Chapter 376: Transcendent Vision

Darkness, silence.

In what felt like an eternal fall, Ji Jue saw the flames once again.

In the darkness and deathly silence of the deep sea, that point of flame light jumped silently, rising and dancing amidst the dead ash, eternal and unceasing. Just like this, closer, and closer, until that insignificant point of flame light filled everything, turning into a sea of flames with no visible end...

And so, gradually getting used to it, and so, gradually forgetting himself.

It was as if a grain of ash was falling toward more ash, a spark returning to the flames.

In the low echo of this deep sea, Ji Jue closed his eyes, curling up in exhaustion, as if falling into another dream from the deepest part of a dream.

A voice in his heart said: "Ji Jue, you belong here."

"No."

Ji Jue opened his eyes.

And so, the deep sea, the flames, the nightmare—everything drifted away, never to be seen again.

He saw the familiar workshop, the steel floor, walls, and ceiling, numerous pieces of equipment, scattered drafts, and even the desk lamp on the desk in the distance that had been dimmed after he fell asleep, its light faint and yellow.

He was stunned for a moment, and after a long time, slowly climbed out of bed and rubbed his face.

"Isis, time."

"Present world time, 6:11 AM. There is one hour and forty-nine minutes left until the scheduled time, Sir." A soft voice replied: "Sleep vitals remain stable, no unexpected conditions detected. I think you must have had that dream again."

"That's right."

Ji Jue yawned, washed his face, and looked up, staring at the haggard face in the mirror: "And it's closer, even closer than before."

In the reflection of the mirror, that slightly pale face revealed a trace of withered haggardness, and even torment and fatigue.

Suffering.

It didn't come from some inexplicable nightmare; it was entirely Ji Jue's own doing.

"My suggestion is to stop that foolish ritual of showing piety before gods and Buddhas, eat something, and then go back to sleep to enjoy the sleep humans should have.

There is still more than an hour before the forging begins, Sir; you still have time."

"Unfortunately, Isis, humans are always foolish, and this ritual is also necessary."

Ji Jue shook his head and refused.

After waking up, he didn't go back to sleep. He lowered his head once again to take stock of the forging process and many details of Chunjun, even though he had repeated it countless times, even though he could recite it backward in his dreams, almost carved into his marrow.

Hungry.

Getting hungrier and hungrier.

Literally, both hungry and thirsty.

Not eating for seven consecutive days is still a bit troublesome for Ji Jue, who is still at the Metamorphosis Rank.

His body is instinctively craving nutrition and water. Even if he could continue to persist, the habits he had insisted on for more than twenty years in the first half of his life told him: you should eat; you should have eaten something long ago.

Instead of drinking the northwest wind here to trick ghosts.

Being tormented is a matter of course, and being in a state of neither dying nor really living can also be considered his own doing.

【Bathe and fast, burn incense and change clothes.】

The current Ji Jue is strictly executing the ritual he used to scoff at, and he is meticulous and focused.

Admittedly, in most cases, this set of work is just the dregs of ancient alchemy from the chaotic era, a form of asceticism used to demonstrate one's own perseverance, but it happens to be crucial in the forging of Chunjun.

Being in a closed environment, isolating oneself from the outside world as much as possible.

No drinking or eating, burning incense and meditating.

Focusing on the self.

Excluding external interference as much as possible. During these seven days of isolation and independence, burning incense and bathing three times a day, in order to strip away those messy phenomena and information that disturb one's own purity as much as possible.

Making Ji Jue return to his own essence as much as possible.

From the perspective of the Dao of Ether, this is a process of gradually excluding external interference.

It's not just that; more importantly, during the whole process, one must consciously control one's own spiritual quality and rituals. One must not be excited, nor sad, and must not let the flow of spiritual quality suffer any fluctuations.

Like a pool of stagnant water, maintaining as much calm as possible.

Is it useful?

Perhaps, but not much; at most, it's just icing on the cake.

But even if it's just a one percent increase in the success rate, Ji Jue is unwilling to let it go. More importantly, during this process, the panic and unease in his heart seemed to gradually dissipate.

