After finishing his stories, the patriarch turned his attention to the Path of Fiery Void manual that Elian handed over, his expression brightening with approval.
"This cultivation method has some overlap with the family's Blazing Sun Void Ascension Technique, but the life-bound artifact it describes is truly exceptional."
"In my opinion, the Fiery Void Sword described here could rival Jiang Daoren's renowned Heaven-Slaying Sword. Unfortunately, it's quite difficult to forge."
"With your thousand-year crimson iron, once you reach Foundation Establishment, you could try crafting this sword."
Hearing this, Elian thought for a moment and handed the crimson iron blade embryo to the patriarch.
"My cultivation isn't sufficient, and I don't know when I'll even be able to use this."
"Uncle Ancestor, your life-bound artifact was sold years ago. Why not use this thousand-year crimson iron to forge the Fiery Void Sword?"
"If you can craft a second-tier upper-grade celestial sword, it might resolve our current crises."
The patriarch chuckled and shook his head.
"Forging a life-bound artifact isn't so simple."
"Given my current state, even if I manage to craft the Fiery Void Sword, refining it to a second-tier upper grade would take years. It would also slow my cultivation progress significantly."
"It's better to forego a life-bound artifact altogether. That way, I save the time needed to nourish the artifact, accelerate my cultivation by 30%, and maybe catch a glimpse of the Purple Mansion realm."
Elian nodded and took back the blade embryo. He then asked:
"What exactly is this Fiery Crystal, and where can it be found?"
Hearing Elian's question, the patriarch's expression darkened slightly, and he sighed.
"The Fiery Crystal is a rare heavenly treasure born from underground fire veins."
"It has remarkable uses—not only for alchemy and artifact crafting but also for aiding fire-attribute cultivators in breaking through to the Purple Mansion realm."
"It's exceedingly precious and highly sought after. It only forms in third-tier or higher fire veins, and such resources are almost entirely controlled by Purple Mansion-level cultivation clans."
"For example, the Qingyang Sect's subterranean fire vein produces one Fiery Crystal every ten years."
"Tianxu Mountain's third-tier upper-grade fire vein produces one every thirty years, but those are rarely, if ever, sold."
After the patriarch explained, Elian's expression turned to disappointment.
No wonder Yang Yuanqing, despite possessing such an advanced method for crafting a celestial sword, still perished during the demonic upheaval.
It was clear that Yang Yuanqing had never managed to craft the Fiery Void Sword. Both the thousand-year crimson iron and the Fiery Crystal were extraordinarily rare treasures.
The thousand-year crimson iron was somewhat easier to obtain. Though precious, it could be artificially cultivated by major sects with millennia-long legacies. A well-connected Foundation Establishment cultivator with enough resources and luck might acquire it.
The Fiery Crystal, however, was far more valuable. As a treasure capable of aiding a Purple Mansion breakthrough, it was nearly impossible to obtain without significant influence and fortune.
"Don't lose heart," the patriarch said, noticing Elian's dejection.
"For such a powerful celestial sword, it's only natural that the crafting requirements are stringent."
"But rest assured, if we ever find a way to purchase a Fiery Crystal, the Chen family will spare no expense, even if it means exhausting our resources."
Hearing this, Elian felt a surge of emotion.
He had to admit that in a world dominated by immortal clans, few were as warm and devoted as the Chen family.
Sixty years ago, the Chen clan spent centuries' worth of resources to purchase the precious Ziyang Jade for the patriarch.
A few years ago, the Chen clan sold everything they had to travel 100,000 miles to purchase a Foundation Establishment Pill for cultivating a new Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Although both attempts had ended poorly, another family might have fractured under such consecutive setbacks. Yet, the Chen family remained resilient.
Looking at the elder patriarch before him, a wave of warmth filled Elian's heart, strengthening his loyalty to his family.
Some sentiments didn't need to be expressed out loud. Elian said nothing further, instead taking out the Fiery Destruction Array flags.
"This set of flags is incredibly powerful. I want to contribute it to the family."
"We could use it to negotiate with the Lin family and see if we can redeem your life-bound artifact."
Elian's voice was calm. Three years ago, to repay their debts, the Chen family sold the patriarch's life-bound artifact, the Crimson Flame Spiritual Blade, to the Lin family in Yu County.
The sale had been a major loss. With the patriarch's current late Foundation Establishment cultivation, gathering sufficient Five Elemental Essences could have easily upgraded the blade to a second-tier upper-grade artifact.
A second-tier upper-grade artifact was worth over 4,000 spirit stones, but they had sold it for only 2,000 spirit stones—a clear loss.
The patriarch's strongest abilities, apart from the family's Fiery Heavenly Sword divine ability, were tied to the Crimson Flame Spirit Blade. Without it, his offensive capabilities had been halved, significantly weakening his power.
Elian hoped to help recover the blade.
"When we sold the Crimson Flame Spiritual Blade, I realized they'd never let us buy it back," the patriarch said, shaking his head.
If the Lin family returned the blade, it wouldn't take long for Chen Changxuan to refine it into a second-tier upper-grade life-bound artifact. That would make him significantly stronger, possibly even rivaling Yu County's strongest cultivators.
As Yu County's most powerful immortal clan, the Lin family wouldn't allow such a thing to happen.
Looking at the Fiery Destruction Array flags, the patriarch's eyes brightened with excitement.
"I doubt I'll get the Crimson Flame Spiritual Blade back, but these array flags are an unexpected gift."
"With some re-refinement, I can craft them into a set of array-based artifacts."
"Array-based artifacts?"
Hearing this, Elian's expression shifted with curiosity.
Seeing his reaction, the patriarch stroked his beard proudly and explained:
"Array-based artifacts are formations refined into artifacts."
"Though I'm no alchemist or talisman master, I'm the only second-tier upper-grade formation master in Yu County. I dare say my expertise surpasses even that of Yang Yuanqing from a century ago."
"This set of flags was used as a stationary array in Yang's hands. But with me, it can become a mobile array-based artifact."
"These flags are incredibly powerful. They can trap and incinerate enemies. Once converted into an artifact, they will become a top-tier dual-purpose offensive and defensive treasure."
The patriarch seemed genuinely pleased. In his hands, the array flags might even surpass the value of the Crimson Flame Spiritual Blade.
Elian couldn't help but feel envious. While the array flags were incredible, they required a second-tier upper-grade formation master to wield.
For an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator, they would be less useful than a simple second-tier lower-grade artifact.
...
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