The forging of a supreme-grade spiritual artifact was indeed no easy task. Just preparing the initial materials had already taken the master and apprentice a full month.
Liu Bai still remembered how Elder Chi Huo's face had lit up with a broad smile when he obtained the materials from the Dean. Coupled with his red hair and beard, and his tanned, weathered face, the sight was almost dazzling to behold.
"The Thunder Pattern Purple Gold Stone generally grows atop peaks tens of thousands of meters high. After being tempered by countless years of lightning, it transforms into purple gold, containing terrifying lightning power. It also has a natural ability to attract lightning, making it an ideal material for forging lightning-element spiritual artifacts."
"The age of the stone is mainly judged by the lightning patterns engraved upon it. Each pattern represents a century of time. The deeper the pattern's color, the higher the quality of the material. Both factors are key in determining the grade of a Thunder Pattern Purple Gold Stone."
"In the future, if you remember these two points, you will be able to easily assess the quality of such materials."
Whenever Elder Chi Huo melted a material, he would carefully explain to Liu Bai the material's properties, identification methods, uses, and more.
During the forging process, he also taught Liu Bai various special techniques and precautions step by step. This meant that Liu Bai gained significant knowledge from this forging session, and he would undoubtedly find crafting spiritual artifacts easier in the future.
The Purple Heaven Sword that Liu Bai was having forged used the Thunder Pattern Purple Gold Stone as its core, Nine Profound Fallen Iron as the blade's spine, and was supplemented with various lightning essences and refined gold. At the moment the sword was completed, thunder rolled across the sky and dark clouds pressed down over the city.
An onlooker might think someone was about to undergo a tribulation.
"Draw a trace of vital blood into the sword for the blood offering!"
As soon as the sword emerged from the furnace, Elder Chi Huo commanded in a deep voice.
Liu Bai was already prepared, so the moment Elder Chi Huo spoke, a droplet of crimson blood emitting a faint glow flew from his fingertip and landed on the blazing red blade.
Sizzle
The scorching sword instantly vaporized the blood, but a thread of pure spiritual and soul power from the blood had already penetrated into the blade.
At that moment, Liu Bai felt a faint connection forming between himself and the not-yet fully-formed sword.
After Liu Bai completed the initial blood offering, Elder Chi Huo placed the sword into the underground cold spring used for tempering.
Unlike unsharpened weapons such as long bows or great hammers, tempering a blade was especially important. A sword without a sharpened edge was like a dragon without its eyes painted, hollow in spirit and unable to unleash its true power.
The instant the spiritual sword emerged from the water, a brilliant azure light filled the entire forging chamber. The blade, sharp and exposed, radiated a chilling cold that seemed to pierce Elder Chi Huo himself.
"Wow! Such a fierce sword!" Liu Bai's eyes lit up at the sight.
Had he not performed the initial blood offering earlier, he himself might have become the target of the Purple Heaven Sword's attack.
Although the Purple Heaven Sword was a supreme-grade spiritual artifact, it still obeyed its master. With just a glance from Elder Chi Huo, the sword that had been radiating lethal sharpness immediately withdrew its edge, lying in apparent submission like a mischievous hound.
This sight brought immense joy to Liu Bai.
A spiritual artifact is called "spiritual" precisely because it possesses a degree of sentience. However, ordinary low- or mid-grade artifacts show little to no consciousness.
When an artifact reaches the High-grade level, its sentience begins to manifest.
This sentience is not communication like that of Spiritual beasts or humans, which understand speech. Rather, it is the ability to resonate with its owner's intentions, and in some cases, to perceive enemies and allies, good and evil.
Just like the Purple Heaven Sword before him.
With such a sentient sword at his side, even if someone harbored hidden hostility, the sword would actively protect its owner.
After the sword was forged, Elder Chi Huo also crafted a scabbard for Liu Bai.
The scabbard was extraordinary, entirely ice-blue with seven blue crystals embedded along its surface. This not only enhanced its appearance, but also allowed it to contain the sword's energy completely. The longer the sword remained sheathed, the more the sword energy would accumulate. When unsheathed, its power would be earth-shattering.
