OBS Chapter 1368 Crimson Soul Blade (Seeking monthly votes!)
Chapter 1368 Crimson Soul Blade (Seeking monthly votes!)
In the backyard of the blacksmith's shop in Tianxingzong Market, the furnace next to the bamboo house has been burning continuously for a year.
Throughout the year, Qin Hao followed Qi Yunxiao to learn weapon crafting every morning—from identifying spiritual materials and controlling earth fire to inscribing array patterns and condensing magic weapons; in the afternoon, he studied arrays with Xin Ruyin, from the placement of array flags in the "Small Mist Array" to the improvement of array patterns in the "Inverted Five Elements Array." The two taught each other everything they knew without reservation.
With the help of the AI, Qin Hao's comprehension amazed the two of them.
One day, when Qi Yunxiao was explaining the "Basic Techniques of Weapon Forging," he had just finished saying, "Red copper stone needs to be forged in earth fire for three hours..."
Qin Hao immediately asked, "If we add 'fire crystal sand,' can we shorten the calcination time to two hours and at the same time increase the fire attribute affinity of the magic weapon?"
This question left Qi Yunxiao stunned for a long time. Afterwards, the experiment proved Qin Hao's words to be true, and he couldn't help but marvel at Qin Hao's ability to apply what he had learned to other situations.
One day, when Xin Ruyin was explaining the "Seven Star Trapping and Killing Formation", Qin Hao only glanced at the formation diagram once and pointed out that "the position of the seventh formation eye can be slightly adjusted by three inches, which can expand the range of trapping the enemy by 10%". Xin Ruyin made the modification according to his advice, and the power of the formation was indeed improved.
In practical application, Qin Hao's progress was even more astonishing: in his first month of learning, he successfully crafted a mid-grade magic weapon, the "Azure Steel Sword," and independently set up a "Small Mist Array," prompting Qi Yunxiao to exclaim "genius!" Half a year later, he was able to sit down and discuss the Dao with the two of them. When Qi Yunxiao was crafting the "Spirit Gathering Array Plate," he was stuck on the problem of "array pattern connection." Qin Hao, combining the array knowledge taught by Xin Ruyin, proposed the idea of "using 'spirit threads' to connect the array patterns," successfully solving the problem and increasing the spirit gathering effect of the array plate by 30%.
However, Qin Hao did not leave immediately. Having used such a great favor from Han Li, how could he be satisfied without squeezing Qi Yunxiao and Xin Ruyin dry?
Xin Ruyin, in particular, has an understanding of formations that is often imaginative and unconventional. Even Qin Hao, who possesses an AI, can only sigh that the creativity of a genius is beyond the reach of artificial intelligence.
That's why Qin Hao was willing to spend so much time on Xin Ruyin. He discovered that after the AI acquired Xin Ruyin's flash of inspiration, it subtly underwent some changes.
For example, Xin Ruyin often comes up with unconventional solutions—such as combining the "Inverted Five Elements Array" with the "Fire Pattern Array" to create the "Five Elements Fire Trapping Array," which can trap enemies while also releasing fire attacks.
After these ideas were recorded by the AI, the database underwent subtle changes: Previously, when the AI deduced cultivation techniques and talismans, it always followed a "safe and sound" approach, prioritizing safety; but now it can propose "high-risk, high-reward" solutions. For example, when improving the "Sharp Metal Technique," it can increase the cultivation speed by "compressing the meridian power," but the chance of going into qi deviation will increase by 15%.
"This is a good thing." Qin Hao thought to himself—he could adjust the risks to a controllable range through the AI, an option that the AI had never provided before.
Xin Ruyin's existence is equivalent to developing the "innovation module" of the AI, giving him more possibilities in cultivation, talisman making, and weapon crafting.
Early that morning, in Qi Yunxiao's weapon-refining workshop, the ground fire burned fiercely, turning the entire workshop red.
Qin Hao stood in front of the refining furnace, holding a fist-sized piece of red copper stone in his hand. He had bought it from the annual market auction of the Tianxing Sect for a thousand low-grade spirit stones. Red copper stone was originally an auxiliary material for refining magic weapons. It contained rich fire attribute spiritual energy. Using it to refine top-grade magic weapons was actually a bit of a waste. But who could blame him when Qin Hao was rich and powerful?
