“Jue Qing, the formation you’re seeking to heal lives with…”
Hong Lian glanced at Shui Miao, whose serious expression told her that her question had been rather dull. Changing her tone, she replied, “Once you ascend to become a Saint King of Forging, you will be granted an audience with the Grand Justice of the Forging Bureau, who will offer you a selection of formation manuals. Then you can simply choose the one that heals lives.”
“Great, then let’s begin!”
Shui Miao had experienced much, and suddenly felt a strong curiosity about formations that healed life.
He was now capable of forging supreme destructive immortal artifacts, yet he had never mastered formations for healing.
Reflecting on how his previous use of destructive weapons had killed many innocent immortals, Shui Miao felt a deep sense of guilt and wanted to make amends.
It wasn’t for any other reason—he simply wanted peace of mind.
Since avenging his father and bringing him back to life, Shui Miao’s mindset had gradually changed. Today, when he unintentionally saved Elder Qiu and was encouraged by the applause of the crowd, he finally became fully aware of the direction he should strive towards.
The final test required the presence of two special dignitaries as witnesses.
The first was the Matriarch Shui Tianyi, ruler of the Sixth Heaven.
The second was the Grand Justice of the Forging Bureau, who oversaw the Forging Bureau of the Nine Heavens.
When the Forging Bureau identified an extraordinary talent, the Bureau Head had the authority to summon these two dignitaries if the forger was capable of challenging the title of Saint King of Forging.
Whether the Immortal Emperor would come or not wasn’t important—the key was that the Grand Justice must attend.
Hong Lian sent her subordinates to invite the two dignitaries.
Then, she led Shui Miao to the back hall and informed him that Matriarch Shui Tianyi possessed profound cultivation and could easily detect his disguise. She asked Shui Miao whether he wanted to reveal his true identity. If not, she would personally inform Matriarch Shui Tianyi beforehand to avoid unnecessary complications.
This question truly left Shui Miao in a dilemma.
Revealing his true face might provoke unnecessary troubles. Offending someone could endanger his loved ones, which would be very unfortunate.
On the other hand, appearing under a disguised identity felt dishonest, like hiding something shameful.
Shui Miao pondered back and forth, caught between two difficult choices.
Seeing his inner turmoil, Hong Lian was secretly delighted. With a gleam in her eyes and a smile on her face, she said, “Brother, don’t worry about it. I’ll make the decision for you. For the sake of your family and friends, just keep your current appearance. Your true identity is something only I need to know. Hehe, I’ll go inform Matriarch Shui Tianyi right away…”
Many women liked to know more than others, enjoying the sense of superiority it brought.
Hong Lian was an elegant and intelligent woman, so naturally, she was no exception.
Shui Miao thought for a moment and agreed. After all, for now, he only wanted to learn better formation techniques.
※※※
Half an hour later, the test began.
Matriarch Shui Tianyi arrived, as did the Grand Justice of the Forging Bureau.
Matriarch Shui Tianyi was a graceful, kind, and beautiful woman. She appeared very approachable, with no sense of arrogance, accompanied only by two female attendants, making for a rather modest entourage.
In contrast, the Grand Justice of the Forging Bureau was a stern old man, expressionless and humorless.
Surrounding Shui Miao were over a hundred examiners.
The atmosphere on-site was extremely solemn.
Once everything was ready, the Grand Justice spoke coldly, “Jue Qing, I’ve seen the throwing knife you just forged. The craftsmanship and spiritual power are both satisfactory. However, your formation techniques are too simplistic. You only managed to forge a supreme immortal artifact because of your innate Purple Fortune Aura. Now, I don’t want you to use the Purple Fortune Aura. Use all the materials I provide to forge the most powerful immortal artifact you can. Quality doesn’t matter—I only care about its power.”
With a wave of his hand, a refining furnace and many Yuan stones flew toward Shui Miao.
“You may begin now.”
The Grand Justice’s expression was as cold as if someone had died in his family, so icy that it could scare anyone out of their wits.
“Understood!”
Shui Miao nodded, turned to look at the refining furnace, and sensed with his divine consciousness that it was actually a Supreme Treasure with a soul, of a very high grade.
