A journey through immortal realms begins with a phantom tale.

Luo Cheng took out his spirit sword and fan, partly to exchange them for some immortal stones, and partly to take the opportunity to teach Lin Chen some things.

Before preparing to forge the weapon, he asked Steward Fengyuan, "Is it permissible to forge weapons here?"

Although the sixth floor is not as spacious as the first floor, it is quieter.

Manager Fengyuan said, "I've heard that the method of mental cultivation doesn't require any tools. If it's convenient for Mr. Luo, please cultivate it here."

"it is good."

Luo Cheng took the spirit sword from Steward Feng Yuan, first examining it with his divine sense, and then said to Lin Chen, "Chenchen, there are two mainstream methods of weapon forging in the cultivation world. One is to inscribe arrays in the spirit weapon to enhance its power and also to give it some auxiliary functions."

"Hmm." Lin Chen listened attentively.

"There's another type, which doesn't involve inscribing formations," Luo Cheng continued. "This belongs to the ancient weapon-refining methods, which are further divided into condensation and refinement methods. The spirit sword in my hand uses the refinement method—it gathers the essence of the five elements between heaven and earth, fuses them into one furnace, and forges it into a spirit weapon."

"This kind of magical weapon has two characteristics: it is hard and it has the potential to grow." As he spoke, he handed the sword to Lin Chen to look at. "Look at this sword. Because there are no formations in the sword body and it is made of the five elements' essence, its texture is dense."

"It's like hitting a hollow ball with a dense iron ball. Which one do you think would be stronger?"

At this moment, Steward Fengyuan interjected, "Mr. Luo, if a powerful array is inscribed inside the spiritual artifact, its power can be greatly increased, and it can still break through the iron ball, or even crush it."

"That makes sense." Luo Cheng didn't refute it.

This is a difference in the choice of artifacts. Ancient cultivators favored ancient artifact crafting techniques, while now, most cultivators prefer array inscription—because array inscription can quickly enhance the power of spiritual artifacts.

For example, engraving one or more attack arrays within a spirit sword will greatly increase its attack power; engraving an energy storage array further enhances attack while conserving spiritual energy. If immortals store immortal spiritual power within immortal artifacts for cultivators to use, the cultivators can also harness the power of the artifacts. It is precisely because engraving arrays offers so many benefits that modern cultivators favor this method.

The weapon-forging techniques of the Chongxuan School also emphasize engraving arrays to enhance power.

In comparison, Luo Cheng preferred the ancient weapon-forging technique. Treasures forged using this technique were more solid, possessed higher spiritual energy, and even had growth potential. However, this secret technique had long been lost; he only learned it by acquiring a weapon-forging jade slip incidentally when he obtained a spirit sword.

To reforge this sword, Luo Cheng used his teleportation ability to travel to outer space and gather the essence of the five elements. In a short time, a star the size of the moon was vaporized—demonstrating the immense energy consumption of ancient weapon-forging techniques. This is precisely why it's unpopular; after all, what ordinary person possesses the ability to refine a star into the essence of the five elements?

A burst of the five elements' essence merged into the spirit sword, and Luo Cheng released the power of divine chess.

The moment the Divine Chess Power was unleashed, Steward Fengyuan and the cultivators present all showed expressions of astonishment.

The Divine Chess Power is extremely high, even higher than Immortal Yuan Power. Its terrifying power, versatile attributes, and inclusive characteristics are truly awe-inspiring.

"What kind of power is this?" Manager Fengyuan couldn't help but ask.

Luo Cheng didn't explain. Cultivating divinity was already a legend, known to very few people.

Under the refinement of divine power, the essence of the five elements merged into the spirit sword, causing the sword to emit a dazzling light.

"It's fixed." Luo Cheng held the sword with his divine sense and smiled.

"The ancient weapon-refining technique is truly amazing," Manager Fengyuan exclaimed.

Lin Chen asked curiously, "Brother Cheng, is this kind of magical artifact really more powerful?"

"Actually, whether a magical artifact is powerful or not depends mainly on the user," Luo Cheng said.

"Oh." Lin Chen responded. He had originally wanted to see which weapon was stronger, the ancient or modern weapon-forging techniques, but now it seemed there was no chance—if they really clashed, one of them would definitely be damaged, and no one on the scene was willing to use a high-quality spiritual weapon for testing.

Luo Cheng added, "Spiritual weapons forged using ancient weapon-refining techniques need to be nurtured with divine will. Over time, the divine will connects with the weapon's spirit, and the weapon becomes as flexible as an arm, able to assist in battle without the guidance of divine sense."

Manager Fengyuan looked at the spirit sword and said, "After being forged by Mr. Luo, this sword is already equivalent to a quasi-immortal weapon."

"So, how much do you want for it?"

"How about a million high-quality immortal stones?"

"Deal." Luo Cheng didn't haggle; he knew the price for a quasi-immortal artifact was reasonable.

Next, he picked up the fan: "This was made using modern weapon-refining techniques. The person who made it must have been a wandering immortal, and it was used to resist the heavenly tribulation, which is why it suffered some damage under the heavenly tribulation."

"Heavenly Tribulation?" Lin Chen had never heard of it before and was a little worried. He took the opportunity to ask, "Brother Cheng, does every cultivator have to undergo a tribulation to become an immortal?"

