https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-831-The-Sword-Formation-s-First-Display-Demon-Slayer/12943031/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-833-A-Grand-Dream-The-Boundless-Demon-Emperor/12943033/
Chapter 832: Celestial Tribulation's Birth, The Celestial Mind Mirror
Chapter 832: Celestial Tribulation's Birth, The Celestial Mind Mirror
The higher the quality of a treasure, the longer it takes to nurture and refine it.
This is true for the Xuan Chen Armor and the Shadow Serpent Whip.
Only the Hun Yuan Cauldron, having absorbed a drop of the Heaven Transcending Demon Lord's blood, emerged early, missing the crucial nurturing process of pure refinement.
This is an advantage, but it also comes with obvious drawbacks.
After that, Luo Chen spent a full century in the Northern Sea refining and eliminating the impurities within the Hun Yuan Cauldron.
All its functions had to be developed from scratch, which was quite troublesome.
The Heart Inquiry Mirror was different; it was meant to be used immediately after being crafted, so it couldn't be rushed. Thus, after crafting the embryo, Luo Chen nurtured it for another two years.
With that, everything was ready!
Kneeling before the Hun Yuan Cauldron, Luo Chen rhythmically channeled his mana, preparing to retrieve the treasure.
The Withering Prosperity True Flame gradually extinguished, and the treasure's radiance within the cauldron became more intense.
After consistently using the Jade Emperor Clear Pupil Elixir for three years, Luo Chen's eyes had gradually developed a hint of the divine.
They were slightly different from the ideal evolution he had envisioned, but the new eyes were still exceptional.
Building upon his existing ability to discern illusions from reality, he continuously optimized his eyes, gradually gaining the ability to 'break illusions'.
This was why the Taobao Demon King, who excelled in transformation techniques, was unable to fully utilize his greatest advantage in front of Luo Chen.
Discerning reality from illusions, unperturbed by transformations! This was exactly what he needed to deal with the current situation.
At this moment, the treasure's radiance within the cauldron intensified, giving rise to various extraordinary illusions.
A white crane soared through the sky, hunting calmly amidst a vast herd of illusory beasts.
A cultivator wielded a powerful treasure, relentlessly pressing forward to slaughter and kill, facing constant peril.
There was even a man standing atop the cauldron, sword in hand, channeling mana with his fingers, exerting overwhelming pressure on all living beings.
Finally, amidst the hazy clouds, a massive, blurry creature appeared, swallowing the vast wilderness and transforming into the sun, moon, and stars.
Numerous strange phenomena emerged, and if one were to succumb to even a single illusion, they might miss the optimal moment to retrieve the treasure.
But Luo Chen's eyes blazed with unwavering focus, unaffected by the illusions.
Instead, a realization dawned upon him.
"These illusions must be the memories of the Illusionary Core's original owner, the white crane. And the man standing atop the cauldron, wielding the sword, is none other than myself!"
"As for that massive, blurry creature... it must be the Mirage Dragon, the true form of the white crane."
Having recalled even the memories of the Mirage Dragon, Luo Chen was filled with excitement.
This Heart Inquiry Mirror was undoubtedly of exceptional quality, perhaps even surpassing his expectations!
This was only natural, as Luo Chen's forging skills had improved significantly over the past century, and the materials he used were far superior to those of the Xuan Chen Armor.
"It's definitely an upper-grade treasure!"
Just as Luo Chen was about to retrieve the treasure, an unexpected change occurred!
A crackling sound filled the air!
Within the Hun Yuan Cauldron, dark clouds suddenly enveloped it, and black electrical arcs emerged from the thick cloud layer.
The cloud wasn't large, just large enough to cover the Heart Inquiry Mirror's radiant treasure light.
The dangerous black electrical arcs continuously struck the treasure light, causing the Heart Inquiry Mirror to shake violently, almost falling.
Witnessing this, Luo Chen's expression changed, and he instantly recalled something.
The power of celestial tribulation!
During his Nascent Soul stage, the final round of tribulation lightning he had attracted was also the strongest. He remembered that this round of lightning had transformed from the usual white to black, and it even took on a beastly form, making it incredibly dangerous.
