In the Cave Mansion.

Zhou Yuantong formed a spell with her hands. Spiritual Light surged around them as an invisible Restriction enveloped them both.

With the dual Restrictions of the Cave Mansion’s Array and this new barrier, not even a Dao Foundation Cultivator could hope to eavesdrop on their conversation undetected.

"Husband, we’re definitely going to leave the Joyful Sect. Since that’s the case, why not take this opportunity to reap some benefits?"

Zhou Yuantong said with a smile:

"My status as a Core True Inheritance Disciple can’t just be for show."

"That makes sense." Zhu Ju nodded.

"Hmm..."

A look of surprise crossed his face.

"You’re confident you can leave?"

"Yes." Zhou Yuantong’s beautiful eyes sparkled.

"Master said that as soon as I open my Seventh Acupoint and become a Late-Stage Innate Qi Refiner, I’ll be allowed to go out on missions."

"This is our chance!"

"But let’s not talk about that for now. Look at what I got for you."

With a light wave of her delicate hand, a pile of items landed on the table, their dazzling Spiritual Light momentarily blinding him.

"A Qi Absorption Talisman!"

"This talisman contains True Qi. It can give you the Cultivation strength of a Broken Five Acupoints Innate for a short time."

Zhou Yuantong picked up a Spirit Talisman, a fierce look on her face.

"If that Muk Zi dares to bother you again, Husband, you can teach her a harsh lesson."

’A Qi Absorption Talisman?’

Zhu Ju took it with some curiosity. Its effect was similar to an Outer Pill, but its uses were limited.

An Outer Pill could be used repeatedly, but a Qi Absorption Talisman could be used three times at most.

Still, for something that could temporarily grant a One Acupoint Innate the power of a Broken Five Acupoints Innate, it was an incredibly rare Treasure.

"Tier One High Grade Flying Talismans, Protective Talismans, Instant Body Talismans..."

Zhou Yuantong continued to take out one Spirit Talisman after another.

"With these, Husband, you won’t have to fear even a Late-Stage Innate Qi Refiner."

Zhu Ju was stunned into silence, then nodded with a sigh of emotion.

"The Joyful Sect... it truly lives up to its name as a Great Demonic Sect."

Any one of these Spirit Talismans was worth hundreds of Spirit Stones. This whole stack could be exchanged for several thousand Spirit Stones.

And that was not even mentioning the various Elixirs that could help increase his Cultivation.

So extravagant!

Truly worthy of being one of the Great Demonic Sects. The casual way they could produce items that left Zhu Ju in awe was astounding.

And this...

...was just the beginning.

「A few days later.」

Qii Yao brought a pile of Refining Materials and several Secret Manuals, her face full of envy as she handed them to Zhu Ju.

"Master heard you’re very interested in Artifact Refining and have some Talent for it, so she found some Secret Manuals to bestow upon you."

"If you wish to properly assist Yuann Tong, you might want to put some effort into Artifact Refining. In the future, you could become her great right-hand."

Zhu Ju understood.

She had brought not only Refining Materials but also a few broken Magical Artifacts, one of which was even a High Grade Spiritual Artifact.

He figured they must have been Princess Consort Yuann’s past spoils of war.

To a Dao Foundation Cultivator, these items were not much, but they were still worth tens of thousands of Spirit Stones.

Furthermore, there were also Artifact Refining Secret Manuals that couldn’t be bought with Spirit Stones.

Celestial Craft Strategy

Five Elements Transformation Technique

Blood Refining Yin Yang Record

...

"Master also said that if there’s anything about Artifact Refining you don’t understand, you can go find Inner Sect Disciple Ding Gui."

"Senior Sister Ding will teach you diligently."

「Another few days passed.」

"Immortal Demon Slash!"

Zhu Ju’s expression was complicated as he caressed the Jade Scroll in his hand. He turned his head to look at Zhou Yuantong’s expectant face.

"You got this from Senior Princess Consort Yuann as well?"

"Mhm." Zhou Yuantong nodded.

"Husband, you once said that the Saber Technique you practice, Ghost God Limit, comes from a Demon Sect, so I asked Master about it."

"And sure enough!"

"One of the Sect’s seniors possessed this inheritance. Immortal Demon Slash is the second half of Ghost God Limit. It’s said to be a rather formidable Saber Technique, or perhaps an Artifact Control Method, even in the Dao Foundation Realm."

Immortal Demon Slash was not purely a Saber Technique; it was also an Artifact Control Method that could be used with Magical Artifacts like Flying Swords.

Compared to Ghost God Limit, Immortal Demon Slash was more powerful and had higher requirements for the Cultivator.

At minimum, one had to be at the Late-Stage Innate to practice it.

Putting down the Jade Scroll, Zhu Ju felt a surge of emotion and pulled Zhou Yuantong into his arms. His expression shifted several times before settling into a long sigh.

"We’re both going to be fine."

"Of course."

Zhou Yuantong beamed.

"We will definitely leave this place."

"Senior Princess Consort Yuann’s generous gifts are meant to ensure I don’t hold back your Cultivation," Zhu Ju said slowly after a moment of thought.

