Chapter 112: Refining a

The appearance of someone suspected to be a "Great Cultivator of Nascent Soul Late Stage," or at the very least a cultivator at the Nascent Soul Mid-Stage Peak, caused the Heavenly Luo Kingdom Six Demon Sects to choose to temporarily avoid the sharp edge of the conflict after the Seven Sects of Yue Kingdom withstood the initial invasion war.

They had to uncover Yan Taibai's identity; otherwise, a Nascent Soul cultivator with such powerful divine abilities assisting the Yue Kingdom would cause them significant trouble.

Naturally, several other countries, such as Yuanwu Country and Zijin Country, also took the opportunity while supporting the Seven Sects of Yue Kingdom to probe into Yan Taibai's identity.

However, the only person who knew Yan Taibai's identity, Qiong Laoguai, chose to go into seclusion under the pretext of refining his Life-Bound Magical Treasure, ignoring all worldly affairs.

Under these circumstances, the cultivation sects of other countries could not possibly come forward to force Qiong Laoguai out of seclusion to tell them Yan Taibai's identity.

In reality, even if they used force, it would be impossible to know Yan Taibai's identity unless they used soul-searching.

Although the Heavenly Luo Kingdom Six Demon Sects chose to temporarily avoid the sharp edge, once it was basically confirmed that this mysterious Nascent Soul Mid-Stage cultivator, Yan Taibai, would not easily take action to assist the Seven Sects of Yue Kingdom again, they naturally poured all their efforts into attacking the Yue Kingdom Cultivation World.

Facing such fierce and continuous attacks from the Heavenly Luo Kingdom Six Demon Sects, the border defense line of the Yue Kingdom was not quite collapsing at every point, but it was close to it.

However, fortunately, there was support from several other countries, which barely prevented most of the defense lines from falling and allowed them to hold on.

But later, in order to force this mysterious Nascent Soul cultivator, Yan Taibai, to stop intervening, the Nascent Soul cultivators of the Heavenly Luo Kingdom Six Demon Sects challenged the Nascent Soul cultivators of the Seven Sects of Yue Kingdom to a wagered battle.

If the Heavenly Luo Kingdom Six Demon Sects lost, they would immediately withdraw their troops and no longer occupy even a fraction of the Yue Kingdom Cultivation World.

If the Nascent Soul cultivators of the Seven Sects of Yue Kingdom lost, then from that point on, the Nascent Soul cultivators of both sides would not be allowed to take action casually in the great war.

This was done specifically to prevent Yan Taibai, this mysterious Nascent Soul cultivator of unknown identity, from taking action to exterminate the Nascent Soul cultivators of the Six Demon Sects.

Based on the divine abilities and strength Yan Taibai had previously displayed, looking across the many Nascent Soul cultivators of the entire Heavenly Luo Kingdom Six Demon Sects, only Hehuan Laomo, who was currently in seclusion cultivating his divine abilities, could surpass him by a margin.

Therefore, they could only choose this method to restrict Yan Taibai from taking action.

At the same time, both sides were also sabotaging each other within their own countries, burning down medicinal gardens, destroying Spirit Stone veins, material mines...

In this regard, the Yue Kingdom was greatly affected and had no choice but to agree to the wagered battle.

Because if it came to Nascent Soul cultivators taking action, the Seven Sects of Yue Kingdom were even less of a match for the Heavenly Luo Kingdom Six Demon Sects.

Originally, the other sects of the Yue Kingdom wanted Qiong Laoguai to come forward and ask Yan Taibai to take action, but Qiong Laoguai sternly refused and chose to take action himself.

Initially, the Nascent Soul cultivators of the Seven Sects of Yue Kingdom did not hold any hope for Qiong Laoguai, but later, during the wagered battle, Qiong Laoguai was the only Nascent Soul cultivator on the Yue Kingdom side to achieve victory.

Even the Great Elder of the Masked Moon Sect, a Nascent Soul Mid-Stage cultivator, lost to Yunlu Old Demon of the Hehuan Sect.

Out of a total of ten matches, the Seven Sects of Yue Kingdom only won one; under these circumstances, even if they had asked Yan Taibai to take action, he could have at most won one match.

