The elder patriarch didn't say much and directly handed the Whiteblade Dustbreaker Saber to Elian. "Your Mingxu Sword has already become a formation tool. This blade can serve as its replacement."
Elian didn't refuse and took the Whiteblade Dustbreaker Saber immediately.
He understood clearly that this blade, whose power was among the best in second-tier high-grade artifacts, couldn't be effectively wielded by others. The elder patriarch, having the Blazing Fire Divine Flags at his disposal, didn't have the energy to manage another weapon.
The third elder, while a Foundation Establishment cultivator with Metal Spirit Roots, was only at the first stage of Foundation Establishment and couldn't bring out even half the power of this treasure.
In contrast, Elian, with his deep and robust vital energy comparable to mid-Foundation Establishment cultivators, could unleash 70-80% of the blade's power. Therefore, placing this treasure in his hands was the most optimal and logical choice.
After giving Elian the Whiteblade Dustbreaker Saber, the elder patriarch took out two more artifacts. He handed the treasure seal to Chen Qinghao.
"This artifact is versatile in both offense and defense, making it perfectly suitable for you."
"As for this glazed small sword, take it to Yuyang Market and give it to Qingwan."
"Alright, I'll deliver it later," the third elder responded with a wide smile, fondly stroking the treasure seal as if he couldn't part with it.
Ever since advancing to Foundation Establishment over a year ago, he had been eager to purchase a second-tier artifact. However, due to financial constraints, he had to suppress this desire.
He had thought it might take another decade before he could afford such a purchase. Yet, unexpectedly, in just over a year, he obtained a mid-tier second-grade artifact.
"Look at you," the elder patriarch joked with a smile before bringing out the thousand-year Cold Iron.
"This material is as precious as thousand-year Crimson Iron and can be used to forge natal artifacts."
"I'll first refine it into a sword embryo for you. When the Border State Barter Conference starts in a few years, we'll see if we can trade for Water Essence and forge the Bright Origin Phantom Sword."
The Chen family had three methods for forging natal artifacts: the Fiery Void Sword, the Crimson Flame Spirit Blade, and the Bright Origin Phantom Sword.
The Fiery Void Sword was a superior celestial sword, but its crafting materials were exceedingly rare and precious, leaving it out of consideration.
The family's Crimson Flame Spirit Blade was a metal-fire attribute natal artifact, theoretically suitable for Chen Qinghao, who had Metal Spirit Roots. However, the blade was primarily fire-based, and the third elder had Metal and Water Spirit Roots, making it incompatible. Even if he succeeded in crafting it, cultivating it would be inefficient.
The Bright Origin Phantom Sword, however, possessed dual Metal and Water attributes, perfectly aligning with the third elder's attributes, making it an ideal natal artifact for him.
In fact, since advancing to Foundation Establishment, Chen Qinghao had switched to cultivating the Bright Origin Dao Technique, which matched his attributes perfectly and allowed him to progress twice as fast with half the effort.
To forge the Bright Origin Phantom Sword, two rare materials were required: thousand-year Cold Iron and Water Essence.
Thousand-year Cold Iron was essentially Mystic Iron that had been refined in ancient frozen caves, infused with glacial energy over thousands of years. It was exceptionally rare in the Eastern Wilderness and primarily sourced from the eternal glaciers of the Arctic Snow Region.
Water Essence was equally precious, a celestial material born from the essence of mountain and river water veins. It could be used both medicinally and in artifact crafting, rivalling the value of thousand-year Cold Iron.
With the thousand-year Cold Iron in hand, half the materials for forging the Bright Origin Phantom Sword were now gathered. The elder patriarch was now set on forging a natal celestial sword for Chen Qinghao.
After allocating the Cold Iron, the only valuable item left was the jade slip containing the divine ability, which detailed the renowned Pure Yang Divine Thunder ability: Metal Element Divine Thunder.
After inspecting the divine ability, Elian remarked joyfully, "The power of this Metal Element Divine Thunder might rival our family's Heavenly Flame Sword Art."
The elder patriarch and the third elder both displayed excitement. While the Heavenly Flame Sword Art was immensely powerful, its cultivation requirements were stringent, necessitating dual Metal and Fire Spirit Roots.
In contrast, the Metal Element Divine Thunder was incredibly powerful and only required Metal Spirit Roots to cultivate.
Among the three present, Elian possessed five Spirit Roots, the elder patriarch had Metal and Fire Spirit Roots, and Chen Qinghao had Metal and Water Spirit Roots. All met the requirements for cultivation.
In contrast, Chen Qingwan, with her Fire and Wood Spirit Roots, was unfortunate and couldn't cultivate either the Heavenly Flame Sword Art or the Metal Element Divine Thunder.
With this divine ability, the family's foundation grew stronger. The three quickly stored the jade slip carefully, suppressing their excitement.
After distributing the treasures, Chen Changxuan added, "The Whiteblade Dustbreaker Saber and the Metal Element Divine Thunder are too significant. We need to temporarily withhold this matter and avoid reporting it to Qingyang Sect."
The Metal Element Divine Thunder was a closely guarded secret of Qingyang Sect, and the Whiteblade Dustbreaker Blade was of the same type as Sect Leader Xu's natal artifact. Both were too valuable, and Qingyang Sect wouldn't let them remain outside their control.
Hearing this, Chen Qinghao frowned.
"If Qingyang Sect discovers this in the future, won't it cause trouble?"
"No problem," Chen Changxuan replied.
"I've preserved evidence. Zuo Younian's actions were no different from those of a demonic cultivator. Qingyang Sect is already in the wrong. Even if they find out in the future, at most, they'll reclaim the Whiteblade Dustbreaker Blade and the jade slip."
"That puts us at ease."
After bidding farewell to the third elder, Elian resumed his training, restoring his life to its usual tranquility.
Day after day, he cultivated the Primordial Purple Qi, comprehended divine abilities, and diligently worked to improve his strength.
Four years passed in the blink of an eye.
One day, Elian refined the Metal and Fire Element energies before him, absorbing them bit by bit into a phantom golden sword.
After an unknown period, the sword light grew sharper and eventually emitted a soft hum, radiating brilliance akin to the sun.
"Ding—"
"It's done!"
Elian opened his eyes, filled with delight.
Over the past four years, he had spent over a thousand spirit stones to collect the Metal and Fire Element energies needed for cultivating the family's divine ability, Heavenly Flame Sword Art. Now, he had finally succeeded.
Though still in its initial stage, Elian could already sense the extraordinary destructive power of the divine ability, making it a potent trump card.
With the cultivation complete, Elian stepped out of seclusion with a joyful expression.
As he exited the chamber, he found Xianyan waiting for him.
Now 18 years old, Xianyan had blossomed into a graceful young lady, her cultivation having reached the seventh level of Qi Refinement.
Seeing her waiting, Elian frowned.
"What's the matter? Has something happened?"
"Third Elder came looking for you some time ago, but seeing you were in seclusion, he didn't disturb you," Xianyan explained.
"He asked me to tell you to return to Qingyuan Mountain before the year-end for a discussion."
Calculating with his fingers, Elian realized the year-end was only two or three days away.
"I didn't expect this seclusion to last three months."
"I'll head to Qingyuan Mountain. While I'm gone, make sure to activate the formation and don't venture off Linghu Isle recklessly."
After giving instructions, Elian rode his sword light through the sky and arrived at Qingyuan Mountain in less than a day.
...
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