Time flew by, and half a day passed.
Yun Xiaozi returned, his Sword Intent soaring and his Aura sharp, but his hair was charred black, his breathing was unstable, and he looked quite disheveled.
"Master Li, I have fulfilled my promise. This is the Fire Nurturing Spirit Bottle. The Crimson Flame Spirit Fire is inside. Please use it carefully."
Yun Xiaozi handed the small red porcelain bottle to Li Mu.
"You've worked hard!" Li Mu happily accepted the Fire Nurturing Spirit Bottle, looked at Yun Xiaozi, and said with a smile, "Senior, with the Materials ready, I will begin the Artifact Refining now."
Yun Xiaozi took out his Storage Pouch, hesitating for a moment, as this was his entire fortune.
Yun Xiaozi looked at Li Mu and asked for confirmation, "Master Li, are you truly seventy percent confident?"
"Senior, Li will do his best. If you are not at ease, you can try other Artifact Refiners," Li Mu said with a slight smile, reassuring him.
...
Yun Xiaozi glanced at Li Mu, somewhat speechless.
He had already brought the Spirit Fire; besides, if he had other options, he wouldn't be here.
"Master Li, I beg you, this artifact is extremely important to me. If it can be refined, Li will pay a generous reward." Yun Xiaozi handed the Storage Pouch to Li Mu, indicating solemnly.
"Senior Yun, just wait at ease. Li Mu will go all out." Li Mu accepted the Storage Pouch and said with a smile.
After speaking, Li Mu took Yun Xiaozi's belongings and the Fire Nurturing Spirit Bottle, and walked directly into the Artifact Refining Room.
Closing the heavy stone door of the Artifact Refining Room, Li Mu began Artifact Refining.
Before Artifact Refining, he first needed to subdue the 4th Order Crimson Flame Spirit Fire. This was not difficult for Li Mu.
Li Mu's entire body surged with Fire Element Spiritual Power, attaching to his skin. His Divine Sense entered the Fire Nurturing Spirit Bottle, and as he opened the lid, a terrifying crimson Spirit Fire immediately gushed out.
Li Mu Cultivated Five Elements Spiritual Power, and his Fire Control Art had reached 9th Level Perfection. His Fire Control techniques were effortless. With a pull and a tug, the Crimson Flame Spirit Fire was immediately pulled out of the Fire Nurturing Spirit Bottle, suspended in mid-air, becoming a source-less fire, its power greatly diminished.
The Crimson Flame Spirit Fire seemed unwilling to be defeated, its flames occasionally swaying violently like an angry bear cub, threatening to ignite the entire stone chamber.
Li Mu responded calmly, forming hand seals for the Fire Control Art, using his Divine Sense to control the Crimson Flame Spirit Fire, dispelling the surrounding Fire Element Spiritual Power, leaving it with 'fire' but nowhere to release it.
The raging inferno that had erupted immediately lost its Foundation, returning to the form of a crimson fire ball, deprived of its arrogant reliance.
After a dozen rounds, the Crimson Flame Spirit Fire compromised, tamed by Li Mu's 'unscrupulous' methods. It floated in the air, the fire ball gently swaying, emitting astonishing high temperatures.
Seeing this, Li Mu smiled with satisfaction. The Crimson Flame Spirit Fire was mostly tamed and could now be utilized. Immediately, he took out the As You Wish Stone from his Storage Pouch and floated it above the Crimson Flame Spirit Fire for refining.
Without Li Mu needing to provoke it, the Crimson Flame Spirit Fire discovered something to burn. Its 'little temper' immediately erupted, and the blazing red flames unleashed an extremely high temperature. The Spiritual Qi in the air twisted due to the heat, and the As You Wish Stone rapidly softened, gradually turning into a milky white Ore liquid.
Refining a 4th Order Spiritual Artifact with so much As You Wish Stone was too wasteful. Li Mu divided it into two masses, one large and one small. Under the manipulation of his Divine Sense, other metal Ores continuously flew out of his Storage Pouch and were placed under the Crimson Flame Spirit Fire for forging.
