Chapter 351

Wang Ping's expression remained unchanged: "Whether it is empty talk or not, please, True Person, take a look and you will know. What this junior seeks in discussing the Dao is also not idle talk; I hope to verify learning through practice and exchange verification with the various venerable masters."

Mingjian True Person stared deeply at Wang Ping for a long moment, said no more, and placed the jade slip on his forehead, sinking his divine sense into it.

At first, his expression remained as plain as ever, even carrying a hint of scrutiny and fastidiousness. But soon, a subtle fluctuation appeared on that stern face. His brows would at times furrow, at times relax, and his breathing seemed to have slowed considerably. The hand that had been adjusting his spectacles was lowered at some unknown point.

The hall was utterly silent, save for the faint humming of the formation operating in the distant Sutra Pavilion. Time passed bit by bit, and Mingjian True Person actually maintained that posture, standing firmly for a full half-hour!

Finally, he slowly lowered the jade slip and exhaled a long breath. That breath actually carried a trace of undisguisable tremor. His gaze toward Wang Ping had completely changed; the previous doubt and scrutiny had vanished without a trace, replaced by extreme solemnity, shock, and even a hint of bewilderment.

"This… this jade slip contains the method of 'microcosmic inner vision' for discerning the essence of materials. Though merely an introductory guide, it directly points to the fundamental nature of matter and energy, marvelously akin to the lost ancient 'Discern Materials Immortal Eye,' with a more systematic approach… Moreover, the discussions on 'law-ecology construction' and 'affinity-conflict balance'… Though only the tip of the iceberg, they have already touched the supreme realm of the 'Dao' of artifact refinement… This is certainly beyond ordinary insight! Wang… Wang Instructor, is this slip truly authored by your own hand?" Mingjian True Person's voice was dry, filled with disbelief.

"This junior dare not deceive." Wang Ping replied calmly.

Mingjian True Person drew several deep breaths, struggled to compose his emotions, and solemnly placed the jade slip into a specially crafted jade box, applying numerous seals. "The value of this slip is beyond measure. Though merely a 'first glimpse,' it is sufficient to open a new branch in our academy's artifact refinement inheritance, and may even spark a revolution in artifact refinement concepts! I will immediately list it as a 'Class A Superior' secret canon, to be stored in the core 'Taiyi' side hall. As for your application to discuss the Dao with the artifact refinement masters…"

He pondered briefly, took out a specially crafted transmission talisman, infused it with spiritual power: "The contents of this slip are no longer for me alone to decide. I will immediately contact the chief of the Artifact Hall, 'Ouye True Person,' the 'Heavenly Craft Elder' Huolianzi, and the 'Dual Absolute in Formations and Artifacts' Xuangi Elder. These three are all titans of our academy's artifact refinement path, with cultivations at late Nascent Soul or above, and Ouye True Person has even reached Nascent Soul perfection, half a step into Divinity. If they approve, the Dao discussion will naturally be arranged."

The transmission talisman turned into a flowing light and flew out. In the time it takes to burn an incense stick, three powerful yet vastly different divine senses swept over the Jianzhen Hall in succession, lingering slightly on Mingjian True Person and Wang Ping, especially on that sealed jade box. Immediately, three voices almost simultaneously sounded in the ears of Mingjian True Person and Wang Ping, carrying varying degrees of surprise and interest:

"《Primer to the Primordial Artifact Dao》? Mingjian old man, you are usually rigorous; if you rate it as 'Class A Superior,' there must be a reason. I, too, wish to see what earth-shattering discourse this is." — The voice was loud like an iron hammer striking, precisely the Artifact Hall chief, Ouye True Person.

"Primordial artifact refinement? Somewhat interesting. I have been troubled by the integration of the artifact for a furnace of 'Five Elements Nirvana Elixir,' and perhaps I can take a look." — The voice was slightly hoarse yet carried a scorching breath, that of the Heavenly Craft Elder Huolianzi, skilled in fire refinement and the unity of artifact and elixir.

"Oh? Involving affinity and conflict balance in laws? This is a shared difficulty in high-level composite formations and artifact refinement. Xuangi is willing to take a look." — The voice was clear and tranquil, that of the Xuangi Elder, who specializes in the union of formations and artifact refinement.

Mingjian True Person looked at Wang Ping, his eyes carrying a hint of complexity: "The three masters have agreed. The venue for the Dao discussion shall be the Artifact Hall's 'Hall of Artifact Principles and Cosmology,' three days hence at the chen hour. Wang Instructor, when the time comes, the three masters will be present in person; I hope… you will be cautious." His last two words were spoken with deep meaning. Both a reminder to Wang Ping not to be lax and a hint of concern — these three masters have differing tempers and exceedingly high standards; if Wang Ping is merely theorizing on paper, he may find it hard to hold his ground.

