Journey to the West: Starting with the True Lord of the Pure Land

Inside the cave, the aroma of tea gradually dissipated.

Chen Jiao was sitting quietly on a blue stone outside the mansion, trying to comprehend the condensed energy of metal and stone in the valley.

The Bull Demon King, however, couldn't stay still. He picked up a jar of strong liquor that he had somehow found and poured himself a drink.

As Ruyi Zhenren's gaze swept over the pile of remains left by the exploding furnace outside the cave, his brows furrowed slightly.

He then got up and walked to a stone shelf in the inner room, carefully taking out an object.

It was a three-legged round cauldron about half the height of a person. The cauldron was dark blue in color and made of neither gold nor stone. Its surface was engraved with fine cloud patterns.

However, the luster was slightly dim, and several key patterns were still discontinuous, clearly indicating that it was an unfinished, half-finished product.

On the inner wall of the cauldron, several newly drawn but unfinished spirit-guiding talismans can be vaguely seen.

Ruyi Zhenren brushed away the thin layer of dust from the cauldron with his sleeve, his eyes revealing a look of treasuring:

"This is the [Fire-Gathering Cauldron], which I refined from the essence of [Sinking Gold Stone] collected from the valley a few years ago, supplemented with [Sandalwood Heart].

It was originally intended to be used to contain and nurture the spiritual fire, but unfortunately, the last few fire-condensing patterns could not be perfectly inscribed.

Furthermore, due to the lack of a crucial spiritual ingredient—the Water-Based Stone—to harmonize the fire energy within the cauldron, it has been shelved until now.

He gently traced a shallow crack on the surface of the cauldron with his fingers and continued:

"The explosion in the oven just now did give me a bit of inspiration."

If we can complete the final steps of this cauldron's production in the next few days, given its stable base made of heavy gold and its calming properties made of sandalwood, we will have a much better chance of successfully collecting the [Fire Within the Stone].

The Bull Demon King took a closer look and said, "This cauldron looks quite sturdy, but it's a bit lacking in heat."

"Brother, just tell me what you need!"

Ruyi Zhenren pondered and said:

"The missing auxiliary materials are still in stock."

The only time to inscribe the final fire pattern is when one's mind is completely still and there can be no mistakes.

This pattern needs to encircle the inner wall of the cauldron, connecting various patterns to form a cycle. The purpose is to restrain the fire element, making it gentle and controllable, so as not to cause a violent backlash.

Furthermore, the power of water element must be constantly used to moisten the body of the cauldron to prevent the metal and stone energy from being too rigid and cracking.

"My own water-related skills are rudimentary, and I have failed several times in my attempts, nearly damaging the cauldron. Therefore, I have been putting it aside."

Ruyi Zhenren looked up at Chen Jiao, his eyes filled with a pleading expression, and said:

"Fellow Daoist Xuanling's water techniques are exquisite and unparalleled among his peers. I wonder... if you could trouble yourself to help me complete these final steps?"

With the help of this cauldron, the chances of successfully capturing the Netherfire will increase by another 30%.

Chen Jiao stood quietly to the side, nodded slightly, and said, "The harmony of water and fire is the fundamental principle of weapon forging. Since you have made the request, I will give it a try."

Upon hearing this, Master Ruyi was overjoyed and quickly said, "If it is convenient for you, we can begin now."

He quickly cleared the stone platform and placed the fire-gathering cauldron in the center.

The cauldron-refining process thus began.

Ruyi Zhenren held his breath and focused his mind, raising a warm, pale white flame. He carefully filled in the unfinished ordinary patterns on the body of the cauldron one by one.

Each stroke required drawing upon one's own magical power to resonate with the metal and stone cauldron, which was extremely taxing on the mind, and fine beads of sweat quickly appeared on the forehead.

His movements were steady and skillful, perfectly in line with the principles of weapon crafting.

Chen Jiao stood quietly to the side, not in a hurry to make a move, but focused on observing the technique.

Once the basic patterns were completed, the small cauldron trembled slightly, emitting a hazy blue light, and its aura had become mostly harmonious.

Only the most complex and mysterious area at the core of the cauldron remained dim and without light.

Ruyi Zhenren took a deep breath and looked at Chen Jiao.

"Fellow Daoist Xuanling, please look here. This is where the Fire Condensation Pattern is inscribed."

