Chapter 1853: When Spring Freezes Blood (I)

The waters wound between successive mountain peaks. A table and platform could faintly be seen amid the swirling clouds, with a golden formation set into the ground. A woman draped in white gauze stood beside the table, pouring fine wine which glimmered with the slightest hint of color.

A Daoist Master in blue robes approached with a smile. "Fellow Daoist Zhaojing, you have come at just the right time!"

Li Ximing smiled and nodded, glancing at the woman beside him. "I have often heard that your lineage upholds the proper balance of Yin and Yang, pursuing immortality through the union of Virile and Valley. Now that I see it for myself, your reputation is well deserved!"

The smiling Daoist Master walking toward him was none other than Liaoluo of Mount Qusi. Understanding that Li Ximing was referring to the women, most of whom cultivated as Valley furnaces, he replied with a smile, "Our Mount Qusi inheritance has always explored the Virile and Valley Daos. In ancient times, we even possessed a great Dao through which Yin and Yang complemented one another. It was only later that we added the Zhaoyuan Immortal Mansion's inheritance held by the Yin Family. As for [Bright Yang], Daoist Master, you must know something of it yourself."

Li Ximing found that difficult to answer, and could only give a dry chuckle. Liaoluo shook his head with a smile. "Had you come some years earlier, Daoist Master, such practices would have been far more openly displayed. In recent years, Jingyi's branch has established itself on a separate mountain, and Kuangyu went to Hengzhu Dao Gate as a child. There are fewer people here now, and I cultivate [Converging Water]… So that atmosphere has faded."

Li Ximing nodded and changed the subject. "As for the pagoda…"

Li Ximing had settled the practical arrangements with Li Zhouwei long ago, then had Guo Nanwu bring the items to Liaoluo. Nearly a year had passed since then. Having received word and made plans of his own, he had come in person.

Liaoluo smiled and called casually, "Attend me!"

Several maids approached in succession, each carrying a tray. The first held a stone, roughly the size of two fingers, resting on white jade. It was suffused with heavenly light and flames that stained the surrounding clouds orange-red.

This [Radiant Sky Stone] was roughly twice the size of the one Li Ximing had used for his breakthrough. Resting on the jade, it shimmered with myriad colors, stirring him slightly.

A closer look, however, revealed something different about this [Radiant Sky Stone]. Brilliant flames blazed across its surface, with faint traces of Radiant Fire flickering within.

Daoist Master Liaoluo said solemnly, "The pagoda was made with precious materials, including [Radiant Sky Stone] and [Chongming Golden Quintessence]. I have extracted them, but the two spirit items have fused completely. To separate them, you would need a cultivator of [Whole Pill] Dao."

Li Ximing nodded approvingly. "Remarkable skill, fellow Daoist!"

Li Ximing had sought out Daoist Master Liaoluo for good reason. As an artifact refiner who cultivated [Converging Water], he excelled at gathering and consolidating materials. In just a year, he had completed the work without even delaying his own cultivation.

Li Ximing had no need to find someone to separate them. The fusion of the two spirit items posed no difficulty for his clan, so he merely smiled and nodded without further questions.

By Mount Qusi's rules, besides the fee due for processing artifacts, the mountain kept any materials below the Purple Mansion Realm, including those containing less than a tenth of Purple Mansion Realm spirit materials or items. It was a tacit understanding, much like Li Ximing quietly keeping some pills when refining a batch. Since Liaoluo had charged him no fee in the first place, he naturally would not ask for those leftover materials back.

Liaoluo waved a hand and led him onto the nearby golden platform, which had a fist-sized opening leading underground. Flames roared within, faintly revealing a golden embryo as long as an arm and as thick as a finger.

Liaoluo said, "You mentioned that time was pressing, fellow Daoist, so I asked Nanwu to help process Guangchan's Radiant Fire spear. We intend to remove most of its impurities and all its Buddhist arts, leaving this embryo to be reforged according to your wishes. However, the materials have fused. The [Heavenly Yang Colored Copper] originally in the spearhead has spread throughout it, making it suitable for a spirit artifact with a uniform composition!

"By my estimate, it will be finished by year's end!"

Li Ximing had not expected such speed and was delighted. Realizing that Liaoluo's entire Dao lineage must have been working on this matter, he replied, "This… Thank you, Daoist Master!"

He had intended to have this made into a spirit artifact for Li Jiangqian in time. Forging a spirit artifact could take an appallingly long time, and Li Ximing certainly did not want Li Jiangqian to wait another decade or more after emerging from seclusion!

With this embryo, there was no telling how much time they could save.

The Daoist Master smiled. "My work merely amounts to little tricks. The Grand Daoist Master possesses the true skills of an immortal. It has only been a hundred and sixty days since you sent that Valley Water treasure here. By the three-hundredth day, all its arts will have been dissolved and its components separated, giving it new life!"

