The higher the quality of a magic treasure, the longer the nurturing process required.
Such had been the case with the Xuanchen Armor, and likewise with the Nether Python Whip.
Only the Hunyuan Cauldron had emerged ahead of schedule due to the incorporation of a drop of the Heaven Refining Demon Lord's blood, entirely skipping the thorough, patient nurturing that would have brought it to perfection.
While this had granted it an early advantage, the drawback was equally obvious: Luo Chen had later spent well over a century in the Northern Sea before fully refining and expelling its internal impurities. Developing its various functions one by one, entirely on his own, had proven to be a painstaking ordeal.
The Heart-Interrogation Mirror was different. He intended to put it to immediate use upon completion, meaning there was no room for rushed impatience. Thus, after forging its embryo, Luo Chen had nurtured it for two full years.
Now, everything was in place!
Seated cross-legged before the Hunyuan Cauldron, Luo Chen rhythmically channeled streams of magic power, preparing to retrieve the treasure.
The Wither-Bloom True Fire gradually died down, while the treasure light within the cauldron grew increasingly radiant.
Having persistently applied the Jade Sovereign Clear Pupil Liquid for three years, Luo Chen's eyes had gradually begun to develop an extraordinary quality.
While it diverged slightly from the evolution he had most desired, this new sight was certainly formidable in its own right.
Building upon his original foundation of discerning truth from falsehood, it had continuously refined itself, gradually acquiring the property to shatter illusions.
This was precisely why Demon Emperor Taobao, despite being an expert in avatar duplication and shapeshifting, had found himself utterly restricted before Luo Chen, completely unable to bring his greatest strength to bear.
To see through illusion and reality, never bewitched by transformations!
It was perfectly suited for the situation at hand.
At this moment, the treasure light within the cauldron flared brilliantly, giving rise to all manner of disparate apparitions.
A white condor soared across the heavens, serenely hunting amidst vast swarms of mirage beasts.
A cultivator brandished a formidable treasure, relentlessly pressing forward with deadly intent as perils arose one after another.
There was also a man standing atop a cauldron with sword in hand, fingers weaving incantations and forming Daoist seals, exuding an imposing might that pressed down upon all living beings.
Finally, amidst a boundless sea of clouds and mist, one could even glimpse a colossal, indistinct creature swallowing and exhaling the great wilderness, giving birth to the sun, moon, and stars.
Should one lose oneself in any single one of these numerous apparitions, the optimal moment to retrieve the treasure might well be missed.
Yet Luo Chen's eyes shone bright and sharp, completely unmoved by the spectacles before him.
Instead, a wave of realization washed over his heart.
*These illusions must be the memories of the white condor, the original owner of this illusion core. And isn't that man treading the cauldron with sword in hand none other than myself?*
*As for that colossal, hazy creature... it must be the true form of the Mirage Dragon that spawned the condor.*
To think the memories traced all the way back to the Mirage Dragon itself! Luo Chen felt a swell of pleasant surprise.
The quality of this Heart-Interrogation Mirror was unquestionably far from ordinary; it had to be extraordinarily high!
This was only natural. After all, his artifact-crafting techniques had progressed beyond comparison to a century ago, and the materials he had used this time far surpassed those of the Xuanchen Armor.
*High-grade! It must be high-grade!*
Just as Luo Chen anticipated the outcome and was about to cast the treasure-retrieval seal, an unexpected change suddenly occurred!
*Crack!*
Dark clouds abruptly gathered within the Hunyuan Cauldron, and thin tendrils of black electric arcs drifted out from the dense cloud layer.
The cloud bank was not large, just barely enshrouding the brightly glowing Heart-Interrogation Mirror.
Those perilous black arcs struck relentlessly against the treasure light, causing the Heart-Interrogation Mirror to wobble precariously.
Seeing this, Luo Chen's expression shifted drastically, and a realization instantly struck him.
Tribulation lightning!
It was the final and most powerful wave of tribulation lightning he had drawn when forming his Nascent Soul all those years ago!
He recalled that the lightning in that final wave had no longer been ordinary white; it had turned pitch-black and even assumed a bestial savagery, becoming exceedingly perilous.
Back then, Luo Chen had known that even if he managed to withstand it, he would have been grievously wounded, to say nothing of fending off Han Zhan's possession attempt afterward.