This pattern requires water as the brush and magic as the ink, the water essence to permeate the origin of the vessel, but without damaging the fire element foundation in the slightest...

Chen Jiao understood, stepped forward, and pointed at the body of the tripod with his fingers like a brush.

As his fingertips moved, mysterious patterns began to appear on the cauldron. Moisture seeped in, nourishing the newly formed patterns and harmonizing the hot, metallic energy rising from the cauldron due to the smelting process.

Ruyi Zhenren closely cooperated from the side, adjusting the earth's heat from time to time to ensure that the cauldron was heated evenly.

He knew how difficult this step would be, requiring a profound understanding of the spiritual essence of water and the inherent spirituality of the magical artifact itself.

When Fellow Daoist Xuan Ling used it, it was as smooth as flowing water, without the slightest stagnation. The water element at his fingertips was as docile as an extension of his own body!

With the aid of pure water element, the fire needle moved incredibly smoothly, and the artifact patterns formed exceptionally stably, without the uncontrollable restlessness of the past.

Ruyi Zhenren was both surprised and delighted, gaining a deeper understanding of the exquisite skill in controlling water.

The Bull Demon King watched intently from the side.

Although he was not knowledgeable about the intricacies of weapon crafting, he knew that this moment was crucial, so he held his breath and concentrated.

Inside the cave, the only sounds were the faint hissing of the earth fire, the subtle sizzling of the spiritual liquid flowing into the cauldron, and the almost inaudible sound of Chen Jiao's fingertips tracing the air.

Several hours passed in this manner.

As sunlight filters through the crevices in the rocks, it casts long, slanted shadows inside the cave.

As Chen Jiao withdrew his hand, the area inside the cauldron suddenly lit up!

A mysterious pattern, resembling leaping flames yet possessing the gentle, flowing essence of water, was fully formed.

The entire Fire-Gathering Cauldron trembled slightly, and the dim cloud patterns on its body suddenly lit up, flowing endlessly and emitting a deep and restrained precious light.

The original damage has been perfectly repaired, and the aura of the entire cauldron has become harmonious and profound, possessing the wonderful balance of water and fire.

The Fire-Gathering Cauldron is complete!

Master Ruyi breathed a long sigh of relief, looking at the flawless treasure cauldron with excitement in his eyes.

He stroked the cauldron with great affection, carefully exploring its mysteries.

A moment later, Ruyi Zhenren bowed deeply to Chen Jiao, his voice slightly hoarse with joy:

"Thank you, fellow Daoist! This time, not only has the mission been accomplished, but the precious cauldron has also gained three profound mysteries."

This kindness will be forever etched in my heart!

Chen Jiao stood with his fingers retracted, his breathing as steady as ever, and simply said:

"Fellow Daoist has a solid foundation, and this cauldron embryo is of excellent quality; it is simply a matter of time before it is completed."

Chen Jiao's gaze swept over the transformed [Fire-Gathering Cauldron]. After this transformation, the cauldron gained three new mysteries: fire control, material tempering, and spirit nourishment.

It will be a great help in the subsequent acquisition of the [Stone Fire], and even in the future alchemy and artifact crafting of True Person Ruyi.

The weariness on Ruyi Zhenren's face had long since disappeared, replaced by joy and emotion.

He pondered for a moment, then took something out of his sleeve.

It was a jade box about a foot long, with no decorations on its body and a cool touch.

Its surface is covered with a layer of fine, frost-like white hairs, exuding a faint metallic scent.

Ruyi Zhenren held the jade box and said earnestly:

"Fellow Daoist Xuanling, in this cauldron refining process, you not only helped me succeed, but also added three layers of mystery to the cauldron. For me, your kindness is like a second birth."

A simple gift of thanks is insufficient to express my gratitude.

He gently pushed the jade box toward Chen Jiao:

"Inside this box is a piece of Taiyi Refined Gold, which I obtained by chance in the ruins of a cave during my early travels."

This object contains immortal golden energy, and its nature is extremely firm and pure.

What's even more remarkable is that its inherent balance and harmony, blending seamlessly with all laws, make it an ideal base for crafting powerful magical artifacts that combine offense and defense, such as flying swords and seals.

"I have studied weapon crafting for hundreds of years and have obtained many rare ores, but in terms of the depth of its foundation and the magnitude of its potential, none can surpass this one."