Chapter 1598: Finalizing The Armor (I)
Chapter 1598: Finalizing The Armor (I)
Lacquer Marsh.
The mountains and forests were dark, but blanketed in enough white snow that they blended together into a strikingly beautiful scene. Li Ximing descended on a ray of light and saw billowing devilish smoke churning ahead, while a man in a brown robe came up against the wind with a broad smile plastered across his face.
"Fellow Daoist Zhaojing!"
The man called out warmly, and only then did Li Ximing recognize him. It was Daoist Master Luo from the southern border.
The devil cultivator was finally no longer wearing his Thousand-Eyed Devil Robe, and had changed into a rather proper set of brown robes. Since his face had never looked especially sinister to begin with, once that devil robe was gone, he actually looked somewhat righteous.
Smiling, he said, "Your clan gained quite a lot in the grotto heaven. Congratulations!"
Li Ximing answered him with a smile, "Not at all! Fellow Daoist Luo also seems to have taken on a new look!"
Before Daoist Master Luo could reply, Master Dingyang, who was circling the furnace in the mountains with his hands behind his back, barked out a laugh and answered, "He was beaten badly enough in the grotto heaven to learn some restraint at last... That is fine too. At least he will not disgrace my Reverent Yang Mountain."
This was not the first time Li Ximing had seen Daoist Master Luo here, so he was sure the man had a fairly close friendship with Master Dingyang. Still, Daoist Master Luo had always acted like a devil cultivator, so Master Dingyang naturally had to mock him a few times.
Daoist Master Luo laughed. "Heh."
He invited Li Ximing to sit at the table before saying, "I only used a few hairy folk. What is there to be so particular about with monkey-like things like those? My own people are in charge and living well. That is enough. What do other races and foreign kinds have to do with me?"
Seeing Master Dingyang sit down, Daoist Master Luo laughed coldly and continued, "Sometimes, when you give them too much respect, these hairy folk start thinking too highly of themselves. Treat them a little more ruthlessly, and they become grateful instead. Do you think the descendants of Zhou spread across the four directions by politely asking for it? They fought and killed their way there! Yet now, using a few hairy folk is enough for people to come settle accounts with me."
Li Ximing guessed that he must have been beaten badly by some northern barbarian in the grotto heaven and lost a valuable treasure, leaving him full of resentment. Rather than respond, he merely shook his head helplessly.
Master Dingyang, however, said, "If not for that, entering Lacquer Marsh would not have been so easy for you."
Li Ximing glanced at him and noticed that Master Dingyang seemed far more worn and desolate than before, as though burdened by heavy concerns.
The man turned toward him and said, "Fellow Daoist Zhaojing seems to have gained quite a bit. I take it you're still here for the spirit armor."
"Exactly!"
The forging of a spirit artifact was no quick matter. Since Li Ximing had already gathered the necessary materials, he naturally had no desire to delay any longer. He immediately withdrew several jade boxes from his sleeve, arranged them on the table, and introduced them one by one.
"These are two items, a [Crimson Light Radiant Amber] and a [General's Victory Stone]. One is of Radiant Fire, the other is Bright Yang. They should be suitable."
Master Dingyang started to carefully inspect them, and nodded silently. Only then did Li Ximing rise and speak in a solemn tone, "I've heard that Reverent Yang Mountain still possesses a portion of [Lesser Heavenly Radiant Metal], an exceptionally precious spirit item. The materials for this spirit armor of my family are nearly complete. All that's missing is a top-tier spirit item capable of serving as its core. I hope Fellow Daoist will name your terms so that I may exchange for it."
Master Dingyang had expected this request ever since he first mentioned the spirit item. As a result, he showed no surprise. Stroking his beard lightly, he replied, "That is only natural. You once left three Under-Neck Feathers with me in exchange for spirit materials. I later showed them to the Dao lineage of Mount Qusi, and they expressed interest in acquiring them. Together with a few things of my own, they would be enough to obtain something from their Dao lineage..."
His expression grew more serious as he continued, "However... I also need to use that [No-Fault Spirit Wood] in exchange for something from Fellow Daoist Qinghu. Would you be willing to part with it?"
Li Ximing understood immediately. Over the years, many of his spirit materials had passed through Master Dingyang's hands. There was no way the man had focused solely on gathering materials for his spirit armor. He had undoubtedly been keeping an eye out for items he needed as well, likely with prospective trading partners in mind and merely waiting for Li Ximing to make the request.
