Chapter 116: Dragon Transmutation, Body Refinement!

Azure Sky Eleven Swords

A second‑grade superior artificer poured heart and blood into this work; the materials for forging the magic swords were allocated according to third‑grade Magic Treasure standards. The artificer originally hoped to use this forging opportunity to break through the third‑grade skill threshold, but ultimately failed. Nevertheless, each of the eleven swords individually is only second‑grade superior, yet when used as a set they can barely reach the third‑grade Magic Treasure threshold. Moreover, after this set of swords was forged, it was taken by a Fake Core cultivator for personal use; that Fake Core cultivator even once tried to refine the set into a Life‑Bound Magic Treasure to stabilize the Primordial Spirit for over ten years before giving up. Thus, although this artifact never advanced to a third‑grade Magic Treasure and never truly developed sentience, it is still extraordinarily uncanny…

Equipment requirement: Foundation Establishment Realm or above cultivation

Equipment effect: Sword‑cultivation talent increase, Azure Sky Sword Formation Minor Completion

Looking at the system's description of this set of magic swords, Xiao Zhangqing's face broke into a satisfied smile.

Unsurprisingly, these eleven swords of extraordinary material that the Fake Core True Person had nurtured for years could indeed be recorded in the inventory.

Moreover, judging from its description and the equipment effects, they are also quite impressive.

Sword‑cultivation talent is a combat‑oriented talent; truly speaking, it is no worse than alchemy, Talisman Script, formation arts and other hundred‑craft talents of the Cultivation World.

For some radical cultivators, sword‑cultivation talent is even more important than auxiliary talents like the hundred‑crafts of the Cultivation World!

Just as Xiao Zhangqing now employs the 'Six Harmonies Sword Technique', the previous cultivator of this technique was famed in Nanshan Fang, whose Qi Refining Realm ninth‑layer cultivation could overwhelm a Foundation Establishment Initial Stage cultivator, truly a being with a high sword‑cultivation talent.

While in the Qi Refining Realm, he had already comprehended a sword‑path killing move at the Foundation Establishment level.

Unfortunately, his cultivation aptitude was lacking, and he ultimately failed to establish the foundation.

Xiao Zhangqing now possesses sword‑cultivation talent, so whether he refines the power tier of the Six Harmonies Sword Technique or cultivates other sword‑path arts and divine abilities, it will all be much easier.

As for the second skill, 'Azure Sky Sword Formation Minor Completion'.

After Xiao Zhangqing equipped the eleven Flying Swords, he sensed them and his face also showed a look of delight.

The Azure Sky Sword Formation is precisely the sword‑formation method that Zhou Songbai and Liang Yuehua employed during their duel!

This sword formation has a remarkable lineage; if cultivated to its highest realm, it can reach fourth‑grade top‑tier lethality and even fight beyond its tier!

Zhou Songbai likely spent dozens of years researching this formation, but judging from the power Xiao Zhangqing observed during their duel, it was only at the minor‑completion level.

A minor‑completed Azure Sky Sword Formation is already absolutely top‑tier among cultivators of the same realm in duels.

Liang Yuehua, a top‑ranking Fake Core cultivator in the Da Yu Cultivation World, could not break a minor‑completed Azure Sky Sword Formation without employing a Life‑Bound Magic Treasure, making it hard to truly wound Zhou Songbai.

Only when Liang Yuehua unleashed his Life‑Bound Magic Treasure did he finally shatter the Azure Sky Sword Formation.

However, according to the Azure Sky Sword Formation description, if Zhou Songbai's sword‑cultivation talent were one tier higher, allowing him to refine the formation to the Proficient realm, he could become virtually invincible among peers.

Even if Liang Yuehua eventually used his Life‑Bound Magic Treasure, he could still rely on the Azure Sky Sword Formation to protect himself and would not be defeated.

As for higher tiers of the Azure Sky Sword Formation—Great Completion or even Perfection—those are no longer invincible within the same realm but can fight beyond their tier.

"No wonder, this Azure Sky Sword Formation is a fourth‑grade top‑tier formation. Even when one reaches the Nascent Soul True Lord stage, this formation still counts as an extremely powerful divine ability!"

Xiao Zhangqing, after reading the Azure Sky Sword Formation, clicked his tongue to himself.

The only regret is that Zhou Songbai is truly inadequate!

He has cultivated the Azure Sky Sword Formation for at least several decades, yet it has only just reached minor‑completion, resulting in the 'skill' level Xiao Zhangqing gains from his sword being insufficiently high.

To unleash a stronger Azure Sky Sword Formation later, he must slowly cultivate and comprehend it himself.

"No, if that guy Zhou Songbai's sword‑cultivation talent were stronger and he raised the Azure Sky Sword Formation's attainment above Proficient, Liang Yuehua would no longer be his opponent. I might not be able to successfully acquire their Magic Treasures either."

