Shangyuque

Chapter 189 My clan's Jade Pavilion possesses the potential to attain the Golden Core!
At Wangjiashan, in mid-air, Wang Yulou was showing Wang Yu'an the donkeys.

No, reward, reward the donkey.

Flowers can be admired, so why can't donkeys be admired?
How much pressure was Wang Yulou under?
To put it simply, sometimes he would fantasize that he was a brainless, stupid donkey.

From birth to death, there is happiness; only the moment of death is painful.

The life of a silly donkey is so dull and tasteless, but it's exhilarating.

Enjoy life to the fullest, suffer a little, and never be haunted by the memories of hardship.

How can this not be a form of liberation?
Unfortunately, Wang Yulou was not a fool; he looked too far ahead and was tormented by those distant hardships and pressures.

Under the ideal of absolute rationality, distant fears should not affect the present. However, Wang Yulou has not become an immortal. Even though he has tried his best to live in reality, he is still occasionally overwhelmed by the powerlessness of enlightenment.

According to Bai Xiaoyu, this is also part of cultivation.

If you can't withstand the cruelty of the cultivation world, then you're not qualified to go up there and compete for true freedom.

Moreover, from the perspective of seeking meaning, the difficulty of the process amplifies the extraordinary nature of the result, and the significance of escaping suffering itself becomes increasingly prominent in the process of escaping the sea of ​​suffering.

"Brother, what are you looking at?"

Yu'an didn't understand Wang Yulou's thoughts. His level was limited to that of an inner disciple of Fulong Temple, roughly equivalent to Wang Yulou fifty-four years ago—Wang Yulou before he left Dishuidong.

At that time, Wang Yulou really hoped that he could follow Mang Xiang to achieve enlightenment and get a chance to reach the Purple Mansion realm.

They're kind of adorably silly.

"There are a lot more fools now. I wonder if the original fool can be promoted again in our hands."

The advancement of a spirit is a slow and meticulous process, measured in ten-year increments, and the costs required are countless.

Only three members of the Wang clan reached the Foundation Establishment stage in the Xian generation, but later nearly ten more were able to achieve this breakthrough. This was because Wang Xianhe presided over the advancement of Wild Donkey Plain to Foolish Donkey Plain, which was too costly.

The explosive promotion, on the other hand, was forced out by the excessive debt of the family's resources and accumulated wealth, and by the increased gratitude owed to the ancestor.

Many problems become apparent when viewed from the perspective of hindsight.

For example, the patriarch's beasts are all-encompassing.

First, they greatly increased the number of Foundation Establishment cultivators, creating a large number of "baby boomers". Then, they used a great war to reduce the number of Foundation Establishment cultivators in the Red Lantern Sect and the Heavenly Serpent Sect, thereby reducing the restrictions of heaven and earth on cultivators opening their Purple Mansion with endless bloodshed.

Then, through the bloody, grinding battle, the Purple Mansions of the Mangxiang lineage sprang up like eggs, and even someone like Guo Baichi opened his Purple Mansion.

Calling a wild elephant a beast is an insult to beasts; even beasts aren't as ruthless as a wild elephant.

"Brother, you've agreed to let me stay with the red-light district?"

Yu'an was somewhat delighted. His family and the ancestor were closely connected. As a junior disciple of the ancestor, Wang Yulou was at the forefront of the great battle between the two sects, facing pressure from all sides.

As Wang Yulou's younger brother, Wang Yu'an hoped to stay by Wang Yulou's side and do something for him.

This is not the same as wanting to use Wang Yulou's influence to achieve better cultivation. After all, Wang Yu'an was well aware of the dangers around Wang Yulou.

Whether it was Guo Chengtai leading the escort or Wang Yulou sending a telepathic reminder, it all revealed the complexity of the situation Wang Yulou was facing.

Staying by Wang Yulou's side might offer a better future in cultivation, but it also carries great danger.

"It's not the right time yet. Although I don't want it to actually happen, just thinking about it makes me realize that the patriarch might not be able to successfully attain the Golden Core stage."

Mang Xiang has successfully suppressed the discontent within the sect, but what about the discontent outside the sect?

A newly formed Golden Core will inevitably encounter obstacles. The fact that there are no obstacles now is perhaps because those people are waiting for it.

When the raging elephant is being struck by the heavenly tribulation and howling in pain, the Frog King and the Heavenly Serpent might jump out together and show the raging elephant what kind of bullshit the rules of the Immortal Alliance are.

Of course, Wang Yulou was more inclined to believe that Mangxiang had long known that the rules of the Immortal Alliance were worthless to the Golden Core cultivators who set them up, and that the patriarch might have already made preparations in secret.

But Wang Yulou couldn't ask this question standing in front of Mang Xiang—it wouldn't be appropriate no matter what he said.

Therefore, we cannot let Wang Yu'an come back now.

With the help of the Water Immortal's divine eye, Wang Yulou realized that the division of the family was a mistake, but not entirely wrong.

