Chapter 562: Who Will Win (1)

“Master, here are the blueprints, take a look…”

He’er led Shui Miao into the back hall’s alchemy room and casually handed him a blueprint. The scroll was densely covered with many intricate and difficult-to-understand formations.

Shui Miao glanced around. Piled around were numerous low-grade immortal artifacts and various alchemical ingredients.

In fact, this back hall itself was a magical artifact, while the front hall was another.

Shui Miao glanced at the blueprints twice. He recognized most of the formations—they weren’t particularly surprising.

Putting the scroll down, he asked, “Miss He’er, can I use all these alchemical materials?”

“Yes. If they’re not enough, we can find more. But I must remind you—you’re currently inside our Dream Demon Space. If you try to secretly claim any materials, we will know. If you want the materials, help us forge the immortal artifacts on the blueprints first, and then naturally we will provide you with the resources.” He’er reminded him timely. Although the Tianmo Sect was powerful and wealthy, it wouldn’t allow itself to be taken advantage of.

This was no fun at all—there was no opportunity to gain any personal benefit!

Shui Miao’s mind whirred, then he lightly smiled and said, “I understand the rules. However, my alchemy furnace is somewhat inferior. Does your Tianmo Sect have a better one?”

“Of course! Our alchemy furnace is an ancient holy treasure.”

With a thought, He’er summoned a massive purple cauldron from a spatial immortal realm. The cauldron was inscribed with countless mysterious runes—runes Shui Miao had never seen before.

These runes must have some special function.

Shui Miao’s mind raced as he simultaneously created a replica of the cauldron within his own artistic realm, just in case.

“This cauldron is ancient. What are the uses of these runes?”

Shui Miao couldn’t help but be drawn to the cauldron.

He’er raised her eyebrows proudly. “You probably haven’t heard of the Three Ancient Sages. One of them, the Sage of Laws, was the ancestor of our Dream Demon Clan. He possessed a supreme cauldron, which has been passed down through the ages. Even after countless millennia, it remains in the hands of the Tianmo Sect. The Illusionary Demon Mirror was forged in this very furnace.”

“It seems damaged,” Shui Miao observed with his spiritual senses. He noticed that the furnace lacked a core spirit, and about seventy to eighty percent of its formations were destroyed—though a few still functioned.

He’er arched her brow. “If it weren’t damaged, we wouldn’t need you to forge anything. The greatest wonder of this cauldron is that it can forge artifacts on its own. But since its core spirit was destroyed…”

“What a pity! Who could be so ruthless as to even destroy an alchemy furnace?”

Shui Miao was puzzled. Alchemy furnaces were tools for forging, not for defense or attack. They were generally not destroyed.

“It was the Kunpeng Immortal Emperor from the Ninth Heaven.”

He’er spoke slowly, her tone brimming with killing intent.

Shui Miao suddenly understood. If it was an Immortal Emperor’s doing, it must have been out of fear that the Tianmo Sect would forge supreme artifacts and rebel against the Celestial Court. Thus, they struck first to prevent any future threat.

“Enough, let’s not talk about it anymore. Hurry up and start forging,” He’er said, extending her hand to give Shui Miao a spatial ring filled with spirit stones.

Shui Miao frowned. “Spirit stones alone aren’t enough. I also need Purple Fortune Qi and materials for quenching.”

“You should already have those, shouldn’t you?” He’er countered.

Shui Miao sneered. “I’m just helping you forge things. Do you really expect me to cover the costs myself?”

“This…” He’er tilted her head, looking at Shui Miao. “Otherwise, do you think just forging something entitles you to so many materials?”

Her tone carried a hint of coercion.

Shui Miao’s mind flickered, and in an instant, he pulled Lian’er into his artistic realm to prevent the Tianmo Sect from using her as leverage.

Noticing his action, He’er quickly said, “Friend, don’t misunderstand. This is a transaction, not coercion. Since you have objections, I’ll go consult with Grandma.”

“Wait. I want to forge the immortal artifacts outside. I don’t want to stay inside your magical artifact.”

Shui Miao grew cautious, suddenly wary of the Tianmo Sect.

He’er hesitated. “Fine, I’ll consult Grandma about that as well.”

He’er left, leaving Shui Miao inside the magical artifact.

Shui Miao suddenly felt uneasy. He worried that Meng San Niang was using him. The atmosphere made him increasingly convinced that the Tianmo Sect was merely exploiting him.

Soon after, the Tianmo Matriarch herself entered the artifact space.

“Shui Miao, I know you possess Purple Fortune Qi, and I know you’re hiding the Dragon Prince Hui De. You have the materials but refuse to use them, making things difficult for us. That doesn’t seem very fair, does it? After all, I promised you many materials and the Tianmo Heart Sutra.”

The Tianmo Matriarch’s tone carried a subtle edge of displeasure.

