As Li Mu was considering how to refine this patch of spiritual bamboo into a spiritual sword, several figures suddenly appeared within his Divine Sense. He wasn't surprised, as he had long anticipated their timely arrival.
"Master!" The figures called out in unison. They were none other than Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix, Azure Moon True Dragon, Ginseng King, and Little Gold. The Vassal Beasts, knowing Li Mu had entered the Treasure Mansion, had gathered from all directions.
"Mm, you've arrived!" Li Mu smiled at the Vassal Beasts, then looked at Azure Moon True Dragon and asked with concern, "Azure Moon, have you refined that mass of Blue Spirit Glass Water?"
"Just finished refining it!" Azure Moon True Dragon replied truthfully, a hint of confusion in his eyes as he looked at Li Mu.
"That's good." Li Mu exhaled softly, then turned to Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix and Azure Moon True Dragon, instructing them, "Crimson Flame, Azure Moon, find the Extreme Yang Heavenly Fire and Blue Spirit Glass Water. Work with me to refine a spiritual sword. Azure Moon, haven't you always wanted to learn the Dao of Artifact Refining? Today, I'll teach you!"
Upon hearing this, Azure Moon True Dragon was overjoyed and thanked Li Mu gratefully, "Thank you, Master!"
Previously, due to being busy preparing for Undergoing Tribulation, Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix, Azure Jade Ginseng King, and the others had all received Artifact Refining and Alchemy methods from Li Mu. Only he was unable to participate. No! There were also Little Gold and Little Wa; Li Mu had taught them too, but their minds weren't bright enough, and they needed to expend more energy on Cultivating, so they soon gave up.
"Mm, I need to cast the Spirit Control Contract Seal to transmit the Artifact Refining method to you. It's also needed for co-refining the Spiritual Artifact. I'll remove it later!" Li Mu said awkwardly to Azure Moon True Dragon.
"It's fine, please cast it!" Azure Moon True Dragon nodded understandingly, trusting Li Mu implicitly.
Li Mu smiled and nodded, forming a Spirit Control hand seal and pointing at Azure Moon's forehead, imprinting a Divine Soul Contract Seal onto his True Dragon Soul.
Soon, Li Mu floated in the air, sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began to cast the Spirit Control Soul Transmission. Through the Spirit Control Contract Seal's derived Divine Ability—Spirit Control Soul Transmission—he transmitted his consciousness, experience, and knowledge to the Vassal Beast with the Contract Soul imprinted.
An invisible fluctuation emanated from Li Mu's body, quickly merging into Azure Moon True Dragon's body.
Azure Moon True Dragon only felt a sharp pain in his mind, as if countless knowledge and experiences were forcibly pouring into his consciousness. He let out a painful low roar, but relying on the powerful Primordial Spirit of his Seventh-Order Dragon Soul, he quickly adapted. He closed his eyes slightly, greedily absorbing these valuable experiences.
As time passed, Azure Moon True Dragon gradually adapted to this massive information flow, his expression slowly relaxing. When everything settled, he slowly opened his eyes, his gaze towards Li Mu filled with awe and gratitude.
"Master, this Refining Skill..." Azure Moon True Dragon hesitated, looking at Li Mu with a hint of difficulty on his face as he asked, "It seems this Refining Skill requires the use of spiritual fire or Heaven Fire to refine Spiritual Artifacts and Spirit Treasures, which doesn't align with my attributes and Cultivation Technique!"
Hearing this, Li Mu smiled slightly and nodded, "That's right. Generally speaking, refining Spiritual Artifacts indeed requires spiritual fire or Heaven Fire."
Li Mu pondered for a moment, then continued to explain, "Spiritual fire and Heaven Fire possess extremely high temperatures, capable of melting spiritual Materials, refining Impurities, and also require high temperatures to soften high-grade spiritual Materials when arranging artifact formations and engraving artifact patterns."
