Artifact Refining and Soul Cleansing Banner

The turmoil in Ren Family Town has temporarily subsided, but the shadow of the "Black Fiend Sect" still hangs over Uncle Nine and Mo Yuan like dark clouds. This secretive cult of malevolent cultivators has deep roots and grand ambitions; they will not be deterred by a single setback. Improving their strength is a matter of urgency.

Mo Yuan turned his gaze to the two precious items he had just acquired in the system space: Divine Dragon Body Refining Art (Incomplete Chapter · Beginner) and that trace of [Thin Progenitor Dragon Will].

At the same time, a thought became clearer in his mind: he needed a magical artifact that truly belonged to him, one that could grow with him. While the Peach Wood Sword was good, it was more suited for dealing with malevolent spirits and was a gift from his master. The lightning-struck wood sword blank had decent potential, but it was still in its nascent stage, and its material leaned towards the yang nature of lightning arts.

He recalled fighting the malevolent cultivators and their black banner that could control ghosts. Although it was an evil artifact, the principle behind its control of spirits and amplification of dark arts gave Mo Yuan an idea.

In this era of declining magic, the power of souls and lingering obsessions was not uncommon. If he could refine a soul banner-like magical artifact using righteous methods, capable of containing, purifying, and even commanding those ownerless wandering spirits or resentful energies, it would not only help them find release but also be incredibly effective in combat.

Especially against opponents like the Black Fiend Sect, who were skilled in manipulating ghosts and spirits, it might allow him to turn their own methods against them.

"Soul Banner..." Mo Yuan mused, opening the Detailed Explanation of Basic Artifact Refining and carefully studying the key points of refining soul-based magical artifacts. A proper Soul Banner, unlike the evil Soul Devouring Banner, focused on "containment" and "purification." The materials needed to possess spirituality, inclusiveness, and stability.

"System, sign in!" He decided to sign in again before starting the artifact refinement, hoping to obtain relevant materials or inspiration. This time, he chose the Ancestral Hall at the Yi Zhuang, where the spirit tablets of past Mount Mao patriarchs were enshrined. The incense and faith energy converged here, creating a solemn and reverent atmosphere.

[Ding! Sign-in successful! Congratulations to the host for obtaining: Soul Nourishing Wood (Hundred Years) x1, Starlight Sand (Trace Amount) x1, Hundred Souls Record (Incomplete Scroll) x1, Remnant Aura of the Primordial World: Purity Bamboo Spirituality (A Wisp)!]

[Soul Nourishing Wood (Hundred Years)]: A spiritual wood that gently nourishes the soul, it is an excellent material for the flagstaff or core of a soul banner.

[Starlight Sand (Trace Amount)]: Contains the power of stars, which can enhance the artifact's stability and spiritual energy conduction.

[Hundred Souls Record (Incomplete Scroll)]: An ancient scroll fragment detailing various soul characteristics and soul-calming incantations.

[Purity Bamboo Spirituality (A Wisp)]: A wisp of spiritual energy from the Primordial Innate Spiritual Root, Purity Bamboo, possessing the effect of purifying malevolent spirits and calming the mind.

"Excellent!" Mo Yuan was overjoyed. The sign-in rewards were practically tailor-made for him! The Soul Nourishing Wood would serve as the main body of the flagstaff, the Starlight Sand would enhance the structure, the Hundred Souls Record would provide theoretical support, and most crucially, that wisp of Purity Bamboo spirituality would serve as the "purification" core of the Soul Banner, ensuring it always followed the righteous path and wouldn't be backlashed by the souls' resentment!

With all the materials ready, Mo Yuan acted immediately. He explained his intention to refine a "Soul Cleansing Banner" magical artifact to Uncle Nine, showcasing the materials he obtained from the sign-in (claiming they were acquired through chance).

Uncle Nine carefully examined the materials, especially sensing the pure aura of the Purity Bamboo spirituality. A flicker of surprise flashed in his eyes before he finally nodded in agreement, reminding him, "The path of refining souls values the heart the most. Remember, magical artifacts are tools; they are righteous if used righteously, and evil if used evilly. What you are forging is a banner of salvation, not a tool of enslavement."

"Disciple understands!" Mo Yuan solemnly promised.

In the artifact refining room, Mo Yuan held his breath. He first used that faint trace of Innate Spiritual Energy to ignite a spiritual fire, carefully tempering the Soul Nourishing Wood into a dark brown flagstaff about three feet long and of suitable thickness. The natural wood grain formed mysterious patterns, and it felt warm to the touch.

Next, he melted the Starlight Sand, integrating it bit by bit into the flagstaff like drawing runes, enhancing its ability to communicate with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth and its structural integrity.

Then came the most crucial step – refining the banner cloth. He didn't use ordinary silk or talismans. Instead, he took the various basic talismans he had drawn during his usual practice (such as Soul Calming Talismans, Purification Talismans, etc.), which contained spiritual energy. He melted and purified them with spiritual fire, obtaining a mass of "Talisman Essence" containing pure spiritual energy.

