This “Shifting Shadow” was Mei Qing’s first attempt at crafting a magical artifact, and naturally the material used wasn’t of high quality—just ordinary peach wood slightly refined with golden flame.
When a magical item is used, true spiritual energy flows through it, and the item itself must endure considerable impact. Therefore, if the material is inferior, the item’s lifespan will inevitably be short.
This is somewhat similar to talismans. Talismans are written on paper, and gentle ones, such as those used for repelling monsters or purifying energy, can last longer. However, talismans for summoning or elemental magic usually burn up upon use. In fact, this burning isn’t necessary for the spell’s activation; rather, it’s because the paper cannot withstand the immense energy surge during the talisman’s activation, causing spontaneous combustion.
Therefore, such talismans are essentially disposable, rarely usable more than once.
However, magical artifacts are clearly meant for repeated use, so the materials required are far more demanding. Although peach wood contains abundant spiritual energy and is easily available, it is still common wood and cannot compare to superior materials. It might suffice for simple artifacts, but Mei Qing’s newly crafted item required frequent and intense usage, resulting in its rapid deterioration and eventual destruction.
Initially delighted with his creation, Mei Qing completely forgot this critical detail. When he finally realized, it was already too late. The moment the artifact was destroyed, all illusions vanished, and Mei Qing’s previously shifting form abruptly reappeared in place. Bi Zhen had been desperately locking onto Mei Qing, continuously attacking with her Lümi Zan (Slaying Veil Hairpin). Suddenly, her target locked perfectly, and the Lümi Zan transformed into a streak of residual light, directly hurtling toward Mei Qing’s face.
Startled, Mei Qing was fortunate to have practiced diligently recently and reacted quickly. As his mind stirred, a Vajra talisman instantly appeared, forming a protective barrier that barely managed to halt the Lümi Zan’s advance, allowing the flustered Bi Zhen to recite a spell and recall her weapon.
“What happened?” Bi Zhen suddenly saw Mei Qing stop in place, revealing his true form, while her Lümi Zan was already streaking through the air toward him. She turned deathly pale with fright. Fortunately, Mei Qing reacted swiftly enough to block the attack momentarily, allowing her to pull the weapon back. Rushing over and confirming Mei Qing was unharmed, she was so frightened that her limbs trembled.
Mei Qing wore a bitter smile as he pulled out the “Shifting Shadow,” now shattered into seven or eight pieces, and said, “I guess the material just couldn’t handle it. So it ended up like this.”
“Oh, I see,” Bi Zhen thought for a moment, then grinned and said, “Wait here for me a second.”
With that, she turned and ran out of the courtyard.
Before long, Bi Zhen returned, grinning happily, holding a shiny object and handing it to Mei Qing, saying, “Try this. I just got it from Master Taoist.”
Mei Qing carefully examined the object in his hand. It was pitch black with tiny star-like glimmers flickering across its surface. He asked doubtfully, “What is this?”
Bi Zhen shook her head. “I don’t know either. I heard it’s called Xuanjin Star Metal. Anyway, give it a try. It must be better than peach wood, right?”
Zhang Shisan was angrily pacing around the courtyard, muttering repeatedly, “Lesson learned! Lesson learned! Next time I definitely can’t be tricked by this girl again!”
As he spoke, he repeatedly struck his palm with his fist, clearly feeling the lesson had been painfully learned.
“Why is Brother Zhang so deeply reflecting on his pain?” A clear voice sounded as Shi Mengzhu and Master Ku entered the courtyard, smiling broadly.
“What do you mean, old baldy? Don’t you know already?” Zhang Shisan didn’t even turn his head as he replied, “Tell me, what has that girl made you create for her after swindling the Xuanjin Star Metal from me?”
Master Ku looked surprised but remained silent.
“You didn’t get taken in by her too?” Seeing Master Ku’s expression, although he hadn’t spoken, Zhang Shisan already understood and was astonished.
Just then, a surge of spiritual energy rippled from the back courtyard. Zhang Shisan and Master Ku exchanged glances—Master Ku smiling, while Zhang Shisan looked utterly devastated.
“That girl! She actually used my Xuanjin Star Metal to let that kid waste it!” Zhang Shisan exploded in rage.
Shi Mengzhu looked unsurprised, Zhang Shisan stood there pulling at his beard in shock, and Master Ku, after a moment of stunned silence, once again looked deeply regretful.
In the garden, Mei Qing’s figure blurred into afterimages, effortlessly evading Bi Zhen’s relentless Lümi Zan attacks, vividly demonstrating the new artifact’s miraculous effects.
Bi Zhen manipulated the Lümi Zan with full force, chasing after him with a delighted expression, especially enjoying Zhang Shisan’s shocked face, which made her even more proud.
“Absurd!” Zhang Shisan fumed, blowing his mustache, “Why would he abandon learning proper Taoist artifact crafting from his master in favor of learning ‘heart forging’ from this bald monk? And what exactly is this mess he’s made?”
Master Ku, however, smiled and said, “Old monk didn’t teach him. Mei Qing discovered it from within his heart.”
“Hmph,” Zhang Shisan grunted, turning the Xuanjin “Shifting Shadow” over in his hands for a while before his expression turned serious. “Mei Qing, did you come up with this yourself?”
In truth, he already knew the answer. His apprentice had probably, as with talismans, come up with a new idea in artifact crafting. He asked merely to cover up his earlier outburst.
“Yeah, Master, what do you think? Does it meet your approval?” Mei Qing grinned.