Azure Moon True Dragon frowned tightly, clearly still pondering how to adapt to this Refining Skill that required spiritual fire. Seeing this, Li Mu chuckled softly and continued, "However, since you have already refined the Seventh-Order Blue Spirit Glass Water, you can use it to perform the Water Refining Method."
"Water Refining Method?" Azure Moon True Dragon had clearly never heard of this Artifact Refining method before, and curiosity showed in his eyes.
"Yes!" Li Mu nodded and explained, "The Water Refining Method uses water as a medium to refine Spirit Pills and Spiritual Artifacts. Although it doesn't possess the intense high temperature of Heaven Fire, the Water Refining Method also has its unique advantages."
Li Mu smiled as he looked at Azure Moon True Dragon, explaining endlessly, "Water and fire, seemingly completely different, actually have many similarities. Both are powerful energies and transformative presences among the Five Elements. The Water Refining Method precisely utilizes the strong invasive and penetrating properties of spiritual water to replace the Fire Refining Method. Water's flexibility and inclusiveness are its unique advantages. During the refining process, water's properties of penetration, lubrication, and dissolution can be utilized to make the spiritual Materials more evenly tempered and refined... At the same time, the Water Refining Method makes it easier to engrave artifact patterns and arrange artifact formations."
Li Mu's words were full of praise for the Water Refining Method. After his Refining Skill rose to Level 6, he gained many Artifact Refining methods, including the Water Refining Method. However, without high-grade spiritual water comparable to Seventh-Order Extreme Yang Heavenly Fire, and without spiritual Materials suitable for extensive use of the Water Refining Method, he hadn't been able to utilize this technique.
Now, using sixth-order emerald spiritual bamboo as the main Artifact Refining Materials, the Water Refining Method had a place for use. Li Mu was prepared to use the Water Refining Method in the upcoming Artifact Refining, combined with the Fire Refining Method.
Azure Moon True Dragon listened to Li Mu's explanation, the confusion in his eyes gradually fading, replaced by a light of realization. He understood Li Mu's intention and was filled with anticipation for his future in the Dao of Artifact Refining.
"I understand, Master!" Azure Moon True Dragon nodded, his eyes sparkling with determination, and said excitedly to Li Mu, "I will master the Water Refining Method as soon as possible and not let down your expectations!"
"Since you already possess Seventh-Order Blue Spirit Glass Water, you can utilize its properties to perform the Water Refining Method. Whether refining Spirit Pills or Spiritual Artifacts, it can easily achieve effects that Seventh-Order Heaven Fire cannot." Li Mu smiled and nodded, then continued, "Next, I plan to refine a batch of spiritual swords based on sixth-order emerald spiritual bamboo. You two must cooperate well with me. How much you learn from this depends entirely on your own comprehension!"
"Yes!"
Azure Moon True Dragon nodded happily. The next moment, he extended a hand, and a mass of azure Seventh-Order Blue Spirit Glass Water was summoned from within his body.
At this time, Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix also summoned the skyfire cauldron from her body. Immediately after, a Seventh-Order Purple-Gold Fire Phoenix flew out from the skyfire cauldron, gently flapping a pair of purple fire wings, and then landed on Li Mu's shoulder. It stared intently at the Seventh-Order Blue Spirit Glass Water opposite it, as if encountering a natural enemy, highly vigilant.
"Stop messing around, it's a friend, not an enemy!" Li Mu reprimanded good-naturedly, signaling Extreme Yang Heavenly Fire to restrain its Aura.
Hearing this, Purple-Gold Fire Phoenix immediately abandoned its hostility and looked around, as if curious about this new cave space.
Li Mu looked up at a nearby emerald spiritual bamboo, nearly ten zhang long and as thick as a bucket. This emerald spiritual bamboo had grown for ten thousand Years, exuding a powerful wood-elemental spiritual charm, just a sliver away from the Opportunity of spiritualization. It was more than enough to refine a dozen spiritual swords.
Li Mu took a deep breath, formed hand seals, and surges of powerful golden origin surged from within his body, condensing in his hands, forming phantoms of the Gold Blade Technique, exuding a sharp Aura.
