Mo Qi Peak Lord personally led Jian Dan to one of the finest refining chambers, the Special-Class A Room.
"Zhūnzǔ, this chamber uses Demonic Heart Flame as its earth fire. It is ideal for refining artifacts."
The Peak Master placed a black jade token into the slot by the chamber door. The door opened automatically.
Inside was a space over a hundred square meters, divided into two sections. The inner side held the Demonic Heart Flame, while the outer area was the forging zone.
Jian Dan looked around with satisfaction and casually tossed the Peak Master a storage pouch.
"Mo Qi, these are spoils from the Ming Valley. There's black-armored beetle shell and some Ming beast corpses. See if any of the materials are useful for forging."
The Peak Master's eyes lit up immediately. These items were rare and hard to come by.
The first batch of returning cultivators had yet to leave seclusion, so few materials had circulated.
"Many thanks, Zhūnzǔ. I will study them thoroughly."
"No need for courtesy. The black-armored beetle shell is incredibly tough. If smelted properly, it could be added to weapons to enhance their sharpness and durability."
Jian Dan gave a few pointers offhand.
"Thank you for the advice. I will investigate further."
Jian Dan nodded, accepted the chamber access token, and said to Gong Yi:
"You may go handle your tasks. I will rejoin you after I finish repairing the artifacts."
"Yes, understood."
Gong Yi bowed to the Mo Qi Peak Lord, then left Mo Qi Peak.
However, he did not return to Mo Ying Peak. Instead, he went to the mountain where the Black Robed Guard was stationed, to meet with Mo Zhang Zhūnzhǔ.
Mo Zhang had returned from the Ming Valley some time ago. After stabilizing his Void Refinement cultivation, he resumed overseeing the Black Robed Guard headquarters.
He was reviewing reports when Gong Yi arrived.
"Gong Yi greets Mo Zhang Zhūnzhǔ."
"Hmm. What brings you here today? Do you not usually accompany Mo Yue?"
"Mo Yue Zhūnzǔ is currently refining weapons at Mo Qi Peak. I came to report something important."
"Oh? What is it?"
Gong Yi maintained a stern expression and recounted the words spoken by a Tang family junior at Mo Qi Peak.
After hearing the full report, Mo Zhang Zhūnzhǔ finally asked,
"What was Mo Yue's reaction?"
"None. Her expression did not change. She simply entered the refining chamber with the Mo Qi Peak Lord."
"I understand. Your report is timely."
"Yes. I will now return to Mo Ying Peak."
After Gong Yi departed, Mo Zhang's face turned completely cold. "First the Ma clan, now the Tang clan. Did they think the Heavenly Demon Palace was their private playground?"
"Ying Yi, spread this news, but replace 'Mo Yue' with 'all noble families who participated in the Ming Valley battle.'"
"Yes, understood."
By the next morning, the words from the Tang family's main line had offended nearly half the cultivators in the Heavenly Demon Palace.
"All this talk about how the sect needs disposable fighters, and how those with no background but high strength should be thrown to the front lines..."
When the Tang clan's Unity-stage Zūnshàng realized something was wrong, he immediately investigated. He found it was Tang Yuanyuan, a main branch descendant, who had been gossiping about Mo Yue.
Furious, Zūnshàng dragged Tang Yuanyuan to confess her crime. But Mo Yue was still in closed-door refining at Mo Qi Peak.
Helpless, he brought the troublemaker directly to see Palace Master Mo Lie.
"Tang Zūnshàng, this was only junior nonsense. I didn't take it to heart, but such words do chill the hearts of those fighting on the front lines."
"I failed in my duty. This junior spoke recklessly. I've brought her to you. Do as you see fit."
"No need for punishment. Since she lacks understanding, let her join the third group heading to the Ming Valley next month. She can serve as an assistant. It will help improve her cultivation."
Palace Master Mo Lie smiled as he spoke.
Tang Yuanyuan turned deathly pale. She knew she was doomed, and not even her ancestor could save her now.
Her jealousy had gotten the better of her. Watching Mo Yue rise smoothly in strength, status, and connections had driven her mad with resentment. That was why she spread those rumors, hoping to sabotage Mo Yue's relationship with the sect.
