Chapter 4: The Water and Fire Treasure Gourd

Refining the treasure gourd was not a sudden whim for Song Changsheng, but something he had long considered.

In the world of cultivation, it is said that there are a hundred arts, a thousand methods, and ten thousand types of implements. The sheer variety of magical artifacts is dizzying, each with its own unique focus.

The treasure gourd is an artifact that leans toward utility. It contains an independent space, and the base of the gourd is inscribed with the [Bone-Eroding Array]. When facing an enemy, one can draw them into the gourd and refine them into a pool of blood.

It is considered a top-tier artifact, but compared to weapons of slaughter like blades, spears, swords, and halberds, it ultimately lacks a certain sharpness.

Song Changsheng possesses astonishing comprehension, which is why he chose the path of a Dharma cultivator, learning many spells to keep by his side. Now that he has mastered the [Water-Fire Control Method], the power of his water and fire spells has increased significantly, far surpassing that of cultivators at the same level.

By comparison, his magical artifacts have become a shortcoming. Inspired by his experience crafting protective talismans, he decided to imbue the treasure gourd with the power of "water and fire," transforming it into a weapon of slaughter!

Refining a magical artifact cannot be done as casually as making a talisman. Song Changsheng set off for the family’s Hall of Hundred Arts, the place where the family cultivates the skills of its members and manages its industries.

A small section of a terrestrial fire spirit vein is buried beneath the hall, capable of producing a continuous supply of terrestrial fire for alchemy, artifact refining, and the like.

Although Song Changsheng possesses a fire spirit root, the flames formed by spiritual power cannot compare to natural terrestrial fire. He is a perfectionist; since he intended to refine his artifact, he naturally wanted it to be flawless.

Due to the time of day, the Hall of Hundred Arts was somewhat quiet. Song Changsheng walked straight to a corner of the hall and bowed respectfully, saying, "Nephew pays respects to Fifth Uncle."

In the corner sat a lounge chair, where a middle-aged man with a stout build was lying lazily with his eyes closed, gently fanning himself with a cattail leaf fan. Hearing the voice, he didn't even open his eyes as he said, "Didn't I tell you to rest? There is no extra work for you here today."

"Fifth Uncle, I am here to borrow a refining room. I have recently had a small breakthrough in my artifact refining technique, and I intend to re-refine my artifact."

Hearing this, the stout man immediately opened his eyes, sat up, and looked at Song Changsheng. "You’ve been promoted to a first-tier high-grade artifact refiner?"

Song Changsheng nodded with a smile.

"Sigh, I told you back then that you should study alchemy. You insisted on learning those confounded arrays and artifacts. With your talent, you would surely have become a master of the alchemical path," the stout man said with some annoyance.

This man’s identity is not simple. His name is Song Luzhou, fifth in the fifth generation, and he currently serves as the family’s Second Elder, in charge of the Hall of Hundred Arts.

He is not only a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator but also the family’s only second-tier high-grade alchemist.

Song Changsheng smiled at this. "It’s fine for you to say that to me, Fifth Uncle, but if Grandfather finds out, your ears will suffer for it again."

Song Luzhou instinctively shrank his neck, but a moment later, he smiled and pointed at Song Changsheng. "You brat, daring to tease your Fifth Uncle. Fine, the 'Bing' grade refining room is still empty; go ahead."

Waving his hand to dismiss Song Changsheng, he flopped back onto the lounge chair to take a nap.

Song Changsheng followed the stairs down to the basement of the hall. Because of the fire vein, the area was filled with terrifying heat, and flames could even be seen flickering in some of the cracks in the stone.

In the center of the refining room stood a tall bronze cauldron, engraved with birds, fish, and insects, like a vivid scroll.

This was a first-tier peak-grade bronze cauldron, far superior to Song Changsheng’s own.

Song Changsheng sat cross-legged, took the treasure gourd from his waist, and muttered, "This wine cannot be wasted."

