Chapter 255: Chapter 250 Heaven and Earth Furnace
Outside Yunlai Island, red light shimmered on the rippling lake surface as water and fire continued to intermingle without rest.
An Azure Dragon Shadow soared out from within the island, its robust dragon body dancing through the air, and suddenly landed on the shore, revealing three figures.
"Taking advantage and then running away, quite thrilling."
Yun Qiuchi waved his folding fan, his face wearing a mischievous smile, "The eldest apprentice brother must be fuming now, not expecting us to act so carelessly."
"Not at all," Jiang Li replied, "It’s not that we were careless; it was agreed beforehand that this was merely lending a hand. After one move, to continue would have made us a laughingstock to our peers."
Nevertheless, from Jiang Li’s demeanor, he seemed not at all concerned about being the subject of ridicule.
If I, Jiang, were one day to ascend to the position of Sect Leader, it would definitely be because of his qualifying strength, not because of his great reputation. Thus, face-saving measures are least valuable to Jiang Li.
On the other hand, for Yun Jiuye, who had recently advanced to fifth-rank, reputation was quite important. He already possessed sufficient strength and was at a time when he needed the unanimous support. Yet, in such circumstances, Jiang Li and others had intervened.
First leeching off of the Heavenly Tribulation, then countering a move from the three. These consecutive events, with a little embellishment, could certainly stir rumors within the Sect. Although it might not greatly affect the eldest apprentice brother, it would be enough to prevent his immediate ascendancy.
’Between leeching off Heavenly Tribulations and spreading rumors, I feel like I’ve picked up a villain’s script.’
Jiang Li couldn’t help but muse.
If he were the eldest apprentice brother, he might even harbor thoughts of murder now.
Unfortunately, Yun Jiuye couldn’t act on such impulses.
Not only because it would make them a laughingstock among peers, but also because...
"Elder Kaiyang, please step forward," Jiang Li said.
Not far to the right, behind some large piled-up boulders, Elder Kaiyang in a green robe and wearing a broad hat, slowly stepped out.
Yun Jiuye couldn’t pursue them, primarily because even if he caught up, he couldn’t do much. Elder Kaiyang was here; could Yun Jiuye really strike in front of an elder?
Elder Kaiyang lifted his hat, revealing a face marked with puzzlement, and said incredulously, "Though I knew you practiced the Wind Queen’ Strange Gate, isn’t this aptitude of yours a bit too excessive? To be able to detect even a fourth-rank..."
He was a Martial Artist, true, but that didn’t mean Kaiyang only knew brute force.
Elder Kaiyang knew the techniques to conceal his aura. With his level, he had long mastered the Leak-proof True Body, and not a trace of his essence energy could leak. If he intended to hide, let alone Jiang Li, even others at fourth-rank would struggle to detect him.
Yet Jiang Li had done just that.
"It just seemed unlikely that the eldest apprentice brother’s tribulation would proceed without an accompanying protector from one of the elders."
Jiang Li smiled lightly, "Besides, out of all the elders, Elder Kaiyang likely had the most free time."
Rather than having Elder Kaiyang help steer the boat, it seemed better to let him protect Yun Jiuye. After all, a punishment was a punishment no matter where it was served.
A little reasoning was all it took to reach this conclusion.
Elder Kaiyang caught the insinuation too, and retorted, "You might as well say that I made a mistake; that’s easier to handle."
The other two, upon seeing Elder Kaiyang, showed little surprise, evidently already aware of Elder Kaiyang’s situation and his punishment assignment from their own masters.
As a result, in the end, only Ling Wujue, Elder Kaiyang’s direct disciple, remained unaware of this matter, which was probably why Elder Kaiyang decided to let Jiang punish him.
Of course, it couldn’t be ruled out that he might also want to test Jiang Li’s strength.
Jiang Li’s achievements in seizing the Ghost Gate had spread within the Sect; those like Elder Kaiyang, who harbored worries, certainly wanted to take the opportunity to gauge Jiang Li’s current level of strength.
As Elder Kaiyang spoke, he seemed to also think of his disciple, Ling Wujue. He felt an itch in his molar, longing to return to the island and deal with this embarrassing fellow.
However, just then, the ground trembled intensely, and the waters of Dinghu churned, reminiscent of the night the Yinglong Dao Fruit caused chaos.
But this time, the disturbance came not from the lake but from an island on the lake.
About ten miles southeast, on an island, mountains split apart, and a magma-like fiery spring flowed from the peaks, collecting into fiery rivers. Flames reached towards the heavens, sparks flew like rain, and waves of heat continuously released, sweeping away the coolness of autumn without a trace.
Unquestionably, the "fire" in this intermingling of water and fire originated from this island.
"That’s the Artifact Pavilion," Jiang Li said, gazing in that direction.
The Artifact Pavilion served as the Sect’s site for Artifact Refining and sword casting, its foundation connecting to the Earth Fire, capable of melting metals, a rare site for Artifact Refining.
But in the three and a half years Jiang Li had been at Dinghu Sect, he had never seen such a spectacle on the pavilion’s island.
"The Heaven and Earth Furnace has been opened," Elder Kaiyang looked towards the Artifact Pavilion, reminiscing, "Reopened after decades. I hope this time it honors the furnace’s reputation."
The legendary first sword of the world was forged at Dinghu. The Yellow Emperor used this sword to slay Chi You, firmly establishing its name as the divine Holy Sword of the Emperor’s way. Generation after generation of Dinghu Sect disciples aspired to forge a sword no less than the Xuanyuan Sword. Unfortunately, due to the Xuanyuan Sword’s existence, factors like timing, materials, and the sword caster’s strength were indispensable.
