Chapter 248: Golden Core Divine Sense Opportunity? Dao of Artifacts Competition

"Old Ancestor, you have truly regained your youth!" the Hua Clan Head said with a smile.

Hua Qingxue flipped her palm, revealing a mirror. She studied her reflection closely, her brows brimming with uncontrollable joy.

For any woman, this was an irresistible temptation.

Xu Chuan continued, "The Youth-Returning Pill has a time limit. It can maintain a youthful appearance for ten years at most. Therefore, I also present the Youth-Retaining Pill, which will ensure Fairy Hua retains her youth forever!"

"Thank you, Daoist Friend Xu. I am extremely fond of your gift. Our Hua Clan will certainly return the favor with a generous gift later."

"Fairy Hua is too polite," Xu Chuan replied with a faint smile.

Subsequently, Hua Qingxue swallowed the Youth-Retaining Pill.

The rejuvenated Hua Qingxue indeed possessed extraordinary beauty, resembling a fairy blooming among flowers.

Wearing the bright jade hairpin gifted by the Yuan Clan and the five-colored radiant silk from the Fang Clan, she looked even more dazzling.

It was quite obvious.

The gifts from the two had simply become foils to Xu Chuan's, leaving a faint trace of bitterness in their hearts.

The others were even less comparable.

Right at this moment.

A soft shout echoed from the sky.

"Heavenly Azure Mountain Range, Inner Sect Disciple of the Green Wood Sect, He Zhizhang, presents a congratulatory gift on behalf of the First Elder, wishing Fairy Qingxue fortune as vast as the eastern sea and longevity matching the southern mountains."

A figure sped over, coming to a halt in mid-air.

It was a young man, only in his early thirties, yet he was already a Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator.

Everyone's expression changed upon hearing this.

Hua Qingxue lightly tapped her toes and soared into the air like a fairy from the highest heavens. With her radiant ribbons fluttering, she arrived before He Zhizhang and smiled softly. "I deeply thank the First Elder for his generous gift."

"Are you a descendant of Fairy Qingxue?" He Zhizhang paused in slight surprise.

Hua Qingxue covered her mouth and chuckled. "I am Hua Qingxue."

"This junior was impolite." He Zhizhang's face flushed slightly as he hurriedly bowed and offered the gift.

After Hua Qingxue accepted it, he took his leave, thinking to himself, 'Didn't they say this Hua Qingxue was two hundred years old? Could she have cultivated some Cultivation Method or Secret Art to retain her youth?

'I almost made a fool of myself.

'However, this Fairy Qingxue is truly breathtaking. No wonder there are rumors in the sect that she had a deep relationship and a romantic affair with the First Elder in her youth.

'Anyone would be moved by her.

'But only an otherworldly figure like the First Elder, someone who has stepped into the Golden Core stage, is worthy of her.'

The person from the Green Wood Sect departed in the blink of an eye.

Xu Chuan curiously asked the person beside him, "Who is this First Elder of the Green Wood Sect?"

"Ah, right. Daoist Friend Xu has just arrived, so naturally, you wouldn't know. The Green Wood Sect is one of the three great Golden Core sects in the Heavenly Azure Mountain Range. Their First Elder is named Feng Juechen, who broke through to Golden Core decades ago.

"Rumor has it that his opportunities were extraordinary. He achieved Core Formation using a High-Grade Innate Spirit Item. His potential is astonishing, and he is expected to comprehend a Divine Ability and become a True Lord-level figure.

"As for the Nascent Soul stage, one only has a sliver of hope if they can comprehend a Divine Ability.

"Even if he cannot, Elder Feng will at least reach the Late-Stage Golden Core or even Golden Core Perfection in the future."

"I see. No wonder all the Daoist friends here changed their expressions upon hearing his name. Then, this Green Wood Sect First Elder and Fairy Hua..."

"Daoist Friend Xu, hold your tongue. Elder Feng already has a Dao companion."

Xu Chuan implicitly understood.

Over an hour later.

The Hua Clan's longevity banquet came to a close.

Xu Chuan was specifically asked to stay behind by the Hua Clan, drawing the envy of many guests from other families who had come to offer their congratulations.

In the Hua Clan's guest hall.

"Daoist Friend Xu, having presented such a grand gift to me this time, if you have any requests, please feel free to speak," Hua Qingxue said with a soft smile.

The Hua Clan enjoyed such high status in Cloudstream Town solely because Hua Qingxue had a past connection with the First Elder of the Green Wood Sect.

Therefore, her position within the Hua Clan was extraordinarily special.