Zhang Shisan didn’t relax his expression in response to Mei Qing’s words but instead sighed and said, “Mei Qing, you are naturally gifted. Whether creating talismans or crafting artifacts, you always show great ingenuity, which is a good thing. However, if you keep going like this, your Daoist foundation might become unstable, which would be detrimental to your future cultivation.”
Mei Qing smiled but didn’t respond.
In fact, through this experience of crafting, Mei Qing had developed some new thoughts. Lately, cultivation had mostly been Zhang Shisan lecturing while he listened. After all, his current level of cultivation was still miles behind someone as experienced as Zhang Shisan.
But this experience in artifact crafting made Mei Qing realize for the first time that Zhang Shisan’s perspective wasn’t necessarily entirely correct—or at least, not necessarily entirely applicable to himself.
Mei Qing’s cultivation path was not only completely different from Zhang Shisan’s but likely unlike that of any other cultivator in the world. Moreover, the cultivation techniques he practiced deviated from those of any traditional sect.
Yet, he had always been independent, without any sect or school, relying solely on his innate talent, insight, and a bit of accidental luck to reach where he was today.
Now, as he had practically proven that Zhang Shisan’s theories on artifact crafting weren’t entirely applicable to himself, although he knew Zhang’s views were generally accepted as profound truths, he didn’t feel these truths were absolutely unchangeable.
Just like his experience learning talismans, perhaps the Dao and its techniques weren’t necessarily exactly as traditionally believed.
Perhaps sensing that Mei Qing didn’t completely agree with him, Zhang Shisan didn’t scold him as he usually would. Instead, for once speaking seriously, he raised the “Shifting Shadow” in his hand and examined it closely, saying, “Kid, are you不服气 (not convinced)? Hmph, to be honest, this technique has indeed surprised me. Don’t think I don’t know—you weren’t taught this by old baldy Ku either. This skill doesn’t belong to our Celestial Master sect, nor does it come from the Huayan宗 (sect). You’ve actually incorporated formation arrays into it—must be another one of your self-created techniques. You never cease to amaze people.”
It turned out that Mei Qing had combined Zhang Shisan’s artifact crafting techniques, Master Ku’s heart forging method from the prayer beads, and the array formation knowledge he had recently used, to create this artifact. The reason he could instantly shift positions was because on the back of the “Shifting Shadow,” he had inscribed a Nine Palaces and Eight Trigrams Formation, combined with heart forging. When Mei Qing directed his spiritual awareness to the artifact, he could activate it and instantly move to the corresponding formation node. This technique of integrating formations into artifacts was something neither Zhang Shisan nor Master Ku had ever seen before. Seeing it today, they couldn’t help but be astonished.
Formation arrays were traditionally used on large scales, always centered around a formation core. It was practically impossible to implement them on a small artifact. However, Mei Qing’s approach was clever—he didn’t create a complete formation. Instead, he treated the artifact itself as an incomplete formation core, projecting an incomplete formation diagram supported by the material’s innate spiritual energy, and then guided by his own spiritual awareness, achieving the effect of movement following intent.
Both Zhang Shisan and Master Ku were experts who could recognize quality. After just a few glances, they understood the principle behind the artifact and couldn’t help but admire how uniquely Mei Qing’s mind worked, enabling him to create such strange and innovative things.
Zhang Shisan stood there in thought for a while before tossing the “Shifting Shadow” back to Mei Qing, saying somewhat gloomily, “Right from the start, Old Sour Shi said you wouldn’t follow the same path as us two old guys, and that was correct. However, the great Dao always has a general direction. If you want to forge a new path, you must first understand the traditional methods thoroughly before you can walk steadily. If you try to run before you can walk steadily, you might seem to gain an advantage now, but you’ll surely stumble eventually.”
Seeing Zhang Shisan speaking earnestly without the usual condescending tone of a master, and without his usual scolding and hitting, Mei Qing realized that this time, Zhang was genuinely worried he might stray off the correct path. However, Mei Qing still didn’t want to follow Zhang Shisan’s way entirely. After thinking for a moment, he replied, “Master, I naturally keep your words in my heart. But as you’ve said yourself, artifact crafting is a minor Dao. Experimenting with new ideas here probably won’t affect my main cultivation too much. As for talismans, you’ve seen that I haven’t taken shortcuts. So, Master, please allow me to explore artifact crafting my own way.”
After hearing this, Zhang Shisan felt that Mei Qing did have a point and could only sigh without further comment.
Master Ku, however, smiled and said, “The great Dao and minor Dao are essentially the same. It’s the birth and death that are the true fundamentals. Old cow, this time, it seems your apprentice might actually have something to teach you.”
Zhang Shisan glared and retorted, “What do you know, baldy Ku? Don’t use your Buddhist clichés to talk nonsense. I bet even your sect doesn’t have anything like what Mei Qing crafted!”
Master Ku first nodded, then shook his head with a sigh, saying, “Ah, what a pity, what a pity.”
What Master Ku lamented was that Mei Qing was merely a lay disciple, ultimately unable to join the orthodox Huayan sect.
After thinking for a while, Zhang Shisan finally said, “Fine, since you have this passion, I won’t restrict you too much. However, talisman crafting is the foundation of Daoist techniques. As for artifact crafting and formation arrays, you can experiment as you like, but don’t let these peripheral pursuits distract you from the fundamental cultivation path.”
Mei Qing smiled and said, “Master, please rest assured. Your apprentice would never bring shame upon you. However, the materials for artifact crafting are indeed somewhat lacking. Since you’ve already given your guidance, Master, perhaps…”
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