210: handover

Medicine King Valley, Fire Refining Hall.

The scorching Aura remained, and the rhythmic clanging of hammers striking anvils was incessant. When Qin Feng and the other three stepped into the main hall, carrying the dust of travel and a faint scent of blood and fire, Ouyang Lie, who had already received the news, was standing with his back to the door, staring at a massive "Earth Fire Melting Vein Map" on the wall.

Hearing footsteps, he slowly turned around. With red hair and a curly beard, his gaze was like a torch as it swept over the four of them. When his eyes landed on the specially made, faintly glowing red sealed jade box in Qin Feng's hand, his thick eyebrows twitched, and a daunting glint erupted in his eyes.

"You're back?" Ouyang Lie's voice was like muffled thunder, echoing through the empty hall.

Qin Feng took a step forward and presented the jade box with both hands. "Fortunately, I did not fail the mission. Inside are three catties of earth core flame marrow. Please inspect it, Deputy Hall Master Ouyang."

Ouyang Lie took the jade box, his fingers brushing over the cool, fine jade and the complex Seal runes. He nodded, but didn't open it immediately. Instead, he looked at the four of them first, his gaze lingering for a moment longer on Qin Feng and Ji Ruxue, whose Auras were noticeably more refined. He also looked at Xiao Chun, whose face was slightly pale from previous exertion but whose eyes were bright, and Xia Ya, whose Aura had become increasingly profound and was only a step away from becoming a Martial King.

"Good! Good! Good!" He said the word "good" three times, his voice shaking the roof tiles. A look of unmasked admiration appeared on his face as he laughed heartily, "Hahahaha! I truly didn't misjudge you! The Molten Core Secret Realm is a perilous place, and that Lava Giant Lizard King is a particularly troublesome character. To think you actually managed to pluck a tooth from the tiger's mouth, returning in one piece and even over-completing the mission! You truly are the youngsters that Senior Brother Duanmu and Senior Brother Ling value so highly!"

He waved his large hand. "It was all thanks to the excellent equipment Master Ouyang bestowed upon us in advance; otherwise, we would never have succeeded so smoothly," Qin Feng said sincerely. This wasn't mere politeness; whether it was the flowing cloud inner armor, the yan luo umbrella, the giant tooth sword, or the purple moon dagger, they had all played massive roles at critical moments.

Ouyang Lie waved his hand, the smile on his red hair face remaining undiminished. "Sigh, no matter how good the equipment is, it depends on the person using it. It was your own skill, courage, and luck! My little trinkets were merely the icing on the cake."

He walked to the massive Artifact Refining furnace in the middle of the hall and solemnly placed the jade box on a specially made stone platform. Only then did he carefully undo the Seal and open the lid.

In an instant, a pure fire-attribute energy that seemed capable of igniting the heat in one's heart spread out, and the temperature in the hall seemed to rise by several degrees. Inside the box, three clumps of earth core flame marrow, looking like solidified dark red flames with a liquid luster slowly flowing within, quietly emitted an alluring glow. Each clump was the perfect size and weight, exactly one catty.

Ouyang Lie inspected them carefully, even using a specialized tool to draw a wisp of Aura to sense it. Finally, he nodded with satisfaction. "Top-tier quality and full weight! You've completed this mission beautifully!"

He closed the jade box and looked at Qin Feng's group with a solemn expression. "I promised before that if you could bring back the earth core flame marrow, my Senior Brother and I would personally upgrade and temper your existing weapons. I, Ouyang Lie, am a man of my word!"

Having said that, he first returned General Li Ju's soaring dragon token to Qin Feng, then looked at the four of them with burning eyes. "Take out all the weapons you need tempered. My Senior Brother is currently in the Earth Fire Room in seclusion, comprehending an artifact vein, but he still has time to take action for you once."

Qin Feng and the others smiled at each other and took out their respective weapons.

Qin Feng's was the ink plum sword.

Ji Ruxue's were the purple moon daggers (a pair).

Xia Ya's were the great fang broadsword and the black iron great shield that had been with her the longest and already had multiple points of damage.

Xiao Chun's was the yan luo umbrella.

Four weapons and one piece of armor were laid out before Ouyang Lie.

Ouyang Lie's gaze was like lightning as he scanned them one by one, clicking his tongue in wonder. "The ink plum sword, Earth Rank Medium Grade. The sword's foundation is good, but the refining technique is a bit too workmanlike, failing to fully stimulate the spirituality of the 'Ink Heart Iron' and 'Cold Plum Crystal'... The purple moon daggers, Earth Rank High Grade. Both the Materials and the refining are top-notch, especially the Fusion of the 'Shadow Bat King Fang's' stealth-breaking property, which is quite exquisite. However, it seems they could be even sharper and better aligned with the Dao of Shadows... The giant tooth sword, the Mountain-Sinking Iron Core is good stuff, and the Law-Breaking Gold Essence was added just right, but the overall balance can be further optimized to better suit this girl's way of exerting force... This shield... Sigh, the Materials are actually not bad, but the refiner's skill was limited and it's heavily worn. This is a good opportunity to re-forge the core... The yan luo umbrella, an ingenious concept, integrating offense, defense, and support, but there's still room for improvement in the mechanism strength and the umbrella surface's toughness..."

He spoke as if enumerating his family treasures, pointing out the pros and cons of each weapon and their potential directions for improvement, revealing his extremely high attainment in Artifact Refining.

Qin Feng's heart stirred, and he took out a small jade bottle and a jade box from his robes. "Senior Ouyang, here is an extra catty of earth core flame marrow, as well as five pieces of 'Geng Gold' that I obtained by chance. I wonder if they can also be used as Materials for this tempering?"

Ouyang Lie took them and opened them. The light in his eyes grew even brighter. "Oh? You still have stock? Geng Gold! This is good stuff; adding even a little can greatly enhance sharpness and armor penetration! As for this earth core flame marrow... Haha, you're quite generous! With these good Materials as a foundation, plus my Senior Brother and me taking action, we can surely let your weapons undergo a complete transformation!"

He patted his chest and guaranteed, "Rest assured, our Fire Refining Hall will also provide some matching Materials. With my Senior Brother and me working together, it will take about two weeks. During these two weeks, you can have a good rest in the valley."

"Thank you, Senior Ouyang (Great Master)!" The four of them were overjoyed and thanked him in unison.

After the handover was complete, Ouyang Lie personally saw them out of the Fire Refining Hall. Just as they stepped out the door, they saw a deacon disciple who served beside Elder Ling Yunzi already waiting outside.

When the Disciple saw Qin Feng, he immediately stepped forward and said respectfully, "Senior Brother Qin, everyone. Elder Ling asked me to pass on a message: all three class a missions have been completed. The Elder has personally gone to the Law Enforcement Hall to negotiate, and the formalities are ready. Your master, Chu Tianhe, will be released immediately. Please go directly to the exit of the Self-Reflection Cliff and wait."

When the news arrived, all four of their bodies shook. Especially Xiao Chun, whose eyes instantly turned red. She tightly gripped the hem of her clothes with both hands, her body trembling slightly—it was excitement, and even more so, a nervous tension like one feels when returning home. Qin Feng took a deep breath, suppressing the waves in his heart, and cupped his hands to the deacon disciple. "Thank you for the message, Senior Brother. We will head there now."