The two arrived at an open house. The old Taoist priest took out a piece of colorful stone that emitted a bright green light and handed it over. After a while, he received a number.
After six months of hard study, Xiao Wenbing had gained some knowledge and knew that this was a medium-grade spirit stone. Although its quality was not top-notch, it was already a rare resource on Earth.
Guided by an outer disciple of the Tianding Sect, the master and his apprentice arrived at a cave dwelling a thousand miles away.
The cave was sealed by a huge rock, and a restrictive array was set up at the exit.
An outer disciple who had been waiting there for a long time embedded the number plate of the old Taoist Xianyun into the boulder. Immediately, the restriction was removed, and the boulder opened wide.
"Seniors, I will return in a month to open the cave entrance for the outer sect." The outer sect disciple bowed deeply and then left.
Upon entering the cave, the most eye-catching feature is undoubtedly the enormous jade cauldron in the center of the cave.
"Wenbing, this is one of the million weapon-refining rooms in the Tianding Sect. You see, the jade cauldron is connected to the earth's vein fire, which is why it can maintain a continuous heat. There is also a control switch here, which can be adjusted to any size or intensity. Even a cultivator in the Core Formation stage can achieve the purpose of weapon refining in such an environment."
Xiao Wenbing nodded repeatedly and asked, "Master, why don't we create a few places like this on Earth as well?"
The old Taoist priest smiled wryly and slowly said, "The earth vein fire here is extraordinary; it's a great miracle in the cultivation world. Not only can it replace the Samadhi Fire of cultivators, but it also has unique uses. Some weapon-refining masters even travel great distances to come here specifically for certain special magical treasures that require the help of this unique earth vein fire. If it were in another place... hehe, naturally, it wouldn't have such a miraculous effect."
Xiao Wenbing suddenly realized that he had been wondering why no one had thought of such a good thing before. It turned out that there was such a reason.
The old Taoist priest took out several items from his mustard seed belt and handed them to Xiao Wenbing, saying, "These are some materials that your master has prepared for you. During your month here, you have explored on your own and read so many classic texts. It's time for you to give it a try. Your master will come to pick you up in a month."
"Master, aren't you coming with me?" Xiao Wenbing asked curiously.
The old Taoist priest stroked his beard and smiled, saying, "If I were here, how could you have the freedom to express yourself?"
Xiao Wenbing respectfully replied "Yes," and after inspecting the objects on the ground, his expression gradually became strange.
"Master, what are these things you gave me?"
The old Taoist priest looked down and said in surprise, "Materials for refining weapons."
“But,” Xiao Wenbing pointed to the things on the ground and said, “Master, no matter how I look at them, they are all substandard steel ore and the like… scrap metal?”
The old Taoist priest Xianyun's face hardened, and he snorted, asking, "What do you mean by 'scrap metal'? This is a rare mineral deposit that I've collected for decades!"
Volume 4, Chapter 106: The Forging Begins
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"Is that all?" Xiao Wenbing looked incredulous.
"Hmph..." The old Taoist priest sighed helplessly and said, "Fine, I'll grant your wish this time. What do you want?"
"Hmm..." Xiao Wenbing was overjoyed, knowing that the old man must have something to hide. After pondering for a moment, he counted on his fingers one by one: "This disciple's request is not high, just one piece of seven-colored jade, one piece of the Dragon King's reverse scale, one piece of phoenix feather, and one..."
The old Taoist priest's mouth gaped wider and wider as he stared at Xiao Wenbing, speechless. After a long while, he finally finished speaking.
"Master, that's all." Xiao Wenbing concluded his speech with ease.
His withered, yellow face twitched slightly. The old Taoist priest said, "My good disciple, these things are all genuine rare and precious treasures. What do you need them for?"
Looking at the old Taoist priest with an incredulous expression, Xiao Wenbing said, "Of course it's for refining weapons, not for eating."
"Hehe..." The old Taoist priest said with a forced smile, "Wenbing, I forgot to mention something. To refine these things, you need at least the cultivation level of the Nascent Soul stage. Have you reached that level yet?"
"This disciple is still a little lacking," Xiao Wenbing said honestly.
