In fact, the Zi Xuan Heavenly Fire released by Zhang Liusun, though a bane to all metal objects in the world, would still be hard to imagine as capable of melting the ancient bronze figure passed down from the Qin dynasty. However, fire overcoming metal is an innate property. The bronze figure, despite possessing a slight degree of spiritual awareness, instinctively felt fear upon encountering something inherently opposed to its nature.
Xu Fu, however, was greatly alarmed. Just as he retrieved the giant cauldron and retreated, a sudden sense of danger surged within him. He sensed that the once-mighty bronze figure had shown signs of fear. Coupled with Zhang Liusun’s earlier unusual behavior, Xu Fu’s heart pounded with unease.
Xu Fu lived during the Warring States era and later the great Qin dynasty, times marked by simple and honest customs. Correspondingly, the cultivation world was straightforward, with few underhanded schemes or plots. Although Xu Fu himself was cunning, by comparison, his cleverness paled in contrast to the schemers of over a thousand years later.
Fortunately, Xu Fu was no fool. After suffering two setbacks, besides lamenting the decline of morality, he became extremely cautious, seeking no achievements, only to avoid mistakes.
Therefore, upon witnessing the current bizarre situation, which clearly indicated something ominous, Xu Fu, despite already retreating, still felt uneasy. Finally, he gritted his teeth, raised his hand to withdraw the bronze figure into the cauldron, and with both hands forming seals, activated the giant vessel beneath him, deciding to retreat without further battle.
Xu Fu’s decision wasn’t unusual. Cultivators rarely risked themselves recklessly. At their level of cultivation, they valued their hard-earned progress and only took risks when absolutely necessary. After all, cultivators had ample time; steady and cautious action was the wise choice, especially for someone like Xu Fu who had already suffered losses.
As Xu Fu began his retreat, the massive bronze figure suddenly swung its left hand, casting several ancient talisman-like symbols, while its right hand wielding the giant sword released several sword beams. Then, drawing both arms inward into a hand seal, its body rapidly shrank and swiftly flew backward toward Xu Fu at the bow of the ship.
At this moment, the giant cauldron reappeared before Xu Fu, though much smaller in size. The bronze figure, now like a shooting star, was about to enter the cauldron’s mouth.
Before Xu Fu could even catch his breath, he was astonished to see two beams of light rapidly approaching—one following the other. The latter caught up to the former, merged into one, and then silently vanished into the back of the bronze figure, disappearing together into the cauldron with a flash.
Xu Fu was stunned. Only now did he notice that Zhang Liusun’s aura had completely vanished. The two beams of light just now—weren’t they Zhang Liusun’s physical body and spiritual essence? Since the dawn of cultivation, who had ever thrown themselves into another’s magical artifact?
Zhang Liusun was no fool. In fact, he was likely one of the most cunning individuals in the world. Otherwise, how could Xu Fu have been tricked repeatedly? Xu Fu racked his brain but couldn’t figure out why Zhang Liusun would willingly enter his cauldron. No matter how he thought about it, Zhang Liusun didn’t seem suicidal. Even in the most extreme scenario, if the kid had decided to die, why would he go so far as to offer himself to Xu Fu for refinement?
Xu Fu pondered furiously, hesitating to act rashly. He reviewed every cultivation technique he knew, even those he had only heard rumors about. Suddenly, a thought struck him, causing a chill to run down his spine.
At that moment, Xu Fu suddenly sensed that the ancient bronze figure inside the cauldron, which he had nearly refined to the point of spiritual unity, had become somewhat unstable. Moreover, the cauldron’s self-contained, infinite space had begun to feel distant and disconnected from him.
He had been tricked again! Xu Fu beat his chest in frustration. That scoundrel’s plan was clear now—he had frightened Xu Fu into recalling the bronze figure, then took the opportunity to possess it and infiltrate the cauldron, intending to destroy it from within!
Thinking back, Zhang Liusun had, from the beginning, used clever tactics to provoke Xu Fu into deploying the cauldron and bronze figure. Then, he baited the bronze figure by offering his physical body, later deploying heavenly fire to scare Xu Fu into retreating. Finally, he seized the chance to enter the cauldron, aiming for internal sabotage. Such deep scheming, precise calculations, and daring decisiveness were truly despicable and sinister!
If it had been anything else, Xu Fu might have cut his losses and retreated. But this cauldron was essential to his very foundation—he couldn’t possibly abandon it. Gritting his teeth, he disregarded all caution, flaring his sleeves and chanting incantations. In an instant, his body transformed into a wisp of light smoke, swirling and drifting into the cauldron.
The fierce battle moments ago suddenly became silent. Faint starlight gently shone downward, piercing the clear waters of the Mihai, passing through the ancient formation’s barrier, illuminating the timeless black stone of the Jieshi cliffs. The surrounding seawater gently swayed, and the ancient vessel drifted with the waves. At its bow, the ancient cauldron emitted a subtle, profound glow under the weak starlight.