"Fairy Hua is too polite. Since you invited me to attend the longevity banquet, I naturally had to prepare a gift. As for it happening to catch your fancy, I can only say it was luck.

"After all, I only had three days to prepare the banquet gift."

"Three days?" Hua Qingxue raised her willow-leaf brows and looked toward the Hua Clan Head. "What happened? Weren't the invitation cards for the Hua Clan's longevity banquet sent out more than half a month in advance?"

"Great-Aunt, I will investigate this matter. Perhaps a steward was negligent because the Xu Family just settled down in Cloudstream Town.

"After all, when Clan Head Xu arrived today, before he spoke, no one present recognized him. Everyone even thought he was a junior from some family."

"I have indeed always kept a low profile," Xu Chuan said with a faint smile.

"After today, Daoist Friend Xu is likely going to be famous." Hua Qingxue smiled enchantingly, then added, "However, I have already made a public promise to return a generous gift, and I naturally cannot go back on my word."

"I genuinely can't think of anything at the moment. After all, our Xu Family has only just started in Cloudstream Town, and we can still handle everything as of now."

"Shops, cultivation resources, or pills? I have a treasured pill named the Spirit-Nourishing Pill, which can enhance Foundation Establishment Divine sense."

"Spirit-Nourishing Pill? Do you have the pill recipe?"

Hua Qingxue's gaze focused slightly. "Daoist Friend Xu doesn't want the pill, but the pill recipe? Could it be that you are an Alchemist?"

"There is someone in the clan who knows alchemy," Xu Chuan replied.

"I see. Unfortunately, this pill recipe is extremely precious, and our Hua Clan does not have it."

Xu Chuan felt that in the Southern Heaven Region, precious pill recipes rarely circulated outside.

Even the pill recipe for the Youth-Retaining Pill wasn't collected by a single family in Cloudstream Town, and it seemed practically unheard of in Corner Constellation City.

If they truly existed, given the abundance of Spirit Grass resources in the Southern Heaven Region, some pill shops should have had them for sale.

They wouldn't just occasionally appear at an Auction.

However, pill recipes for pills like the Qi-Nurturing Pill, Detoxification Pill, and Qi-Gathering Pill were sold in many pill shops, though their prices were exorbitant.

"What a pity."

"Is there really nothing you want?"

"Not at the moment."

"In that case, consider it a favor our Hua Clan owes your Xu Family. Whenever your Xu Family needs something, you can bring it up. As long as it is within our capability and doesn't harm our clan's interests...

"...our Hua Clan will do our best to accomplish it."

Hua Qingxue sighed softly. She also knew that free things in this world were often the most expensive.

But this was the only way right now.

If she tried to buy it back with Spirit Stones, it would be far too insulting.

In her heart, although the Youth-Retaining Pill was hard to find, she could still acquire it with enough time. But she had never even heard of the Youth-Returning Pill. It might have been unearthed from some Grotto-Residence ruin, making it a rarity in this world.

Such a pill simply could not be measured by normal prices.

"Thank you, Fairy Hua. I will take my leave now," Xu Chuan said, clasping his hands.

Hua Qingxue gave a slight nod.

After Xu Chuan left, the Hua Clan Head asked, "Great-Aunt, what should our Hua Clan do if Xu Chuan makes some excessive demand in the future?"

"This man gives me an unfathomable feeling. We shouldn't provoke him if we don't have to. Our Hua Clan can also slightly assist the Xu Family's businesses.

"This can be considered forming a good karma with them."

"Understood, Great-Aunt."

Previously, the Hua Clan was merely a mid-tier Foundation Establishment clan in Cloudstream Town. It was only because Hua Qingxue emerged and shared a romance with Feng Juechen...

...that the Hua Clan enjoyed over a century of prosperity.

But once her Foundation Establishment lifespan reached its limit, the Hua Clan would only have two Peak Foundation Establishment Cultivators left—inferior to the Fang Clan, and even more so to the Yuan Clan.

They would inevitably face suppression from the Yuan and Fang Clans.

"By the way, in three years, the three great sects of the Heavenly Azure Mountain Range will hold their decennial disciple recruitment. If our Hua Clan wants to maintain enduring prosperity in Cloudstream Town, we must cultivate sufficiently outstanding clansmen.

"As long as they can be taken as a disciple by a Golden Core Elder of one of the sects, the Yuan and Fang Clans will definitely be wary of us."

"Heng'er is the most promising among the younger generation. In three years, he will still be within the twenty-year-old recruitment limit.

"As long as he can stand out from the crowd in the three sects' Trial and become an Inner Sect Disciple, there is hope an Elder will select him as a disciple," the Hua Clan Head said.

