Ch. 8601Duan Yu Hall: Black Cloud Stone
Summary: Duan Yu Hall: Black Cloud Stone
1. Key Plot Points & Events
- Qin Fengming, Dong Qian, and Jun Yan are brought by the immortal-realm cultivator Yu Zhang into the Yingyue Sect’s “Artifact Refining” hall to attempt a posted reward challenge.
- A hostile old man ridicules their presence and questions Yu Zhang’s judgment.
- Dong Qian volunteers first and attempts to smelt a mysterious black stone using seven refining methods, but all fail.
- Qin Fengming identifies the material as Black Cloud Stone, explaining its rare dark-light properties and difficulty to refine.
- He then enters the restriction barrier himself to attempt finding suitable refining Spirit Patterns, leaving the outcome open.
2. Character Developments
- Qin Fengming reveals deep knowledge of rare materials and stays composed under ridicule. He shows confidence in humbling the mocking elder.
- Dong Qian demonstrates genuine skill but honestly admits his refining attainment is insufficient, deferring to Qin Fengming as “Young Master.”
- Jun Yan shows pragmatic self-interest: he privately tells Qin Fengming the Black Cloud Stone would be useful to him and bluntly suggests trying to obtain more of it.
3. Significant Themes
- Knowledge vs. Seniority: Qin Fengming argues that superficial age or status does not equal true understanding; he corrects an elder who cannot even name the material.
- Rogue Cultivator Prejudice: The hall’s cultivators look down on “mere rogue cultivators,” yet are forced to acknowledge Qin Fengming’s expertise.
- Rare Materials & Artifact Refining Difficulty: The chapter highlights how obscure materials like Black Cloud Stone challenge even established refiners.
4. Character Interactions
- Yu Zhang defends the group’s right to attempt the reward.
- The pointed-mouth old man repeatedly insults them, only to be silenced when Qin Fengming identifies the stone.
- The other cultivators shift from skepticism to astonishment, rising and approaching the barrier to watch Qin Fengming’s refining methods.
- Dong Qian’s public deference to Qin Fengming hints at their master-follower dynamic despite Qin Fengming claiming they are all rogue cultivators.