"Jian Lu Daoyou, you're being modest. What you're good at is the most critical part of weapon forging. Smelting and tempering materials is the foundation, and it's incredibly important. As for determining the right fusion ratio between different materials, that's the key to raising a weapon's level."
When he spoke about his expertise, Qi Hong's phoenix eyes gleamed with a dazzling light that seemed to burn through the air.
Jian Dan lowered her gaze and took a sip of spirit tea, avoiding the blinding glow in his eyes before she continued.
"Qi Hong Daoyou, you're too kind. As for smelting and forging, I only have a few clumsy ideas of my own."
"I'd love to hear them in detail."
Qi Hong's tone was earnest, like he was hanging on every word.
"Normally, when smelting and forging, people focus on removing every impurity from the material. The purer the better."
Qi Hong nodded. That was basic knowledge. The purer the material, the more perfectly it would fuse later.
"But I think it's fine to keep some impurities. When merging with other materials, those impurities can absorb some of the shock and reduce the loss."
"That's… an interesting perspective."
"After all, no two materials are born perfectly compatible. We cultivators only force them into harmony through our techniques. Sometimes two, sometimes three. But of course, it depends on the weapon you're forging. For materials of the same type, this isn't necessary."
This wasn't Jian Dan's original thought. It came from her ancestor, the great craftsman who forged the magnolia space. His Forging Legacy described these ideas in detail, even specifying which types of weapons they applied to.
"I've learned something today."
Qi Hong silently burned her words into his memory, determined to test them himself later.
"As for mixing ratios, I've got a jade slip already prepared. Qi Hong Daoyou, you can take it and study it on your own." Jian Dan flipped her hand, producing a jade slip, and handed it directly to him.
Qi Hong accepted it, sent his divine sense inside, and immediately his pupils shrank. Shock flashed across his face, too strong to hide. He pulled his divine sense out and stared at her.
"Jian Lu Daoyou, what's the meaning of this? Are you toying with me?"
Only then did Jian Dan glance up. Her smile was calm. "You came here to figure this out, didn't you? Why make it complicated? I'll just give it to you. The rest depends on your own ability."
"You said there was only one!"
"Yes, and you clearly didn't believe me."
She spread her hands casually.
The jade slip contained the forging method for the Dreamlike Illusory Rubik's Cube Realm itself. Every material, every ratio, every step of the forging was laid out in detail. At Qi Hong's level, he could tell at a glance it wasn't fake. No wonder he was so shaken.
"Our sects are both of the Dao and allies besides. Since you're interested, I'll give it to you. But every single material listed is rare and hard to find. The forging process, however, won't be a problem for someone like you."
"In that case, thank you, Jian Lu Daoyou. I'll call you a friend from now on." Qi Hong didn't stand on ceremony. He slipped the jade slip into his storage ring immediately. An opportunity like this wasn't one he'd ever let pass.
Then he pulled out a brocade box from his ring and pushed it across the table. "Jian Lu Daoyou, I don't have anything suitable as thanks, but take this for now. If you ever need a weapon forged, prepare the materials and contact me directly." He promised without hesitation.
Jian Dan didn't refuse. She opened the box and found a round fan. Its surface was crimson, painted with clusters of blazing red lotuses.
"This fan's called the Red Lotus. It's perfect for fire-root cultivators. Once the lotuses are activated, they turn fire spiritual power into Red Lotus Karma Flames. Its offensive strength is formidable."
"It really is a rare treasure."
"I knew you often used round fans, so I chose this one as a gift."
"Thank you. I'll shamelessly accept it then. But I'll warn you, Qi Hong Daoyou, if you can't replicate the same result, don't blame me."
"I understand."
With that, Qi Hong didn't linger. He excused himself and left.
"Woman, since when are you so generous?"
Liu Chuan's voice came suddenly through transmission.
"Saves me the trouble of him coming here every day. If he kept visiting, rumors would spread sooner or later."
"Tsk, tsk. Don't flatter yourself. Seriously though, why give it to him?"
"So he won't keep bothering me. And just because I gave it to him doesn't mean he can actually forge it."
"It's because of the materials, isn't it?"
"Smart. Remember that Black Mountain Stone I got in the Violet-grade secret realm?"
"No wonder you were so quick to hand it over. That material doesn't exist in this world, only in the secret realm. Even if someone else got it, they might not even recognize it."
"Exactly. That's why I gave it to him. And I already warned him."
"Tch, scheming as ever."
"I'll take that as praise."
"By the way, what you told Jian Chong about killing the artifact spirit, what was that about? Did he offend you?"
"He thought just because the Heavenly Dao made him and let him awaken early, he had the right to act arrogant. He's already awakened for two days but hid himself, trying to siphon more chaos energy from me. That kind of spirit isn't worth keeping. Better to cut it off now than let him become a problem for the sect later."
"And how do you plan to kill him? He was created by the Heavenly Dao."
"Don't forget, I've got two ancient weapons. Mò Xī and Mó Yuè are both damaged. If they devour that artifact spirit, it'll be easy for them and help repair themselves."
"Master, I'll do it! Just say the word, and I'll take him down."
Mò Xī's sword spirit clearly overheard the conversation. From within the yin-yang taiji disk in her dantian, he rolled over, flashing his presence like he was volunteering.
"Hmph, and what about me? You can't just let him hog it."
Mó Yuè's proud voice rang out.
"Fine, fine. You two can split it evenly."
Jian Dan smiled as she coaxed them.
"I've already given him time to think. Now's not the moment to rip our faces off each other. Let's see what choice he makes. Before I leave this world, I'll handle it cleanly. I won't leave any loose ends. If I'm gone, no one else can erase him."
Meanwhile, Xiao Meng, the artifact spirit being discussed, was still wrestling with her words. He wanted to leave this world, but the price was joining the war. If he fought, there was no guarantee he'd survive intact. If he didn't, he'd be forced to remain here for who knew how long. Either path was risky.
Worse, he'd already displeased her by hiding after awakening.
From that ethereal woman, he felt a pressure he couldn't explain, a natural suppression. Not only because she was his creator, but something else he couldn't quite grasp. That's why he struggled so hard to choose. He knew this decision would shape his entire future.
The next day, Qi Hong really didn't come back. After nurturing the Dreamlike Illusory Rubik's Cube Realm as usual, Jian Dan returned to her residence.
"Zūnshàng, Jian Feng Zūnzhě requests an audience."
"Let him in."
Sitting beneath the banyan tree, sorting through a jade slip, Jian Dan immediately guessed the purpose of his visit when Lü Se reported it.
"Greetings, Jian Lu Zūnshàng!"