Chapter 3176: Clue (None Today)

The Xuanqing Sect occupied an estate spanning ten thousand mu. Wang Changsheng, Lin Yiyi, and three others sat in a green stone pavilion, with a red glowing flying boat floating before them. A miniature formation at the tail end of the red flying boat distinguished it significantly from ordinary flying treasures. For over two hundred years, Wang Changsheng had remained at the Xuanqing Sect, dedicating his time to artifact refining, exchanging knowledge with other Integration cultivators, and also finding leisure for personal cultivation. Their schedules were self-determined; Qin Yufeng didn't impose deadlines for their artifact refinement, merely providing materials for them to work with.

Frequent exchanges with other seventh-tier artifact refiners significantly improved Wang Changsheng's refining skills. Lin Yiyi and Fairy Yufu redefined his understanding of seventh-tier formation masters and talisman masters. Formations could be arranged not only on the ground but also on flying treasures to enhance their capabilities. Taking a low-grade Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasure of the flying type as an example, its speed primarily depended on the cultivator operating it. For the same low-grade Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasure, a Void Refinement cultivator's flying speed was far inferior to that of an Integration cultivator, mainly because the latter possessed deeper magical power. If a formation was incorporated into a flying low-grade Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasure, the flying speed would depend not only on the operator's cultivation but also on the grade of spirit stones used. If a large quantity of high-grade spirit stones were inserted, a Void Refinement cultivator driving a flying low-grade Heaven-Reaching Spiritual Treasure at full speed could travel even faster than an Integration cultivator.

Liu Qing was also indispensable; she needed to cultivate spiritual herbs on the flying treasure, ensuring their healthy growth without affecting the treasure's flight. This wasn't as simple as tossing some spiritual soil onto the flying treasure and scattering a few seeds. Of course, the refinement of such treasures was highly challenging and required cooperation from talisman masters. They failed numerous times before finally succeeding. Besides powering the flying treasure, formations also needed to provide ample spiritual energy and create unique environments for the spiritual herbs, and facilitate alchemy and artifact refining for cultivators. An inter-realm treasure vessel was a testament to a force's comprehensive strength. Even during the Lizard Tribe's most flourishing period, they couldn't refine such a vessel, which highlighted Xuanqingzi's exceptional artifact refining skills, explaining why he could refine a remnant Heaven-level treasure.

Wang Changsheng stepped onto the red flying boat, flicked his sleeve, and dozens of high-grade spirit stones flew out, landing into the grooves of the miniature formation. He cast a spell, and the red flying boat instantly lit up with countless red runes, transforming into an afterimage and vanishing. Soon after, a red light streaked by, and the red flying boat reappeared with Wang Changsheng standing on it.

Zheng Tianhong walked over and exhaled a stream of golden flame, emitting terrifying high temperatures; it was clearly a sixth-tier flame. The golden flame landed on the red flying boat, spreading rapidly. Soon, countless red runes emerged on the boat's surface, and the fire quickly diminished, contained within a specific area. Over half an hour passed, and the red flying boat showed no abnormalities. This was Fairy Yufu's masterpiece; with this layer of protection, alchemists and artifact refiners could safely perform their crafts on the inter-realm treasure vessel.

Liu Qing took out a few light green seeds and dropped them into the red flying boat. Countless green runes emerged in the area where the seeds landed, and the seeds quickly took root, sprouted, and grew into three small light green plants. Wang Changsheng effortlessly harvested the three green plants, without damaging their root systems. This meant that any rare spiritual herbs discovered along the inter-realm treasure vessel's journey could be transplanted onto the vessel, and then easily harvested upon reaching the destination.

"Excellent, much better than last time," Fairy Yufu said with a smile. She took out a light green Dharma plate, cast a spell, and with a serious expression, said, "Let's go! To the Welcoming Immortal Hall. Senior Uncle Lin has summoned us to officially begin refining the inter-realm treasure vessel."

They arrived at the Welcoming Immortal Hall, where Lin Tianlong and more than a dozen other Integration cultivators had already gathered, standing in neat rows. Shortly after, Xuanqingzi strode in.

"Greetings, Senior Lin," Wang Changsheng and the others bowed in respect.

Xuanqingzi flicked his wrist, and five spherical beads of different colors flew out, landing in the hands of the leaders of the five groups. "The inter-realm treasure vessel is divided into five parts. Each of your groups will be responsible for refining one part. Qin Shizhi will provide the necessary materials. You are not to inquire about the forging methods of other parts of the inter-realm treasure vessel from anyone else, understood?" Xuanqingzi said in a deep voice. After years of preparation and refinement, several prototypes had been successfully refined, making them ready to attempt the true inter-realm treasure vessel.

"Yes, Senior Lin," Wang Changsheng and the others replied in unison.

Xuanqingzi waved his hand. Qin Yufeng took out five storage bracelets of different colors and five jade slips, distributing them to the leaders of the five groups. After they confirmed that the contents of the storage bracelets precisely matched the records in the jade slips, they were instructed to return to their residences and lead their respective teams in refining different sections of the inter-realm treasure vessel.

Back at their residence, Wang Changsheng and the other four summoned Wang Yong'an and others for a meeting to discuss and assign tasks, such as material processing. Once these arrangements were made, they all began working diligently.

***

Kan Yuan Valley, located in the central part of the Xuanling Continent, was a market town established by the Feng family. The Feng family was an affiliated cultivation family of the Nine Flames Sect, boasting several Void Refinement cultivators. The streets were bustling with crowds and traffic.

In a secluded small courtyard with green tiles, there was a three-story green pavilion and a green bamboo pavilion. Wang Yi'er, Wang Dianlong, and Feng Yueqin sat in the bamboo pavilion, while Wang Guangming reported to them.

"That token was won by Sun Xue, the junior disciple of the Cold Flame Sect's sect master, at auction," Wang Guangming said slowly. "Our clansmen confirmed that it's identical to the token we possess. It appears to be a key to opening a secret realm or an ancient cultivator's immortal abode." Members of the Wang family, attending an auction here, unexpectedly discovered an item that closely resembled a token the family possessed. Upon receiving the news, Wang Yi'er immediately brought people to investigate, hoping to find clues.

"Sun Xue! A key!" Wang Yi'er's face showed a thoughtful expression.

"How about we arrange a meeting with the organizers' head to inquire about the token's origin?" Wang Dianlong suggested.

"Dianlong, you'll meet with the organizers' head. Yueqin, you'll inquire about the token at other shops. Guangming, you'll ask local cultivators for information about True Monarch Nine Swords. Hopefully, we can uncover the token's true origin," Wang Yi'er instructed.

Wang Dianlong and the other two assented and left to carry out their tasks.

"True Monarch Nine Swords! I hope this trip isn't in vain," Wang Yi'er muttered to himself. They had searched for many years without clarifying the token's origin, only able to deduce that it was highly likely connected to True Monarch Nine Swords. This rare appearance of a second token might finally allow them to uncover its origin.