"Mm. Have him undergo more experiential learning to increase his practical combat experience."

"Great-Aunt, what about Elder Feng's side?"

Hua Qingxue shot him a faint glance. "Don't hold out too much hope. Even with my face, if his aptitude isn't high enough, Juechen won't favor him."

"Yes, Great-Aunt. I will definitely nurture Heng'er well and not let you down."

'The Hua Clan is backed by the First Elder of the Green Wood Sect, but what about the Yuan Clan and Fang Clan? Someone must be standing behind them too, I suppose.'

With a faint smile playing at his lips, Xu Chuan flew back to the Xu Residence, his hands clasped behind his back.

This trip hadn't been a waste.

He had also learned the name of the Spirit-Nourishing Pill.

He felt that given the current strength of his Divine sense, acquiring a High Grade Spirit-Nourishing Pill might provide the opportunity for his Divine sense to step into the Golden Core stage.

Unfortunately, the pill recipe was hard to come by.

Hua Qingxue's Spirit-Nourishing Pill was undoubtedly gifted by Feng Juechen.

The Green Wood Sect, as well as the other two great sects of the Heavenly Azure Mountain Range, definitely had this pill recipe recorded in their archives.

This pill was even more precious than the Void Rushing Pill. Getting his hands on its recipe wouldn't be easy.

Among second-tier pills, it was estimated to be second only to second-tier Longevity Pills.

As for the Core Formation Pill, that was a third-tier pill, and even within that grade, it was extremely precious and difficult to refine.

'Perhaps the opportunity to trade for this pill recipe lies with the Azure Splendor Pill.'

Xu Chuan only had one Longevity Pill recipe in his possession. Originally, he had sworn an oath not to leak the Lei Family's Azure Splendor Pill. However, after the Zhou family became a Vassal of the Xu Family, he obtained the Azure Splendor Pill recipe from them.

It likely originated from the Su Clan.

Having obtained an additional Azure Splendor Pill recipe, as long as he didn't claim the recipe came from the Lei Family, it wouldn't be considered violating his oath.

Many of the pill recipes in Xu Chuan's hands had circumvented restrictions in this manner.

After all, the first and second-tier Alchemy Dao Inheritance given by Yun Zhongzi was quite comprehensive.

'Given the preciousness of the Longevity Pill, it will definitely drive those nearing their Foundation Establishment lifespan limit crazy. It should be enough to trade for the Spirit-Nourishing Pill and its recipe.'

Xu Chuan only had one Azure Splendor Pill left. Considering its future utility, he decided to gather ingredients and refine a few more furnaces.

With his Attainment in Alchemy, he was fairly confident he could produce four to five pills per furnace.

At the very worst, he could guarantee at least three.

Xu Chuan immediately ordered people to begin gathering the remaining materials for the Azure Splendor Pill.

He already had most of the materials. Some had been brought over from Great Wei, and some came from the Wu family's collection. As for the remaining seven or eight types, it would likely be difficult to collect them all in Cloudstream Town.

Huang Tianba and the others had all accepted Xu Family missions. When they entered the Heavenly Azure Mountain Range, they kept an eye out for the corresponding Spirit Grass along the way.

The Xu Family also clarified that there would be massive rewards if they found them.

Furthermore, Xu Chuan planned to find time to visit Corner Constellation City.

Several days later.

The only material Xu Chuan still needed for the Azure Splendor Pill was the Azure Spirit Fruit.

This Spirit Fruit couldn't be found in Corner Constellation City for the time being.

However, half a month later.

Huang Tianba and his team brought good news. They had discovered Azure Spirit Fruits in the Heavenly Azure Mountain Range, but unfortunately, there was a Tier 2 Peak Demonic Beast nearby.

They lacked the strength to bring it back.

Ye Fan still gave them a hundred Spirit Stones as a reward.

If they had been able to bring it back, the reward would have been at least five hundred Spirit Stones.

That very day, Xu Chuan took Moyue and headed to the location Huang Tianba's team had described.

After killing the Demonic Beast, they simply uprooted and brought back the entire Azure Spirit Fruit tree, transplanting it in the backyard and protecting it with Formations.

For seven consecutive days, Xu Chuan expended Vitality Spirit Liquid and borrowed a bit of Profound Yellow Spirit Soil from the Ink-colored Potted Plant, sprinkling it near its roots.

Though it seemed like a tiny amount, it transformed the surrounding three meters into spiritual earth.

Only then did it regain its vitality and completely take root where it landed within the Xu Residence.

