Translator: AnubisTL
The Water Entangling Net, a mid-grade binding-type magic tool, was primarily crafted from Azure Water Silkworm Silk and Water-Condensing Sand. Li Qing had already procured ample quantities of both materials, enough to refine two nets with some to spare.
The auxiliary material was a Spirit-Stabilizing Stone. While optional, the Artifact Refinement Diagram indicated that incorporating one as a core would significantly enhance the net's power.
"This mid-grade binding-type magic tool can be refined with just two primary materials—three if you include the Spirit-Stabilizing Stone. The simplicity of the ingredients is astonishing!"
Inside his cave abode, Li Qing laid out all the spiritual materials and couldn't help but marvel at their simplicity. Such an Artifact Refinement Diagram was undoubtedly the result of a master artificer's tireless efforts. Only through countless refinement trials could the materials be streamlined to such an extent.
"First, I'll weave the Azure Water Silkworm Silk into a net, then fuse the Water-Condensing Sand into its structure."
Muttering to himself, Li Qing meticulously followed the steps outlined in the Artifact Refinement Diagram, beginning the refinement process.
This particular magic tool was unique in that its entire refinement process required no fire, instead fully harnessing the water attribute spirituality within the materials.
Li Qing carefully picked up strands of Azure Water Silkworm Silk, one by one. This gentle demon beast produced silk that was remarkably supple yet resilient, ideal for crafting magical robes and garments.
As a skilled blacksmith, Li Qing possessed exceptional dexterity. His nimble hands precisely wove the flexible silk strands together.
Soon, a circular net of pale green silk began to take shape.
"The next step involves using spiritual energy to dissolve each grain of Water-Condensing Sand and fuse it into the silk net. This technique is truly unheard of—a real eye-opener," Li Qing mused.
His eyes flickered with curiosity as he pinched a grain of Water-Condensing Sand. Spiritual energy surged from his body, following the instructions in the Artifact Refinement Diagram to completely dissolve the grain and meld it into the silk mesh.
Undoubtedly, this was a time-consuming and laborious process. Crafting a single Water Entangling Net required three pounds of Water-Condensing Sand, and dissolving each grain individually would take considerable time.
Li Qing's refined spiritual energy enveloped the grain, gradually breaking it down. The pure Water-Condensing Sand, now a viscous slurry, seeped into the woven Azure Water Silkworm Silk.
Surprisingly, the two materials proved remarkably compatible. They fused seamlessly, blending into a single, natural whole as if they had always belonged together.
Clearly, this technique had been discovered by Senior Zhang Weifeng, the artifact refinement expert.
Within the silent cave abode, a crisp, popping sound echoed continuously, reminiscent of insect eggs cracking open. In reality, it was Li Qing using his spiritual energy to dissolve the Water-Condensing Sand.
After a grueling ten days, with his mind and spirit exhausted, Li Qing finally wove the rudimentary form of a Water Entangling Net.
Having melted three pounds of Water-Condensing Sand, the silken mesh now appeared remarkably refined. Each strand radiated an icy, jade-like luster, encased in a crystalline coating of the dissolved sand.
Remarkably, the entire process had been completed without a single flame!
The sheer complexity of the method was evident in the ten days required to forge this initial form. During the final days, Li Qing had become so proficient that he could dissolve two or three grains of Water-Condensing Sand simultaneously, a necessity to avoid further delays.
"Step three: Embed the Spirit-Stabilizing Stone as the core of the Water Entangling Net."
At the center of the silken mesh, Li Qing retrieved a dark cyan crystal—the Spirit-Stabilizing Stone, a material occasionally used in both artifact refinement and formation arrays.
Its purpose was to impede the flow of spiritual energy within a cultivator's body. Despite its small size, merely holding it caused Li Qing's arm to feel sluggish, as if his spiritual energy were thick and slow-moving.
Combined with spirit patterns, the unique properties of this extraordinary stone could be fully unleashed, capable of completely locking down the flow of spiritual energy within a cultivator's body.
"Step Four: Spirit Tempering!"
At the heart of the crystal-clear silken net, a Spirit-Stabilizing Stone was firmly embedded.
Having completed this preparation, Li Qing placed a single hand on the net and channeled his own spiritual energy into it.
