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Chapter 1691 "The Snow Sword" - Xu Zhihu

One of the three sacred trees of the Spirit Eye Tree, every two hundred years, a spiritual liquid called "Pure Liquid" flows from its roots. Although this liquid cannot be consumed directly, it is an excellent raw material for refining several spiritual medicines.

The legendary holy medicine "Dinglingdan" must use this spiritual liquid as the medicine.

As for the "Spirit-Stabilizing Pill," also known as the Soul-Soothing Pill, it can not only enhance a cultivator's cultivation level to a certain extent, but also calm the mind and soul, reducing the invasion of inner demons. If one takes one before condensing the Nascent Soul, it will definitely make the process much easier for the cultivator.

However, to find the Tree of Spirit Eyes, one must venture deep into the Yunmeng Mountains.

"Looks like I'll have to find some time to go and take a look."

Thinking of this, Jiang Chen took out his previous spoils and examined them.

Of course, Jiang Chen is currently examining magical artifacts and spiritual artifacts.

Magical artifacts are basic weapon-level items, usually crafted by cultivators at the Qi Refining stage or above. Magical artifacts are divided into four grades: lower, middle, upper, and top-tier. They come in a wide variety of forms and have diverse uses; there are suitable magical artifacts for each cultivation level. Generally, magical treasures of the same grade are more powerful than magical artifacts and cannot be stored within the body.

Talismanic treasures and true treasures are empowered by special talismans, possessing greater power than magical artifacts.

Spiritual artifacts evolve from high-quality magical tools, requiring the sealing of demonic beast spirits or special crafting to acquire rudimentary spirituality. A spiritual artifact can establish a connection with its wielder, unleashing its full power through sensing, and can continuously grow and increase its power through nurturing.

Magic treasures are weapons crafted by cultivators at the Core Formation stage or above, and their power far surpasses that of magical artifacts.

After a cultivator forms their Golden Core, they can use alchemical fire or earth fire to refine magical artifacts. If a magical artifact is damaged, the remaining part is called a fragment. The power of a magical artifact depends mainly on its inherent power, the amount of magical power infused into it, and the extent to which it is manipulated by divine sense.

A natal magic weapon is usually crafted based on one's main cultivation technique and personal preferences, and is mostly made of swords or blades. To unleash the full power of a natal magic weapon, the owner needs to continuously nurture it within their body and incorporate extremely rare materials during the crafting process.

According to the records in "A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality", the Nine Cauldrons in Jiang Chen's body should be his natal magic treasure.

"Let's modify these magical artifacts and spirit tools first..."

With this in mind, Jiang Chen focused intently on modifying the magical artifacts and spiritual weapons.

Of course, the spiritual artifact obtained this time is also a low-grade spiritual artifact.

It is the strongest weapon for a Core Formation stage cultivator, and there is only one low-grade spiritual weapon among them.

Previously, Jiang Chen's weapons were classified into nine grades.

According to the weapon ranking system in "A Record of a Mortal's Journey to Immortality", ninth-grade and eighth-grade weapons are equivalent to low-grade magic weapons, seventh-grade and sixth-grade weapons are equivalent to mid-grade magic weapons, fifth-grade and fourth-grade weapons are equivalent to high-grade magic weapons, and third-grade and second-grade weapons are equivalent to top-grade (ultimate) magic weapons.

A first-grade weapon is equivalent to a low-grade spiritual weapon.

Jiang Chen spent two days modifying all of these magical artifacts and spiritual weapons.

In Jiang Chen's view, the Jiang family needs to modify these magical artifacts and spiritual weapons, which means that if the Jiang family's weapons fall into the hands of others, those others may not be able to use them, and even if they can use them, they may not be able to unleash their full power.

A moment later, Jiang Chen walked out of the room.

“Brother Chen, we can actually cooperate on the three major sects of Yunmeng Mountain,” Zhao Mosheng said.

"Cooperation? You mean?" Jiang Chen's heart skipped a beat.