"Hmm. I'll just keep researching slowly later. Since I now have sword‑cultivation talent, with time I can gradually raise my attainment."

"Moreover, the Azure Sky Sword Formation differs from traditional sword‑path arts and divine abilities; perhaps I can try to integrate the Six Harmonies Sword Technique into the Azure Sky Sword Formation?"

"That way, the combined power would be stronger, and the eleven Flying Swords wouldn't need to leave five idle; they can be used as a full set to unleash maximum potency…"

Xiao Zhangqing pondered briefly in his mind and roughly settled on a plan.

From now on, alongside his cultivation, he can allocate some energy to researching sword formations.

Although in the short term the Azure Sky Eleven Swords don't boost his strength dramatically, their potential is ample and they will be useful for a long time to come!

Once he raises the proficiency of the Azure Sky Sword Formation, it will become his second greatest killing move and trump card besides the Divine Sense Secret Technique.

…

"Next up, the Jiao Dragon Silver Whip!"

Xiao Zhangqing stored the eleven Azure Sky Flying Swords, and a silver whip about twelve to thirteen meters long hovered before him.

Although the spirit of this artifact was annihilated by Xiao Zhangqing on the spot back in Nanshan Fang, now that he has taken it out again, he can still sense a faint 'threat' emanating from it.

Or rather, a sense of oppression! It seems he is facing a genuine Jiao Dragon!

Yes.

This whip carries a Jiao Dragon's oppressive aura.

This is something not felt from the Azure Sky Eleven Swords; the two are distinctly different.

If Xiao Zhangqing were merely an ordinary Foundation Establishment Initial Stage cultivator, he would likely be unable to subdue this artifact, let alone refine it.

Should he remove the suppressing magic without refining it and touch it directly, it could even endanger his life.

"I can make even your master lose resistance, yet I still cannot subdue you?"

Xiao Zhangqing snorted coldly, immediately channeling the solid‑state magic of the Longevity Stone, forcefully breaking into the long‑whip Magic Treasure; no matter how it struggled and resisted, he gradually erased every imprint Liang Yuehua had etched onto it over the years, then inscribed his own.

One can only say, worthy of a third‑grade Life‑Bound Magic Treasure, a being once born with sentience.

This time Xiao Zhangqing's refining of the 'Jiao Dragon Silver Whip' took more than half an hour, nearly five times the duration of refining the 'Azure Sky Eleven Swords'! "Hoo~"

Already in a sluggish, exhausted state, Xiao Zhangqing let out a long sigh after the refining.

If the whip's "bones" were any harder, he would consider pausing the refining to first recuperate his Soul Transformation.

"Wuwuwu~"

Xiao Zhangqing opened his eyes, removed the sealing magic; the Jiao Dragon Silver Whip no longer struggled as before, and when Xiao Zhangqing extended a hand, it coiled around his arm like a rope, showing intimate attachment.

Of course.

The current Jiao Dragon Silver Whip lacks sentience, yet it is still far more useful than ordinary artifacts.

Xiao Zhangqing's other hand touched the long whip, feeling its extraordinary and potent power, while he stared unblinkingly at the system for details.

No doubt.

The Jiao Dragon Silver Whip meets the inventory inclusion criteria.

And moreover, the rating and extracted skills are far higher than those of the Qingxiao Eleven Swords! 【Jiaolong Silver Whip】【Made from the dragon tendons of a Jiaolong that had just broken through the third‑tier lower grade not long ago. The material itself is already quite precious, and the forging method is superb; if a Jie Dan cultivator refines it into a life‑destined Magic Treasure and lets it nurture long enough, there is hope to raise its grade to third‑tier middle grade, even upper grade. Unfortunately, its spiritual essence has now been erased, and it can no longer be upgraded…】

【Equipment Requirement: Foundation Establishment Realm or above cultivation, Water Spirit Root】

【Equipment Effect: Transform Dragon Refining Body Method (upgradable, second‑tier mid‑stage – third‑tier late‑stage), Upper‑grade Water Spirit Root (optional)】

Reading the system's description of this Magic Treasure, Xiao Zhangqing couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

It turned out to be a Magic Treasure forged from the dragon tendons of a third‑tier lower‑grade Jiaolong that he killed! I wonder whether Liang Yuehua bought it elsewhere, or whether Baihua Valley personally killed a Jiaolong that had just broken through the third tier? You see.

A third‑tier lower‑grade Jiaolong beast, even though it has just broken through, is generally very hard for a Jie Dan early‑stage cultivator to kill.

Even.

Even a Jie Dan mid‑stage cultivator might not be able to do it.

Compared with human cultivators, beasts already have the advantage: a strong mortal body and innate divine abilities, so at the same realm they are inherently stronger than human cultivators.

Moreover, a Jiaolong, a rare beast with an extraordinary bloodline, is even harder to slay.