"Go!" Li Mu pointed a finger, and streaks of Gold Blade Technique shot out like rainbows, cutting through the Void Realm, aiming directly at the root of the ten-thousand-year emerald spiritual bamboo.
"Clang clang..." Streaks of Gold Blade Technique violently struck the ten-thousand-year emerald spiritual bamboo, emitting crisp metallic sounds.
However, to his surprise, this ten-thousand-year emerald spiritual bamboo was exceptionally tough. Dozens of Gold Blade Techniques at Great Perfection only left a finger-width gap on its surface, failing to cut it down.
A hint of surprise flashed across Li Mu's face. He understood in his heart that the quality of this ten-thousand-year emerald spiritual bamboo was extraordinary, and it required the sharpness of a spiritual sword to cut it down. Thus, he unhesitatingly summoned a sixth-order gold-elemental spiritual sword from the nine storage spiritual pearl, formed a sword seal, and slashed down from afar.
The sixth-order gold-elemental spiritual sword cut through the air. A brilliant golden light streaked across. Compared to the previous Gold Blade Technique, the power released by this sixth-order gold-elemental spiritual sword was undoubtedly more powerful, carrying a sharp Aura, aiming directly at the break at the root of the ten-thousand-year emerald spiritual bamboo.
With a "crack," the emerald spiritual bamboo snapped. A rich wood-elemental Aura and bamboo fragrance spread from the break, as if crying to the heavens about its misfortune. Ten thousand Years of life were completely extinguished at this moment.
Li Mu extended a hand, and the sixth-order gold-elemental spiritual sword, like a spiritual snake, flew out, chopping off the spiritual bamboo's branches and leaves one by one. Soon, only a bare trunk remained.
"We can begin! Are you ready?"
Looking at the sturdy trunk of the spiritual bamboo, Li Mu contentedly withdrew the sixth-order gold-elemental spiritual sword and asked Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix and Azure Moon True Dragon.
Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix and Azure Moon nodded in unison, each controlling Extreme Yang Heavenly Fire and Blue Spirit Glass Water, ready.
Li Mu's face became serious, and he rapidly formed hand seals, casting the Vassal Soul Communion, simultaneously controlling Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix and Azure Moon to perform Artifact Refining and the Eightfold Heavenly Fire Tempering Method, using his mind for multiple tasks at once.
The next moment, Extreme Yang Heavenly Fire disintegrated, transforming into a massive Purple-Gold Skyfire Refining Furnace, engulfing the entire emerald spiritual bamboo. At the same time, Blue Spirit Glass Water transformed into a stream of light and poured into it, enveloping the emerald spiritual bamboo and fiercely scouring its trunk...
Li Mu took out a portion of sixth-order gold-elemental spiritual Materials—Ancient Dust Fine Gold—and a portion of sixth-order earth-elemental spiritual Materials—Crimson Sky Spirit Soil—from the nine storage spiritual pearl and threw them into the Skyfire Refining Furnace.
As Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix, Azure Moon True Dragon, and Li Mu continuously poured in their spiritual essence, the Skyfire Refining Furnace emitted terrifying high temperatures. Incredible changes were occurring within the furnace. The emerald spiritual bamboo gradually lost its vibrant green color under the tempering of the furnace fire, becoming hard and profound. The gold-elemental and earth-elemental spiritual Materials melted and decomposed in the flames, eventually merging into the emerald spiritual bamboo...
The spiritual swords refined this time used sixth-order wood-elemental spiritual Materials—emerald spiritual bamboo—as the main Material. However, as a sixth-order bamboo-elemental spiritual Material, the sword-like effect of emerald spiritual bamboo was ultimately slightly inferior to gold-elemental spiritual Materials.
To compensate for this flaw, Li Mu, after careful consideration, decided to integrate a Five Elements artifact formation within the spiritual sword's body, maximizing the power of spiritual swords made from spiritual Materials like emerald spiritual bamboo.
