Chapter 202: Artificing

Granny Hu and Senior Gu?

One didn’t even need to ask to guess who Granny Hu was: a Core Formation demon king! Even on Fox Mountain, she was a figure of immense influence. For Senior Gu to be able to “exchange stories from the past” with her, he was likely an old friend of Granny Hu’s. His aura, like a fathomless abyss, marked him as a Core Formation cultivator at a glance.

One Human Core Formation cultivator and one demonic Core Formation cultivator.

Is this an unfinished love between human and demon?

A fleeting thought crossed Chen Luo’s mind.

“She is an honored elder of our fox race,” the master explained, “and Senior Gu here is a friend from her youth. Both are accomplished Core Formation cultivators, especially Senior Gu, who specializes in sword cultivation. Don’t let his ordinary appearance fool you; countless powerful beings have met their end at his hand.”

Human Core Formation cultivator.

These few words alone carried a weight that resonated in Chen Luo’s heart. Perhaps sword cultivators didn’t stand out during the Qi Refining or Foundation Establishment stages, but once they reached the Core Formation stage, their true terrifying nature emerged. Harnessing the earth’s vital energy, a sword cultivator’s weapon became a fearsome entity in itself; once unsheathed, it thirsted for blood.

As they chatted, the group finally arrived at the innermost chambers.

The innermost hall was a revelation, a celestial wonderland. Chen Luo’s eyes widened as he stepped inside. The hall was already being adorned with offerings for an upcoming ceremony, bustling with young and beautiful fox maidens carrying out various tasks. Their graceful movements were a mesmerizing sight.

“The celebration begins in two days,” one of the fox maidens explained. “Feel free to explore Fox Mountain during this time. You may visit any area except for the sacred summit.”

As soon as they entered the hall, Su Linlin prepared to take her leave.

Her task of escorting Chen Luo to this place was done; she had other matters to attend to, much like how Su Ling initially brought guests to the cave’s entrance but wouldn’t accompany them throughout their stay. Su Ling only reappeared on the day of the celebration.

“What’s this ‘valuable gift’ you mentioned?” Chen Luo suddenly asked.

“You’ll find out once the celebration concludes,” Su Linlin replied, her usual demeanor returning. Seeing this, Chen Luo didn’t press further.

Meanwhile, Hu San Kong had already left with another fox maiden, likely repeating the same story to her.

Watching this, Chen Luo felt both dumbfounded and amused. No wonder Su Linlin found Hu San Kong distasteful; his shameless and blatant behavior certainly warranted such disdain.

“So, he pulls the same act on everyone,” Chen Luo mused, shaking his head. With that, he set off to explore the cave on his own.

At first, Chen Luo remained cautious, but as time passed and he realized no one was truly watching him, his boldness began to stir.

Having journeyed so far to the ancestral land of the fox race, he felt compelled to pay his respects. Thus, he struck up conversations with several young fox maidens, easily gathering information about the location of their ancestors’ resting place. It lay on the mountain’s rear slope, open to visitors; many fox maidens had ventured there before.

Chen Luo followed the cave path steadily, passing through various interconnected passageways until he finally arrived at the fox race’s sacred site. This cave was notably more serene than the others. A few young fox cultivators stood at the entrance, yawning lazily in the warm sunlight.

These fox youths lived a life of luxury, shielded by their ancestors’ legacy and accustomed to a comfortable existence—a stark contrast to Su Linlin’s nomadic upbringing.

Only those foxes who braved the outside world embodied the true essence of their race.

Navigating around the cave entrance, Chen Luo explored the interior of the ancestral land. Row upon row of spirit tablets densely packed together numbered at least three thousand. The long history of the fox race meant that only the most elite members were immortalized here, each one having achieved at least the Foundation Establishment stage. Among them, several dozen had reached Core Formation, while at the very pinnacle, Chen Luo spotted a unique black and scarlet spiritual tablet.

Before him stood the former mountain lord of Tushan, a fourth-rank demon king!

His cultivation realm would correspond to the Primordial Infant stage.

Why are all these memorial tablets?

Chen Luo circled around the chamber but couldn’t find any actual graves. The fox race only revered spirit tablets. Chen Luo was greatly disappointed—how could they honor their ancestors with mere tablets? These descendants were so careless; how could their ancestors rest in peace!

“Shixiong, are you looking for something?” a young fox girl approached curiously and asked.

“Just strolling around, I had wanted to pay respects to the elders of Fox Mountain,” a hint of regret crossed Chen Luo’s face.

“Is this place not suitable for paying respects?” The young fox girl blinked her large, glistening eyes, clearly not understanding what Chen Luo meant by ‘paying respects’.

“In my homeland, it’s customary to bury the deceased so they may rest in peace. While a spirit tablet can hold one’s essence, it’s no substitute for the entire person. I thought I’d find many of the fox race’s elders here, but instead, I only see tablets holding their spirits,” Chen Luo explained earnestly to the little fox.

This young fox guarding the memorial hall might know some secrets.

“You mean the graveyard, right, Shixiong?!”

The little fox girl’s eyes lit up with sudden realization, and she immediately told Chen Luo about a certain place.

“The cemetery? May I go there? I’ve long admired the elders of the fox race, and since I’ve made the rare journey to Fox Mountain, I certainly should pay my respects in person,” Chen Luo asked, his voice filled with earnest curiosity.

The little fox girl’s face revealed a sly smile as she replied, “The cemetery is located on the Holy Mountain, guarded by Granny Lian. It’s strictly off-limits to outsiders.”

“If you wish to pay respects,” she added, “the memorial tablets serve the same purpose.”

Chen Luo persisted, trying several more times to persuade the little fox girl to take him to the Holy Mountain. But she remained unyielding, leading him on a long detour before thoughtfully bringing him back to his lodging.