"Putting aside other things, take the Luoyun Sect for example. They are skilled in alchemy. And pills... even if the cultivation systems are different, we can still take them," Zhao Mosheng said.

“That works too.” Jiang Chen nodded.

“However, this matter will have to be handled by you, Brother Chen,” Zhao Mosheng said.

“Okay.” Jiang Chen understood Zhao Mosheng’s meaning.

To cooperate, you must demonstrate your strength.

Only those with strong capabilities can cooperate on an equal footing.

……

Snowy Continent, Western Regions, Dunhuang City.

"It's been a long time since I've been here. Has anything happened during this time?" Jiang Chen asked Qin Banruo and the others.

"Nothing serious. However, according to intelligence from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, many people are hunting down the Crown Prince of Northern Liang," Qin Banruo replied.

"Xu Fengnian has been traveling for almost two years now, hasn't he?" Jiang Chen said.

“Yes, according to Xu Xiao’s regulations, Xu Fengnian’s travel time is less than a year. However, even our Embroidered Uniform Guard has not been able to find his whereabouts,” Qin Banruo explained.

"With Xu Xiao helping to conceal his tracks, it won't be easy for those people to find him. Moreover, Xu Xiao has secretly arranged for countless experts to protect him." When Xu Fengnian first traveled, Jian Jiuhuang, the groom of the Northern Liang Prince's Mansion, was only the visible force. The number of other hidden forces was unknown.

However, if there is any news about Xu Fengnian, Jiang Chen will definitely kill Xu Fengnian without hesitation.

Only with Xu Fengnian's death will the Northern Liang Royal Palace completely turn against the Li Yang Dynasty.

“That’s true.” Qin Banruo did not deny it.

"My lord, there is a saying about destiny in the Snow Continent. Should we consider establishing a country?" Mu Nihuang asked.

"Founding a nation?" Jiang Chen was slightly taken aback.

However, after acquiring the national fortune of the Great Feng Dynasty, Jiang Chen gained a deeper understanding of the power of national fortune.

“Yes, if we establish a nation, the blessing of national fortune will also benefit our development on the Snow Continent,” Mu Nihuang said.

"In that case, who among you wants to become emperor?" Jiang Chen was not against establishing a country, but he had no intention of becoming emperor himself. After all, being emperor too many times would just be meaningless.

"..." Qin Banruo and the others looked at each other in bewilderment.

"Jiang Ni, you are a princess of Western Chu, why don't you declare yourself empress?" Jiang Chen looked at Jiang Ni.

When Jiang Chen left the Fourth World last time, he took Jiang Ni, Yu Youwei, and Nangong Pushe with him from the Snow Continent. After so much time has passed, Jiang Ni and the others have already reached the Martial Emperor realm.

This level of strength is equivalent to that of a terrestrial immortal in the Snow Continent; one could say he is a master in his own right.

Among the three, the strongest, Nangong Pushe, was already at the Zhixuan Realm, which is the Grandmaster Realm, when Jiang Chen met her. Although she is still at the Martial Emperor Realm now, she is not far from the Martial God Realm and will definitely break through this year.

“Me.” Jiang Ni pointed to herself.

"That's right, you are the princess of Western Chu, and you are blessed with great fortune. If you want to take revenge, becoming emperor is the best choice." When Jiang Chen first met Jiang Ni, he wanted to take her as his disciple, but unfortunately, Jiang Ni was unwilling to become his disciple.

However, Jiang Chen's teaching of Jiang Ni is different from that in the drama.

“But you were the one who came forward from the Western Regions before, and didn’t the Liyang Dynasty want to use Princess Suizhu to form a marriage alliance with you?” Jiang Ni said.

"So what? This is our own business, we don't need anyone else's approval. Besides, I've been emperor for so long, I'm getting a bit bored," Jiang Chen said.

"I think you not only don't want to be emperor anymore, but you want to conquer the empress, don't you?" Chen Qianqian's words hit the nail on the head, and as she spoke, her gaze seemed to fall on Jiang Ni.

