Translator: AnubisTL
The Hundred Refinements Pavilion had originally been a pill shop, complete with a hidden pill refinement chamber. Li Qing immediately converted this underground chamber into an artifact refinement workshop.
"Pill Refinement requires absolute seclusion and minimal interference," Li Qing murmured to himself in the workshop. "This place is perfect for artifact refinement."
He retrieved the Black Furnace.
Boom!
Activating the source fire seed of the Netherworld Cold Fire, a cold, white flame erupted from Li Qing's palm, swiftly filling the entire Black Furnace.
Maintaining precise fire control, Li Qing extracted the mantis blades from the black-legged mantis.
The blades possessed an extraordinary texture, radiating an unparalleled sharpness even when merely held.
Even without specialized refinement, these mantis blades were already formidable weapons.
"Refining them into high-grade magical artifacts is more than achievable," Li Qing mused. "It's a pity I lack auxiliary materials. Otherwise, I could even attempt refining them into top-grade magical artifacts."
With that, he tossed the materials harvested from the black-legged mantis into the Black Furnace.
Boom!
As the mantis blades entered the furnace, the raging Netherworld Cold Fire instantly engulfed them.
Sizzle!
Massive amounts of malevolent energy were purged, and the two mantis blades immediately became translucent.
Having subdued a heavenly spirit fire, the assistance it provided to artifact refinement was truly remarkable. This was evident from the demonic purge alone, a feat nearly unattainable even for innate true fires.
Within a mere handful of breaths, the malevolent energy within the two mantis blades had been completely eradicated, leaving not a trace behind.
"Hmm?"
Li Qing narrowed his eyes slightly. After withdrawing the Netherworld Cold Fire, he noticed that the mantis blades had acquired a faint aura of profound yin.
"They've absorbed a trace of profound yin energy. Is this a transformation brought about by the Netherworld Cold Fire? How wondrous..."
With these words, Li Qing retrieved the two mantis blades from the Black Furnace.
Feeling the lingering chill within them, he experimentally swung them a few times, confirming the presence of the profound yin energy.
"For someone cultivating a supremely yang cultivation manual, a magic artifact with even a hint of profound yin would be detrimental."
"However, Gu Feng is a disciple of the Ghost Sword Sect. Given the 'Ghost' in their name, their primary cultivation manual likely leans toward the yin and sinister. For him, this transformation would undoubtedly be a beneficial enhancement."
"In that case..."
Li Qing pondered for a moment, his mind already settling on the type of spirit patterns he would inscribe.
"We can use the profound yin properties of this material as the foundation for a malevolent yin pattern."
"Since there are two mantis blades, perhaps we could refine a combined magic artifact—a mother-child type. We'll use one blade as the main component and disassemble the edge of the other mantis blade."
With his plan solidified, Li Qing immediately set to work.
Boom!
The flames surged anew, as the searing white Netherworld Cold Fire enveloped both mantis blades. Li Qing patiently controlled the fire, roasting the blades continuously.
The longer they roasted, the more brittle the mantis blades became. Sensing the material's transformation, Li Qing immediately retrieved the Wandering Dragon Dagger.
Channeling a trace of spiritual energy, he used the dagger's razor-sharp blade to disassemble one of the mantis blades.
In moments, the blade was split into several segments, with Li Qing preserving only the sharpest edge.
From the remaining pieces, he selected the thickest joint section for the hilt, storing the rest in his storage pouch—claiming them as his own, of course.
The Netherworld Cold Fire gradually ceased its burning, leaving only two razor-sharp blade fragments—one large and one small—in the furnace.
The original material, derived from the rare black-legged mantis, possessed unparalleled sharpness. Li Qing saw no need for further sharpening.
Such an action might even compromise the mantis blades' inherent resilience, truly a case of gilding the lily.
With the initial shaping complete, Li Qing immediately retrieved the two blades from the Black Furnace without hesitation, gently stroking their edges with his fingertips.
Feeling the razor-sharpness against his fingertips, Li Qing clicked his tongue inwardly, marveling at the extraordinary quality of materials harvested from such a rare creature of heaven and earth. They far surpassed even the finest demon beast materials.
Considering his current fleshly body's strength rivaled that of a late second-tier demon beast, the fact that these blades still posed a slight threat spoke volumes about their potency.
"Time for spirit quenching," he murmured.
Following the second step of artifact refinement, spirit quenching, Li Qing meticulously adhered to each procedural step.
Some artifact refiners, upon obtaining such exceptional materials brimming with spirituality, might skip this step entirely and proceed directly to engraving spirit patterns.
But Li Qing refused to cut corners. While his current refinement skills certainly allowed him to bypass spirit quenching and still successfully engrave spirit patterns, he knew that details determined success.
There's no need to rush. Details determine success!
When it came to artifact refinement, even when refining magic artifacts for others, he strived for perfection in every aspect.
Hum!
Pure mana flowed from Li Qing's palm, slowly permeating the two mantis blades—one large, one small.
With each infusion of spiritual energy, the blades' spirituality intensified.