“Yes, since your skill level is not high enough, it’s impossible for you to refine these treasures. Hehe…” The old Taoist smiled slightly, appearing very kind. He paused for a moment and then said, “Moreover, refining these treasures is not only fraught with difficulties, but also takes a long time. It is by no means something that can be accomplished in just one month.”
Xiao Wenbing sighed with disappointment and said, "Then forget it. It seems I'll have to deal with this junk for the next month."
A hint of darkness flashed across the old Taoist's face again, but he quickly returned to normal. He said earnestly, "Wenbing, remember this: of all the arts of Taoism, no matter which one you practice, if you want to achieve something, you must start from the very basics and progress step by step. This is the unique and supreme method of our Taoist sect."
"Yes." Xiao Wenbing humbly accepted the instruction and said, "In that case, Master, I'll ask you for those things when I think of them later."
The old Taoist priest chuckled twice with a half-smile, then turned and left the cave. As soon as he stepped out, the giant rock was laid down straight, and the protective barrier activated, blocking the view and senses between those inside and outside.
The old Taoist priest turned around, looking at the tightly closed cave entrance, and muttered to himself, "Trash? This old Taoist has plundered ten years' worth of supplies from the Heavenly Dao Sect..." The more he thought about it, the angrier he became, and suddenly shouted, "You want it from me? Then who am I supposed to ask?"
※※※※
After fiddling with the items in his hands, Xiao Wenbing's hard work during this period had not been in vain. He recognized the items here, including some steel mother, celestial star sand, and a very rare amount of Arctic cold water.
Of course, the term "extremely rare" is relative to the cultivation world on Earth. According to ancient records, Arctic cold water is not considered a special treasure in the cultivation world; it can be found on any extremely cold planet.
The other two items, Steel Mother and Celestial Star Sand, are hardly rare items; they're just some basic materials. No wonder the old Taoist priest repeatedly emphasized that everything should start from the very basics—truly the foundation of the foundation.
What should I refine? Xiao Wenbing pondered deeply. He was not an arrogant person and knew that with his current rudimentary skills, it was absolutely impossible for him to refine any complex magical artifacts.
At the Core Formation stage, even with the help of the earth's vein fire, he can probably only refine the lowest-grade magical artifacts at present.
After thinking for a moment, he finally made a decision: he decided to forge a small round shield.
To be frank, these small round shields weren't very valuable, and their defensive capabilities weren't particularly high. However, among the secret scrolls he had read, almost every basic weapon-forging manual recorded the method for crafting these small round shields.
Almost all the sages and predecessors have given a fair assessment: this is the most suitable magical artifact for beginners to craft. And most importantly, this artifact has extremely low material requirements, practically none at all. With what you have, crafting this small round shield is undoubtedly a very wise choice.
"Sigh..." Xiao Wenbing sighed helplessly, then he had no choice but to go with the flow.
He stood up and scanned the three ingredients on the ground. He had special abilities; it would be a waste not to make good use of them.
He then activated the switch beneath the jade cauldron, and a surge of earth vein fire, flickering with red and white flames, shot up. However, constrained by the restriction, Xiao Wenbing, standing beside the jade cauldron, felt no heat whatsoever.
He put all the steel mother and celestial sand into the jade cauldron. If the old Taoist priest Xianyun were here, he would definitely lecture him endlessly. So much material, enough to refine ten times, was wasted in one go. Was he not afraid of failure?
Xiao Wenbing stared intently at the changes within the jade cauldron. However, to his extreme disappointment, the materials inside the cauldron were melting at an extremely slow rate. At this rate, it would probably take ten days to half a month for them to completely dissolve.
He sighed sadly, only then realizing that he had made a big mistake. The more materials there were, the longer it would take. If he had only put in one-tenth of the materials, it would probably have dissolved in a day.
However, now that it's been put down, it's unlikely that he can take it out again. After all, he's just an ordinary Core Formation stage cultivator, and it's absolutely impossible for him to extract items under the high temperature inside the jade cauldron.
Bored, he sat down on the ground and stretched out his right hand. Gradually, the same material took shape in his hand.
Since it's just sitting there empty, I might as well find something to do.