Li Mu completely abandoned the Artifact Refining furnace, using his consciousness to control the Ores and the Crimson Flame Spirit Fire for forging, employing the Divine Refining method to refine an As You Wish Seal artifact embryo.
...
Time passed bit by bit, and night fell.
Outside the Artifact Refining Room, Yun Xiaozi paced back and forth, like a 'new father' guarding a delivery room, anxiously awaiting the situation inside the Artifact Refining Room.
He waited from day to night, and then from night to dawn.
With a muffled 'boom', the heavy stone door of the Artifact Refining Room slowly opened.
Yun Xiaozi's spirit jolted, and he hurriedly stepped forward, asking anxiously, "Master Li, how is the situation?"
"It did not disappoint!" Li Mu smiled slightly, then released his Divine Sense. A fist-sized white small seal flew out, growing larger against the wind, and in an instant, transformed into a giant seal tens of meters wide, enveloping the entire manor under it.
"4th Order Medium Grade! Master Li, mighty!" Yun Xiaozi's eyes widened, feeling the Spiritual power on the seal artifact. He was overjoyed and couldn't help but praise.
He originally thought Master Li could only refine 3rd Order Top Grade Spiritual Artifacts, and he would have been satisfied if this commission could produce a 3rd Order Spiritual Artifact. He never expected Master Li to give him such a huge surprise.
However, although this seal was immensely powerful, Yun Xiaozi still remembered its primary purpose and asked eagerly, "What about other transformations? Can it disguise itself and attach to the Dragon Transformation Spirit Grass?"
"Of course!" Li Mu smiled slightly, manipulating the giant seal to transform with his Divine Sense.
The giant seal's color changed from white to red, its volume rapidly shrank, and it finally transformed into a rice-grain sized 'stalk', its color and appearance highly similar to the stalk of the Dragon Transformation Spirit Grass. The Spiritual nature and pressure of the 4th Order Spiritual Artifact were completely hidden and restrained.
"Good! Good! This is truly wonderful!" Yun Xiaozi probed with his Divine Sense and found no abnormalities. He exclaimed in excitement.
This artifact could change size at will and even disguise itself, with extremely high concealment of its Aura. Not only could it deal with the Unicorn Flood Dragon Python, but it was also a rare Sharp Weapon for everyday use.
"Master Li, your Artifact Refining skill is unparalleled. Li admires you." Yun Xiaozi looked at Li Mu and said admiringly.
"Senior Yun, you flatter me. It's because the Materials provided by Senior are too good. It's just a pity that Li's Artifact Refining level is limited; otherwise, with the quality of these Materials, the rank of the As You Wish Seal could have been even higher," Li Mu said with a slight smile and regret.
"Senior Yun, please take the As You Wish Seal and the remaining Artifact Refining Materials." After speaking, Li Mu used his Divine Sense to control the jade As You Wish Seal and the Storage Pouch, slowly flying them in front of Yun Xiaozi.
"Good!" Yun Xiaozi happily accepted them, and then, looking at Li Mu, sincerely invited him, "Master Li, your Artifact Refining skill is too great to be confined to the Wanbao Pavilion. Are you interested in coming to my Qingxuan Sect? I cannot guarantee the identity of a True Disciple, but becoming an Artifact Crafting Elder and leading a Ling Peak is more than enough."
"This, I don't know. What are the benefits for an Artifact Crafting Elder in your Sect?" Li Mu's heart stirred, and he asked curiously.
Hearing Yun Xiaozi say that he could lead a Ling Peak, Li Mu was immediately tempted.
Li Mu only wanted to find a Ling Peak to farm properly. The Spiritual Vein of Xiao Liang Mountain was barren, and not many Spiritual Fields could be developed. The Green Dragon Valley, which was developed with great difficulty, was occupied by a Unicorn Flood Dragon Python and destroyed in an instant. If he had the opportunity to manage a Ling Peak, with his identity as a Great Master Li, entering the Qingxuan Sect again would be acceptable.