Wang Ping clasped his hands: "Many thanks, True Person. This junior will take heed."

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

The Hall of Artifact Principles and Cosmology is located atop an independent red mountain peak behind the Heavenly Craft Hall of Earth Fire. The hall is not particularly grand, yet its entire structure is built from interlocking 'Crimson Flame Fire Jade' and 'Profound Ice Cold Iron,' one yin and one yang, subtly harmonizing with the principle of water and fire complementing each other in artifact refinement. The interior is spacious, the floor engraved with a large taiji bagua diagram, and nine coiling dragon copper pillars stand around the sides, their bodies covered in various artifact dao pattern reliefs, exuding an ancient, heavy dao resonance.

Before the chen hour arrived, there were already three people in the hall.

The person on the left was extraordinarily tall and burly, nearly nine feet, wearing simple coarse hemp clothes, revealing muscles like twisted bronze on his arms, beard and hair bristling like a lion's, his eyes opening and closing with sharp light, as if able to pierce metal and stone. This is precisely the Artifact Hall chief, Ouye True Person. His aura sank deep like an abyssal mountain; standing there, he resembled an ancient artifact refinement furnace, with faint sounds of gold and iron clashing echoing around him.

The person on the right was of medium build, with a gaunt face, red hair tied into a simple dao bun, holding a jade pin shaped like a flame. He wore a scarlet dao robe with wide sleeves, his hands clasped within the sleeves, his expression calm, yet within three zhang of him, the air slightly twisted, the temperature noticeably higher than elsewhere. This is precisely the Heavenly Craft Elder Huolianzi, who specializes in fire methods; it is said his natal true fire already carries a hint of 'nirvana' quality.

The person in the center was an elder who appeared the oldest, stooped, with sparse white hair, wearing a washed-white gray dao robe, holding a green wood cane, his face full of wrinkles, yet his eyes were clear and bright, as if able to reflect the finest formation patterns and energy trajectories in heaven and earth. This is the Xuangi Elder, who appears ordinary, yet no one present dares to slight him, for his formation attainments and artifact refinement realm are unfathomable.

The three masters had arrived early, clearly not entirely without anticipation for this Dao discussion, and also harboring a desire to test.

"That old coot Mingjian, rarely so solemn. I vaguely sensed that jade slip; it indeed has an extraordinary dao rhythm flowing through, but the specifics still need to be seen with one's own eyes." Ouye True Person's voice was like a great bell, his gaze sweeping toward the hall door.

"Primordial artifact refinement… hey, how many years since I've heard such talk. Hope it's not just another hotshot with high eyes and low hands." Huolianzi's tone was light, a wisp of scarlet flame flashing at his fingertip and vanishing.

Xuangi Elder remained silent, merely tapping his cane lightly on the taiji diagram on the floor, the color of contemplation flashing in his eyes, as if simulating something.

At the chen hour, the hall doors opened silently. Wang Ping entered the hall in a common blue dao robe of the academy, his steps steady. Facing the gazes of the three masters — their auras either deep and solemn, scorching hot, or profound — his expression remained calm as he performed the salute: "This junior Wang Ping pays respects to Ouye True Person, Elder Huolianzi, and Senior Xuangi."

The three masters' gazes fell like substance upon Wang Ping, especially lingering a moment on his eyes, which were calm as an abyss yet seemed able to reflect all things. With their cultivation and vision, they could naturally see that Wang Ping's foundation was far superior to his peers, his aura rounded and inwardly gathered, hinting at a dao resonance close to the source of heaven and earth, certainly not comparable to an ordinary late Nascent Soul cultivator. But this could not directly prove his attainment on the 'Great Dao' of artifact refinement.

"No need for excessive courtesy." Ouye True Person spoke first, his voice booming: "Wang Ping, Mingjian True Person highly praised your《Primer to the Primordial Artifact Dao》, saying it has the potential to open a new branch. We three have come today precisely to hear, what exactly is unique about your 'Primordial Artifact Dao.' Do not speak empty theories; the Dao of artifact refinement ultimately must land in the 'substantial.'"

His words were direct, even carrying a hint of pressure. Huolianzi and Xuangi Elder also silently watched Wang Ping, awaiting his response.

Wang Ping rose, neither hurried nor slow: "True Person speaks truly. The artifact Dao is vast; this junior dare not claim omniscience. This time I have organized my insights, also based on my own slight shallow practice, occasionally gaining understanding. Rather than empty theorizing, I would ask the three seniors to observe my demonstration, then make judgment."

