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After careful preparation, Qi Yuan had finally grasped the intricacies of refining magical equipment.
He took a deep breath and spat out a ten-foot-wide flame, a swirling mass of vibrant colors that distorted the air around it. With a flick of his wrist, he placed the ancient Five Elements True Spirit Tree into the fire.
Crackling sounds filled the air.
Three days and nights passed before the Five Elements True Spirit Tree melted completely, transforming into a shimmering, liquid essence. Qi Yuan could feel his magic power draining rapidly, leaving his dantian depleted by more than half. He quickly swallowed a few pills to replenish his strength, then carefully collected the liquid into a finely crafted bottle, sealing it with a talisman to preserve its spiritual energy.
The next step was even more difficult—refining the Five Elements Fantasy Jade. Each material required precise handling to ensure the highest quality.
Maintaining the Five-Colored Pill Fire at optimal intensity was manageable for a few days, but sustaining it for over a week would be exhausting. By the time he finished, Qi Yuan's face was pale, his eyes sunken with fatigue. He looked like a man who hadn't slept in days. Swallowing more pills, he meditated to restore his magic power before continuing.
With a mere thought, he made three small bottles rise into the air.
A sharp *bang* echoed as the bottles shattered, leaving behind three floating spheres of radiant liquid.
Qi Yuan's hands moved in a flurry of seals, his expression unwavering. His fingertips glowed with multi-colored light as mysterious patterns formed in the air, weaving together into the liquid essence.
Sparks erupted, accompanied by a sharp, piercing hum.
Even though magic weapons lacked sentience, they carried an inherent spiritual force. If not properly controlled, they could react unpredictably, even exploding mid-refinement.
Qi Yuan narrowed his eyes. "Five Elements, Earth and Fire!"
With a swift motion, he extended his fingers, summoning a small but powerful flame. Under his mental control, it floated beneath the forming tower-shaped weapon, gently tempering it.
The hum gradually softened.
Qi Yuan then added mica essence stone into the fire, watching as it melted before integrating it into the tower. Immediately, its power surged. One by one, he incorporated steel, gold, and other elemental materials, each precisely measured and blended into the magic weapon.
Finally, he pressed his fingertip, forcing out a single drop of blood essence. It shot into the floating tower, merging seamlessly as he chanted a series of spells. The blood essence bound the weapon to him, forging a link between his soul and the magic tower.
The weapon, still burning hot, was then plunged into Earth Spirit Water to cool. Layers of spiritual energy enveloped it as the temperature stabilized. Qi Yuan repeated the heating and cooling cycle multiple times, refining its structure.
As the days passed, the Five Elements Futian Tower slowly took shape. It was an intricate seven-story miniature tower, no more than an inch high, yet radiating immense power.
Each level pulsed with the five elemental energies, casting dazzling colors across the room. At the peak, a tiny yellow gemstone glowed softly. Delicate cloud-like engravings covered the tower's surface, shifting and swirling as if alive. Small bells hung from each tier, their crisp chimes ringing faintly in the breeze.
Within the tower's core, a cluster of multicolored flames burned, dispelling all darkness.
Qi Yuan let out a slow breath. "My natal magic weapon... is complete."
With a thought, he willed the Five Elements Futian Tower into his dantian, where it would be nurtured and strengthened by his magic power. A newly forged weapon should not be rushed into battle—it needed time to mature before revealing its full potential.
After a day's rest, Qi Yuan dismantled the formation restrictions, stored away his flying centipede in a spirit beast bag, and vanished into the mist.
________
In the outer seas, a streak of light descended upon Silver Shark Island, revealing Qi Yuan's figure.
This island marked the boundary between human cultivators and the vast, untamed sea. Beyond it, monsters ruled, and human presence was rare. It was a place of opportunity and peril—where cultivators gathered, but also where beast tides struck first.
Qi Yuan had come searching for the Soul-Connecting Grass. With luck, he might find some reckless demon who had carelessly let one slip into trade.
Yet, after visiting every shop on the island, the answer was the same—no one had what he was looking for.
Was Bing Xin Dan truly out of reach?
"Sir, you seem to be searching for rare treasures. I may have access to a secret source," a voice whispered suddenly.
Qi Yuan turned to see a middle-aged man standing just beyond a soundproof barrier. The man, a late Foundation Establishment cultivator, had a shifty look, a mole on the right side of his mouth, and an air of opportunism about him.
"Can you acquire Soul-Connecting Grass from the deep sea?" Qi Yuan asked calmly.
Long Dazhi, as he introduced himself, rubbed the strands of hair on his mole and chuckled. "What a coincidence. Someone recently offered to sell a 300-year-old spirit herb. If you're interested, I can arrange a meeting. Of course, I'll require payment in spirit stones afterward."
"Make the arrangements," Qi Yuan said with an easy smile. "If the deal goes through, you'll be compensated."
Long Dazhi beamed. "You're straightforward, my lord. Please give me your location, and I'll send word once I confirm the deal."
Qi Yuan provided the name of his temporary inn and waited.
That night, while meditating, he sensed a sound transmission note hovering outside his door, held at bay by his protective barrier. With a flick of his wrist, he allowed it inside and listened.
A moment later, he vanished into the darkness.
_______
In a secluded area beyond Silver Shark Island, Long Dazhi stood waiting, his eyes darting about cautiously.
Beside him, a figure wrapped entirely in black cloth remained motionless. Judging by its outline, it wasn't human.
"He's here," Long Dazhi whispered excitedly.
The black cloth figure shifted slightly but stayed silent.
A streak of radiant light descended, revealing Qi Yuan's face. He studied the cloaked figure with an amused smile.
A seventh-level demon beast.
"You're meeting me so openly," the figure rasped, its voice hoarse with dissatisfaction.
Qi Yuan chuckled. "I have no need for secrecy. Besides, in the ocean, you are king. Who would dare trouble you? Or are you afraid?"
At his words, the black cloth trembled, exuding a sudden wave of murderous intent.
Long Dazhi stiffened, sweat beading on his forehead as he quickly glanced around, his mind racing.
Qi Yuan simply smiled, unfazed by the tension.
(End of Chapter)