Chapter Four: The Celestial Sword of Azure Serenity

In Daoist arts of crafting artifacts, elixirs, and talismans, the higher the grade, the slimmer the chance of success. Mastery over one's own True Samadhi Fire, the strength of one’s spiritual power, and depth of understanding of the Way are all essential. The Supreme Golden Elemental Steel is a treasure of the highest order among heaven and earth’s materials, and for Yun Zhongzi, who was only at the initial stage of Nascent Soul, using it would almost certainly end in disaster.

In his anxiety, Qingxu hurried up the slopes of Mount Yuhua, entering the humble bamboo dwelling uninvited. The room was bare; at its center, a pill furnace exuded wisps of ethereal spiritual energy. The space was divided according to the Five Elements and Eight Trigrams. At the position of Qian, a cushion was laid, upon which sat a Daoist, appearing about thirty years of age, with gentle features, sword-like brows that swept into his temples like clouds, and eyes as dazzling as the morning stars. Clad in a light purple robe, immortal aura radiated from him—it was Yun Zhongzi.

Yun Zhongzi of the Chan sect was renowned as a True Immortal of Virtue, his cultivation no less profound than that of the likes of Guang Chengzi, and his accomplishments in artifact forging unrivaled among his peers—superior even to the sect's foremost disciple, Duobao.

“Brother, what brings you here?” Yun Zhongzi was eyeing a lump of iron, still smoking black, with evident frustration. Years of effort gathering these treasures had gone to waste in a single moment. Seeing Qingxu appear at this critical time, his heart sank—he immediately suspected that Qingxu had discovered his theft of the Supreme Golden Elemental Steel.

“Why am I here? Surely you know.” Qingxu’s tone was anything but pleasant as he glanced at the ruined lump in Yun Zhongzi’s hand, his irritation growing.

“Ah… well, forgive your junior’s dullness, but I truly don’t know why you’ve come, Senior Brother. As it happens, I am scheduled to discuss the Dao with Senior Brother Taiyi. I must take my leave.” Yun Zhongzi, seeing the dark look on Qingxu’s face, realized things were dire and tried to make an excuse to slip away.

In truth, Yun Zhongzi was both shocked and dismayed. With his initial Nascent Soul cultivation and the aid of several powerful spiritual artifacts, he had felt confident he could spar with Qingxu—hence his audacity in stealing the Supreme Golden Elemental Steel. Among the twelve immortals of the Chan sect, most were destitute, except for Yun Zhongzi, who was skilled in forging and possessed several supreme artifacts. But now, he could not fathom Qingxu’s cultivation; it was clear Qingxu had attained the Immortal Path.

Supreme spiritual artifacts possess immense power and can greatly enhance a cultivator’s strength, but the gap between the initial Nascent Soul stage and the early Earth Immortal stage is vast. Even a supreme artifact, or a treasure with a layer or two of seals, would not bridge such a divide.

With a casual wave, a stream of Jade Purity immortal energy instantly enveloped Yun Zhongzi. All his spiritual powers and artifacts were rendered useless.

The divide between the mortal and the immortal is like the chasm between heaven and earth.

“The might of immortal arts is truly boundless. A single current of immortal energy can utterly confine me; the difference is simply too great!” Yun Zhongzi struggled in vain against his bonds, sighing inwardly.

“Junior Brother, I won’t make things difficult for you. Just compensate me tenfold for my loss,” Qingxu said, calculating the value of Yun Zhongzi’s collection. Over the centuries, Yun Zhongzi, obsessed with artifact forging, had openly and covertly amassed a sizeable hoard of top-grade materials. The twelve immortals of the Chan sect had always coveted his treasures, but none could best him in power—until now. This was the perfect opportunity.

“Tenfold? You call that lenient?” Yun Zhongzi stared at Qingxu in shock. The Supreme Golden Elemental Steel was a rare material, formed from Supreme Gold Essence infused with celestial steel and primordial metal energy. To pay ten times its value would mean surrendering seventy to eighty percent of his wealth—a fate more painful than death for him.