As he spoke, he flipped his palm, and in his palm appeared a piece about the size of a chicken egg, entirely dark purple, with a surface of chaotic silver-gray light halo, emitting strong geomagnetic fluctuations and a primordial aura — precisely a small fragment of 'Primordial Geomagnetic Crystal' left over from the refinement of the Primordial Tribulation Sword.

"Primordial Geomagnetic Crystal?" The three masters' gazes narrowed. They naturally recognized this object; it is an extremely rare artifact refinement material, especially good at breaking laws, but due to its innate chaotic and highly exclusive geomagnetic force field, it is extremely difficult to handle, let alone finely control. Ordinary artifact refiners who obtain it usually rely on brute force or special formations to roughly guide its geomagnetic force in a general direction, used for crafting specific-function artifact components, rarely able to delve into its microscopic essence for fine adjustment.

Wang Ping placed this small crystal fragment in his palm, without using any flame or tools, merely slowly closing his eyes. The next moment, a stream of pure, heavy, yet inclusive and evolving primordial immortal essence flowed from his palm, like the gentlest mist, enveloping that fragment of primordial geomagnetic crystal.

At the same time, Wang Ping's divine sense extended outward, not with brute impact, but with a peculiar frequency and vibration, silently permeating the crystal's interior.

In the divine sense perception of the three masters (they did not rashly delve into the details of Wang Ping's divine sense, but could sense changes in energy and matter), that fragment of primordial geomagnetic crystal, originally with chaotic light and a geomagnetic force field like a vexed hedgehog, began to undergo subtle changes.

Inside the crystal, those originally disordered magnetic field lines, mutually conflicting and canceling out, seemed to be gently flicked and combed by an invisible, nimble hand. The chaotic silver-gray light halo began to become orderly, flowing and arranging along a certain specific, dao-imbued pattern trajectory. On the crystal's surface, those originally incessantly flashing and irregular magnetic spots also gradually stabilized, forming a faintly symmetrical pattern, like some basic law rune.

Even more astonishing, as this internal force field was reordered, the geomagnetic fluctuations emitted by this primordial geomagnetic crystal fragment did not weaken but became more refined and concentrated, with much less of the original violence and exclusivity, gaining instead a quality of 'ordered sharpness' and 'controllable interference.' Its overall energy stability, judged by the three masters' vision, had increased by at least threefold! And its conductivity for specific attribute spiritual power (especially affinity with primordial, metal, and lightning attributes) had also shown a significant, commonsense-defying enhancement!

The entire process lasted only thirty breaths. Wang Ping opened his eyes, the primordial immortal essence in his palm retracting. That fragment of primordial geomagnetic crystal lay quietly in his hand, still dark purple at the base, but the surface silver-gray pattern had become smooth and rhythmic, the luster warm and inwardly gathered, like a carefully carved artwork, rather than the original dangerous and hard-to-tame natural mineral crystal.

"This…" Huolianzi Elder's usually indifferent face first showed clear emotion, his fingers in his sleeve unconsciously twisting. As an expert in playing with fire, he has extremely high demands for fine control of energy and matter; what Wang Ping just displayed was not relying on brute force or high cultivation to forcibly suppress, but truly conducting 'guidance' and 'reconstruction' from the material's 'essence' level! This method is simply unheard of!

Ouye True Person's copper-bell eyes widened further, he took a step forward, almost instantaneously arriving before Wang Ping, staring intently at the processed primordial geomagnetic crystal fragment, his powerful divine sense repeatedly scanning it, muttering: "Not an illusion… the force field was truly combed… structural stability greatly increased… spiritual channels self-optimized… How is this possible? Merely relying on divine sense and primordial immortal essence guidance? No formation assistance? No external forging?"

Xuangi Elder's gaze then became even deeper, he stared at Wang Ping, then at the crystal fragment, tapping his cane lightly on the ground: "Marvelous! This is not 'refining,' but 'nurturing'! Using one's own dao resonance as a guide, communicating with the law fragments inherent in the material, guiding them to spontaneously arrange toward a more stable, more efficient, and more aligned with some 'Dao' direction… This… this is nearly 'enlightenment'! Wang Ping young friend, what you just used, is it the 'microcosmic inner vision' and 'affinity-guided guidance' mentioned in the jade slip?"