If Zhang Liusun had known that his desperate move had frightened Xu Fu into such paranoia that he actually entered the cauldron himself, he probably wouldn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
If this story got out, it would surely make cultivators across the Three Realms and Six Heavens burst into laughter.
Back then, seeing the critical situation, Zhang Liusun had no time to hesitate. He released heavenly flowers to momentarily block the bronze figure while chasing after Mei Qing, attempting to forcibly stop him from advancing further. If absolutely necessary, he was prepared to risk damaging his spiritual essence to reunite their spirits.
However, as soon as his spiritual essence entered Mei Qing’s body, he discovered that things were not as he had imagined.
Initially, upon entering, he felt a seamless merging, nearly indistinguishable from his original body. Having long lacked a physical form, the sensation of merging with a real body was almost blissful enough to make him laugh aloud.
But when his spiritual essence truly entered the Purple Mansion and made contact with Mei Qing’s spirit, he was immediately repelled, shocking him greatly.
He had assumed that Mei Qing’s spirit was a part of his own, albeit separated for a long time and still lacking memories. Though forcing contact might cause some damage, he hadn’t expected such a fierce reaction. While Mei Qing’s spirit was fully occupied suppressing the small cauldron within and not actively attacking Zhang Liusun, its instinctive resistance was as ruthless as that of a complete stranger, completely rejecting Zhang Liusun’s intrusion.
Meanwhile, Mei Qing, already struggling against the sub-cauldron within, suddenly sensed Zhang Liusun’s unexpected intrusion. This startled him greatly. Although subsequent interactions and Zhang Liusun’s actions had somewhat eased Mei Qing’s suspicions, he still couldn’t fully trust him. Now, seeing Zhang Liusun suddenly invade his body without warning, Mei Qing was deeply alarmed. He immediately abandoned his efforts against the sub-cauldron, focused his mind on guarding his spiritual infant, and prepared to confront Zhang Liusun.
Though this confrontation lasted only an instant, Mei Qing’s body, no longer under his control due to the sub-cauldron, transformed into a beam of light and shot directly toward the returning bronze figure. It struck the bronze figure silently, merging into it before both vanished into the cauldron.
Mei Qing, already resisting Zhang Liusun’s invading spirit, suddenly found himself inside the cauldron. It seemed like an entirely different world. His body, no longer attached to the bronze figure, was forcibly separated by the cauldron. Similarly, Zhang Liusun’s spiritual essence was also ejected from Mei Qing’s body.
The cauldron contained its own universe. Upon entering, they found themselves surrounded by vast seas, swirling currents forming a grand formation. The bronze figure seemed to rest quietly at the bottom of the cauldron.
Zhang Liusun, on the verge of tears, had no time to blame Mei Qing. He quickly formed seals and set up barriers in all directions to block the cauldron’s internal spiritual energy.
Now they were truly caught in a trap. Xu Fu wouldn’t need to do much anymore; simply activating the cauldron from outside would allow him to slowly refine both of them.
Reflecting on his once-great reputation, Zhang Liusun could only lament the unpredictability of fate.
However, Mei Qing’s situation was different. As soon as he entered the cauldron, Zhang Liusun’s spiritual essence was suddenly expelled from his body. Simultaneously, the sub-cauldron inside him calmed down significantly, though it still slightly trembled toward the bronze figure.
Still, being sucked into the cauldron was hardly a pleasant experience.
Though one was experienced and the other sharp-minded, neither had ever been absorbed into a magical artifact before. For a moment, both were at a loss about what to do.
Yet just then, they suddenly felt the surrounding seawater ripple. Then, they saw a figure break through the barrier sealing the cauldron’s entrance and rush in. The figure was unmistakably Xu Fu!
Not only Mei Qing, even Zhang Liusun, who had seen many trials, was stunned.
Had this immortal gone mad? Now that Zhang Liusun and Mei Qing had been sucked into the cauldron, Xu Fu could simply remain outside, activating the cauldron’s power to mold and reshape them as he pleased. Why would he abandon such a favorable position and enter the cauldron himself?
One must know that even a master entering their own magical artifact would be within the same realm, unable to activate it from within. Otherwise, using a magical artifact to refine oneself would be a laughingstock.
Though surprised, Zhang Liusun didn’t panic like Xu Fu. He suddenly clapped his hands together, chanting an incantation: “Yin and Yang part, thunder arises, forbidden movement—Seal!”
As Zhang Liusun began his spell, he simultaneously heard Mei Qing’s voice beside him, chanting the exact same thunder restriction technique. As soon as Zhang Liusun’s chant ended, Mei Qing’s spell was also completed.
Both had the same idea: regardless of whether they were allies or enemies, they must first suppress the cauldron’s spiritual energy to protect themselves and avoid being tricked by the other party.
After casting the restriction spell, they felt slightly reassured. But when they looked up and saw Xu Fu again, they were both equally stunned.
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