If Baihua Valley possesses the strength to kill a third‑tier Jiaolong—whether by encirclement, traps, etc. —then Baihua Valley's power is indeed not to be underestimated.

The valley's master is probably also at least a Jie Dan mid‑stage cultivator.

Nevertheless, no matter how powerful Baihua Valley is, Xiao Zhangqing need not fear.

Character: Liyang Immortal City lies tens of thousands of li away from Baihua Valley's sphere of influence; unless Baihua Valley someday ascends to Nascent Soul strength, it cannot affect Character: Liyang Immortal City.

But that is almost impossible.

In the Da Yu Cultivation World, for the past thousand years, only Xingyue Palace and Seven Star Sword Sect have vied for supremacy; beyond them, no third Nascent Soul power has arisen.

During those millennia, countless Jie Dan sects rose to fleeting fame and were hailed by contemporaries as the 'third sect' of Da Yu Cultivation World, yet they all eventually faded without producing a new Nascent Soul true monarch.

The Golden Core sects rose and fell, flourishing then resurging.

Just like Luoxia Sect, great then declined.

Only Xingyue Palace and Seven Star Sword Sect have continuously stood atop the clouds, monopolizing Da Yu's best resources, recruiting the finest prodigy disciples, and looking down on other cultivation sects and families.

He refocused his thoughts.

Xiao Zhangqing looked at the two major skills extracted from the Jiaolong Silver Whip by the system.

The second skill, for cultivators with ordinary middle‑lower grade spirit‑root aptitude, is extremely useful.

Changing the spirit‑root aptitude to upper‑grade level means a solid Foundation Establishment, and retains a sliver of hope to achieve a Jie Dan true person.

It is what over 99% of cultivators in the Cultivation World dream of.

For example, in remote places like Nanshan Fang, there may be tens of thousands of cultivators, but only a handful possess upper‑grade spirit roots.

Only in bustling cultivation cities and major sects do upper‑grade spirit‑root aptitudes become somewhat more common.

Unfortunately, the 'upper‑grade spirit‑root' aptitude is of no use to Xiao Zhangqing.

Because earlier the Prison Dragon Bracelet already raised his Water Spirit Root to 'upper‑grade spirit root', and with the divine technique of the Enlightenment Mat, he is now already an Earth Spirit Root.

Thus the second skill of the Jiaolong Silver Whip, though strong, is redundant for Xiao Zhangqing and useless.

Just like the second enlightenment boost from the Thousand Illusion Mask, Xiao Zhangqing cannot use it again.

"When will the system finally add a skill‑stacking function?"

Xiao Zhangqing couldn't help but sigh again in his heart.

He doesn't need one plus one to be greater than two; even if one plus one is less than two, skill stacking would already satisfy him.

"Fortunately, this first skill 'Transform Dragon Refining Body Method' is extremely useful to me!"

Without hesitation, Xiao Zhangqing immediately equipped the Jiaolong Silver Whip and began extracting its equipment effects.

Buzz! His body jolted violently; the previously hopeful Xiao Zhangqing suddenly widened his eyes, almost unable to hold back a wail!

Even the soul‑piercing pain made his already exhausted spirit‑sense nearly lose consciousness.

Or rather, he actually fainted for an instant, but the excruciating pain snapped him awake! He felt his flesh, muscles, bones, organs, even marrow all ignited! It was as if a massive, never‑extinguishing ember had been thrown into his body, the scorching spreading instantly throughout, even his blood and mana burning along.

He even doubted whether his body was about to explode.

As a Foundation Establishment cultivator, he could barely control such immense pressure.

He could clearly feel his mortal body undergoing massive changes, as if his genes were being reorganized and his marrow refined.

The sensation resembled the bodily metamorphosis he experienced when he first broke through the Foundation Establishment Realm.

But now the metamorphosis was countless times fiercer and stronger.

"Sss…ah…"

Xiao Zhangqing couldn't help but twist his body, moving his arms and thighs.

Buzz! Immediately, the flying boat that was soaring in the air swayed left and right with Xiao Zhangqing's movement.

At the other end of the flying boat, the Lin sisters and Ruan Qingzhu also sensed a terrifying aura emanating from the small isolated cabin at the boat's rear,

Had they not known that Xiao Zhangqing was in seclusion healing, they would have suspected that a terrifying high‑rank beast had entered the boat!

"Lord… are you alright?"

Lin Ziyu, who was piloting the flying boat, couldn't help but ask.

"No… I'm fine. No need to worry about me."

Xiao Zhangqing restrained the immense pain and said in a deep voice.

"It's alright."

"System‑produced items are safe."

"And the process will be quick."

After half a incense stick's time, the burning pain and explosive feeling receded like a tide.

In its place, Xiao Zhangqing felt his mortal body filled with boundless power, as if his body had undergone another metamorphosis, his life level leapt again.

It was as if he had re‑Foundation Established once more…

(End of Chapter)