Chapter 452: Forging Artifacts

The pill room next door was much smaller than Valley Master Nie’s, and inside, there was only a single pill furnace available for use. Curiously, this pill room even had a bed and other furnishings. Although Zhang Xiaohua had no need for these, they provided an excellent excuse.

As for the pavilion in the peach grove, Zhang Xiaohua was rather reluctant to stay there. Over these past few days, quite a few idle and busy people, whether they had business or not, would drop by to curry favor. Even with his divine sense, he noticed some people were secretly observing him. Though such “flies” were not particularly harmful, they were certainly annoying. Now, seeing the bed in the pill room, Zhang Xiaohua immediately felt as if a “good character” label had been pasted on his forehead.

When Zhang Xiaohua announced his intention to move into the pill room, Valley Master Nie was at a loss for words. He thought to himself, “I’ve seen diligent students before, but never one as hardworking as you. I’m not even your master, you don’t have to put on such a show. Letting you stay in the pavilion was meant to facilitate more interaction with my daughter, Little Yu. Yet you’re eager to leave, even retreating instead. Truly, you make this old man exasperated.”

Valley Master Nie glanced at Nie Qianyu, who was also taken aback upon hearing this, feeling rather uncomfortable. But since Zhang Xiaohua had openly expressed his desire to study alchemy, she had no reason to object—only to encourage him. Besides, she thought to herself, “Previously, when Brother Ren was learning the art of healing, he always went to Eldest Senior Brother. No matter how thick-skinned I am, I couldn’t always follow along. Now that Brother Ren is staying in the pill room to rest and refine pills, I have no fear of what others might say. I can come by whenever I wish, under the pretense of offering guidance—perfectly justified.”

Thinking this, Nie Qianyu smiled and said to Valley Master Nie: “Father, seeing how diligent Brother Ren is, do you feel any regret?”

Valley Master Nie was momentarily stunned, thinking, “This fellow doesn’t know how to cherish beauty, hiding away here to refine pills. What regret could I possibly have?”

But knowing his daughter would explain, he feigned understanding and replied with a smile: “Little Yu knows my heart well.”

Zhang Xiaohua, however, was left utterly confused by their exchange.

Nie Qianyu continued: “Father, throughout your life, you’ve encountered many disciples of outstanding talent who wished to join Spring Rebirth Valley. But some lacked the right temperament, caring only for the wonders of pills and not the toil of alchemy. Others were steadfast but lacked flexibility, making them unsuited for great things. Yet, I’ve never seen anyone as both clever and resolute as Brother Ren. How could you not cherish such talent? Surely, your only regret is not meeting Brother Ren sooner.”

Even with his thick skin, Zhang Xiaohua couldn’t help but blush slightly at Nie Qianyu’s flattery. He opened his mouth, not knowing how to respond. Valley Master Nie, on the other hand, burst out laughing: “Indeed, Little Yu is absolutely right! Nephew Ren, if you hadn’t already joined the Big Dipper Sect, this old man would truly wish to take you as my disciple. Alas, as things stand, your martial cultivation is already profound, and you only lack experience in alchemy. Even if I wished to teach you, I fear I’d be hard-pressed to offer much.”

He then looked at Nie Qianyu and said: “As for Little Yu, she has been exceptionally intelligent since childhood, often having remarkable insights into alchemy. The two of you should discuss and learn from each other often. Ah, the future belongs to the young. This old man is getting on in years.”

Zhang Xiaohua smiled and replied: “Valley Master Nie, you’re mistaken. The young are indeed ambitious and full of new ideas, but the experience of elders is like standing on the shoulders of giants. Only by drawing on your experience can we reach greater heights and achieve more. Moreover, the art of alchemy is vast and profound. Compared to the true elders of the Inner Valley, you are still considered young yourself, Valley Master Nie.”

Valley Master Nie chuckled and said: “Well said, Nephew. With your inner strength techniques, I’m sure I’ll make further progress on the path of alchemy.”

Zhang Xiaohua cupped his hands and said: “Valley Master Nie, I truly admire your spirit of diligent study.”

“Haha.” Valley Master Nie laughed heartily.

Let us set aside Valley Master Nie returning to the Outer Valley to practice simulating true qi, and Nie Qianyu going back to her Peach Blossom Hermitage to instruct Little Orange and others to move Zhang Xiaohua’s belongings into the Inner Valley. Instead, let us speak of Zhang Xiaohua, who, after the two had left, finally took the time to carefully inspect this small pill room.

It was an ordinary pill room, not much different from Valley Master Nie’s, just considerably smaller. The earth fire in the groove could still be used, and the pill furnace was just a size smaller than Valley Master Nie’s, with nothing particularly special about it. The pill room was very dry, without a trace of dampness—likely due to the earth fire. Beside the bed was a stone table and stone chairs, though they were empty.

After observing for a while, Zhang Xiaohua used his spiritual sense to scan the room but found nothing unusual, let alone the discarded jade slips he had hoped for.

Before long, Little Orange arrived with several people, bringing bedding and daily necessities, and directed them to make up the bed. Little Orange took the opportunity to quietly ask: “Young Master Ren, are you perhaps upset with Miss? You know Miss has the softest heart—just say a few gentle words, and all will be well. Why make things so tense?”

“How about I go back and tell Miss that you know you were wrong, but just can’t bring yourself to say it? Would that be alright?”