“Brother Zhang, the red copper stone has an extremely high melting point. It needs to be ignited by the earth fire until it turns into a blue flame state, otherwise it will be easy to ruin the refining.” Qi Yunxiao stood aside, holding a spare fire control array in his hand, ready to provide support at any time. He had previously tried to refine weapons with red copper stone, but all three attempts ended in failure. He was both looking forward to and worried about Qin Hao’s attempt this time.
Xin Ruyin stood on the other side, her gaze falling on the array pattern template next to the refining furnace: "The 'Fire Pattern Array' template I designed for you has been engraved. After the red copper stone melts, the array pattern needs to be accurately engraved on the prototype of the magic weapon. The deviation cannot exceed half an inch, otherwise it will affect the flow of magic power."
Qin Hao nodded, took a deep breath, and made a hand seal—a pale red flame emerged from his fingertips and was injected into the earth fire. The flames inside the refining furnace instantly changed from orange-red to crimson, and the temperature rose sharply.
The AI monitors the temperature in real time: [Current temperature 4800 degrees, needs to be increased by 200 degrees to maintain stability.] Qin Hao fine-tunes his technique, increasing the flame brightness by one point, and the temperature stabilizes at 5000 degrees.
The copper stone slowly melted in the fire, turning into a crimson liquid. Qin Hao used his "Object Manipulation Technique" to extract the liquid and condensed it into the shape of a longsword in mid-air.
Then, he picked up the template engraved with "Fire Pattern Array," his fingertips glowing with pale golden magic, and quickly carved along the template's lines onto the surface of the blade.
"Such fast technique!" Qi Yunxiao couldn't help but exclaim in amazement—the worst thing when carving array patterns is to be impatient, but Qin Hao was able to maintain speed while making each pattern clear and smooth, without any hesitation.
Xin Ruyin's eyes lit up: "The array patterns fit the blade very well, and the fire attribute magic has begun to flow naturally. It's even better than my best expectations!"
Half an hour later, the last array pattern was completed. Qin Hao cast a spell, and the earth fire slowly sank, gradually lowering the temperature inside the workshop.
He took the newly forged longsword into his hand, and with a flick of his wrist, the blade instantly ignited with pale red flames. The flames flowed along the array patterns, emitting a scorching aura—this was the "Crimson Soul Blade," a top-tier offensive magic weapon that was not only exceptionally sharp but also possessed a "burning flame" effect.
Qin Hao brandished his treasured sword, the wind whistling through the air and flames leaving red trails in the sky. He then steadily sheathed the sword and nodded in satisfaction: "It's done."
Qi Yunxiao stepped forward, stroking the array patterns on the blade, and exclaimed, "A year ago, Brother Zhang had never even touched a weapon-refining furnace, yet now he has managed to forge a top-quality magic weapon and even incorporated a 'fire pattern array.' I might not have been able to achieve this level of progress even after three years!"
Xin Ruyin nodded in agreement: "Combining arrays and artifacts is difficult enough, but Brother Zhang has managed to make them fit together perfectly. His control over mana is far superior to that of other cultivators at the same level. Even Foundation Establishment stage artifact refiners would probably look at you with new respect."
After the initial joy, the atmosphere in the weapon-refining workshop gradually became somber.
Qi Yunxiao glanced at the storage pouch at Qin Hao's waist, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, "Brother Zhang, are you getting ready to leave?"
Qin Hao raised an eyebrow, teasing with a smile, "Oh? What makes you say that? Or is it that Brother Qi is already hoping I'll leave so he can have some peace and quiet?"
Qi Yunxiao quickly waved his hand and smiled wryly: "Brother Zhang is joking! It's just that your cultivation has already reached the peak of the twelfth level of Qi Refining, and you are only one step away from Foundation Establishment; besides, Miss Xin and I have taught you everything we can, and staying any longer will only delay your path of cultivation."
“Brother Zhang, please stop teasing Young Master Qi.” Xin Ruyin shook her head helplessly: “He is kind and honest, how can he stand your teasing?”