As wisps of spiritual energy coursed through the web, the entire structure pulsed with vibrant spirituality, reaching its peak resonance.
Even up close, one could sense a faint mist-like moisture wafting from it, as if standing in a dew-laden forest at dawn, the air thick with moisture.
"Final Step: Pattern Inscription!"
This was the most challenging and crucial stage.
Although Li Qing had previously inscribed portions of the Water Entangling Net's spirit patterns on the spirit boat, this situation was different.
Now, he needed to inscribe the complete patterns, meticulously weaving them into the web's intricate threads.
"To create such a Magic Artifact using a silken net as its framework—that Senior must have possessed extraordinary talent!" Li Qing felt genuine admiration, deepening his reverence for the art of artifact refinement.
Fortunately, his experience crafting the Storm Pear Blossom Nails had honed his skills in inscribing spirit patterns on small surfaces, making this task less daunting.
With his previous experience and the detailed steps outlined in the Artifact Refinement Diagram, Li Qing felt supremely confident in his success this time.
Without hesitation, he took a deep breath to steady himself and immediately immersed himself in the intricate task of inscribing the spirit patterns.
Mysterious spirit patterns flowed along each delicate thread of the Water Entangling Net. With every touch of Li Qing's fingertips, a faint spiritual light imprinted the pattern onto the thread.
Days flew by. After several failures, he finally completed the inscription of the spirit patterns on the Mid-Grade Magic Tool.
The patterns radiated outward from a Spirit-Stabilizing Stone at the core, spreading across the entire silken web.
Buzz!
The dense heaven and earth spiritual energy surrounding Li Qing's cave abode stirred violently, converging upon the Water Entangling Net.
The previously dim spirit patterns now blazed with a dazzling aquamarine spiritual light, breathtakingly beautiful!
After a long moment, as the turbulent spiritual energy gradually subsided, a notification appeared before Li Qing's eyes:
[Successfully refined Mid-Grade Magic Tool: Water Entangling Net. Reward: 25 years of Lifespan!]
With this notification, the number representing Li Qing's Lifespan flickered upward, finally settling at 318!
"Phew!"
"Finally done!"
Li Qing exhaled deeply, his taut nerves finally unraveling. Exhaustion crashed over him like an avalanche. Days of intense concentration had left his eyelids trembling with fatigue.
So tired!
Li Qing closed his eyes, a slow smile spreading across his lips.
A Mid-Grade Magic Tool!
That's right, he was now an artifact refiner capable of crafting Mid-Grade Magic Tools.
While he owed much to the Artifact Refinement Diagram, he had undeniably forged a genuine Mid-Grade Magic Tool with his own hands.
With this newfound skill, Li Qing was confident he could thrive in the Heavenly River Market like a fish in water.
A wave of satisfaction washed over him.
Buoyed by this sense of accomplishment, Li Qing drifted into a deep slumber, intending to rest thoroughly. Exhausted in both body and mind, he wanted nothing more than to shut out the world.
He slept for two full days and nights. When he finally awoke, every trace of fatigue had vanished.
After washing up and taking a Qi Replenishing Pill, Li Qing retrieved the Water Entangling Net and resumed his study.
"This Water Entangling Net possesses an abundance of water attribute spirituality. Not only can it impede the flow of spiritual energy, but once entangled, its subtle water attribute energy will continuously infiltrate the flesh."
Moreover, the net is remarkably resilient, making it nearly impossible to break free from with brute force alone. Li Qing had just tested its strength, pulling with considerable force, yet the net remained unyielding.
It was clear that this Mid-Grade Magic Tool lived up to its reputation—its quality was truly extraordinary!
A satisfied smile lingered on Li Qing's lips. With the Water Entangling Net, combined with his formidable physical prowess and other Magic Artifacts, he felt confident he could even challenge someone in the Late Qi Refining Realm.
"And this brute here," Li Qing thought, glancing at the demon beast, now a mid-tier first-rank creature. "It'll be a significant asset."
Through a combination of these advantages, Li Qing's strength had quietly grown formidable. While he wouldn't boast of dominating the Qi Refining Realm, few at this stage could pose a genuine threat to him.
"Low profile! I still need to keep a low profile!" Li Qing reminded himself. "The cultivation world teems with hidden talents. You never know when you might encounter some pampered heir flaunting a top-grade magical artifact."