The seven days of short asceticism seemed to be an uninterrupted psychological suggestion, strengthening his consciousness and obsession.

Under the blessing of the primacy of spirit, his heart was unprecedentedly calm at this moment, and the flow of spiritual quality was near zero, without any ripples or turbulence.

In the silence, he stepped into the pool step by step, washing himself, thinking and simulating the whole process for the nth time in his mind, from beginning to end, not letting go of any detail, searching for all omissions, and at the same time, preparing for the possibility of errors in any link and how to respond...

The moment the last drop of water fell from the bucket, Ji Jue's heart moved inexplicably!

Unprecedented peace and tranquility emerged silently.

It was time.

It's hard to distinguish whether this is the heart, instinct, premonition, or even hallucination, or, is it the Chunjun that has not yet been created—

It said, it's now!

"Then let's begin."

Ji Jue wiped the water droplets from his hair, and amidst the lingering scent of complex incense, he changed into white clothes, let his hair down, went barefoot, and walked straight toward the furnace.

At that moment, a low humming sound rang out from the furnace.

The brilliant, gold-like radiance flowed and changed within the flames, as if it were a living thing, operating and soaring, almost breaking through the restraints and breaking out into the air.

After seven days of tempering and metamorphosis, the light of ultimate purity transcended from the mundane object.

It had long been impatient!

This seven-day fast was also the preparation and warm-up before forging. During this process, Ji Jue had already processed all the materials and blessings with his own hands, putting them into the long smelting...

The creation of Chunjun, ultimate purity and ultimate perfection, must never be left to others.

During the whole process, from the processing of materials to the maintenance of blessings, even the control of the heat was all handled by Ji Jue himself.

Times are changing, and alchemy is evolving, but the Nine-Type Creation still studies the traditions of the past, abandoning many convenient methods and simpler, clearer theories; theory and the unknown are mixed together, naturally formed.

And through this simple and straightforward forging and process, Ji Jue, in his fasting and meditation, felt that he was closely connected to the materials in the furnace, inseparable.

Even in a trance, it was hard to distinguish whether he was outside the furnace or in the flames.

Or perhaps both existed at this moment, and neither existed.

In the trance, that premonition and insight became clearer and clearer.

Seven days of smelting, spiritual quality rising from the mundane, spirituality purifying from the complex, blessings stimulating and extracting each other in the flames, and finally, spiritual quality, spirituality, and blessings, along with the changes in matter, integrated into one again.

As it is above, so it is below.

To fulfill the miracle of the Supreme One!

In the seven days of smelting and torment, when everything overlapped in the infinite complex changes, the moment spiritual quality and matter, spirituality and material nature overlapped into one, everything came to an abrupt end.

It was as if an invisible palm had suddenly reached out to control everything!

Under the shroud of the Non-Aggression matrix, all changes in the furnace seemed to have stopped completely, right under Ji Jue's will.

And the moment his hands clenched, a clanging echo, as if steel were growing, emerged from the darkness.

All flames were extinguished, withdrawn, retreated; the high temperature of the purgatory vanished in an instant. That wisp of scorching, brilliant radiance contracted inward, dissipated, collapsed, and condensed again, manifesting as an object!

Just like an iron branch that had grown rapidly!

"It's now—"

Ji Jue clenched his left hand, and instantly, a hair-raising hissing sound rang out.

That scorching red sword blank, with its residual heat not yet dissipated, was gripped, pulled out from the furnace, just like unsheathing, breaking through the darkness, with countless sparks flying as he swung it, just like stars twinkling in the sky.

In the clanging sound, the scorching red sword blank had already struck the anvil, and then, the forging hammer in the other hand was swung to its highest point.

Smash down!

—Bang!

In the violent vibration, the thin shell on the outermost layer of the sword blank cracked and shattered, wisps of light exploded, sprinkling down, illuminating Ji Jue's eyes.

But his movements didn't stop.

Continue.

Bang!!

Sparks burst again, landing on his face, arms, and neck, bringing a burning sting that went deep into his marrow. On his left hand, which was gripping the sword hilt tightly, the scorch marks cracked, and blood surged out again, falling into the scorching sword blank, hissing.

