"The Vermilion Peak Pen is already your Magic Artifact, and if you wish to refine it again, you are certainly allowed to," Yuan Mobai said. After listening to Lei Jun's thoughts, he smiled and nodded. "Having the assistance of the True Intent of the Nine Abyss Earth Fire from the True One Altar is indeed a tremendous aid."

Even among the disciples of Celestial Master Mansion, those who have been passed down the Fire Dharma Earth Script Talisman are extremely rare.

Therefore, those who can borrow the Nine Abyss Earth Fire to refine Magic Artifacts and Magical Treasures are also very few in number.

Of course, just as under the Thunder Law Heavenly Scripture Talismans there are the Five Thunder Righteous Talisman and Thunder of Thor Talisman among the Heavenly Thunder methods, there are also other Earthly Fire techniques under the Fire Dharma Earth Script Talisman, which can be practiced by the disciples of the Celestial Master Mansion with the Cultivation of the Middle Three Heavens.

In addition to its fierce power against enemies, the practice of the Fire Method has always been incredibly useful for Alchemy and Artifact Refining, thus it has many practitioners.

Of course, speaking of effectiveness, other Spiritual Fires are after all not comparable to the Nine Abyss Earth Fire produced by the Fire Dharma Earth Script Talisman.

Lei Jun can now make use of the Celestial Master Seal within his Spiritual Soul and the True One Altar to draw out a trace of the Nine Abyss Earth Fire's essence to assist with Artifact Refining and Alchemy.

When he initially received the Vermilion Peak Pen, Yuan Mobai did not attempt to refine it again but handed it directly to Lei Jun, pending the day when Lei Jun himself would improve his Cultivation Realm and could personally refine this treasure.

In this way, the newly refined Vermilion Peak Pen would completely shed any trace of Yuan Mobai and become entirely Lei Jun's.

Of course, Lei Jun could also choose to start anew and refine a Magic Artifact of his own.

However, he's not particularly fastidious about such matters, and the practice within the Taoist Talisman Sect is also different from the Taoist Artifact Refining Sect in that they do not pursue Lifebound Magical Artifacts as much.

Thus, following his heart, Lei Jun decided to modify the Vermilion Peak Pen, which he received from his master, as a base.

Yuan Mobai immediately began instructing him on more detailed and advanced Artifact Refining techniques.

When the Taoist Artifact Refining Sect refines Magic Artifacts, they strive to blend their Spiritual Soul's thoughts and physical blood essence into the artifact, seeking the closest possible connection between the person and the artifact, ideally inseparable.

Initially, the Magic Artifact is akin to an extension of one's Spiritual Soul and body, truly obeying one's command as if a part of the arm.

In the middle and later stages, the artifact increasingly replaces and merges with the whole body, completely shedding the mortal flesh.

The Taoist Talisman Sect's approach to Artifact Refining, on the other hand, emphasizes attunement more.

The focus is not on the artifact itself but on the connection between the cultivator and the natural universe.

The Magic Artifacts of Talisman Sect cultivators serve more as a bridge.

Especially Magic Artifacts like the Talisman Brush and the Taoist Inkstone exemplify this.

Emulating nature, drawing from the universe.

Until at last, "I am the universe, indistinct from all else, absorbed into the Dao, my spirit merged with the heavens."

By the middle and later stages, the Magic Artifacts and Magical Treasures for Talisman Sect cultivators often become parts of the universe they comprehend and communicate with during their meditation.

They are integrated into both the true universe and their own internal universe.

Therefore, speaking of the ritual methods of crafting, the way Talisman Sect cultivators refine their Magic Artifacts is similar to the construction of their personal Daoist courtyards, Altars, and Tao Palaces during their practice.

To describe it using my understanding from before I crossed over, the Artifact Refining in the Taoist Artifact Refining Sect is like crafting an exoskeleton for oneself, pursuing both precision and biomimicry. On the other hand, our own Sect at Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master's Mansion is more akin to pure mechanical engineering, and the products are, comparatively, purer.

During refinement, streams of runes and Mana are combined into magical power prohibitions of the Magic Artifact, meticulous and precise, engraved into the interior of the artifact.

The whole process is intricate and complex, requiring the cultivator to focus deeply and carve carefully.