The Azure Spirit Fruit was one of the primary ingredients for the Azure Splendor Pill. It inherently possessed life-extending properties, and the older it was, the better its effects.

Eating a ten-year-old Azure Spirit Fruit by itself could extend one's Lifespan by a month, though the effect only worked once.

A hundred-year-old fruit could extend it by half a year.

A thousand-year-old Spirit Fruit could add three years.

A ten-thousand-year-old fruit would only add thirty years.

However, when combined with various other Spirit Grasses, a hundred-year-old Azure Spirit Fruit could extend a Foundation Establishment cultivator's Lifespan by thirty years.

This particular Azure Spirit Fruit tree had as many as seven or eight fruits that were several centuries old.

Xu Chuan fired up his furnace once and refined five Azure Splendor Pills, after which he stopped refining them.

He wasn't in a hurry to trade with the Hua Clan either.

Time passed as quickly as a white colt flashing past a crack.

In the blink of an eye, a year flew by.

In the dim light of dawn, Xu Chuan walked with his hands clasped behind his back, clad in a green robe. Xu Deling followed closely behind him. The two were flying in the air toward Fire Cloud Valley outside Corner Constellation City.

Upon entering the valley, crisscrossing fissures marred the ground. Crimson-gold magma bubbled and flowed from the cracks, winding and intersecting like the earth's veins. The Golden Radiance was blinding, casting a fiery red hue over the surrounding rocks.

Wherever the magma passed, rocks cracked and crumbled. Occasional sparks flew into the air, scorching black marks onto the stones they landed on.

Waves of heat reeking of sulfur washed over them. If an ordinary low or mid-stage Qi Condensation Cultivator stepped foot here, their Spirit Power shield would be burned through by the extreme temperatures in less than the time it took to drink a cup of tea, damaging their meridians.

Only cultivators at the Foundation Establishment Stage or higher could ignore the severe heat and move freely by relying on their deep Spirit Power to resist it.

Xu Chuan and Xu Deling walked at a leisurely pace, their robes not wrinkling in the slightest from the intense heat.

Because Xu Deling practiced a True Yang Cultivation Method, she even found the high temperatures here extremely comfortable.

The two swept their gazes across the valley, spotting heat-resistant spiritual plants sporadically dotting the rock crevices near the magma.

Some were Crimson Flame Grasses with red flame patterns on their leaves, while others were Fire Spirit Flowers with ink-black stems and small fire beads blooming at the top.

Although sparse, they grew proudly in the scorching environment. Faint fire-element spiritual energy lingered between their leaves, clearly showing they were spiritual objects unique to this place.

"The magma in this valley contains rich fire-attribute Spirit Power. There is at least a peak Tier 2 fire-element Spirit Vein beneath the ground. It is highly suitable for those practicing a Fire-Element Cultivation Method,"

Xu Deling remarked evenly.

"Indeed. It's a pity Ye Fan doesn't know how to forge artifacts. Otherwise, he might have had a chance to become a disciple of Perfected Person Fire Cloud."

"If I become his disciple, perhaps I can find time to let Ye Fan cultivate here."

Xu Chuan smiled faintly. "Things are still entirely up in the air. Let's talk about it later."

Soon after.

The two arrived before Perfected Person Fire Cloud's Grotto-Residence.

Rumors said Perfected Person Fire Cloud had five disciples, all of whom were Master Smiths capable of refining Top-Grade Magical Artifacts. The most outstanding among them could even forge Top-Grade Magical Artifact sets.

They were known as the Five Sons of Fire Cloud and enjoyed great prestige across the Seven Cities of Heavenly Azure, treated as honored guests by various Foundation Establishment families.

Many family scions in the Seven Cities of Heavenly Azure, and even people from Golden Core Aristocratic Families, wanted to study under him.

Yet, he stubbornly refused to accept a single one.

Therefore, a rumor spread that Perfected Person Fire Cloud no longer planned to take in disciples.

Only then did the frenzy of seeking apprenticeship subside.

From the multitude of information Xu Chuan had gathered, this Perfected Person Fire Cloud was a true Blacksmith who was devoted to the Dao of Artifacts.

His eccentric temper was merely because he couldn't be bothered to deal with the people around him.

As long as the other party valued forging ability, the chances of Xu Deling being accepted as a disciple were extremely high.

"The Xu Family of Cloudstream Town has come to visit Perfected Person Fire Cloud. We hope for an audience," Xu Chuan transmitted his voice inside.

"Scram before I get angry!"

A stern shout rolled out like thunder, carrying Golden Core Pressure in its voice.

