The Hunyuan Sword Child

A tattered doll-like girl, seemingly pieced together from broken jade, porcelain, bones, and clay, was sitting cross-legged amidst the ruins of the Cloud Palace. Within a carefully arranged magic array, she was quietly bathed in the light cast by the False Moon, gathering the essence of the sun and moon to condense, refine, and rejuvenate.

Like a shattered porcelain doll, its limbs were clearly pieced together from broken bottles and jars, and its bones were made of jade. Only the lower half of its face was sculpted; the area above the cheeks was empty, like a broken eggshell. Only in the position of its right eye did a black pearl-like sword pellet float in mid-air.

Fortunately, the roof of the Cloud Sky Treasure Hall had been torn off. At this moment, the moon was high in the sky, its purple light shining brightly. Under the surging moonlight, the sword pellet regained its lively color, its light flashing and emitting faint, pale purple light.

The light rain, like spider silk or human veins, flowed from under the 'right eye' and sprinkled into the porcelain doll's body. Little by little, it manipulated the broken remains to stand up, Moon Worship, dancing with its sword, and leaping about like a living person.

Let the moonlight flow fully over the fine cracks on your skin, use the power of your sword to smooth out the mottled lines, imprint a crimson Sword Talismans on your shoulders and back, and forge it into a usable scabbard.

Hanging from her waist rope was a cricket cage made of white bones. The cricket chirped mournfully under the moonlight, providing accompaniment for her sword dance. Unfortunately, the chirping was so sorrowful and pitiful that it brought tears to one's eyes, completely lacking the majestic grandeur of the sword music.

Suddenly, the insect sounds abruptly changed, rising in pitch, as if startled by some swallow or sparrow, and abruptly stopped.

The girl in the doll immediately stopped her sword strike and knelt on one knee.

"Welcome, Senior Brother Sect Leader."

"Oh, you can move now. Good. Continue practicing the method I gave you, and I will help you rebuild your Dharma body."

Li Fan emerged from the shadows carrying large and small bags of magical treasures. He took out the treasures he had collected from the Three Heavens Mixed Yuan Palace one by one, without any hesitation. After all, it was Yunxiao himself who said he would help Yuepo forge a sword.

So Li Fan took those magical treasures, examined them carefully, did some calculations, nodded, and smashed them with a slap. The jade was shattered into powder, and the metal was broken into pieces. Then he scattered the fragments of the magical treasures in his hand with the wind and threw them next to the sword-dancing puppet girl, so that they would become the material for her body shaping.

Each time the cricket in the cage was slapped, it let out a mournful cry. It was unclear whether it was heartbroken that its precious Divine Transformation cultivator was gone, or whether it was afraid that the slap would fall on its own body.

Well, actually, the Celestial Venerable was overthinking it.

Everyone knows that Li Fan isn't one to show off; he usually finishes off opponents whenever possible. He initially intended to slap Cloud Sky Venerable dead to settle the score, but unexpectedly discovered that this little guy seemed quite tough—he couldn't be killed?

Well, after some calculation, Li Fan realized that Cloud Sky Venerable really 'never boasts'. He didn't just follow the Hunyuan Dao. After all, the ancient Dao has only had the opportunity to be cultivated in recent years. He probably did follow the Xuanmen path to immortality in his previous life, and later escaped from the Immortal Realm to be reincarnated as a banished immortal who cultivated the Hunyuan Dao again.

Although he was ambushed by Li Fan, his accumulated cultivation over many lifetimes was destroyed, his Heavenly Venerable body was almost completely ruined, and the Primordial Chaos Power he had painstakingly cultivated was used to refine the sword pellet into the opportunity of the Moon Soul, he still managed to leave behind a celestial insect the size of a cricket, which served as the primordial spirit of the Cloud Sky Venerable, much like the cicada veil used during reincarnation.

No, it should be said that the cicada-shaped garment used by the Xuanmen (mystical sect) for self-destruction is an imitation of these reincarnated immortals.

In short, it's clear that the Cricket Immortal and the Cockroach Immortal are immortal insects of the same level. Both deliberately suppressed their cultivation levels to escape back to the mortal realm. Even if Li Fan squeezed hard, Li Fan couldn't kill it, trapping it in the cricket cage covered in baleful energy like a cockroach ball wasn't difficult at all; he was quite skilled at it.