"From now on, you need to focus on your Cultivation."

"Mhm."

Zhou Yuantong nodded firmly.

All she wanted now was to open her Seventh Acupoint as quickly as possible, then find a chance to take Zhu Ju and leave the Joyful Sect.

Regarding this, Zhu Ju did not say much.

He had no intention of shattering her beautiful fantasy.

...

Holding the identity Token of an Inner Sect Disciple, Zhu Ju arrived at the bottom of Wind Moon Valley and knocked on an iron door.

"Enter!"

BZZZZ...

The heavy iron door groaned and shook as it slid open to the sides, releasing a blast of scorching heat.

Inside the Cave Mansion,

a brawny Female Cultivator wearing a short vest was hammering a piece of unknown material.

The Female Cultivator turned her head at the sound, her tiger-like eyes wide.

"You must be the Zhu Ju that Martial Aunt Yuann mentioned."

"I am."

Zhu Ju clasped his hands in a salute.

"I wish to refine a saber-type Magical Artifact. If possible, I’d prefer it to be a Top-Grade Spiritual Artifact."

"A Top-Grade Spiritual Artifact?" Ding Gui sneered.

"You sure dream big."

"Come in and talk."

Zhu Ju stepped into the Cave Mansion, placed all the materials on a stone table in a specific order, and said,

"I have a Soul-Devouring Jade, Innate Essence Gold, and these Five Elements Objects. Supplemented with an Artifact Embryo Spirit Pattern, it might not be impossible."

"Besides..."

"I have a High Grade Spiritual Artifact that can be modified. It shouldn’t be too much trouble."

"Hm?" Ding Gui raised an eyebrow.

"You know Artifact Refining?"

"A little." Zhu Ju clasped his hands again.

"I have some small insights into Five Elements Forging."

"Martial Aunt Yuann said a young man interested in Artifact Refining would be looking for me." Ding Gui unhurriedly set down her giant hammer, ambled over, and began to poke at the materials on the table.

"Your foundation isn’t bad. It seems you’re not just ’interested’ in Artifact Refining; you have some clever ideas about the methods."

To others, the materials on the table would look randomly placed and chaotic.

But in her eyes, they were already arranged in the order of refining, revealing a complete conceptual plan for the artifact.

"However..."

"Some parts of your plan won’t work."

Stroking her chin, Ding Gui spoke slowly.

"Top-Grade Spiritual Artifacts are different from ordinary Magical Artifacts. They don’t just require top-tier materials; they also need special Refining Methods."

"Do you know the ’Gold-Melting Hand’ or the ’Thousand Forging Technique’?"

"No." Zhu Ju’s eyes flickered.

"I have heard of them, though. They’re two special techniques for controlling True Flame and tempering Magical Artifacts."

"That’s right." Ding Gui nodded.

"Five Elements Forging and Blood Sacrifice Edge Opening are just the basics of Artifact Refining. Above that, there’s Spiritual Pattern Engraving, Artifact Spirit Coexistence..."

"Unless you’re using certain special materials, you need all sorts of complex techniques to refine a Top-Grade Spiritual Artifact."

"The Blood Refining Technique?" Zhu Ju said thoughtfully.

"Oh!" Ding Gui’s eyebrow shot up.

"You’ve read the Blood Refining Yin Yang Record?"

"I just started it." Zhu Ju clasped his hands.

"I was just about to ask for your guidance."

"Happy to help." Ding Gui’s interest was piqued, and her expression grew animated.

"The Magical Artifact you want to refine needs to be inscribed with Edge-Shattering, Extreme Speed, and Five Elements Spiritual Patterns. The Blood Refining Technique is the best way to do it..."

Zhu Ju listened intently, asking questions when he didn’t understand and interrupting at appropriate times when he had an idea.

His foundation in the art of Artifact Refining was weak.

However, thanks to the Treasure Visualization Technique from the Magic World and the Artifact Refining Truth from the Bright Void Sect, he often had clever insights.

The more Ding Gui spoke, the more excited she became, finally clapping her hands together forcefully.

"Junior Brother, your idea is viable! It’s just missing a bit of Celestial Meteorite Iron. Otherwise, we could give it a try."

"Celestial Meteorite Iron?" A thought struck Zhu Ju, and he took out his Cross and Vertical Saber.

"Senior Sister, would this be suitable?"

"Oh!"

Ding Gui took it and asked casually,

"Junior Brother, you don’t know how to appraise Spiritual Objects?"

"I don’t."

"That won’t do."

Ding Gui shook her head repeatedly.

"If you want to become an Artifact Refiner, knowing how to identify various materials is fundamental. I have a technique here called the Profound Mystic Spiritual Eye. You can try practicing it when you get back."

"This skill allows you to perceive changes in Yin Yang and the Five Elements. You can see through many materials at a glance. It’s much stronger than the Spirit Eye Skill practiced by those Marketplace shopkeepers in the Outer Sect."

’Profound Mystic Spiritual Eye?’

"Thank you, Senior Sister."

"It is Celestial Meteorite Iron, and the quality is quite good. We can give it a try."

*

*

*

Since they were here, they might as well make the best of it.