When Liu Bai held the sword, he was captivated. When drawn, the azure blade shimmered with arcs of lightning, and the sword's movement brought rolling thunder, embodying the very meaning of "Divine Sword Commanding Thunder."
With this sword, even cultivators at the Early-phase Disaster Realm could not withstand a single strike from him.
Watching Liu Bai play with the sword like a child with a new toy, while thunder rumbled intermittently, Elder Chi Huo's face was full of delight.
"With the Purple Heaven Sword, your combat strength will rise to a new level. It will also provide you with greater security when traveling across the Northern Heaven Continent."
"Thanks to you, Teacher," Liu Bai said with a smile, bowing in gratitude.
Elder Chi Huo waved his hand. "No need for such formalities. For now, stay here at the academy and remain focused."
"Yu Yuan was a seed disciple of the Demonic Dragon Palace, nurtured at enormous expense and effort. Having him killed by you will not sit well with their elders."
At these words, Elder Chi Huo's expression turned serious.
"Although there are rules stating that supreme experts will not interfere with the younger generation, no one can guarantee that the other side will abide by them."
"Although the Demonic Dragon Palace was defeated by us, almost ending their ambitions of dominance, their foundation remains intact. Over the years, they have developed to remain one of the top forces on the Northern Heaven Continent."
Liu Bai nodded gravely. He had already considered this.
However, the Demonic Dragon Palace's seed disciples were more than just Yu Yuan. With the presence of Demon Dragon Son and Mo Xingtian, who was quietly rising as the top among the younger generation, they would likely not pursue a direct confrontation. After some time, the matter would blow over.
Unaware of Liu Bai's thoughts, Elder Chi Huo saw his solemn expression and smiled reassuringly. "Do not worry too much. In a few months, the Demonic Dragon Palace will have no energy left to deal with you. The Divine Spiritual Mountain will soon open, and all their attention will be focused there."
Liu Bai, who had been pondering the strength of the Demonic Dragon Palace, suddenly froze, quietly murmuring under his breath.
"Divine Spiritual Mountain…"
In an instant, information about Divine Spiritual Mountain from the original story appeared in his mind.
"If I remember correctly, Divine Spiritual Mountain is said to be the place where a Heavenly Sovereign fell. In the original story, Mu Chen obtained a Heavenly Sovereign finger bone here and absorbed the Heavenly Sovereign's blood essence, greatly increasing his strength. He also unlocked the hidden Immortal Divine Page within his body and gained the cultivation method 'Undying Body of the Great Sun.'"
Seeing Liu Bai mumble and fall silent, Elder Chi Huo explained, "Since you are new to the academy, you may not know. Divine Spiritual Mountain is a sacred place on the Northern Heaven Continent, said to have been passed down from ancient times. It opens once every three years. Those who successfully enter can obtain an enormous opportunity known as the 'Divine Spiritual Baptism.'"
Liu Bai's eyes flickered. In the original story, Divine Spiritual Mountain opened a year after Mu Chen entered the academy. If it opens every three years, then in just a few months, it would be time again.
Pretending to be puzzled, Liu Bai asked, "Divine Spiritual Baptism? Could it be similar to the Spiritual Baptism we receive during the Northern Heaven Spiritual Academy hunting competition?"
Elder Chi Huo smiled wryly. "There is absolutely no comparison between the two."
"To be honest, the Divine Spiritual Baptism does not directly enhance one's strength in any significant way. However, it remains a place that drives the young elites of the Northern Heaven Continent crazy. The real reason is that the Divine Spiritual Baptism can consolidate one's foundation."
Liu Bai's expression became serious, and he assumed a posture of attentive listening.
Elder Chi Huo continued without any pretense. "For cultivators to ascend from the Heaven Completion Realm to the Sovereign State, they must undergo three Disaster. These are also known as the Three Sovereign Disasters Stage."
