Fire-Control Gourd

Liu Yuanchen arrived at the Myriad Treasures Trading Association's shop. The moment he entered, the shopkeeper came forward to greet him.

The man gave Liu Yuanchen a meaningful look, then politely said, "Young friend from the Azure Elixir Sect, was the pill furnace from last time satisfactory?"

Liu Yuanchen cupped his hands in salute. "The Myriad Treasures Trading Association truly lives up to its reputation. That pill furnace was indeed excellent.

"I came this time to see whether your shop has any artifacts for controlling fire."

The middle-aged cultivator smiled. "Of course. As long as it is not a strategic resource, our shop can produce some of it.

"Little Zhang, take this customer to see the fire-controlling artifacts."

Before long, a twenty-something attendant emerged. After saluting Liu Yuanchen, he said, "Please follow me, sir."

The two entered a small room at the back where artifacts were stored. The attendant led him to a weapon rack in the corner.

This rack held the fewest artifacts, with only three items on it.

The attendant introduced them. "Fire-controlling artifacts are extremely rare, and few cultivators use them. They are among the most unpopular types of artifacts.

"Our shop has only these three, all First-Rank High-Grade."

He then pointed at an artifact resembling a bowl. "This is the Fire-Gathering Bowl. Its main material is Crimson Flame Stone, with some dark iron added to increase its durability.

"When used, it can be placed beneath a pill furnace. Once spiritual power is infused into it, flames will gush forth from the bowl.

"After recognizing a master, the flames it produces are extremely easy to control."

"The drawback is that it is not very sturdy. If the flames become too intense, the bowl may crack apart.

"Also, it cannot be used together with Spirit Charcoal or earthfire. It can only spray flames by burning spiritual power.

"When refining pills, it consumes quite a bit of spiritual power.

"Among these three fire-controlling artifacts, this one is the cheapest, requiring only fifty Spirit Stones."

The attendant clearly assumed Liu Yuanchen was short on funds, so he introduced the cheapest item first.

"Although the Fire-Gathering Bowl controls fire well, it cannot be used with Spirit Charcoal or earthfire.

"Using it also requires dividing one's attention to drive it with spiritual power, which would instead affect the pill success rate. There is little point in buying this bowl."

The attendant nodded as well. "You are quite right, sir. This artifact does have some flaws, otherwise it would not be sold so cheaply."

He pointed to another crimson cover, shaped like a soup basin. It was riddled with holes and bore relief carvings of three fire dragons.

"This is the Fire Dragon Canopy. Its main material is Flowing-Flame Dark Iron.

"It cannot release flames itself, but it can suppress flames.

"Placed above Spirit Charcoal or a Fire Eye, it can easily adjust the temperature of the fire without consuming your own spiritual power.

"Moreover, the Fire Dragon Canopy is extremely sturdy and can also serve as a defensive artifact.

"It is especially effective against fire-attributed attacks."

"The drawback is that it can only lower the fire temperature, not raise it.

"To obtain a higher temperature, more Spirit Charcoal must be added, resulting in considerable consumption.

"This one is slightly more expensive, costing sixty Spirit Stones."

This Fire Dragon Canopy was somewhat interesting. It could even be used as a defensive artifact, but unfortunately, it could only defend and not attack.

Moreover, it was full of holes like a sieve. Its defensive ability against needle-type artifacts was probably extremely poor.

Liu Yuanchen pointed at the final fire-controlling artifact. "What about this gourd?"

The gourd stood about a foot tall. It was entirely fiery red and still bore a short section of Gourd Vine resembling a dragon's head.

The attendant replied, "This gourd is called the Fire-Control Gourd. Its main material is a First-Rank High-Grade spirit plant, the Blazing Fire Gourd.

"This Fire-Control Gourd was crafted by a Second-Tier Artifact Refining Master from Azure Elixir City. He originally intended to refine it into an offensive artifact.

"Unfortunately, an error occurred while condensing the Inscription Runes, causing the flames it released to lack sufficient power. It was then converted into a fire-controlling artifact.

"Its rank also fell accordingly, becoming a First-Rank High-Grade artifact.