So they really were using me. Now they know all my secrets. What should I do? Shui Miao’s mind raced. He paused before responding, “Grandma, let’s be clear. This is a transaction. You never said I’d have to spend my own resources. You also know that quenching requires a lot of blood. Hui De is still so young—I can’t possibly harm him again. And Purple Fortune Qi is essential to my cultivation. How can I keep wasting it?”

“Hmm… you have a point…”

The Tianmo Matriarch muttered, “Quenching requires dragon blood, which we lack here. However, the demonic beast clan has an ample supply. How about this—you forge one supreme immortal artifact first, and then I will kill Ao Hong and obtain the dragon blood for you. I’ll even give you ten times the amount in return. As for the Purple Fortune Qi, we have plenty of that here; it’s not a big deal.”

He’er handed Shui Miao another ring. With his spiritual sense, Shui Miao detected that it was filled entirely with Purple Fortune Qi.

Shui Miao was still reluctant to make Hui De bleed again.

But the Tianmo Sect didn’t have dragon blood. What should he do?

Seeing that Shui Miao was still unwilling, the Tianmo Matriarch smiled faintly. “How about this? Take the materials for two supreme immortal artifacts and forge them. Consider one of them as a favor to us. That should be acceptable, right?”

“No!”

To everyone’s surprise, Shui Miao firmly refused. “Hui De’s blood is extremely precious. You’ll need to give me materials for at least five supreme immortal artifacts before I’ll agree.”

“Fine, fine! To show my sincerity, I agree.”

The Tianmo Matriarch readily consented, removing a ring from her finger and handing it to Shui Miao. “Shui Miao, I truly trust you! Surely you can see how sincere I am being. This ring contains many precious materials, which I now entrust to you. I hope you will regard me as a friend and help us out, just this once, okay?”

“Alright. Since Grandma trusts me, I will do my utmost.”

Shui Miao bowed deeply, gathered all the materials, and summoned the Holy Yuan Ring. Then, within it, he activated the Time Tower, preparing to forge the immortal artifacts.

In the front hall:

“Cursed brat dares to haggle with me! If it weren’t for the fact that he’s still somewhat useful, I would’ve killed him long ago, taken the Nuwa Stone from him, and skinned him alive!”

The Tianmo Matriarch roared furiously.

“Grandma, calm down. Shui Miao is trapped in our Dream Demon Space. He can’t escape. Killing him is only a matter of time,” He’er said with a cold smile.

The Tianmo Matriarch nodded. “Fortunately, the dragon’s blood from that evil dragon is nearly depleted. It can only be used to quench one supreme immortal artifact. I’m not worried about him pulling off any tricks. He’er, don’t go anywhere. Keep an eye on him. If he shows any sign of betrayal, kill him immediately. Just seizing the Nuwa Stone will be enough.”

“As you command, Grandma!”

He’er immediately turned and rushed to the back hall.

“It’s time I awakened the Three Holy Ancestors!”

With that, the Tianmo Matriarch nodded and instantly departed Tianmo Mountain.

※※※

Inside the Time Tower:

“Big Brother, the Tianmo Sect’s intentions are sinister. We must be cautious!”

Lian’er warned anxiously. Having lived in the Immortal Realm for many years, she had heard countless rumors about the Tianmo Sect. They were said to be an extremely evil sect, infiltrating immortals’ dreams to steal intelligence, confuse them, and pilfer their treasures. How could such a sect be trusted? What honor could they possibly have?

“I’ve already noticed…”

Shui Miao nodded. “I asked for materials for five supreme immortal artifacts, and she agreed without hesitation, even giving me some rare extras. Her reaction was exactly the kind that signals a hidden intent to kill. She’s waiting for me to finish forging the supreme artifact, and then she’ll kill me!”

“Hmph! Tianmo Matriarch, how despicable of you! I’ve been honest in our transaction, yet you plot against me. I was foolish enough to fall for your trick once and let you steal my memories. But I won’t be fooled twice!” Shui Miao’s mind raced as he plotted his countermove. “Fine! Since that’s the case, I’ll forge a supreme alchemy furnace, a time-based artifact, and a protective charm. The remaining materials will be used to strengthen the Time Tower and the Fire Dragon Cannon. Let’s see how you plan to deal with me!”

“But Big Brother, we don’t have enough dragon blood for quenching!” Lian’er reminded him.

Shui Miao suddenly smirked. “You all forgot—I have the Time Tower.”

“The Time Tower? What can it do?” Lian’er was still puzzled.

“Whoosh!”

With a gust of wind, Shui Miao teleported Hui De into the Time Tower, along with two twin-headed fire phoenix eggs.

“Hui De, we’re in danger now. Hurry up and grow stronger. Devour and refine this Fire Kirin Immortal Lord’s corpse to boost your cultivation. Later, you’ll need to assist me.”

Hui De nodded and immediately swallowed the Fire Kirin’s immortal body, beginning to refine it.

The two twin-headed fire phoenix eggs were placed near the alchemy furnace. Shui Miao planned to use the furnace’s flames to hatch them and raise them within the Time Tower. Their blood might come in handy.