Chapter 286 - 157: Refining a Magic Treasure, a Zhenren’s Legacy

Chapter 286: Chapter 157: Refining a Magic Treasure, a Zhenren’s Legacy

Several more hours had passed by the time Xuzhuang emerged from the Upper Truth Hall.

Since there was no one else left in the hall, he didn’t stand on ceremony with Daochen Zhenren. After choosing the Du Xu Palace and the Moon in the Well, he took the opportunity to ask for some cultivation advice. Though he earned a lighthearted scolding, the benefits were considerable.

Walking outside the Upper Truth Hall, Xuzhuang thought for a moment. Since he was already here, he wasn’t in a hurry to return to Chongyun. He decided he might as well show his face at the Jade Cauldron Hall; it wouldn’t be too late to cultivate there for a bit afterward.

The Upper Truth Hall was situated at the highest point of the Three Halls. Xuzhuang glanced down, too lazy to use his seal to summon a golden bridge. He simply identified his destination, leaped outward, and was immediately caught by a swirling gust of clear wind that carried him gracefully down. Moments later, he landed outside the Jade Cauldron Hall.

After straightening his robes, Xuzhuang strode into the hall. He immediately saw a Kun Dao who looked to be in her thirties hurrying out. She was slightly startled to see Xuzhuang enter and quickly stopped to bow. "Han Fuxia greets the Hall Master."

Xuzhuang nodded in acknowledgment and asked casually, "Elder Han, why are you in such a hurry?"

Han Fuxia replied respectfully, "Today is the day for selecting prospects to be trained as Mountain-Bearing Warriors. The Vice Hall Master has ordered me to bring the roster and meet him at the Warrior Hall."

"Oh?" Xuzhuang raised an eyebrow. ’The Mountain-Bearing Warriors are said to be capable of fighting Golden Core Cultivators. Though that’s a bit of an exaggeration, it’s still quite a remarkable feat.’

’Though Warriors are forged purely through external medicines and trained with Taoist techniques, not just anyone can endure the grueling process. And those with even a bit of aptitude would naturally prefer to cultivate the Dao rather than walk the path of a Warrior. So, selecting good prospects is indeed an important task.’

’Even so, it shouldn’t normally require the Vice Hall Master of the Jade Cauldron Hall to be personally present. It just goes to show how hands-on Yun Hengshi is with the hall’s affairs.’

"In that case, Elder Han, please proceed." Xuzhuang had only asked casually. Since Han Fuxia had important business, he didn’t delay her further and, with a word of dismissal, headed deeper into the hall himself.

Since Yun Hengshi wasn’t in the hall, it saved Xuzhuang the trouble of meeting with him. He went straight back to the private hall reserved for the Hall Master and entered the quiet chamber within.

The inner quiet chamber was less than a thousand feet across and was furnished with a Treasure Shelf, bookshelves, and other common items for a cultivator’s residence. However, Xuzhuang rarely used them, so they were mostly empty.

In the deepest part of the quiet chamber sat a couch made of tranquil wood. Although it couldn’t compare to the Profound Ice Couch Xuzhuang had obtained from the Dharma Origin Grotto Heaven, it was still highly favored by many cultivators.

In front of the wooden couch was a Bronze Incense Burner that was one piece with the floor. Xuzhuang gave the lid a light flick, and a wisp of pure qi drifted out. He took a shallow breath and immediately felt his mind clear, his vision sharpen, and a sense of ease spread through his body.

This was the Spiritual Truth supplied by the Three Halls for cultivation. It was refined from the purest Celestial Pure Qi and various other spiritual essences, and was highly beneficial for practicing any kind of Taoist technique or art. No wonder many of the Three Hall Elders spent long periods cultivating within the halls.

As the Jade Cauldron Hall Master, Xuzhuang naturally received a supply of the highest grade among the Three Halls. The amount was sufficient for a cultivator at the Nascent Soul Third Layer, which was more than enough for him. So, although he didn’t cultivate in the Jade Cauldron Hall for long periods, whenever his avatar was in the hall, he would use the Glazed Truth Condensing Pot to collect the Spiritual Truth and save it for his main body.

In fact, having reached his current stage of cultivation, and with his progress in Taoist techniques already quite fast, Xuzhuang’s demand for spiritual energy and Spiritual Truth had become a major bottleneck limiting his advancement. The amount of primal qi he consumed during his daily cultivation was simply massive. If not for his many duties, he really wanted to secure a spot to go cultivate properly in the Dongzhen Hall for a while.

Xuzhuang flew onto the couch, sat cross-legged, and closed his eyes. With a gentle inhalation, he drew the pure qi from the burner into his nostrils. He spent about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea refining the Spiritual Truth. Only then did he open his eyes, and with a shake of his sleeve, he took out the two magical treasures bestowed by the sect.

After a moment’s thought, Xuzhuang set the Du Xu Palace aside for now. Instead, he took the Moon in the Well in his hands. He formed a Hand Technique, focused his mind in contemplation for a moment, and slowly exhaled a thread of Magical Power. It landed on the stone body of the well, transforming into a cloud of mist. Within the mist, vast, continuous runes flashed, sinking methodically into the well’s body.

Although these two magical treasures, the Du Xu Palace and the Moon in the Well, were not specifically forged for the Tai Su Taoist Technique, they were created by a master of the sect. Their spiritual nature was not resistant to Xuzhuang, who practiced the Tai Su Taoist Technique. And with the proper refining method in hand, the process was not difficult.

This refining process took only three days and three nights. By the end, Xuzhuang had successfully refined the first two layers of the Moon in the Well’s treasure restrictions, gaining initial mastery over its use.

Xuzhuang extended his Spiritual Sense into the well to examine it closely. He immediately perceived a core of misty, purple light within—ever-changing, illusory, hanging like a moon in the void, a strange and inextinguishable primal essence. He tried to control it with his technique, but after a long while, he couldn’t budge it in the slightest.

Xuzhuang was not surprised. Instead, he changed his technique. Instantly, his Magical Power surged into the well like a bursting dam. In just a few breaths, he had poured in a full half of his Magical Power before he saw that strange primal essence expand by a mere sliver.

Xuzhuang’s brow twitched. He switched to withdrawing the power, but it was a completely different story, perhaps because he hadn’t finished refining the treasure’s restrictions.

Compared to the speed at which he poured his Magical Power in, the Moon in the Well released it like a trickling spring. It took the time it takes for an incense stick to burn completely just to withdraw all the Magical Power he had put in.

However, despite the slow speed, the loss from infusing and withdrawing the power was negligible.

’So it seems the issue isn’t attrition. In that case, the amount of Magical Power it can store must be quite considerable.’

Xuzhuang nodded slightly. ’As for the slow withdrawal speed, that might improve once the refining is complete. Besides, with my level of Magical Power, it’s not easily depleted under normal circumstances. Now I can use the Moon in the Well as a supplement when I’m expending power freely. Not to mention, I also have the Three-Element Elephant Body for marvelous conversions and adaptations...’