"The benefits and treatment are naturally much better than the Wanbao Pavilion. The Wanbao Pavilion is a merchant organization, and they certainly wouldn't be willing to part with high-grade Spiritual items to you. The Qingxuan Sect is different. We, great Sects, treat our Disciples equally, based on Sect rules and contributions. These are the Spiritual items that our True Disciples can exchange with contributions. Take a look and see if there are any high-grade Spiritual items that Master needs." Yun Xiaozi smiled slightly and handed Li Mu a purple token.
Li Mu curiously took the purple token and infused it with his Divine Sense.
The purple token displayed several sets of information lists: True Disciple token information, Sect missions, bounty orders, contribution amount, and the contribution exchange list that Yun Xiaozi mentioned.
1st Order Profound Iron: 1 contribution point for 5 kg.
2nd Order Scarlet Gold: 10 contribution points for 5 kg.
...
third-order geng metal: 1000 contribution points for 5 kg.
4th Order profound abyss heavy gold: 3000 contribution points for 0.5 kg.
4th Order Profound Star Gold: 3500 contribution points for 0.5 kg.
5th Order As You Wish Stone: 8000 contribution points for 0.5 kg.
...
Spiritual Wood: 3rd Order Blood Iron Wood, 3rd Order Spiritual Nurturing Wood, 3rd Order Ancient Banyan Wood, 4th Order Soul Wood, 5th Order Great Red Wood, ...
Spiritual Water: 2nd Order Cold Moon Spirit Spring, 3rd Order: Earth Vein Spiritual Water, 4th Order: Mystic Nether True Water, celestial one true water, 5th Order: Primordial Heavy Water, Myriad Transformation Thunder Water, 6th Order: Grand Yin True Water, 7th Order: Five Elements Divine Water, ...
Various Spiritual Ores, Spiritual Woods, Spiritual Waters, and even Yao Beast corpses and Yao Beast cubs, from low to high grade, with their respective contribution exchange requirements, were all displayed within.
Li Mu was deeply shocked, never expecting the Qingxuan Sect's structure to be so intricate. Contribution points could not only be exchanged for Cultivation Techniques but also for so many Spiritual items and Cultivation resources.
"The Qingxuan Sect's Sect missions are diverse: demon slaying, collecting Spiritual items, guarding Spiritual lands, Artifact Refining, Alchemy, ... If you master any of the Hundred Arts of Cultivation, you can earn a large amount of contributions. With your ability as a 4th Order Artifact Refining Grandmaster, coming to our Sect will definitely earn you the Sect's Pay attention to. Artifact Refining is extremely efficient for earning contributions. Of course, if Master Li has other skills, he can also use them to earn Sect contributions," Yun Xiaozi said, glancing at the Puppet spider in the corner, and then looking at Li Mu as he introduced.
"For each Spiritual Artifact you help the Sect refine, Master can obtain a certain amount of contributions. For example, the As You Wish Seal you refined, a 4th Order Artifact Refining mission, is worth 5000 contribution points. At the same time, the Sect will provide two sets of Artifact Refining Materials. If both sets of Artifact Refining Materials are successfully refined, Master Li will not only receive the Artifact Refining contributions but also earn another Spiritual Artifact," Yun Xiaozi continued to introduce.
Upon hearing this, Li Mu's spirits lifted. With his Artifact Refining success rate, it meant that for refining one Spiritual Artifact for the Qingxuan Sect, he could earn one set of Spiritual Artifact Materials! This model was much more generous than the Wanbao Pavilion, which only gave a 20% commission.
"Of course, if both Artifact Refining attempts fail, Master Li will need to purchase Artifact Refining Materials himself until the Artifact Refining is successful and the mission is delivered," Yun Xiaozi paused and added.
Li Mu nodded, which was only natural. However, if two sets of Materials couldn't produce even one Spiritual Artifact, that would be too unreasonable.