Then he turned his gaze to the Yuan stones, his mind already racing…
Why would the Grand Justice request the most powerful Supreme Treasure? Could there be a hidden plot? Perhaps he had learned of the affairs in the Ninth Heaven and was deliberately testing Shui Miao—it was not impossible.
No, absolutely no destructive immortal artifacts.
After a moment of contemplation, Shui Miao decided to forge a modified miniature version of the Heavenly Four Symbols Formation. The Heavenly Four Symbols Formation was extremely complex, containing numerous types of immortal artifacts. When activated, its power was immense—completely meeting the Grand Justice’s requirements.
Thus, Shui Miao focused entirely on forging.
Seeing one immortal artifact after another being forged, the Grand Justice couldn’t help but be moved. It was clearly the rhythm of forging a composite immortal artifact!
Observing Shui Miao’s intense concentration and highly skilled forging techniques, Matriarch Shui Tianyi couldn’t help but nod approvingly. Softly, she said to Hong Lian, “Hong Lian, this Jue Qing is truly extraordinary. Later, help me arrange a meeting with him. Can you ask him to forge a magical artifact for me?”
“Rest assured, Matriarch Sister. Hong Lian will surely complete the mission.”
Seeing Matriarch Shui Tianyi’s satisfaction with Shui Miao, Hong Lian was also very pleased.
Grand Justice suddenly muttered, “Could this Jue Qing be forging the legendary Heavenly Four Symbols Formation?”
“Grand Justice, that’s impossible, right? The Heavenly Four Symbols Formation was a legendary formation created by the dwarves, capable of slaying Immortal Emperors. How could he forge such a powerful formation? You must be mistaken!” Matriarch Shui Tianyi felt a slight tension. She knew the Grand Justice well—whatever he said was usually accurate.
After observing for a while, Grand Justice nodded, “Indeed, these are all the components needed for the Heavenly Four Symbols Formation. However, it seems he has modified it, incorporating some Yin-Slaughtering Nether Artifacts within. Used against immortals, its power will be even greater.”
“What a remarkable Jue Qing!”
Matriarch Shui Tianyi felt a sudden excitement, and her gaze toward Shui Miao changed completely.
A moment later, she suddenly issued an order to Hong Lian, “Hong Lian, today’s test of Jue Qing must not be disclosed. I will personally cultivate him. If someone with ill intentions discovers him, it could bring great trouble. From today onward, you will no longer work here—you will directly serve by my side. Also, Grand Justice, I command you to drop your current tasks and fully assist me in cultivating this talent. With the Immortal and Divine War approaching, our departments of the Immortal Realm must prepare thoroughly for any contingency.”
“At once, my lady!”
Grand Justice quickly stood up and accepted the order.
Hong Lian was overjoyed and hurriedly expressed her gratitude. To serve directly under Matriarch Shui Tianyi was a tremendous honor!
“Zizi…”
After several hours, the artifact finally entered the tempering stage.
A small Heavenly Four Symbols Formation disc, over a meter in diameter, steamed within a large mass of immortal beast blood. Massive amounts of blood energy seeped into the artifact. With a flick of his mind, Shui Miao added numerous medicinal herbs, transforming them into thick medicinal vapor that the artifact absorbed.
A surge of golden-yellow light erupted, imperial aura flickering, as the artifact soul was finally formed.
If you want to keep me close, you’ll have to offer me enough benefits, Shui Miao thought as he opened his eyes, stood up, stretched his arms, and bowed toward Matriarch Shui Tianyi and Grand Justice, saying, “Matriarch, Grand Justice, my artifact has been successfully forged. This is the Illusory Demon Infinite Formation. To witness its power, simply insert sufficient crystals and activate it.”
Shui Miao did not perform a blood-binding ritual, but he knew it was at least a Supreme Treasure.
“Sister Shui Tianyi, I hope you’ll forgive my uninvited visit…”
A woman’s voice suddenly rang out.
It was Matriarch Bai Lian, who had unexpectedly arrived, accompanied by Jue Ying.
“Oh no!”
Shui Miao’s heart jolted violently—he knew big trouble had arrived.
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