Xu Chuan and Xu Deling took a slight step back.

Xu Chuan spoke again, "I have heard that Perfected Person Fire Cloud's attainments in the Dao of Artifacts are astonishing. My Xu Family wishes to seek your guidance."

"Seek my guidance?!"

"You are clearly at Foundation Establishment Perfection and the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment, yet you disguise your realms as the Seventh-Layer Foundation Establishment and the Second-Layer Foundation Establishment. How sneaky.

"I don't deal with people who hide their heads and show their tails."

"I thought Senior was someone deeply devoted to the Dao of Artifacts. It seems I was mistaken. In that case, we will take our leave!"

"Are you trying to goad me?"

"What Senior thinks is your own business. Farewell!"

Xu Chuan and Xu Deling turned around and prepared to leave.

Just then, the Grotto-Residence's main door opened, and a crimson silhouette flashed past, arriving right in front of them.

This man was in his prime, his burly frame towering at over eight feet tall. With broad shoulders and a thick back, he stood as straight as a sturdy pine, looking as if he could tear through the blistering air around him.

His hair was pitch-black like spilled ink, tied up with a crimson-gold crown inlaid with a sparkling fire agate.

His eyebrows looked like burning flames, slanting red into his temples, each strand so distinct they seemed to hold sparks. A red beard hung down his jaw to his chest; when the breeze blew past, the strands trembled slightly, giving off a scorching sensation.

He wore a crimson-gold robe embroidered with intertwining branch-like fire patterns edged in gold thread.

When he moved, the fire patterns seemed to flow with his actions. Three red jade pendants dangled from the corners of his robe, clinking musically as they struck each other, carrying a hidden heat within the clear chimes.

The most peculiar thing about Perfected Person Fire Cloud was his pair of odd crimson eyes.

His irises were like solidified molten gold, with waves of flames seemingly surging in their depths.

Whenever he raised his eyes and swept his gaze over, faint fire-attribute spiritual energy scattered outwards, causing the surrounding magma to boil slightly.

If a low-level cultivator stared directly into his eyes, they would only feel a wave of heat rushing at their face, and their Spirit Power would stagnate.

"What is the meaning of this, Senior?" Xu Chuan asked.

"What's the meaning? Do you think my Fire Cloud Valley is a place you can just come and go as you please?"

Perfected Person Fire Cloud stood with his hands behind his back. His crimson eyes swept over the two, his gaze carrying Golden Core Pressure that made others not dare to look directly.

"Didn't you want to seek guidance on my forging attainments? I'll satisfy you, but if you can't satisfy me, then leave your lives here as compensation for disturbing me!"

Xu Chuan smiled faintly. "If Senior wants to kill us, just do it. No matter how proficient my Xu Family's Blacksmith is in the Dao of Artifacts, wouldn't hoping to surpass Senior be a fool's dream?"

"Surpass me?"

Perfected Person Fire Cloud laughed out of extreme anger, his laughter booming like thunder and causing the heat waves in Fire Cloud Valley to surge violently.

"You tell me how you want to seek guidance. As long as your performance satisfies me, I will spare your lives."

"And what if we are evenly matched?"

"Then I will gift you a Magic Treasure that I forged with my own hands!"

"And if we accidentally surpass Sen—"

Perfected Person Fire Cloud's face gradually darkened. Xu Chuan quickly smiled and said, "Just joking. How could Senior possibly lose!"

"Cut the nonsense. How do you want to compete?"

"Naturally, a direct forging competition. However, since high-level materials are precious, we'll compete by forging Fine-Grade Magical Artifacts. Each of us will forge one offensive and one defensive magical artifact to test against each other.

"The materials are limited to Low Grade mid-tier materials. The quantity is unlimited, but exceeding the grade means a loss.

"Furthermore, considering Senior's cultivation, you need to seal your cultivation to the Foundation Establishment Stage. What do you think?"

"No problem."

Perfected Person Fire Cloud raised his eyebrows slightly. It was obvious he could tell these Xu Family members had come prepared.

"Interesting. I'd really like to see where you get the confidence to challenge me to a forging competition!"

Had Xu Chuan not understood Perfected Person Fire Cloud's character somewhat, he wouldn't have dared to act this way.

Golden Core Stage Cultivators had varying temperaments, and cutting people down on a whim was completely normal.

"Follow me into the cave. There is a dedicated Forging Room inside connected to earth fire, which can increase forging speed."

"Thank you, Senior."

Xu Chuan and Xu Deling followed Perfected Person Fire Cloud into the Grotto-Residence.

