Daoist Competition

After Zhang Yan finished handling the sect affairs one by one, he rode the wind and clouds, transforming into a clear light and flying out of the mountain gate. In less than an hour, he arrived at the Earth Fire Sky Furnace.

This place is now considered an important location for the Han Yuan Sect, with not only forbidden arrays but also disciples assigned for guarding.

Today’s guardian was Wang Caiwei’s senior disciple, Ye Lanzhu. Suddenly, she saw a ray of clear light approaching and became alert. However, even before the luminescence had descended, she felt a spiritual tide surging over, making it almost impossible to breathe, and she immediately knew that the arrival was beyond her ability to confront. Therefore, she hid within the array and said, "Who is Your Excellency? This is an important location of our Han Yuan Sect. If you are not from our sect, please retreat early to avoid misjudgment."

Zhang Yan looked over and saw a petite and exquisite young girl in the array, her hair tied in a bun, wearing a knee-length blue flower robe and a plum blossom-embroidered long skirt. At this moment, she was staring at him with large, bright black eyes, hand on her Dharma Sword.

In the sect, apart from Zhao Ge, Shen Baishuang’s lineage had all left, and Zhang Boyant only had Zhao Yang under him. Thus, this girl could only be a disciple of the next generation, so he asked, "I am Zhang Yan, whose disciple are you?"

Ye Lanzhu was initially somewhat confused, but then suddenly widened her eyes, let out an "ah," and hastily knelt down, saying: "So it is the Grandmaster himself. In the past, I have only seen your portrait and failed to recognize you. I beg forgiveness. Disciple Ye Lanzhu, usually studying under Master Wang, but the two martial uncles often offer guidance given my fair talents."

Zhang Yan nodded slightly. This female disciple was indeed clever. She refrained from directly naming her master but cleverly hinted with words, so he would know she was under Wang Caiwei.

He took a step inward and crossed into the array under Ye Lanzhu’s surprised gaze, as if the prohibitions posed no barrier, and said: "I will use the Earth Furnace to refine a treasure shortly. You should step back to avoid getting burned by the True Fire."

Ye Lanzhu sneaked a glance at Zhang Yan and respectfully said, "Disciple will guard outside for the Grandmaster. If there are any instructions, just call for me." She rose, respectfully saluted, and lightly stepped upon a piece of Xuan Guang, retreating outside.

Zhang Yan pondered slightly, thinking: "Wang Caiwei and Cai Ting’s disciples are few but fair in aptitude. It would be a pity for them to be left in East Victory without guidance. Since I’m returning to East Splendor, I might as well take them along."

He slowly walked to the furnace, first circling the perimeter with careful inspection, then ascended a Dharma Platform at the North Position, sitting on a cushion.

This Heavenly Furnace was crafted by Shen Baishuang. Not only does it channel the Kunyuan True Fire, but its interior and exterior are also rearranged, resembling the one he saw back in Central Pillar Continent, divided into fields and sections, with thirty-six cave openings and seventy-two well paths below, each level equipped to handle different heats, with banners at the side to manipulate the fire.

If there are enough artifact refiners, dozens of Magic Artifacts can be refined simultaneously within this furnace. Although not every artifact may achieve upper grade quality, it would suffice as rewards for junior disciples, and the depth of a sect’s foundation can be gauged by this.

Zhang Yan’s current task was to sacrifice and refine Dual Swords for Fu Baoxing, and two Dharma Treasures for the Wang Sisters, originally requiring only four openings. However, having come here, he thought: "Since I’ve arrived, I should forge one for each of them, lest I’m accused of favoritism as a master."

Refining Dharma Treasures can take years or decades. He did not intend to do so but planned to cleanse the luster of previously acquired Dharma Treasures, restoring their original form, and then refine them anew, causing subtle changes in form and spirit. This is known as the Technique of Refinement, and many Dharma Treasures in the Mingcang Sect have also come from this.

After much contemplation, he took out several Dharma Treasures and threw them into the furnace along with the two Dharma Swords.

After a moment, he also took out five jars of Heavenly Demon Remnants, sprinkling them below. Then, with a pull of Mana, the banners on the platform gently waved without wind, and the earth fire erupted from the well paths, soon surging clouds and steam with thick white Qi emerging from the furnace.

At this moment, his Dharma Body was here refining the Dharma Treasures while his shell remained in the Cave Mansion, sitting in meditation and cultivation, practicing breathing and adjusting.

For a Nascent Soul cultivator, achieving the Third Realm, every advancement in Mana becomes increasingly difficult, akin to sailing against the current. Therefore, if the Dharma Body travels, the physical body must always cultivate and refine Qi in place to avoid falling behind in cultivation progress.