Adm. Note: The NovelBin translator has divided the chapters into 4 or more parts, so the chapter numbering does not match the previous translation.
***
As the auction concluded, the crowd in the marketplace quickly dwindled.
After all, the surge in visitors was mostly due to the auction, or those looking to trade amidst the excitement.
Only a small portion of the crowd would choose to settle in Red Leaf Valley Market.
Lu Miaohuan, Lu Miaoyun, and Qu Zhenzhen, along with Lu Yuanding and Lu Yuanzhong, returned to Qingzhu Mountain.
Lu Changsheng, however, did not go back with them.
He planned to return after some time.
He made his way to the small courtyard he rented with Xiao Xiyue.
Xiao Xiyue revealed a gentle expression on her usually cold face when she saw Lu Changsheng.
She handed over the Spirit Stones and the True Yang Five Elements Sword that had been auctioned to Lu Changsheng.
"You’ve worked hard, Xi Yue.”
Lu Changsheng took the Spirit Stones and the spiritual sword from Xiao Xiyue’s hands.
He then examined the True Yang Five Elements Sword.
The spiritual sword was three feet long and one inch wide, with both hilt and blade gleaming in red-gold color.
The hilt bore a wooden pattern, while the blade was etched with a pattern of the five elements, enveloped by a faint golden halo.
Merely looking at it brought forth an aura of sharpness.
Even without having refined it yet, Lu Changsheng felt the spiritual sword was impressive and very suitable for him.
"Changsheng, this True Yang Five Elements Sword comes with a special Sacrificial Refinement Technique.”
Xiao Xiyue took out a Jade Slip and passed it to Lu Changsheng.
The biggest difference between Spiritual Artifacts and Magic Artifacts is that Spiritual Artifacts can be refined and acknowledged by their master, allowing seamless control and enhancing power during combat.
Even if an enemy seizes them, it would be difficult to refine them quickly.
"Oh, there’s even a matching Sacrificial Refinement Technique.”
Lu Changsheng raised an eyebrow as he received the Jade Slip.
He had long heard that some excellent Magic Artifacts and Spiritual Artifacts come with their own ‘control spells’ and ‘Sacrificial Refinement Techniques’.”
He scanned the Sacrificial Refinement Technique contained within the Jade Slip with his Divine Sense.
Inside was a ‘Blood Refinement Method.’
By using blood to refine the Spiritual Artifact, its power could be maximized in the hands of the first master.
Even if the spiritual sword was snatched away, without the corresponding Sacrificial Refinement Technique, forcible refinement would greatly diminish its power.
While there are benefits to having a Spiritual Artifact with a special refinement method, there are also downsides.
The advantage is that its power is stronger than that of a regular Spiritual Artifact.
The downside is that if resold, the devaluation and discount are quite severe.
After a brief look, Lu Changsheng put away the True Yang Five Elements Sword without starting the refinement process right away.
After all, there were more pressing matters to attend to.
A few days later…
Having dealt with urgent business, Lu Changsheng began the refinement process of the True Yang Five Elements Sword.
Refining a Spiritual Artifact is not difficult, especially when it has no owner.
In just half a day, Lu Changsheng had successfully refined the True Yang Five Elements Sword.
"Go!”
Stepping into the courtyard, Lu Changsheng’s Mental Spirit stirred slightly, and the True Yang Five Elements Sword flew out from his hand.
The spiritual sword, like a graceful swan or a roaming dragon, gave a light hum, bursting with the sharp energy of Geng metal, its Sword Qi crisscrossing the air.
The next moment, the sword’s sharp Geng metal energy transformed into a shockwave as powerful as tumultuous waves, with continuous azure patterns shimmering across it.
Then the sword changed again, its blade now suffused with a fiery red heat, roiling vigorously as if a fire dragon were roaring…
Xiao Xiyue, in her moon-white dress, her holy and graceful figure standing there, watched the scene unfold with surprise and amazement in her eyes.
Although Lu Changsheng was merely toying with the True Yang Five Elements Sword and had not displayed its full might,
Such a deft display led her to recognize that his sword technique was extraordinary.
"Seven Luminaries Sword Scripture.”
Xiao Xiyue murmured to herself.
Previously, Lu Changsheng had told her that the Cultivation Technique he was studying was called the Seven Luminaries Sword Scripture.
But she had not witnessed Lu Changsheng employing this technique.
Now, she had gained some insight.
She somewhat understood the significance of the seven luminaries.
"Not bad, indeed this feels more suitable than the previous two spiritual swords I’ve used,” Lu Changsheng said, looking pleased as he retracted the sword’s glow.
In such a small courtyard, despite not being able to unleash its potential and test its might,
A simple experience was enough for him to roughly gauge the power of this spiritual sword.
It felt even more fitting in his hands than the white flying sword of the man in red and Meng Yibai’s golden flying sword.
It allowed him to utilize his Seven Luminaries Sword Qi more effectively.
As for the issues, this flying sword’s primary power enhancement lay in the Five Elements.
The genuine yang catalpa tree served merely as a guide, having no enhancing effect on the attributes of yin and yang.
However, contentment is the key to happiness; to Lu Changsheng, this was already sufficient, and to spend seven thousand and nine hundred Spirit Stones was not a loss.
"It seems Lu Lang is quite satisfied with this spiritual sword.”
"Should Lu Lang require it, once Xi Yue accumulates enough Contribution Value within our Sect, I could request an Artifact Refining Master to incorporate yin and yang Spiritual Materials, reforging the sword to elevate it to a superior or even an extreme quality Spiritual Artifact. Then, with both yin and yang, and the Five Elements complete, I imagine it would suit Lu Lang even better,” Xiao Xiyue said softly with a smile, observing the contentment on Lu Changsheng’s face.
From Lu Changsheng’s demonstration, she understood the meaning of the Seven Luminaries and also comprehended why Lu Changsheng had her bid for this spiritual sword and where it was lacking for his use.
"Heh, if I have such a need in the future, I’ll come to bother Xi Yue for it,” Lu Changsheng replied with a smile.
"For now, this spiritual sword is quite enough for me.”
Lu Changsheng felt quite convenient having Xiao Xiyue’s connections. Requesting a Second Rank Master himself would be troublesome,
But for Xiao Xiyue, a disciple of the Immortal Sects, it was something that could be resolved within Qingyun Sect.
"Xi Yue, someone competed with you during the auction; they might bear a grudge against you. Do you want me to go and get rid of him to settle the score?” Lu Changsheng said, looking at Xiao Xiyue, who stood beside him, her figure ethereal and exquisite.
It wasn’t that he had become petty or vindictive.
If it were him, he would merely return a glare with a glare.
Unless someone truly troubled him, he wouldn’t bother holding a grudge.