As time passed, Zhu Ju seemed to forget the outside world, completely immersing himself in his current life.

Although he never forgot their goal of escaping, it was hopeless in the short term. It was better to use the Joyful Sect’s resources to increase his own strength and wait for the right opportunity.

Cultivation and Artifact Refining.

In his spare time, he and Zhou Yuantong would hold hands, admire the scenery, and enjoy themselves.

Zhou Yuantong had a gentle personality, yet she was also lively and adorable—a complete anomaly in the corrupt environment of the Joyful Sect.

If it weren’t for the occasional, superfluous appearance of ’Qii Yao,’ it would have been a perfect world for two, and they might have often forgotten they were in the perilous lands of a Demon Sect.

「Half a year went by in the blink of an eye.」

On the bed, two figures sat cross-legged, facing each other.

Zhu Ju’s eyes shone faintly. The True Qi in his body suddenly accelerated, rushing toward a Lower Acupoint.

BOOM!

The Lower Acupoint opened.

The Innate Eighth Acupoint was breached.

Of course,

due to the Four Symbols Star Ban and the Hidden Element Technique, his externally manifested state only showed that he had opened the Innate Second Acupoint.

"Congratulations."

Zhou Yuantong withdrew her palm, her face filled with joy.

"Husband, you’ve broken through the second Acupoint. Your Cultivation has advanced, and the Great Dao is within your reach."

"I can’t compare to you, Yuann Tong." Zhu Ju stood up and stretched his Tendons and Bones, a smile also appearing on his face.

"I’ve consumed so many Spiritual Medicines just to open one Acupoint, while you’re about to open your Seventh Acupoint."

"Hee hee..." Zhou Yuantong giggled.

"But why is your second Acupoint down there, Husband? I heard from Qii Yao that the second Acupoint is usually one of the ear or nose Acupoints."

"Hmm..." Zhu Ju said thoughtfully.

"Perhaps it’s to make it more convenient for us to practice the Joyful Technique?"

"What are you talking about?"

Zhou Yuantong blushed bashfully.

"Come!" Zhu Ju was in high spirits.

"My dear wife, come see what’s changed now that your husband has broken through an Acupoint!"

"Ah...!"

A delicate cry rang out.

...

On the north side of Wind Moon Valley, shrouded in thick fog, a pillar of Celestial Fire tore through the void, descending from the heavens to connect with the Earth Evil True Flame below.

The flame resembled lava, linking heaven and earth like a colossal fiery club.

The encroaching Celestial Fire threw the Heaven and Earth Primordial Qi of the region into chaos. The Primordial Magnetism went haywire, causing chunks of the earth to lift off the ground and orbit the column of fire. A dense, fiery aura billowed like an unending tide.

The ground and rubble suspended in mid-air—some as large as hills, others barely big enough to stand on—bobbed up and down as if they had lost all gravity.

Standing nearby.

In your ears,

was the roar of roiling Fierce Flames.

In your eyes,

was the reflection of inverted mountains.

"This is it."

Zhou Yuantong squinted and shouted, knowing her voice would not carry otherwise.

"The Celestial Spirits and Earthly Evils converge here! This fire can melt all things. Not even the Magical Treasure of a Dao Foundation Cultivator could last long in it."

"Are you sure you want to use the Celestial Fire for Artifact Refining?"

"Yes." Zhu Ju nodded.

"There are many benefits to refining with Celestial Fire. Aside from being somewhat unstable, it’s even better than the True Flame of a Dao Foundation Cultivator."

"Let’s go!"

With a tap of his foot, he shot into the air, landing on a square-meter block of stone and using it to launch himself upward again.

Using one stone block after another as a foothold, his figure drew closer to the Celestial Fire.

"Husband."

Zhou Yuantong directed her Magical Artifact to land beside him, her voice filled with worry.

"The rules of heaven and earth are chaotic here, the Power of the Five Elements is a jumble, rocks fly, and lava flows upward. The slightest misstep could lead to utter annihilation."

"Maybe we should think of another way."

"Yuann Tong." Zhu Ju turned his head, wrapped his arm around her slender waist, and soared into the sky, letting out a long cry.

"Sometimes, it seems like we have a choice, but in reality, we have none. Just like here..."

"The rules of heaven and earth are in chaos, and this immense power is all around us. We are powerless to resist. If heaven and earth were to become enraged, death would be the only path."

He stared straight ahead, then suddenly burst into laughter.

"But so what if that’s the case?

"Look closely. In truth, the Power of the Five Elements circulates in an orderly fashion here; it’s just different from the normal world. If one can grasp its pattern, it might not be impossible to find a path to survival."

?

Zhou Yuantong’s eyes were filled with confusion.

She could tell there was a hidden meaning in Zhu Ju’s words, but she didn’t know what it was.

Zhu Ju smiled, sat cross-legged on a large rock, took an item from his Qiankun Bag, and threw it toward the Celestial Fire before him.

He formed a spell.

Refine!

...

「A year later.」

Zhou Yuantong’s long hair danced in the air, and her eyes shimmered with divine light. She let out a long sigh. Her Seventh Acupoint was finally broken.