The branches of the Wang clan that split off may not necessarily go further, but there is still a chance to preserve some hope for the continuation of the Wang clan after Mang Xiang and the Wang clan perish together.

"There shouldn't be any problems. Someone like the founder should have planned everything."

Wang Yu'an's viewpoint is similar to that of Wang Yulou in the Dripping Water Cave.
This also confirmed Yu Lou's understanding of his younger brother's stage of development. He looked at Chen Luwan, who flew up to greet the two of them, and said...

"You haven't seen Aunt Lu Wan for many years, so I won't disturb you any longer."

After saying this, Wang Yulou flew towards the center of the Silly Donkey Plain.

There was a sparse grove of trees there, though now only three trees remain, each one quite large.

Transforming into a tree is a flawed supernatural power secretly passed down by the Wang family. It is flawed because the founder was influenced by the bloodline inheritance characteristics of the direct line of the Wang family, and this supernatural power can only be performed by the direct line of the Wang family.

The effect is that the cultivator transforms their lifetime of cultivation into a large tree. This tree is exceptionally talented and, after growing a little, can reach the level of an eighth-grade spiritual material.

If it grows for a few more years, it can reach the threshold of the seventh grade. With the right refining techniques, it can be refined into a spiritual weapon.

After Wang Rongjiang established his foundation, he received a large tree of superior spiritual weapon level as his initial spiritual weapon. He even rode the tree spiritual weapon to the Dripping Water Cave to support Wang Yulou.

Wang Xianmao stood there, with Wang Xianhe and Wang Enyan beside him. Compared to his elder brother and seventh uncle, the old clan chief's branches looked much thinner.

As for the earlier trees, they have already been taken and used by the Foundation Establishment cultivators of the clan.

'Yu Lou, why are you back?'

Upon seeing Wang Yulou approaching, Wang Xianmao instinctively wanted to get up to greet him.

But he had already become a tree, and the act of rising to greet him turned into the swaying of the branches.

However, it didn't have any impact. Wang Yulou knew that it was the old clan chief expressing his welcome and joy to him.

Seeing that Wang Xianmao couldn't even see Yu'an returning to the clan's territory, Wang Yulou suddenly felt a great pang of sorrow. He walked to the side of the big tree, stroked its trunk, and whispered.

"Yu'an has returned with Hongmei. Can you still remove the Black Vine Soul-Locking Technique from Hongmei's body?"

Wang Xianmao had thought about this question. After all, having become a big tree, he could hardly move on his own, just like an old man who could no longer walk. All the questions he could think about were related to the past.

Fortunately, Wang Xianmao, as a cultivator, had a long life and many memories to recall.

As a junior whom he valued highly, Yu'an naturally appeared frequently in his memories.

'It's a bit difficult, a bit difficult'

Wang Xianmao's tone was somewhat weak. Yulou understood and nodded, saying...

“In that case, let’s not let Hongmei return to Fulong Temple. I’ll arrange a place for him to retire.”

The division of the family was a mistake, but the Wang family's branch in Fulong Temple must continue to be maintained for now, so that Hongmei can't go back with resentment.

The tree branches swayed, but Wang Xianmao still wanted to give it a try.

"Try it, Yulou. Let Hongmei come. I'll give it a try. After all, Yu'an is married to Ningyao."

Wang Yulou understood the clan chief's meaning, but he had his own ideas.

"If trying doesn't work, Red Eyebrow will die, killed in an attack by the evil cultivators of the Heavenly Serpent Sect."

Red Eyebrow was unfortunate; he made a mistake that, while not insignificant, ultimately cost him his life.

"Good, you've finally grown up, Yulou. I used to worry that you were too fragile inside, making you hesitant and indecisive. Now I see, you've truly grown up."

At this point, both of them fell silent and did not say anything more for a long time.

Wang Yulou has certainly grown up. If Wang Yuque, who dominated the front lines of the two battlefields, is not considered grown up, then it would be a horror story.

But this doesn't mean Wang Xianmao was wrong. It's just that the old clan chief also finds it hard to face his current self, even though he has adapted to it for fifty years.

Wang Yulou sat down against the big tree, and the tree roots trembled slightly, transforming into a natural chair under Wang Xianmao's manipulation.

Sitting at the feet of the old clan chief, with the gentle scenery of the Silly Donkey Plain before him, Wang Yulou was momentarily captivated.

There is no exception to the fact that everyone will start to miss their childhood at some point.

By all accounts, Wang Yulou is over eighty years old.

Despite his advanced age, he is still the youngest among those who can be called "Young Warrior"—not everyone is qualified to be called "Young Warrior."

'Child, what are you thinking about?'

The branches of the big tree swayed, shifting towards where Wang Yulou was sitting, blocking the direct sunlight from shining on him.

"I wish I could go back to when I was twelve years old, when I was filled with both anticipation and anxiety about testing my spiritual roots."