Seemingly sensing Chen Qianqian's gaze, Jiang Ni's face flushed slightly.

Women are all strong-willed.

Jiang Ni is the same.

She had no grudge against Jiang Chen; on the contrary, she had been kind to him.

Therefore, after spending more time with Jiang Chen, his image became deeply ingrained in her mind.

"Jiang Ni, you can consider it." Jiang Chen didn't care about Chen Qianqian's teasing. After all, he had thought about winning Jiang Ni over after she refused to be his apprentice.

However, even if Jiang Ni becomes his apprentice, he will still teach her to be a rebellious and disobedient disciple.

"I... I'll think about it." Jiang Ni did not refuse.

"Okay." Jiang Chen nodded.

“Speaking of Princess Suizhu, the Liyang Dynasty still invited my husband to Tai’an City,” Lou Shuwan said. “Tai’an City, ah, it’s time to find some time to go and see it,” Jiang Chen said meaningfully.

"You want to go to Tai'an City?" Lou Shuwan was slightly taken aback.

“Yes.” Jiang Chen had long wanted to explore other parts of the Snow Continent, but his strength was insufficient when he last came to the Fourth World. Now it was different: “The Snow Continent’s strength level isn’t high, but it has many valuable items. Perhaps they can help us improve our strength.”

"When are you leaving?" Jiang Lai asked.

"Let's wait a few days." Jiang Chen wasn't in a hurry. Having finally arrived in the Snow Continent, he naturally wanted to spend some time with Qin Banruo and the others.

Next, Jiang Chen discussed matters concerning the Western Regions with Qin Banruo and others.

“Jiang Chen, the Western Regions have been unified for quite some time now, and Dunhuang City is no longer sufficient for our future development. It needs to be expanded,” Li Na said.

"You mean build a city?" Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow.

“Yes.” Li Na nodded.

Jiang Chen hesitated.

So far, Jiang Chen has only built three cities using Luoyang City building cards: Jiangzhou City, Haiyang City, and Xingyun City.

There are currently six building cards remaining in Luoyang City.

If you want to use Luoyang city building cards to build a city, that's also possible.

After a moment's thought, Jiang Chen said, "In that case, let's build a new city."

"Build a new city?" Qin Banruo and the others were slightly taken aback.

"Yes, it's the new city."

Jiang Chen nodded and said, "The Snow Continent is adjacent to the Tagora Desert, but the only part truly connected to the Tagora Desert is the western region of the Snow Continent. Even the Northern Wilderness is separated from the Tagora Desert by a strait of at least tens of kilometers. It can be said that the western region of the Snow Continent is the eastern gateway to the Tagora Desert. Dunhuang City in the western region of the Snow Continent is too small; it's better to build a new one than to expand it."

“Then I will arrange for people to scout out the new city,” Qin Banruo said.

"Okay." Jiang Chen nodded.

……

The next day, after finishing his cultivation of the Free and Unfettered Heavenly Technique, Jiang Chen left Dunhuang City.

Jiang Chen's first destination was Yangchun City, Jiangxin County, Jiangnan Province, Liyang Dynasty.

At Jiang Chen's speed, he quickly arrived at Yangchun City in Jiangxin County.

"The Lu family."

Jiang Chen's figure flashed and he appeared above the Lu family.

What is Jiang Chen's purpose in coming to the Lu family?
Naturally, he wanted to meet Xu Zhihu.

The Lu family was a prominent clan in Jiangnan, and their mansion was very large.

However, finding Xu Zhihu was not difficult for Jiang Chen.

In a courtyard, Jiang Chen met Xu Zhihu.

Almost simultaneously, a system notification sounded.

"Sign in."

Jiang Chen silently recited in his heart.

[Congratulations, host! You have successfully checked in and received a Luoyang City building card.]

"Luoyang City Building Card?"

"This is the fourth time I've checked in and received the Luoyang City building card."

