Chapter 1337: Memory's Divine Artifact

Sun God Tree.This was the name Qin Sang chose for his new magic treasure.

Its shape was inspired by an artifact from his past life memories – the Bronze Sacred Tree. He had been fortunate enough to observe the restored sacred tree in the past, and its profound impact still resonated with him. When considering the treasure's form, Qin Sang decided to emulate the Bronze Sacred Tree, viewing it as a sentimental tribute.

The base, crafted from the Nine-Lives Xuan Turtle Shell, supported the main body of the sacred tree with three roots. The trunk was straight, and the branches were divided into three layers. Each layer had three branches extending in three different directions, making a total of nine branches on the entire sacred tree. All the branches curved gently downwards, adorned with shimmering runes that resembled ancient patterns.

However, these details were not the main point. Most striking were the short twigs extending upwards from each branch, slightly upturned, supporting a small circular disk, which in turn held a flower bud. Qin Sang's vision was that once the Vermilion Bird's True Feather was subdued, the South Ming Lihuo would be guided into the white copper tree body. Ultimately, this flame power would condense on the flower buds, transforming into nine divine birds with raised heads and fanned tails! This way, he could use the treasure to harness the South Ming Lihuo, rather than simply using it as a container for the Vermilion Bird's True Feather.

At this moment, the first step was complete. The Vermilion Bird's True Feather had been drawn into the base crafted from the Xuan Turtle Shell. Without its source, the South Ming Lihuo was no match for the Golden Thread Ancient Restraint. The flames quickly weakened, suppressed by the dense golden light, and most of the South Ming Lihuo rushed into the Sun God Tree, following its main body.

The full view of the stone chamber was revealed. In the center of the stone chamber was a circular stone platform. The platform was hollow in the middle, its surface covered with dense Golden Thread Ancient Restraints, and its interior glowed red. The residual flames receded, forming a calm furnace fire, its gentle flickering appearing very peaceful. They were now rootless flames, destined to gradually dissipate in the future.

As expected, this place was once an alchemy room. Only the alchemy room was visible, but no alchemy cauldron. There were also no fire channels to draw upon earth fire, indicating that the ancient cultivators used the South Ming Lihuo as their spiritual flame for alchemy.

Qin Sang had no time to spare observing his surroundings; he sat cross-legged, his eyes tightly closed. The Sun God Tree slowly rotated before him.

At the base of the Sun God Tree, after the Vermilion Bird's True Feather was pulled into the Profound Water Space, the profound water power contained within the Xuan Turtle Shell immediately surged forth. The Xuan Turtle Shell originated from a Nine-Lives Xuan Turtle in its Transformation Stage, and while not on the same level as the Vermilion Bird, its profound water power had a certain suppressive effect on flames, allowing it to integrate with the aura of the green copper block. Of course, most of the credit went to the green copper block.

Qin Sang concentrated fully, channeling all his energy into activating the treasure. The green copper block materialized within the Profound Water Space, its green light growing increasingly intense. The Vermilion Bird's True Feather continuously trembled, attempting to distance itself from its natural enemy. However, at this moment, it had no escape. The green copper block slowly settled onto the Vermilion Bird's True Feather, suppressing it, and the two treasures adhered tightly together.

Suppressing the true feather's main body was equivalent to completing half the task. Qin Sang dared not relax and quickly shifted his attention to the sacred tree. Under his guidance, the power of the South Ming Lihuo flowed into the sacred tree's body. The white copper tree immediately became 'dyed red,' its state highly unstable. It glowed a vibrant crimson, and its surface shimmered with a glaze-like luster that seemed to flow, causing one to worry if it might melt away.

This was another major hurdle; until this moment, Qin Sang had been uncertain. The mysterious white copper had an unusual origin, with no relevant records in contemporary texts. No one knew if its material could withstand the powerful South Ming Lihuo. Qin Sang could only do his best, using all his knowledge and melting various other precious spiritual materials to shape the tree's body. The rest was up to fate.

Qin Sang's mind was tense, not missing a single change in the sacred tree. Flames flowed slowly through the tree body, which became transparent, revealing the internal currents of fire. On the surface, it appeared calm, but Qin Sang knew how turbulent its essence truly was. The impact and damage caused by the South Ming Lihuo on the sacred tree were exactly as Qin Sang had anticipated. Runes on the tree's surface flickered, dimming in large sections. Qin Sang was exceptionally busy, striving to repair the runes, yet still felt overwhelmed.

The situation appeared critical, with the sacred tree shaking violently. Yet, the joy on Qin Sang's face grew increasingly pronounced. As hoped, the tree body forged from the mysterious white copper did not collapse; it held firm. In fact, during this process, the sacred tree's body became even more refined.

Simultaneously, the fiery aura gathered at the center of the sacred tree's nine flower buds. These fluctuating fiery auras gradually condensed over time, forming a red fireball, and the shaking of the sacred tree gradually ceased.

Qin Sang opened his eyes, which shone with extraordinary brilliance. The crimson sacred tree appeared as if a layer of illusory flames constantly burned on its surface. With a slight movement, it would shed streams of red, cloud-like tassels, a sight of breathtaking beauty. The fireballs at the center of the buds radiated an even more dazzling light, resembling nine miniature suns hanging there. In this light, it bore some resemblance to the legendary Fusang Sacred Tree.

After admiring it thoroughly from top to bottom, Qin Sang felt deeply satisfied. This was a magic treasure he had personally conceived and refined, a truly difficult feat in this era. Despite many twists and turns, it was finally a success.

He activated his divine sense, cautiously probing into the Sun God Tree, attempting to ignite the fireballs on the buds. The sacred tree suddenly trembled, and the South Ming Lihuo showed signs of becoming violent. If the fireballs shattered and the balance was broken, all his previous efforts would be in vain. Qin Sang's heart tightened, and he quickly withdrew his hand. His gaze fell upon the nine flower buds. After condensing into fireballs, they seemed to lack further progress, differing slightly from his expectations. After several attempts with no advancement, Qin Sang understood it was due to his cultivation being too low.

"It seems I'll have to wait until I can condense the fireballs into the form of firebirds and stabilize them before I can control the South Ming Lihuo."

Qin Sang stood up, a wave of exhaustion washing over him. After entering the secret passage, every step felt like walking a tightrope. Comprehending the Golden Thread Ancient Restraint and suppressing the Vermilion Bird's True Feather had greatly drained his mental energy. He gazed at the Sun God Tree with reluctance for a long time, the joy on his face clearly evident. All the effort he had poured into it had finally not been in vain.

He put away the sacred tree. Qin Sang then shifted his gaze, surveying the alchemy room. Apart from the Golden Thread Ancient Restraint, he found nothing else useful. Even if ancient cultivators had left anything behind, it had long since been destroyed by the Vermilion Bird's True Feather. A cluster of South Ming Lihuo still remained in the furnace. Qin Sang lacked the ability to subdue it and could only leave it there to dissipate.

At this moment, Qin Sang felt a chill. With no South Ming Lihuo to block it, the sword qi baleful wind began to encroach. This place was not suitable for prolonged stay. Qin Sang turned and exited the alchemy room, not forgetting to glance at the other alchemy rooms before leaving. Their damage was even more severe than this one, yielding no discoveries.

There were no other treasures on Sword Mark Mountain worth Qin Sang lingering for. After meditating and recovering in the stone palace, he decided to leave immediately. Using the same old trick, he lured and killed the red foxes, then passed through the most dangerous dense forest. Qin Sang returned the way he came, sweeping towards the outside of the mountain. (To be continued)