Wisps of winding blood-red color actually spread rapidly from the hilt, shrouding the entire sword body.

Thirsty for blood, greedily bathing in Ji Jue's spiritual quality, refusing no one!

Bang!!!

The moment the third loud sound burst out, countless blood lines intertwined in the sword blank also suddenly lit up, like the blood vessels of Chunjun, guiding the flow of Ji Jue's spiritual quality, shaping complex structures.

The clanging hum became even higher.

Just like Chunjun singing!

The anvil at this moment was just an ordinary high-density alloy, and like the forging hammer in Ji Jue's other hand, it was plain and unremarkable.

But under the infusion of spiritual quality, it revealed complex patterns. In the ritual of heaven-man induction, countless ascension changes and Supreme emblems of ether emerged from it, and finally, integrated into the changes of the embers.

Man and sword stimulate each other; the crucial creation begins at this moment!

The forging hammer fell again.

Bang—!!!

The dazzling light of spiritual quality was like ripples, spreading in all directions.

The workshop shook violently, and paths of spiritual quality circuits appeared out of thin air, vibrating violently.

That high-pitched and clear humming sound rose up again and again with the collision of the forging hammer, like a bird spreading its wings and soaring freely.

In the end, even the blockade of the workshop could not stop it.

When the first ray of clear morning light spilled down from the end of the night sky and illuminated Xinquan, this thread-like humming sound had already risen into the sky.

Connecting the long night above, unfolding the dawn below.

Here, the boundary between yin and yang was divided; on the line between yin, yang, light, and dark, the humming of Chunjun appeared, echoing in everyone's ears.

So light and slender, yet it caused who knows how many people to suddenly wake up from their lethargy and dreams.

Subconsciously, they tilted their ears to listen!

"..."

Under the same dawn, in the Haichao Workshop, Ye Xian, who hadn't slept all night, finally lifted her eyes, as if surprised—it was actually three quarters of an hour earlier than expected?

Another act of self-assertion?

But it was just right!

Luck? Or, was it heaven-made?

And right in the deepest part of the workshop, amidst layers of blockades, it was as if pairs of sleeping eyes opened, like living things, feeling the long-lost sword humming from afar, subconsciously becoming excited, restless, and struggling, wanting to echo the shouting of their own kind.

It's a pity that they were forcibly suppressed and blocked by their own master, mercilessly, like pinching a dog's mouth.

"Shut up, all of you, don't make trouble."

And so, all things were silent.

Tilting ears to listen.

And at this moment, in Ji Jue's workshop, a second humming sound soared into the sky.

Under the forging hammer that swung down again, the outer shell of the sword blank cracked, and the first layer of brilliant light illuminated Ji Jue's eyes and smile.

That was the blessing beginning to fuse and manifest!

Enlightenment from the shackles, awakening from the stupidity, causing the soul to transcend the limitations of matter, overlooking from eternity, witnessing the operation of all phenomena.

The first step of the Blessing Sequence · Transcendent Vision, this is, 【Transcendent Vision】!

Bang!

The moment the first ray of blessing light was lit, the forging hammer smashed down again, catalyzing and stimulating. In the surging and intertwined spiritual quality circuits, the second ray of light appeared from the blockade.

Perceiving phenomena, tracing destiny.

Through extraordinary perception, connecting oneself with all phenomena, feeling the resonance.

And so, in the complex and infinitely changing torrent of destiny, the moment one leaped from the crest of the wave, one could briefly glimpse the residual light and illusions of the so-called future, foreseeing those imminent risks and dangers.

This is 【Sudden Inspiration】!

Bang!

The forging hammer fell again, and the phantom light rose, spraying like a waterfall, sweeping in all directions.

The third ray of light followed closely, appearing.

Breaking the barrier between spirit and matter, completely fusing with one's own spirit and will, pure and complete, without any flaws, hence it is called "Whole."

Taking this as "All," and likewise, taking this as "One."

Because of this, one can easily turn spirit into matter, and likewise, turn matter into spirit, realizing the free transformation between spiritual quality and matter.

Even, turning one's own body into spiritual quality, or, going a step further, turning one's own "Being" into "Nothingness" the moment disaster strikes!