Sigh, it seems that besides exorcising demons and hunting monsters, sealing immortal insects is quickly becoming his area of expertise.

"By the way, Moon Soul, once your sword strength recovers, you can use that cricket to test your sword. It's quite hard; when you can kill it with a cricket, that means you've mastered sword strength."

Yuepo raised her sword to thrust, "Yes! As the sect leader commands! This disciple will practice diligently! I'll thrust! Thrust! Thrust! Thrust!"

The cricket was terrified, unable to dodge, and cried out, "Cricket! Cricket cricket cricket!"

"Uh, I wasn't talking about now, there's still a two-level gap..."

Li Fan was sweating profusely, but he didn't disturb Yue Po playing with her new toys. He continued to crush the magical artifacts looted from the Three Heavens Mixed Yuan Palace and use them to reshape Yue Po's body. After all, this calamity of the Three Heavens Mixed Yuan Palace was clearly Yue Po's opportunity.

If you simply use Primordial Chaos Qi to refine the impurities, the improvement to the Moon Soul is actually not significant. It's just like re-tempering the sword in a furnace to restore its durability and sharpness.

Fortunately, Li Fan had already mastered the Hunyuan Divine Art and comprehended the method to enhance the Moon Soul.

Yes, this <Hunyuan Divine Art> is indeed outdated, but it does offer a glimpse into the Great Dao of Primordial Beginning. Although it's only a partial view, it still has reason to boast. However, precisely because it involves calculations of chaos, this path demands even higher and stricter requirements in arithmetic, realm, and cultivation.

However, this fellow Daoist Yunxiao Ququ, whether he only had a superficial understanding or was frightened by his past experiences in the Immortal Realm, not only went astray by engaging in dual cultivation, triple cultivation, and magic weapon cultivation, but also failed to grasp the essence of the true teachings. He was even unskilled in the basics of the five arts of the Xuanmen, such as mathematics. Naturally, he had no chance of turning the tables and escaping in Li Fan's hands.

Therefore, Li Fan didn't actually spend much effort dealing with Yunxiao. In principle, he was just using the <Hunyuan Divine Art> to exchange blows with Yunxiao. Just as Yunxiao was extracting Yuan Qi from other magic treasures and his Dao Companion, Li Fan was also extracting Yunxiao's Yuan Qi, causing him to be entangled in chaotic strings.

Therefore, the enhancement of Yuepo is actually the opposite of what was intended. Li Fan's plan is to mix the magical treasure materials that Yunxiao had stolen into his Tai Su Wei Chen, and then use the Beichen Sword Child's method to forge a sword sheath for Yuepo.

In this way, the Moon Soul already has the vital energy contributed by the Clouds and the chaos of the many magical treasures. This Sword Child's Dharma Body is no longer a disposable clay sculpture, nor is it a sacrifice of human flesh and blood. Instead, it is equivalent to obtaining a body of a Divine Transformation Soul magical treasure that combines dozens of Divine Transformation artifact spirits into one!

The Beichen Hunyuan Sword Child Dharma Body!

Although this topic was just a flash of inspiration for Li Fan, given his lack of experience in weapon forging and sword casting, he still needed to go back and discuss it with Xuan Tian. However, it seems to be going quite smoothly so far.

Yuepo quickly refined the Sword Child's Dharma Body, obtaining a genuine Divine Transformation level Hunyuan Sword Child body. If there was anything unusual about it, besides her realm, it was that her right eye was the core of the Void Moon Soul Sword Pellet, radiating purple light, while her left eye was dark and entangled by Hunyuan power. The two forces, like extraordinary meridians or arteries and veins, formed a humanoid network that permeated the Sword Child's entire body.

Good, as long as she has a human form! As long as Yuepo can perfectly refine and master this power, let alone advance one rank, even if they are both at the Transformation Stage, her potential will far surpass those Sword Lords who, in the end, can only be trapped in the sword!

"Moon Soul, what do you think of this Dao body?"