"In terms of fire control, it serves roughly the same purpose as the Fire-Gathering Bowl.

"It cannot be used with Spirit Charcoal or earthfire and can only be used on its own."

"However, this gourd contains a small internal space that can store spiritual power.

"A cultivator may infuse it with spiritual power, or it can absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth on its own.

"If spiritual power is stored in the gourd beforehand, then when refining pills, only a tiny amount of Divine Sense is needed to control the gourd and release flames.

"The intensity of those flames can be adjusted freely."

"Since the Fire-Control Gourd was originally an offensive artifact, it can also be used in combat.

"However, the flames it releases are not particularly powerful. At most, they can severely injure an ordinary Late Qi-Nourishing Stage cultivator.

"Besides spraying fire, it can absorb an opponent's fire-attributed attacks, so it has some defensive use as well."

"Of course, it has flaws too. If forcibly driven until its flames reach a level capable of severely injuring a Qi Sea Realm cultivator, the flames may lose control.

"However, there will be no issue when refining pills.

"When this artifact was first refined, several Alchemy Masters tested it. Its flames were entirely sufficient even for refining Second-Rank Mid-Grade pills."

Hearing this, Liu Yuanchen was somewhat tempted.

This thing could attack and defend alike. Before reaching the Sea of Qi Realm, it could fully meet his needs in combat.

"How much spiritual power can this Fire-Control Gourd store at most?"

Seeing his interest in the Fire-Control Gourd, the attendant became more enthusiastic. "Roughly the equivalent of the spiritual energy contained in ten Low-Grade Spirit Stones.

"That is about as much spiritual power as an ordinary Mid Qi-Nourishing Stage cultivator possesses in their entire body.

"You are a wood-attributed cultivator, sir. Wood generates fire, so the spiritual power you infuse into it can also produce flames."

Liu Yuanchen asked, "How many Spirit Stones?"

The attendant hurriedly replied, "This Fire-Control Gourd was originally intended to become a Second-Rank Low-Grade artifact.

"Although there were some problems with its Inscription Runes, both its artifact base and materials are at the level of a Second-Rank Low-Grade artifact. Naturally, its price will not be much lower than that of a Second-Rank Low-Grade artifact.

"The Artifact Refining Master set the price at eighty Spirit Stones."

Cheaper Second-Rank Low-Grade artifacts generally cost around a hundred Spirit Stones.

If no problems had occurred during the refinement of this Fire-Control Gourd, selling it for two hundred Spirit Stones would not have been excessive.

Buying such a gourd for eighty Spirit Stones was truly not expensive.

Especially since Liu Yuanchen needed a fire-controlling artifact, and this gourd could also be used for offense and defense. It was killing two birds with one stone.

He readily paid the Spirit Stones and took the gourd in hand.

Unfortunately, the gourd contained an internal space and was also a spatial artifact. It could not be placed in a storage pouch, or else both the gourd and the storage pouch would be torn apart by spatial force.

He hung the gourd from his belt and left the Myriad Treasures Trading Association.

After he departed, the middle-aged cultivator went to the third floor.

"Manager, I sensed the presence of Astral Force on that Azure Elixir Sect disciple. He should be a cultivator of the Earth Immortal Path."

A young man's voice came from within. "It was indeed Astral Force, but he is not a cultivator of the Earth Immortal Path."

The middle-aged cultivator was somewhat surprised. "How is that possible? Among the current cultivation systems, only cultivators of the Earth Immortal Path cultivate Astral Force."

The young man smiled. "He does indeed possess Astral Force, but it is not the Origin Astral Force of the Earth Immortal Path. It is the Blood Astral Force of the Physical Body Path.

"Condensing Blood Astral Force consumes an enormous amount of qi and blood.

"Without sufficient resources, forcing such cultivation will likely cost one's life.

"Resources are scarce on the Red Wasteland. This boy will have no future cultivating the Bloodsteel Secret Art."

"The Origin Astral Force of the Earth Immortal Path was improved from this Bloodsteel Secret Art.

"The current Earth Immortal Path merely arose after the Physical Body Path could no longer be cultivated further and underwent a series of modifications.

