78: Chapter 78: Purchasing Intelligence and Gathering Information; First Test of the Sword-Refining Formation

After staying in Liuyun City for several days, Ye Qing kept a low profile.

Every day, besides Cultivating, he would change his appearance and mingle in the city's major shops, teahouses, and the Mission Hall, gathering information quietly.

Shopkeeper Zhou Ming did not have news about "star source crystal" and other items for the time being, but he had provided a few Tier 2 and Tier 3 Pill Formulas, as well as seeds for several rare spiritual plants.

Ye Qing paid with Spirit Stones and kept the Pill Formulas and seeds.

The Pill Formulas could be used to deduce higher-level Alchemy, and the seeds were sent into the Cave Heaven World to be cultivated, enriching its ecosystem.

He had accumulated quite a few Materials and Magical Artifacts that he didn't need, which he sold in batches at different shops to exchange for a large amount of Spirit Stones, as well as several high-quality star sand and Void Realm stone fragments. Although the quantity was small, it added up.

One day, while he was in the quiet room of the inn, pondering a newly acquired Tier 3 "Golden Core Condensation Pill" Pill Formula and studying the subtleties of its medicinal power Fusion, a slight fluctuation came from the warning Restriction outside the room.

It was a sound transmission talisman sent by Shopkeeper Zhou Ming, and the tone carried an unusual solemnity.

"Fellow Daoist Ye, there is news regarding the 'star source crystal', but the situation is somewhat complex. If it is convenient for you, please come to my shop for a chat."

Ye Qing's eyes narrowed slightly as he put away the Jade Slip containing the Pill Formula.

To think there was actually news about such a treasure as the star source crystal? What Shopkeeper Zhou Ming called "complex" likely meant significant risks.

After tidying up a bit, he arrived at Baicao Hall again.

In the quiet room at the back, Shopkeeper Zhou Ming had already prepared spiritual tea and dismissed the attendants.

"Shopkeeper Zhou, do you have confirmed news?" Ye Qing asked straight to the point.

Shopkeeper Zhou Ming looked solemn and lowered his voice: "Yes, and no. The news comes from a reputable intelligence peddler, but it has not been verified. It is said that several months ago, a small team that went deep into the outskirts of the 'Dragonfall Abyss' discovered a secret star mine near 'Starfall Valley', suspected to have an associated vein of 'star source crystal'. However, the team encountered an unknown attack, and only one person escaped back heavily injured, bringing back a few Ore samples and blurry footage. Subsequently, that person was secretly controlled by the City Lord's Mansion, and the whereabouts of the Ore and footage are unknown."

"Dragonfall Abyss? Starfall Valley?" Ye Qing's heart stirred. It was this place again. It seemed that "Starfall Valley" was not only related to the ancient teleportation array but also contained high-quality star mineral deposits.

"How credible is the information?"

"The intelligence peddler was very certain and showed the blurry footage secretly recorded when the survivor escaped. One of the Ores in the person's hand indeed emitted fluctuations similar to star source crystal. But after that, the City Lord's Mansion blocked the news, and there was no further information. Therefore, the news might be true, but that place must now be a den of tigers and dragons. Not only is there the danger of the Dragonfall Abyss itself, but I fear there are also eyes from the City Lord's Mansion and even other forces watching." Shopkeeper Zhou Ming said slowly.

"Are there other forces?"

"The Dragonfall Abyss is of great importance, and it is said to involve ancient secrets. Liuyun City, Sky Wolf Fort, Profound Sword Sect, and even more distant forces like 'Ancient Sword City' and 'Tianxing Sect' are all watching from the shadows. The Yao Race also seems to be making moves. The water is very deep." Shopkeeper Zhou Ming stopped at that point.

Ye Qing pondered in silence.

star source crystal was crucial for both him and the Cave Heaven World, an excellent resource for rapid improvement. But the Dragonfall Abyss and Starfall Valley were clearly a super vortex, involving multiple forces, and the risk factor was extremely high.

With his current strength of the Early Stage Golden Core, which was practically comparable to the Mid-to-Late Stage Golden Core, rashly getting involved might not allow him to escape unscathed.

"I understand this matter, thank you for informing me, Shopkeeper Zhou. Do you have more information regarding the details of the team's attack and the recent situation in Starfall Valley? The price is negotiable." Ye Qing asked.

Seeing that Ye Qing did not immediately ask for the specific location of the star source crystal or his intention to purchase, but instead focused on the broader situation, Shopkeeper Zhou Ming secretly praised the other party's caution.

"There is some fragmented information. According to the babbling of the survivor who escaped, the attackers seemed to be 'neither human nor demon' monsters, with extremely fast speed, capable of merging into shadows, and their attacks carried a powerful force of star Chaos. Recently, there have been unusually frequent spatial fluctuations in Starfall Valley, with several small star tides erupting, which is said to have changed the terrain within the valley. The City Lord's Mansion has sent extra manpower to seal the entrance of the valley, strictly forbidding approach. There are also rumors that deep inside the valley, strange starlight often shoots into the sky at night, suspected to be the triggering of ancient Restrictions."