I hope I have spiritual roots so I can embark on the path of cultivation.

He feared that he lacked spiritual roots and that his years of study at the clan academy would be in vain. Although he had glimpsed the splendor of the cultivation world, he decided to spend the rest of his life as a mortal.

At that time, the anticipation was genuine, and the worry was also genuine.

If I were an ordinary person, I would be close to dying by now, and the future deluge would have nothing to do with me.

Perhaps, a smooth and prosperous life is still possible; in that case, leaving wouldn't be so bad.

From an overall efficiency perspective, the Wang family's approach of prioritizing the training of their descendants is not problematic; however, it seems overly cruel to children without spiritual roots.

The big tree wanted to speak, but then realized that Wang Yulou was no longer a child.

'Yu Lou, there's something wrong with your Dao heart.'

Wang Yulou's Dao heart was certainly in trouble; it wasn't just clouded, but rather ravaged to the point of near collapse.

"Yes, there's something wrong with my Dao heart."

Perhaps it started when the divine light smashed the Western Sea Immortal City.

Perhaps it started when Gua Zhenren roared and killed tens of millions of ordinary people on the front lines.

Perhaps it started slowly over the past few decades.

Wang Yulou raised his hands. His hands were long and white, the kind of hands a Foundation Establishment cultivator should have, without a speck of dust or dirt on them.

"Ancestor, my hands are actually red; they are stained with blood."

Over the years, I've helped Mangxiang kill countless people.

Individual conscience has little chance of survival under the ravages of systemic violence.

Compared to now, Wang Yulou's past 'hypocrisy' seems not so different from genuine kindness.

For the monstrous elephant to attain enlightenment, it must kill those who have established their foundation and replenish their purple palace, thereby locking in the 'limited quota' of heaven and earth for itself.

Even Bai Li confirmed that the fastest way for Wang Yulou to achieve enlightenment was to take advantage of the Mang Xiang's influence.

Xuan Zhuan's emphasis on Wang Yulou, as well as Wang Yulou's age, are both cleverly placed at a delicate boundary.

In other words, once the patriarch truly achieves the Golden Core, the Wang Yulou who has been busy running around for decades, shouting "I am the most loyal one," will most likely have a chance to smoothly become a real Purple Mansion cultivator, rather than just a charging station for the Mangxiang to prove the Golden Core.

'Are you in pain?'

The tree didn't know what to say. Wang Xianmao wished he could continue to shelter Wang Yulou from the wind and rain. His branches could shield Wang Yulou from the sun, but he was no longer the old clan chief who could shelter Wang Yulou from the wind and rain.

He didn't blame Wang Yulou for walking too fast; he only blamed himself for walking too slowly.

"No, I'm not in pain, I'm just confused."

I've come up with a self-consistent logic.

Chieftain, look, cultivators live for hundreds of years, while mortals only live for a hundred years.

A person's understanding and value judgments are constructed based on their own experiences, environment, and network of interests.

Given these premises, does it mean that cultivators can never follow the same moral standards and common sense as mortals under the rule of mortals?

I'm afraid so. Those who cultivate immortality with the idea of ​​shaping their lives over a decade or more are often quickly eliminated after reaching the Qi Refining stage.

Only those who adapt to the rules have the opportunity to become a foundational figure, with the help of luck and their own efforts.

What kind of person can become a Purple Mansion?

Even to the point of becoming a Golden Core cultivator?

'You are not confused, Yulou, you are not confused.'

"I'm very confused. You know, I met two friends in Xihai."

Yun Shu and the Sword Immortal, the Sword Immortal is dead, and Yun Shu is not allowed to establish her foundation.

They lived very close to themselves, but far removed from the rules of the cultivation world.

In my opinion, being yourself can often bring inner fulfillment, but it may not necessarily bring fulfillment in reality.

Which is more important: to leave with a sense of fulfillment but regret, or to adapt to reality and live on with a less-than-fulfilled heart?

If immortality is the meaning, then isn't the pursuit of inner peace also meaningful?
Of course, it varies from person to person, but...

'That's enough, Yulou, don't think about those empty things.'

There is no space for carefree wandering in this world. As you know, Master Gua roared to death tens of millions of mortals and tens of thousands of cultivators.

When the powerful are still acting like bandits, your desire to live a carefree life is doomed to fail.

"I understand, but the purpose of going through such a long detour was simply to get up there."

Once I go up there, will I really find what I want?
I'm so tired, Grandpa.

Yi Zou Ri won't let me go. Guo Baichi can even open the Purple Mansion. He hates it so much that he almost grinds his teeth to pieces.

But he couldn't do anything about those new Purple Mansions, so he turned his attention to figuring out how to torment me every day.

Zou Tianxing is now the sect leader, and he's also cooperating with Yi Zouri to make trouble for me.

They're sabotaging me within the sect, and I still have to lead the midline forces against the Heavenly Serpent Sect on the front lines, while constantly asking the Loyalty Team for more men.

