Chapter 434 - 236: Refining the True Form in Fire

Chapter 434: Chapter 236: Refining the True Form in Fire

True Master Xu Chen was trapped within a fire disaster. His condition had deteriorated so much that he had to enter seclusion just to barely fend off the affliction. For this reason, Xuzhuang did not linger within the iceberg and soon took his leave.

The Mixed Element Child followed closely at his heels. After they left the iceberg, the wall of ice sealed itself shut, and the entrance vanished.

The Mixed Element Child sighed. True Master Xu Chen’s inability to overcome the fire disaster meant the countdown to the Dharma Origin Sect’s demise had officially begun. As a True Form Treasure that had originated from the sect, he couldn’t help but feel dejected.

Fortunately, perhaps owing to his child-like nature, he quickly cheered up. He turned to Xuzhuang and said, "Kid, what’s your plan now?"

Xuzhuang, however, asked in return, "What about your plans, Child? Will you be following me from now on?"

The Mixed Element Child first said, "I already agreed to become your Daoist partner, so of course I’ll follow you."

Aside from its abilities being dependent on its physical vessel, a True Form Treasure was no different from a Primordial Spirit True Man. Even when accompanying a cultivator, it was not as a slave or a servant, but as a companion on the path of cultivation—a mutually supportive friend. It was not an exaggeration to call each other Daoist partners.

But after a pause, the Mixed Element Child added hesitantly, "However, I still need to keep an eye on Xuchenzi..."

Xuzhuang said, "In that case, before we head to the Five Directions Five Elements Dojo, why don’t we cultivate here in the North Pole for a while?"

"That would be perfect." The Mixed Element Child clapped his hands and cheered. His figure suddenly flickered, transforming into a dim ray of light that flew into Xuzhuang’s sleeve. Only then did his voice emerge, saying, "Alright then, I’ll leave the arrangements to you."

Xuzhuang did not respond. A moment later, a Spell was transmitted from the Mixed Element Child. "This is the method for condensing the Primordial Talisman. It works best when condensed using Magical Power from the *Five Elements Origin Union Art*. When you have some free time, condense some Primordial Talismans for me."

Xuzhuang’s eyebrows shot up. ’This must be the Sacrificial Refining Skill for the Primordial Treasure Lotus Parasol.’

A True Form Treasure was, at its core, still a magical treasure. Although it could cultivate on its own, having a cultivator perform sacrificial refining on it would yield twice the results with half the effort.

However, a treasure that had attained its True Form already possessed its own consciousness. Without the treasure’s own acknowledgment, one could never hope to subdue it, even with the Sacrificial Refining Method in hand.

For the Mixed Element Child to entrust him with the Sacrificial Refining Skill now, it seemed he wasn’t as reluctant to be Xuzhuang’s companion as he appeared on the surface.

Xuzhuang smiled faintly and agreed. The Mixed Element Child said nothing more and went quiet.

He paid it no mind, instead focusing his consciousness to carefully examine the technique. The Primordial Talisman was endlessly profound, but with his current level of cultivation, he would likely have to expend an entire unit of Magical Power just to condense a single one.

As expected, no matter how profound Xuzhuang’s cultivation was, as long as he had not taken that all-important final step, he was simply no match for a Primordial Spirit True Man. He wouldn’t be of much help to the Mixed Element Child’s cultivation either.

’It seems this is not a matter to be rushed.’ Xuzhuang set the Spell aside for the time being and scanned his surroundings, quickly spotting Lan Su Nu.

Xuzhuang flew up into the air. Lan Su Nu approached to meet him, holding out her palm to reveal a perfectly square, pure, and translucent block of Profound Ice. She smiled, "Senior Brother, look what I have."

It turned out that while Xuzhuang was speaking with True Master Xu Chen, Lan Su Nu had already activated the Array and retrieved the Profoundly Refined Tribulation-Avoiding Ice Soul.

Xuzhuang cupped his hands. "I’ve troubled you, Junior Sister."

"Senior Brother, there’s no need to be so formal." Lan Su Nu placed the Profoundly Refined Tribulation-Avoiding Ice Soul into Xuzhuang’s hands and added, "Senior Brother, you must use the preservation method contained within the Ice Soul itself. You should find a suitable Spirit Vein to store it as soon as possible, or it will risk dissipating."

Xuzhuang replied, "I understand. Thank you for the reminder, Junior Sister."

Lan Su Nu gave a slight nod and asked shyly, "Senior Brother, now that you have the Ice Soul, are you returning to Tai Su?"

Xuzhuang mused, "Actually, I was planning to find a Spirit Vein here in the North Pole to cultivate for a while. I was wondering if you knew of any suitable locations, Junior Sister?"

Lan Su Nu was surprised at first, but then her eyes lit up. Tossing aside any reservations, she quickly said, "If that’s the case, then you should just cultivate in the Profound Ice Pavilion’s Grotto Heaven, Senior Brother!"

Xuzhuang was taken aback. "Would that be appropriate?"

"Why would it be inappropriate?" Lan Su Nu said. "The Profound Ice Pavilion has very few members, so it’s quite empty. We have more than enough room for you, Senior Brother. I just need to go say a word."

’That would be ideal.’ If he could cultivate in the Profound Ice Pavilion’s Grotto Heaven, it would save him the trouble of finding a Spirit Vein. It would also be more convenient for the Mixed Element Child to look after True Master Xu Chen. Xuzhuang considered this, then said, "Then I’ll have to trouble you, Junior Sister."

"It’s no trouble, no trouble at all," Lan Su Nu said, overjoyed. "Please follow me, Senior Brother."

The Profound Ice Pavilion’s Grotto Heaven was indeed quite empty. As Xuzhuang followed Lan Su Nu through the sect grounds, even counting the female disciples who stole curious glances at him, he saw fewer than a hundred people in total.

Soon, at Lan Su Nu’s arrangement, Xuzhuang settled into an elegant pavilion built upon an ice cliff. In the blink of an eye, three full years had passed.

——

「Three years later.」

Lan Su Nu hurried across the plank walkway on the ice cliff, lifting the hem of her skirt. When she arrived beneath the pavilion and looked up, she saw an adorable, rosy-cheeked child in a Daoist Robe sitting on the windowsill, looking bored out of his mind.

The Spirit Vein in this elegant pavilion was actually considered first-class within the Profound Ice Pavilion’s Grotto Heaven, but it was not meant for housing guests. Lan Su Nu had arranged for Xuzhuang to stay here because it was very close to her own abode, and over the past three years, they had naturally interacted quite frequently.

That was how she came to learn that this adorable, rosy-cheeked child in a Daoist Robe was actually a legendary True Form Treasure, and that Senior Brother Xu even possessed a Flying Sword that was about to undergo its True Form Celestial Tribulation. His karmic fortune was truly second to none.

’Just imagine, what other Nascent Soul Cultivator in the entire world could claim to be followed by two Treasure Children who have attained their True Forms?’

’But...’ Lan Su Nu thought of the news she had brought. ’Even someone like Senior Brother Xu is never short of rivals, it seems.’

Pushing the thought from her mind, Lan Su Nu waved up at the windowsill and called out, "Mixed Element Child!"