Chapter 5: Forging the Future
In the aftermath of the battle, Lin Xuan remained in the cave a while longer, the egg now cradled safely in his lap, pulsing with gentle warmth. Beside him rested the spatial treasure the mother beast had entrusted to him—a silver forge no larger than a travel pack, with array lines etched into its surface and a beast-shaped insignia glowing faintly at its center.
Curious, Lin Xuan placed his hand on it.
> [Spatial Forge Detected]
Accessing internal space…
Dimensions: 10m x 10m
Inventory slots: 246
Functionality: Item Storage | Beast Storage | Refinement Chamber (Basic Grade)
With a hum of spiritual energy, the forge opened a gateway in his mind—showing the contents within.
Dozens of spirit stones glimmered like stars in a neat pile. A handful of weapons and armor, clearly taken from fallen cultivators, lay in one corner. Several old manuals were stacked beside a pair of beast pelts and medicinal plants. The cave hadn't just hidden a mother and her child—it had hidden her legacy, collected from years of battle and survival.
"This must be her collection from slain invaders," Lin Xuan murmured. "Spoils of every cultivator that tried to claim this place."
He paused.
Then smiled.
> [Upgrade Talent Activated]
Target: Spatial Forge
→ Result: Celestial-Grade Spatial Forge: 'Evervault' Unlocked
The treasure pulsed and transformed. The faint glow surged into a blinding light—and the forge shifted form, reshaping into a sleek, silvery helmet with engraved runes coiling around its surface like a dragon's breath.
> New Functions Unlocked:
– Interior Space: 100m x 100m
– Shape & Appearance Adjustable at Will
– Spirit Beast Storage + Incubation
– Bloodline Refinement Matrix Added
– Refinement Capabilities: Weapons, Armor, Alchemy, Talismans, Arrays
> Binding complete: Host – Lin Xuan
Lin Xuan set the helmet on his head, feeling a perfect fit as if it had always been his.
"Not bad. You'll do."
---
Egg Upgrade and Hidden Potential
He returned to the nest and held the glowing egg carefully between both hands.
> Target: Spirit Beast Egg – Unknown Species
Current Growth Limit: Spirit Realm
Upgrade?
→ Result: Divine Realm Potential Awakened
Passive: Enhanced Growth Speed | Evolution Path Available
A ripple of energy passed through the egg. The shell darkened slightly, taking on swirling runes, and its heartbeat grew stronger.
"It's like it sensed what it might become," Lin Xuan said with awe. "Even unhatched, it's aware…"
He placed the egg carefully inside the spatial forge's beast chamber, locking it within the protective field and initiating passive incubation.
---
Ancient Knowledge and Artifacts
Among the old, dusty manuals inside the forge, two caught his eye:
"Foundations of Flame Pill Alchemy"
"Beginner Spirit Forging Techniques"
He didn't hesitate.
> [Upgrade Talent Activated]
Manuals upgraded to:
– Heaven-Grade: "Empyrean Pill Scripture"
– Heaven-Grade: "Heavensteel Forging Art"
He skimmed the new techniques.
Pill refinement through qi resonance, flame intent, and elemental attunement…
Weapon forging that used beast cores and spiritual metal, tempered through divine fire…
It was enough to establish an entire artisan sect.
And now, it belonged to him.
---
Storage and Secrecy
He turned to the two massive beast corpses—the mother lizard and the serpent.
"Even in death, your bodies are treasures," Lin Xuan said respectfully.
He used the forge to transfer both into internal storage. The serpent's flesh, hide, and core would serve for crafting or study. The mother's body—perhaps one day, for a tribute or to teach her child where it came from.
The forge glowed again.
He willed it to change shape.
The silver helmet shimmered, then compacted into a simple, weathered iron helmet with faded scratches and a dull finish.
Nothing flashy.
Nothing suspicious.
Just durable, low-key, and—thanks to its celestial grade—nearly indestructible.
---
Return to Cloudrise Town
By morning, Lin Xuan had trekked back to Cloudrise Town, carting a small sack of lower-tier beast cores and unused materials. The stronger items were left in the forge. The rest he could trade.
He strolled through the town gates, this time without a hood or hesitation.
At the market plaza, he sold several beast cores, claws, and hides to a merchant specializing in raw cultivation materials.
> Earnings:
– 112 Low-Grade Spirit Stones
– 23 Silver Coins
– Favorability +1 with Merchant Guild
He didn't linger. The sect required missions to be turned in within two days of completion, and he had one more stop.
---
Sect Mission Hall – Completion Report
Back at the Cloudsky Sword Sect, Lin Xuan returned to the Mission Hall. The elder at the desk barely looked up as he handed over the stamped mission scroll and beast cores.
"Wild Claw Rabbits… and two mid-tier spirit beasts?" the elder raised a brow, inspecting the core. "You brought down both alone?"
Lin Xuan merely smiled. "I got lucky."
The elder stared at him, then grunted. "Very well. Mission cleared. You're allowed to accept two additional missions per month if you wish."
> Mission Completed – Contribution Points +5
Sect Favorability: +2
"Thank you, Elder."
---
Retreat for Cultivation
Back in his private courtyard, Lin Xuan sat before a formation circle, the egg resting inside the forge and his spear nearby. A small pile of Earth-grade spirit stones glowed at his side.
The spirit fruit from the Flameheart Tree rested in a jade box next to his bed, waiting for the right moment to be used.
With everything prepared, Lin Xuan exhaled slowly.
He formed a seal with his hands, eyes closing as he activated the Origin Chaos Sutra.
> Cultivation Mode: Closed-Door Initiated
Target: Breakthrough to Qi Condensation Realm
A quiet hum filled the air as spiritual energy surged inward, drawn to the man whose very presence now rippled with destiny.