Over the next day and a half, Chen Luo wandered the vicinity of Fox Mountain. He didn’t make many acquaintances, but he did manage to get a good grasp of the lay of the land.

Finally, the appointed time for the celebration arrived on the third day. Su Linlin had come early to inform Chen Luo, but he was a bit late in making his way to the site. By the time he arrived, the festivities were already underway.

Three elders of the fox race were at the front, offering sacrifices to their ancestors. Nearly a thousand members of the younger generation knelt on the ground, their voices joining together in prayer. The outer edges of the crowd were reserved for outsiders like Chen Luo, and his tardiness went completely unnoticed.

Boom!

A thunderous drumbeat resonated, and the kneeling fox clan members below rose as one. They began to dance rhythmically, their movements generating invisible waves that radiated outward at a peculiar frequency.

This is the sacrificial dance, the corpse brain in Chen Luo’s mind suddenly interjected.

Sacrificial dance? Chen Luo’s gaze fell upon the frolicking fox maidens and the three clan elders standing on the high platform. His attention settled on an old woman to the left. It was none other than Granny Hu, whom he had encountered not long ago—the Core Formation monster king!

Can I simulate the divine abilities of a Core Formation cultivator? Chen Luo activated his external brain, scrutinizing the three Core Formations intently.

Such a close encounter must not be wasted.

Scarlet Pill Realm monster fox. Basic manipulation of vital energy.

The Core Formation brain immediately provided feedback. Having been a Core Formation cultivator in life, its perspective on divine abilities naturally differed from Chen Luo’s. With the Core Formation brain’s assistance, Chen Luo began to channel his spiritual energy, attempting to mimic the three Core Formations on the high platform.

The spiritual energy within him gradually awakened, its properties shifting as it approached that of the Core Formations above. This was straightforward imitation—using the methods of Core Formation cultivators to invoke Foundation Establishment divine abilities.

As he cycled through this process repeatedly, Chen Luo mobilized all his spiritual energy reserves, akin to summoning dragons from the depths. After a moment, his aura settled back into equilibrium.

Gazing at the seed coalescing in his dantian, Chen Luo exhaled a sigh of relief.

The simulation process was complete. Though it didn’t match the ability of a cultivator at Core Formation stage, it proved sufficient for the Foundation Establishment realm. Even if his soul banner was depleted in battle, he wouldn’t suffer a significant power loss. Now, armed with the sword formation and this seed, he felt somewhat more assured.

The ceremony below in the Great Hall continued unabated.

Following the sacrificial dance came offerings. The fox clan cast countless tributes into the earthflame on the raised altar; precious spirit materials burned, their ashes billowing skyward in a dense plume.

Chen Luo quickly lost interest. His mummy brain and Core Formation brain displayed no reaction—mere illusions likely meant to deceive. Unworthy of further study.

After languishing for a while, the celebration finally concluded. The crowd dispersed, seeking out friends to invite onto the stage for combat performances. Winners received gifts prepared by the foxes.

Su Linlin approached him, but Chen Luo had no interest in performing. Before Su Linlin could even speak, he declined her offer.

“This is a gift I promised earlier.” Su Linlin retrieved an item from her Pouch of Holding and handed it to Chen Luo.

“Thanks.”

Yawning, Chen Luo turned and left without a backward glance.

“Su Linlin, is this your invited guest? He’s too timid for a duel,” one of the stunning fox clan maidens at Su Linlin’s side inquired with curiosity etched across her face.

“How can such a weak being compete in the Immortal path?”

“Duels aren’t my friend’s forte.”

Su Linlin shot a glance at her rival, then left without another word. Even within the same clan, competition was fierce. Su Linlin’s greatest adversary was this girl named Su Ling. Both had their eyes on the title of priestess and the chance to reach Core Formation.

Back at his lodgings, Chen Luo set up a simple array to ward off any prying eyes.

These accommodations were arranged by the fox clan, and they were quite comfortable. The spiritual energy was abundant, too. With three Core Formation Demon Kings backing them, it was only natural that their territory would include spiritual veins of the highest quality. A third-rank spiritual vein—a mid-grade one at that—ran beneath Fox Mountain, a rank higher than even Blackstone City.

The room was filled with various spirit medicines. One corner was reserved for drawing talismans and artificing implements.

Su Linlin had handpicked this room for him.

Chen Luo walked over to the artificing area and opened a blackwood chest. Inside was a piece of violet stone—a generous gift from Su Linlin. He hadn’t anticipated that she would give him a second-rank Violet Essence Stone.

This item truly deserved the word ‘precious’.

The moment Chen Luo obtained this material, he was ready to refine it, aiming to enhance his own strength.

With a flick of his wrist, the Violet Marrow Stone, enveloped in spiritual energy, flew into the earthflame.

The roaring earthflame surged, droplets of molten lava whirling and sending waves of heat radiating out. Beiyu Ji’s brain provided the plan:

Chen Luo followed his experience in the refining process. Although this was his first time refining a tier-2 spirit artifact, with Beiyu Ji’s brain assistance, the process progressed very smoothly.

Under the influence of the spiritual fire, the purple stone rapidly melted, gradually turning into a flowing liquid. Chen Luo swept his hand over his pouch of holding, and the nine magic artifacts instantly flew out, mixing with the molten liquid.

The formation master’s brain swiftly activated. Chen Luo quickly lifted his hand. His fingers danced in the air, each movement causing the magic sword to waver as complex formation patterns formed on its surface.

Once the liquid had fully fused with the sword, Chen Luo’s refined nine magic swords swiftly spun, returning to his side and slowly orbiting around him.

“Finally, they’re tier-2 spirit artifacts,” Chen Luo said, minutes later, a look of relief on his face as he examined the swords before him.