This is, 【Feathering and Returning to Truth】!

There was no stagnation, nor did any accidents occur.

Everything seemed to change and rise as it should, smooth as flowing water, and the creation without any flaws continued under Ji Jue's control.

The fourth ray of light rose!

Stripping away all affectation and whitewashing, taking off the false light of vanity, erasing the confusion of slander and hypocrisy, and dispelling all delirious fantasies.

Returning to essence, receiving purity.

In the complex and colorful changes, witnessing the natural and simple form of all material spirits.

This is, 【Seeing Simplicity and Embracing Plainness】!

Then, followed by a long silence.

There was no sound, but the air seemed to have solidified, making it difficult for all listeners to breathe, as if something was stuck in their throats.

In the deepest part of the workshop, only a continuous stream of blood and spiritual quality flowed out from Ji Jue's left hand, irrigating Chunjun, as if there were no end in sight.

Wisps of light flowed and clashed within it, like countless small streams gathering in one place, gathering streams into rivers, gathering rivers into lakes, and finally, from lake to sea!

When the abundant and full spiritual quality filled every inch of the sword blank, and in the endless infusion, the erupting spirituality was about to completely crush the material nature, causing everything to fall short... the forging hammer smashed down again!

Just like the last basket of earth falling on a nine-ren mountain.

In the unprecedentedly high-pitched humming sound, the fifth ray of light appeared from the sword blank.

Boom!!!

The vast clanging sound that moved heaven and earth spread.

The fierce light sprayed out, soaring into the sky, breaking through the blockade of the workshop and the earth, tearing through the dim sky of Xinquan, and rising sharply and straight into the sky!

Here, piercing through heaven and earth!

Accumulated to the end, quantitative change to the limit, at the end of infinite changes, welcoming the final change.

In this complete eruption, welcoming a qualitative change that had never existed before!

This is, 【Dragon Soaring and Leopard Changing】!

Under the fierce light soaring into the sky, in Ji Jue's hand, the rough outer blank had already fallen off completely under the fierce forging, revealing a sword blade as brilliant as a pool of autumn water.

The five blessings were integrated into one in the chain, as if heaven-made.

The faint light of ultimate purity flowed from within.

Illuminating Ji Jue's eyes.

Finally, the great work was completed!

But at this moment, Ji Jue's heart was uncontrollably filled with doubt and confusion.

Success?

Really, has it succeeded?

It should have ended here; it should have been time to celebrate and cheer, but why hadn't the surging impulse in his chest weakened in the slightest?

Even, he felt unfinished—

Not enough! It hasn't ended yet!

The blade of Chunjun in his hand was trembling wildly, and together with Ji Jue's soul, it was humming, urging, and shouting!

Telling him:

—Must not stop here!

And so, in the deathly silence, the forging hammer in Ji Jue's hand was lifted again.

In the torment of exhaustion and pain, he catalyzed his final strength, roared and shouted, lifted the hammer to its highest point, and exerted all his strength.

Smash down!!!

Silent, soundless.

Because Ji Jue no longer had the strength to lift the hammer again, but he hadn't even noticed this point—no, he completely believed that this crucial hammer blow had already been swung from his hand!

Otherwise, where did the shock echoing and spreading in his soul come from?

And what was it that he had struck with his hand?

There was no answer; besides him, it was destined that no one would be able to notice.

Only the lingering sound, just like a bubble bursting, rang out.

Pop!

And in this eerie deathly silence, a crack appeared on the body of Chunjun.

Just like a wound, so clear and glaring.

Shock? Confusion? Regret? Or annoyance? Disappointment?

Countless emotions rose and fell, washing over Ji Jue's soul, but they didn't shake his movements in the slightest.

Under the call of instinct and Chunjun, Ji Jue gritted his teeth, and the hallucination-like forging hammer was lifted high again.

Without hesitation, smash down!

And at that moment, behind Ji Jue, the watch dial that had been taken off and placed on the table changed suddenly.

With Ji Jue's hammer blow, the progress of the Heaven-Bestowed Spirit...

Soared rapidly! ===== CHAPTER 377 =====