Chapter 328: Lu Qing's Ultimatum, Successful Forging, Wei Xinghe's Breakthrough at the Wei Family's Underground Cave Chamber

When Lu Qing entered meditation and his spirit merged into the Lihuo Ding, Wei Shanhai remained on edge the entire time. The furnace had become dangerously unstable—its spiritual aura fluctuated wildly, surging and receding without warning. He feared that at any moment, the Lihuo Ding might explode, tearing the entire Wei Family Residence apart and sending it soaring into the sky.

Fortunately, the catastrophe never came.

As Lu Qing remained in deep meditation longer, the furnace’s aura gradually calmed, eventually settling into a serene stillness—no longer the slightest trace of turbulence remained.

“Could Lu Xiao Langjun be on the verge of completing the forging?” Wei Shanhai thought, his eyes flickering with hope.

Old Doctor, standing nearby, also showed a subtle shift in expression.

Inside the Lihuo Ding, however, Lu Qing listened to the middle-aged spirit’s final two demands—and shook his head.

“Senior Brother ‘Yan,’ I regret, but I cannot accept your last two conditions.”

The spirit paused, stunned. “You… refuse?”

“You asked me to loosen the restrictions on the Lihuo Ding’s seals, and to promise you only three interventions per year, with no interference during my cultivation. I must respectfully decline.”

Lu Qing spoke calmly, yet a sharp glint of coldness flickered in his eyes.

This spirit vessel was clearly overestimating its own importance.

The first demand—loosening the seal restrictions—was understandable. But the second? To dictate how often he could act? That was arrogance beyond measure.

The seals upon the Lihuo Ding had been forged by the ancient Lihuo Sect specifically to contain the spirit and prevent it from breaking free. How could Lu Qing possibly weaken such a safeguard?

And as for limiting his interventions to just three times a year? That was laughable. He bore the Li Hua Zong Chuan Cheng, and the Lihuo Ding was of immense value to him. He couldn’t possibly restrict himself to such a limit.

Who did this ‘Yan’ think he was, daring to set such outrageous terms?

“Boy,” the spirit growled, “think carefully. If you do not agree to these three conditions, I will not release control of the Lihuo Ding. You’ll be unable to complete the forging—no matter how many centuries you spend trying. Why waste so much time over such minor concessions? The world is changing. Qi is just beginning to return. Everyone is striving to climb higher, pushing their cultivation. In cultivation, one step ahead means leading the pack.

The Lihuo Ding is a Spirit Artifact. Even in the previous cultivation era, it was an invaluable treasure—something only great immortal sects or those with Yuan Shen-level Great Divine Power could possess. You’re just a mere Qi Gathering cultivator. To even have the chance to master such a treasure is already an unimaginable opportunity. If you seize it now, your cultivation will receive an immense boost. Why would you throw this chance away over petty conditions?”

The spirit spoke with emotion and reason, hoping to sway Lu Qing.

But Lu Qing only smiled faintly.

“Senior Brother, no more words. I will accept only the first condition. The others? Not negotiable. At most, I’ll promise you—if the Lihuo Ding ever reaches the status of a supreme Spirit Artifact, and your spirit fully matures, then I will grant you freedom. I’ll find you a complete body, and you’ll become a true living being. Beyond that? No further terms.”

Seeing Lu Qing’s unwavering resolve, the spirit narrowed its eyes.

“So… there’s truly no room for negotiation?”

“Correct.”

The spirit’s aura dimmed, its gaze locking onto Lu Qing like a predator.

“Don’t think I don’t know your game,” Lu Qing said, his tone calm, almost leisurely. “You’re counting on my desire for the Lihuo Ding to force my hand. But I must remind you—though the Lihuo Ding is precious, it is not the only Spirit Artifact in this world.”

With that, Lu Qing subtly willed a strand of spiritual energy from the Qiankun Yiqi Dai on his person, sending it into the Lihuo Ding.

“…That’s—?” The spirit’s eyes snapped wide. “Qiankun Yiqi Dai?!”