At that time, Luo Chen had thought that even if he endured it, he would still suffer severe injuries, not to mention dealing with Han Zhan's soul-snatching afterward.
Fortunately, after the Hun Yuan Cauldron ascended to the True Artifact stage, it automatically protected itself and forcefully devoured the black tribulation lightning.
Over the years, Luo Chen had always considered this tribulation lightning as his trump card, using it for offensive purposes.
Occasionally, he had the impulse to temper his soul with it but abandoned the idea due to its extreme danger.
However, he never expected that during the forging of this treasure, it would stir up this power of tribulation lightning.
"It must be that the Heart Inquiry Mirror's treasure rank is too high, attracting the power of tribulation lightning."
As Luo Chen realized this, he was about to manipulate the Hun Yuan Cauldron to dispel the black lightning.
He had the authority to do so!
The Hun Yuan Cauldron, under his control, could also control the tribulation lightning it had devoured.
But just as Luo Chen was about to remove the tribulation lightning, he hesitated, as a thought suddenly occurred to him.
How high must the rank of a treasure be to attract tribulation lightning? Unlike cultivators, who only face heavenly tribulation upon reaching the Nascent Soul stage, treasures only require the assistance of heavenly lightning to refine their 'meridians' when ascending to the True Artifact stage.
The current situation was so similar to when the Hun Yuan Cauldron and the Xuan Chen Armor ascended to the True Artifact stage. In an instant, Luo Chen recalled the records in Fei Yunzi's books regarding the forging of True Artifacts.
It wasn't the case that every True Artifact was promoted to the Nascent Soul stage alongside the cultivator.
That would be too much of a test for the treasure's quality.
After all, not every Golden Core cultivator at the peak of perfection could possess a personal treasure refined to the utmost upper-grade quality.
Some newly advanced Nascent Soul cultivators might not even have a True Artifact to use for a while.
In reality, most of the time, Primordial Spirit True Man cultivators nurture and refine their True Artifacts bit by bit as their cultivation level increases, gradually elevating them to perfection. Then, they invite Artificers to attract heavenly tribulation, allowing their artifacts to undergo a final transformative step under its baptism.
The Demon Clan's method is slightly different. Often, Demon Emperors instinctively choose the most exceptional part of their demon bodies during the third stage and focus on refining it with their mana. They then utilize the Transforming Tribulation to obtain their True Artifacts.
However, these demon-forged True Artifacts, while of similar quality, often lack in pure power.
The scorpion tail needle of the Lightless Beast is such a product, possessing the level of a True Artifact, but it only has sharpness without any additional abilities.
The poison is an extra effect granted by the stomach sac.
Getting sidetracked, let's return to the main topic.
At this moment, the tribulation lightning appears, surrounding the Heart-Questioning Mirror, and the method of forging True Artifacts recorded in Fei Yunzi's books is almost identical.
"So, if I can get through this, I might obtain a True Artifact?"
With this possibility in mind, Luo Chen's heart starts pounding.
Licking his dry lips, Luo Chen's eyes shine brightly as he stares intently at the Primordial Cauldron.
"How about a gamble?"
"At worst, I can withdraw the power of the tribulation lightning at a critical moment. Even if I fail, I'll still get a defective Heart-Questioning Mirror, which is enough to heal Cang Long."
Once this thought emerges, he can no longer suppress it.
Especially since Luo Chen can sense that he can withdraw the power of the tribulation lightning at any time, there's no more hesitation.
The last spell of the Treasure Incantation is not cast, allowing the electricity to flash and thunder to roar within the cauldron, and the treasure light to tremble.
Time passes slowly.
Even though Luo Chen is not inside, cold sweat still forms on his forehead.
This is even more nerve-wracking than facing tribulation himself.
As the treasure light gradually weakens and the broken body of the Heart-Questioning Mirror is exposed, Luo Chen feels a belated sense of regret.
Suddenly!
The tribulation lightning dissipates, and a mottled gray-white stone mirror tumbles out of the cauldron's mouth.
