Chapter 1203 - Dao Refining Universe

“Sacrifice...” Xu Qing’s gaze bore into the abyss as he mulled over the words of the Muddy Fox. After a long pause, he drew back his gaze, speaking calmly. “Since exploring is fraught with difficulties, it’s better to pause here for now.” With that, Xu Qing’s body shimmered, soaring upwards from the dark soil and flying outwards. The Muddy Fox followed, feeling a sense of relief. Recalling what this place entailed filled it with a strong apprehension about continuing exploration. Even the scent of rust sent shivers down its spine. After all, no one knew when the extracted Primordial Star Nail would return... If fate cruelly lined up such a return during their exploration, the moment the nail pierced this place would also be the moment of their obliteration—body and soul. Of course, the Muddy Fox knew the odds of this happening were slim. Its real unease stemmed from the unknown mysteries and dangers lurking beneath the dark soil, far beyond its omniscience. Watching Xu Qing give up, the Muddy Fox exhaled with relief and immediately followed suit. Thus, with Xu Qing leading the way, they departed the dark soil. As soon as they emerged, Xu Qing tossed the fishing rod to the Muddy Fox. The Muddy Fox caught it, already predicting what was coming, hence the look of playful grievance that surfaced on its face. “Naughty little brother, are you planning a day out for fun, leaving me here to fish for you?” Xu Qing nodded affirmatively—this was precisely his plan. “Ten months remain until the venture into the Reception Universe, time is scarce, and I need to collect some post-ascension rewards.” “Whether a few months or half a year, I will return." “In the meantime, I entrust the Deity with fishing here for Primordial Essence—the more, the better, naturally.” Without waiting for the Muddy Fox’s agreement, Xu Qing’s silhouette shimmered, taking the lead in departure. The Muddy Fox huffed, watching Xu Qing’s disappearing figure with a pout. “His words are polite, his tone uncompromising, and his behavior equally so—this boy has really grown up.” “He dares to speak to me like this now!” “Yet, seeing him this way... I like him even more.” After pouting, the Muddy Fox couldn’t resist licking its lips. With a graceful flick of its jade-like hand outside the dark soil, it conjured a sea around itself, from which emerged countless enchanting women, crafted from divine powers, lifelike and captivating. Amidst their presence, music resonated around the area, reminiscent of a hundred palaces in full bloom. And naturally, soft couches appeared along with a variety of celestial fruits and spirit wines. The Muddy Fox knew how to enjoy life. Reclining like a noble consort on the soft couch, it cast the fishing line into the dark soil, all while indulging in celestial fruits, sipping spirit wine, and basking in the harmony—utterly content. “Life should not be lived in deprivation.” ... This scene of luxurious fishing outside the dark soil caught Xu Qing’s awareness before he left. People have differing preferences and perceptions. The Muddy Fox delights in indulgence and revelry, whereas Xu Qing treasures tranquility and silence. What might seem monotonous to one could be a source of serenity for another. Thus, regardless of the journey taken, it’s merely a matter of choice—the primary goal remains to fish out the Primordial Essence. With this reflection in mind, Xu Qing utilized his Immortal Jade Slip to leave the Moyang Universe, setting his sights on the... Dao Refining Universe! For both the Constitution's baptism of artifacts and the rare opportunity to personally refine an instrument under an Immortal’s guidance, Dao Refining was the pivotal destination. Naturally, the Dao Refining Universe held a special and strategic place—even deemed essential—since this universe had become the core of all instrument refining within the Nine Shores Heaven. Alterations by human hands within it were both immense and astonishing. The Dao Refining Universe lacked stellar regions, star systems, and celestial bodies. What it possessed... was nothing but a vast furnace! The furnace occupied seventy percent of the Dao Refining Universe, underscoring its unimaginably colossal scale. The flames of Dao Refining, originating from countless stars, fueled the furnace. Every star within the Dao Refining Universe had been relocated here to bolster the flames. However, forming the Dao Refining Flame involved not just the universe’s stars. Some parts, brought in to fortify the fire, hail from other universes. Others originate from Divine Flames. Together, these elements forged the terrifying furnace, capable of hosting millions of artisans and refining infinite creations. From afar, this furnace resembles a sun—only more magnificent, more vast—a lone celestial body dominating this universe. Countless ethereal bridges extend from the furnace in every direction, all stirring in the cosmic currents. Each bridge teems with streams of travelers, a nonstop procession of cultivators from across the Nine Shores Heaven, all drawn by the refining opportunities here. When Xu Qing appeared, it was atop one of these ethereal bridges. The sights before him, the sounds surrounding him, and the scorching heat left him momentarily dazed. “Such a furnace...” He murmured to himself, not pausing in his stride as he surged forward, weaving