https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-618-Master-s-Fame-Spreads-Old-Acquaintance-Arrives/12942434/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-620-A-Distinguished-Guest-Arrives-A-Daoist-Feeds-the-Dragon/12942436/
Chapter 619: Perfect Harmony, the Power of Blood, and the Art of Extrapolation
Chapter 619: Perfect Harmony, the Power of Blood, and the Art of Extrapolation
On Peng Island.
It had been a year since Luo Chen announced his seclusion.
During this time, countless cultivators seeking treasures for their cultivation path attempted to visit, but all were turned away.
The outside world's commotion seemed to have no connection with the eight-hundred-li Peng Island.
However, it was evident that the existence of a master capable of crafting defensive magical treasures could not be ignored by the outside world.
Even though Luo Chen declared his seclusion, countless people were still paying attention to his movements, wondering if he could craft a second defensive magical treasure.
If he successfully crafted one, it would prove his true strength and not just a lucky coincidence.
Luo Chen remained unaffected by the outside world's expectations and doubts.
Inside the Alchemy Artisan Pavilion.
Luo Chen stared at the Primordial Cauldron, surrounded by layers of Withering Flame, his eyes dazzling with brilliance, and the flames reflected in his eyes, making them seem like fiery golden eyes.
"The nurturing of the artifact embryo has taken a full year, and the preparation is even more meticulous than when I crafted the Mysterious Azure Armor."
"It's time to face the music!"
Calculating the time in his mind, Luo Chen raised his hand and released a wave of spiritual power.
Instantly, the azure flame dissipated, and a golden glow flew out from the Primordial Cauldron.
Upon closer inspection, it was a seven-foot-tall golden armor.
Dense earth essence aura accumulated on its surface, giving it a solid and reliable feel at first glance.
The armor had no patterns or cracks, appearing as if it were seamlessly woven by nature.
However, Luo Chen knew that this was merely an embryo, and its success depended on the upcoming array engraving.
With a thought, the golden armor floated in front of him.
To his left, a specially prepared black liquid was ready.
The array engraving for crafting magical treasures was vastly different from regular array deployment.
In regular array deployment, one would utilize spirit stones, array flags, and even the terrain to enhance the array's power.
But when crafting magical treasures, the size of the treasure itself limits the number of external objects that can be used.
Therefore, to engrave arrays on it, one must use something similar to "ink."
This black liquid, known as "Ink Array Liquid," is the most commonly used array ink among cultivators.
Speaking of which, when Min Longyu asked him to learn calligraphy before studying arrays, it seemed to have a similar effect in this situation.
Luo Chen smiled slightly, and his right hand trembled, turning slightly red. As his spiritual power surged, his right hand became increasingly red, as if it were engorged with blood.
Within the attribute panel, the Iron Casting Hand, which he had already cultivated to perfection, was activated.
"Regular array masters assist artificers in crafting artifacts by engraving arrays with talisman brushes and ink cones. However, from the Hundred Forging Technique, I learned the Iron Casting Hand technique, which can be used to smelt metal ores and also deploy arrays on artifact embryos, making it even more efficient than regular array masters."
"The Hundred Forging Technique indeed has some secrets to its longevity on Cold Light Island."
"It's a pity that Cold Light Island was destroyed. I wonder how many of the forces that surrounded me survived. Otherwise, I would like to pay them a visit after I've achieved some success."
As his thoughts raced in his mind, the redness on his right hand reached its peak, resembling a burning branding iron.
The Micro Cosmic Art naturally activated, dispelling all distractions.
Luo Chen, with utmost concentration, dipped his right hand into the bucket, emitting a sizzling sound.
When he lifted his hand, it was covered in thick Ink Array Liquid.
Luo Chen focused solely on the task, gathering his spiritual power and divine sense in one place, slowly lowering his right hand onto the armor.
As he moved his fingers, black array patterns fell onto the soft armor.
With his added force, the black array patterns penetrated the paper, beginning to seep into the Golden Rock Armor's interior.
The array he was engraving was the Golden Solidation Array, a first-tier array and the most fundamental among the many defensive arrays, which could stabilize the material of the magical treasure.
In addition, there were two more first-tier arrays to engrave: the Spirit Lock Array and the Qi Gathering Array.
After the first-tier arrays, there were two second-tier arrays: the Feather Scale Array and the Mystic Gate Array.
Finally, the most crucial array for this magical treasure was the third-tier Golden Rock Armor Array.
Three first-tier, two second-tier, and one third-tier arrays would be layered, covering every part of the magical treasure, ultimately forming an impenetrable pure defensive magical treasure.
This process allowed no room for failure! Any mistake would lead to all previous efforts being in vain, and a severe error could even cause the artifact embryo to self-destruct.
If the embryo were made of high-quality materials, it might still retain some power, becoming what is known as a "Supreme Artifact."
However, it was evident that the materials Luo Chen used for practice were not of high quality.
Although the cost was not high, it would still be painful for Luo Chen if it were destroyed.
The cost of spirit stones was not high, but the time cost was!