"As early as the birth of the Earth Immortal Path, the Bloodsteel Secret Art was gradually eliminated.

"I never expected a place like the Red Wasteland to still preserve the Bloodsteel Secret Art.

"It seems the Ancient Cultivator's Cave-Dwelling that has recently caused such a stir truly produced quite a few good things."

"Remember the foundation of our Merchant Association: we only do business and do not interfere in conflicts among local factions.

"No matter how many good things the Ancient Cultivator's Cave-Dwelling produces, it has nothing to do with us."

After leaving the Myriad Treasures Trading Association, Liu Yuanchen went to the Liu Family's pill shop and bought twenty sets of ingredients for Spirit-Restoring Pills.

After leaving the pill shop, he returned directly to Yujin Mountain.

Once inside the alchemy room of his cave-dwelling, he impatiently removed the Fire-Control Gourd.

He used his blood essence to condense a universal Master-Recognition Inscription and completed the recognition process.

Afterward, he began infusing spiritual power into the gourd.

After using up half of his own spiritual power, he opened the gourd's stopper and sent a small amount of Divine Sense into it.

With a thought, a stream of crimson flames erupted from the mouth of the gourd.

The entire alchemy room instantly grew hot.

"As expected of a First-Rank High-Grade artifact. The power of these flames is far greater than Spirit Charcoal fire."

Only after slowly suppressing the flames and familiarizing himself with their temperature did he take out the pill furnace.

For his first attempt at refining pills with the Fire-Control Gourd, he still chose the simplest Grain-Banishing Pill.

Throughout the refining process, as long as his state of mind did not fluctuate, changes in the flame temperature were almost negligible.

Only when he actively adjusted the fire temperature were there slight fluctuations.

The first furnace of Grain-Banishing Pills yielded four pills, about the same as before.

However, his Divine Sense consumption was much lower, and controlling the fire no longer felt difficult.

The second furnace yielded five Grain-Banishing Pills, with a success rate exceeding eighty percent.

He then refined several more furnaces of Grain-Banishing Pills in succession, achieving an average success rate above seventy percent.

Excitement surged through him. "This artifact was truly worth buying. It saves me the trouble of purchasing Spirit Charcoal, and the pill success rate has increased by more than ten percent."

The next day, Liu Yuanchen adjusted himself to peak condition, filled the Fire-Control Gourd with spiritual power again, and began refining Spirit-Restoring Pills.

With the Fire-Control Gourd's assistance, his fire control greatly improved.

The first furnace of Spirit-Restoring Pills yielded six pills.

Several days later, all twenty sets of Spirit-Restoring Pill ingredients had been used up, producing a total of one hundred and forty-five pills.

Among them were forty good-quality Spirit-Restoring Pills, bringing the good-quality rate to twenty percent.

In addition, he refined one supreme-grade pill.

Ordinary Spirit-Restoring Pills were milky white pellets the size of longan fruit.

Good-quality and ordinary pills did not appear all that different.

Supreme-grade pills were also milky white, but they possessed a translucent quality and a sheen like white jade.

For a pill to become supreme-grade meant that the medicinal essence previously fused together suffered not the slightest loss and was all retained within the pill.

During the extraction of essence and the fusion of different medicinal essences, almost no impurities had entered.

During the final high-heat reduction process, not even the slightest bit of pill liquid had been scorched.

Achieving this through skill alone was extremely difficult and also depended greatly on luck.

Even an Alchemy Master would not dare claim that he could definitely refine a supreme-grade pill.

But as long as one could refine such a pill, it proved that the Alchemy Master was among the best of his rank.

Afterward, Liu Yuanchen tried refining the more difficult Qi-Nourishing Pill.

Refining Qi-Nourishing Pills required twelve types of spirit herbs, more than twice as many as Spirit-Restoring Pills, so the difficulty was naturally much greater.

Yet with Liu Yuanchen's extensive experience, the pill success rate was still decent.

Five sets of ingredients could yield at most fifty pills. He actually refined seventeen, for a success rate exceeding thirty percent.

A year later, Liu Yuanchen stood in the alchemy room of his Yujin Mountain cave-dwelling, staring intently at the pill furnace.