Wang Ping handed the crystal fragment to Ouye True Person for careful observation, while simultaneously replying: "Xuangi Senior, Mingjian True Person. It is precisely based on insight into the material's internal energy flow and law fragments, then using primordial immortal essence as a bridge, conforming to some of its inherent characteristics, micro-adjusting its conflicting parts, guiding it to evolve toward a preset, more harmonious 'structural blueprint.' In this, primordial immortal essence plays more the role of a 'harmonizer' and 'catalyst,' rather than a 'sovereign.' This method demands high standards for divine sense strength, attribute affinity, and the rationality of the 'blueprint' design, and is not applicable to all materials, but if successful, it can often preserve or even stimulate the material's potential to a greater extent, reducing essential damage from brute-force treatment."

Ouye True Person took the crystal fragment, his rough fingers gently rubbing it, feeling that stable yet inwardly sharp geomagnetic fluctuation, then tried to inject a trace of his own geng-metal spiritual power, which was unusually smoothly absorbed, transformed, and enhanced a trace of its law-breaking property! He abruptly raised his head, looking at Wang Ping, in whose eyes there was no longer a trace of doubt or contempt, replaced by blazing light: "Good! Excellent 'microcosmic inner vision'! Excellent 'guided evolution'! If this method could be quantified and systematized, it could revolutionize the pretreatment processes of many high-level materials! Wang Ping, are the details of this method in your jade slip sufficient? What are the cultivation thresholds?"

Wang Ping replied truthfully: "The jade slip records the basic points of the method and several typical structural models, as well as the basic conditions for cultivation — one needs relatively strong primordial attribute affinity or similar high-level perception spiritual power, and divine sense needs to be sufficiently condensed and keen. As for deeper applications and variations, they require combining specific materials and artifact refinement goals for continual exploration and summary; what I have recorded is merely an introductory brick."

"An introductory brick? This brick is enough to smash open a new door!" Ouye True Person laughed heartily, his voice shaking the hall, appearing extremely delighted.

Huolianzi Elder then also approached, no longer concealing the interest in his eyes, and asked: "Wang Ping, the pattern you guided it to form seems to hint at a certain tendency toward 'law-breaking' and 'sharpness'; is this your pre-designed 'blueprint'?"

"Exactly." Wang Ping nodded: "I noticed that within this geomagnetic crystal fragment, the law fragments for 'law-breaking' and 'primordial-derived sharpness' are relatively active and have great potential, so I took this as a basis and designed a simple blueprint to enhance these two traits and make them work in tandem.

In actual operation, one must continually sense the material's internal feedback, micro-adjusting the guidance strength and direction, similar to… conversing with the material."

"Conversing with the material…" Xuangi Elder murmured softly, his eyes growing ever brighter: "These words truly grasp the essence of the artifact Dao! Artifacts have spirits; not only after completion, but during refinement, one must regard the material as a 'sprout,' nourishing it with dao resonance, communicating with mind and spirit, to obtain treasures truly aligned with the Great Dao. Wang Ping young friend, your 'Primordial Artifact Dao' emphasizes 'Dao' over 'technique,' emphasizes 'communication' over 'conquest,' truly the right path!"

His gaze toward Wang Ping was now full of admiration and expectation.

However, just then, as Huolianzi Elder remained immersed in observing the crystal and digesting Wang Ping's words, his bodily aura suddenly underwent an abnormal fluctuation!

His originally stable scorching aura suddenly became disordered, his scarlet dao robe fluttering without wind, the flame pattern on his hairpin flickering unstably, his face showing an abnormal reddish hue, his eyes alternating between confusion, ecstasy, and struggle.

"Huolianzi?" Ouye True Person and Xuangi Elder immediately sensed something amiss, their expressions slightly changing.

"I… I seem to have understood…" Huolianzi's voice was hoarse, tinged with trembling: "My 'Five Elements Nirvana Elixir'… the artifact-elixir integration has always been lacking that final touch… the five elements' generation and control cycle always loses balance at the final moment… I always thought it was a problem of fire control or formation linkage… Now it occurs to me, perhaps my understanding of the essential conflict between the two main materials in the elixir furnace — 'Five Elements Jade Marrow' and 'Nirvana Fire Essence' — is mistaken! I only thought to bind them with strong formations and force them to merge with fierce fire, never considering delving into their internals to guide their law traits from 'opposition' to 'symbiosis'…"

The more he spoke, the faster he became, his aura growing even more unstable, his body even beginning to emit tiny flames of various colors (green, blue, red, yellow, corresponding to the five elements), obviously his true essence and years of confusion intertwining under mental agitation, triggering some precursor to sudden enlightenment, but also accompanied by the risk of going berserk!

