Just like Great Yi—although it could forge rune-based magical tools, even rune rifles, and various goblin war chariots and rune war arrows—each one a formidable weapon of war, when it came to true artifact refinement, the traditional cultivation sects still held deeper foundations. With systematic inheritances, their methods of forging were far more exquisite and perfected.
They possessed complete inheritance systems of various forbidden restriction techniques.
The refining techniques within Great Yi could only be considered a rising trend—a wild fox Zen, an offshoot at best. Even alchemy followed a similar pattern, with physicians turning into alchemists, relying on their understanding of pharmacology combined with inherited alchemical methods. Through countless trials and failures, they gradually accumulated experience and managed to refine pills. Naturally, this made progress significantly more difficult.
If the sects could establish contact with Great Yi, it would undoubtedly be mutually beneficial. Take, for example, Red Cloud Sect—if they could refine divine artifacts and sell them to the cultivators of Great Yi, they could earn Eternal Coins and purchase all sorts of heavenly materials and treasures. Meanwhile, Great Yi cultivators would acquire more powerful magic weapons, significantly enhancing their combat strength.
It would be a win-win situation.
In fact, many sects had already prepared to initiate contact with Great Yi for deeper cooperative trade. However, the arrival of the natural disasters caused these plans to be indefinitely shelved.
Even so, their understanding of Great Yi continued to deepen.
Many aspects left sect disciples in disbelief. It felt as though the world had changed overnight—StarNet, communication bracelets, and the integration of cultivation techniques into daily life—the changes were simply mind-blowing.
The pride of the sects seemed nonexistent before the Great Yi Dynasty.
"According to our investigation, the source of the catastrophe lies near the Great Yi Dynasty. If we can find the source, we can eliminate the disaster. Once the catastrophe is resolved, our sect will gain massive heavenly merit, and possibly a sect-guarding treasure. That alone would elevate our sect to new heights."
"Indeed. Based on calculations, the source is a force nurtured by the laws of heaven and earth. If acquired, it could allow a sect to ascend into a top-tier force, and enable someone to become a Great Divine Ability user. It's a foundation for enlightenment. Since the major sects haven't shown up, it's our best opportunity!"
"We must hurry. Whoever finds the source first gains the upper hand. Not only would we gain heavenly merit, but our sect's foundation would also deepen. We must act fast. If the Great Yi Dynasty finds out, the pressure on us will be immense, and this treasure may slip through our fingers."
"Silence! Don't speak of this here!"
They fell silent, becoming wary of eavesdropping.
Naturally, they had already placed soundproof barriers around their meeting area. They believed no one could overhear them—and such matters were never discussed publicly.
Upstairs, in a private booth...
Five figures revealed communication wristbands, and with a thought, connected through them.
StarNet continued to evolve. With more and more human citizens using it, their spiritual energy was constantly being absorbed into the StarNet, tempering it, enhancing its capabilities.
Now, not only could one make calls, but they could also draw marked individuals into an isolated communication space—a private realm for rapid spiritual exchange, safe and impenetrable to eavesdroppers.
"Lord Shenhou, our investigation was spot on. These people entered Great Yi not to harm it, but to search for the source of the disaster—the origin of this natural catastrophe."
A veiled, cold-voiced young woman spoke. Her face remained hidden.
"You're incredible as always, Wuqing. Even through a soundproof barrier, you could hear them clearly. But what exactly is this source? Can it really allow one to control or even stop the disaster?"
Iron Hand rubbed a chunk of iron in his hand. It was visibly shrinking as metallic essence flowed into his body, his palms gaining a black-iron hue, gleaming with metallic luster.
This was a cultivation technique he'd found in the Scripture Pavilion—"Crimson Sun Iron Tempering Hands" (赤阳炼铁手)—a brutal art allowing one's hands to become as tough as refined metal, capable of melting weapons with a touch. It was originally developed by a blacksmith for forging divine artifacts but proved deadly in combat.
At its peak, this technique could rival the sun's power. Whether that was true remained unknown, but Iron Hand was already fond of it and had begun cultivating, using rare metallic materials for tempering.
"It's still unclear. But the pursuit of this source has been confirmed by multiple sects—it's definitely real. And it seems it's either near Great Yi's territory or within it."
Zhuge Zhengwo spoke calmly.
"Based on recent movements, these sect disciples are all heading toward the Frozen Region. The Moonlight Lake, once a normal body of water, froze overnight after the disaster began. They must believe the source lies within the lake, hence their repeated visits."
Chasing Life (Zhui Ming) added coldly, his eyes sharp as blades.
"If we can find and eliminate the source, my lord can directly join the Six Doors and take command."
Iron Hand grinned at Zhuge Zhengwo.
Indeed, these five were Zhuge Zhengwo and his companions.
After entering Great Yi from the Divine-Demon Battlefield, they had been exploring its celestial cities, witnessing the true lives of human citizens. Everything they had heard before was now confirmed to be authentic. Gradually, they began to see themselves as part of Great Yi.
Previously, Yi Tianxing had personally approached Zhuge Zhengwo and offered him command of Six Doors, but Zhuge refused, claiming he had yet to earn the merit. He would only accept after accomplishing something worthy—after all, Six Doors placed great value on merit and experience.
After noticing the movement of the sect disciples, they immediately began an investigation.
And the matter turned out to be major indeed.
Without a doubt, if they succeeded here, Zhuge Zhengwo taking over Six Doors would be a natural progression—no one would object.
"So what do we do now?"
Wuqing asked softly.
"No need to rush. These things can't be hurried. Besides, the sects haven't caused any trouble yet. We have no reason to act. And the disaster's source still hasn't shown up—we don't even know what it is. Let's wait."
Zhuge Zhengwo's expression was calm, his demeanor steady and reassuring—enough to calm the hearts of others.
"Should we report this to the capital—to the king?"
Cold Blood asked.
Their current roles were technically unofficial members of Six Doors, giving them special status and freedom of movement.
"No need. The king doesn't rely solely on Six Doors. There's an even more mysterious organization—the Hall of Calamities (天灾殿). Their spies likely already know everything. The presence of these sect disciples probably landed on the king's desk long ago."
Zhuge Zhengwo responded evenly.
Anyone familiar with Great Yi would understand the Hall of Calamities—the emperor's personal secret service, acting as his elite scouts, eyes, and blades.
Zhuge Zhengwo's prediction was accurate.
At this moment, Yi Tianxing was holding a classified report, one compiled by agents of the Hall of Calamities.
It detailed the sect disciples' movements within Great Yi and their investigation patterns.
"These sect disciples are moving freely in Great Yi, and now they're looking for the source of the catastrophe?"
He glanced over the document, set it aside, and gazed into the distance, smiling slightly.
"The sects never move without profit. This catastrophe source isn't an ordinary treasure—it's a divine object born of the laws of heaven and earth, a source artifact. Once acquired, it becomes a sect-guarding treasure, a foundation for enlightenment. Their real goal is to seize it."
With his wisdom, how could Yi Tianxing not understand?
Though they claimed to transcend worldly affairs, when true profit was on the line, sects fought harder and bloodier than anyone.
"Should we stop them?"
Tong Huang asked crisply.
"Stop them? Why?"
Yi Tianxing chuckled.
"A divine source of law isn't so easy to find. Since this is a snow disaster, the nearby source must be a supreme ice-type treasure, hidden within the snowstorm. Even mighty cultivators might struggle to locate it. If they want to look—let them look."