Daoist Competition-Chapter 936 - 208: The Heavenly Furnace Reopens, Sacrificial Sword Reforged

After once again suppressing the Winged Cliff Divine Statue, over forty days passed peacefully, without any disturbances.

By now, it was already the end of the year, the twelfth lunar month, and on the ninth day, sounds of pounding came from the Earth Fire Sky Furnace. The rocks on Luqi Mountain trembled, and from the crevices, scattered gravel continuously fell down, while the furnace smoke rolled out, quickly filling a pit a thousand feet wide, and soon, a sound rose like a flock of birds migrating, chirping noisily.

A few days earlier, Zhang Yan had already anticipated that the time for the Opening Treasure had come. To avoid any mishaps, he refrained from performing any spiritual techniques, merely standing by to guard.

Suddenly, a ray of golden light flew out from below, rushing towards him.

It was Liang Changgong and Wei Shudan who had returned with the Earth-Breaking Qiankun Leaf. Zhang Yan swept his wide sleeve and collected the treasure.

After waiting for about ten breaths longer, there came a thunderous roar in his ears, like a clear sky splitting with thunder. More than a dozen beams of radiant light shot out like rainbows, hovering in the air, slowly floating, each enveloped in Essence Qi, casting a half-foot glow, remarkably dazzling.

Zhang Yan beckoned casually, drawing a treasure to hover in front of his eyes. It was a pair of golden whips, five feet in length, with thick handles, firm in grasp, capable of separating or combining. The whip body was divided into twenty-four sections, shaped octagonally, and with slight movement, the sound of wind and thunder echoed in his ears, roaring loudly. With a surge of mana, both whips leaped into the air, one entangled in swirling clouds, the other in electrifying lightning.

He praised it, saying, "What a fine Wind and Thunder Whip."

After a moment’s thought, he reached out again, fetching another Dharma Treasure, casually wiping its sheen clear to reveal its true form. It turned out to be a small flag, its fabric indigo blue, silky like satin to the touch, its patterns akin to dancing birds and beasts, containing hidden mysteries. The edges were adorned with bright yellow tassels, and with a gentle shake, it unfurled a gorgeous cloud mirage, dissipating slowly only after reaching ten feet away, proving it to be a protective artifact.

He nodded silently, impressed, as these two treasures were exceptional. Glancing up, he saw that although the Dharma Treasures in the air displayed radiant hues, none were particularly extraordinary, save for one cluster of Essence Qi, growing increasingly bright, exceptionally eye-catching, distinct from the others. Therefore, he pointed at it, drawing it down as well.

On closer inspection, this treasure was an anciently styled snake-shaped lamp, with a bronze stand half a foot tall, underlaid with a coiled snake, covered in densely packed scales. The snake’s mouth was wide open, protruding a tongue, from which a bean-sized flame flickered.

He blew a breath of Clear Qi onto it, and the flame not only remained unextinguished but surged several inches higher, casting a gentle watery glow across the ground, creating phantoms as though several Jiao Snakes were climbing within.

Finding the treasure so peculiar, he couldn’t discern its mysteries immediately and set it aside, then continued to examine the remaining Dharma Treasures one by one, only to find them all to be Spiritual Artifacts.

Puzzled, he thought, the Treasure Materials for refining these Dharma Treasures were from the Winged Cliff Divine Statue; how could none have become Mystical Artifacts?

Liang Changgong and Wei Shudan, having completed the treasure refining, had long since exited the furnace door. Seeing Zhang Yan inspecting the Dharma Treasures, they stood aside, not daring to disturb.

Noticing his concern, Liang Changgong stepped forward respectfully, saying, "True Master, do not doubt. All these Dharma Treasures are high-grade Spirit Artifacts, but given a strong enough foundation, if paired with a suitable owner for nurturing, they have potential to become Mystical Artifacts."

Afraid Zhang Yan might think they hadn’t given their best effort, Wei Shudan hurriedly chimed in agreement.

Throughout their lives, they had only managed to refine two Mystical Artifacts, the Earth-Breaking Qiankun Leaf being the second one, which was rare to encounter.

The Dharma Treasures refined from the sect founder’s Divine Statue were indeed of the common sort, and nurturing True Recognition from them wasn’t easy; their chances were merely greater than other Dharma Treasures.

Zhang Yan nodded in acknowledgment. He had intended from the start to give these Dharma Treasures to his disciples, without any rigid expectations, so he said, "As previously mentioned, with the availability of Dharma Treasures, each of you may choose one. Among these twelve treasures, whichever suits you both may take."

Both being perceptive, they noticed Zhang Yan seemed to favor the Wind and Thunder Whip and the Jin Lan Banner, and intentionally avoided choosing them.

Without much deliberation, Liang Changgong selected a Silver Wire Small Furnace, holding it in his bosom, feeling a warm comfort throughout his body, invigorating his spirit.

Despite having refined many Dharma Treasures throughout his life, he had never felt such harmony with any as he did with this small furnace, unknowingly showing an expression of fondness.

Wei Shudan chose a White Teeth Folding Fan, opening its ribs to release a fragrant aroma, casting auspicious light over several feet, revealing plum, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum—each uniquely aloof and noble, though seemingly unimpressive otherwise.