Generations of disciples strived and failed, unable even to approach the standard of the Xuanyuan Sword, let alone match it.
And the head of Dinghu Sect’s Artifact Dao for this generation was none other than Elder Kaiyang.
Don’t be fooled by the fact that Elder Kaiyang is a Martial Artist, his attainment in the Artifact Dao is profound enough to rank him among the top ten in the world. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be his turn to lead the team to the Sword Discussion Conference.
At this moment, another Qi Mechanism approached from behind, clearly the activation of the Heaven and Earth Furnace had also attracted other people on the island.
Elder Kaiyang did not want others to see him and immediately said, "The Sword Discussion Conference will be held the day after tomorrow. If you three are interested, you can come and watch, you might gain some opportunities from it."
Having said that, Elder Kaiyang’s figure flashed and he abruptly disappeared.
At the same time, grand Qi Mechanisms from all directions converged, either riding on clouds or speeding over the water surface, all gathering to participate in the Sword Discussion Conference.
"The day after tomorrow, the fifteenth of August, is Mid-Autumn," Jiang Li thought of what Elder Kaiyang had said earlier, "Indeed, they have chosen a good time."
This world also has the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the symbolism of unity under the full moon is equally universal here.
And yet, during such a season, a bunch of people are gathered together to create Magic Artifacts; the possibility of a melee cannot be excluded, one could only say they were quite thoughtful.
"Indeed, it is a good time."
As a group rushed forward, hearing Jiang Li’s voice, Daoist Xuanming said, "On the night of the full moon, Yin Qi is at its peak, representing the symbolism of heavenly Yin, which juxtaposes with the earthly Yang of Earth Fire. Heavenly Yin and Earthly Yang together, just so, form your Sect’s Heaven and Earth Furnace."
"Does that mean the Sword Discussion Conference will be held at night?" asked Jiang Li.
"Yes," Daoist Xuanming replied with a smile, looking towards Jiang Li and the others, "At that time, we hope the three Fellow Daoists will come to observe and witness our grand defeat of the heretical paths."
"Your so-called heretical paths will show you that the times have changed."
Yan Hanqing retorted sharply.
As the two spoke, they prepared for another verbal duel.
Meanwhile, Jiang Li was deep in thought. He remembered what Qi Changsheng had said, that this time at the Sword Discussion Conference, each side would show off their techniques by crafting Magic Artifacts. Once the Artifacts were completed, they would combat each other, and whichever side’s Artifact was destroyed first would be considered the loser; it was quite simple and straightforward.
That meant, a melee was unavoidable.
"Sounds quite interesting," Yun Qiuchi said, intrigued.
As for Feng Ziyang, he was succinct and to the point, "Xuanyuan Sword."
For someone like him, the displayed Xuanyuan Sword was probably the main event.
As for anything else, whether it was which side won, it didn’t concern Feng Ziyang.
Jiang Li also harbored similar thoughts; the outcome of the Sword Discussion Conference wasn’t important, the Xuanyuan Sword was what mattered.
’But I’m just afraid someone might make a move on the Xuanyuan Sword then.’ Jiang Li felt a bit of a headache.
If truly in accordance with Elder Kaiyang’s intentions, displaying the Xuanyuan Sword, let alone those who might bear grudges against Dinghu Sect, even those attending the conference could likely get ideas.
What Artifact Refiner wouldn’t be interested in the Xuanyuan Sword.
’No, I still need to go back and ask Master.’
At that moment, a crisp fragrance like that of cold plum blossoms slowly approached; a woman in a gold skirt from Kunxu Immortal Palace, accompanied by a young man who looked like an affiliated son-in-law, came walking over, slightly bowing as a form of greeting.
"Ming Yuzhen from the Kunxu Immortal Palace has seen the three Fellow Daoists. After hearing about what I just experienced, the elder from my Sect is very curious about the three of you and wishes for a chat, if possible?"
Her voice was clear as a bell yet carried the sharpness of swords, indicating her long-held high position, but without a hint of haughtiness; instead, it evoked a sense of amiability.
As for the young man behind Ming Yuzhen, he bow-greeted with fists, but did not speak, and Ming Yuzhen did not introduce his name.
A closer look made the identity of an affiliated son-in-law more apparent.
"This..." Jiang Li hesitated.
The invitation was too abrupt, leaving Jiang Li unable to assess the pros and cons.
However, sensing the Qi Mechanisms on the island growing stronger, Jiang Li made up his mind and accepted the invitation.
Yun Jiuye had gradually adapted to his realm after promotion, and now that Elder Kaiyang had left, if there wasn’t a shield, Yun Jiuye might catch up seeking revenge.
Jiang Li wasn’t worried about Yun Jiuye using excessive force, but rather that he might soundly defeat the three of them and recuperate his reputation.
Yun Qiuchi and Feng Ziyang also sensed Jiang Li’s intent and nodded in agreement to accept the invitation.
Upon hearing this, Ming Yuzhen showed a slight smile and with her right hand adorned with a golden bracelet lightly lifted, said, "Please."
A rosy glow emerged suddenly; a magnificent flying boat, made as if from gold and jade, emanating an immortal aura unworldly in appearance, rounded from the other side of Yunlai Island. As it drew near, it released a dense vapor that formed auspicious clouds.
"This is our Sect’s Yaochi Immortal Boat. Fellow Daoists, please," said Ming Yuzhen.