Fortunately, after ascending to the rank of True Artifact, the Hunyuan Cauldron had acted on instinct to protect its master, forcefully swallowing that black tribulation lightning.
Over the years, Luo Chen had always kept this tribulation lightning power as a trump card reserved for lethal strikes.
Though he had occasionally entertained whimsical thoughts of using it to temper his soul, he had ultimately abandoned the idea due to the immense danger involved.
Yet he had never imagined that during this artifact-crafting process, that very power of tribulation lightning would be stirred.
*It must be because the Heart-Interrogation Mirror's grade is too high, inadvertently drawing forth the tribulation lightning.*
As the understanding dawned upon him, Luo Chen moved to command the Hunyuan Cauldron to withdraw the black lightning.
He had the power to do so!
The Hunyuan Cauldron obeyed his command, and the swallowed tribulation lightning naturally answered to his will as well.
Yet just as he was about to disperse the lightning, another thought crossed his mind, and his hands hesitated.
Just how high did a magic treasure's grade have to be to attract tribulation lightning?
For immortal cultivators, heavenly tribulation descended only upon breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage!
As for magic treasures, they required the tempering of heavenly lightning to forge internal arrays and develop their own "meridians" only when ascending to become True Artifacts.
How remarkably similar was the scene before him to the moment when the Hunyuan Cauldron and Xuanchen Armor had ascended to True Artifacts?
In a flash, Luo Chen recalled the records regarding the crafting of True Artifacts in Feiyunzi's classical texts.
It was not that every True Artifact had to ascend alongside its cultivator when they attained the Nascent Soul realm.
That put far too much strain on the treasure's foundational quality.
After all, not every peak Golden Core cultivator possessed a top-grade natal magic treasure tempered to the absolute limit.
Some newly ascended Nascent Soul cultivators might not even have a True Artifact at their disposal for quite some time.
In truth, for most Nascent Soul cultivators, a True Artifact was formed after their breakthrough by patiently nurturing and refining their natal treasure until it reached perfection, before hiring an artifact craftsman to summon heavenly lightning for a baptism of lightning, completing that final step of metamorphosis.
Matters were somewhat different among the demon race. Fourth-tier Demon Emperors would often instinctively choose the most exceptional part of their demonic bodies while still at the third tier, focusing their magic power to temper it. Then, by drawing upon the shape-shifting tribulation lightning, they would forge their own True Artifact.
Yet such demon-forged True Artifacts, while comparable in grade, tended to lack pure and versatile efficacy.
The scorpion tail stinger of the Lightless Beast was an example of this. It reached the tier of a True Artifact, but aside from sheer sharpness, it possessed no auxiliary methods whatsoever.
Even its lethal venom was merely an addition supplied by its stomach pouch.
Setting that aside, returning to the matter at hand—
The tribulation lightning coiling around the Heart-Interrogation Mirror was virtually identical to the post-heaven method of crafting True Artifacts described in Feiyunzi's records.
*So, if it endures this trial, is it possible for me to obtain a True Artifact?*
At the thought, Luo Chen's heart pounded vigorously in his chest.
Licking his dry lips, his eyes blazed with golden spiritual light as he stared intently at the Hunyuan Cauldron.
*Should I take the gamble?*
*At worst, I can withdraw the tribulation lightning at the critical juncture. Even if the attempt fails, I will still end up with a defective Heart-Interrogation Mirror, which would still suffice to treat Canglong.*
Once the thought sprouted, it could no longer be suppressed.
Knowing he could recall the tribulation lightning at any moment, he had no further misgivings.
He held back the final seal of the treasure-retrieval incantation, allowing the lightning to flash and thunder within the cauldron while the treasure light trembled violently.
Time ticked away, moment by moment.
Even though Luo Chen was not inside the cauldron, cold sweat beaded upon his brow.
This was even more nerve-wracking than facing his own tribulation.
Seeing the treasure light grow dimmer and weaker until the battered, cracked form of the mirror was laid bare, Luo Chen even felt a twinge of belated regret.
Suddenly!
The tribulation lightning vanished without a trace, and a mottled, grayish-white stone mirror tumbled out from the mouth of the cauldron.
At that exact instant, a vast quantity of spiritual energy in the cave dwelling began surging toward the grayish-white mirror of its own accord.
Luo Chen finally let out a long breath of relief. Meridians had formed, allowing it to respire and absorb spiritual energy—the definitive hallmark of a True Artifact!