At the same time, a large amount of spiritual energy in the cave automatically surges towards the gray-white stone mirror.
Luo Chen finally relaxes as the meridians have formed, and the breathing and absorption of energy indicate the birth of a True Artifact.
After observing the surrounding spiritual energy, Luo Chen casts a spell, releasing the formation in the cultivation room, causing more dense spiritual energy to surge out and be frantically absorbed by the stone mirror.
The stone mirror, covered in cracks, gradually heals as it continues to absorb spiritual energy, and the cracks eventually disappear.
A day later, Luo Chen extends his hand, and the warm gray-white stone mirror falls into his palm.
Stroking the mottled mirror surface, Luo Chen feels a sense of relief.
"If the refining materials weren't excellent enough, I would have almost failed."
"I was even thinking of using the tribulation lightning in the Primordial Cauldron to refine my other artifacts. Now it seems like a reckless idea!"
"That black tribulation lightning was something I didn't dare to withstand even when I advanced to the Primordial Spirit stage. How could ordinary artifacts dare to face such a risk?"
Luo Chen realizes that the Heart-Questioning Mirror barely succeeded because its core material was the Illusionary Core of a mid-fourth-stage Illusionary Beast, comparable to the mid-Primordial Spirit stage.
Ordinary artifacts don't have such a foundation!
The sense of relief gradually fades, replaced by overwhelming joy.
He has forged a True Artifact!
Even though he relied on top-grade raw materials and the tribulation lightning he collected by chance, a genuine True Artifact has emerged in his hands.
Such an experience is a rare opportunity even for high-level Artificers.
Without even having time to test the functions of the gray-white stone mirror, Luo Chen quickly opens the attribute panel to take a look.
As expected, the entry for a Third-Stage Artificer flickers continuously, gradually transforming into Fourth-Stage Artificer.
Luo Chen can't help but grin, laughing out loud.
...
In a snowy landscape, blood stains the peach blossoms, and a spiritual fox lies fallen beneath a sword.
Restless and agitated, a demon beast roars, not knowing where to go.
Amidst the bloody storm, with no escape, the only choice is to use oneself as a blade, cutting through to create a clear sky.
As the sandalwood incense burns, Luo Chen holds the stone mirror, infusing it with his mana, and various illusions emerge.
So lifelike, it's hard to distinguish reality from illusion.
Sitting across from him are several people, including the Heartless Immortal Maiden, Gu Caiyi, and even Wang Yuan.
But at this moment, except for Wang Yuan's struggling expression, the others are deeply immersed and unable to free themselves.
Luo Chen feels that if he increases his mana and integrates his divine sense into the mirror, even Wang Yuan, with his unwavering will, would be unable to resist the power of this mirror.
"It truly didn't disappoint me!"
Muttering to himself, Luo Chen slowly retracts his mana.
The invited Luo Heaven Sect cultivators across from him open their eyes one by one.
The first to open his eyes was Wang Yuan, and with a surge of Sky Energy, he furrowed his thick eyebrows.
"Was everything just now an illusion?"
"Yes."
"So, you saw it all?"
Luo Chen nodded slightly, not hiding the truth.
Wang Yuan fell silent.
The next to wake up was Heartless Immortal Maiden. At some point, tears had fallen from the corner of her eyes.
Just now, she had returned to the softest and most painful scene in her heart. If not for Luo Chen's awakening, she might have remained forever in that heart-wrenching, bone-chilling dream.
By her side, Luo Chen's voice was gentle.
"With my guidance, the illusion and reality are indistinguishable. Using this mirror, we can revive her consciousness without awakening Cang Long's physical body."
Heartless Immortal Maiden nodded lightly, "To save Senior Sister, you've gone to great lengths, True Man."
The last to wake up was Gu Cai Yi. Upon seeing Luo Chen, her tense expression relaxed instantly.
Ignoring the gazes of others, she rushed into Luo Chen's embrace.
"Can you not leave again in the future?"
Luo Chen gently stroked the woman's hair, "It's my fault. I shouldn't have let you go through all this again."