This is only the beginning, and I'm already so tired.

I'm afraid, afraid I won't make it to the end.

Zou Tianxing's appointment as the leader was another consequence of the expansion of the wartime economic system centered on the Special Hall of Merit.

We can't let the Mangxiang lineage take all the advantages. The people under the Zhuzhao school have also become much more prominent in recent years.

In general, it was a battle between the Mangxiang and Zhuzhao factions, with the Fuyan faction unable to hold on any longer.

'Yu Lou, you should know that there aren't many cultivators in the entire Wu Nan who can sit here and think about whether they can reach the end, without worrying about cultivation.'

Don't think too far ahead, focus on the road ahead.

In addition, you are not actually confused, you just always fantasize that there is a better solution.

In the world of cultivation, without power, even the grandest ideas are nothing but illusions.

Your opponents, such as Yi Zouri and Zou Tianxing, are only at the Foundation Establishment stage, yet they can cause you so much trouble.

Once you reach the Purple Mansion level, the opponents you face will only become more ruthless, merciless, and vicious.

Don't hold back, survive first, otherwise, the Wang family will be buried with you.

Only when you reach the highest heavens will you have the right to change the current situation.

Remember your original intention at this moment, Yulou. As long as you are not completely changed, you are still you.

Enduring humiliation and bearing heavy burdens is not a problem; even the Wind Sword Immortal knew how to endure. Yet, at that moment, he couldn't bear it and immediately lost his life.

“Your ideas are very different from those of Ancestor Jingyi. Ancestor Jingyi does not take the original intention seriously.”

"Yes, for many years, our relationship has been superficial, all for the sake of the family."

“Ancestor, actually I agree with her more, and you agree with her more too, right?”

The tree fell silent. Xiao Wang's words were a bit harsh.

However, Wang Xianmao was also a senior Foundation Establishment cultivator with an iron will, so of course he wouldn't have any strange thoughts just because Wang Yulou spoke the truth.

Yes, the original intention is important, but not that important.

In my opinion, having a belief can make your journey forward less painful.

However, I may be somewhat incompetent and lack great ambition. I only hope to be a good patriarch of the Wang clan and develop the family better.

Unable to achieve self-realization, they console themselves by developing their family.

You really should listen to your second sister. She's right. Only the most incompetent people cling to their youthful ideals and treat them as gospel truths without any discernment.

Just as you said, cultivators can never be like mortals, adhering to the moral standards and common sense of the mortal ruling order; that's unrealistic.

A few years ago, Pi Lingxiu organized the "Loyalty Team," arresting people while simultaneously conducting "protecting and loving the sect" propaganda under the Red Lantern's rule. This was to help those naive newcomers to the world of cultivation to establish their original aspirations.

Looking back, it seems to have had some effect; many people, clinging to the fabricated ideals they were given, went to the battlefield with their lives on the line.

Pi Lingxiu was able to become a Purple Mansion because his Loyalty Team was well-organized.

What Wang Yulou was thinking about was more about the difference between the individual interests and the collective interests of cultivators.

In the midst of fierce competition, cultivating immortality is itself a form of individual transcendence.

At first, perhaps because there weren't many cultivators, everyone was able to eat their fill.

But after they've eaten their fill, the higher-ups no longer want to fight, and a stable situation emerges.

In a stable environment, the powerful cultivators could only extract benefits from those below them. As a result, after the two sects had been fighting for decades, the rogue cultivators within the Red Lantern Sect were practically nonexistent.

Under this pressure of competing interests, if your opponent escalates their demands, you must escalate them as well; if your opponent acts unethically, you must act unethically as well.

This road looks difficult to travel, and it is indeed difficult to travel, because it was developed into what it is today to weld the car doors shut.

Welding the doors shut wasn't enough; to achieve even greater efficiency, they also needed to trick monks who wanted to get on board into providing fuel.

The high-ranking cultivators of the Red Lantern Order took 90% of the profits, yet they encouraged their subordinates to trick lower-ranking cultivators within the Red Lantern Order into dying, so that they could bear the consequences for them.

This matter has a dark humor to it.

Those lower-level cultivators, whose minds had been swayed by the propaganda of "protecting and loving the sect," became fuel without even realizing it.

“Ancestor, you are not incompetent.”

Wang Xianmao fell silent, and the big tree stopped moving.

Wang Yulou leaned against the trunk of the big tree and lay there quietly for quite a while.

"Yu Lou, do you know why bone magic, while inferior to metal and stone in crafting offensive magical artifacts and inferior to wood magic in crafting functional magical artifacts, can still be considered a major category of magic cultivation?"

Wang Xianmao suddenly spoke, posing questions to test Yulou.

Wang Yulou understood, but he chose to say he didn't.

“Ancestor, I don’t quite understand bone cultivation techniques.” The tree stretched out a branch and patted Wang Yulou’s head.