Glancing at the surrounding spiritual energy, Luo Chen formed an incantation seal and relaxed the formations of the cultivation chamber. Immediately, a deluge of previously confined, dense spiritual energy poured forth, ravenously swallowed by the stone mirror.
Under this ceaseless influx of spiritual energy, the countless cracks across the stone mirror gradually disappeared, though its surface remained rustic and mottled.
One day later.
Luo Chen raised his hand, and the warm, grayish-white stone mirror flew into his grasp.
Caressing the mottled surface, a wave of lingering fear welled up within him.
*If the primary materials hadn't been exceptional, it would have failed completely.*
*To think I previously contemplated using the cauldron's tribulation lightning to temper my other magic treasures if this succeeded. How utterly reckless of me!*
*Even I didn't dare to take that black tribulation lightning head-on when ascending to the Nascent Soul stage. How could ordinary magic treasures dare risk it?*
Luo Chen now understood that the Heart-Interrogation Mirror had barely pulled through only because its primary component was the core of a mid-stage fourth-tier mirage beast, which possessed an inherent foundation comparable to the mid Nascent Soul stage.
Ordinary magic treasures possessed nowhere near such an enduring essence!
As the lingering fear subsided, wild delight rushed in to take its place.
He had crafted a True Artifact!
Even though he had relied on superlative materials and the fortuitous harvest of tribulation lightning, a genuine True Artifact had been born beneath his hands.
Such an achievement was something countless high-ranking artifact craftsmen could only dream of.
Before he even had time to test the abilities of this grayish-white stone mirror, Luo Chen hurried to open his attribute panel to take a look.
Sure enough!
The entry for [Third-Tier Artifact Craftsman] flickered erratically before gradually resolving into [Fourth-Tier Artifact Craftsman].
Luo Chen could not help but grin broadly and laugh aloud.
***
Amidst ice and snow, blood stained the peach blossoms as a spirit fox fell beneath a sword.
Tossing and turning, beastly roars echoed while a soul drifted aimlessly, knowing not where to go.
Through storms of blood, with nowhere left to run, one could only forge one's body into a blade to carve out a bright, boundless world.
Amidst curling sandalwood incense, Luo Chen held the stone mirror and channeled magic power into it, activating illusory realms one after another.
They were lifelike and vivid, virtually indistinguishable from reality.
Seated across from him were several figures.
Among them were Fairy Jueqing, Gu Caiyi, and even Wang Yuan.
Yet at this moment, aside from Wang Yuan whose face bore an expression of struggle, the others were thoroughly ensnared, unable to free themselves.
Luo Chen could even sense that if he poured in more magic power and infused his divine sense to guide the illusion, even Wang Yuan—whose iron will remained unmoved by external distractions—would be unable to resist the mirror's pull.
"It truly has not disappointed me!"
After murmuring softly to himself, Luo Chen gradually withdrew his magic power.
Across from him, the Luotian Sect cultivators who had been invited to test the treasure opened their eyes one after another.
The first to open his eyes was Wang Yuan. His body shook with an eruption of astral energy as his thick brows knitted tightly together.
"Was everything just now... an illusion?"
"Yes."
"Then did you see it all?"
Luo Chen nodded slightly, making no attempt to conceal the truth.
Wang Yuan fell into silence.
The second to awaken was Fairy Jueqing. Unbeknownst to her, a tear had already trickled down the corner of her eye.
Just moments ago, she had returned to the softest, most agonizing memory in her heart. Had Luo Chen not awakened her, she feared she would have remained forever trapped in that bone-chilling, heartbreaking frost.
Luo Chen's gentle voice drifted into her ear.
"With my guidance, the illusion is indistinguishable from reality. Through this mirror, we can awaken Canglong's consciousness without disturbing her physical body."
Fairy Jueqing gave a gentle nod. "To save Senior Sister, True Person has gone to great lengths."
The last to awaken was Gu Caiyi. The tense expression on her face dissolved the instant her eyes found Luo Chen.
Disregarding the presence of onlookers, she threw herself directly into his embrace.
"Can you... not leave again in the future?"
Luo Chen tenderly stroked the woman's dark hair. "It is your husband's fault. I should not have made you experience those things again."
Then, like handing out sweets, he produced four jade vials and placed two into Gu Caiyi's hands.
