Choosing a magic artifact

Chen Xuan listened to Jiang Qiong and nodded thoughtfully.

He did indeed want to learn alchemy.

His cultivation technique could cultivate on its own. With enough resources, his cultivation speed could rise to another level.

So if he could refine pills himself, he naturally would never lack them.

Moreover, once a fire-type Dao Technique underwent spirit awakening, it could also train on its own. Greater proficiency in the technique would help with alchemy, too.

"Senior Sister, is spirit-devouring profound fire the best top-tier fire-type Dao Technique in the sect?"

Chen Xuan asked again.

Seeing that Chen Xuan was genuinely interested in fire-type Dao Techniques, Jiang Qiong grew a little happier.

She was an alchemist herself, and with the atmosphere in Cinnabar Firmament, she naturally felt more warmly toward its disciples who wanted to learn alchemy.

"Yes. And this technique is extremely unusual. As its name suggests, spirit-devouring profound fire can devour and refine special flames.

"They say that if this technique refines special flames that are powerful enough, or enough of them, its might can rival a true supreme Dao Technique."

Jiang Qiong nodded again as she spoke.

After hearing that, Chen Xuan was indeed tempted.

Jiang Qiong's advice was better than choosing blindly on his own.

Since I've decided to learn alchemy, I'll choose this technique.

Besides, no matter what, it's a top-tier Dao Technique. It can't be bad.

The two chatted about various odds and ends.

As they talked, they arrived at the Dao Technique Pavilion.

Jiang Qiong did not go inside, instead waiting outside for Chen Xuan.

Chen Xuan entered the Dao Technique Pavilion, where an old man stood guard at the entrance.

According to Jiang Qiong, this old man was also a Purple Mansion elder.

Chen Xuan respectfully cupped his hands in greeting and presented the jade token engraved with the words "top-tier Dao Technique."

Only after the old man nodded did Chen Xuan step into the Dao Technique Pavilion.

Once inside, the space before him suddenly opened up.

The interior was far more spacious than its exterior suggested. Clearly, a spatial formation had been laid out within.

Rows of tall shelves held neatly arranged jade slips containing all manner of Dao Techniques, each shrouded in a faint halo of spiritual power.

An aura of Dao resonance permeated the entire pavilion.

The Dao Technique Pavilion had four floors, housing low-tier, mid-tier, high-tier, and top-tier Dao Techniques from bottom to top.

As for supreme Dao Techniques... the Cloud Sea Sect probably had some, but they did not seem to be stored in the Dao Technique Pavilion.

Chen Xuan headed straight to the fourth floor and scanned its Dao Technique jade slips.

Soon, he found the spirit-devouring profound fire Jiang Qiong had mentioned.

Its jade slip was crimson throughout, floating silently within its own barrier of light. Flame patterns faintly flowed across its surface, giving off a scorching yet restrained aura.

Chen Xuan took out the jade token engraved with "top-tier Dao Technique" and pressed it against the barrier.

The token immediately turned into light and merged with the barrier. Ripples spread across it before it silently dissipated, and the crimson jade slip drifted gently into his hand.

It was slightly warm to the touch, as though he held a cluster of slumbering flames.

Looking at the name "spirit-devouring profound fire" engraved on the jade slip, Chen Xuan opened it.

The next instant, the contents of the Dao Technique were imprinted directly into his mind.

In mere moments, an entire top-tier Dao Technique had been etched into Chen Xuan's memory.

Then the jade slip flew back to its original position on its own, and the barrier of light reappeared around it.

"This technique really is profound."

Satisfied, Chen Xuan went downstairs, saluted the elder at the entrance once more, and left the Dao Technique Pavilion.

Outside.

Seeing Chen Xuan emerge, Jiang Qiong asked, "Did you choose spirit-devouring profound fire?"

Chen Xuan smiled and nodded. "Thank you for your guidance, Senior Sister."

"Oh, don't mention it. Almost every disciple on Danxiao Peak who studies alchemy chooses spirit-devouring profound fire if they get a chance to select a top-tier Dao Technique. Come on, the Artifact Hall is next."