He unexpectedly discovered that replicating these materials consumed a considerable amount of his special abilities and spiritual power. Not only were his special abilities and the spiritual power of his inner core exhausted, but even his natal golden talisman consumed about 10% of its spiritual power to successfully restore the three materials.
It seems that weapon crafting is indeed a rather tiring task, at least it consumes more supernatural abilities and spiritual power than alchemy.
Volume 4, The Divine Artifacts, Chapter 107: The Butterfly Fairy's Skills
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He took a deep breath, and within his dantian, his natal golden talisman floated high, while his inner core spun incessantly, frantically absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth in the space.
If the natal golden talisman has not yet taken effect, it will take at least a day to fully recover.
However, Xiao Wenbing's golden talisman was fundamentally different from that of his fellow disciples.
Among those who could use the wondrous uses of the Golden Talisman during the Core Formation stage, Xiao Wenbing was the first person in the three thousand years since the founding of the Secret Talisman Sect.
With the help of his natal golden talisman, the absorption process went very smoothly. Before long, Xiao Wenbing stood up, fully recovered. He looked up at the jade cauldron and let out a helpless sigh.
It seems my estimation was a bit too optimistic, or rather, far too optimistic...
He had spent half a day working on it, but the raw materials in the jade cauldron hadn't changed at all. Perhaps ten days or half a month was an underestimation.
Earth vein fire is indeed a good thing, capable of replacing the Samadhi Fire of cultivators, but it is only a substitute and cannot truly replace it completely.
If it were the old Taoist Xianyun using the Samadhi Fire he had cultivated for nearly a thousand years, these items would probably have turned into a lump of molten steel long ago. Would there be any need for such trouble?
It seems that one's cultivation level has a significant impact on weapon crafting. No wonder I heard the old Taoist priest Xianyun say that true weapon crafting masters are all experts in the Tribulation Transcending stage. Only by reaching their level of cultivation can one effectively control the heat during weapon crafting and endure the extremely long time required to use the Samadhi True Fire.
Does it really take me that long to become a master weapon refiner?
The Tribulation Transcending Stage? Just thinking about the ages of Daoist Xianyun and the others sent chills down Xiao Wenbing's spine.
If I were to reach that age, putting everything else aside, the Butterfly Fairy's tribulation would probably have already arrived, and as for myself, the chances of escaping unscathed from the tribulation's impact... no matter how you look at it, are slim.
Looking at the earth vein fire in the furnace, Xiao Wenbing frowned deeply. Was there really no way out?
However, just as he was sighing, a sudden realization struck him, and it seemed as if a voice was ringing in his mind, as if someone was conveying a message he couldn't understand.
Xiao Wenbing's hair stood on end, and his heart almost stopped. What was this thing? His neck stiffened as he cautiously looked around.
Here, dawn is quiet, and at midnight, when no one is whispering.
Inside the cave, everything was clear at a glance; he couldn't see anything suspicious. He shook his head slightly, confirming his judgment once again.
What's wrong? Did I mishear...?
Just as he was muttering to himself, that message appeared again without warning.
This time, Xiao Wenbing was prepared. He followed the source of the information and his gaze fell on the Heavenly Void Ring in his hand.
So that's what it was! Xiao Wenbing glared angrily at the ring. This message had come from the Butterfly Fairy who was temporarily residing in the ring.
They say humans can scare people to death, but who knew monsters could scare people to death too...
Under his gaze, the caterpillar slowly moved its large body and crawled out.
Looking at its appearance, Xiao Wenbing suddenly realized that he had seen this creature many times, and even in this form, it didn't seem ugly. So plump, it must be well-nourished; he wondered what it tasted like.
Perhaps sensing his thoughts, the caterpillar suddenly stopped crawling and with a soft thud, transformed into a beautiful butterfly the size of a person.
It nodded three times to Xiao Wenbing, but the sharp-eyed Xiao Wenbing clearly saw a few strands of glistening sweat running down its round head.
This guy seems to really understand human nature...
"What are you doing out here?" Xiao Wenbing asked patiently.
"Squeak squeak squeak..."
"What? Squeak squeak squeak?" He frowned and asked in surprise. What kind of talk is that?
Even if the Butterfly Fairy is highly intelligent, it cannot speak human language before it takes on a physical form. Dealing with it inevitably involves a degree of speculation.