The Sun Moon Essence

Tai Cang's heart also skipped a beat.

The sheer number of top-tier heavenly materials and earthly treasures exceeded his expectations, and the Golden Crow Prince's considerable wealth made him envious.

"Fellow Daoist Tai Cang!"

Di Yi stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Please forge a set of acquired spiritual treasures for each of my ten brothers. The remaining materials will be gifted to you."

"Gifted to me?"

Tai Cang swallowed, turning to look at Di Yi. "Are you serious, Fellow Daoist?"

Although forging ten sets of acquired spiritual treasures would consume a considerable amount, it was but a drop in the ocean compared to the mountain of materials before him. Di Yi's offer to gift the remaining materials was an unexpected joy that he found hard to believe.

"Naturally!"

Di Yi's lips curved into a slight smile. "These items are commonplace among our Demon Race."

As he spoke, not only Tai Cang but also Zhao Gongming and the other members of the Intercepting Sect felt a pang of envy, wishing they could turn into lemons.

This is true opulence!

Tai Cang collected himself, his gaze sweeping over the piles of heavenly materials and earthly treasures. "Then I shall begin preparations. However, before that, I must first forge a cauldron."

With that, he waved his hand, selecting over ten types of top-tier materials from the pile and began forging using the Primordial Clarity Artifact Forging Technique.

Fifteen minutes later, a golden three-legged cauldron appeared in the air.

This cauldron, a high-grade acquired spiritual treasure, exuded an extraordinary aura, capable of both artifact forging and offense/defense.

"A high-grade acquired spiritual treasure!"

"It truly is an acquired spiritual treasure!"

Zhao Gongming and the others exclaimed again.

Their earlier doubts about Tai Cang completely vanished with the completion of the three-legged cauldron. Their gazes grew even more fervent, and those who had previously been at odds with Tai Cang changed their attitudes.

"It's done!"

Tai Cang ignored their reactions, glanced at the three-legged cauldron in his hand, and immediately spat out a mouthful of vital blood to refine it.

After completing this, he turned to Di Yi and the others. "Do you have any specific requirements for the spiritual treasures?"

"This..."

The Golden Crow Princes exchanged glances, momentarily speechless.

"Fellow Daoist Tai Cang!"

Di Yi regained his composure and said, "Since you are an artifact master, you must know what we need, right?"

The other Golden Crow Princes nodded in agreement. They truly didn't know what to ask for.

"Very well!"

Tai Cang smiled helplessly, knowing that these Golden Crow Princes were simple-minded. They would have innate spiritual treasures to use in the future, and these acquired spiritual treasures were merely transitional items.

To put it bluntly, these noble demons sought him out to forge artifacts not so much to improve their strength, but more for the novelty of it.

"Then let's forge fire-elemental spiritual treasures!"

Tai Cang suggested. "As Three-legged Golden Crows, your fire-elemental divine abilities are already powerful. With the addition of fire-elemental spiritual treasures, you will surely reach a higher level."

"Good!"

"No problem!"

"We'll listen to Fellow Daoist Tai Cang."

Di Yi and the others agreed to Tai Cang's suggestion without hesitation. They would naturally not miss an opportunity to enhance their fire-elemental divine abilities. As Three-legged Golden Crows, their innate true fire—the Solar True Fire—was already incredibly powerful, while the higher-level Solar Golden Flame was the exclusive power of Di Jun and Eastern Emperor Tai Yi.

"Good!"

"Then I'll begin!"

Seeing their agreement, Tai Cang wasted no more time. He sat cross-legged, took out a branch of the Fusang Tree, snapped it, and threw it into the three-legged cauldron. Using fire-elemental spiritual materials as a base would yield better results. Afterward, he threw the heavenly materials and earthly treasures on the ground into the cauldron one by one.

The cauldron hummed continuously as various acquired spiritual treasures gradually took shape under Tai Cang's control. He then inscribed Primordial Clarity restrictions onto them, further enhancing their power.

"Open!"

Tai Cang let out a low shout, formed a mudra, and the cauldron lid flew open.

Whoosh—whoosh—

The sound of breaking air echoed as eleven spiritual treasures flew out, hovering in mid-air, shining brilliantly. These spiritual treasures included weapons, helmets, armor, vambraces, cloaks, trousers, boots, bracelets, rings, necklaces, and a jade pendant. Each item reached the level of a top-grade acquired spiritual treasure.

Tai Cang had specifically engraved Three-legged Golden Crow patterns onto the spiritual treasures, with gold as the primary color, giving them a majestic appearance.