Then, like offering candy, he took out four jade bottles and handed two of them to Gu Cai Yi.
"This is the Soul Calming Powder, a third-stage soul-nourishing sacred medicine from the former Medicine King Sect, best suited for use when exhausted."
"You should take it too!"
The remaining two bottles were given to Wang Yuan and Heartless Immortal Maiden.
Though there was a hint of favoritism, no one questioned it.
Heartless Immortal Maiden, whose emotions had been on a rollercoaster, felt a tinge of envy towards Luo Chen's open favoritism.
She composed herself, "Does this treasure have a name?"
"Of course, its name is..." Luo Chen couldn't help but smile as the words reached his lips.
Before, he could say that he didn't ask about the common people or the divine, but this mirror was forged and controlled by him.
So, why ask the divine? Ask the past instead!
"Dust Destiny!"
"Thank you, Dust Destiny, for returning to the Immortal Realm."
"After the joy and pain, after the joy and pain, thank you, Dust Destiny, for returning to the Immortal Realm. Rejoice in the dream's awakening, and let you choose your path freely. Don't linger on the path of confusion, don't linger on the path of confusion, and return to the Great Dao early!"
Luo Chen held the mirror in one hand and caressed the woman's hair with the other, chanting and singing.
Gu Cai Yi tilted her head back, mesmerized by Luo Chen, and murmured.
"Is this the Dust Destiny Immortal Mirror?"
...
With the Dust Destiny Immortal Mirror forged, the matter of saving Cang Long was now on the agenda.
Wang Yuan and the others didn't stay long. After taking the Soul Calming Powder in Luo Chen's cave abode, they bid farewell and left.
Before leaving, Wang Yuan reminded them once more of the recent changes in the situation.
The demon beast army's attacks were becoming fiercer, and even the four great commanders were testing the weak points of some of the formations at Heaven Ascending Pass.
The casualties among the city's cultivators were uncontrollable under the frenzied assault of the massive demon beasts.
Among those Luo Chen was familiar with, Elder Fu had nearly died at the hands of a fourth-stage mid-term Demon Emperor. If not for the activation of a life-saving talisman that cost a hefty price, he might not have even made it back to Heaven Ascending Pass.
Ling Feng Zi was slightly weaker in combat strength but excelled in survival skills. However, the disciples of Misty Sect under his command had suffered heavy casualties. It was said that only one out of ten remained, and the sect's numbers had sharply decreased to less than a thousand, almost indistinguishable from the later-rising Nascent Soul powerhouses like Heavenward Sect. Even compared to the stalwart mid-tier combat strength of Wang Yuan, they were somewhat inferior.
Even Nine Spirit Lord was having a hard time now, as one of the great commanders had set his sights on him!
"We must quickly settle personal matters and focus all our energy on the battle, or we'll regret our mistakes!"
Wang Yuan gave this advice before leaving.
Luo Chen took his words to heart; saving Cang Long was his last personal matter.
...
To outsiders, Luo Chen was a man of justice, mentoring the younger generation, and had a gentlemanly demeanor.
To those close to him, Luo Chen was kind and benevolent, like a towering tree shielding them from the wind and rain.
Only Luo Chen himself knew that for the sake of longevity, everything could be cast aside.
Deep down, he was an extremely selfish person.
However, before crossing the line, he could distinguish between grudges and keep his promises.
Standing in the icy room, Luo Chen moved the ice castle that he had repaired over the years, revealing the coffin containing the sleeping beauty.
Looking at the woman's furrowed brows, Luo Chen sighed softly.
This woman had a debt of gratitude towards him, and it was only right to repay her in some way.
The Dust Destiny Immortal Mirror flew out and covered the coffin.
His ten fingers danced, and spiritual seals emerged one after another.
"The soul awakens before the great dream, as if in the heart even within the illusion."
"Senior Sister Cang Long, enter the dream!"
White mist emanated from the mottled stone mirror and seeped into the coffin.
The woman's tightly knitted eyebrows relaxed slightly, and beneath her crystal-like eyelids, her eyes moved as if she had seen something.
(End of Chapter)
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