Chapter Forty-Six: The Primordial Furnace of True Flame

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PS: Wishing everyone a joyful National Day! May happiness be with you every day! I hope all our male readers find a beautiful companion during the holidays, and our female readers are surrounded by adoring fans, haha!

“Uncle-Master, I’ve heard that in the Immortal-Seeking Mansion’s marketplace, there is nothing you cannot find. If you go there, surely you’ll be able to obtain true fire,” Bai Lian said eagerly. Obsessed with the art of forging, he had long yearned to visit such a legendary marketplace. Seeing Yang Nan troubled, he hurried to offer his suggestion.

Yang Nan’s eyes lit up. The world was filled with countless rare materials, and such markets existed precisely to facilitate exchanges. While true fire was uncommon, it couldn’t possibly be rarer than celestial treasures, could it?

“Bai Lian, pack your things. You’re coming with me to the Immortal-Seeking Mansion!” Determined to repair his divine weapon, Yang Nan immediately decided to visit the marketplace.

Bai Lian was overjoyed, but then grinned and said, “Uncle-Master, each type of true fire costs at least a thousand spirit stones. If you don’t bring any, how will you be able to trade for true fire?”

Yang Nan chuckled, “I’ve already prepared ten thousand spirit stones in my Qiankun Ring. That’s enough to buy ten types of true fire.” With Bai Lian and countless materials at his disposal, producing some low-level Qiankun Rings for storage was no longer difficult. Now, all the steward disciples, leaders, and the women like Lian Die each had one.

Bai Lian scratched his head, embarrassed. “Uncle-Master, you’ve thought of everything. Let’s be on our way.”

“My lord, are you going to the Immortal-Seeking Mansion?” Die Yi, dressed in a colorful gown and carrying gold and silver items, looked at Yang Nan with hopeful eyes and said softly, “May I accompany you?”

Yang Nan casually stored the gold, silver, and garments in his Jiangshan Ring. Suddenly, he remembered that the women, including the Fish Maiden, hadn’t visited the human world in a long time. The mountain spirits usually loved the lively human realm; wasn’t it in the mortal world that he first met Lian and Die? It was indeed stifling to remain in the mountains for so long.

“Very well, call Bai Yi and the Fish Maiden. I’ll take you all with me.” Since he was only going to acquire true fire, it wouldn’t hurt to blend into the crowd and have a bit of fun. Yang Nan agreed at once.

A trace of joy blossomed on Die Yi’s delicate face as she turned and glided away, her pace several times quicker than when she’d arrived. Yang Nan couldn’t help but smile wryly—are all women so fond of shopping? It seems even monsters can’t escape such instincts…

Mounting the back of the Golden-Winged Roc, Yang Nan and Bai Lian stood atop its back as it darted through the clouds. The Golden-Winged Roc, now bound by the spirit beast ring and ever more in awe of Yang Nan, had, after witnessing the three punishments and six paths, wholly become his mount. At that moment, it deployed its wind-based powers, and with a single beat of its wings, covered over a hundred miles in an instant—a truly astonishing speed.

Outside Immortal-Seeking City, the bustling metropolis thrived as ever, with countless cultivators, mortals, and monsters coming and going. Streams of light flashed across the sky, adding to the lively scene. After landing, the Golden-Winged Roc transformed into a man in a blue robe and respectfully stood to the side.

Yang Nan released the women and Bai Lian from the Jiangshan Ring. As they gazed upon the familiar city, the three women, including the Fish Maiden, immediately began chattering excitedly. Yang Nan grew solemn and said, “Though the heavenly laws are no longer strictly enforced, the Kunlun Sect maintains strict discipline. Do not cause trouble. Once I’ve bought the true fire, you may stay in the city for a few days.”

The Fish Maiden nodded, “Rest assured, my lord. No one here would dare cause trouble. We’ll stroll a bit, then return to the residence to await your return.”

Yang Nan nodded, then led Bai Lian and the Roc King into the city toward the marketplace. The Immortal-Seeking Marketplace had a long history; it started as a place for Kunlun disciples to exchange materials, but soon countless monsters and cultivators joined in. When many noble families of the Yuan Dynasty saw the profits to be made, they joined forces with various forging sects to open numerous shops in the city.