Top-grade magical artifacts were so rare that even some rogue cultivators in the Foundation Establishment Realm, lacking a strong foundation, might never possess one. Each one could serve as a clan's prized heirloom.
"I've heard of Talisman Treasures," Li Qing muttered to himself, a flicker of wariness surfacing in his heart. "They're hybrids of talismans and magical artifacts, harnessing a fraction of a magical artifact's power through talismanic means, allowing even Qi Refining cultivators to wield them."
Magical artifacts, typically reserved for Core Formation True Lords, possessed power far surpassing that of top-grade magical artifacts. Natal Magic Treasures, in particular, forged by Core Formation True Lords, possessed astonishing might, capable of incinerating mountains and boiling oceans with ease. Though Li Qing had never witnessed such power firsthand, his imagination painted a vivid picture.
"The Ascension Conference is approaching," he mused. "Perhaps I'll have a chance to see one of these Talisman Treasures in action."
This year's Heavenly River Sect Ascension Conference would be held in Heavenly River Market, protected by a Third-Tier Magic Formation. Despite the recent turmoil in the cultivation world, no one would dare invade this heavily fortified location.
Li Qing happened to be in Heavenly River Market during this grand event and naturally planned to join the festivities.
Though he had no intention of participating, he saw it as an excellent opportunity to profit from the anticipated surge in demand for magic artifacts.
In fact, the upcoming Ascension Conference had already drawn a large crowd to Heavenly River Market. Many rogue cultivators had arrived early, hoping to acquire essential resources.
Obtaining a handy magic artifact or a supply of talismans could significantly boost one's combat prowess.
Those determined to secure an Ascension Token would stop at nothing to enhance their strength.
Success in the conference meant admission into the Heavenly River Sect, and the top ten finishers would each receive a Foundation Establishment Pill.
The mere mention of "Foundation Establishment Pill" was enough to drive any Qi Refining Realm cultivator mad with desire.
These pills not only greatly increased the odds of successfully reaching Foundation Establishment but also ensured survival in case of failure, preventing both death and the dissipation of one's cultivation.
Even Li Qing, usually so detached and indifferent to worldly matters, couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
To any rogue cultivator in the Qi Refining Realm, a Foundation Establishment Pill was the ultimate holy medicine.
"This is likely the best chance for ordinary rogue cultivators to join a Cultivation Sect," Li Qing mused. "The Ascension Conference has a relatively lenient age limit—anyone with a bone age under thirty-five can participate."
"The top fifty can join the Heavenly River Sect as disciples, and the top ten will even receive a Foundation Establishment Pill!"
Li Qing's voice trailed off, a hint of longing surfacing on his face.
Achieving Foundation Establishment would truly be like ascending to heaven in a single bound.
With this thought, Li Qing couldn't resist checking his own bone age.
Under twenty-six!
Yes, that was his bone age. Though his actual age far exceeded that, his exceptionally long lifespan had slowed his physical aging to a glacial pace, leaving barely a trace of the passage of time on his face.
With over three hundred years of lifespan remaining, Li Qing figured he was barely out of childhood, considering his true age.
Li Qing could still enjoy hundreds of years in his prime! Even cultivators in the Foundation Establishment Realm might not have as much lifespan remaining as he did.
That was the truth of being a long-lived species—such extravagant capriciousness!
The thought alone brought Li Qing a sense of profound relief.
"If I can reach the Late Qi Refining Realm in five years and further strengthen my protective measures, I might consider attending the Ascension Conference hosted by the Heavenly River Sect," he mused.
Of course, all of this hinged on increasing his strength. He didn't want to miss out on a spot and end up severely injured.
As a last resort, he could journey to the Mu Kingdom in the Far South Lands to locate the Lingyun Sect and verify whether the token he possessed was indeed an Ascension Token.
If it was genuine, he could join the sect unconditionally and was guaranteed a Foundation Establishment Pill!
Li Qing had secretly gathered all this information at the Heavenly River Market.
The three major Cultivation Sects in the Azure Ridge Domain did acknowledge the existence of Ascension Tokens, recognizing only the token itself, not the bearer.
Regardless of time, place, or person, anyone holding an Ascension Token could join the sect directly!
With this prospect in mind, Li Qing's heart burned with renewed fervor.
(End of the Chapter)
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