A moment later, he drew the flames beneath the furnace back into the gourd.

A sweep of spiritual power passed over the furnace, and five grayish-white pills flew out.

With a layer of Astral Force wrapped around his palm, Liu Yuanchen grabbed the pills in one motion.

"Five Spirit-Awakening Pills from one furnace. Among First-Rank High-Grade Alchemy Masters, I can be considered first-rate."

After putting the Spirit-Awakening Pills into a pill bottle, he went outside the cave-dwelling to inspect the Spirit Field.

It was already past noon. The moment he stepped out of the cave-dwelling's entrance, he saw a figure drawing water by the well.

"Halt! Where did this little thief come from, daring to steal water on Azure Elixir Sect territory?"

With that, he rushed forward in a single stride.

The Fire-Control Gourd was already in his hand, ready to release flames at any moment.

The figure turned around. "Junior Brother Liu, don't attack! It's me, Zhang Jingcheng!"

The man's clothes were tattered, and his hair was disheveled. It was truly impossible to tell who he was, though his voice was still recognizable.

Liu Yuanchen put away the Fire-Control Gourd. "Senior Brother Zhang, why are you dressed like this? Did you go undercover among rogue cultivators?"

Zhang Jingcheng scooped up a ladle of water and gulped it down.

He let out a long breath. "Don't mention it. I've been constantly harassed by evil cultivators these past few days. I'm exhausted in body and mind.

"A new batch of disciples rotated in today, so I could finally come to the rear and rest for a while.

"By the time I reached Yujin Mountain, I had no strength left, so I came to ask for a drink of water. I nearly got dealt with by you instead."

"I have no ability to return to the sect today, so I'll be staying here with you for the time being."

Liu Yuanchen took out three pills. "I have one Spirit-Restoring Pill, one Qi-and-Blood Pill, and one Grain-Banishing Pill. Senior Brother Zhang should be interested, right?"

Zhang Jingcheng swallowed and reached out to take them. "Thank you, Junior Brother."

Liu Yuanchen pulled his hand back. "Spirit-Restoring Pills cost two Spirit Stones each now. I'll charge you one Spirit Stone.

"Qi-and-Blood Pills cost three Spirit Stones each. I'll charge you two."

Zhang Jingcheng put on a familiar expression. "Your mother is my aunt from the same clan. You are my cousin. Talking about Spirit Stones between cousins is too hurtful to our relationship."

Liu Yuanchen remained unmoved. "Even brothers keep clear accounts. I've already given you a discount, and I'm even throwing in a Grain-Banishing Pill for free."

Zhang Jingcheng sighed. "The bond between us brothers is worth only two Spirit Stones?"

Liu Yuanchen refuted him with complete sincerity. "Of course not. You also need to add another Grain-Banishing Pill."

"I'll owe you the Spirit Stones for now. Once my monthly stipend arrives, I'll repay you."

"Small business. No credit."

Zhang Jingcheng reluctantly took out three Spirit Stones and bought three pills.

After taking them, he quickly became full of energy.

Liu Yuanchen was curious. "What kind of trouble cropped up in Blackcloud Ridge to wear you out like this? Don't tell me the legendary Eerie Creatures have appeared?"

Zhang Jingcheng shook his head. "If Eerie Creatures had really appeared, would I have made it back alive?"

"Even Sea of Qi Realm cultivators rarely come back alive after encountering an Eerie Creature."

"Speaking of which, this matter is related to the Ancient Cultivator's Cave-Dwelling in Black Wolf Valley.

That was where the disturbances first appeared. Soon afterward, abnormalities emerged in many places throughout Blackcloud Ridge.

You know Golden Ao Mountain, more than three hundred li from Yujin Mountain, right?"

Liu Yuanchen nodded. "I know. It gets plenty of rain, and there's also a mountain lake called Golden Ao Lake."

"That's right, it's about Golden Ao Lake.

A month ago, the water level of Golden Ao Lake dropped drastically, and quite a few independent cultivators went there to see what was happening.

Sect disciples also went to investigate and actually discovered a Spirit Stone Vein there."