But she had not anticipated the Heavenly Demon Palace's overwhelming backlash. There was no medicine for regret. She looked pleadingly at her ancestor.
But Tang Zūnshàng was ruthless. Upon hearing Mo Lie's decision, he understood there was no way to salvage the situation.
Right there in front of Mo Lie, he struck Tang Yuanyuan on the crown of her head, sending her straight into reincarnation.
A dark gleam flickered in Mo Lie's eyes as displeasure crossed his face.
"Tang Zūnshàng, what is the meaning of this?"
"This is the Tang family's fault. Since she dared say such poisonous words, she must face the consequences. I knew the Palace Lord would not act on account of me, so I handled my own. Consider it a show of sincerity to our warriors."
"This matter ends here. It will not be brought up again."
"Understood."
Tang Zinan turned to leave the hall, his heart burning with fury.
After all, it wasn't just Tang Yuanyuan. He himself had voiced similar opinions before, only for a junior to overhear.
Now they forced him to kill his own blood. This debt would not be forgotten.
Palace Master Mo Lie had his own thoughts. Tang Zinan had become increasingly arrogant, hiding behind his old family status while contributing little in terms of power or merit.
He held a seat in the Elders' Council but did nothing of use. This attempt to muddy the sect's waters would not end quietly.
Back in the refining chamber, Jian Dan was smelting ten-thousand-year ice silkworm threads she had traded from the beast territory. She also had ready-made golden sand from the merfolk. It was time to upgrade the "Thousand Threads of Return."
When Tang Yuanyuan was struck down, the wisp of aura Jian Dan had left in her body leapt onto her departing soul and merged with it.
Jian Dan did not pause, continuing to melt the ice silkworm thread with Demonic Heart Flame.
After refining, the threads became a transparent liquid about the size of a child's fist.
She drew a single strand of golden sand, refining it into a glowing golden fluid.
Then she placed the "Thousand Threads of Return" into the golden sand. The threads instantly turned golden.
She summoned her Verdant Flame and began the careful process of smelting and tempering.
After three days, the golden sand and Thousand Threads of Return were completely fused. The threads became infinitely extendable and extremely tough.
Next came the fusion of the ice silkworm silk.
This required exceptional care. She spent six days to fully integrate it, forming a translucent thread.
Now the work was halfway done.
Jian Dan pulled out her forging hammer from her storage. It was passed down by the one who forged the magnolia immortal artifact.
The hammer was not large, only thirty centimeters long. Its rectangular head was fifteen centimeters, but it weighed over ten thousand catties.
She lifted it with one hand and began to rhythmically strike the "Thousand Threads of Return" With each blow, impurities were expelled.
She spent another three days forging. When the final strike fell, the thread glowed with a soft white light, slightly shorter than before.
Jian Dan dropped a single drop of blood to bind it. The near-immortal spiritual treasure instantly coiled around her pinky finger. Nearly invisible, it was extremely well-hidden.
Satisfied, she turned to repair Mó Yǐng Sǎn, embedding it with the shell of the intelligent black beetle they had slain in the Underworld Valley.
Mó Yǐng Sǎn was directly upgraded to an immortal-grade artifact, triggering a tribulation.
===
In this chapter I change the previous Demon Shadow Umbrella to Mó Yǐng Sǎn, just like how I change Mò Xī Sword to Mò Xī Jiàn
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If you've been reading my translations for a while, you probably already know that I have a private Xianxia glossary, right? It's that collection of Google Docs and folders I usually link in the comment section of my chapters. But I realized something recently… maybe some of you are reading through the app, not the web version, and copying links there can be a hassle (´･ᴗ･ ` )
So, I've decided to officially upload the glossary here on Webnovel! This way, it's easier for you to access, and I can keep updating it whenever I come across new terms, concepts, or explanations I feel are worth sharing. Whether you're new to cultivation novels or just want to deepen your understanding, I hope this helps enhance your reading experience. (๑˃ᴗ˂)ﻭ
Its The Xianxia Handbook: A Guide to Cultivation and Beyond. Feel free to visit my profile, add it to your library, and enjoy easier access anytime you want to read!