Qin Hao sighed, feigning regret: "Alas, Miss Xin is definitely biased towards Brother Qi; she always speaks up for him."
Upon hearing this, Qi Yunxiao's face lit up with joy. He then carefully observed Xin Ruyin's expression and saw that she had only glared at Qin Hao without refuting him. His smile deepened.
After the jokes, the atmosphere fell silent again. After a year together, the three were no longer just "master and apprentice" or "trading partners," but close friends who could talk about anything. Now that they were about to part ways, it was inevitable that they felt a little melancholy.
Qin Hao took out two small storage bags from his storage bag and handed them to the two of them respectively: "Take these talismans for self-defense—there are dungeon talismans, fire bullet talismans, and a few golden energy talismans. If you encounter any trouble that you can't solve, go to the Qingxu Sect in Yue Kingdom and find me. Just give them my name."
After saying that, he cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to the two of them: "May the green hills remain unchanged and the clear waters flow forever. Until we meet again!"
"Farewell...until we meet again!" Qi Yunxiao and Xin Ruyin bowed simultaneously, their voices filled with reluctance.
After Qin Hao's figure disappeared from the weapon-refining workshop, Qi Yunxiao opened the storage bag in his hand—it contained a total of fifty talismans, twenty of which were the "Dungeon Talismans" that had recently been snapped up in the market, and thirty of them were Flame Bullet Talismans and Golden Gang Talismans, all of which were Qin Hao's improved versions.
"This... I never expected that the dungeon talismans that have been selling so well in the market recently were actually made by Brother Zhang!" Qi Yunxiao estimated that these talismans were worth no less than two thousand low-grade spirit stones, and he was even more moved.
Seeing this, Xin Ruyin gritted her teeth, turned around and chased after him, saying, "Brother Zhang, please wait!"
Qin Hao paused, seeing Xin Ruyin walking quickly towards him, holding a cyan storage bag in her hand.
"This is a simplified version of the ancient formation I've been researching recently—the 'Zhou Tian Xing Dou Grand Formation'." Xin Ruyin handed him the storage bag. "This formation is extremely powerful and can draw upon the power of stars to attack. However, it's too complex. I've only perfected 30% of it so far. Inside are my deduction notes and a rough outline of the formation. I believe that with Brother Zhang's comprehension, he will surely be able to complete it in time."
Qin Hao accepted the storage bag without hesitation: "Thank you, Miss Xin! When we meet again in the future, we can verify each other's formations and see whose formation is more powerful!"
"Okay!" Xin Ruyin answered crisply, her eyes sparkling with anticipation, without a trace of girlish coyness.
Qin Hao's heart stirred, and he couldn't help but remind her, "Before you leave, I must say one more thing—your physique is special, the 'Dragon's Roar Physique,' which is suitable for cultivation. However, because you are a woman, the higher your cultivation level, the more easily your Yin and Yang energies will become imbalanced. If you break through rashly, your life may be in danger..."
He paused again at this point—if the Dragon Roar Body is possessed by a man, his cultivation speed can be three times faster than that of an ordinary person, but if it is possessed by a woman, there is a hidden danger. The only solution is for a Nascent Soul cultivator to expend true essence to harmonize Yin and Yang.
However, the lifespan of a Qi Refining cultivator is only a hundred years. No matter how fast he is, he cannot break through to the Nascent Soul stage within a hundred years. This advice is ultimately in vain.
"It's all about timing and fate," Qin Hao sighed to himself.
"Thank you for your concern, Brother Zhang. I understand." Xin Ruyin's face showed a bitter expression, but she quickly concealed it: "Don't worry, I won't risk my life."
Qin Hao cupped his hands again, turned around and controlled the Golden Blade, which transformed into a golden light and flew towards the Yue Kingdom.
Xin Ruyin watched his retreating figure and sighed softly, "I don't know if we'll ever meet again in this life. I only hope that Brother Zhang will have a smooth journey and that all his wishes will come true!"
Qi Yunxiao stepped forward and stood beside her, thinking to himself: Brother Zhang pursues the pinnacle of the Great Dao, but all I ask for is to grow old with you. We each have our own path, and as long as you are well, that is enough.