Jiang Qiong led Chen Xuan toward the Artifact Hall.

On the way, Chen Xuan considered what magic artifact to choose.

Jiang Qiong offered him some advice as well.

Originally, Chen Xuan had wanted to choose an alchemy furnace.

After all, if he was going to learn alchemy, he could hardly do without the equipment.

But Jiang Qiong told him that every disciple of Danxiao Peak would be assigned a supreme-grade magic artifact alchemy furnace upon joining the peak.

However, if they no longer needed it in the future, they would have to return it to Danxiao Peak, which would pass it on to later disciples.

So the furnace he received would probably not be brand-new, but one left behind by a previous disciple.

New or not, it'll definitely be good and usable.

Then there's no need to choose a furnace. Who wouldn't use one that's already available?

He did not mind using a secondhand magic artifact.

In the end, Chen Xuan decided to choose a defensive magic artifact.

For offense, he had Flowing Cloud Myriad Forms, the spirit-devouring profound fire he had chosen today, and a Floating Cloud Sword. Although the sword was only a mid-grade magic artifact, he certainly had no shortage of offensive options.

For escape, he also had Flowing Cloud Moon-Stepping.

So he could shore up his defenses.

Although Flowing Cloud Myriad Forms could also defend him, it was more of a utility Dao Technique.

The Artifact Hall.

Having Jiang Qiong speak on his behalf was certainly different from having Chen Xuan speak for himself.

The Artifact Hall disciple did not dare give them perfunctory treatment and brought out the three best supreme-grade defensive magic artifacts currently in the hall.

"Junior Brother Chen, take a look at this Mystic Spirit Armor. It was forged from hundred-year-old profound iron mixed with deep-sea cold silver, with three defensive formations engraved within. Once activated, it forms a close-fitting barrier of spiritual light capable of withstanding a full-power blow from a Dao Foundation Realm cultivator.

"Then there's this Gold-Thread Cloud-Pattern Shield. Its frame is made from gold-thread spirit wood, covered in spiritual fabric woven from fire-cloud silkworm silk. Cloud patterns flow across its surface. Not only is its defense sturdy, it also has an additional weakening effect on Dao Technique attacks.

"The Five-Colored Spirit Light Kerchief looks light and delicate, but it is actually woven from five types of spiritual silk with different attributes. Infused with spiritual power, it can unfurl a five-colored curtain of light that disperses force and dissipates impact. It excels at resisting elemental attacks and is easy to carry and activate.

"All three are outstanding supreme-grade defensive magic artifacts."

The Artifact Hall disciple introduced all three supreme-grade magic artifacts.

Chen Xuan examined them carefully.

All three were quite good.

In the end, however, Chen Xuan picked up the Mystic Spirit Armor.

"Senior Brother, I'll choose this Mystic Spirit Armor."

As he spoke, Chen Xuan handed over his jade token.

"Very well."

The Artifact Hall disciple did not care which artifact Chen Xuan chose. He simply accepted the jade token, then returned the other two artifacts to their original places.

Chen Xuan and Jiang Qiong then left the Artifact Hall.

For now, Chen Xuan put the Mystic Spirit Armor into his Storage Bag. He was in no hurry to refine or wear it.

The Mystic Spirit Armor was only light armor. In fact, it could be described as nothing more than a slightly thicker vest. He planned to wear it every day from then on, since it would not interfere with his normal life anyway.

With the errands finished.

Jiang Qiong finally brought Chen Xuan to Danxiao Peak.

As one of the Cloud Sea Nine Heavens, Danxiao Peak towered into the clouds, its mountain ridges stretching on and on.

The environment here was even better than that of Hundred Herb Valley. Most importantly, the spiritual energy was extraordinarily dense.

Even Chen Xuan's Flowing Cloud Technique was cheering.

[Your cultivation technique, "Flowing Cloud Technique," is excited.]

[This feels amazing! Absolutely amazing! Let me stay here forever!]

[My good-for-nothing host has finally stopped holding me back!]

Chen Xuan: Well, thank you so much.