Monsters that are neither human nor demon? Force of star Chaos? Ancient Restrictions?

Ye Qing noted this information down. It seemed the changes in Starfall Valley were more complex than expected.

"In addition, regarding the 'ancient teleportation array'..." Shopkeeper Zhou Ming's voice lowered even further, almost inaudible, "It is said that a Formation Great Master from the Tianxing Sect secretly visited Liuyun City a month ago and had secret talks with the City Lord for several days before leaving in a hurry. There are rumors that they might have found fragments of the 'Formation Base' related to the ancient teleportation array in the Dragonfall Abyss and are trying to repair or decipher it. This matter is top secret, and its truth is hard to distinguish."

Tianxing Sect? The Sect famous for star Formations? They are involved too?

Ye Qing understood. It seemed the clues to the ancient teleportation array had indeed touched the nerves of many big figures. Trying to approach it through normal channels would be as difficult as ascending to heaven.

"Thank you, Shopkeeper Zhou, this information is very valuable." Ye Qing paid another substantial amount of Spirit Stones as an intelligence fee.

"You are too polite, Fellow Daoist. If there is further news, I will notify you in time." Shopkeeper Zhou Ming accepted the Spirit Stones, his expression softening.

Leaving Baicao Hall, Ye Qing did not immediately return to the inn.

He walked aimlessly through the city, sorting out the information he had obtained in his mind.

The temptation of star source crystal was great, but Starfall Valley was now the eye of the storm, so it was not advisable to go there rashly.

The clues to the ancient teleportation array were monopolized by the top brass, making it difficult for ordinary Cultivators to touch.

The top priority was to improve his own strength. With sufficient strength, many problems would no longer be problems.

"I need a more powerful Magic Treasure, and also more sophisticated means for saving my life, escaping, and concealment. It just so happens that I have enough Materials on hand to try refining."

He came to a reputable Artifact Refining material shop in the inner city, used the large sum of Spirit Stones he had just obtained to purchase several auxiliary Materials, and gritted his teeth to buy a small core fragment of "Void Realm stone", the price of which made his heart ache.

Returning to the inn, he activated all protective Restrictions.

Ye Qing sat cross-legged and first adjusted his state to the best.

Then, he took out the main Materials for this Artifact Refining.

The "Void Profound Iron" obtained from the dark golden box in the ancient palace.

The "Star Ape Heart Bone" obtained from the Star Meteor Demon Ape.

The purchased "Void Realm stone" core fragment.

And dozens of other auxiliary Materials with star, Five Elements, and spatial attributes.

What he wanted to refine was the embryo of his Lifebound Treasure, as well as a set of "zhou tian star formation flags" that could attack and defend, be used to set up Formations, and hide.

He had long conceived his Lifebound Treasure.

Using "Void Profound Iron" as the base, incorporating the star-solid characteristics of the "Star Ape Heart Bone", and then enhancing spatial affinity with the "Void Realm stone" fragments, he would refine a set of "Hunxu Zhou Tian Star Sword Formation".

This sword Formation used a "main sword" as the core, which could be divided into "twelve light-splitting swords", and could also derive "three hundred and sixty-five Zhou Tian Star sword lights", with reality and illusion generating each other, changing infinitely.

The main sword contained the power of void tearing and star sharpness, serving as the hub of the Formation.

The twelve light-splitting swords could attack enemies individually or set up a small sword Formation.

If he could evolve the Zhou Tian Star sword lights, he could set up the true "Hunxu Zhou Tian Star Sword Formation", combining offense and defense, trapping and killing as he wished, with power increasing with his Cultivation and the number of sword lights.

This sword Formation was perfectly compatible with his Hunxu Yandao Scripture, and it could be continuously refined and upgraded in the future, incorporating more rare Materials, with infinite potential.

The "zhou tian star formation flags" were a set of portable Formation Flags refined by referring to the Formation chapter in the "Great Dao Scripture of Zhou Tian Stars", combined with his own understanding of the Dao of Formations, using star sand, star pattern steel jade, and several star-attribute spiritual woods as the main Materials.

Tentatively set at thirty-six, corresponding to the number of Tiangang. They could set up the "Small Heavenly Cycle Star Array", combining offense and defense, and could be used for concealment and trapping enemies. In the future, if he could collect three hundred and sixty-five, he might be able to set up the real "Zhou Tian Star Array", the power of which would be incomparable.

Although Ye Qing was not as profound in the Dao of Artifact Refining as he was in the Dao of Alchemy, his theoretical foundation was solid, and he had the assistance of spatial purification of Materials and controlling the heat, as well as the thick Dantian and powerful Divine Sense of his Hunxu Golden Core.