"The terror of these three Disaster is beyond ordinary imagination. Countless people in the entire world have fallen at this stage, and many prodigies of unmatched talent have ultimately been reduced to ashes, dissipating into the heavens and earth."
This was not Elder Chi Huo deliberately trying to scare Liu Bai. For many cultivators, the attempt to break through to Sovereign State is the first fatal obstacle they must face.
Throughout history, many have failed at this stage. The lucky ones escape with their souls intact, leaving a chance to rise again. The unlucky ones are completely destroyed, unable to save even their souls.
"Although the Divine Spiritual Baptism cannot directly increase strength, it can fortify the soul, enhancing one's resistance to the Three Disaster. In critical moments, it can save one's life."
This is equivalent to giving oneself another chance to start over. No elixir, rare treasure, or divine material can compare. It is no wonder that young elites across the Northern Heaven Continent compete fiercely for it.
"If the Divine Spiritual Baptism is so beneficial, why have I never heard of senior students participating?" Liu Bai asked again deliberately.
As one of the earliest elders to join the academy, Elder Chi Huo naturally knew the situation very well. He sighed and said, "Although Northern Heaven Spiritual Academy is one of the strongest forces on the Northern Heaven Continent, when it comes to top young elites, we are not on par with other first-tier forces."
"There are many reasons for this, which I will not elaborate on. Our academy did send people to participate once, but none returned. Since then, the Dean has not involved the academy in such matters."
This was understandable. After all, the Northern Heaven Spiritual Academy is just an academy, and its residents are students.
Students come from all directions to study and improve their strength. Once they have matured, they leave the academy to pursue higher paths and stronger opportunities.
For newcomers, it is difficult to make a name for themselves in a short time, and their strength must be gradually cultivated. Therefore, the academy's top students either have graduated or have not yet matured. How could they compete with geniuses nurtured for years by their sects or families?
Moreover, students are here to learn and cultivate. With such a high mortality risk, the academy naturally does not want them to participate.
Liu Bai did not think the Dean's choice was wrong. From the original story, he knew that the Dean even closed the Northern Heaven Gate, a trial area, to protect the students.
However, this approach was too lenient compared to other spiritual academies, which caused the academy's students to fall slightly behind in quality when compared with the students of the other four great academies.
Liu Bai was not particularly concerned about the Divine Spiritual Baptism since he relied on external advantages. However, the Heavenly Sovereign relics within Divine Spiritual Mountain greatly piqued his interest.
Especially the Heavenly Sovereign essence blood, which could significantly enhance his innate talent. It might even reduce the experience required for his advancement.
For this reason alone, Liu Bai was willing to take the risk.
Moreover, with his current strength, the risk did not seem too great. At most, he would need to watch out for the people from the Demonic Dragon Palace.
After all, the current Mo Xingtian is not the same as the one three years later. Right now, he is at most slightly stronger than Yu Yuan and might barely reach the Late-phase Heaven Completion Realm.
However, Liu Bai had killed Late-phase Heaven Completion Realm opponents before. Although they were alchemists unskilled in combat, he still had the experience.
"Teacher, I want to participate in this Divine Spiritual Mountain event," Liu Bai said directly to Elder Chi Huo.
Elder Chi Huo remained silent.
Seeing his disciple's determined gaze, he suddenly regretted having explained so much.
"Um, well… this matter requires the Dean's approval. I am just the artifact master. I cannot make this decision."
Watching the old man stammer and try to refuse him, Liu Bai could not help but smile inwardly.
He knew well that this was the teacher's care for him, not wanting him to encounter danger, especially at this particular time. Liu Bai had just killed Yu Yuan. Going to Divine Spiritual Mountain now would be like presenting himself for revenge.
"Teacher, please trust my strength. Since I was able to kill Yu Yuan, then among the younger generation of the Northern Heaven Continent, how many can claim they can surely defeat me? Even the so-called first genius of the Demonic Dragon Palace, Mo Xingtian, likely cannot."
.....
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