Mortal: I became invincible after becoming sworn brothers with Han Li.

Chapter 167 Returning to Baiqiao to Begin Refining Weapons

We passed through the protective array surrounding the Hundred Crafts Academy and flew over the huge plaza where the Sword Testing Tournament had taken place.

Zhao Huang led Li Yunfan deeper into the distance until a colossal, endless wall appeared before his eyes.

In front of the giant wall, there is a huge platform built against the mountainside.

In the center of the platform stands a five-story pavilion, over a hundred feet tall, which at first glance resembles a giant stone tower.

As the two flew closer, Li Yunfan discovered that countless holes of all sizes had been cut into the massive wall behind the pavilion, densely packed like a honeycomb.

Many disciples of the Hundred Crafts Institute would occasionally go in and out of these holes.

"This does resemble the dwelling place of the Hanchi tribe—" Li Yunfan raised an eyebrow slightly, suddenly thinking of the Hanchi tribe who lived underground.

"This is the true gate of my Hundred Crafts Academy. Beneath this mountain lies a top-tier Earth Core Fire Pool, which not only makes weapon forging twice as effective, but is also a rare cultivation ground for us cultivators who practice fire-attribute techniques!"

Zhao Huang explained to Li Yunfan with a smile on his face.

He then took Li Yunfan and flew directly to a huge hole in the mountain wall, which was a hundred feet high.

After passing through a not-too-long stone passage, the two arrived at a stone hall that was thirty or forty feet in size.

As soon as he entered this place, Li Yunfan immediately sensed a fire elemental energy that was several times more concentrated than outside.

This caused the Nine Revolutions Burning Heaven Technique within his body to involuntarily begin to operate!

The Purple Nether Heart Fire and Yellow Spring Poison Fire within his dantian continued to rise within his body, as if they greatly enjoyed this environment!

One of these two flames was originally formed from the fire of the earth's core, while the other was born from the magma underground.

It shares the same origin as this top-tier underground fire pool, so it naturally reacts to this place.

Li Yunfan glanced around the stone hall and noticed that many rooms had been carved out of the surrounding stone walls.

Some of the rooms had their stone doors tightly closed, and the fire elemental energy inside surged, indicating that someone was using them.

Without saying a word, Zhao Huang headed straight for an empty stone chamber deep within the stone hall.

Seeing this, Li Yunfan also lifted his leg and followed closely behind.

The stone chamber was over ten feet in size, with some unknown crystals embedded in the ceiling, emitting light and illuminating the dark interior.

On the three walls of the stone chamber stand three thick stone pillars, their surfaces adorned with dragon patterns, and each top is carved with a lifelike dragon head, its mouth wide open and facing the center.

In the center of the stone chamber, there is also a short, thick stone pillar, but the dragon head on it is in a posture of roaring to the sky.

Upon entering the stone chamber, Zhao Huang took out a jade tablet and gently swept it across a protruding stone on the wall. The stone door, which had been open, closed automatically with a "boom".

Immediately afterwards, the array inside the stone chamber was activated, and a layer of red protective shield rose up, enveloping the interior of the room.

"This is the weapon-refining room of the Hundred Crafts Academy, and also one of the places where the earth fire is most stable, making it perfect for refining that magical artifact!"

Zhao Huang smiled and said something, then turned to look at Li Yunfan and spoke again.

"Let me see your spirit fire. Although I've seen it at the Sword Trial Tournament, I'd better confirm it again!"

'

Upon hearing this, Li Yunfan raised his hand and released the jubilant Purple Nether Heart Flame.

Zhao Huang narrowed his eyes slightly as he carefully examined the purple flame in his hand, a look of surprise gradually appearing on his face.

"Your spiritual fire seems somewhat similar to the fire of the earth's core, yet it is also different; it is truly strange—"

Upon hearing this, Li Yunfan was somewhat surprised, as the other party was able to discern the origin of the Purple Nether Heart Flame!

It should be noted that although the Purple Nether Heart Flame was formed by him absorbing the fire from the earth's lungs, after being tempered by the Nine Revolutions Burning Heaven Technique and nurtured within his body over the years, it is now vastly different from the original earth fire.

