Long Li Xing saw Jin Bao'er return and knew his contingency plans were overkill! A hint of a smile flashed in his eyes.
His Bao'er was becoming more meticulous in her actions!
After Jin Bao'er returned and confirmed there was nothing unusual inside, she finally relaxed.
But the thought of that Dean, currently somewhere in this world, couldn't help but fill her with worry.
"The Divine Sword is about to emerge! We cannot afford to be careless this time!"
But that Dean had lived for too long, possessing endless secret arts and special knowledge that were impossible to guard against or stop!
The atmosphere fell into a brief silence! Long Li Xing couldn't help but fall into thought...
A few minutes later! He suddenly looked up towards the direction of the mountain cave, his brows furrowed! His expression turned solemn.
"The temperature... is dropping!"
Hearing this, Jin Bao'er also immediately sensed something eerie, especially since the temperature, which had been dropping for over a month, seemed to be accelerating!
Before they could ponder for long, the temperature suddenly rose again! Instantly returning to its peak!
This strange change made them both ponder. Although they were not artifact refiners, as alchemists and talisman masters! They understood the most basic principles...
Something was wrong! Definitely wrong!
The next second, Jin Bao'er's expression changed drastically! A sentence the little elf Dar had once said echoed in her mind...
"Dean Grandpa's talent is dimensional blockade!"
"Boom!!"
Her body went rigid on the spot, and before Long Li Xing could even react, she instantly charged towards the mountain cave...
Long Li Xing didn't understand why, but he knew Jin Bao'er wasn't one to act impulsively or rashly! Realizing something might have happened, his expression sharpened, and he followed closely behind... m..oΓg
In the blink of an eye, they both appeared at the cave entrance. Hot air rushed out from the cave, carrying an indescribable sultriness! That was the power of the ancient Heavenly Flowing Fire, and the rhythmic sound of metal being struck was steady, showing no signs of faltering.
Jin Bao'er narrowed her eyes, staring at the bright red light within, and spoke softly.
"Feixier, how is the progress?"
Hearing her voice, the figure inside paused slightly! Illuminated by the bright firelight, they appeared hunched and utterly exhausted.
"Cough, cough, acceptable!"
The simple two words, tinged with hoarseness, gave no indication of the speaker's tone!
Long Li Xing remained silent, and Jin Bao'er's expression softened. She asked subconsciously.
"That's good. You said you were so confident, I naturally believe you!"
The ten-to-eight certainty mentioned earlier must have been based on confidence!
The figure inside didn't pause this time, continuing their work, their hoarse voice speaking again.
"Of course!"
The tone was still indistinguishable, but those two words alone made Jin Bao'er's body stiffen for a moment! Her pupils contracted violently, blood rushed back, and her heart leaped into her throat. In a place where the person inside couldn't see, her face turned pale and cold...
Long Li Xing, being an alchemist, understood the implication of those words coupled with Jin Bao'er's reaction and instantly realized something was amiss...
Alchemists differed from artifact refiners. While both required specific temperatures and materials, even failed elixirs from alchemists possessed some efficacy. Artifact refiners, however, placed greater emphasis on the outcome! Therefore, they dared not make exaggerated claims before refining. Any problem would result in complete failure! Thus, no artifact refiner would confidently utter "of course"...
But the Feixier inside had just said "of course"!?
Jin Bao'er's face darkened, and she didn't linger. She grabbed Long Li Xing's arm and turned to leave!
After they had moved a certain distance away, the sound of hammering inside gradually diminished... as if the person had breathed a sigh of relief.
Suddenly, a flash of white light appeared not far from the cave entrance!
Two figures appeared in a flash, materializing outside the cave in an instant. The person inside, highly vigilant, sensed the anomaly and immediately turned to flee with an object.
However, in the next moment...
Time froze!
All movement ceased. Long Li Xing remained in his stance, the rule power he had unleashed fiercely suppressing the opponent's half-opened spatial portal...
One second...
Jin Bao'er disregarded everything else, her face icy as she lunged forward to snatch the unformed, bright red iron piece from the person's hand!
Two seconds...
She spun around abruptly, noticing a tall, gasping figure in the corner. With one hand, she yanked them up and flung them outside!
Three seconds...
She quickly grabbed the trapped black vine box, retracted all the flames into it, and retreated forcefully!
In the fourth second, time resumed! Everyone continued their actions, moving at breakneck speed!
Long Li Xing lunged forward, grabbing the opponent and yanking them fiercely. Rule power struck the person's heart directly...
When the figure snapped back to reality, the iron piece in their hand had vanished! The flames had also moved away from them at the same instant!
They suddenly regained their senses, their gaze fixed on Jin Bao'er's retreating figure as she moved further away... their body continued to retaliate, but they couldn't shake off Long Li Xing.
Jin Bao'er exited the cave and, as her first action, woke up Feixier, then handed the iron piece and flames to them!
The next second!
"Boom!!"
The mountain cave exploded instantly!
Countless fragments of rock shot outwards with immense force! The towering sound shook the heavens...
The continent's barrier shattered, and two rule powers permeated the air, a collision of might and authority that shook the world!
The two figures soared into the sky without restraint, each punch and strike accompanied by the thunderous roar of countless energies, making the air tremble and the clouds churn! Waves of immense power surged and erupted incessantly...
Jin Bao'er ignored the ongoing battle, channeling spiritual energy to the recently awakened and weakened Feixier, her face filled with urgent seriousness.
"There's no time to change locations, refine it here! I will guard you!"
To refine directly here, facing the sky, the forest, and countless chaotic energies? Feixier resisted! Their face showed clear reluctance. As an artifact refiner, they required basic refining conditions.
Jin Bao'er saw their hesitation, rolled her eyes, and yelled impatiently.
"Just refine it! Can't you see my man is avenging your mother? Do you see that old immortal? That's the Dean you detest so much!!"
Feixier was stunned, their eyes wide open. Before they could even look up to see the person's face, Jin Bao'er pushed them down...
"What are you looking at? Refine the artifact! The flame is about to go out!"
She only had six flames left. Upon contact with the air, they would instantly erupt with astonishing heat, but if left for too long, they would burn out. If the Divine Sword wasn't completed by then, wouldn't all her efforts be in vain??
Feixier understood her meaning. Although they wanted to say that five flames would suffice, meeting Jin Bao'er's stern and agitated gaze, they immediately swallowed their words...
Then, they skillfully began refining, controlling the flame temperature, the iron piece's constant heat, and its structural integrity! All while infusing it with their talent.