"Huolianzi! Calm down! Gather your spirit!" Ouye True Person shouted low, his voice like the great bell Huangzhong Dalu, trying to shock him awake.

Xuangi Elder also raised his cane, dropping points of clear radiance, wishing to help stabilize his sea of consciousness.

But Huolianzi seemed to have fallen into a peculiar state of sudden enlightenment, his response to external interference sluggish, the internal conflict of his five-element fire qi growing ever more evident, his face alternating red and white.

At this moment, Wang Ping moved. He did not step forward to forcibly intervene, but raised his hand again, a thread of extremely pure and harmonious primordial immortal essence seeping from his fingertip, flicked lightly, like a drop of cool sweet dew, silently sinking into Huolianzi's surrounding chaotic five-element fire qi.

This thread of primordial immortal essence did not go to suppress or dispel those fire qi, but like the most nimble lubricant and harmonizer, penetrated along the several nodes where the five-element fire qi conflict was most intense, using its unique 'inclusive' and 'harmonizing' properties to temporarily buffer and guide that violent clash, creating a sliver of breathing space and room for adjustment for Huolianzi's chaotic mind.

This is the gap!

Huolianzi's entire body trembled violently, the confusion in his eyes quickly receded, replaced by a sudden clarity and enlightenment!

The chaotic five-element fire energy throughout his body, as if combed by an invisible hand, though not immediately calmed, was no longer violently clashing, but began to slowly circulate along a more orderly trajectory.

The flush on his face faded, he let out a long sigh of relief; though his breath still fluctuated unstably, the danger of qi deviation was gone, and instead, there faintly appeared signs of breaking through barriers and ascending to higher levels!

He abruptly turned toward Wang Ping, bowed deeply, his tone extremely solemn, even carrying a hint of gratitude: "Thank you, young friend Wang Ping, for your guidance and assistance!

Had it not been for your demonstration and guidance just now, and this thread of chaotic true intent harmonizing at the critical moment, I, the old man, would surely have been lost in the rut of old habits; even if unharmed, this opportunity for sudden enlightenment would inevitably have been missed! Young friend, your insight into the artifact path, especially this perception of essence and harmonization of conflict, has taught this old man...

A renowned artifact master of hundreds of years' standing, actually performed this great salute to a junior, calling himself 'taught'—this scene moved even Ou Ye Zhenren and Xuanji Lao Ren standing nearby.

They knew well Huolianzi's proud nature; to make him so utterly convinced, what Wang Ping displayed was certainly no mere 'skill,' but truly touched upon some core truth of the 'Dao' of artifact crafting!

Ou Ye Zhenren clapped his palms and laughed loudly, voice shaking the roof tiles: "Good! Good! Good! Today's discourse on the Dao was truly exhilarating! Wang Ping, you need not call yourself a junior anymore! Those who excel come first; on this new concept of artifact Dao, you have already moved ahead of us!

This 'Initial Glimpse of Chaotic Artifact Dao' truly lives up to its name! Old man proposes: effective immediately, Wang Ping may freely enter and exit all non-secret areas of the Artifact Palace, peruse related texts, and has the right to participate in deliberations on major artifact-crafting projects of the Artifact Palace! Huolianzi, Xuanji, what do you say?"

Huolianzi nodded without hesitation: "Quite right!"

Xuanji Lao Ren also smiled and nodded: "Young friend Wang Ping's insights are also greatly enlightening on the path combining formations and artifact crafting; this old man likewise welcomes young friend to often come to 'Xuanji Peak' to sit and discuss the Dao."

Wang Ping hastily clasped his hands in return: "Three seniors' kindness, this junior dares not accept. To be able to exchange with the seniors is already this junior's fortune. In the future, I shall certainly come often to seek instruction."

Thus, this discourse on the Dao concluded satisfactorily, even far exceeding expectations. Wang Ping, relying on genuine, heart-stirring skill display and profound concepts, completely convinced the three artifact masters who held their eyes above their heads, not only establishing his unique status and voice in the artifact field of the Ninth Dao Institute, but also building a good relationship with these three titans.

It can be foreseen that, with the spread of 'Initial Glimpse of Chaotic Artifact Dao' and his deepening exchanges with the masters, the artifact path of the Ninth Dao Institute, and even Wang Ping's own artifact cultivation, will usher in a new chapter.

Leaving the Artifact Palace of Qiankun Hall as the sun set in the west and evening clouds filled the sky, Wang Ping's steps remained steady, but the ease and confidence brought by his complete integration into the Dao Institute's high-level academic circle, visible in his brow, became ever more apparent. The road ahead may be long, but the path is no longer lonely.