"Oh?" Delight immediately lit Li Ximing's eyes. "I heard that the materials in the Valley Water glazed lotus throne had fused so completely that its alterations could no longer be undone. To think that in the Grand Daoist Master's hands, extracting all its spirit items will take less than a year!"

Liaoluo gave him a meaningful glance and said, "The Grand Daoist Master's skill has few equals in this age! Even when my grandmaster was alive, he praised his artifact refining as having reached perfection!"

Master Dingyang was now in Lacquer Marsh and difficult to meet. Li Ximing had come in person specifically to commission an artifact, so how could he miss the implication?

He solemnly presented the [Radiant Sky Stone] fused with Radiant Fire and said, "Please ask the old Daoist Master… to forge an artifact for my family!"

The Li Family possessed plenty of spirit materials and items, but few were freely available. Moreover, they only had four Purple Mansion Realm spirit items. The one of [Upper Rite] had no designated purpose yet and was being used to gather qi for the time being. [Hidden Plunder Gold] and [Ever-Transcending Transformative Metal] were used to cast arts, while [Sixfold Ceremonial Colors] had to be reserved for Li Quewan. Still, with some careful allocation, they could spare something.

Spirit materials, however, were abundant. Thanks to the Zhen Tao Residence, the [Under-Neck Feathers] obtained over the years had covered most shortfalls in expenditure, allowing their materials to accumulate gradually. Setting aside the [Soul-Tuning Mulberry Wood], whose quantity was difficult to reckon, the two portions of [Crimson Light Radiant Amber] were reserved for Li Jiangqian and could not readily be used.

What remained were two [Under-Neck Feathers], one portion each of [Heart-Trace Baleful Energy] and [Cangzhou Serpent Scales], and one portion each of [Consecration Silver], [Late-Blooming Golden Branch], and [Silken Heart Ice]. Together with the newly acquired [Night Yaksha Spirit Grass] and the long-stored [Yu Heart Armor], that made nine in all.

More than enough for a spirit artifact!

Li Ximing's first thought was none other than spirit armor for Li Jiangqian!

Li Jiangqian had no particular preference in weapons. With [Two Bright Rites of Layered Fire], he was already well equipped for both attack and defense. If he had a suit of Radiant Fire armor and a green talisman, once he formed his divine ability, he would have the combat strength to hold off a cultivator with three divine abilities!

Besides, there is still that golden embryo…

However, Li Ximing had their King of Wei in mind for that golden embryo. Though Li Zhouwei's remark, 'his materials were even better than mine,' had merely been a joke, he had taken it to heart.

He is a figure whose might shakes the north, after all. It really will not do for him to keep fighting with a spirit embryo.

He explained his request. Daoist Master Liaoluo immediately considered it carefully, then shook his head and asked, "The golden embryo… If it is to be forged for the King of Wei, how could Guangchan's broken artifact alone suffice? That would hardly befit his exalted standing. We should use the golden embryo as its framework and the fused [Radiant Sky Stone] and [Chongming Golden Quintessence] as its blade. Only with our Grand Daoist Master personally forging the weapon could it contend with the spirit treasures those figures wield!"

Understanding dawned on Li Ximing, and his eyes gleamed faintly.

That is an excellent idea. With these two materials fused, the weapon might even rival Chu Yi, the Emperor of Wei's reincarnated form back then!

Delighted, he said, "You are quite right, fellow Daoist! Please do your utmost. If any supplementary spirit materials are lacking, I hope we can obtain some through an exchange!"

Liaoluo replied earnestly, "It is only my duty. We have plenty of Bright Yang and Radiant Fire spirit materials on the mountain, and the Grand Daoist Master has even more. Leave it to us!"

Li Ximing nodded repeatedly. He still intended to extract spirit water using the [Under-Neck Feathers], so he kept those. Despite Liaoluo's repeated protests, he left behind the [Night Yaksha Spirit Grass] and [Silken Heart Ice].

He had no intention of lingering in the outer-sea, and soon rose to take his leave. Before departing, however, he could not resist one more question. "Once that Valley Water glazed pagoda is refined… what spirit items might it yield?"

The Daoist Master replied, "At least one Valley Water spirit item and one Metal spirit item."

Valley Water and Metal…

Li Ximing slipped into the great void and began considering his options. Then they should go to Quewan. [Whole Pill] Dao relies heavily on casting arts. If we can incorporate [Sixfold Ceremonial Colors], they would be perfect for forging her a sword for that purpose. Just as well. Jiangqian will have a spirit treasure, and she should not be left empty-handed.

With the arrangements settled, he reflected for a while, only to feel a little uneasy. Mount Qusi is our ally, and we should be helping one another. Yet this leaves us taking all the benefits at their expense. That is no way to maintain an alliance, much less conduct oneself. I may even find myself burdened by the favors I owe.

After turning it over in his mind, he sighed. I can only find some way to repay them in the future!