Sometimes, a single mistake in a line of magical power prohibition could lead to the scrapping of all materials.

Lei Jun, learning from Yuan Mobai's teachings, didn't immediately begin working with the Vermilion Peak Pen.

He first went to the mansion's Treasure Pavilion and brought back a batch of relatively lower-level Crow-quill Brushes and Azure-quill Brushes.

Lei Jun planned to practice with these Talisman Brushes first, and once he was familiar with the process, he would try to refine the Vermilion Peak Pen.

Concerning the refinement of the Vermilion Peak Pen, to improve its quality and incorporate new materials, Lei Jun would need to carefully plan and gradually experiment.

He found joy in this process.

Although he had yet to produce any remarkable results, Master Lei, whose ideas often diverged from most in this world, now let his imagination run wild. Could it be possible to transform this solitary personal Artifact Refining process into a large-scale assembly-line production managed by many people, each responsible for a specific step?

AHEM, well, that's thinking too far ahead... Lei Jun hurriedly reined in his wandering thoughts, refocusing on the present.

First, he needed to master the essence of the techniques before considering anything else.

In the days that followed, Lei Jun contentedly remained in the Ancestral Courtyard of the Sect.

On one hand, he continued to practice, steadily accumulating and enhancing his Cultivation.

On the other hand, he researched the first layer of the True One Altar, and its aid in Artifact Refining and Alchemy.

Although he didn't seek to act high-profile, his rapid advancement in Cultivation inevitably attracted attention both within and outside the mansion.

It might be beneficial to settle down for a period following this.

Perhaps some people with intentions would still secretly pay attention to him, but in this dynamic era, new developments occurred every day.

Over time, some matters would naturally lose public interest.

Besides, Lei Jun believed that the recent engagement near Tiansong Mountain might still spark speculation both within and outside the mansion.

Cooling down this issue as well might not be a bad idea.

Of course, that's the ideal scenario. As for reality…

"Because of the situation on Poyang Lake, your name, Chongyun, has become prominent again," Master Yuan Moba said with a smile.

Lei Jun said, "Disciple never wanted to be a firefly in the night."

「Poyang Lake.」

Located between Xinzhou and Jiangzhou, rich in resources, the surrounding land fertile, with a populous civilian settlement.

It has always been the focus of contention between the Lin Clan of Jiangzhou and Dragon Tiger Mountain of Xinzhou.

The two sides have been in conflict and reconciliation over this locale for nearly a thousand years.

Generally, most of the time, to avoid damaging the lake's resources and the fertile lands along its banks, they do not easily wage battles near the lake.

But it still holds the potential to become a frontline.

This time, the battles have reignited.

The Lin Clan's recent ambush on the Celestial Master Mansion's disciples not only failed to completely kill Zhang Jingzhen but also cost them many outstanding members of their own clan.

Lin Chi and two other Upper Three Heavens elders of the clan were also wounded.

Although their injuries were not bone-deep, the losses were painfully significant, far exceeding the previous incident involving Lin Liao and others.

The Lin Clan was not willing to let the matter rest.

It had not been many years since the last period of peace, and yet, the flames of war were reignited between a family and a Sacred Land, these two powerful forces.

Although the Lin Clan had only recently put forth a new Clan Chief and was internally unstable, a common enemy ironically served to unify their ranks.

Lei Jun even suspected that the prime mover behind these events was the new Clan Chief himself.

Of course, the Jiangzhou Lin Clan wouldn't openly admit that they had botched an ambush on their adversary only to be counterattacked, and, refusing to accept defeat, were now seeking another battle.

The banner they raised, in Lei Jun's view, was quite sensationalistic: The Celestial Master Mansion on Dragon Tiger Mountain harbored filth and corruption, secretly colluding with the Great Demon Bipolar Heavenly Eagle to harm their fellow Human Race members such as Lin Chi.

Such a scourge upon the Cultivation world of the Human Race must be put to death by everyone under the heavens!

However, while that was their rallying cry, according to Yuan Mobai, Lei Jun, and others, the situation on the other side was more bark than bite at the moment.

Although they had started fighting in the Poyang Lake area, the Jiangzhou Lin Clan hadn't mobilized en masse, and the conflict was contained within a small scale.