'If you can lie to even me, do you think I don't know you?'

I've just turned into a tree, not become stupid.

You sold so many of the spiritual artifacts you crafted yourself in the Hall of Special Merit, many of which were high-grade spiritual artifacts made of bone.

"I don't know who told the clan leader about my weapon-refining skills," Wang Yulou sighed.

"I'm not very good at it, I just practiced randomly."

'Alright, be ruthless, be selfish, that's how you go far. This cannibalistic world can't tolerate so much kindness.'

Come on, these hundred-plus large bones of mine can be disassembled and refined into three sets of spiritual weapons.

Make a set of ribs, spine, leg bones, and arm bones.

Make a set from the other scattered spirit bones.

Finally, the skull can be taken out separately and another set can be made.

Haha, when it comes to living up to the family's expectations, I, Wang Xianmao, am second to none.

As the old clan chief transmitted his voice, he handed over all his bones from the trunk of the tree.

Why aren't the bones of a senior Foundation Establishment cultivator considered bone material?

If the bones of demonic beasts can be refined, why can't the bones of cultivators be refined?
This is the core reason why the Bone Method of Cultivating the Dao has remained popular for so long.

There aren't that many demonic beasts in the heartland of the various states of the Immortal Alliance. In these places, bone-refining masters are forging 'immortal bones'!
Take all the bones in my body and break them down into three magical artifacts!

Just as the old patriarch said, he was different from Wang Jingyi; he had devoted too much of his heart and soul to the family.

Although he would teach Wang Yulou to be more selfish, he himself couldn't do it.

'What are you standing there for? Catch it!'

Seeing Wang Yulou standing there blankly with red eyes, Wang Xianmao said with dissatisfaction.

'Stop being so fussy, show some guts, just treat it like a demon's bone.'

Moreover, there's not much I can do for the family anymore. If Hongmei's Black Vine Soul-Locking Technique can't be broken, give two of the three spiritual artifacts you forged to Yu'an and Ningyao.

Wang Xianmao is not dead yet, but he has already started making arrangements for his funeral. He doesn't want to be the kind of old man who gets scolded, so he wants to resolve his guilt towards Yu'an as soon as possible.

At least in my own heart it's over.

"Ancestor, I..."

Logically speaking, Wang Yulou is already over eighty years old. He has experienced a lot over the years, and his heart has long been hardened. He only feels confused in front of the old clan chief.

Despite this, Wang Yulou still shed tears; he truly didn't know how to face this situation.

Such is the deepest human emotion; words cannot describe it.

"Refine! Wang Yuque, open the furnace!"

The tree shook its trunk, expressing its inner determination.

There's not much he can do for the family anymore; these are the last few things he can do, and he doesn't trust anyone else to do them.

'You've cultivated the Dao for seventy years; today you must cultivate diligently and strive to complete all three!'

Having spent his entire life cultivating the Dao, he is now about to refine the ancestor who has always protected him.

Wang Yulou shook his head, shook his head, shook his head firmly.

“These three items are not a problem, Ancestor, these three items are not a problem.”

'You mean I'm useless?'

Moral blackmail has been used. At this moment, Wang Xianmao has a desire for self-realization, a belief in sacrificing his own interests for the sake of his family, and a sense of freedom from inner constraints.

Since we're all going to die soon anyway, bones are just external things when we're about to die.

"I'll refine it."

Taking a deep breath, Wang Yulou decided to grant his ancestor's wish.

His current level of weapon crafting equipment is beyond what ordinary weapon crafters can imagine.

A spirit weapon refining furnace with ninety-nine layers of restrictions is worth more than ten times more than a priceless treasure.

The red lantern with its eighty-eight layers of restrictions, used as a source of spiritual fire, is clearly the most precious and representative spiritual artifact of the Red Lantern Array, but it seems less prominent.

Because today's main subject is Wang Xianmao's bones, which can be used to refine spiritual artifacts.

The black hexagonal Xuanqing furnace comes with two supernatural powers that assist in refining artifacts. It is a rare refining treasure that Wang Yulou asked Li Haikuo to find for him.

The red candle flames rose from the red lanterns, and under Wang Yulou's exquisite control, they moved like dragons and snakes within the Xuanqing furnace.

Refining spiritual artifacts is certainly not something that can be done with just a few bones, but Wang Xianmao knew that he had no shortage of the relevant spiritual materials when he asked Wang Yulou to refine them.

The ancestor cultivated the wood method, which requires the assistance of water, soil, and spiritual materials.

Ideally, it should be a spiritual material that possesses both water and soil properties, such as a clear stream spiritual soil.

However, the Qingxi Spiritual Soil itself has too many functions, but not much power.

Therefore, Qingxi Lingrang is excluded.

So what should we use?

The remains of the Stone Ancestor!
Back then, Wang Yulou arranged for Shi Zu to intercept Jingyi Laozu. In the end, Jingyi Laozu returned to the Red Lantern Clan. On his escape route, he casually slashed Shi Zu twice, leaving behind three pieces of Shi Zu's remains.