"According to the system introduction, the Luoyang City building card constructs an enhanced version of the Sui and Tang Dynasty Luoyang City. This enhanced version increases the stability and height of Luoyang City..."

"In short, the city built using Luoyang City building cards is three times larger, taller, and more robust than the Luoyang City of the Sui and Tang Dynasties."

"In other words, the city built by the Luoyang City Construction Card is also divided into three layers of walls: the outer city, the imperial city (Taiwei City), and the palace city (Ziwei City). However, the outer city has a circumference of 84 kilometers, a base width of 45-60 meters, a height of 100 meters, an east wall length of 21936 meters, a south wall length of 21870 meters, a west wall length of 20328 meters, and a north wall length of 18384 meters."

"The construction of Luoyang City requires 100,000 people and will take 18 months."

"In other words, even with sufficient building materials in Luoyang, it would still require 100,000 people and 18 months to build."

"This is a huge city."

"Adding to the two Luoyang City building cards I got from advancing to the Imperial Clan and the four Luoyang City building cards I got from advancing to the Celestial Clan, I now have ten Luoyang City building cards."

At that moment, Jiang Chen looked at the female lead who had signed in.

Xu Zhihu is a character in the novel "The Sword and the Snow".

In the drama, she is the eldest princess of the Northern Liang King, Xu Fengnian's elder sister. With captivating eyes, striking beauty, a slender figure, and a captivatingly alluring face, she possesses a charm reminiscent of a fox spirit. Although physically weak, she is exceptionally intelligent. Xu Zhihu is highly skilled in the intrigues of the inner court, possessing impeccable comeback techniques, but she refuses to stoop to the level of gossipy women confined to their chambers. All her retaliations are merely self-defense, stopping short of causing serious harm.

"Xu Zhihu from 'The Sword and the Brocade'?"

"Just like in the show."

In the drama, Xu Zhihu is the eldest daughter of Xu Xiao, the only non-royal prince of the Li Yang Dynasty and the elder sister of Xu Fengnian, the heir apparent of the Li Yang Dynasty. As the most illustrious princess in the Li Yang Dynasty, when she was just beginning to grow up, Xu Zhihu went to Wudang Mountain in the territory of the Li Yang Dynasty. While wandering around the mountain, she met a young Taoist boy riding a blue ox backwards. They fell in love at first sight and left an impression on each other's hearts.

Later, Xu Zhihu learned the young Taoist's identity: he was Hong Xixiang, the only one on Wudang Mountain who cultivated the Heavenly Dao and on whom the entire mountain placed its hopes. Hong Xixiang's master had made a demand of him: he could not leave Wudang Mountain until he became the best in the world. This goal was too difficult to achieve, so Xu Zhihu knew that he and the young Taoist were destined to be apart in this life.

Since she was destined to never have true happiness, Xu Zhihu wanted to use her marriage to help her younger brother Xu Fengnian. So, under the arrangement of her father Xu Xiao, Xu Zhihu married far away to Jiangnan Dao.

However, for some reason, Xu Zhihu's marriage to a distant place was full of unexpected events. Her first husband was a noble young man who had passed the imperial examination with the second-highest score and had a prominent family background in Jiangnan. Originally, it would have been a great joy to have a husband who passed the imperial examination with both a high score and a low score, but this young man died a violent death in the end, making Xu Zhihu the most beautiful widow in the Liyang Dynasty with the largest dowry.

Following this, in order to establish a connection with Xu Xiao, the King of Beiliang, Lu Daolin, the current head of the Huting Lu clan in Jiangnan, which had served as "eight prime ministers assisting the Song Dynasty," disregarded opposition within the family and forcibly ordered his younger brother, Lu Xuanlang, who was based in Yangzhou, the family's stronghold, to agree to Lu Xuanlang's son, Lu Qinquan, marrying Xu Zhihu. However, to Lu Daolin's surprise, Lu Qinquan, like Xu Zhihu's first husband, died suddenly not long after the wedding.