"Wow!"

"So cool!"

The Golden Crow Princes' eyes lit up, and they exclaimed in admiration. The magnificent appearance of this set of spiritual treasures excited them greatly.

"Fellow Daoist Di Yi!"

Tai Cang rose and waved, sending a set of Lingbao before Di Yi, explaining, "This set of Lingbao are all top-grade acquired spiritual treasures, their power not inferior to low-grade innate spiritual treasures. Especially this jade pendant—"

He took out the jade pendant separately and continued, "This item is named 'Divine Evasion.' It contains a small space that can accommodate the Primordial Spirit in times of crisis and instantly activate the 'Shrink Ground into Inches' technique, allowing one to escape a million miles away. Although it has no offensive or defensive effects, it is a powerful life-saving artifact."

After speaking, Tai Cang glanced meaningfully at the ten Golden Crow Princes. If the Tribulation of Witch and Demon broke out, this item might help them escape disaster.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Tai Cang!"

Di Yi didn't think too deeply. After cupping his hands in thanks, he took the Lingbao into his Sea of Consciousness.

"Manifest!"

With a soft shout from Di Yi, eleven pieces of Lingbao instantly attached themselves to him. As golden light flowed, he was like a majestic war god, with Solar True Fire surging around him and an astonishing aura.

"Eldest Brother, this Lingbao is so cool!"

"The Solar True Fire is so much stronger than before!"

"Fellow Daoist Tai Cang's artifact forging skills are truly extraordinary!"

Lu Ya and the others crowded around, their faces full of envy. The splendor and practicality of this set of Lingbao far surpassed the innate spiritual treasures they had obtained from Di Jun and Eastern Emperor Tai Yi.

"Fellow Daoist Tai Cang!"

Di Er hurriedly stepped forward and said earnestly, "Please forge a set for me as well."

Before his voice even fell, the other Golden Crow Princes swarmed forward, speaking one after another:

"Fellow Daoist, I want a set too!"

"Forge one for me as well!"

Seeing this, a smile appeared on Tai Cang's face.

As long as he could satisfy these Golden Crow Princes, this matter would be considered a complete success. Moreover, the materials needed to forge this set of Lingbao were not many. Even if he forged nine more sets, the heavenly materials and earthly treasures piled on the ground would be enough for him to become rich overnight. With these resources, he wouldn't even need to scheme against the Intercepting Sect and could smoothly condense the Supreme Five Qi.

"Everyone!"

Tai Cang raised his hand to signal for quiet and said loudly, "No need to rush. Since I promised to forge them for you, I naturally won't go back on my word. However, forging Lingbao that enhance fire-element divine abilities requires Fusang Tree branches, and I don't have enough on hand."

"What difficulty is there in that!"

Lu Ya responded before Tai Cang could finish, "We have plenty of Fusang Tree branches."

The nine Golden Crow Princes instantly transformed into their true forms and flew towards the Fusang Tree. Each broke off a branch and threw it to Tai Cang with great bravado, "Fellow Daoist Tai Cang, you can begin now!"

"Good!"

Tai Cang said no more, put away the Fusang Tree branches, and immediately began forging.

Time passed, and sets of Golden Crow armor gradually took shape in Tai Cang's hands, with each of the ten Golden Crow Princes receiving a set. Clad in their brand-new Lingbao, they paraded around the venue, making the disciples of the Intercepting Sect envious and secretly resolve to gather materials and ask Tai Cang to forge a set of acquired spiritual treasures for themselves.

"Tai Cang!"

A call came from not far away.

Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw Tongtian standing side by side with Di Jun and Eastern Emperor Tai Yi. It was clear that the banquet was nearing its end, and they were about to depart.

"Greetings, Master!"

"Greetings, Demon Emperor!"

"Greetings, Demon Sovereign!"

Tai Cang and the members of the Intercepting Sect bowed in unison.

"Mm."

Tongtian nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the Golden Crow Princes and the materials on the ground, and said lightly, "Not bad. This artifact forging skill of yours has a bit of my second brother's demeanor."

"Oh?"

Di Jun looked slightly surprised, "This young friend's artifact forging technique originates from Fellow Daoist Yuan Shi?"

Eastern Emperor Tai Yi also showed surprise. After all, Tai Cang was a disciple of the Intercepting Sect, and by rights, he should not have mastered the artifact forging methods of the Primordial Clarity lineage.

"This method was not taught by my second brother."

Tongtian glanced at the two and smiled calmly, "This was comprehended by Tai Cang himself."