With that, he began to drink heartily, "glug, glug, glug," until his tongue swept up the last drop of wine, and he let out a satisfied burp.

He opened the special valve, and the fire eye beneath the cauldron immediately spewed out orange-red flames, beginning to heat the vessel.

Once the temperature was right, he tossed in the water and fire-attribute ores he had exchanged for and manipulated the terrestrial fire to begin roasting them.

As the impurities in the ores were stripped away bit by bit, the ores turned into liquid.

Song Changsheng unhurriedly placed the treasure gourd inside, added some ore powder, closed the lid, and began the refining process.

Under his control, all the materials and the gourd fused together perfectly. This process lasted for three days and three nights. Just as sweat began to bead on the tip of his nose, the treasure gourd finished refining, advancing to a first-tier high-grade artifact.

It wasn't over yet. After a brief rest, Song Changsheng immediately began inscribing the array. He muttered to himself, "The [Bone-Eroding Array] can be kept, and on that basis, I will add a [Water-Fire Two-Yi Array]. Only then can I maximize my strength."

He focused his mental energy and began inscribing the array patterns inside the treasure gourd. It took him nearly two days and two nights to inscribe a first-tier high-grade array.

If he were setting up an array on the ground, it would only take a moment, but inscribing one into an artifact increases the difficulty exponentially and is extremely taxing on mental energy.

If not for his superior mental strength, it would have been impossible to complete in such a short time.

With the array inscribed, the re-refining of the treasure gourd was complete. It had transformed from a golden-yellow gourd into one with red and blue colors, possessing a metallic texture and feeling heavy in his hand.

"Since I have imbued you with water and fire attributes, I shall call you the [Water-Fire Treasure Gourd] from now on." Song Changsheng looked at the gourd in his hand, very satisfied.

He tried to activate it, and the treasure gourd immediately soared into the air, its mouth tilted downward. Within the dark opening, a crimson glow surged faintly.

"Go!"

Song Changsheng formed a seal with his hands, and a scorching flame erupted from the gourd's mouth. In an instant, the entire refining room turned into a sea of fire, the high temperature seemingly distorting the very space.

Fortunately, he hadn't forgotten where he was and quickly retracted the flames. Even so, the entire refining room had been scorched beyond recognition.

"The power is indeed impressive. If the fire array is this strong, the water array shouldn't be any worse. I can finally say I possess a weapon of slaughter." Song Changsheng looked at the gourd, his eyes filled with undisguised joy.

After a brief rest, he opened the restrictions and prepared to leave, but to his surprise, as soon as he opened the door, he saw Song Luzhou’s large, round face, which was as dark as the bottom of a pot.

"Uh... Fifth Uncle." Song Changsheng suddenly felt a bit guilty.

Song Luzhou didn't speak, his face dark, but instead pushed past him to look inside. Upon seeing the state of the room, Song Luzhou nearly exploded on the spot. He roared, "You little brat, look at what you've done!"

Song Changsheng thought to himself that this was bad. His Fifth Uncle was notoriously stingy, and having ruined the refining room like this, he was sure to face consequences. His eyes darted around, and he immediately planned to slip away.

But there was no chance for him to escape in front of a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Song Luzhou easily restrained him and gritted his teeth, saying, "You brat, tell me how you're going to fix this!"

Knowing he was in the wrong, Song Changsheng laughed sheepishly, "Fifth Uncle, it's just some superficial damage. Please, spare me this once."

"Hmph, I can let you off, but you're going to preside over the Immortal Ascension Assembly, aren't you? Bring me a jar of second-tier spirit wine, and I won't pursue this further." A flash of cunning crossed Song Luzhou's eyes as he made his exorbitant demand.

"Second-tier? You're too greedy! My mother only has a few jars of second-tier spirit wine; I haven't even tasted them myself!" Song Changsheng protested loudly.

"Heh, that's your problem. Get lost, and remember to bring back the spirit wine." Song Luzhou chuckled and casually "tossed" Song Changsheng away.

...