"I heard Senior has five disciples. I wonder if they are in the Grotto-Residence?"

"They have achieved success in learning forging, so naturally they went their separate ways to find their own paths. Don't tell me they should shamelessly leech off me and make me provide for their food, shelter, and cultivation?"

Hearing this, the corners of Xu Chuan's mouth twitched slightly.

This personality was indeed eccentric.

If it were any other Golden Core Stage Cultivator, they would be eager to have disciples wait on them hand and foot, enjoying their reverent gazes.

"Which one of you is competing against me?"

Xu Chuan smiled faintly. "This is my granddaughter, Xu Deling. She is the number one Blacksmith in our Xu Family!"

"As for me, I am but a lowly Alchemist."

"You really know how to flatter. In the Southern Heaven Region, Alchemists are even more sought after than Blacksmiths!"

They arrived at the Forging Room.

Xu Deling saw a massive bronze Cauldron right in the center, burning with scorching vermilion flames that seemed to have never been extinguished.

"The fire in the Cauldron is earth fire. It is not the slightest bit weaker than Golden Core true fire. If you mishandle it and accidentally touch it..."

"Senior, my Ling'er has never forged artifacts using this kind of earth fire before. Could you let her familiarize herself with it first?" Xu Chuan said, clasping his hands.

Perfected Person Fire Cloud waved his hand. "I'll give you six hours."

"Two hours is enough."

A Golden Radiance flashed through Xu Deling's eyes. She formed hand seals with both hands, her fingers shifting like a butterfly flitting through flowers. Wisps of earth fire flew out from the bronze Cauldron and orbited her body.

Gradually, they transformed into shapes of lotuses, orchids, and then shifted into animal forms.

Shortly after.

Three fire lotuses simultaneously appeared in front of Xu Deling, slowly rotating.

The power of this earth fire was extremely potent. Xu Deling utilized a mind-splitting method, stacking two streams of Divine sense to control the earth fire as usual.

Perfected Person Fire Cloud stroked his red beard, his pupils shrinking slightly. He thought to himself, 'This little girl is quite capable. Such a Divine Sense Secret Method is not ordinary.

'The Xu Family of Cloudstream?

'Does Cloudstream Town even have this family?'

Subsequently, Xu Deling attempted to forge artifacts using the earth fire. What she forged were all Low Grade Magical Artifacts.

But watching her techniques, Perfected Person Fire Cloud knew Xu Deling's foundation in forging was exceptionally solid, not losing out to any of his own disciples in the slightest.

Two hours later.

"I'm ready," Xu Deling said calmly.

"Then let's begin. Senior, what do you think?"

"Let me see just what level your forging attainments have reached, little girl!"

From everything before, he could tell her forging attainments weren't weak, but it was hard to determine exactly how far she had come based purely on Low Grade Magical Artifacts.

A Fine-Grade Magical Artifact could already demonstrate her level to a certain extent.

Xu Chuan stood silently to the side.

Xu Deling and Perfected Person Fire Cloud separately drew earth fire from the Cauldron to forge.

Compared to Xu Deling, Perfected Person Fire Cloud's control over the earth fire had already reached the state of perfection where the fire has reached pure green. He manipulated it effortlessly, and even with his cultivation sealed, he was far beyond what a Foundation Establishment junior like Xu Deling could compare to.

For the offensive artifact, Xu Deling was forging the Five Spirits Box.

It was a Fine-Grade Magical Artifact set recorded in the Five Elements Spirit Art, containing a Five Elements Sword Formation and possessing the might of a Top-Grade Magical Artifact.

"A Fine-Grade Magical Artifact set." Perfected Person Fire Cloud smiled faintly. Naturally, he was also forging this type of artifact.

However, compared to Xu Deling's undivided attention, he only spared forty to fifty percent of his mental effort on forging, using the rest to observe Xu Deling.

'Materials of the Five Elements attributes. Could it be a complete Five Elements set? If this type of set artifact contains a Five Elements formation, that would be incredible.

'However, it shouldn't be a true Five Elements formation. Even a Lesser Five Elements Array is a peak second-tier formation, and the rest are above the third tier.

'But even if it only contains the Five Elements intent, that is still extremely remarkable.

'At the very least, it can truly rival a Top-Grade Magical Artifact.'

Magical artifacts below the top grade and Top-Grade Magical Artifacts were separated by a massive watershed.

Even for Fine-Grade Magical Artifact sets, very few could truly achieve the might of a Top-Grade Magical Artifact.

As for the gap between a Top-Grade Magical Artifact and a Magic Treasure, it was even wider.