"This is Soul Soothing Powder, a third-tier soul-nourishing medicine from the former Medicine King Sect. It is best suited for soothing mental exhaustion."
"Take these and consume them!"
The remaining two vials were distributed to Wang Yuan and Fairy Jueqing.
Though his favoritism was clear, none raised an objection.
Having weathered such emotional turmoil, Fairy Jueqing actually felt a hint of envy toward Luo Chen's open and unabashed affection.
Composing herself, she asked, "Does this treasure have a name?"
"Naturally. Its original name was Ghost-God..." Luo Chen trailed off with a soft chuckle.
In the past, one might have spoken of asking the ghosts and gods rather than common mortals. But this mirror had been forged by his hand and was controlled by his will.
Why seek answers from ghosts and gods when one could simply interrogate the dust of the past?
"Dust-Karma!"
"Shed mortal karma, return to the celestial court."
"Joy tasted, sorrow known, shed mortal ties to seek the immortal throne. Rejoice this night as the dream takes flight, walk free upon the path made bright. Cling not to the straying path, cling not to the straying path, return early to the Great Dao!"
With mirror in one hand and caressing the woman's hair with the other, Luo Chen chanted softly.
Gu Caiyi tilted her head up, gazing at Luo Chen with adoration as she murmured under her breath.
"The Dust-Karma Immortal Mirror?"
***
Now that the Dust-Karma Immortal Mirror was complete, the matter of rescuing Canglong was placed on the agenda.
Wang Yuan and the others did not linger to intrude. After consuming the Soul Soothing Powder in Luo Chen's cave dwelling that day, they took their leave.
Before departing, however, Wang Yuan once again gave a reminder regarding recent shifts in the war.
The offensive by the demon army was growing increasingly ferocious. Even the four Great Commanders had begun probing Lingtian Pass, testing the weaker points of its defensive arrays.
Under the relentless, frenzied onslaught of countless beasts, casualties among the cultivators within the city had spiraled out of control.
Among the people Luo Chen knew personally, Old Fu had nearly perished at the hands of a mid-stage fourth-tier Demon Emperor. Had he not activated a life-substituting talisman crafted at immense expense, he would not have even managed to flee back to Lingtian Pass alive.
Lingfengzi possessed slightly weaker combat prowess, but made up for it with exceptional survival skills. Yet the disciples of his Piaomiao Sect had suffered catastrophic losses. Rumor had it that fewer than one in ten survived, with the sect's numbers having plummeted below a thousand. They were now barely distinguishable in size from late-rising Nascent Soul factions like the Luotian Sect, and were arguably inferior when it came to foundational pillar-level combat strength like Wang Yuan.
Even Sovereign Jiuling was having a difficult time, as one of the Great Commanders had set his sights on him!
"You must settle your private affairs as quickly as possible and devote all your energy to the battle. Otherwise, a single misstep will leave you with endless regrets!"
Such was Wang Yuan's earnest counsel before taking his leave.
Luo Chen took the words to heart. Treating Canglong was indeed his final piece of unfinished business.
***
In the eyes of outsiders, Luo Chen was a man of public spirit and righteousness, eager to nurture the younger generation—a true gentleman of high character.
To those close to him, he was kind and gentle, like a towering tree sheltering them from wind and rain.
Only Luo Chen himself knew that for the sake of longevity, all else could be discarded.
Deep down, he was an intensely self-serving person.
Yet as long as his bottom line was not breached, he was always one to clearly distinguish gratitude from grievance and remain true to his word.
Standing inside the ice chamber, Luo Chen shifted aside the Ice Fort he had pieced back together over the years, revealing the ice coffin containing the sleeping beauty.
Gazing at the woman's tightly furrowed brow, Luo Chen let out a quiet sigh.
She had shown him kindness in the past. In reason and sentiment alike, he owed her a debt of repayment.
The Dust-Karma Immortal Mirror floated forth, coming to hover above the ice coffin.
Ten fingers danced in rapid succession, conjuring a flurry of spiritual seals.
"Before the great dream ends, let the soul awaken first; as though within illusion, yet ever in the heart."
"Senior Sister Canglong, enter the dream!"
A vast expanse of white mist drifted out from the mottled stone mirror, seeping into the ice coffin.
The tightly locked brow of the woman relaxed slightly. Beneath her translucent eyelids, her pupils shifted faintly, as though caught in the beginnings of a dream.
Chapter 832