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As soon as Yang Nan entered the marketplace, he was surrounded by a dazzling variety of strange figures—if not cultivators, then monsters. With the changing heavens and the decline of divine laws, many mountain spirits had come into the world. But in Immortal-Seeking City, as long as no one was harmed, cultivators would not bother with demon-slaying. Outside the city was another matter entirely—life or death were no concern of Kunlun.

Immortal-Seeking City was Kunlun territory—no one else was allowed to run wild!

Kunlun disciples were everywhere in the city. It wasn’t long before a steward disciple approached Yang Nan. Recognizing the jade token at Yang Nan’s waist, he bowed deeply, “Disciple greets Uncle-Master Yang.”

Noticing the Kunlun insignia on the disciple’s robe, Yang Nan nodded, “I wish to buy some true fire for forging. Which shop in the marketplace sells genuine heaven-and-earth true fire?”

The disciple, evidently well-versed in the matter, replied, “Uncle-Master, the three best shops for forging materials here are the Thousand Temperings Pavilion of Dongxu Island, the Azure Sky Tower of the Azure Dragon Sect, and the Pavilion of Myriad Wonders of the Sect of Myriad Wonders. If you seek true fire, the Pavilion of Myriad Wonders is the place to go.”

These three were renowned sects specializing in forging, offering not only crafted items but also every kind of material. Yang Nan had heard of them before and immediately had the disciple lead the way to the Pavilion of Myriad Wonders.

Though the steward disciple was over thirty, he led the way for a young Daoist boy with the utmost respect, a sight that drew quiet astonishment from many cultivators along the way. Yang Nan remained composed, a gentle smile on his lips, unfazed by their curious gazes. He knew that entering Kunlun’s inner circle as a weapon master was rare, if not unprecedented.

The rules of the cultivation world were simple: the greater your strength, the higher your status. It was natural for others to find his situation strange.

The Pavilion of Myriad Wonders was ingeniously constructed, shaped like an arched rainbow—a truly magnificent sight. Yang Nan nodded inwardly, impressed by the mastery of a sect devoted to forging. The entire building was cleverly laid out, worthy of its name; it could instantly transform into a weapon for battle or serve as a flying vessel—truly astonishing.

The manager of the pavilion, dressed in Daoist robes, calmly introduced the dazzling array of materials and artifacts. Yang Nan sensed the abundant spiritual energy emanating from him and knew that the manager’s cultivation was far from weak. As the manager of such a famous establishment, he could hardly be otherwise.

“Fellow Daoist Qian, do you have true fire here?” Only after browsing the dazzling collection did Yang Nan realize that the wealth he’d accumulated from the Seventy Monster Valleys was paltry compared to what was on offer here.

Manager Qian smiled, “Fellow Daoist Yang, our pavilion currently stocks seventy-two varieties of true fire. Which types are you interested in?”

Yang Nan extended a hand, and a crescent-shaped blade appeared on his palm. “Fellow Daoist Qian, this weapon of mine has been broken. I wish to recast it using the Nine-Dragon Fire Altar. Would that be suitable?” Facing such an expert, Yang Nan naturally wanted to ask for advice; although Kunlun had its own departments for arrays, weapons, and alchemy, they were still outmatched by these specialized sects.

Manager Qian’s eyes lit up in admiration. “You are indeed a distinguished Kunlun disciple. This weapon is suffused with fierce energy and peerless sharpness—of a quality likely mid-grade royal class. The forging method used was the True Flame Heart Refinement, which elevates its power even further. Ordinary low-grade artifacts would be cleaved in two by this blade. Such craftsmanship truly inspires awe!”

Yang Nan smiled inwardly, thinking, “If a weapon forged by a Nascent Soul master wasn’t excellent, only a sage’s handiwork would suffice.”