However, although the wagered battle was a crushing defeat, the Formless Sword Array of Qiong Laoguai from the Yue Kingdom's Masked Moon Sect made the Nascent Soul cultivators of the Heavenly Luo Kingdom Six Demon Sects extremely wary.

As for the Seven Sects of Yue Kingdom, they could not be happy, because a Qiong Laoguai with greatly increased strength did not change anything; it only made the Heavenly Luo Kingdom Six Demon Sects a bit more cautious.

Yan Taibai, who was healing and recovering his strength, was naturally completely unaware of these matters, and by the time his injuries had recovered to their original state, a full two years had passed.

"Yan'er, do you mean that I spent a full two years in seclusion healing?"

After hearing Yan Ruyan's words, Yan Taibai, who had lost his sense of time in the outside world during his seclusion, asked in surprise.

"To be precise, it has been two years, three months, seven days, and two double-hours."

Yan Ruyan nodded her head slightly and said in a sweet voice.

Clearly, she had spent these past two years counting the days, which made Yan Taibai feel a surge of tenderness in his heart, and he held her even tighter.

"I didn't expect so much time to have passed; it's been over two years. What is the situation with the great war between the Heavenly Luo Kingdom and the Yue Kingdom now?"

Yan Taibai asked another important question.

"The situation for the Seven Sects of Yue Kingdom is not good; three provinces have already fallen. The remaining ten provinces are only holding on now because of the support from several countries like Yuanwu Country, Zijin Country, and Xi Country. Nowadays, in the ten provinces remaining in the Yue Kingdom, there are two or three cultivation sects in each province supporting each other together. To put it bluntly, the entire Yue Kingdom is engulfed in the flames of war, and even in the mortal lands, there are frequent occurrences of entire towns being slaughtered by Demonic Path cultivators, who collect souls and blood to refine magical tools and Dharma Treasures."

Speaking of this, Yan Ruyan's small face turned much paler, clearly having witnessed the situations she spoke of.

"These Heavenly Luo Kingdom Six Demon Sects are truly damnable!"

Hearing this, a frost hung over Yan Taibai's face as he said coldly.

In his eyes, a trace of chilling, bone-piercing killing intent surged.

"Brother Taibai, when are we leaving? Yan'er doesn't want to stay here anymore."

Yan Ruyan said in a soft voice, filled with a hint of pleading.

"Wait for Brother a little longer. Once Brother finishes refining the Life-Bound Magical Treasure and gives the Heavenly Luo Kingdom Six Demon Sects a big gift, we will leave. To lay hands on mortal people—if I don't send them a big gift, I would truly be failing to live up to their actions."

Yan Taibai gritted his teeth and said in an icy voice.

If he lacked the strength, it would be one thing, but now that his strength had advanced a step further, as long as he finished refining the Life-Bound Magical Treasure, among the entire Heavenly Luo Kingdom Six Demon Sects, only Hehuan Laomo would be someone he would need to be wary of.

And during these two years, his comprehension of the "White Emperor Golden Emperor Slash" had also advanced a step, and he now had sufficient confidence to refine the Life-Bound Magical Treasure "Dao Artifact": the Luxian Juetian Sword.

As long as he refined this Life-Bound Magical Treasure, Yan Taibai would have enough strength to deliver a big gift.

Laying hands on mortal people, and even exterminating towns and slaughtering cities, had already touched his bottom line.

"Then, does Brother intend to refine the Life-Bound Magical Treasure right here and now?"

Hearing Yan Taibai's words, Yan Ruyan did not try to dissuade him, because she knew she could not persuade Yan Taibai.

Regarding the attacks on mortal people, let alone Yan Taibai, even she detested the Six Demon Sects to the extreme.

If it weren't for the worry of exposing their identity and tracks, she would have already taken action to exterminate a few cultivators of the Six Demon Sects.

She still possessed that much strength; after all, she was deeply cherished by Yan Taibai, Nangong Wan, and Qiong Laoguai.

She had quite a few top-tier magical tools, intermediate talismans, and talisman treasures on her, so she naturally would not fear ordinary Foundation Establishment Stage Demonic Path disciples.

