158: Chapter 158 Practicing Weapon Forging

After several months of twists and turns, Ye Jing returned home on his flying sword.

As soon as he stepped through the door, Ye Jing saw that besides Ye Yi, his two daughters-in-law were nowhere to be found.

He asked casually, "Yier, where are Gui Yun and Xianglan?"

Ye Yi quickly replied, "Father! Sister-in-law and Xianglan went to the back mountain to refine artifacts!"

“Refining artifacts? Are they refining Spiritual Artifacts?” Ye Jing asked immediately upon hearing this.

Ye Yi nodded and said, "Yes, Father, they are Spiritual Artifacts. Sister-in-law said she wanted to try refining a Magical Artifact, so she rushed to Lingyun Valley to try grinding Black Iron. Xianglan went to help as well."

“How long have they been gone? Did they prepare a Fire Protection Array and an artifact furnace?” Ye Jing’s voice carried a hint of worry as he stepped back out the door.

Refining Magical Artifacts is different from Alchemy; the required heat is several times that of a Pill Furnace, so a Fire Protection Array is needed to concentrate the flames.

His travel-worn robes were still stained with mountain dew, but the exhaustion from his journey seemed to be mostly dispelled by this news.

Ye Yi hurried to catch up, answering as they walked, "It's been two hours already. Sister-in-law is using the ancient Refining Furnace Big Brother brought back from the palace and has been trying to refine every day."

“The Fire Protection Array was set up according to ancient texts; they say it can concentrate fire and block flying stones. It's just that the Black Iron Sister-in-law is using is too hard. She broke several Chisels over the past few days and only found a way today.”

Ye Jing listened and said, "Take me there!"

—

At this moment, Lingyun Valley was shrouded in mist, and a wave of scorching air hit them head-on.

From a distance, they could see an ancient bronze furnace about ten feet tall standing in the clearing. The furnace body was engraved with complex patterns and was currently emitting a faint golden light.

Around the bronze furnace, a circle of crimson array patterns was laid out. Three Low-Grade Spirit Stones were embedded at the array's core. Flames rolled within the array, heating a piece of Black Iron until it was glowing red and translucent.

Wu Guiyun's plain-colored clothes were already soaked with sweat. Strands of hair at her temples clung to her smooth forehead, and her face was stained with some ash from the furnace.

But she felt no fatigue at all. She sat cross-legged beside the Fire Protection Array, her eyes fixed intently on the Black Iron inside the bronze furnace.

Liu Xianglan guarded one side, holding Spirit Stones in her hand. As soon as the light of the Spirit Stones at the array core dimmed, she would immediately step forward, carefully remove them, and replace them with new ones. Her movements were skilled and swift, clearly having been repeated many times.

“Sister-in-law, the Spirit Stones have been replaced!” Xianglan spoke softly, her voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible hoarseness.

Wu Guiyun nodded slightly, her gaze never leaving the bronze furnace. Her voice held a touch of determination: “Wait a moment longer. The flames need to concentrate more. Although the Black Iron is red, the internal Impurities haven't been completely burned away. If we strike it now, the object will easily crack and won't become a Magical Artifact!”

After saying this, she took a deep breath. The Qi within her circulated more rapidly, and the flames in the array instantly gathered, transforming from scattered fireballs into a straight pillar of fire that struck the Black Iron in the bronze furnace directly.

The originally red Black Iron actually began to emit a faint shimmering light. The complex patterns on the furnace body also lit up, reflecting the flames and emitting a subtle humming sound.

The Black Iron gradually took the shape of a dagger. Although it hadn't been polished yet, it was already formed.

“It’s done!” Wu Guiyun was full of joy. Ignoring the fact that she was drenched in sweat, she held the glowing dagger and looked it over.

But as soon as she looked up, she saw Ye Jing and Ye Yi.

Both women were startled and quickly stepped forward. Wu Guiyun said with some guilt, “Father, you’re back? Your daughter-in-law didn't know you were returning today and failed to greet you.”

