan laughed heartily and said, "This was a gift from a senior in the sect. Since I am not proficient in artifact refinement, it sits here as little more than a buried jewel."

This furnace tripod was called the "Fish-Dragon Devouring Moon Palace Tripod." Strictly speaking, it could be classified as a Spiritual Artifact. It had been left behind by Gui Congyao, the Great Demon, when he departed. However, as ordinary Dharma treasures were of no use to him, he had never once wielded this tripod.

She Yutang chuckled and said, "Daoist Zhang jests. Treasure artifacts and spiritual objects belong to the virtuous. Even if ordinary people obtain them, they cannot retain them. What use would they be then?"

Zhang Yan shook his head with a light smile, unwilling to elaborate. Instead, he waved a sleeve, producing a metallic clanging sound. The large tripod descended from its perch and landed on the ground with a muffled thud. Immediately, everyone felt a slight tremor beneath their feet.

He turned to Zhao Houzhou and said, "Daoist Zhao, have you retrieved the refining fire?"

Zhao Houzhou nodded, his smile fading to a solemn expression as he took two steps forward. Raising a finger, a blue flame the size of a fist floated from his hand and landed in the Fire Pool. Then, forming a spell with his fingers and chanting incantations under his breath, the refining fire wavered before burrowing into the fine sand and disappearing without a trace, as though it had never existed.

Having completed this step, Zhao Houzhou exhaled a sigh of relief and, along with She Yutang, bowed deeply toward Zhang Yan and said, "We ask Daoist Zhang to summon the fire!"

Zhang Yan smiled slightly, swung his sleeve, and stepped forward. With no visible effort, a streak of white smoke surged into the Fire Pool. In an instant, it swirled once, accompanied by a deafening roaring sound, akin to fierce winds racing past. With a thunderous "boom," a deep blue flame burst forth from the Fire Pool, soaring more than a zhang high. Its intense, towering blaze seemed ready to consume the furnace tripod.

The sight startled Zhao and She, who were accustomed to summoning fellow Daoists with great struggle to stoke the refining fire to a sufficient intensity. They had not expected Zhang Yan to achieve it so effortlessly and with a mere gesture. The ease with which he managed it was worlds apart.

The two exchanged a glance, recognizing the awe in each other’s gaze. Both felt they had certainly chosen the right person for this endeavor.

...

...(To be continued. If you enjoyed this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)