"No, I will refine it in the Earth Fire Hall of the sect, so I must go back once."

Yan Taibai shook his head and said.

"Alright, then Yan'er will go back with Brother. It just so happens that Yan'er hasn't seen Senior Sister Nangong for a long time either."

Yan Ruyan nodded her head slightly and did not try to dissuade or stop him.

Because she knew she could not persuade him; perhaps only Nangong Wan or Qiong Laoguai could, so returning to the Yanyue Sect now was undoubtedly the best choice.

Yan Taibai was naturally unaware of Yan Ruyan's little thoughts, and seeing that she did not try to dissuade him, he also breathed a sigh of relief.

If Yan Ruyan had tried to persuade him, he would have only been able to pretend to agree.

"Hmm!"

Yan Taibai smiled slightly and nodded.

Afterwards, Yan Taibai and Yan Ruyan tidied up this temporary cave dwelling, then headed straight for the Yanyue Sect.

Naturally, they did not use their true identities; they did not even alert a single Yanyue Sect disciple, entering the Yanyue Sect smoothly through a secret passage known to very few.

As soon as they entered the Yanyue Sect, Yan Taibai sent a message to Qiong Laoguai to come and meet him.

……

"Disciple Yan Taibai pays respects to Master!"

Upon seeing Qiong Laoguai, Yan Taibai immediately bowed respectfully.

"Yan'er pays respects to Uncle-Master."

Yan Ruyan performed a curtsy and gave a sweet smile, which brought a hint of gratified warmth to the originally stern-faced Qiong Laoguai.

"Two years have passed, why have you returned? Now that the fall of Yue Country is merely a matter of time, you should hurry and leave!"

After smiling, Qiong Laoguai sighed and said.

"Master, in truth, the disciple and Yan'er never left Yue Country; we have been healing our wounds, and we only returned now that we have recovered. As for the situation in Yue Country, the disciple has already learned of it from Yan'er. Therefore, this visit is primarily to borrow the sect's Earth Fire Hall to refine my Life-Bound Magical Treasure. It has been so long, it is time for the disciple to refine my Life-Bound Magical Treasure. Otherwise, I do not know when I would be able to refine it, so I hope Master can assist."

Yan Taibai bowed respectfully and requested.

"Using the Earth Fire Hall to refine a Life-Bound Magical Treasure, very well, this is not a difficult matter; I can agree to it. However, once the Life-Bound Magical Treasure is successfully refined, you must immediately leave Yue Country and head to the Jixi Zhi Di to avoid this great calamity. The sect and the other factions already have a path of retreat, so you need not worry about anything; you only need to focus on your cultivation and condense your Nascent Soul to advance to the Nascent Soul Stage as soon as possible. With the divine abilities and strength you have displayed, as long as you advance to the Nascent Soul Stage, then no matter how strong the Heavenly Luo Kingdom Six Demon Sects are now, even if they occupy the entire Yue Kingdom Cultivation World, they will inevitably return everything in full, or even double, in the future."

Qiong Laoguai warned in a deep voice.

Regarding Yan Taibai's divine abilities and strength, Qiong Laoguai had the most confidence, for only he knew Yan Taibai's true capabilities best.

Being able to use secret techniques and divine abilities at the Golden Core Initial Stage to slay a Nascent Soul Mid Stage cultivator was enough to prove his terrifying strength.

Once he advanced to the Nascent Soul Stage, he would be unstoppable; for now, he only needed to avoid the brunt of the enemy's force.

Currently, the price Yan Taibai had to pay to deal with Nascent Soul cultivators was too high, but once he advanced, none of this would be a problem.

"Master, rest assured, as soon as this disciple advances to the Nascent Soul Stage, not one of the Heavenly Luo Kingdom Six Demon Sects will escape."

Yan Taibai nodded and promised.

"Good, I believe you will surely possess that divine strength in the future. Do you need to rest for a day or two before going to the Earth Fire Hall to refine your Life-Bound Magical Treasure?"

A flush of color appeared on Qiong Laoguai's face as he smiled.

