However, no matter how powerful the forbidden spells used to refine a magical artifact are, or how many layers of restrictions are imposed, if it does not develop spiritual consciousness, it can never be called a magical treasure.
Like a cultivator, a magical artifact must undergo countless tribulations before it can be tempered into its essence and develop its own primordial consciousness. Once consciousness is formed, the artifact instantly transforms into a magical treasure, its power increasing a hundredfold, and it is no longer an ordinary object.
Even though the spiritual consciousness generated by a magic weapon of the ethereal level is still weak, it is already extremely rare.
True-form level magical treasures are almost all in the hands of those senior cultivators who have cultivated for hundreds of years, and anyone who gets them will cherish them as their own life.
Magical artifacts of the Illusion God level also have a fitting name: the supreme treasure of the sect. Just from this name, one can understand the rarity and preciousness of such magical artifacts.
As for the Pure Yang Treasure, there are only a handful in the entire world. They are either passed down through ancient sects or treasures of ancient immortals. Ordinary people may not even have the chance to see one even after a thousand years of cultivation, let alone have one.
This Chun Jun pot is already extremely powerful in terms of its quality alone, not to mention that it has been refined into a grotto.
Jiao Fei thought to himself, "Since this 'Chun Jun Pot' is so precious, my master must have disappeared without a trace after obtaining it. He will definitely not show himself until he has fully refined this magic weapon so that no one else can take it. Without anyone to guide me, I don't know how difficult my future path will be."
After chatting for a few more minutes, the naturally quick-witted Jiao Fei noticed that both Meng Tianzhu and Lin Yi were quite friendly towards him. He took the opportunity to ask some questions about his cultivation, and Lin Yi and Meng Tianzhu each offered a few brief answers.
A while later, Meng Tianzhu, mindful of the important mission her sect was undertaking, gifted Jiao Fei a medical classic before departing.
Jiao Fei turned his melancholy into a sigh, turned around, and saw Lin Yi standing to the side looking at him with a smile.
The sallow-faced boy blushed for once and asked, "Does Daoist Lin know of any wide river with abundant water near Chang'an?"
Lin Yi said, "Near Chang'an is the Huai River, one of the four major river systems in the world. I wonder why Brother Jiao asked about this?"
Jiao Fei remained silent, only saying, "I am going to wait for my master by the Huai River."
"Then I wish Brother Jiao a safe journey," Lin Yi said, and then took his leave as well.
Jiao Fei quickly packed up and left Chang'an, heading towards the Huai River.
Lin Yi secretly followed, his entire scheme hinged on Jiao Fei. Besides the Black Water True Technique, a true inheritance of the Demonic Sect that condenses Xuanming True Water, he wanted much more.
The "Gate to the Other Shore" deep within his sea of consciousness glowed faintly. The eternal divine light not only concealed Lin Yi's figure but also caused Jiao Fei, who was focused on getting on his way, to disappear from everyone's sight.
Outside Chang'an City, an old Taoist priest with white hair and beard emitted flames more than ten feet high from his body, the flames soaring like a god of fire. Within the flames, a fire-breathing crimson dragon, as thick as an arm and more than ten feet long, coiled up and down, its entire body covered in crimson scales, looking incomparably ferocious.
The old Taoist priest must have used some kind of magic, for in the void before him stood a mirror-like light, illuminating a hundred miles. Beside the old Taoist priest stood the handsome man who had slapped Jiao Fei earlier.
The old Taoist priest, whose Taoist name was Chilongzi, came from the Longhu Sect of Xixuan Mountain. The handsome man was his disciple, Yang Minghe.
Just then, Chi Longzi let out a soft "Huh," sensing that something was amiss. However, despite his careful search using the Fire Mirror, he found nothing and could only continue waiting patiently.
………………
Of the four major river systems in China—the Huai River, the Ji River, the Hei River, and the Lancang River—the Huai River flows through the most prefectures and is also the largest river in the Central Plains.
Chang'an, perched majestically on the banks of the Huai River and beside the Qinling Mountains, has always been a formidable city. Despite the changing dynasties, it served as the capital repeatedly, a place where the imperial aura was most concentrated. Surrounded by mountains and water, its land was fertile, well-connected, and its population abundant.
Chang'an is not far from the Huai River. Once you pass Tongguan, it is another hundred miles to the first great river in the world.
With Lin Yi's secret help, Jiao Fei made it smoothly out of Tongguan and arrived at a small town called Yupu outside Tongguan.
Merchants who had traveled a long way but did not have time to enter the city before the Tongguan gates closed often rested here.
Upon approaching Yupu Town, Lin Yi had already withdrawn the Eternal Divine Light that enveloped Jiao Fei, lest the sudden appearance of a living person frighten the others.
Jiao Fei rested for a night in Yupu Town, asked around for directions to the Huai River, bought some dry food and a change of clothes, and then left unhurriedly.
In the afternoon, Jiao Fei arrived at the banks of the Huai River. He found a suitable cave in a mountain peak leaning against the river and began to clean it.
Amidst the swirling dust, a leather pouch appeared not far in front of Jiao Fei.
Jiao Fei walked over and picked up the animal skin bag. After examining it briefly, he said with some confusion, "This should be a magic weapon used by cultivators, but how could it have been left in this ordinary cave? Could this be what people often call an opportunity?"
Jiao Fei circulated the true water essence in his body and refined the animal skin bag in his hand without any hindrance. Three black halos appeared in front of him.
A hidden space appeared in Jiao Fei's perception, containing not only some magical artifacts, but also food, clothing, gold and silver jewelry, and other items.
Overjoyed at this fortuitous opportunity, Jiao Fei happily devoted himself to cultivation in the cave.
Lin Yi, who had given away an opportunity, also silently gave himself a thumbs up.
Under the eternal divine light, the entire scene of Jiao Fei breathing in and circulating true water essence during his cultivation was reflected.
------------
Chapter Forty-Eight: My Heart, My Will, My Way
Regardless of school or sect, there is always an insurmountable obstacle on the path of cultivation, which is the ever-present "Daoist mind".
Some say that the mind is the ordinary mind, while others believe that the mind of Heaven is the mind of oneself…
There are a thousand answers to this question if there are a thousand monks.
In Lin Yi's view, the essence of the Dao Heart lies in eight words: "A clear conscience and perfect harmony." Having secretly learned the Black Water True Method from Jiao Fei, he sought to make amends and express his apology. Whether it was secretly protecting Jiao Fei and ensuring his safe arrival at the Huai River from Chang'an or gifting him the Five Yin Bag, he sought only peace of mind.
"I am not a saint, but I am not the kind of madman who sees everything in the world as his own. I follow my heart, I will do what I want, and I will do what I want."
Lin Yi gently brushed away the fog in his mind and focused his attention on the specific practice of the Black Water True Method.
Time slipped away quietly, and more than ten days passed in the blink of an eye.
On this day, Jiao Fei was concentrating on his cultivation in the cave.
Suddenly, a splashing sound came from the cave entrance, as if someone or an animal had emerged from the Huai River.
Jiao Fei opened his eyes, stood up, reached out and pulled out the Hun Tian Banner stuck to the side, while secretly clutching the Five Yin Bag with his other hand, and walked out of the cave.
A violent coughing fit followed.