'It really is the Five Elements intent. To think it's a sword box artifact; how truly unique.'

The corners of Perfected Person Fire Cloud's mouth curled up slightly.

Based on this Five Spirits Box alone, Xu Deling's attainments in Fine-Grade Magical Artifacts surpassed all of his disciples.

'This little girl has got some real skill.'

At this moment, Perfected Person Fire Cloud had already lost his initial furious mood. His eyes held a bit more admiration, as if admiring an uncarved piece of jade.

Seeing this, Xu Chuan also looked like he had hooked a fish.

People like Perfected Person Fire Cloud cherished talent the most.

It was just like how Yun Zhongzi treated him back then. Merely because of his talent in the Dao of Alchemy, Yun Zhongzi had held almost nothing back from him.

Before his Lifespan limit arrived, he entrusted his entire life's alchemy experience and pill recipes completely to Xu Chuan.

Xu Chuan himself was somewhat of this kind of person as well.

But he wasn't as pure about it as they were.

They pursued the absolute pinnacle of Immortal Arts, whereas he pursued the myriad years of Inheritance for the Xu Family.

Towards talented people, he could extend an olive branch, but if they threatened the continuation of the Xu Family, he wouldn't hesitate to be ruthless.

For the defensive magical artifact, Xu Deling forged a seal.

This stemmed from Xu Chuan's idea.

A palm that overturns the heavens, lawless and unrestrained!

Its name: Heaven-Overturning Seal!

Integrating offense and defense, it exerted might through immense Pressure. It was absolutely not weak among fine-grade defensive magical artifacts.

'Smelting various earth-attribute materials, it contains a heavy, solid intent, making it far superior to ordinary defensive magical artifacts like shields.

'It seems this girl's forging attainments are a notch above all my disciples.

'Her life aura is youthful. She should be far from a hundred years old, yet she has cultivated to the ninth layer of Foundation Establishment. She is even more outstanding than I was in my youth.'

Perfected Person Fire Cloud was a Rogue Cultivator, but his aptitude was extraordinary. With a Spirit Root Purity of over 6.5, he possessed top-tier Earth Spirit Root Aptitude.

He delved deeply into the Dao of Artifacts to earn cultivation resources.

By the time he reached Foundation Establishment Perfection, he was already over a hundred and sixty years old.

Later, he chanced upon a Connate Spirit Object and successfully broke through to the Golden Core. Over a hundred and fifty years had passed since he became a Golden Core cultivator.

Perfected Person Fire Cloud had once traveled all over the Southern Heaven Region, only settling down in Fire Cloud Valley several decades ago.

'I wonder how her aptitude is?

'They must have come here to seek apprenticeship.

'Mm. My disciples are all male. Taking in a female disciple would perfectly balance the yin and yang.'

With earth fire forging the materials, the smelting speed was extremely fast.

The speed at which Xu Deling refined the Five Spirits Box was more than twice her usual pace.

However, Perfected Person Fire Cloud was still faster than her.

Xu Chuan's goal had already been achieved. Winning or losing the competition was unimportant; what mattered was making Perfected Person Fire Cloud see Xu Deling's true forging strength.

"Since our respective magical artifacts are fully forged, let's proceed to the clash of artifacts. We will start with the offensive magical artifacts."

After Xu Chuan spoke, Perfected Person Fire Cloud looked at Xu Deling with a kind and benevolent smile and chuckled. "The Fine-Grade Magical Artifact set I forged is named the Mount Tai Sword.

"It is composed of three heavy earth-attribute swords, inscribed with 'Mountain' Artifact Patterns.

"It contains a mountain intent.

"When the three swords are unleashed together, it feels as if a colossal mountain is crashing down, crushing people with its momentum!"

"What is an Artifact Pattern?"

"It seems the Dao of Artifacts Inheritance you've been exposed to, little girl, is rather ordinary. Only by mastering Artifact Patterns can one be considered a true Master Smith.

"However, unless you are a legacy disciple, a Master Smith generally won't personally teach Artifact Patterns.

"As for what an Artifact Pattern is?

"An Artifact Pattern is the concrete manifestation of an intent, just like this!"

Perfected Person Fire Cloud raised his hand and formed a sword gesture with two fingers. He traced through the empty air, and a peculiar pattern rapidly took shape.

Instantly, Xu Chuan and Xu Deling both felt a heavy, momentous aura rushing toward their faces. That strange pattern seemed to form a mountain hundreds of feet tall.

"This seems somewhat similar to the Talisman Dao. When experts of the Talisman Dao reach a certain level, they can also draw talismans in the void, which possess immense power once completed."

