Chapter 106: The True Fire Furnace

At this moment, within the vast sea of memories, three objects from the outside world floated: a violet crystal orb, an ancient small cauldron, and a storage pouch.

The violet crystal orb was the essence mother stone derived from the Purple Rock Crystal Mine, obtained from the secret realm’s bat nest—a treasure of incalculable value. Xu Xuan didn’t even dare to take it out recklessly.

The ancient small cauldron was likely an alchemy furnace. The remnant soul from his past life seemed particularly fond of it, suggesting it was no ordinary item.

Yet what truly captivated Xu Xuan was the storage pouch. Once belonging to a cultivator at the Core Formation stage, it was far superior to any mere treasure.

“I can’t open this storage pouch either,” Xu Xuan tried, turning to the remnant soul for help.

The Core Formation realm was simply too advanced, already transcending the third tier of the mundane, ascending to the heights of the Golden Core Path.

“Let me try. Fortunately, I still have some soul power left.”

The remnant soul nodded with interest, drew the storage pouch to hand, and tapped it lightly with a finger. A pure white, ghostly light struck the pouch.

With a crisp sound, the storage pouch opened, releasing a mesmerizing, alluring glow. Xu Xuan hurried over, taking out the items one by one.

“Tsk tsk, two treasure artifacts, though both are only first grade.”

The remnant soul gazed at two of the magical treasures: a blue ruler shimmering with flowing light and a robe flashing with icy brilliance.

Even after several centuries, these two treasures still radiated a powerful aura that unsettled Xu Xuan’s heart. It was easy to imagine that if these items appeared in the outside world, they would certainly cause a stir among the immortal sect’s cultivators.

“Treasure artifacts… and two of them! But such items must not be revealed at this stage,” Xu Xuan exclaimed with both joy and a sigh.

An ordinary man is doomed by his wealth. If even one treasure artifact appeared, it could trigger a bloody storm—those Immortal Masters at the Spirit Refinement stage might fight to the death for it.

Xu Xuan then took out four or five spiritual artifacts. These, from a Core Formation expert, were all at least superior grade—enough to make even Spirit Refinement cultivators envious and thus needed to be handled cautiously.

Soon, Xu Xuan found several jade slips, talismans, and various materials within the storage pouch.

A Core Formation cultivator’s storage pouch was the size of a typical house—far beyond the barrel-sized pouches used by ordinary cultivators, and nearly half of the space was filled with various materials used in cultivation.

Jade slips held little interest for Xu Xuan; his eyes quickly fell on a stack of talismans.

Talismans were common yet vital tools in the cultivation world—especially those left by a Core Formation expert. Even the lowest grade here was second-tier, and there were a dozen or more.

Among them, Xu Xuan spotted two talismans with a much stronger aura: one pale violet, the other blue-red.

The subtle spiritual energy undulating from these two made Xu Xuan’s heart tremble.

Third-tier talismans!

Xu Xuan blurted out in shock!

A third-tier talisman equaled a full-powered strike from a Core Formation cultivator. Used well, it could even kill a Spirit Refinement Immortal Master in one blow.

These two talismans were trump cards for certain death!

“Alas, only two of them,” Xu Xuan muttered, still discontent.

The space within the storage pouch was like a house, brimming with all manner of objects. Xu Xuan rummaged through it, even the remnant soul came to help.

Before long, Xu Xuan found a great pile of spirit stones.

“Haha! I’ve struck it rich…”

Xu Xuan was elated; before him lay tens of thousands of spirit stones, all of inferior grade—worth several million spirit yuan coins.

In addition, in a corner of the pile, inside a box, lay several hundred stones of far better color and quality, exuding a lustrous radiance.

“These must be lower-grade spirit stones!” Xu Xuan caressed them, feeling a peculiar sensation, as if even his consciousness was being purified.

“That’s right—lower-grade spirit stones. One is worth a hundred inferior stones, and generally only advanced cultivators use them,” the remnant soul said casually.

In the cultivation world, common inferior spirit stones were of poor quality, but lower-grade stones represented a qualitative leap in both spiritual energy and purity.

Xu Xuan grinned ear to ear, wild with joy—he had truly hit the jackpot!

“Don’t just count your riches; look for things that’ll actually help you,” the remnant soul chided, handing Xu Xuan a crystalline, fiery-red gem. “Fire Jade.”

Enlightened, Xu Xuan realized he should be seeking useful materials. Having just entered the path of body cultivation, he was in the body-forging stage, requiring corresponding materials to temper and strengthen his physique.

This Fire Jade was an invaluable fire-attribute gem, suitable for crafting spiritual tools and even treasure artifacts.

Xu Xuan sifted through the materials, focusing on those still useful. After centuries, most consumable spiritual materials in the pouch had withered away, so he could only collect materials for refining tools, precious stones, and the like.

Sorting for a long time, Xu Xuan finally organized the treasures, his expression gradually returning to calm.

“With such abundant resources, I’m sure I can cultivate a ‘Bronze-Forged Body’ and break through to the Spirit Refinement stage within a year or two—it’s not out of reach,” Xu Xuan said with renewed confidence.

The body-forging stage was the foundation of the physical cultivation path. Once mastered, one could forge an indestructible body that would make the entire cultivation world tremble. At that point, the flesh could withstand magical treasures and spells—not just in legend. Compared to other cultivation methods, even if they produced similar physiques, to truly rely on the body alone to resist magical treasures of the same rank was nothing but wishful thinking.

