https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-463-Fusion-of-the-Spirit-Fire-Ancient-Treasure-Bodyguard/12550397/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-465-The-Wonders-of-the-Xuan-Yin-Pearl/12550403/
Chapter 464: Forging the Seven Star Nails, Adding Another Prized Magical Treasure
Chapter 464: Forging the Seven Star Nails, Adding Another Prized Magical Treasure
Having put away the newly acquired ancient defensive treasure, Chu Ning turned his attention to the other treasures he had obtained.
He picked up the jade slip that recorded the refining method for the Mysterious Turtle Shield and took out another jade slip from his storage bag to compare the two.
"This Thunderfire Scepter is a replica of a spiritual treasure refining method that I obtained from two late Nascent Soul cultivators from the Thunderfire Sect. Judging from both the refining method and the materials used, the Mysterious Turtle Shield is no less superior to the Thunderfire Scepter. It seems that the shield is at least on par with replica spiritual treasures."
As he pondered, Chu Ning began to take out the refining materials for the two replica spiritual treasures.
For the Thunderfire Scepter, he now had two types of materials. One was the Red Feather Stone obtained from the slain cultivators of the Demon Path Alliance. The other was the Nine Thunder Crystals he had acquired from Wu Changdong in exchange for something else, not long ago, outside the Ghost Mist Forest.
The refining materials for the Mysterious Turtle Shield included one more type: the turtle shell of the Primordial Dark Turtle, which he had obtained long ago. Additionally, he had acquired the Ancient Crystal Rock from the cave abode of the Mysterious Turtle Elder within the Ghost Mist Forest.
It seemed that the Mysterious Turtle Elder had once considered refining the shield but found it challenging to gather all the necessary materials, leaving behind only the Ancient Crystal Rock.
The third type of material was the Starry Gold Sand, which he had obtained from the underground secret cave of the Yu family in Yunqi Mountain. The entire stone cave had been embedded with this sand, and with White Spirit's help, they had collected it all, resulting in an ample supply.
While this material was specifically required for refining the Mysterious Turtle Shield, it could also be used for the Beast Spirit Ring obtained from Shent Ping, making it a valuable resource.
After taking inventory of these treasures, Chu Ning shook his head. "No wonder so many ancient treasure refining methods have been lost. Among Nascent Soul cultivators, I'm quite skilled in artifact refining, and I have access to a wider variety of rare materials than the average cultivator. Yet, even with all that, I'm still far from being able to gather enough materials to refine a replica spiritual treasure."
As he mused, his thoughts turned to the Tianmu Continent. "I wonder if these rare materials can be found on the Tianmu Continent. It's said that cultivation there is more prosperous than on other continents. There's even a rumor that, in ancient times, the cultivation of immortals on all continents originated from Tianmu."
With these thoughts in mind, Chu Ning stored the various jade slips containing the refining methods for the Thunderfire Scepter and the Mysterious Turtle Shield, along with the refining materials, into his storage bag.
He then turned his attention to the two items before him: the seven sharp nails of the Myriad-Year Corpse King and the unicorn horn of the Golden Horn Beast.
"These two items are also rare treasures. If I can combine them with suitable materials, I might be able to forge magical artifacts of considerable power."
After a moment's consideration, Chu Ning's gaze settled on the sharp nails of the Myriad-Year Corpse King. These nails possessed immense power, as demonstrated when the Corpse King used them to withstand the attacks of Nascent Soul cultivators' magical treasures. If he could successfully refine them into a set of artifacts, the results would undoubtedly be astonishing.
As these thoughts crossed his mind, Chu Ning began to recall some of the artifact refining methods he had recorded previously, searching for one that could be modified to suit his needs. However, after contemplating for a while, his brows furrowed slightly.
While the Nineflower Sect excelled in artifact refining, none of their methods involved items derived from creatures like the Corpse King. After all, such undead beings were more commonly associated with cultivators of the Demon Path.
Demon Path cultivators?
The idea sparked a thought, and Chu Ning retrieved a stack of jade slips from his storage bag. Although he hadn't interacted with many cultivators of the Demon Path, he had slain quite a few. Perhaps he could find something useful among their possessions.
He began sifting through the jade slips, looking for any that recorded demon techniques, artifact refining methods, or other relevant information. Most of these items pertained to demon techniques, and as they often came with side effects, Chu Ning hadn't paid much attention to them before. But as he browsed through them now, he couldn't help but be impressed.
"These items used by Demon Path cultivators often have some drawbacks. For example, many demon techniques have strong backlash during advancement. However, there are indeed some redeeming qualities. Many demon techniques are far more powerful than ordinary cultivation methods, and without specific countermeasures, it's easy for cultivators of the same level to be at a disadvantage when facing them. Moreover, the cultivation progress of many demon techniques, aided by external objects, is faster than that of ordinary cultivators."
While he acknowledged their strengths, Chu Ning had no intention of delving too deeply into these demon techniques or considering them for his own cultivation. His current cultivation and divine abilities far surpassed anything these techniques could offer.
Instead, he focused his attention on the artifact refining methods of the Demon Path.
It took him five to six days to go through dozens of jade slips, but finally, his efforts paid off.
"Nail of the Underworld Soul!"
Chu Ning couldn't remember exactly which Demon Path Nascent Soul cultivator he had obtained this item from. The jade slip described a special type of magical artifact designed to attack a cultivator's consciousness and Nascent Soul, and its primary refining material was an item from a corpse king.