Clearly, he had sufficient confidence in Yan Taibai.

"There is no time to lose, I will not rest. I have rested enough these past two years; it will be good to loosen my muscles by refining artifacts."

Yan Taibai shook his head and smiled.

"Very well, then follow me! As for Yan'er, Junior Sister-Disciple Nangong will come to keep you company later."

Qiong Laoguai nodded and said to Yan Ruyan.

"Very well, Yan'er understands, thank you Uncle-Master."

Yan Ruyan performed a curtsy and thanked him in a delicate voice.

This way, she could also be at ease.

If she could not persuade him, then she would let Nangong Wan try.

……

The Earth Fire Hall was an important venue for Yanyue Sect disciples above the Foundation Establishment Stage to refine Dharma treasures and pills, and it was always guarded by two Golden Core Stage cultivators in rotation to prevent any mistakes.

There were many Restrictions within; if one triggered them by mistake, they would be heavily injured at best, or lose their lives at worst.

Most of the Restrictions within originated from the Earth Fire itself, and the way one would lose their life was essentially being burned to ashes by the Earth Fire.

After all, even a Golden Core Stage cultivator would not want to face the Earth Fire once it had been reinforced by the formation's Restrictions.

Therefore, before Qiong Laoguai brought Yan Taibai into the Earth Fire Hall, he gave a few stern reminders before leading him inside.

However, Yan Taibai had disguised his appearance before entering the Earth Fire Hall.

There were not many high-level cultivators in the current Yanyue Sect worth trusting, and the Golden Core cultivators in the Earth Fire Hall were clearly not among them.

Qiong Laoguai had also sent a message in advance for the others to leave the Earth Fire Hall, and the entire hall was now under his watch.

Regarding this, the Golden Core Stage cultivators in the Earth Fire Hall naturally dared not have any objections and left immediately.

After bringing Yan Taibai to a side hall with the strongest Earth Fire power, Qiong Laoguai spoke.

"Taibai, inside here is some of my experience in refining the Formless Sword Array, you can use it for reference. Also, the refining furnace and the remaining materials should be useful to you."

After speaking, Qiong Laoguai took a Storage Bag from his waist, handed it to Yan Taibai, and said in a deep voice.

"Many thanks, Master!"

Seeing this, Yan Taibai did not stand on ceremony; he took the Storage Bag and thanked him.

"No need, just focus on refining your Life-Bound Magical Treasure; you don't need to worry about other matters."

Qiong Laoguai shook his head and smiled.

Once he finished saying this, Qiong Laoguai left the side hall, leaving Yan Taibai alone inside.

Only then was Yan Taibai able to carefully observe the side hall he was in.

The temperature was extremely high, and there was a millstone-sized "fire mouth" emitting pale purple flames; the high temperature throughout the side hall came from this "fire mouth."

It was also the place where the refining furnace was placed; besides that, there were several gourds of Fire Star Sand, which could increase the temperature of the Earth Fire.

A quarter of an hour later, after setting up the refining furnace given by Qiong Laoguai, Yan Taibai took out all the materials in one go—over a hundred different metal-attribute materials.

His Life-Bound Magical Treasure, the "Dao Artifact": Luxian Juetian Sword, required as many metal-attribute materials as possible.

These hundred-plus types of metal-attribute materials could only be said to barely meet the standard.

This was the result of all his gains over the years, including slaying one Nascent Soul Mid Stage cultivator, three Nascent Soul Early Stage cultivators, and many Golden Core Stage cultivators.

And now, he was going to use these materials to refine a "Dao Artifact": Luxian Juetian Sword.

After checking all the materials, Yan Taibai began to place them into the refining furnace one by one, following the refining method from the "White Emperor Golden Emperor Slash" to extract the essence of metal contained within.

The more he extracted, the greater the power of the "Dao Artifact": Luxian Juetian Sword he would refine, and the better he could unleash the power of the "White Emperor Golden Emperor Slash."

The Dharma treasure he had used previously had not fully unleashed the power of the "White Emperor Golden Emperor Slash"; otherwise, he would not have needed to pay such a great price.

Now, the time for the harvest has finally arrived.

(End of this chapter)