The Five Elements artifact formation, as its name suggests, requires the integration of gold, wood, water, fire, and earth elemental spiritual Materials to construct a stable artifact type. Of course, Li Mu used a clever method for this Artifact Refining: taking one attribute as the main one, and through the Five Elements mutual generation characteristic of the Five Elements artifact formation, relying on the strong wood attribute of the spiritual bamboo, with other attributes secondary, to construct a Five Elements balance.
Portions of gold-elemental and earth-elemental spiritual Materials were respectively integrated into the emerald spiritual bamboo sword body. Then, with the help of the water and fire power of the dual water-fire refining method, a stable and powerful Five Elements artifact basic formation was constructed. Finally, the strong wood Origin of the emerald spiritual bamboo itself was used as the main force to support the other four elements.
If this Artifact Refining succeeds, Li Mu will be able to obtain a large number of high-grade wood-elemental spiritual swords through this method.
If the Artifact Refining fails, Li Mu will need to collect more high-grade spiritual Materials to continue utilizing so much sixth-order emerald spiritual bamboo.
Soon, under the kneading of the powerful water and fire forces in the furnace, the thick emerald spiritual bamboo disintegrated into fifteen bamboo swords of similar size, infused with a golden light and a crimson line. Under the continuous scouring of water and fire elemental energy, the sword bodies emitted Five Elements spiritual light, and Spiritual Artifact patterns continuously condensed on the sword bodies...
At this moment, Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix and Azure Moon True Dragon became onlookers. However, they were not completely passive. Under Li Mu's Spirit Control Contract Seal Divine Ability, they were like puppets on strings, continuously pouring their own Dharma Origin into the Skyfire Refining Furnace, providing Li Mu with a large amount of Dharma Origin support.
At the same time, under Li Mu's control, Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix and Azure Moon True Dragon respectively controlled Extreme Yang Heavenly Fire and Blue Spirit Glass Water to intervene in the Artifact Refining, transforming the two Innate water and fire into two large hands, cleverly cooperating to refine the artifact using a unique method of simultaneous water and fire application.
They played the role of 'puppets on strings,' but their Divine Sense could follow Li Mu to perceive every progress of the Artifact Refining process, observe every subtle change in the Artifact Refining Furnace, and feel the various changes of spiritual Materials in Heaven Fire and spiritual water, the flow and Fusion of spiritual Materials, and the condensation of artifact patterns.
Under Li Mu's meticulous control, the entire Artifact Refining process seemed to become an evolution of the Five Elements Dao. The intertwining of fire and spiritual water, two powerful and contradictory forces, the Fusion of gold and earth, and the powerful wood Origin, which was endlessly regenerating within, providing a Foundation for the other four elements... At this moment, the Skyfire Refining Furnace seemed to have become a miniature Universe, demonstrating the profound mysteries of the Five Elements' mutual generation and restraint.
Although Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix and Azure Moon True Dragon could not subjectively intervene in this Artifact Refining, their Divine Souls were closely connected to Li Mu. They watched him perform a miraculous technique, integrating the attributes of various spiritual Materials in special forms and precise rhythms, watching how he cleverly utilized the power of the Five Elements, and how he arranged the spiritual sword's artifact patterns and formations...
At this moment, Crimson Refining Fire Phoenix and Azure Moon Flood Dragon's respect for Li Mu once again reached a new height. As Seven-rank True Spirits, they had always been confident that no one understood their Origin power better than them. However, after Li Mu's Artifact Refining demonstration this time, they suddenly realized they were wrong.
Their understanding of Origin power was even inferior to Li Mu's, not to mention his extreme utilization of Five Elements transformations. This Artifact Refining was not just about refining spiritual swords; it was more like creating a form of life, refining spiritual swords and giving birth to Artifact Spirits through a profound understanding of the Five Elements Dao.
As time passed, the temperature in the Skyfire Refining Furnace gradually decreased. The Five Elements spiritual light within the furnace soared into the sky. This Artifact Refining was about to enter its most crucial final stage. (End of Chapter)