Different corpse kings had different means of attack, but their overall function was similar.
Chu Ning began to carefully study this artifact refining method.
Chu Ning had tweaked and refined pill formulas many times before, but this was one of his first attempts at improving an artifact refining method.
Fortunately, this demonic sect's approach to artifact refining, though different from the Nineflower Sect's techniques, was still fundamentally aligned with the current cultivation world's understanding of artifact creation. It wouldn't be as troublesome as crafting ancient treasures.
Endowed with the Artifact Spirit Body, and having studied numerous refining techniques, Chu Ning's skill in artifact refining far surpassed that of an average Nascent Soul cultivator.
Although he felt a bit bewildered at first, he soon found his footing after spending some time studying the method.
A month later, Chu Ning held a jade slip in his hand.
"Now, even the unicorn horn of the Golden Horn Beast has been put to use. Next, I'll test if the improvements I've made are feasible," he said to himself.
Chu Ning walked out of the cultivation room, holding the jade slip. Although he possessed earth vein spirit fire, he needed to borrow some earth fire for refining this particular treasure.
Fortunately, there was a specialized Artifact Refining Pavilion in the city, catering to the needs of cultivators like him.
The one in charge of the pavilion was a Golden Core cultivator, though Chu Ning didn't recognize which sect he belonged to.
The Golden Core cultivator was naturally astonished by the sudden appearance of a Nascent Soul cultivator like Chu Ning. Typically, Nascent Soul cultivators refined artifacts within their sects, rarely choosing to do so in places like the Yunxiao City.
Chu Ning paid no heed to the other's surprise. He requested the best earth fire refining room and instructed that he was not to be disturbed until he emerged. Then, he began his attempt at refining.
After spending over half a month in the refining room, seven half-inch-long nails, gleaming with dark gold light, appeared before Chu Ning.
Chu Ning appraised the nails, then casually pointed a finger, causing the seven nails to levitate and arrange themselves in a row.
With another gesture, the nails rearranged themselves into various formations and shot forward, vanishing like seven streaks of dark light. In the next moment, they reappeared twenty yards away.
What was truly astonishing was that the nails moved with incredible speed, yet produced no sound at all.
Chu Ning nodded in satisfaction. With a thought, the nails returned and hovered in front of him once more.
"Although this artifact borrows from the refining method of the Underworld Soul Nails, it is completely different from them. After my special treatment, it retains its previous sharpness and power. By fusing it with the unicorn horn of the Golden Horn Beast, its hardness has even increased. However, I've removed all traces of Yin evil energy, so it's no longer suitable to call it the Underworld Soul Nail. With seven nails, I shall name them the Seven Star Nails!"
A faint smile appeared on Chu Ning's face as he opened his mouth, and the seven dark golden nails, tinged with a faint shadow, disappeared into his body.
His Artifact Spirit Body could nurture multiple signature treasures, and even though he already had the Five Elements Spirit Sword and the Yellow Wind Banner, he could still cultivate another set.
He would use his spiritual sense to cultivate this new treasure for a while, further enhancing its power.
After refining the Seven Star Nails, Chu Ning had dealt with most of the items he had obtained during his trip to the Heavenly Extremes Alliance, including the ancient defensive treasure, the Spirit Soil Pot.
This trip had yielded abundant results. Not only had he acquired the Spirit Soil Pot, but he had also gained a new set of signature treasures—the Seven Star Nails.
At the same time, the Golden Spirit Sword, one of the Five Elements Spirit Swords, had refined and devoured the essence of the ninth-rank Golden Horn Beast.
After further cultivation and allowing the two to fully merge, the power of the Golden Spirit Sword would surpass that of the other spirit swords, excluding the Fire Spirit Sword.
Additionally, the Cold Marrow Pearl had enhanced the power of his Icy Mystic Flame, and with more time spent refining and merging it with the Yin Evil Ghost Fire, the flame's might would increase even further.
As for the refining method of the Mystical Turtle Shield and the materials required, although they couldn't be utilized for the time being, they were still valuable treasures.
In comparison, the high-grade spirit stones and other items, though rare and precious, were overshadowed by the other treasures he had obtained.
As Chu Ning left the refining room and walked out of the Artifact Refining Pavilion, he was greeted by the respectful gazes of the cultivators within.
Faint sounds of discussion trailed behind him.
"Is that Senior Chu from the Nineflower Sect?"
"Yes, it's him. I heard that with his early Nascent Soul cultivation, he can kill several mid-Nascent Soul cultivators. He's known as the number one cultivator below the late Nascent Soul stage! His fame has spread throughout all the alliances!"
"Given time, he'll likely become a true late Nascent Soul grand cultivator."
"Of course. I heard that Senior Chu has been cultivating for less than two hundred years. Advancing to the late Nascent Soul stage is only a matter of time! Our Yunxiao Alliance will have two late Nascent Soul grand cultivators in the future!"
...
With his spiritual sense, Chu Ning clearly heard every word of their discussion.
He shook his head slightly and continued on his way without paying further attention to the whispers.
Chu Ning was well aware that his fame had spread throughout the entire Western Alliance Continent. However, this was something beyond his control, so he chose not to dwell on it.
As he returned to his courtyard, Chu Ning stepped into the formation restriction and was suddenly taken aback. Standing within his courtyard was a graceful figure, who turned towards him with a smile on her beautiful face.
"Zi Yin? What brings you here?"
(End of Chapter)
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