The spirit turtle, but the stone ancestor, a powerful demon with dual natures of water and earth—perfectly matched Wang Xianmao's bones.

However, combining bone materials together results in too much redundancy in properties, so other materials need to be added.

We already have the three elements of wood, water, and earth. Why not add two more to make up the five elements and create a unified whole?

The Hunyuan system is great! As long as the restrictions can be properly recorded, they can be seamlessly transformed during combat, making it easy to deal with different enemies.

However, achieving Hunyuan is also difficult. As you can imagine, it is difficult for cultivators to achieve Hunyuan. In the process of refining artifacts, attempting to achieve Hunyuan by borrowing restrictions on spiritual artifacts directly increases the difficulty by two orders of magnitude.

This thing is a cultivation technique that only a very, very small number of Foundation Establishment stage cultivators can master.

Extremely difficult.

Silently reciting the words that he must repay the kindness of Xuan Zhuan, Wang Yulou had already made up his mind.

Whether or not one has a lineage makes a world of difference in the path of cultivation.

There are three key aspects to crafting a Primordial Spiritual Weapon.

First, the five elements are balanced.

However, this levelness is not the exact same kind of levelness, but rather a balanced levelness.

There may be differences in the quality and power of the materials, but by engraving restrictions and matching small details, a balance of nine parts wood and one part wood can be achieved.

The balance of "nine parts wood and one part wood" refers to the fact that wood-based spiritual materials make up 90% of a spiritual artifact, while the other four types of spiritual materials make up 10%, thus achieving a balance of the five elements.

Of course, Wang Yulou's skill level is not that high yet; he can only manage a 50/50 split at the moment.

The single spiritual material species accounts for 50%, and the other spiritual materials combined account for 50%.

Secondly, the control of the generating and restraining processes during refining.

The concept of mutual generation and restraint here refers to understanding the inherent characteristics of different materials and arranging appropriate refining sequences and techniques to achieve either the mutual generation or mutual restraint refining techniques of the five elements.

There is no hierarchy in the mutual generation and mutual restraint. Most weapon refiners would choose the order of mutual generation to refine weapons, as that is the least complicated. However, Wang Yulou has decided to use the order of mutual restraint to refine weapons today.

The reason is simple: Wang Xianmao's spirit bones are too "woody." Wood can ignite fire, and Wang Yulou couldn't bear to see his spirit consumed by fire.

The refining process begins with refining earth and water in a mutually restraining order. This not only conforms to the special characteristics of the stone ancestor's remains but also allows for the final step of refining the metal element to overcome the wood element.

After the five elements initially interpenetrate with each other, the loss of wood generating fire is stabilized by the balance of the five elements.

This is a clever idea for cultivating the Dao that is adapted to local conditions and based on reality. It takes into account both the special characteristics of the Stone Ancestor's shell and the special characteristics of the Ancestor's spiritual bones.

Thirdly, it lies in the selection of spiritual artifacts and their spiritual essence.

Mixed-elemental magical artifacts offer a certain degree of ease in combat and use, making them quite powerful, but the cost comes from various aspects.

For example, its spiritual essence cannot be selected from a single attribute spiritual essence, but the mixed spiritual essence in the world is so rare that it is comparable to a fifth or sixth grade spiritual material, so the ordinary spiritual essence refining method cannot be used.

It requires a soul to act as a spirit, thereby assisting cultivators in controlling the complex restrictions of spiritual artifacts and using attribute-less spiritual energy for combat.

Coincidentally, because it is difficult to forge Primordial Spiritual Artifacts, the forging masters and materials are often extraordinary, and the resulting artifacts are always among the finest of the high-grade spiritual artifacts.

Therefore, most Primordial Spiritual Artifacts retain the potential to be further upgraded into Magic Treasures in the future.

On the one hand, the inherent nature of the Primordial Chaos has room for further improvement; on the other hand, the spirit of the magical artifact was prepared in advance and nurtured and fused with it beforehand.

In short, Wang Yulou found the most difficult refining path for the ancestor's spiritual bones.

It may seem like a blind attempt, but it was actually well-prepared.

Add some points to the jade ruyi!

With the development of the functions of the jade ruyi over the years, Wang Yulou has been able to achieve the effect of using it while not using it.

It is used when the control of the spirit fire during the refining process is about to break down.

No, it's to reduce the wear and tear on the jade ruyi when there are no problems with the normal control of the spirit fire.

Of course, this reduction will also reduce the guaranteed effect of the jade ruyi.

But Wang Yulou was no longer a junior weapon refiner. He had refined more than forty high-grade spiritual weapons, and he had experience in refining high-grade spiritual weapons.

'Yu Lou, how come your cultivation level is higher than mine?'

Wang Xianmao observed Yu Lou's weapon-refining techniques with some surprise, but more than anything, he was delighted.