through the crowds moving along the ethereal bridge, closing in on his destination. Arriving at the towering black altar, he queued for his turn. Given the overwhelming demand for instrument refining in the Dao Refining Universe, every ethereal bridge harbored a long line of hopefuls. Fortunately, the profusion of artisans offset the wait time. Most people meditated while waiting, eyes closed, until their turn came to ascend the altar, crushing their Jade Slip and transforming into a beam, transported to the surface of the Dao Refining Furnace. In this way, days passed in anticipation, and Xu Qing observed the Dao Refining Furnace closely. The furnace comprised nine strata—upper, middle, and lower tiers. The lower tiers boasted vast refining entrances, while the upper tiers saw far fewer. Predictably, those transported from the ethereal bridges mostly entered the lower three tiers, with only rare visitors venturing into the middle tiers. As for the upper tiers, Xu Qing had yet to witness anyone access them. Hence, he formed certain judgments internally. Only once several hours passed, as the cultivator ahead vanished along with the altar beam, did Xu Qing's turn arrive at last. As he stepped onto the altar, Xu Qing inhaled deeply, producing the Reward Immortal Jade Slip from his ascension. Following the routines he'd observed over the last few days, Xu Qing crushed the Immortal Jade Slip. With a loud crack, the shattered slip dispersed, merging with the altar to generate a summoning force, erupting with a resounding boom to form a beam that shot straight up. Strikingly, this beam targeted... the second layer within the top three tiers of the Dao Refining Furnace!! This emergence instantly captivated the surrounding cultivators on the ethereal bridge, drawing curious and intrigued glances. Murmurs of discussion reverberated among them. “Witnessing a cultivator entering the second layer!” “The top three tiers of the Dao Refining Furnace are reserved for Immortal-level creations!” “Such privilege typically requires monumental contributions...” “It must be this cohort’s newly ascended; ascending among the top ten accords such honor!” The conversations were laden with envy. Opportunities for Immortals to personally craft treasures were rare and precious. Oblivious to the outside world’s reactions, Xu Qing found himself in the second layer’s refining enclave as he reemerged from the light beam’s conveyance. Intense heat swirled around him. Ahead lay an expansive fire pit. An elder clad in a crimson robe sat cross-legged above the pit, emanating an overwhelming aura. Upon sensing this, Xu Qing’s expression grew solemn. In an instant, he discerned the elder's true nature—not an ordinary cultivator, but an Immortal. Bowing deeply in respect, he spoke up. “What artifact do you wish to refine?” The crimson-robed elder held his eyes shut, unmoving atop the fire pit, but his divine sense echoed forth. Without hesitation, Xu Qing raised his arm, extracting the Constitution Treasure Compass he'd acquired, along with a grain of Celestial Dust he'd obtained. He also placed his Star Tower alongside them as an afterthought. With deference, he spoke. “Honored Immortal, this junior wishes to forge this compass, utilizing its materials in conjunction with celestial principles and my Constitution, to create a treasure resonating with my essence!” “What shape will it take?” the elder's divine sense queried. “A pin,” Xu Qing replied, transforming a familiar iron skewer from his past into a projection to visualize the artifact he envisioned. He gestured towards the compass. “As for the compass’s Constitution, please, Honored Immortal, help me extract it to merge with my tower.” At that moment, the crimson-robed elder slightly parted his eyes, releasing fearsome pressure from his gaze that settled on Xu Qing. “You only have one chance for artifact refinement.” Xu Qing maintained his bow, speaking with equanimity. “I have another opportunity for a Constitution Treasure baptism.” “That’s beyond my scope,” the elder’s aloofness rang through. Yet, after studying Xu Qing intently, he suddenly inquired further. “Are you Xu Qing?” Xu Qing nodded. A smile crept onto the elder’s face. “Since you are the first of this cohort... Very well, let me assist you.” Proclaiming thus, the elder raised a finger, unleashing unearthly power upon the compass, evaporating impurities, leaving pristine essence, while expertly extracting its Constitution to imbue the Star Tower. In the fire-pit fires, the Star Tower was suffused, the Constitution merging thoroughly, even its own fractures reforged amidst flames, emerging not only restored but significantly empowered. Subsequently, the elder dedicated his craft to forging Xu Qing’s artifact, swiftly merging the purified compass and celestial dust before adding a palm-sized azure stone, melding it into the fusion. With the fire-tide rising and enveloping all, the evolution culminated as an iron pin materialized faintly within the fire. On the cusp of completion, the crimson-robed elder suddenly commanded. “Your Constitution!” Witnessing such seamless mastery, Xu Qing recognized the elder’s grand mastery, internally thrilled, as he unleashed his Parallel Constitution, infusing it into the flames, imbuing the iron pin. The pin trembled ferociously, fracturing into myriad phantoms. “It’s done!” Xu Qing’s eyes sparkled.