These words were impeccable. The Three Pure Ones' Inheritance was open to all, and all disciples could practice it. Tai Cang's attainment was entirely due to his own fortune.

"So that's how it is."

Di Jun and Eastern Emperor Tai Yi looked enlightened.

"Father Emperor!"

"Uncle!"

Di Yi and the other Golden Crow Princes excitedly surrounded them, saying enthusiastically, "Father Emperor, what do you think of the Golden Crow set forged by Fellow Daoist Tai Cang?"

"Father Emperor, this Lingbao has increased the power of our Solar True Fire fivefold, which is even more potent than the innate spiritual treasures you and Uncle bestowed upon us!"

Di Jun and Eastern Emperor Tai Yi exchanged a smile and gently shook their heads.

If the words of the ten Golden Crow Princes were to spread, it would likely make most cultivators in the Primordial World feel ashamed.

Di Jun's gaze fell on Tai Cang again. After carefully observing him for a moment, he said, "Young friend Tai Cang, seeing you get along so well with Di Yi and the others, I shall gift you this item."

Before his words even finished, a jade token of unique design appeared in Di Jun's palm. He handed the token to Tai Cang. Carved upon it was a lifelike image of a three-legged Golden Crow, and a single character was inscribed there.

"This..."

Tai Cang stared at the token, momentarily stunned. He instinctively turned to look at Sect Master Tongtian. Although he didn't know the origin of this item, its form suggested it was no ordinary object. With the Tribulation of Witch and Demon brewing, getting involved rashly might displease a Sage.

"Fellow Daoist, wait!"

As expected, Tongtian immediately spoke to stop him. "This item symbolizes the Daoist's status, how can it be so easily bestowed upon Tai Cang?"

"A token representing the Demon Emperor?"

Tai Cang's pupils contracted. He instantly understood the significance of this token. A token that could represent the Demon Emperor's identity – didn't that mean he could command the Demon Race's armies? For a first meeting, even if he was friendly with the Ten Great Golden Crows, Di Jun shouldn't be this generous. If it wasn't a genuine gift, then there was only one possibility – an attempt to win over the Intercepting Sect!

Di Jun wished to befriend the Intercepting Sect but lacked a breakthrough. This was precisely why, knowing the Ten Great Golden Crows were enough to suppress the Intercepting Sect, he still sent Lu Ya, a Grand Perfection Golden Immortal, to fight. Bestowing this token upon Tai Cang now was, in reality, a gesture of goodwill towards the Intercepting Sect. Given Tai Cang's displayed talent, Tongtian would undoubtedly value this * cultivator greatly.

"Fellow Daoist Tongtian worries too much."

Di Jun seemed prepared for this, smiling calmly. "This item is not a Demon Emperor's token, merely a pass."

"While this token cannot command the Demon Race's forces, it grants free passage into the Primordial Star Domain and the Thirty-Third Heaven. Di Yi and the others have been out for a long time, and it's hard to find kindred spirits among their peers in the Demon Race. Since young friend Tai Cang has earned their approval, I hope you will interact more with Di Yi and the others in the future."

Upon these words, silence fell all around.

Tongtian swallowed the words he was about to say, and Tai Cang found no reason to refuse. Ostensibly, it was to foster friendship with the Ten Great Golden Crows, but in reality, once he accepted this token, he couldn't stand idly by if the Ten Great Golden Crows were ever in danger.

"That's great!"

"Fellow Daoist Tai Cang can come visit us often from now on!"

The Ten Great Golden Crow Princes, unaware of the deeper implications, cheered with delight. After this competition, they were deeply impressed by Tai Cang's artifact forging skills and cultivation, and had already regarded him as a confidant.

"Tai Cang, accept it."

After a moment of silence, Tongtian finally spoke. Having just received the favor of Sun Moon Essence from Di Jun and Eastern Emperor Tai Yi, it was truly inconvenient to refuse now.

"I shall obey my master's command."

Tai Cang secretly breathed a sigh of relief. With Tongtian's approval, he wouldn't have to bear the burden alone if anything happened in the future. He stepped forward, accepted the token, and bowed respectfully. "Many thanks to the Demon Emperor for your generous gift."

Di Jun nodded in satisfaction, his smile widening.

Di Jun suddenly recalled something and said, "Five thousand years from now is Di Yi and the others' coming-of-age ceremony. Young friend Tai Cang is welcome to attend."

With that, Di Jun said no more. He nodded to Tongtian and then departed with the Ten Great Golden Crows.

Five thousand years later!

Coming-of-age ceremony!