The number of experts participating in the battle was relatively limited as well.

Mostly it was the cultivators from the Lower Three Heavens and Middle Three Heavens involved, with those from the Upper Three Heavens overseeing the action.

On the Celestial Master Mansion's side, there was also no intention of fighting a large-scale battle.

For one thing, many of their experts were away from the mansion.

On the other hand, many were preoccupied with the whereabouts of the lost Celestial Master's Sword... and the Celestial Master Seal.

Or to put it bluntly, many were more concerned with internal affairs within their own Sect.

As a result, with both sides willing to play a tacit game, the battle of Poyang Lake seemed lively but was more like a training exercise.

The reason for Lei Jun's growing fame, derived from the Lake, was because several brand-new Basic Spirit Talismans of the Celestial Master Mansion's True Inheritance made a stunning debut during Duels of Magic between the Lower Three Heavens cultivators from both sides.

Despite the flaw of consuming a significant amount of Mana, a group of Celestial Master Mansion disciples suddenly unleashing a barrage of Chain Blazing Flame Talismans undoubtedly caught the opposing Lin Clan disciples off guard. This sight left them scurrying around with their heads in their hands, severely burned.

Many people unleashing the Chain Blazing Flame Talismans together had an even more pronounced effect than one person doing it alone.

While the disciples of the Celestial Master Mansion were buoyant, Lei Jun's name resounded once more.

His reputation spread not only to the Lin Clan but was also highly praised within his own camp.

That is until someone even more noteworthy returned to the mountain, and many of the eyes that had been focused on Lei Jun shifted away.

Xu Yuanzhen, the eldest martial sister who had been away from the mountain for a long time, finally returned.

"I will be staying on the mountain for a while."

After speaking, Xu Yuanzhen casually tossed out a thick stone rod.

The rod was huge and heavy, but at this moment, it floated quietly in mid-air.

Lei Jun's gaze fell upon the surface of the stone rod.

He saw what appeared to be the trace of a sword mark.

"Could it be left by the Celestial Master's Sword?" Lei Jun guessed.

Xu Yuanzhen said, "Please ask Master to open the Altar of Wanfa Sect so that I may use it to pay respects to heaven and earth and organize the clues related to this sword mark."

Lei Jun said, "Master is in the High Merit Pavilion."

Xu Yuanzhen said, "Hmm, I will go see him."

As she spoke, her gaze swept over the considerable shape of Gungun.

The creature was notoriously lazy and stubborn.

But now, upon being glanced at by this petite woman in a purple robe, the gigantic Gungun actually shrank its neck.

"How much do you know about Master's situation?" Xu Yuanzhen withdrew her gaze and turned to look at Lei Jun.

Lei Jun said, "Hmm, I roughly know some of Master's past in Bashu."

Recalling the conversation between Yuan Mobai and Xu Yuanzhen regarding the nominee for the next Celestial Master, it was obvious that Xu Yuanzhen was aware of Yuan Mobai's background.

Indeed, she smiled, her gaze returning to Gungun, "What was Master's expression when he saw this creature?"

Lei Jun silently took out a few pieces of paper.

They included those of Ji Chuan and others back in Bashu.

As well as those from when Yuan Mobai and Gungun had met previously.

"Very good," Xu Yuanzhen was extremely satisfied as she collected a stack of expression memes, "I like it."

As she put them away, she casually asked, "By the way, I heard there has been another clash with the Lin Clan?"

Lei Jun recounted the events briefly.

Xu Yuanzhen's voice was cool and rapid, like rain falling on a jade plate, "Both sides are focused on their own people. Regarding Li Zhenchang and others, it's probably not much related to the Lin Clan; it was merely an excuse for the Third Master to act on his own. As for Zhang Jingzhen, I have little to do with him, but Our Sect certainly will not allow the Lin surname to provoke us time and again. When you returned from Red Abyss Cave Heaven, the Lin family already attacked Our Sect disciples once; this must be at least the second time, right?"

Lei Jun nodded.

Xu Yuanzhen said, "I will deal with this sword mark first, then when I am free, I will make a trip to Jiangzhou."

Lei Jun looked at her.

Her lips were visibly curling upwards. "Even if we have no casualties, we still have to fight back."

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