He then stretched and elongated this essence, completely merging it with a wisp of Purity Bamboo spirituality, ultimately forming a banner cloth as thin as a cicada's wing yet exceptionally tough, emitting a faint, soft glow and a light green color.

Finally, it was time for spirit fusion and inscription. He combined the banner cloth with the flagstaff, using his own blood as a guide and his mental power as a brush, inscribing complex "Spirit Gathering Array," "Soul Purification Array," and "Soul Command Seal" (not for enslavement, but an equal contract, allowing them to depart on their own or enter reincarnation after the wish-power dissipates) onto the banner cloth. The entire process required extreme concentration and spiritual energy control. Mo Yuan was fully focused, maximizing his Primordial Comprehension to ensure every rune was precise.

As the final seal was completed, the entire banner trembled slightly, and a clear light erupted! A gentle and inclusive aura permeated the air. The Soul Nourishing Wood grain on the flagstaff seemed to come alive, and the soft glow on the banner cloth flowed, emitting a subtle power that soothed the heart.

Low-grade magical artifact · Soul Cleansing Banner, complete!

Although it was only a low-grade magical artifact, due to its special materials and the Primordial spirituality at its core, it possessed immense potential. Mo Yuan could feel an internal space within the banner, small but pure, capable of containing souls and slowly nourishing and purifying them.

With the artifact refined, Mo Yuan did not rest. He began to tackle the greater challenge: refining that trace of [Thin Progenitor Dragon Will] and cultivating the Divine Dragon Body Refining Art.

He chose to do this late at night, beside the Dragon Locking Well. The residual dragon aura there might be of some help. Mo Yuan sat cross-legged, first adjusting his state to its peak, then carefully drawing forth the trace of Progenitor Dragon Will in his sea of consciousness, which exuded an aura of primordial, majestic, and domineering power.

"Boom!"

The moment the will entered his body, Mo Yuan felt as if a colossal dragon roared through his mind! The terrifying dragon's might almost crushed his divine sense! The wild, proud, and world-defying will frantically assaulted his mind!

"Hold your spiritual platform steady! My path is one of transcendence, how can I be intimidated by a mere remnant will!" Mo Yuan gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead, fully circulating the Basic Qi Refining Manual while simultaneously mobilizing the wisp of Innate Spiritual Energy in his Dantian to protect his heart and sea of consciousness.

Although the Innate Spiritual Energy was weak, its quality was extremely high. Facing the Progenitor Dragon Will, it held its ground, acting like a stabilizing divine needle that secured his foundation.

His Primordial Comprehension was also frantically deciphering the fragments of power comprehension contained within the Progenitor Dragon Will—about the ultimate application of strength, the toughness of the body, the combat instincts of the dragon race...

This was an extremely painful and lengthy process, like dancing on the tip of a knife. Mo Yuan's clothes were soaked in sweat, his body trembling slightly, but his eyes grew brighter and more resolute.

After an unknown amount of time, that trace of wild Progenitor Dragon Will finally gradually subsided, subdued by his powerful willpower and Innate Spiritual Energy. It transformed into a pure and domineering energy, integrating into his limbs and bones.

Simultaneously, the Divine Dragon Body Refining Art automatically activated, guiding this energy to temper his physical body!

"Crack, crack..." Faint sounds emanated from within him, the transformation of his tendons, bones, blood, and flesh under the scouring of the dragon aura.

The pain was still intense, but accompanying the pain was a rapid increase in strength! His skin faintly emitted a very light bronze sheen, his muscle lines became more fluid and powerful, and his blood essence surged like a great river!

As the eastern sky began to lighten, Mo Yuan abruptly opened his eyes, a golden glint like that of a dragon's eye flashing within them! He rose to his feet, feeling an explosive power coursing through his entire body. With every movement, it felt as if a dragon's roar accompanied him.

Qi Refining Layer Five, broken!

Furthermore, his physical strength far surpassed that of others at the same level, even comparable to some Qi Refining late-stage body cultivators at Qi Refining Layer Five!

He had successfully refined the Progenitor Dragon Will and, with its aid, achieved the beginner level of the Divine Dragon Body Refining Art, undergoing a complete transformation of his physical body.

At this moment, Mo Yuan held the newly refined Soul Cleansing Banner in his left hand, its soft glow flowing; his right hand was slightly clenched, his blood essence like a dragon, containing terrifying power; the spiritual energy within his Dantian was more refined and potent, and his Geng Metal Sword Qi was eager to be unleashed.

He stood in the dawn light, feeling an unprecedented sense of power. The threat of the Black Fiend Sect still loomed, and the mist of the declining magic era had not yet dispersed, but he now possessed sufficient confidence and strength to face the storms ahead.

"It's time to proactively seek out the 'Black Fiend Sect'," Mo Yuan said, looking into the distance with eyes as sharp as a sword.