No more than a hundred miles after flying out of Tianxing Sect Market, Qin Hao sneered: "It's been a year, and you still haven't given up. Since you insist on courting death, then I'll just have to grant your wish."
He could clearly feel three waves of magical power closely following him, one of which was exactly the same as the gaunt cultivator who had followed him a year ago.
Sure enough, a moment later, three figures shot out from behind the clouds and blocked Qin Hao's path—the leader was the skinny cultivator with a pointed mouth and monkey-like face, accompanied by two cultivators at the eleventh level of Qi Refining, their eyes filled with greed.
"Kid, you've been holed up in the market for a year, and I've had to stay with you for another year. Let's see where you go this time!" the gaunt cultivator sneered, the long-nosed rat on his shoulder twitching its nose incessantly, clearly using it to track Qin Hao's aura.
Just as the three were giving chase, Qin Hao suddenly stopped in mid-air.
"Discovered?"
"Hmph, so what if he found out? Are the three of us afraid of him?"
The gaunt cultivator sneered, "Boy, if you know what's good for you, hand over your storage bag, and I might spare your life!"
Qin Hao didn't bother with any more words. He gripped the Crimson Soul Blade in his right hand and took out three dungeon talismans from his storage bag with his left, simultaneously channeling his magic power into them: "Go!"
The talisman transformed into three earthen prisons, each half a zhang high, instantly trapping the cultivators wielding spiked clubs and poisoned daggers.
The two attacked frantically inside, but could only stir up ripples of earthy yellow water, unable to break through the defenses at all.
"Damn it! It's a dungeon talisman!" The gaunt cultivator's expression changed, and he hurriedly pulled out a thunderstorm talisman from his robes and threw it at Qin Hao: "Die!"
The Thunderstorm Talisman transformed into a bolt of lightning, heading straight for Qin Hao's heart.
Qin Hao remained calm and unhurried, summoning two "Golden Gang Talismans." The double-defense Thunderstorm Talismans had already exhausted their power and dissipated into nothingness before they could be broken.
The Crimson Soul Blade, its blade ignited with red flames, unleashed a fiery blade aura straight at the gaunt cultivator: "You're courting death!"
The gaunt cultivator was shocked to see this and quickly summoned a handkerchief magic artifact to try to defend himself. However, the Crimson Soul Blade was a top-grade magic artifact, how could his mere mid-grade defensive magic artifact possibly withstand it?
With a tearing sound, the handkerchief artifact was instantly cleaved in two by the Crimson Soul Blade, and the flame effect attached to the Crimson Soul Blade burned the handkerchief artifact to ashes.
Seeing that there was no way to avoid it, the gaunt cultivator was decisive and poured all his magical power into his right glove. The seemingly inconspicuous glove was actually a high-grade magic artifact.
However, the gaunt cultivator only lasted two breaths. Although the glove artifact was not severed immediately, the burning effect of the Crimson Soul Blade spread to his body. In pain, the gaunt cultivator could no longer gather all his magic power to resist, and the blade energy instantly severed his right arm.
"Ah! My hand!" the gaunt cultivator screamed, turning to flee. Qin Hao wouldn't give him the chance; he hurled a golden arrow talisman, its silver light piercing precisely through the cultivator's back.
After dealing with the emaciated cultivator, Qin Hao turned to the two cultivators trapped in the earthen prison. He unleashed two fiery blades of his Crimson Soul Blade, instantly cleaving the prison open. Before the two could react, they collapsed into pools of blood.
Qin Hao landed and checked the three people's storage bags—they only contained a little over a hundred low-grade spirit stones and some miscellaneous items.
However, they found the trembling long-nosed rat in the gaunt cultivator's spirit beast pouch.
"Huh, it's actually a mutated spirit pet."
"Good, you'll be working for me from now on."
Qin Hao put the long-nosed rat back into his spirit beast pouch, resumed wielding the Golden Blade, and flew towards the Yue Kingdom. There were still three months until the Crimson Forbidden Land opened; he needed to return to the Qingxu Sect as soon as possible to make final preparations. (End of Chapter)