Manager Qian carefully examined the Yin-Erosion weapon, while Yang Nan waited patiently. To him, having someone else hold his life-bound weapon posed no threat; after his battle with the Roc King, he realized that seizing another’s life-bound weapon was like holding a bomb. If detonated, the power would be tremendous! Unless the cultivator died, who would dare take another’s life-bound weapon?

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“Fellow Daoist Qian, can my Kunlun’s Thirty-Six Ritual Refinement Techniques, combined with the Nine-Dragon Fire Altar, restore this divine weapon?” Yang Nan asked again.

Manager Qian reluctantly tore his gaze away from the weapon and nodded. “Nine types of true fire might just match the power of the True Flame Heart Refinement. However, this weapon is severely damaged. Our shop also has the Universal Trinity True Flame Furnace, which would be much more effective than the Nine-Dragon Fire Altar. Would you like to take a look?”

“Oh? As expected of a great forging sect—the Universal Trinity True Flame Furnace can rival the power of a Nascent Soul master’s life-bound artifact. I’d love to see it.” Seeing Manager Qian’s confidence, Yang Nan was intrigued.

Bai Lian, eager to witness a grand artifact of the forging sect, was even more excited. “Uncle-Master, let’s go see it! If it’s better than the Nine-Dragon Fire Altar, you won’t have to trouble to return to Spirit Beast Mountain to repair your weapon.”

Yang Nan nodded. His weapon was crucial to his cultivation; how could he not be cautious? Seeing Yang Nan interested, Manager Qian led them into the rear hall, to a vast courtyard where a massive cauldron several stories tall stood.

Forged according to the Thirty-Six Celestial Positions, the furnace bore sun, moon, and stars above, and rivers, lakes, and seas below. Dragons intertwined around it, and four auspicious beasts formed its legs—a sight of immense grandeur.

At that moment, a master craftsman of the Sect of Myriad Wonders and dozens of disciples were nervously tending the furnace, forging an artifact. The master performed various hand seals, refining the item within, while the disciples fanned the flames, fueling the Universal Trinity True Flame Furnace. The dual energies of heaven and earth circulated, igniting the celestial stars above the furnace; rivers and seas surged below, and from forty-nine dragon mouths, forty-nine different true fires poured into the furnace. Rays of light emerged, auspicious clouds rising in waves. Yang Nan could tell at a glance this furnace was a masterpiece, far superior to the Nine-Dragon Fire Altar.

“Fellow Daoist Qian, what would it cost to repair my divine weapon? How long would it take?” Seeing the furnace, Yang Nan immediately decided there was no need to bother with the Nine-Dragon Fire Altar. With such a powerful artifact of a great forging sect, his Yin-Erosion weapon would be as good as new.

Manager Qian replied confidently, “It will be done within a month. However, I’ve long heard that Kunlun disciples are united with their weapons. Since your life-bound weapon will be repaired here, you must also remain here. As for the fee—it will cost you at least five thousand top-grade spirit stones.”

Buying five types of true fire would also cost five thousand top-grade spirit stones. Given the vast materials needed to repair a royal-class divine weapon, this price was not unreasonable. Yang Nan realized that Manager Qian was clearly giving him a discount in consideration of his status as an inner disciple of Kunlun.

“Excellent! Since you are willing to assist, I gratefully accept. Here is the weapon and the severed head.” Yang Nan took the black serpent’s head and the Yin-Erosion weapon from his Jiangshan Ring and handed them over. The weapon quivered as if reluctant to part, but Yang Nan had already left a soul imprint within it and had no fear of losing it. With a single thought, the weapon's soul separated from the body, the indestructible Yin-Yang Wheel flying from the serpent’s body back into Yang Nan’s brow.

Manager Qian smiled, “Rest assured, fellow Daoist. This is Kunlun territory. When you return in a month, your weapon will be perfectly restored. However, during this time, you cannot summon it with your weapon master’s arts.”

Even without his weapon master’s powers, Yang Nan still possessed fourth-tier water arts for protection. The Crimson Sun remained at his cave, and Bai Lian and the Roc King were by his side. He felt perfectly secure—after all, this was Mount Kunlun. Who would dare attack him here?