184: Chapter 183 The Lin Family of Liuhuo County

"Fire represents the skill of controlling heat; Heart represents one's own spirit and focus. These three are indispensable to refine a qualified Magical Artifact, let alone a Lifebound Treasure."

Subsequently, Master Refiner Chu Yanqiu began to explain the essence of the Artifact Refining Technique in detail, from the selection and purification of Materials to the control of heat and the injection of spiritual power, and then to the carving of equipment inscriptions and the formation of Magic Treasures. Every step was explained with meticulous detail and in an easy-to-understand manner.

As he explained, he raised his hand to condense spiritual power, manifesting the entire process of Artifact Refining in the air. Amidst the shifting light and shadows, every key detail was clearly displayed, allowing the Cultivators below to see everything at a glance. They listened with rapt attention, memorizing every trick.

After explaining the basic Artifact Refining Technique, Master Refiner Chu Yanqiu shifted the topic, focusing once more on the refining of Lifebound Treasures: "As for the refining of a Lifebound Treasure, besides mastering the three elements of 'Material, Fire, and Heart,' there are several key matters that you must keep in mind."

"First, the Materials for a Lifebound Treasure must be compatible with one's own attributes. You must not forcibly choose Materials that conflict with your own Dao Heart and spiritual power. Otherwise, even if the refining is successful, it will be difficult to unleash its power, and it may even clash with you, resulting in a backlash against yourself."

Master Refiner Chu Yanqiu said slowly, "For example, fire-attribute Cultivators should choose fire-attribute Materials such as fire spirit jade or red flame crystals;"

"Water-attribute Cultivators should choose water-attribute Materials like water soul beads or cold moon stones. Only by matching oneself can the Lifebound Treasure merge with the individual, complementing each other."

"Second, during the refining process, one must maintain focus throughout, slowly injecting one's own essence blood and spiritual power into the Materials, allowing the treasure to carry one's own aura and Dao Heart. There must be no distraction whatsoever."

"Once the mind falters and the spiritual power becomes chaotic, it will not only lead to a refining failure but could also result in a backlash from the treasure, damaging one's spirit."

"Third, after the Lifebound Treasure is successfully refined, it needs to be nurtured. Nourish it daily with your own spiritual power to make the connection between the treasure and yourself increasingly tight. Over time, the treasure will move according to your will, and its power will increase accordingly."

"Conversely, if it is ignored after successful refining, the treasure's power will not only fail to increase but will gradually decline, eventually becoming a common Magical Artifact."

After explaining the precautions, Master Refiner Chu Yanqiu detailed the treasures needed for refining a Lifebound Treasure: "The Materials required for refining a Lifebound Treasure are far more refined than those for ordinary Magical Artifacts."

"The basic Materials must be Heaven And Earth Treasures containing rich Spiritual Qi, such as spirit marrow jade, purple spirit grass for harmonizing essence blood and spiritual power, spirit condensing dew for nourishing the treasure's prototype, as well as reinforcing five-colored crystals and five-colored copper."

The Cultivators in the square were now immersed in the Master's explanation. Some bowed their heads in deep thought, memorizing the key tricks;

Some took out Jade Slips, quickly recording every word the Master said;

Others were filled with excitement, their eyes brimming with the harvest of knowledge, clearly having found a clear direction for refining their Lifebound Treasures.

Master Refiner Chu Yanqiu stood upon the high platform, still patiently explaining, passing on every detail and every key point of refining a Lifebound Treasure to everyone without reservation.

Far away at the Heavenly Sword Sect, Qin Changsheng listened very seriously. At the same time, he took out a Jade Slip and recorded the tricks and precautions mentioned by the Master one by one.

After the explanation was complete, Chu Yanqiu gave a few more exhortations about "studying diligently and not being impetuous." Then, a faint white light emanated from his body, and his figure slowly rose into the air, turning into a streak of light that disappeared into the horizon of Sword Villa.

As the Master departed, the crowd gradually dispersed, walking in small groups while whispering their insights from the lesson and discussing their plans for refining Lifebound Treasures, their voices filled with longing and expectation.

Some left in a hurry, wanting to go back as soon as possible to organize their lecture notes and ponder the refining tricks;

Others gathered together, discussing the combination of Materials and the control of heat, exchanging experiences with each other;

Still others took the opportunity to make friends with Cultivators from other Sects, hoping to support each other on the path of Artifact Refining in the future.

The originally silent square gradually regained its liveliness, but then slowly became empty as everyone departed.