“Look at this place, so cold and lonely—how could anyone want to live here?”

Zhang Xiaohua was both amused and exasperated. “Little Orange, does Little Fish Nie look angry to you? Would I really be upset with her? I just… sigh, why am I explaining this to you? Little Orange, I just want some peace and quiet here. It has nothing to do with anyone else.”

“I see,” Little Orange seemed to understand a little and said with concern, “Young Master Ren, you’ve been in Spring Rebirth Valley for months now, always busy cultivating—I’ve hardly seen you myself. I say, you should take some time to stroll around the Inner Valley with Miss. It’s such a beautiful spring; you shouldn’t waste it.”

“Oh, and I heard the old master say, ‘The way of learning lies in balancing work and rest.’ If you only focus on martial arts, it’s not good for your health.”

Seeing that Little Orange was about to start nagging, Zhang Xiaohua quickly cupped his hands and said: “I know, Little Orange. Haven’t I had things to do these past months? Once I’m done, I’ll do as you suggest, alright?”

“Really?” Little Orange’s face lit up with delight. “So, Young Master Ren means you’ll return to our Spring Rebirth Valley in the future? Great! I’ll go tell Miss right away—she’s been worrying she wouldn’t see you again…”

With that, she ran out, laughing as she went.

Zhang Xiaohua scratched his head, unsure whether he should stop her and explain things clearly. He thought to himself, “Did my words really have that meaning? Why didn’t I notice it myself? Is this what people mean when they say girls are as clever and perceptive as orchids and osmanthus?”

He walked to the pill room’s doorway, glanced around, and quietly closed the door. Then he returned to the furnace, raised his arms, and effortlessly lifted the large pill cauldron from its groove, setting it aside. He then activated the earth fire and watched the blue flames dance. The corners of his mouth curled into a faint smile. Sitting cross-legged, he closed his eyes and pondered briefly. His fingers moved as he formed a hand seal. Once the seal was complete, he flicked his hand toward the blazing earth fire. Instantly, the fire seemed to come alive, flickering energetically as if imbued with a spirit. Zhang Xiaohua extended his divine sense, carefully observing the earth fire, while his hands continued to weave seals, sending them into the flames.

Immediately, the blue earth fire danced like a living thing—now large, now small, now to the left, now to the right—shifting into countless shapes.

After some time, when Zhang Xiaohua felt he had mastered the technique, he withdrew both hands and retracted his true qi. The earth fire returned to its original state, quietly burning in the groove.

Seeing this, Zhang Xiaohua nodded slightly and thought, “The Fire Control Technique of the Artifact Refining Sect is indeed remarkable. Although the [Comprehensive Guide to Artifact Refining] doesn’t contain specific refining methods, the fire control techniques and basic hand seals in the appendix are well worth studying.”

Ever since Zhang Xiaohua had unexpectedly obtained the [Comprehensive Guide to Artifact Refining] from Lu Meng of the Artifact Refining Sect two months ago, he had been studying it whenever he found time. Like the ‘Carefree Heart Sutra’, it was merely a foundational text, not detailing any specific refining methods. However, fire control was the very foundation of artifact crafting. Thus, the jade slip’s final section recorded in detail that, in the immortal path, artifact refining did not use ordinary flames; one either used the Samadhi True Fire cultivated by oneself, or flames rich in the world’s Yuan Qi. This was the first time Zhang Xiaohua had heard of the Samadhi True Fire from the [Comprehensive Guide to Artifact Refining], and he had no idea how to cultivate it. As for flames rich in Yuan Qi, his first thought was the magma on the deserted island. He also recalled his longsword, which was likely forged using a unique method involving tempering it above magma.

The hand seals for the Fire Control Technique were not complicated; Zhang Xiaohua had already mastered them, but never had the chance to practice. Today, upon seeing the blue-red flames used in alchemical cultivation, his first thought was not to refine pills, but to practice the Fire Control Technique. That was why he wanted to use a pill room alone.

Zhang Xiaohua had only ever refined “Fasting Pills” before, using fire generated by the pill furnace’s formation, which he controlled through the furnace itself. But now, he was directly controlling the earth fire. Watching the blue flames shift into various forms at his command, a sense of pride as a cultivator welled up within him.

Once he had mastered the Fire Control Technique, Zhang Xiaohua took a jade coffin lid from his coin pouch, sliced off a piece with his small sword, and put the rest away.

He then stoked the earth fire to its maximum, used his divine sense to control the jade fragment, and tossed it into the flames. In no time, the jade melted into a bubbling liquid, rolling and churning in the air. Wisps of impurities rose as ash. After a while, the jade liquid shrank by half. Sensing the right moment, Zhang Xiaohua formed a hand seal with his right hand and traced a simple formation in the air. Once the formation was complete, he pointed at the swirling jade liquid and shouted, “Quick!” The formation shot into the liquid, causing it to churn even more violently. After several more rolls, it seemed to come alive, surging with vitality, and the flow of Yuan Qi within his divine sense grew ever stronger.

At this moment, Zhang Xiaohua’s right hand formed another seal and sent it into the jade liquid. At the same time, his left hand withdrew its seal, and the earth fire was instantly extinguished. As the seal struck the liquid, there was a crisp sound, and the rolling jade instantly solidified. Floating in the air was a brilliant green ingot, shimmering like gold!