Xu Chuan rubbed his chin, a sharp glint shining in his eyes.

Perfected Person Fire Cloud looked at Xu Chuan in surprise. "What you said is not wrong."

"When any kind of Immortal Arts reaches a profound level, one must comprehend the heavens and earth, taking them as a teacher. My Artifact Pattern evolved from the mountain intent."

"Then wouldn't the number of Artifact Patterns be infinite?"

"You could say that. Therefore, the Dao of Artifacts is endless."

Subsequently, Perfected Person Fire Cloud looked at the Five Spirits Box in Xu Deling's hands and chuckled. "Your magical artifact possesses all five elements and seems capable of forming a rudimentary Sword Formation, while also containing some Five Elements intent.

"Its power is indeed astonishingly immense, but if you want to defeat my Mount Tai Sword..."

"Who is stronger or weaker can only be known after we compete!"

"What a stubborn temperament."

Then, the two of them activated their respective magical artifacts and commenced the clash between them.

"Out!"

Xu Deling let out a soft shout. The lid of the Five Spirits Box opened wide, and five Flying Swords shot out.

"Green wood energy transforms into cyan light, gui-water essence condenses into blue silk, li-fire spirit power ignites crimson flames, thick earth spiritual rhythm gathers yellow radiance, Geng Metal energy flashes a dark edge."

Following Xu Deling's voice, five streams of spiritual light intertwined in the air. In an instant, they condensed into a massive ten-foot sword. The blade rippled with five elemental patterns, and as it cut through the wind, spiritual energy howled, charging straight at Perfected Person Fire Cloud.

Meanwhile, Perfected Person Fire Cloud manipulated the Mount Tai Sword. The three swords shot out simultaneously. Light brown spiritual light permeated outward, and a phantom of a towering mountain actually seemed to float behind the swords. The majestic mountain intent and heavy Pressure spread out like a tidal wave.

Urged on by Spirit Power, the Mount Tai Sword transformed into a ten-foot sword shadow. Wrapped in a mountain-shaped spiritual rhythm, the blade met the Five Elements Giant Sword head-on.

"Boom!"

The two swords collided. The resulting Spirit Power shockwave shook the surroundings so violently that magma splashed three feet into the air, and cracks spread wildly across the bluestone platform.

The Five Elements Giant Sword carried the power of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. As the blade hacked down, spiritual light exploded outward, while the Mount Tai Sword firmly held its ground by relying on its mountain intent.

The sword shadow stood tall like a mountain range. Every block made the air tremble. The 'Mountain' Artifact Pattern flickered erratically, stripping away the Five Elements Spirit Power layer by layer.

Xu Deling concentrated her mind to control it. The spiritual light of the Five Spirits Box grew brighter, and the Five Elements Giant Sword's offensive gradually turned fiercer.

Seeing this, Perfected Person Fire Cloud's expression remained calm and indifferent. He guided the Mount Tai Sword with his fingertips, causing the mountain intent to become increasingly profound, and the sword shadow actually seemed to solidify a bit more.

"Clang!"

The tips of the two swords clashed against each other, and surging airwaves rippled outwards layer by layer like ripples on a pond.

This stalemate lasted for several minutes.

Suddenly, the Five-Color Great Sword began to disintegrate. Finally, it split back into five Flying Swords, plunging diagonally into the ground all around them.

Next came the competition of defensive magical artifacts.

However, several minutes later, it was once again the defensive light barrier of Xu Deling's Heaven-Overturning Seal that was shattered first.

"I lost." Xu Deling clasped her hands toward Perfected Person Fire Cloud. "I am the one who competed, so according to our bet, I am at Senior's disposal.

"But my grandfather is innocent. Please let him leave."

Perfected Person Fire Cloud stroked his beard and smiled faintly. "Did you really think you could beat me, little girl?"

"Although I suppressed my cultivation realm, my experience and foundation are still there."

"However, if it were the me from before Core Formation, when my control over Artifact Patterns hadn't reached this level, I might truly not have been able to defeat you!"

"Little girl, do you know that a complete Artifact Pattern requires a Top-Grade Magical Artifact at minimum to be inscribed and bear its power?

"I used three Fine-Grade Magical Artifacts to each bear a portion of the Artifact Pattern, and combined them into a complete Artifact Pattern when activating them.

"It is entirely equivalent to a Top-Grade Magical Artifact inscribed with an Artifact Pattern.

"If it had been a Top-Grade Magical Artifact without an Artifact Pattern, compared to your Fine-Grade Magical Artifact set, it might actually have fallen short."