“Indeed,” Lu Qing replied coolly. “Though its rank is slightly lower than the Lihuo Ding, it is fully under my control. Yes, at my current cultivation level, forcibly forging the Lihuo Ding would be difficult. But in just a few years—especially with the Qiankun Yiqi Dai’s aid—how high do you think my cultivation will rise? At that point, what chance will you have to stop me?”

The spirit’s face twisted, dark and uncertain.

He had assumed he could exploit Lu Qing’s eagerness. But now, with another Spirit Artifact in his possession, the balance had shifted.

More importantly, Lu Qing’s words struck home—there was no rebuttal.

The fact that Lu Qing had already triggered Jie Yun and passed through a Heavenly Trial in the early days of Qi’s return proved his extraordinary talent. He was undoubtedly a celestial prodigy, blessed with a rare convergence of heavenly Qi. Such cultivators advanced at speeds no ordinary person could fathom. In just a few years… he couldn’t even guess what Lu Qing might become.

“It seems you’ve come to understand,” Lu Qing said, seeing the spirit’s expression.

“I’ll tell you plainly—if you refuse cooperation this time, the next time I return, there will be no negotiation. I will forcibly forge the Lihuo Ding and enslave your spirit. You can wager—will you recover faster, and escape the furnace? Or will I advance faster, and reach the level where I can dominate you?”

Facing such an open threat, the spirit’s face darkened.

He stared at Lu Qing’s calm expression and knew—he wasn’t bluffing.

As an artifact spirit, his own cultivation was painfully slow. The Lihuo Ding had been severely damaged in the last cultivation era. To fully recover on his own? Nearly impossible. He could never hope to match Lu Qing, the celestial anomaly.

If he refused now, the next time Lu Qing returned… it would be his end.

“…Is there truly no way to change your mind?” After a long silence, the spirit asked.

Lu Qing said nothing. But his expression said everything.

Sighing deeply, the spirit finally spoke: “Fine. I’ll give in on the last two conditions. But the first—your promise to never attempt to enslave me—I require that. Otherwise, I’d rather destroy myself than be bound.”

“Understood,” Lu Qing replied. “I will not break my word.”

“Don’t waste words,” the spirit said coldly. “I don’t trust promises. I only believe in a Spirit Soul Vow.”

“Then let us seal it now,” Lu Qing said immediately, binding his soul with the spirit’s in a sacred vow.

As long as the spirit assisted him in forging the Lihuo Ding, Lu Qing would never attempt to enslave it.

The moment the vow was made, a mysterious ripple surged through Lu Qing’s soul. He knew—this was the sign of a true Spirit Soul Vow.

Such vows were forged from one’s Dao Heart and soul. Once sworn, the world’s Heavenly Law would take notice. To break it would invite unimaginable punishment.

That was why cultivators rarely made such vows. And once made, they never broke them lightly.

Feeling the vow take hold, the spirit’s expression finally softened.

“Then I shall assist you in forging the Lihuo Ding and claiming it as your own.”

…

In the underground cave chamber, Wei Shanhai watched as the previously calm Lihuo Ding suddenly trembled again. His heart leapt once more.

But soon, the disturbance settled.

Still, he dared not relax. He kept his eyes fixed on the furnace.

After some time, he saw Lu Qing open his eyes, rise from his seated position, and stand.

“Lu Xiao Langjun, how did it go?” Wei Shanhai asked urgently.

“Fortunately, all my effort was not in vain,” Lu Qing said, a faint exhaustion in his voice.

With the spirit’s help, even at his current cultivation level, fully mastering a Spirit Artifact’s seals was a grueling task. But he had succeeded.

In Wei Shanhai’s amazed gaze, Lu Qing raised his hand and traced a talismanic gesture.

In an instant, the Lihuo Ding emitted a powerful suction, drawing in all the accumulated Fire Element Power from the chamber.

Then, the furnace began shrinking rapidly—until it was no larger than a thumb, resting gently in Lu Qing’s palm.