The process was remarkably efficient, requiring minimal time and effort. The spirit refinement was completed swiftly.
Still brimming with mana, Li Qing had no intention of stopping. Seizing the opportunity while his condition remained optimal, he immediately began inscribing spirit patterns.
When crafting combined magic artifacts, especially mother-child types like these, the spirit patterns required meticulous consideration.
The two components had to complement each other, functioning as a cohesive unit rather than independent entities. Otherwise, their effectiveness in combat would be severely hampered, demanding excessive mental power and mana to activate.
In such cases, it would be more practical to simply wield two separate magic artifacts.
This was precisely why combined magic artifacts were so highly prized among cultivators. By expending less spiritual energy than two separate artifacts, they could unleash power far exceeding the sum of their individual capabilities!
Six days passed in the blink of an eye.
Within the artifact refinement chamber of the Hundred Refinements Pavilion, a sudden surge of heaven and earth spiritual energy erupted.
Boom!
Massive quantities of spiritual energy swirled inward from all directions. Fortunately, the chamber was located within the Spirit Vein Land, so the disturbance attracted minimal attention.
After a prolonged period, once the magic artifact had fully absorbed the spiritual energy, a pair of black, chillingly gleaming mother-child blades materialized in Li Qing's hands.
"Go!"
Li Qing gripped the blade in one hand, subtly channeling his spiritual energy. With a sudden surge, he slashed forward!
Whoosh!
The air crackled with friction as a black streak flashed past, leaving an impossibly deep gash in the stone wall ahead, as if it were butter under a hot knife.
He flicked his wrist, retracting the blade.
The sub-blade spun rapidly in mid-air before snapping back into place on the main blade.
"Excellent. Let's call this the Black Mantis Mother-Child Blades!"
Li Qing nodded in satisfaction, gazing at the Black Mantis Mother-Child Blades. His smile widened as he noticed the notification of increased lifespan.
[Successfully refined a high-grade magical artifact: Black Mantis Mother-Child Blades. Reward: 60 years of lifespan!]
This lifespan reward was equivalent to that of a top-grade magical artifact!
Normally, refining high-grade magical artifacts would have started to decrease Li Qing's lifespan. Yet this time, it had actually increased.
Li Qing understood the reasons clearly.
First, the materials used to refine this artifact were exceptional. With a few additional ingredients, it could easily be upgraded to a top-grade magical artifact.
Second, as a combined magic artifact, it was far more valuable than ordinary high-grade artifacts.
"If I didn't have the Wind, Forest, Fire, and Mountain spear, I might have hesitated to give this artifact away."
Li Qing let out a satisfied sigh, then ceremoniously placed the magic artifact on the shopkeeper's counter at Hundred Refinements Pavilion.
He wasn't worried about others coveting it. After all, he was running a business, and naturally needed to showcase the magic artifacts he had refined.
With one day remaining until the delivery date, Li Qing didn't mind using the Black Mantis Mother-Child Blades to further enhance the reputation of Hundred Refinements Pavilion.
As expected, the moment the Black Mantis Mother-Child Blades were displayed, numerous cultivators passing by the Hundred Refinements Pavilion immediately turned their attention toward it.
"Fellow Daoist, did you refine this blade? How many spirit stones? Name your price!"
A foundation establishment cultivator stared intently at the Black Mantis Mother-Child Blades before Li Qing, his eyes gleaming with undisguised delight.
Li Qing chuckled lightly. "This magic artifact was refined for another client and is not for sale. However, if you desire one, I can refine another for you. Just provide the spiritual materials yourself."
"Very well. Hundred Refinements Pavilion... I'll remember that!"
The foundation establishment cultivator wasn't one to argue unreasonably. Perhaps sensing Li Qing's mid-foundation establishment stage cultivation, he tactfully withdrew from the Hundred Refinements Pavilion.
In just a single day, the Hundred Refinements Pavilion saw a significant increase in customer traffic.
This surge was entirely due to the Black Mantis Mother-Child Blades displayed on the shopkeeper's counter near the entrance, which drew the attention of numerous cultivators.
From those in the qi refining realm to those in the foundation establishment realm, nearly all were intrigued by this exceptionally crafted magic artifact.
The day passed swiftly, and Gu Feng arrived as promised.
The moment the wolf-like youth stepped into the Hundred Refinements Pavilion, his eyes lit up.
"What a blade!" he exclaimed, even before touching it.
"This blade is called the Black Mantis Mother-Child Blades. You may take it now, young friend," Li Qing said with a faint smile, reclining in his chair as he leisurely continued reading the secret manuals of artifact refinement.
"Thank you, Senior, for refining this! I truly love this blade!" Gu Feng's eyes were fixed on the Black Mantis Mother-Child Blades, his gaze never leaving the weapon as he held it with obvious affection.
"No need for thanks. I merely provide services for payment," Li Qing replied calmly, though he felt a deep satisfaction within.
"With this blade, the inner sect assessment should be no problem at all. Farewell, Senior!" Gu Feng murmured to himself before swiftly departing the Hundred Refinements Pavilion, his steps quick and purposeful.
(End of the Chapter)
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