And so, Xu Zhihu became a widow again, and was also branded with the stigma of being a jinx to her husbands, and was disliked by her in-laws, Lu Xuanlang and his wife.

If Xu Zhihu had been born into an ordinary official family, she would have found it difficult to move forward in Jiangnan after killing two young talents from the Jiangnan scholar group. Fortunately, Xu Zhihu was the daughter of Xu Xiao, the King of Beiliang. Due to the fearsome reputation of Xu Xiao, the people of Jiangnan pointed fingers at her, but dared not act recklessly.

After spending a long time in Jiangnan, Xu Zhihu had come to see through these local aristocratic scholars. Apart from a few individuals such as Lu Daolin, the Right Chancellor of the Imperial Academy, Yu Lian, the Minister of Personnel, and Xu Gong, the General of the Dragon Cavalry, the vast majority of Jiangnan scholars were arrogant and complacent, relying on their family's legacy without any ambition, and only knew how to rest on their laurels and live off their past achievements.

Seeing that the Jiangnan scholars were all good-for-nothings, Xu Zhihu lost interest in winning over the Jiangnan Daoist scholars to use for her younger brother in the future. As a result, she began to act as she pleased. In addition to doing all the proper etiquette as a daughter-in-law, Xu Zhihu often went out of the Lu Mansion to listen to the debates of famous scholars in famous mountains and temples.

On one hand, Xu Zhihu went to listen to their eloquent discussions to pass the time; on the other hand, she enjoyed watching those self-proclaimed refined and elegant scholars become excitedly aroused after she took her seat. However, Xu Zhihu never paid any attention to these philanderers, only occasionally amusing herself by teasing them.

However, Xu Zhihu was unaware that her predestined relationship with Hong Xixiang had lasted for seven hundred years. Seven hundred years ago, the hermit Lü Dongxuan cultivated Taoism for two hundred years, achieving the status of a Celestial Immortal and becoming the foremost figure in the Heavenly Dao Sword Dao at that time. He was revered by the world as Ancestor Lü and also founded Wudang. However, Lü Dongxuan, engrossed in his cultivation, missed a woman in red in that lifetime.

In order to rekindle his romance with the woman in red, Lü Dongxuan did not choose to ascend to immortality, but instead reincarnated. Roughly calculated by the sixty-year cycle of life, Hong Xixiang in this life is Lü Zu's tenth incarnation, and Xu Zhihu is the woman in red in this life.

Xu Zhihu had no memories of her past life; she was unaware of her past life's destiny. Hong Xixiang, upon their first meeting, was also oblivious to his past life's purpose in reincarnation. Therefore, both felt an indescribable connection to each other, as if the other was very important to them. After Wang Chonglou's death, Hong Xixiang became the new leader of Wudang. Beside the Turtle-Carrying Stele on Little Lotus Peak, Hong Xixiang comprehended the Dao of Heaven, entering the Celestial Realm, and his past life's cultivation began to gradually recover.

Then, at the critical moment when Xu Zhihu was about to be killed by Yuan Tingshan, Hong Xixiang finally had an epiphany, completely regained Lu Zu's memories and cultivation, and then rode a crane down to the south of the Yangtze River to come to Xu Zhihu's side.

The shock he suffered from Yuan Tingshan aggravated his cold, causing his lifespan to be exhausted prematurely. To save his lover, Hong Xixiang forcibly opened the Heavenly Gate at the cost of sacrificing his life and rebuilding for three hundred years. In the end, he and Xu Zhihu ascended to heaven together in Tai'an City, completing their love that spanned seven hundred years.

"Xu Zhihu in the play is the reincarnation of the red-clad woman whom Lu Zu (Hong Xixiang's previous incarnation) waited for for five hundred years. Her fate is closely related to the fortune of Taoism."

"Therefore, Xu Zhihu in the play is considered to be a jinx to her husbands."

"I just don't know..."

Jiang Chen's eyes flashed, and he walked towards Xu Zhihu.