The spirit within, sensing the massive surge of Fire Element Power now contained within, wore a look of both joy and sorrow.

This was the tragedy of artifact spirits—bound by layers of seals, they could never fully control their own vessels. After all this time, the power he’d gathered was less than what Lu Qing had absorbed in a single breath.

But still, he had sworn a Spirit Soul Vow.

With Lu Qing’s help, restoring himself to peak strength was merely a matter of time.

And in that light, this compromise was not so bad after all.

“Congratulations, Lu Xiao Langjun. You’ve obtained a true treasure,” Wei Shanhai said, eyes wide, then beaming.

“Senior Brother Wei, do you regret it now?” Lu Qing said with a teasing smile.

“Master, how can you say such a thing? I know my own worth. That furnace was never something our Wei Family could ever control. I have a feeling—if we’d kept it, it would have brought disaster upon us. Now that you’ve taken it, you may have just saved our family once more,” Wei Shanhai said solemnly.

He had felt the furnace’s aura shift. That faint, terrifying power—so overwhelming it nearly stole his breath—proved it was far beyond his reach. Keeping it would have been inviting catastrophe.

“Senior Brother is too kind,” Lu Qing said. “Now that I’ve taken the Lihuo Ding, you’ll find it holds countless mysteries—especially in alchemy and artifact forging. When I open my furnace to craft pills in the future, if you’re interested, you’re welcome to come and witness it.”

“Of course!” Wei Shanhai exclaimed. “I’ll be there to see this immortal alchemy firsthand!”

Lu Qing had already demonstrated cultivation techniques that defied the mortal realm. If he crafted pills, they would be heavenly elixirs beyond imagination. To obtain just one would be a priceless opportunity.

“With the danger now passed, we should return above,” Lu Qing said.

An hour had passed since they emerged from the underground chamber. The Wei Family had already laid out a lavish feast, waiting for them.

After eating and drinking, the group relaxed, chatting casually.

Wei Zian began vividly recounting their journey through Zhong Zhou.

He spoke of how, barely out of Cang Zhou, they’d encountered the Silver Moon Sect’s cruelty—then slaughtered their Shao Zong Zhu, marched a thousand miles, and annihilated the entire sect. Then, riding the Yufeng Vehicle, they arrived in Qinglong City.

Each thrilling tale left Wei Fu Ren and the others speechless.

Even Wei Shanhai was stunned. He never expected such a whirlwind of events in just a few months.

When he heard about Wang Cangyi being slain by Lu Qing in Sheng Cheng, he was shaken.

He’d once planned to journey to the Northern Frontier himself, once his cultivation advanced, to take revenge on Wang Cangyi. But now, the man with whom he’d shared a century-long grudge was gone—cut down so easily by Lu Qing.

“Thank you, Lu Xiao Langjun,” Wei Fu Ren said, her face alight with joy. “You’ve rid us of a true enemy.”

She despised Wang Cangyi. The man had nearly wiped out the entire Wei Family. And afterward, he’d escaped unscathed. Now, with him dead, she felt the burden of that old hatred finally lifted.

“It’s nothing,” Lu Qing replied with a smile. “Wang Cangyi and I had our own grievances. I merely took advantage of the moment. If he hadn’t come to me, I might still be searching.”

“Indeed,” Wei Fu Ren mused. “The heavens are just—those who do evil will eventually meet their end. Wang Cangyi was a monster, and he met his match in you.”

Lu Qing smiled, not disagreeing.

Whether Wang Cangyi’s death was fate or divine justice—he wasn’t certain. But one thing was clear: there was a Heavenly Law at work.

“Mother, there’s more! There’s more!” Wei Zian was about to continue.

Suddenly, a powerful surge erupted from the back garden.

The Heavenly and Earthly Qi trembled, as if responding to something immense.

“Qi gathering… is it—Star River has broken through?” Wei Shanhai shot to his feet, his face glowing with delight.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end