Others had suitable materials and could start crafting right away.
He had used the Primordial Cauldron to nurture this artifact embryo for a whole year.
He didn't mind the spirit stones, but he cherished this year of time.
Fortunately, with his perfect mastery of array deployment, the chances of failure in first and second-tier arrays were almost non-existent.
Unlike the proficiency in alchemy, which allows for gradual improvement, proficiency in formation arrays is more akin to spellcasting, where one either knows it or doesn't, without the failure rate that persists even after achieving perfection in alchemy.
After spending two days, Luo Chen finally managed to successfully inscribe three first-tier and two second-tier formation arrays onto the embryo of the Golden Yellow Rock Armor.
Next was the most crucial and core part: the Golden Yellow Rock Armor Array.
Without resting for even a moment, Luo Chen merely adjusted his mindset and reactivated his Iron Casting Hand. He dipped his brush into the Ink Array Liquid and began drawing fresh array patterns on the armor.
This time, unlike the previous silence, the arrangement of a third-tier formation array required extremely stringent conditions.
Even a powerful array master would need corresponding array flags and plates, and even favorable terrain, to set up such an array in the outside world.
To inscribe it onto a mere weapon would require even more stringent conditions!
Not only did it test the array master's proficiency in formation arrays, but it also required consideration of the material's inherent strength and the compatibility between the array and the artifact.
"I wonder if this ordinary embryo material can withstand the complete Golden Yellow Rock Armor Array?"
With a hint of concern, Luo Chen began drawing the array patterns, which gradually landed on the armor.
As the array patterns were meticulously inscribed, Luo Chen became increasingly astonished.
"Such perfect compatibility!"
"Is it the earth-attributed mineral materials resonating with the Golden Yellow Rock Armor Array, or is the embryo I refined too perfect?"
"No, this feeling... I experienced something similar when I refined the Mysterious Azure Armor. I thought it was a stroke of luck back then, but this recurrence of the same phenomenon clearly isn't an isolated case."
The perfect compatibility between the artifact embryo and the formation array almost caused Luo Chen to lose focus.
But in an instant, he regained his composure and continued his work.
It took an entire day.
The originally plain yellow armor, devoid of any patterns or decorations, began to reveal extraordinary and intricate patterns after Luo Chen arranged the formation arrays.
These patterns were the external manifestations of the formation arrays.
After successfully inscribing the Golden Yellow Rock Armor Array, Luo Chen finally heaved a sigh of relief.
"Next, I'll perform the final nourishment, allowing the formation array and the material to merge into one. During this process, rejection reactions often occur, either because the material itself cannot adapt to the powerful array or because inherent flaws are exposed during the activation."
"This cannot be overlooked."
Luo Chen took a careful look at the armor and placed it back into the Primordial Cauldron.
The previously extinguished Withering Flame reignited.
Luo Chen took a pill and sat cross-legged in front of the Primordial Cauldron to meditate and restore his spiritual power.
As he meditated, he reminisced about the feeling he had experienced earlier.
The artifact embryo, nurtured for a long time within the Primordial Cauldron, exhibited perfect compatibility with the formation array, a phenomenon rarely heard of in the cultivation world.
Why was it that he, of all people, had experienced it twice?
"Could it be because of my Primordial Cauldron, my innate magic treasure?"
"But I've never heard of any similar effects from the Primordial Cauldrons refined in Qingdan Valley. At most, they could increase the success rate of refining one or two pills."
"Could it be an additional effect gained from the Dragon Nurturing Basin's nurturing?"
As Luo Chen pondered deeply, a flash of inspiration suddenly lit up his mind.
A memory suddenly surfaced in his mind.
He recalled the time in the Cangwu Mountain dungeon when Tianyezi refined the Primordial Cauldron for him.
For a renowned forge master like Tianyezi, refining a mere magic treasure was a simple task.
But an unexpected incident occurred.
T
The cause of that incident was the strange blood that had adhered to a Fire Spirit Crystal.
Luo Chen had been curious about it, but his thoughts yielded no answers.
However, it now seemed that it wasn't Tianyezi's plan but a genuine accident!
"When that blood merged with my Primordial Cauldron, it frantically fused with various materials, accepting everything without rejection."
"If it were an ordinary magic treasure, the unprocessed materials would have reacted and self-destructed due to rejection."
"But my Primordial Cauldron remained completely unharmed. It was already a superior-grade artifact upon completion, and after years of nurturing, it became even more powerful. Its might is such that even I cannot fully utilize it."
"Clearly, that drop of strange blood has a peculiar effect on various mineral materials."
"Even the Primordial Cauldron, which merged with it, exhibits similar effects. The artifact embryos nurtured by it are near-perfect, and even the inscription of formation arrays can be perfectly compatible."
As memories flooded his mind, Luo Chen's thoughts became increasingly lucid.
The Dragon Nurturing Basin, while capable of nurturing magic treasures, enhancing their grade, and increasing their power, could not create something from nothing.
And the special effect of the Primordial Cauldron clearly did not come from the Dragon Nurturing Basin, but from that drop of odd blood.