Ye Jing chuckled and said, “It’s fine. Seeing you two here refining artifacts and achieving results makes me very happy!”

Wu Guiyun was embarrassed: “Father, your daughter-in-law has only learned the basics. I've made a fool of myself before you.”

“Gui Yun, let me see that weapon,” Ye Jing said, raising his hand.

Wu Guiyun quickly handed her weapon to Ye Jing.

Ye Jing took the dagger and examined it. He found it light to the touch, imbued with Qi, and the blade was sharp.

He condensed his Qi and gave a light swipe toward a small nearby thicket. The vegetation was severed instantly.

A flash of surprise crossed Ye Jing’s eyes, which then turned into deep approval. His voice was full of gratification: “A fine piece! Although it's your first refinement, it has the prototype of a Spiritual Artifact. Gui Yun, you've done well!”

Upon hearing this, a blush crept onto Gui Yun’s face. She quickly said, “Father, you praise me too much. If not for the ancient Refining Furnace Brother Xuan gave me, and Xianglan helping me guard the array and change Spirit Stones, I would have spent months without figuring out the method.”

At this point, she looked helplessly at the wasted Black Iron on the side: “I don't even know how much Black Iron I've ruined...”

On the side, Ye Yi laughed: “Sister-in-law, that's nothing. Back when you were refining medicine, you made so much medicinal ash and stored it at home that the golden spirit rice almost got scorched!”

“Brother Yi!” Liu Xianglan snapped in mock anger.

Ye Jing didn't mind. Both Alchemy and Artifact Refining were tasks that consumed Materials, but as long as one improved, it would be of great benefit to the Family's development.

He smiled and said, “It’s fine, it’s fine. No beginner has a smooth path in Artifact Refining. As long as you have the heart, I will surely support you with all my might. A few herbs and Ores are nothing to worry about!”

Saying this, Ye Jing handed the dagger back to Wu Guiyun, his tone becoming more solemn: “Although this dagger is only a prototype of a Spiritual Artifact, the essence of the Black Iron has been refined by you."

“The patterns on the furnace body draw in Qi, and the Fire Protection Array is laid out neatly. It's clear you've put in hard work these past few days. Good, very good. Continue to polish it!”

He spoke with great expertise, which was thanks to the many books on Artifact Refining and Alchemy he had read. He naturally knew a lot, and this was also to encourage his Family.

Wu Guiyun quickly took the dagger and bowed: “Thank you for your guidance, Father. I will keep it in mind.”

Ye Jing nodded and then said, “I see that the cultivation of you two has been stagnant. I came this time also to help upgrade your Spiritual Artifacts!”

Wu Guiyun and Liu Xianglan's weapons were a Black Bell and a soul-inducing lamp, respectively. Both of these weapons originated from demonic cultivators.

Therefore, their usage was mostly focused on control. However, for women like them, such abilities were helpful for self-protection. As for offensive capabilities, they would figure that out for themselves in the future.

Upgrading a Spiritual Artifact relies on first-tier metal-attribute spiritual items. Ye Jing took out the first-tier metal-attribute Ores he had collected over the past few months.

These Ores left his daughters-in-law stunned, especially when Ye Jing spoke of escaping from three Foundation Establishment Cultivators and obtaining a second-tier moonlight spirit stone.

They, along with Ye Yi on the side, were all incredibly shocked.

Ye Jing didn't think much of it. He quickly skipped over the topic and suddenly said seriously, “Gui Yun, Xianglan, your weapons both come from the Xuanyou Sect, especially Xianglan's Corpse Control Technique."

“This must not be known by outsiders. Otherwise, I fear those so-called famous Righteous Path sects will view our Ye Family as part of the Demonic Path.”

Although the world of immortal cultivation respects the strong, there are some things they might not classify as their own kind. On the surface, one still had to maintain a Righteous Path demeanor.

Wu Guiyun and Liu Xianglan both nodded repeatedly: “Father, we understand.”

After finishing his instructions, Ye Jing began to upgrade their natal Spiritual Artifacts.