"Yes! It works perfectly! I estimate that I now possess the Dao power of the sixth rank, first level of the Divine Transformation! Thank you, Senior Brother Sect Leader, for saving me and helping me reshape my body!"

Yuepo plunged the defeated sword fiercely into the cage, making the Cloud Sky Cricket let out a soft "whoosh!" before falling silent. She then respectfully bowed to Li Fan.

"No need to be so polite. It's only a sixth-rank swordsman. Although this Hunyuan Sword Child technique was developed on a whim, there's still room for improvement. I'll have to ask the Sword Ancestor to refine and improve it when I get back... By the way, how did you manage to capture this guy?"

Moon Soul was clearly ashamed to speak, but now that Li Fan had asked, she dared not refuse. So she used her sword force to stab the cage of Cloud Sky Crickets again, and answered with resentment,

"It was all Yuepo's carelessness. I originally intended to go to North Mang Mountain to steal the Yuanfeng Liutie buried with the Immortal Venerable to make a fine sword, but I alerted the tomb guardian and failed. Then, this old ghost attacked me from behind! How hateful!"

"Oh? What kind of divine object is that? Can't you buy it at Yuntai Peak?"

Li Fan wasn't an expert in everything, especially in weapon crafting and alchemy. He knew countless artificial and synthetic products. To make a name for themselves in history and showcase their sect's strength, the grandmasters each gave their products long names. But if you used abbreviations, they would all be called "divine pearls, divine pills, and divine medicines," which was easy to confuse. It was quite a dilemma.

"Legend has it that this divine artifact was forged by the ancient Demon Race. The method of its creation has long been lost. By tempering the weapon in Yuanfeng Liutie, it can be coated with a layer of divine sharpness that can cut through iron like mud. It is even said to be able to break through all laws and be indestructible. Although there is an exaggeration involved, it can indeed make ordinary weapons have a certain degree of damage to the soul."

Later, after the Immortal Venerable destroyed the Demon Race, he collected the Yuanfeng Liutie and the Demon Race's weapons in the Three Enclosures, smelted them into an iron pool, and used it to temper the weapons of the Imperial Guards.

The iron pool in the Immortal Palace has long been used up and dried up. The divine weapons of the Imperial Guards that were used to temper Yuanfeng are all family heirlooms of warlords. It is not cost-effective to buy them for reforging. The Sword Ancestor said that he had seen many mausoleums in the Immortal Emperor's Tomb where Yuanfeng Liutie was used to form mountains and rivers, so I also want to go and get some for use."

Li Fan squinted, "Since Xuan Tian found it in the tomb, are there still some left?"

Moon Soul explained, "This item was used for the final tempering process, and it's not easy to obtain or preserve. Moreover, the iron pool in the Immortal Palace wasn't dry back then, and the Sword Ancestor was on good terms with the Grand Commandant, so he could take as much as he wanted. It's not exactly a rare item."

Oh, so it was considered 'trash' back then...

Yuepo sighed helplessly, "I've wandered around the foot of North Mang Mountain for a long time, fighting off a bunch of undead guarding the tomb, but I still haven't found the Immortal Emperor's tomb, let alone the Yuanfeng Iron Stream's river and marshland. Perhaps my fate in the immortal realm is just not good enough..."

"Oh... would you like your senior brother to go get it for you?"

Yuepo shook her head. "Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother Sect Leader, but the Sword Ancestor said that cultivation ultimately depends on oneself. If I cannot overcome my own tribulations and also implicate the Envoy, I am not worthy to be the Sword Sect Leader's sword. At that time, the Sword Ancestor will have to change the sword and ask other senior brothers to come out of seclusion. Therefore, I hope to pass this Central Plains trial by my own ability."

Why is it that even the sect leader's sword requires competition and scrambling in the Xuanmen (Daoist sects)? That must be exhausting.

Li Fan scratched his head. Although he subconsciously always regarded Moon Soul as his own 'object' or 'sword,' feeling that as long as he, as its master, helped upgrade the sword, that would be enough, it was clear that the 'Sword Masters' also had their own principles.

"Alright then, the defenses on North Mang Mountain should be lighter recently, perhaps this is your chance. You can also try out this Hunyuan Sword Body technique while you're at it."