After figuring everything out, Luo Chen had an epiphany, but he was also filled with doubts.
What kind of creature's blood was it?
Just one drop, and it possessed such a peculiar power.
If this blood belonged to a master, what realm or race would they be?
This time, despite Luo Chen's extensive knowledge accumulated over the years, he couldn't find any related information after pondering for half a day.
All he could do was sigh.
"I know it's true, but I don't know why. This feeling is truly maddening!"
"However, for me, this is ultimately a good thing."
Indeed, it was a good thing!
If the Golden Yellow Rock Armor could be successfully refined this time, it would mean that his success could be replicated!
Refining the Demon Sovereign Remains and even future refinements of other artifacts would be like adding wings to a tiger, with no possibility of failure.
If this news were to spread, the entire cultivation world would be shaken!
For a moment, Luo Chen's attention was not on the Golden Yellow Rock Armor that was currently fusing with the formation, but on his Soul-Bound Artifact.
The Primordial Cauldron, his dual cultivation treasure, held infinite possibilities!
...
Half a month later.
Luo Chen opened the Qi shield of the Primordial Cauldron and took out the flawless Golden Yellow Rock Armor from within.
Using the newly inscribed Wish Array, he shrunk it down, turning it into a yellow armor piece, resembling a piece of soil.
"Qi Energy Contraction, the formation and material perfectly fused, with no signs of rejection."
"The Inner Armor is naturally formed, matching the description of a successful refinement according to the Penglai Immortal Sect's method."
"Success!"
The final two words, spoken lightly, expressed Luo Chen's joy.
But it was clear that his joy was not merely from the successful refinement of the artifact.
It was the wondrous effect of the Primordial Cauldron!
For a moment, he had the urge to immediately refine the Demon Sovereign Remains.
However, in the end, he managed to hold back.
"I still haven't explored the limits of the Primordial Cauldron's wondrous effects in artifact forging. What if it's only effective for ordinary materials and low-grade artifacts?"
"I can't change the original plan. I'll stick to the original step-by-step approach!"
"No rush!"
With a calm mind, Luo Chen approached his other tasks with even greater composure.
Cultivating Qi, tempering his body, studying formations, and forging artifacts, he filled his days with a packed schedule.
When the second Ethereal Wood Light Armor Array was successfully refined in the third year, Luo Chen, through analogy, gained new insights into body tempering.
Combining various materials that were originally unremarkable, removing the dross and extracting the essence, and incorporating formations, he created powerful artifacts with boundless might. This was the essence of artifact forging.
If one were to view the human body as an artifact, could it also be tempered using artifact forging techniques?
Could the body be refined into a powerful artifact?
These insights did not come suddenly but were the result of a long accumulation, naturally arising within him.
At the same time, there was also an unforgettable scene in his mind... Heavenly Refiner Zi, unable to mobilize his Nascent Soul's power, using his physical body to withstand the Thunder Hell Peng at the mid-stage of Ancient Stage Four!
It should be known that body tempering cultivators had long since declined in the cultivation world.
Yet, Heavenly Refiner Zi, at the Nascent Soul stage, still possessed an extraordinary body-tempering cultivation. He must have also comprehended the corresponding body-tempering techniques.
If Luo Chen knew that Heavenly Refiner Zi had once faced the Azure Frost Empress's palm strike with his physical body, he would have held Heavenly Refiner Zi's body-tempering cultivation in even higher regard.
Of course, even without this knowledge, Luo Chen began to make appropriate adjustments to his body-tempering cultivation method during his free time.
The Convergence of Ten Thousand Paths was a cultivation method he had created with the help of the system.
Even the name was changed later, incorporating the strengths of various schools, with the meaning of all paths leading to the ultimate truth.
Although he had already cultivated this method to perfection many years ago, Luo Chen believed that it still had room for improvement.
He began to experiment with integrating the Hundred Forging Technique, Iron Casting Technique, Gold Shaving Technique, Snow Blowing Technique, and other forging techniques into his cultivation.
At the same time, he used the Black Emperor Balm to experimentally temper his body.
If not for the lack of suitable formations, he would have even inscribed some formations on his body.
This was not the first time he had done this, as there was already a Concealment Array on his body that hid his magical power fluctuations.
Not to mention, with his constant adjustments, although the new Convergence of Ten Thousand Paths had not yet been born, his body-tempering progress had indeed shown significant improvement.
Although he had already reached the Ancient Stage Three level with a progress of 78/100, he was now advancing even faster towards the eightieth mark.
One could imagine that Ancient Stage Four was not far off!
...
As Luo Chen focused on his artifact forging cultivation, the attention he received from the cultivation world increased even further.
Because the Golden Yellow Rock Armor was displayed on the Sunyang Shop's shelves.
It was touted as the Store Treasure, not for sale for less than five hundred thousand spirit stones! Due to this exorbitant price and Master Qingyangzi's second-hand involvement, it attracted a lot of attention at the Ten Thousand Immortals Assembly.
(End of Chapter)
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