But Zhao Huang only glanced at it a few times and guessed some clues, how could he not be surprised!

However, upon further reflection, he realized that the other party was, after all, a cultivator in the mid-stage of Core Formation, and also possessed spiritual fire within their body.

He has been cultivating using this top-tier underground fire pool, so it makes sense that he could discover this.

Thinking of this, Li Yunfan immediately and generously admitted, "Senior has keen insight; this junior's spiritual fire is indeed related to earth fire."

Seeing that Li Yunfan was only halfway through his sentence, Zhao Huang couldn't help but glance at him, then smiled and shook his head.

"Don't worry, I've already spent a lot of time and resources cultivating my own spiritual fire, I won't try to refine a second one!"

He thought Li Yunfan was worried that he would try to steal it, which was why he hadn't explained the origin of the spirit fire.

What he didn't know was that Li Yunfan was actually more worried that if he revealed his origins, he would be questioned about the tempering method, and then he wouldn't be able to hide the Nine Revolutions Burning Heaven Technique he was cultivating!

So he immediately cupped his hands in thanks and said, "Thank you for your understanding, senior!"

This statement immediately caused Zhao Huang, who was waiting for his explanation, to pause, feeling both amused and exasperated.

"That kid—"

However, he was only curious, and since the other party was unwilling to explain, he stopped asking.

"You've cultivated this spirit fire quite well; its power should be sufficient. Next, I'll explain the weapon-refining process to you. You must take careful notes and absolutely cannot make the slightest mistake during the refining process—"

Zhao Huang then carefully explained the weapon-forging process to Li Yunfan, asking him questions about anything he didn't understand.

Then I explained the parts he didn't understand in detail until he fully understood.

Li Yunfan naturally wouldn't let such a good opportunity pass by, and he memorized the entire weapon-forging process.

He would ask questions as soon as he didn't understand something.

After nearly an hour of explanation, Li Yunfan finally understood the whole process.

Afterwards, Zhao Huang arranged for him to meditate and regulate his breathing, and to mentally review the weapon-forging process to ensure that no mistakes would occur.

He was making final preparations, taking out all the refining materials and putting them away carefully, especially a porcelain white jade bottle, which he placed beside him with great care.

After an incense stick had burned, Zhao Huang woke up Li Yunfan and officially began the weapon forging process!

He sat cross-legged in front of the central stone pillar, solemnly casting a spell to activate the ten pillars of fire.

A burst of blazing purplish-red flames suddenly erupted from the dragon's head at the top of the stone pillar!

The scorching heat even made Li Yunfan, who cultivated fire-attribute techniques, feel a slight heat.

The purple flames within his body were constantly rising with a "popping" sound.

Li Yunfan then sat down not far from Zhao Huang, focusing his mind on calming the restless Purple Nether Heart Fire within his body.

Zhao Huang stared solemnly at the surging fire before him. He pointed his right hand at the ground, and a fist-sized black stone flew into the central flames on its own.

In just a few breaths, the black stone melted into a pool of black liquid.

With a gentle wave of his hand, Zhao Huang sent the liquid flying precisely into the jade bottle beside him.

He then pointed again, and another piece of red stone flew into the flames.

In this way, Zhao Huang continuously melted the materials around him into liquid and then put them into jade bottles.

As time passed, the materials on the ground had been mostly refined.

Then he took a deep breath, raised his hand and pointed to the first brocade box on the ground. The lid opened and the materials inside flew out on their own.

It was a piece of metal about the size of a baby's fist, with a pale purple sheen.

This time, Zhao Huang did not put it into the earth fire, but instead opened his mouth and spat out a ball of red flame to envelop it.

Then they were thrown into the earth fire to be refined.

Looking at the ball of red spiritual fire, Li Yunfan's eyes twitched.

Because the moment that ball of flame appeared, all three kinds of spiritual fire within his body went out.

The fully refined blue and white spirit fire instilled a sense of fear in him!