"Yes!"

The junior sister refused to team up to gain experience, insisting on being independent. As her senior brother, Li Fan didn't want to discourage her, so he consulted a fortune teller. Seeing that the divination indicated "minor misfortune," he could only sigh.

Well, it seems that one has to face one's own fate. At worst, I can just help her escape danger one more time.

So Li Fan then pinched Qin Jiu's neck to check on her condition.

Very bad luck

What the heck...?

Is the Central Plains really that dangerous? Are you either facing great misfortune or on your way to great misfortune? But he personally felt these tasks were quite simple. He completed them effortlessly. Why couldn't others do it? What is the reason for this?

Ahem, alright, enough joking around. Even if a disciple is raised without supervision, if he really encounters a dire situation, the master will naturally have to step in.

And it's quite convenient; Qin Jiu is also in North Mang Mountain. Tsk, could this be the legendary entanglement of fate? Looks like I'll have to dig up his grave.

So Li Fan flew towards North Mang Mountain. Incidentally, he ran into Amao on the way. Amao had just left the territory of Sanxiao Mountain when he was apparently tied up by two Snake Demons. However, the divination showed 'great fortune', so Li Fan ignored him.

Tsk, we're all playing completely different games...

So, flying at lightning speed, flying into the sky and escaping from the earth, Li Fan arrived at Beiman Mountain before Yue Po. Before the old cadres of the Immortal Palace came back, he broke into the underground palace first. He used the method of escaping from the earth all the way... Oh, is this mercury-like thing the Yuan Feng Iron Flow? I encountered it as soon as I came out, it is obviously easy to find...

Li Fan didn't want to discourage Yue Po too much, so he took a little to avoid her returning empty-handed. Then, while calculating his way deeper into the underground palace, he sensed Qin Jiu's location.

The most troublesome thing about this kid is that he can't figure him out. Although he became an apostle and secretly gave him a Kun Ticket, Li Fan was able to sense his situation. But now, Li Fan doesn't know if it's because there are too many restrictions and formations in the underground palace, making the situation too complicated, or because Qin Jiu used up his Kun Ticket. In any case, Li Fan finds it difficult to confirm his exact location.

Each time he deduced the final result, new clues would appear, or sudden changes would occur, as if a hand was always blocking Li Fan's view, preventing him from seeing the path beneath his feet. This familiar feeling was just like... just like...

Li Fan suddenly stopped and frowned.

Has Qin Jiu started contacting Zhi Jingzi?

Although Li Fan had initially intended to use his disciples as bait when he took them on as his personal disciples, why did they take the bait so quickly?

Li Fan suddenly hesitated.

No, he's not ready yet.

... No, actually he was already prepared.

He secluded himself for ten years, all because he wanted to catch Zhi Jingzi and end his life.

However, Li Fan felt he was mentally prepared.

But now that the moment of truth has arrived, he suddenly realizes that Qin Jiu, Yue Po, and even Amao —all those involved—are definitely doomed.

Should we take action now...?

Let's wait and see. Once he reaches the Enlightenment stage, we can minimize the risk of sacrifice and be more certain of success...

Li Fan hesitated for a moment, then suddenly heard a noise behind him. It turned out that a hidden door in the underground tomb passage had opened.

Li Fan Fanyin watched from the shadows as a large group of rat spirits, about twenty or so, carried bundles of iron crossbow bolts and threw them into the moat of the underground palace. The arrowheads were soaked in the Yuanfeng Iron Stream, and the liquid metal instantly tempered all the iron arrows into a bright silver color.

Huh, huh? Where did all these rats come from, stealing treasure from the imperial mausoleum in North Mang Mountain? Could it be that the guards were all distracted by the matter of the 'Son of Heaven'? But that secret passage...

Before Li Fan could react, the lead rat noticed that the amount of Yuanfeng Iron Torrent in the mountains was insufficient to completely submerge the arrowheads, so it roared twice.

Another mouse, carrying a pottery jar entwined with chaotic power, crawled out of the hidden door and poured the mercury-like liquid metal inside into the riverbed of the tomb.

These... these Yuanfeng Iron Torrents, were they made by these rats?