He used to be the most powerful bone-refining master in the Wang family, but now it seems that Wang Yulou's level is even higher than his.

In this way, Wang Xianmao would not have to worry about the future of the clan's bone-refining craftsmanship after his death.

After all, with so many spirit donkeys, the Wang family has a huge demand for bone cultivation techniques.

"Oh, no, I'm far from it, far from it."

Seeing that the boy wouldn't admit it, Wang Xianmao sighed helplessly, only to realize later that he couldn't even sigh anymore.

Thinking of this, he decided not to disturb Yu Lou. In fact, with Wang Yu Lou's level, even if Wang Xianmao led a group of Yuehua Sect female cultivators to dance in front of him, it wouldn't affect him.

The process of reversing the five elements and balancing them was very slow. Wang Yulou spent two days and two nights refining it. During this time, Wang Yu'an and Wang Rongjiang came by once each, but seeing that Wang Yulou was refining the weapon, they did not disturb him.

When the reverse five elements balance was finally completed, Wang Yulou breathed a long sigh of relief.

"Clan leader, please inscribe the Infinite Spiritual Power into my records!"

Ideally, the person who crafted the magical artifact should possess its supernatural powers, making the inscription process much smoother.

However, this is difficult to achieve, since most of the time weapon refiners face the problem of not having enough spiritual materials, and most of the spiritual weapons they refine are not compatible with their supernatural abilities.

But Lingji is different. This kind of widely circulated supernatural power can be copied by any senior Foundation Establishment cultivator.

I tried my best!

To say I tried my best was really to risk my life.

Although the clan leader is not in good condition, he is still a highly skilled cultivator. With his careful help, the spiritual energy was steadily and reliably inscribed into this special Primordial Spiritual Artifact.

"Haha, now all that's missing is the artifact spirit. Let's wait and see. Once we have a suitable artifact spirit, I'll seal it in."

While attributeless spiritual energy is easy to find, the restrictions on mixed-elemental spiritual artifacts are complex, involving the conversion of five different attributes of power, making them difficult to manipulate during combat. Therefore, they require artifact spirits.

Finding a spirit for a weapon is difficult. To preserve the potential of a high-grade Primordial Spirit Weapon to reach the Magic Treasure Realm, it must be equipped with a powerful demon soul, and that demon soul must be willing to become the weapon spirit.

Otherwise, if someone becomes a spirit and turns against the controller, it could directly determine life or death at crucial moments.

"There are two more items. My skull is a bit difficult to match. You can make a shell for it and use the layering engraving method to refine a mid-grade magic orb."

As for the remaining spirit bones, I estimate their maximum quality is only at the level of mid-grade spirit artifacts; high-grade is impossible.

"No rush, Ancestor. How about you name this set of Primordial Spiritual Artifacts?"

Speaking of the name, the base material of this magical artifact is mainly his own spiritual bones, which may also be the last trace he left in the world.

Thinking of this, Wang Xianmao did not refuse and said.

'It's called the Five Elements Generating the Splendor Pivot. It has the meaning of an array formation and the power of a spiritual weapon. If used properly, it can play a great role.'

May the five elements bring prosperity and good fortune, and may it help our Wang family prosper and thrive.

This set of mixed-elemental magical artifacts uses Wang Xianmao's ribs, spine, arm bones, and leg bones as the core base material. After being forged, it looks like an irregular cylinder.

But in the future, it will definitely be nurtured in the Spirit Nourishing Box, so calling it the Five Elements Growth Pivot is just right.

"What a great name! I'll definitely refine it into a magical artifact when I have the chance!"

Xiao Wang is a sensible and good child.

Wang Xianmao never attained the Purple Mansion in his lifetime. After his death, a spiritual artifact made from his own spiritual bones was refined into a magic weapon, which can actually be regarded as a special kind of Purple Mansion.

It's fair to say that Xiao Wang's words were incredibly heartwarming for Wang Xianmao.

The tree branches swayed, and the old ancestor spoke gently.

'Stop talking big, let's finish forging the remaining two items first. Should we take a day off before continuing?'

“No need, keep refining. I’m confident I can refine the skull into a high-grade spiritual weapon as well. But the remaining scattered spiritual bones are more troublesome. Yu Lou’s idea is to add more materials and break it down into three mid-grade ones.”

Wang Yulou's plan was to refine the skull and the main spiritual bone into two high-grade items, and the other scattered spiritual bones into three mid-grade items.

This is not to say that Wang Yulou was heartless enough to use the ancestor's bones to scheme for spirit stones.

From the patriarch's perspective, he hoped to make more contributions to the clan, while Wang Yulou simply wanted to help him realize this wish as much as possible within his capabilities.

When Wang Yulou entered the world of cultivation, his master for practicing the Dao was Hongmei, who had a great influence on him.

It's a monkey-themed artifact, and while it may not be very useful, it can still play a significant role within certain evaluation systems if crafted properly.