The price was quite reasonable. The [No-Fault Spirit Wood] was a sizable piece and inherently more valuable. Back then, it had originally been obtained in exchange for two [Under-Neck Feathers].
Basically, my family would be trading five spirit materials for the [Lesser Heavenly Radiant Metal]!
The problem was that the [Lesser Heavenly Radiant Metal] was not a complete portion. It was merely a remnant once used as ornamentation on a Sword Immortal's blade, making the exchange somewhat uneven.
As Li Ximing hesitated, Master Dingyang produced a golden box from his sleeve and said, "You've refined pills for me without ever asking for compensation all these years. I have not forgotten that. Naturally, I won't take advantage of you. There is still more than half a portion of this [Lesser Heavenly Radiant Metal] remaining. Give me one additional spirit material, and we'll consider the forging fee settled as well."
Li Ximing's heart stirred at once, and he replied delightedly, "Excellent! Many thanks, Fellow Daoist!"
Forging a spirit artifact was no simple task for Master Dingyang. Even a moderately high-quality artifact could require years, sometimes more than a decade, of effort from a Purple Mansion Realm cultivator like him. That was before considering the expenditure of materials and the toll on his mind and spirit. Such costs could never truly be covered by a single spirit material.
Now that old favors had been counted toward the debt and the matter of the Lesser Heavenly Radiant Metal had been settled, Li Ximing instead felt that he owed the man a little more goodwill.
Smiling, he said, "If you ever need more spirit pills refined in the future, just send someone to the lake."
Master Dingyang nodded with a smile, rose to his feet without hesitation, and said, "Then we'll use the [Lesser Heavenly Radiant Metal], [Heavenstar Crimson Gold], and [General's Victory Stone] as the primary materials, two of Radiant Fire and one of Bright Yang. The [Six-Form Spirit Stones], [Brilliant Insight Golden Quintessence], and [Crimson Light Radiant Amber] will serve as supporting materials, supplemented by [Desert Profound Sky Iron], [Bright Candle Saber Gold], and several others..."
He made a few calculations and said softly, "Unfortunately, nearly all of the spirit items among the core materials are of [Radiant Fire], and their grades are quite high. This armor will most likely end up aligned with [Radiant Fire], though it should still possess a strong affinity for Bright Yang."
Li Ximing frowned slightly as Daoist Master Luo shook his head. "It can't be helped. Bright Yang has waned in this age, while Radiant Fire flourishes. Even if you gather spirit items through ordinary means, you'll inevitably end up with far more Radiant Fire materials than Bright Yang ones."
Li Ximing weighed the matter silently in his heart, That may not be a bad thing. Zhouwei is already equipped with Bright Yang spirit artifacts from head to toe. A greater emphasis on Radiant Fire would make him less predictable to others. Besides, Bright Yang metals and stones are notoriously difficult to find. Dragging this out in search of more would only create trouble... As for the spirit material I owe him...
Li Ximing still possessed two [Under-Neck Feathers]. Though they were now fewer in number than his [Crimson Light Radiant Amber], they remained the most suitable choice. While [Wall-Sinking Water] had become increasingly scarce, Kuangyu's New Rain Marketplace could scour nearly all of Scarlet Pristine Sea for supplies. Given another two or three months, more could always be obtained one way or another.
Yet he did not take them out immediately. Instead, he smiled and said, "I'll make the arrangements as soon as I return."
The Li Family had already distributed quite a few [Under-Neck Feathers] over the years, enough that observant people had begun taking notice. Chen Yin, who cultivated [Mansion Water], had even warned him personally that continuing to spend them so freely would eventually invite disaster.
I should ask around first. It would be best if I could trade him something else instead.
"No hurry."
The matter could be settled after the spirit armor was completed, and Master Dingyang seemed perfectly understanding. After hesitating several times, however, his expression suddenly turned strange.
"We nearly forgot Daoist Master Minghuang... If he were willing to come to Lacquer Marsh and infuse these spiritual flames with a mouthful of blood essence, then establish a connection through his mind and spirit to determine the inherent rank of the White Qilin armor... the result might not be inferior to adding a Bright Yang spirit item..."
"Oh?" Li Ximing's eyes lit up as understanding dawned on him. "Brilliant..."