"If you become an Artifact Crafting Elder of our Sect, Master Li, you will certainly be qualified to choose a Ling Mountain, at least a Ling Mountain with a 2nd Order Spiritual Vein, as your Immortal Cave for Cultivation. At that time, you can recruit Disciples under your command, teach them skills to earn Sect contributions, or even serve as the sole Peak Master. You only need to complete the Artifact Refining missions stipulated by the Sect, and the entire Ling Peak will be under Master Li's command, with no interference from others," Yun Xiaozi said with a smile, looking at Li Mu, and then added.
"Mm! This condition is good, I am indeed tempted!" Li Mu nodded with a smile.
"The Artifact Refining Peak Master's fixed Artifact Refining missions each year are not many, around fifty, which will not affect Master Li's Cultivation. Of course, if Master Li wishes to earn Sect contributions, he can take on additional ones, or refine for Sect Disciples. The Disciple token has mission annotations, Master Li, you can view them." Yun Xiaozi meticulously introduced the Qingxuan Sect's operational methods to Li Mu.
Li Mu nodded happily. Following Yun Xiaozi's guidance, his Divine Sense looked towards the Disciple's bounty area.
"300 contribution points, seeking help to refine a 2nd Order Scarlet Gold Sword. Artifact Refining Materials are prepared. Water Moon Peak - Zhou Linglong."
"500 contribution points, seeking to purchase a Purple Dan Spirit Ginseng with 200 years of medicinal Spirit. Wangyun Peak - Yuan Zhen."
"3000 contribution points, purchasing a 3rd Order Yao Beast Core, a Yao Tiger Beast type Yao Beast Core. Misty Peak - Zhenyuan."
"..."
A large amount of contribution bounty information from Qingxuan Sect Disciples, seeking Artifact Refining, seeking Spirit Pills, all kinds, were presented.
Besides the Disciple exchange bounty area, there were also bounty orders issued by the Sect.
"Kill the Corpse Refinement Sect - Hundred Yin True Monarch, Reward: 3,000,000 contribution points."
"Kill the Profound Yin Sect - Crimson Spirit Old Ghost, Reward: 750,000 contribution points."
...
Dense bounty orders, and various tasks for refining boats, Artifact Refining, Alchemy, guarding missions, etc., the information was abundant. Li Mu immediately felt the true Foundation of the Qingxuan Sect.
"How about it, Master Li, what have you decided? Joining my Qingxuan Sect definitely has a brighter future than working for the Wanbao Pavilion. If you are still unwilling to sever ties with the Wanbao Pavilion, you can also serve as their Artifact Refining Guest Elder. The Wanbao Pavilion has always been neutral and will not refuse such matters," Yun Xiaozi said, looking at Li Mu.
"I need some time to consider. Can I reply to Senior later?" Li Mu handed the purple token back to Yun Xiaozi, indicating.
These internal contribution systems of the Qingxuan Sect were too suitable for him. If he could lead a Ling Peak and not be disturbed by others, Li Mu would definitely be willing to join. At that time, he could Cultivate as many Spiritual Fields as he wanted.
However, Wang Wenbao was currently helping him obtain 4th Order Spiritual Water, and Li Mu didn't want to cause more trouble. He would decide to 'join' the Qingxuan Sect after obtaining the remaining Five Elements Spiritual items and successfully reaching Foundation Establishment!
"No problem, Master Li, this is my True Disciple token. With it, you can come to Qingxuan Sect - Qingyun Peak to find me at any time." Yun Xiaozi accepted the purple token, then took out a green token and handed it to Li Mu, indicating.
"Okay, I will visit Senior again in a while." Li Mu smiled as he accepted the green token.
"Many thanks, Master Li, for helping me refine this Spirit Treasure. I will come to thank you again after I deal with the Unicorn Flood Dragon Python. Master Li, we shall meet again!" Yun Xiaozi looked at Li Mu and said goodbye.
As his voice fell, Yun Xiaozi rose into the air, his figure rapidly disappearing into the horizon.
Watching Yun Xiaozi fly away, Li Mu couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. He looked at the storage compartment, where a small piece of the remaining 'As You Wish Stone' was stored, and couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.