Special Spirit Refinement

The essence of imbuing metal with spirituality lies in introducing a sense of vitality into the metal itself.

This is akin to an experience of creation in the mortal realm; it is highly unusual and, for most, nearly impossible to achieve.

However, Li Ang has carved out a unique path.

He cannot grant the metal spirituality, but he can grant it to the elements.

Although he primarily masters the Rock Element, he possesses a formidable grasp of the Metal Element as well.

After all, if one were to describe it in terms of cultivation, Geo Archon Rex Lapis would be equivalent to having top-tier dual spiritual roots in Earth and Metal.

While his power manifests primarily through the Rock Element, or rather, the Earth Element.

Geo Archon Rex Lapis maintains an equally strong command over the Metal Element.

However, constructing vitality within metal is an incredibly complex theory.

It requires stripping down the metal molecules first, then aggregating the molecules and ions together.

Simultaneously, ions belonging to the Rock Element must be infused into the mix, using the Rock Element—a force that can be controlled absolutely—to replace the metal's original elemental components.

Then, through various processes of splitting and fusion, it finally condenses into what is known as Spirit Refinement metal.

Or perhaps it shouldn't be called Spirit Refinement metal, but rather Alloy Metal.

This is a special type of alloy.

This metal is not something only Li Ang can use, but he is the only one capable of forging it.

The most unique aspect of this metal is not that it is significantly stronger than ordinary Spirit Refinement metal, but its forging speed.

If Li Ang can master this method proficiently, quickly stripping away the metal elements and integrating a portion of the Rock Element, he can complete a piece of this so-called Spirit Refinement metal in roughly ten to fifteen minutes.

Furthermore, because this metal also possesses vitality, and that vitality is one hundred percent obedient to Li Ang.

Using this vitality to proceed with subsequent Soul Refinement and Heaven Refinement forging becomes much easier.

Eliminating metallic impurities is equivalent to making the metal accept itself, acknowledge that it is indeed metal, and thus more easily generate spirituality.

In other words, it makes Soul Refinement easier to complete.

But now, if even its own consciousness is completely controlled by Li Ang, he can ensure with one hundred percent certainty that it identifies itself as this specific piece of metal.

Therefore, the difficulty of performing Soul Refinement is effectively reduced by a massive margin.

This was something Li Ang had not even anticipated at the very beginning.

But after three years of research and subsequent planning, this method has officially succeeded.

Watching Li Ang's forging hammer strike the surface of the metal, while the dim yellow halo in his hands continuously influences the material, Mu Chen stares intently at the metal.

Li Ang's forging method is clearly completely unrelated to standard Spirit Refinement.

It's not just different; one could say there is absolutely no connection between them.

Yet, as Li Ang strips away the elements within the metal and carefully begins to build it up using the Rock Element, a spark of vitality is born within the metal.

And as Li Ang's hammer continues to strike, the vitality grows stronger and stronger, until the Spirit Refinement is completely finished.

Looking at this true Spirit Refinement metal, forged through entirely unreasonable methods and completely unrelated means, Mu Chen stands there in silence.

"Hmm, this does indeed seem to be Spirit Refinement metal."

"Hand it over to me; let me see if I can perform Soul Refinement on it."

Mu Chen speaks with rare hesitation.

Looking at this object—which is undeniably true Spirit Refinement metal, yet completely unlike any normal Spirit Refinement metal—his eyes hold a trace of doubt.

Li Ang, however, does not mind at all; he silently steps aside and pushes the metal toward Mu Chen.

Watching Mu Chen step forward, Li Ang also observes Mu Chen's forging technique.

As Mu Chen's first hammer blow lands, the metal begins to tremble slightly.

Then comes hammer blow after hammer blow.

The forging time for Soul Refinement is quite long, taking anywhere from one to two hours at the shortest, to several hours at the longest.

Feeling the spirituality within the metal continuously condensing, Mu Chen stands there in silence.

Time ticks by, minute by minute, until seven o'clock in the evening, when Mu Chen's hammer finally slows to a stop.

The metal, once full of vitality, begins to change, and a spark of spirituality emerges from within.

With Soul Refinement complete and the spirit fully integrated, the metal seems to have gained a soul, becoming increasingly powerful.

This is one of the reasons why three-word Battle Armor can self-repair.

Looking at the Soul Refinement metal he forged in his hands, Mu Chen falls silent for a moment.

"Your Spirit Refinement is truly unique, but it is indeed no different from ordinary Spirit Refinement."

"It is even more vibrant than ordinary Spirit Refinement, making it easier to evolve into Soul Refinement metal."

As Mu Chen says this, he falls into a silence of his own.

He found Li Ang's whimsical, even unconstrained designs somewhat difficult to comprehend.

It was like a collision between old and new ideologies.

However, seeing Li Ang successfully complete Spirit Refinement still brought Mu Chen a great deal of joy.

"You brat, your performance is quite impressive; to complete Spirit Refinement in such a short time."

"You certainly have the talent, but it feels like you aren't using it in the right places."

"Take this piece of metal and see if you need to forge it into a weapon or something else."

As Mu Chen spoke, he raised his hand and tossed the Spirit Refinement metal—which had now become Soul Refinement metal—directly to Li Ang.

One had to realize that Soul Refinement metal was incredibly precious, with a value that could reach tens of millions of Federal Credits.

Yet, at this moment, Mu Chen had tossed it to him so casually.

Catching the metal, Li Ang stared at it intently, performing a brief analysis.

Then, he turned his gaze toward Mu Chen.

"Teacher, I still need techniques regarding Soul Refinement. I want to learn Soul Refinement, or rather, Fusion Refinement within Spirit Refinement."

"Also, Teacher, I might not be able to come for a while, as I may not be in Eastsea City soon."

Li Ang paused after saying this.

Mu Chen's previously indifferent gaze suddenly froze, locking onto Li Ang.

With Li Ang's monstrous talent laid bare and his heaven-defying capabilities in every aspect visible to him, Mu Chen cared deeply for Li Ang.

Hearing that he would be leaving Eastsea City for an extended period, he became instantly anxious.

Meeting his teacher's tense gaze, Li Ang's expression remained calm.

"Teacher, I am heading out soon. A senior from my other department has arrived."

"Before this, my teacher sent me a message saying he would take me out for a period of trials."

"I might be away from Eastsea City during this time, and I hope for your understanding."

Li Ang spoke calmly, but Mu Chen's brows furrowed slightly.

He knew Li Ang was part of the Spirit Pagoda, but he was unaware that Li Ang had other master-disciple connections.

However, thinking of the old monsters and top-tier powerhouses within the Spirit Pagoda, he fell silent and did not press for more details.

"Fine, I understand."

"Take these two notebooks and protect yourself while you're out there."

"If you encounter any accidents, problems, or difficulties, press the small dot on your Forging Bracelet or inject your spiritual power into it, and I will rush over immediately."

Mu Chen paused for a moment after speaking.

He reached out to pat Li Ang on the shoulder while handing over the two small booklets.