Meanwhile, in a quiet courtyard in the Outer Sect of the Heavenly Sword Sect, Qin Changsheng's original body sat at a stone table, eyes slightly closed, mentally reviewing all the content taught by Master Refiner Chu Yanqiu.

Just then, a line of small text appeared on Qin Changsheng's attribute panel.

[Congratulations, you have obtained Artifact Refining Technique — Sword]

[Artifact Refining Technique — Sword, Entry-Level 1/1000]

Below the skill was a short annotation: Inherited from the essence of Master Refiner Chu Yanqiu's lecture, specializing in the refining of sword-type Magical Artifacts and Lifebound Swords, Entry-Level.

Looking at the skill on his attribute panel, a flash of joy crossed Qin Changsheng's eyes.

With this skill, Qin Changsheng only needed to continue practicing to Cultivate this Artifact Refining Technique — Sword to Major Achievement, or even Perfection.

By that time, refining a Lifebound Treasure would become much simpler for Qin Changsheng.

At the moment Qin Changsheng saw this skill, a faint stream of information flooded his mind. It was exactly the basic tricks of sword-type Artifact Refining, highly consistent with the content of Master Refiner Chu Yanqiu's lecture, yet more concise and easier for him to master quickly.

Qin Changsheng closed his eyes, silently digesting this information.

...

A few days later.

Chen Erniu's figure appeared outside Hu Nan's small courtyard.

"Brother Chen, you finally came. Please, come in!" Hu Nan opened the courtyard gate and invited Chen Erniu to the stone table.

At the same time, he poured a cup of Spiritual Tea for Chen Erniu.

Chen Erniu did not refuse, picking up the teacup on the table and draining it in one gulp.

After finishing the Spiritual Tea, Chen Erniu spoke: "Brother Hu, let's get down to business!"

Hu Nan nodded slightly.

Seeing Hu Nan nod, Chen Erniu spoke: "This time, the location of the Yao Core is the Lin family of Liuhuo Prefecture."

"Lin Hao's family?!" Hu Nan looked at Chen Erniu with some astonishment.

Qin Changsheng was somewhat familiar with the Lin family of Liuhuo Prefecture.

He had heard Lin Hao mention a few times that he came from the Lin family of Liuhuo Prefecture.

Chen Erniu nodded and continued: "That's right, it's Lin Hao's Lin family."

"A year ago, Lin Zhentian spent a sky-high price at the largest auction house in the Southern Region to bid for two Golden Core Yao Beast inner cores. After acquiring these two inner cores, Lin Zhentian has kept them in a secret room in the Lin family home in Liuhuo Prefecture."

Chen Erniu continued: "Brother Hu needn't worry. Although the Lin family has deep roots and the secret room is strictly guarded, I have already figured out the patterns of the Lin family's defenses and found a flaw."

"What flaw?!" Hu Nan asked.

"Brother Hu, look!" Chen Erniu pulled out a map.

On the map, the layout of the Lin family manor was densely marked. Red dots indicated the positions of guards, dashed lines outlined patrol routes, and in the very center, a secret room was circled in Cinnabar.

Beside it were five small words: "Yao Core Storage Area." There were even detailed notes on the guard shift times and the range of spiritual power fluctuations. Clearly, Chen Erniu had spent a lot of effort to gather this information.

"On the twentieth of this month, Lin Zhentian will be giving a lecture at the Heavenly Sword Sect!"

"We will set off for Liuhuo Prefecture on the nineteenth!"

"Once Lin Zhentian leaves, we will infiltrate the Lin manor."

"At that time, I will be responsible for luring away the Lin family guards, and Brother Hu will enter the secret room to seize the Yao Cores."

Qin Changsheng highly approved of Chen Erniu's plan.

This plan was not only detailed and thorough but also considered various unexpected situations. With clear division of labor and orderly advance and retreat, it was obviously the result of repeated simulations and not a spur-of-the-moment idea.

"Does Brother Hu have any other doubts?" Chen Erniu asked.

"Brother Chen, just now you explained the plan, but only mentioned the infiltration and seizing the cores. You didn't mention how we will successfully escape after we succeed?" Hu Nan asked.

Chen Erniu smiled and said, "Brother Hu, our cooperation only lasts until the moment we seize the Yao Cores. As for escaping, it's every man for himself. I have my own way of getting away, and you just need to look out for yourself."

"Fine!" Qin Changsheng did not say much more.

Qin Changsheng was not overly concerned about how to escape.

If Hu Nan could escape, that would naturally be for the best.

If he couldn't escape, Qin Changsheng would simply have Hu Nan commit suicide.

Hu Nan was Qin Changsheng's Incarnation. After death, he only needed to spend one Spirit Stone to be summoned again.