Wang Yulou is very careful when refining artifacts, especially with the jade ruyi. After all, golden light is hard to accumulate; it's not a constant value but a relative experience value. In many cases, Wang Yulou himself needs to have a good foundation to bring out its maximum effect.

Despite its cautious use, the presence of the golden light gave Wang Yulou a sense of confidence, which was that "even if it explodes while being refined quickly, I'm not afraid."

It was with this confidence that Wang Yulou's mastery of alchemy was able to set him apart from ordinary weapon refiners and even those with some talent like Wang Yu'an.

"Sure, how about we call Yu'an over to help you out?"

Although Wang Yu'an has matured, in terms of cultivation, he is only at the level of understanding nine out of ten acupoints of spiritual artifacts—he is completely ignorant of the rest.

What help could he possibly offer Wang Yulou?

So the clan leader's actual meaning was to have Yu'an and Yulou handle his funeral arrangements together, starting from today. This was an implicit way of passing on family responsibility.

Although it was heartbreaking, Ancestor Xianmao did not believe that Wang Rongjiang was qualified to shoulder the burden of the family. After Wang Rongyuan's death, Wang Rongjiang would most likely become a transitional clan leader.

The burden of the future family will either be borne by Wang Yulou or Wang Yu'an. Wang Yulou has already admitted his mistake in thinking that dividing the family is a dead end.

"Okay, I'll call him up right away."

Not long after receiving a message from his elder brother, Yu'an flew to Shaluyuan.

After learning the specific details of Wang Yulou's weapon-forging, even though Yu'an had already established his foundation, he still found it difficult to calm his surging emotions.

At that moment, the weight of inheritance became incredibly tangible in his heart.

In fact, Wang Xianmao didn't mean to put pressure on the two boys. When he asked Wang Yulou to practice the spirit bone, although he used moral blackmail, he had previously clearly advised Yulou to be selfish—which was inconsistent with his status as the clan leader.

The complexity of cultivators never disappears throughout their entire life process, at any stage.

The patriarch hoped that Wang Yulou would be more selfish, less restrained and constrained, and go further and higher, because he and his brothers Xianhe and Xianzhou had too many regrets and resentments.

The patriarch hoped that Yulou could develop and prosper the Wang family because he had dedicated his life to the family and was bound by his original aspirations—of course, he was willing to do so.

With Yu'an and the ancestor by his side, Wang Yulou consumed several bottles of elixirs to boost his energy and vitality over the next few days. In just three days, he managed to refine another high-grade spiritual artifact orb, two mid-grade spiritual artifacts, and one low-grade spiritual artifact.

The reason he rushed to finish the work was that he couldn't leave the front lines for too long and had to return as soon as possible. As for the low-grade spiritual artifact, it was because the Ruyi Golden Light had run out and there was no way to completely save the mid-grade artifact.

……

However, despite one thing not meeting expectations, Wang Yulou's mastery of alchemy still greatly shocked the clan leader and Yu'an.

The two brothers left Shaluyuan together. On the way, Yu'an and Wang Yulou shared their impressions.

"Brother, I feel like I might never catch up with you in this lifetime..."

Wang Yu'an spoke dryly, and when he looked at Wang Yulou, he could see the feeling of a mayfly looking at the blue sky.

Keep in mind that Wang Yulou was the same age as him, not even ninety yet!

"That's too much. This isn't the Wang Yu'an I know. Once you've filled in the gaps in your inheritance, you'll be able to refine mid-grade spiritual artifacts."

I can then give you an order in the name of the Hall of Special Merit, and you can gradually train yourself.”

This wasn't a private transaction by Wang Yulou; with those two beasts, Yi Zouri and Zou Tianxing, watching over him, Wang Yulou wouldn't dare to act recklessly.

Only when Yu'an can refining mid-grade spiritual artifacts without losing money or losing less money can Yu Lou give him a chance in a compliant manner without being caught and tortured.

"Is this really true? An older brother wouldn't lie to his younger brother, would he?"

Wang Yulou glared at Yu An and said with a smile of anger.

"Now that you put it that way, I'm starting to feel like joking."

"Ah, brother, my dear brother, you..."

The two left Silly Donkey Plain amidst laughter and banter, while Ancestor Xianmao shook the tree trunk.

He wanted to shout, but he knew he shouldn't shout out what he wanted to say.

As a large tree, he couldn't speak, so he could only express his joy by shaking the tree trunk.

Amidst Wang Yulou's confusion, Wang Xianmao saw the demeanor of a true spiritual practitioner.

It is an attitude of constant exploration, an attitude of always looking into the distance, an attitude that contains ambition, as well as awe and humility.

Although Wang Yulou ruined a magical artifact, even if he destroyed it, it doesn't change the fact that...

Our clan's Jade Tower possesses the appearance of a golden elixir!
The branches and leaves swayed, and Wang Xianmao shouted in silence.

(End of this chapter)