“Now that I’ve attained the Immortal Path, I intend to forge a suitable immortal weapon. Otherwise, even the Supreme Golden Elemental Steel would have little value to me,” Qingxu said plainly, making his intentions clear.

Hearing this, Yun Zhongzi’s expression grew solemn. “If Senior Brother is in need, it is only right that I help. Any and all materials in my possession are yours to take.”

Among his fellow disciples, Yun Zhongzi cherished the bonds of brotherhood above all. He would not hesitate to help within his means. Despite the strict edict from the Primeval Lord of Heaven forbidding them from leaving Kunlun, the mountain was rich with treasures. After a century of searching, Yun Zhongzi’s wealth was unmatched, and he had several rare materials he had long been reluctant to use—now, he brought them out for Qingxu’s forging.

Mystic Gold, Blazing Sun Stone, Azure Dragon’s Primal Wood—one after another, these top-grade materials were laid out.

Combining their collections, the two amassed nine supreme materials. Qingxu immediately began forging the immortal weapon.

Immortal weapons are considered acquired spiritual treasures, which can only be forged after attaining the Immortal Path.

Though Yun Zhongzi’s skill in forging surpassed Qingxu’s, his cultivation was lacking and he could not forge immortal weapons himself. Once one steps into the Golden Core realm, True Samadhi Fire can be used, but with the attainment of immortality, one’s Samadhi Fire merges with the heavens and earth and transforms into the mysterious Heavenly Fire, capable of burning the very sky and boiling the seas.

With all the materials assembled, Qingxu began forging at once, while Yun Zhongzi watched intently. For one so enamored with artifact forging, the process of creating an immortal weapon was a powerful lure.

As Qingxu recited his Daoist incantations, the Heavenly Fire floated before him, radiating unbearable heat. All around, talismans shimmered into being, and the oppressive heat suffused the bamboo house. The protective wards Yun Zhongzi had set up struggled to hold, and even when he summoned all his power, he had to retreat a dozen steps to withstand it.

“The Heavenly Fire of the Immortal Path is truly formidable—no ordinary flame can compare,” Yun Zhongzi thought to himself.

Qingxu began feeding the nine supreme materials into the Heavenly Fire one by one. Instantly, each was melted in a matter of breaths, merging into nine liquid orbs of different natures. Guided by innate Daoist rhythms, they fused into a single mass of azure liquid, drawing upon the power of the thirty-three heavens above.

Under Qingxu’s precise control, the azure liquid gradually took the shape of a sword—three feet and three inches in length, ancient and simple in form, with the words "Azure Firmament" inscribed on the hilt.

As soon as the sword’s form was complete, Qingxu swiftly performed a series of seals, and under his Daoist aura, tens of thousands of acquired talismans surged into the sword.

Tens, hundreds, thousands, ten thousand—until 129,600 talismans had been infused, forming the first layer of acquired restriction.

Once quenched in pristine water, the sword’s form solidified, radiating immortal brilliance, resplendent clouds, and swirling auras.

Thus was born the Azure Firmament Sword, a one-seal acquired spiritual treasure.

Given his insufficient cultivation and having only just entered the Immortal Path, this was the best Qingxu could achieve for now. He did not mind; in time, the Primeval Lord of Heaven would grant him innate treasures, and as his own cultivation advanced, the Azure Firmament Sword could be further refined.

(129,600 acquired talismans form one layer of acquired restriction; 129,600 innate talismans form one layer of innate restriction.)

“To think Senior Brother’s skill in forging is so remarkable. Though this sword has only one restriction, it draws upon the power of the Azure Firmament, and its might surely rivals that of a two-seal spiritual treasure,” Yun Zhongzi praised. While Qingxu’s skill in the forge was not quite on Yun Zhongzi’s level, it was remarkable nonetheless. Among the disciples of the Three Pure Ones, aside from himself and Duobao, Qingxu’s talent in forging was second to none.