"Yes." Luo Cheng nodded, then turned the topic back to weapon crafting, "This fan has twenty-one arrays and two kinds of restrictive techniques."

Lin Chen then asked, "Brother Cheng, what's the difference between an array and a restriction?"

"The difference lies in two aspects: first, power—restrictions are stronger than formations; second, application—formations are mostly used for artifacts, while restrictions are mostly used for spells and combat."

"I understand." Lin Chen nodded, but she felt like she only vaguely understood. She hadn't studied any restrictions, only some basic formations.

Luo Cheng said, "If I have the chance, I'll teach you some restrictive techniques."

"Great!" Lin Chen immediately perked up.

While examining the fan, Luo Cheng said, "These formations and restrictions are integrated together, making them highly defensive. They can also absorb the power of heavenly tribulations. The design is quite ingenious and also somewhat interesting."

As he spoke, he took out some materials from his storage space—some he had collected casually during his travels, and others he had obtained from the Great Illusionary Buddha Realm.

Upon seeing these materials, the cultivators present all brightened up: "Heavenly Gold Sand, Water Essence Stone, Profound Yang Stone... these are all top-grade refining materials!"

These materials are extremely hard.

This time, Luo Cheng used the Mind Refining Method of the Chongxuan Sect. He formed an array in the void, threw his fan into the array, and then released the Divine Chess Power.

In everyone's eyes, after the divine power surged into the formation, the refining materials inside instantly turned into liquid.

Manager Fengyuan was shocked: "This energy is terrifying, even more powerful than heavenly fire!" He knew that even heavenly fire would take time to melt these high-grade materials; using a cultivator's true fire would take even longer. Yet Luo Cheng melted the materials in a matter of moments.

After the material melted, Luo Cheng used his divine sense to control the array, remove impurities, and then reshape the material.

His movements were incredibly fast. In the instant the magical artifact was about to take shape, he inscribed eighteen arrays and three Buddhist restrictions within it. Then, with a flick of his wrist, the fan landed in his hand. The reforged fan had a more lustrous color, as if energy flowed within it.

Some exclaimed, "Is this the method of mental cultivation? It's truly amazing." Just now, everyone only saw Luo Cheng setting up an array in the void and using the method of mental cultivation, but they couldn't see through its mysteries.

Luo Cheng examined the fan and said, "This fan has two additional functions: it can release black fumes and primordial fire, and it can also cast three kinds of restrictions to control opponents."

"Excellent!" Manager Fengyuan rubbed his hands together, taking the fan from Luo Cheng. "This spiritual artifact is already very close to the level of a celestial artifact, and it's highly functional, making it even more popular among cultivators. I'll price it at 1.2 million high-grade celestial stones, what do you say?"

"it is good."

At this moment, Lin Chen felt a little reluctant to part with it—the fan was very beautiful and had interesting functions.

Luo Cheng saw through her thoughts and said, "When we get back, I'll forge some treasures for you to protect yourself."

"Mmm!" Lin Chen smiled happily.

Luo Cheng then said to Steward Feng Yuan, "Give me half of the high-grade immortal stones, and exchange the other half for mid-grade immortal stones."

"it is good."

Luo Cheng took the storage bag, kept some for himself to activate the teleportation array, and gave the rest to Lin Chen.

After the two left the Treasure Pavilion, Manager Fengyuan said with a smile, "We can hold an auction and sell these two treasures."

With the money, Lin Chen wanted to "buy, buy, buy." She pulled Luo Cheng back to the first floor, but didn't see Li Mengtian, and felt a little disappointed.

After strolling around for a while, Luo Cheng said, "I'll take you to see the immortals."

Immortal?

Lin Chen felt a mix of anticipation and excitement. Since she began cultivating immortality, she had only heard of immortals and knew that the ultimate goal of cultivation was to ascend to immortality, but she had never actually seen a true immortal.

Luo Cheng used a secret technique to knock on the door. A moment later, Qian Shanyong appeared, enveloped in a golden light that obscured his features.

Standing next to Luo Cheng, Lin Chen could feel a terrifying pressure, and only then did he understand what it felt like to face an immortal.

Gan Shanyong said warmly, "Come on, have a seat at my place."

Luo Cheng had fought with him and Dai Nanfeng last time and had already gained the approval of the two immortals.

Time and space shifted, and the three arrived at a meteorite in outer space. There was a celestial array there, with a small courtyard inside.

At this moment, Qian Shanyong revealed his true form, which was a middle-aged male immortal.

Luo Cheng introduced, "This is my Daoist partner, Lin Chen, and this is the Celestial Immortal, Qian Shanyong."

Lin Chen quickly greeted him, "Greetings, Immortal Luo Tian."

Qian Shanyong took out a small jade pendant and handed it to Lin Chen: "It's a little trinket that can defend against attacks from immortals."

What he called a "trinket" was, in the outside world, a treasure that cultivators would fight over—it could defend against attacks from immortals and was considered a life-saving artifact.

After Luo Cheng sat down, he asked, "Why don't I see Fairy Dai Nan?"

"After the Great Flame Spirit Beast ran away, several planets nearby were plagued with trouble, so Dai Nan went to investigate."

"Oh." Luo Cheng nodded, then asked, "Has any news come from the Immortal Realm?"

Upon hearing this, Lin Chen immediately perked up. News from the Immortal Realm! Ever since she began cultivating, she had been filled with curiosity about the Immortal Realm.