“This is Elder Wei, one of the two master craftsmen of our Three Sovereigns Temple. For now, you’ll assist Elder Wei and learn some crafting techniques along the way. Don’t worry, we won’t actually train you to become a full-time craftsman—our temple lacks the resources for that. It’s just that we’re currently forging a precious artifact and need extra hands temporarily. But if you perform well over the next two or three years, I’ll reward you with spiritual medicine and personally guide your cultivation. I won’t go back on my earlier promise to you!”
The speaker, Fairy Hualian, stood in the middle of a cluttered chamber filled with various materials. Beside her was a red-faced elder in his fifties, at the early Foundation Establishment stage, who scrutinized Han Li with a deep frown.
Han Li could only nod repeatedly in response.
“Fellow Daoist Hualian, does this junior really know crafting techniques? His age and cultivation are far too low. Weren’t you supposed to find me a suitable assistant from White Dew Academy?” the elder grumbled unhappily.
“This artifact is of great importance—it’s best not to involve outsiders. Though Junior Han’s cultivation and experience are limited, with Elder Wei’s guidance, he should have no trouble handling material refinement,” Fairy Hualian replied with a light laugh.
“Even refining materials requires some talent, or we’ll just waste resources. But since you insist, I’ll give him a chance,” the elder conceded reluctantly.
“Rest assured, my judgment isn’t that poor. Though Junior Han’s cultivation is modest, his spiritual energy is exceptionally pure. At the very least, his control over spiritual power and crafting won’t be lacking,” the Daoist nun said with a faint smile.
“Oh? That does show some potential. It seems you didn’t just grab someone at random,” Elder Wei remarked, eyeing Han Li with newfound interest.
“I’ve delivered the help you requested. Now, please expedite the forging process. Our temple is already lagging behind the other two. We can’t afford any delays—neither of us can bear the consequences. I’ll take my leave now,” Fairy Hualian said, rising to depart.
“Don’t worry. As long as this boy proves useful, we won’t fall behind,” the red-faced elder assured her as he saw her off.
Satisfied, the Daoist nun finally left, leaving only Han Li and the elder in the chamber.
“You heard what was said. Whether you have talent or interest in crafting, I’ll teach you for a month before assigning tasks. If you complete them on time each month, you’re free to do as you please otherwise. Fail, and you’re out—I’ll find someone else,” Elder Wei stated bluntly.
“Yes, I’ll do my best,” Han Li replied calmly.
“Of course, working in the Crafting Hall has its perks. You’ll have free access to certain artifacts and the earthfire pool, and your monthly spirit stone allowance will be higher than others’. Now, come meet the other disciples. Some tasks may require teamwork,” the elder said, his tone softening slightly as he led Han Li out.
After meeting three other Qi Condensation disciples and being assigned a simple dwelling, Han Li officially began his cultivation journey at the Imperial Qing Temple.
The so-called Crafting Hall was a separate courtyard built midway up the temple’s mountain. Aside from an earthfire chamber and a few crafting pavilions, there wasn’t much else. Disciples even lived in caves carved into the mountainside.
Apart from Elder Wei, the hall had two middle-aged assistants at the eighth or ninth layer of Qi Condensation, plus Han Li and three other disciples. Though small, the space was more than enough for them.
However, the hall saw a steady stream of temple disciples—mostly women—coming to rent crafting pavilions or commission artifacts.
Since it was a female-dominated temple, most visitors were young women, many of whom were lay practitioners with refined manners and striking beauty.
Han Li noticed that the three male disciples, though overworked, were utterly enchanted by these women, neglecting their own cultivation to please them.
The few male visitors were mostly outer disciples handling miscellaneous tasks like array research or pill refining, while the women focused solely on cultivation.
Han Li shook his head inwardly but didn’t interfere.
While the others handled visitors, Han Li focused on material refinement. Elder Wei spent an hour daily teaching him crafting basics, sometimes demonstrating techniques himself.
Initially, Han Li, with his prior knowledge, didn’t expect much from a Foundation Establishment crafter. But within days, he was astonished.
Despite his modest cultivation, Elder Wei’s crafting expertise was extraordinary. His material refinement techniques drew from multiple sects’ secret methods, some of which Han Li had never even heard of.
Within weeks, Han Li realized the Great Jin truly lived up to its reputation as a cultivation holy land. Even an obscure temple’s crafter possessed profound knowledge, blending ancient techniques with modern innovations far beyond what he’d seen in the South or Starfall Seas.
Han Li’s own crafting skills, derived from Qi Xiaoyao’s teachings, now seemed rudimentary. Seizing this rare opportunity, he devoted himself to learning, impressing Elder Wei with his aptitude and diligence.
Within a month, the elder’s attitude shifted from stern to warm, astonishing the other disciples, who grew envious but dared not provoke Han Li.
Han Li, preferring solitude for cultivation, was content with their coldness.
After mastering refinement techniques and learning unique crafting methods, Han Li planned to later gather more techniques across the Great Jin to enhance his Seven Flames Fan and Great Evolution Puppets.
Once assigned material refinement tasks, he completed them effortlessly, dedicating the rest of his time to the King Ming Art.
For three or four months, all went smoothly, and Han Li felt joining the temple had been a wise choice.
Then Elder Wei suddenly became extremely busy, often disappearing into the earthfire chamber to forge something mysterious.
Fairy Hualian visited several times, always retreating with the elder for private discussions shielded by detection-blocking barriers. Though curious, Han Li, focused on his cultivation, didn’t risk eavesdropping.
One day, in his cave chamber, Han Li sat in a twisted posture, hands forming seals, his body trembling under a faint golden glow.
His skin was streaked with blood vessels and bulging veins, with egg-sized protrusions shifting unnaturally beneath the surface.
With each tremor, his face contorted in pain, sweat drenching his robes.
Gradually, the golden light faded.
Exhaling deeply, he relaxed his posture, and the abnormalities vanished.
(Note: Translation adjusted for readability and cultural context while preserving the original meaning.)
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