To practice body cultivation—to forge the strongest body—made all other paths pale in comparison.

After clearing the storage pouch, Xu Xuan’s gaze shifted to the ancient small cauldron.

“What is the use of this item? If it’s only for alchemy, that would be a shame.”

Xu Xuan gently touched the little cauldron, noticing a difference from ordinary furnaces: at the front, there was a small dragon’s mouth, easily missed if not looked at closely.

“Heh, this is no ordinary alchemy furnace, but a ‘True Fire Furnace,’ an almost extinct treasure in the cultivation world. It can refine both pills and flames, making it the holy grail for tool refinement masters. Its value surpasses everything you found in the storage pouch combined,” the remnant soul said with pride.

A True Fire Furnace!

This was Xu Xuan’s first time hearing of such a thing; after all, his memories only extended to part of his sixteenth year in his past life.

“Why not give it a try? The flame it produces might help you temper your body,” the remnant soul suggested with a smile.

“Let’s try, then,” Xu Xuan replied, his face full of anticipation as he prepared to take it out.

But just then, a distant, faint voice echoed from outside, as if from another world: “Junior Brother Xu.”

Huh!

A strange feeling arose in Xu Xuan’s heart. Who would be seeking him at this hour?

He quickly exited the sea of memories and opened his eyes in the real world—startled to find it was already dawn!

He had spent the entire night in the sea of memories.

“Junior Brother Xu…” came a voice from outside the North Cliff pavilion.

“Who is it?” Xu Xuan stepped out. The dew had not yet dried, and being woken so early, he was rather annoyed.

Outside stood a lean man in a blue robe, who smiled at Xu Xuan. “I am Yuan Qing. I’ve come to deliver a message to you.”

Yuan Qing?

Xu Xuan didn’t recall meeting him, though the figure seemed vaguely familiar.

“What business does Senior Brother Yuan have?” Xu Xuan noted that the man was only at the first level of Qi Refinement, likely sent by some important figure to run errands.

Vaguely, Yuan Qing seemed somewhat in awe of Xu Xuan and politely said, “By order of Steward Zheng, I am to summon you to see him.”

Steward Zheng?

Xu Xuan was a bit surprised. In the sect, reaching the level of Steward required at least seventh-level Qi Refinement—mostly senior members, much stronger than the ordinary disciples.

He wondered what Steward Zheng wanted with him.

On the way, Xu Xuan chatted with Yuan Qing. The latter smiled and said, “Steward Zheng has deep seniority in the sect and cultivates a fire-attribute immortal art, for which he greatly needs fire-attribute spiritual materials. I heard you recently obtained a ‘Red Serpent Fruit’ from the secret realm—perhaps this is why he seeks you.”

“Oh, the Red Serpent Fruit?” Xu Xuan nodded, amused—he had consumed it just yesterday, what an unfortunate coincidence.

Yuan Qing led Xu Xuan to a tall, fiery-red spiritual hall and then took his leave.

As Xu Xuan stepped inside, he was immediately met by a lively, friendly spiritual energy. Even the air seemed to radiate warmth.

“Who goes there?” A young man in red robes, his cultivation at the fourth level of Qi Refinement, blocked his path.

“Xu Xuan.”

“So you’re Junior Brother Xu! I’ve heard of your exploits—how you shone in the secret realm and reaped great rewards…” The red-robed youth’s tone warmed, and he introduced himself. “From today, we’re fellow disciples.”

“Fellow disciples?” Xu Xuan’s expression was odd.

“Same sect, same master,” the youth laughed, clapping him on the shoulder.

Same sect?

Xu Xuan was slightly taken aback, but he had his suspicions.

“My disciple, why haven’t you let him in yet?” came a slightly angry, aged voice.

Suddenly, a powerful pressure filled the air, making it feel even hotter. The red-robed youth quickly led Xu Xuan inside.

On the dais sat an elder, about forty or fifty, his skin ruddy, eyes bright, and the spiritual pressure he exuded—even more intense than Yun Yuanhang and the others.

Xu Xuan’s heart tightened; by sensing the aura, he realized Steward Zheng’s cultivation was at the ninth level of Qi Refinement—just one step from entering the Spirit Refinement realm. At this level, a Qi Refinement Immortal Master possessed formidable spells and divine abilities, commanding respect from ordinary cultivators.

“You must be Xu Xuan. Good, very good. It seems you’ve entered the martial cultivation path, already at the second or third level of Qi Refinement,” Steward Zheng said with some approval. “I heard from Senior Brother Lu that you possess the foundation of ninth-level body training and a perfect physique. Indeed, you are a martial prodigy.”

Faced with such a powerful sect elder, Xu Xuan dared not be disrespectful and answered with a smile.

“I hear you have yet to take a master in the sect, is that so?”

“That is correct, Elder. I have no master as yet,” Xu Xuan replied.

“Hahaha… That’s perfect! I intend to take you as my disciple—what do you say?” Steward Zheng exclaimed, his eyes gleaming as he fixed his gaze on Xu Xuan.

Take him as a disciple?

Xu Xuan frowned. When had anyone ever been so enthusiastic about accepting a disciple?

Besides, did he truly need a master?

(Second update posted. Want to see the next chapter? Then shower this story with recommendations and monthly votes!)