He first processed the Materials.

He melted the main Materials such as "Void Profound Iron" and "Star Ape Heart Bone" with the Golden Core true fire, removing the dross and selecting the essential, repeatedly purifying them.

This process was extremely exhausting for his mind and Dantian, which ordinary Golden Core Cultivators could hardly support.

But Ye Qing had a thick Dantian and the continuous feedback from the Cave Heaven World, so although he felt tired, it was no big deal.

After the material purification was completed, he began to shape and carve the Formation.

He used his Divine Sense as a carving knife and Dantian as ink to outline complex and mysterious rune Formation patterns in the liquid Materials.

These runes fused the charm of void, stars, Five Elements, and even a trace of Chaos, which was the condensation of his understanding of his own Dao.

Every stroke required full concentration, not allowing the slightest mistake.

After failing several times and wasting quite a few Materials, finally, the embryo of the main sword was successfully shaped and carved.

Next were the twelve light-splitting swords, whose structure was relatively simple, but their quantity was large, also consuming his mind.

When all the embryos of the twelve light-splitting swords were completed, he began the final core step — using the essence of the Void Realm stone fragments to outline the "Void sword Apertures" inside the main sword, and using "star source crystal" powder to build the "Star Gathering sword Heart".

The Void sword Apertures enabled the main sword to have the characteristics of traversing the void and ignoring some defenses.

The Star Gathering sword Heart allowed the entire sword Formation to absorb star power by itself for nourishment and enhancement, and served as an energy source for dividing more sword lights.

Seven days and seven nights, without sleep or rest.

When the last Formation pattern was dropped, the embryo of the main sword suddenly lit up, creating a mysterious resonance with the twelve light-splitting swords. Void fluctuations and star brilliance flowed endlessly, and the sword hummed clearly.

The embryo of the Hunxu Zhou Tian Star Sword Formation, complete!

Immediately after, he began to refine the "zhou tian star formation flags".

The refining of the Formation Flags was relatively simple, but the quantity was large, which also took effort.

Another three days passed, and thirty-six palm-sized star Formation Flags with flowing starlight on the flag surface and straight, tough flagpoles were refined.

When the Artifact Refining ended, Ye Qing's face was pale, and his Divine Sense was greatly consumed, but his eyes were shining brightly.

He took a few drops of star source liquid to adjust his breath and recover.

Three days later, his state was fully restored.

He couldn't wait to start refining these two sets of new Magic Treasures.

First, he refined the Hunxu Zhou Tian Star Sword Formation.

He dripped in his essence blood, communicated with his mind, and nourished it with his Dantian.

The sword Formation was like a thirsty baby, greedily absorbing his essence blood and Dantian, and the connection between them deepened rapidly.

One day later, the initial refining was completed.

With a thought, the main sword turned into a three-foot-long pale silver streamer, shuttling silently in the quiet room. Its trajectory was mysterious, sometimes disappearing into the void, sometimes flashing, and its sharpness cut through the air.

The twelve light-splitting swords circled and flew like swimming fish, extremely agile, echoing each other, forming a Formation.

"Good treasure! Although it is only an embryo and has not undergone the Heavenly Tribulation or long-term nourishment, it already has quite a bit of spirituality, and the changes between reality and illusion have already taken shape. Let the main sword be named 'Hunxu' for now, and the light-splitting swords shall be named after the twelve earthly branches."

He then refined the star Formation Flags.

After the thirty-six Formation Flags were refined, with a thought, he could instantly set up the "Small Heavenly Cycle Star Array". Starlight filled the air, covering the quiet room, isolating the inside from the outside, with decent defense, and it could also draw on star power to attack enemies.

"Not bad. With these Formation Flags, it is much more convenient to set up a temporary Formation for defense or to trap and kill enemies."

He put the main sword "Hunxu" and the thirty-six Formation Flags into his Dantian, continuing to nourish and refine them with his Golden Core Dantian. The twelve light-splitting swords attached themselves to the main sword, floating in the Dantian.

With the Magic Treasure newly formed, his strength increased again.

Ye Qing was in a good mood. He walked out of the quiet room and came to the inn window, looking at the gloomy sky.

Liuyun City was still shrouded in the shadow of war, but his heart was clear.

Strength was the foundation for coping with all changes.

"star source crystal, ancient teleportation array... When my Cultivation advances further and the Magic Treasures are well-nourished, I will go to that Dragonfall Abyss and Starfall Valley to take a look. Let's see how deep that muddy water really is."

He whispered to himself, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

Inside his body, in the thousand-zhang Cave Heaven World, the sun rose and the moon set, the galaxy flowed, and the newly refined "Hunxu" main sword and the phantom of the "zhou tian star formation flags" floated slowly beside the star core, receiving the nourishment of the Origin power of the Cave Heaven World.

Ye Qing's path of steady development continued to move forward firmly amidst accumulation and creation.