Chapter 326

Chapter 326: The deal is done, the changes in the Lihuo Ding

“Giant cauldron?” Wei Shanhai was stunned at first, then asked in surprise, “How did Young Master Lu know that the cauldron in my mansion has grown larger again?”

“Is that so?”

Lu Qing wasn’t surprised.

Upon returning to Cangzhou, he had already noticed that the spiritual energy in Cangzhou, while still far from that of Zhongzhou, was still quite impressive.

It was over ten times richer than when they first left.

He believed it wouldn’t be long before it rivaled Zhongzhou’s current state.

“I believe you can also sense that the changes in heaven and earth and the recovery of spiritual energy are gradually accelerating recently,” Lu Qing asked.

“Spiritual energy, Young Master, are you referring to the strange energy that appeared in the heavens and earth a while ago?” Wei Shanhai nodded. “Yes, that strange energy has been growing stronger since you left, and even caused strange changes in the Shiwan Mountains beyond Jiuli Village.”

“If there are changes in the Shiwan Mountains, then Jiuli Village…”

Lu Qing heard this, and suddenly became anxious.

The old doctor’s face also showed concern.

“Don’t worry, young master. Everything is fine in Jiuli Village. After I noticed the changes in the mountains, I’ve been cultivating there ever since, just in case anything unexpected happens.”

Wei Shanhai said with a smile.

Lu Qing finally felt relieved. “Thank you so much, Senior. On behalf of everyone in the village, I’d like to thank you for your protection.”

“Young master, you’re too polite. Considering the kindness you and Doctor Chen have shown our Wei family, this little thing is nothing.” Wei Shanhai shook his head.

“By the way, young master, you just mentioned spiritual energy…”

“Senior, you’re right. Spiritual energy is the strange energy you mentioned. It appeared after the changes in heaven and earth, and its origins are extremely profound…”

Lu Qing then briefly explained the information about spiritual energy and the ancient era of immortal cultivation.

Wei Shanhai was stunned.

“Spiritual energy has revived, and the way of immortal cultivation has reappeared in the world… So, does this really exist in this world?”

Wei Shanhai muttered after a long pause.

No wonder he’d been trying to refine the strange new energy that had emerged from the universe for days, but hadn’t been able to do so.

It turned out to be the spiritual energy only ancient immortal cultivators could refine.

“Yes, the mysterious little cauldron you obtained back then is actually a magical artifact left over from a previous era of immortal cultivation.

It was damaged, which is why it was initially so dull and unremarkable.

The reason it’s slowly growing, and recently even larger, is because of the resurgence of spiritual energy. It’s being nourished by it and is gradually recovering,”

Lu Qing explained.

“I see.”

Wei Shanhai suddenly understood. Indeed, only the legendary immortal artifacts could possess such miraculous powers.

“However, senior, the restoration of the cauldron isn’t necessarily a good thing for your Wei family,” Lu Qing continued.

“Oh, what do you mean?” Wei Shanhai was puzzled.

“Because the magical artifact possesses spirits, that large cauldron is truly extraordinary. Its ability to change size as desired must have made it a rare spiritual artifact even in the era of immortal

cultivation. It harbors a spirit within it, capable of controlling and harnessing the magical artifact’s power.

Even now, that spirit hasn’t fully recovered. When it regains its full power, it will likely refuse to be bound.

By then, with the spiritual artifact in such a precarious position, not only the Wei Mansion but even the entire county would be in jeopardy.”

Lu Qing’s words weren’t alarmist.

Each ancient spiritual artifact was incredibly proud and seldom yielded easily.

Even in the previous era of immortal cultivation, those recognized by spiritual artifacts were extremely rare.

He was certain that if the spirit within the Lihuo Cauldron were truly revived, it would undoubtedly find a way to escape.

At that point, even a random burst of its power would be a catastrophe for the Wei Mansion and even the people of Cang County.

This was something Lu Qing had only just realized when he encountered the Plague Gourd.

The Lihuo Ding might not be an evil spiritual weapon, but given its age, it wouldn’t necessarily take ordinary people seriously.

“This is so serious, what should we do?”

Wei Shanhai asked, startled.

He didn’t think Lu Qing would deceive him, because there was no need for that.

“There are two ways to avoid this.

One is to move the cauldron out of the underground cavern.”

“I’m afraid that’s impossible,” Wei Shanhai said with a wry smile. “Young Master, you don’t know that the spiritual energy has been growing steadily over the past few days, and the cauldron has become several times larger than before. It

‘s now much larger than the underground cavern’s passage.

Not to mention its weight, it’s so heavy that even I find it difficult to lift it.

Even if we work together to lift it, we can’t get it out.”

“That leaves the second option,” Lu Qing nodded, unsurprised. “Refine it. If we refine the cauldron and make it recognize its master, it will naturally stop rioting.”

“Refine? But as an ancient magical weapon, it should be extremely difficult to refine, right?”

Over the years since obtaining the cauldron, Wei Shanhai has tried countless methods to explore its secrets.

But in the end, he has found almost nothing.

Furthermore, ever since the cauldron absorbed the fire energy from the underground cavern, it has undergone a transformation.

His soul power could no longer enter the cauldron.

With the recent resurgence of spiritual energy and the cauldron’s expansion, his soul power didn’t even dare approach the cauldron.

Otherwise, if he wasn’t careful, his soul power would be burned and his mind would be severely damaged.

“Indeed, the cauldron has regained some of its power. Refining it is not something that ordinary people can do.

One must possess immense spiritual power and understand the art of refining it, using the method of grinding and polishing to slowly tame it,”

Lu Qing said slowly.

Wei Shanhai felt his scalp tingle upon hearing this.

Not long ago, he received a message from the palace stating that the cauldron had undergone a transformation and had returned once before.

On that occasion, his spiritual power was incinerated by the mere contact of the cauldron.

This caused heart damage, and he recovered after several days of recuperation.

Now, hearing Lu Qing’s words about refining the cauldron with spiritual power and the method of grinding and polishing,

he knew it was simply impossible with his abilities.

Judging from his earlier experience, if he forced the refinement, his spiritual power would be completely consumed in less than a quarter of an hour, killing him instantly.

Therefore, Wei Shanhai immediately shook his head: “Young Master, I’m afraid I’m powerless to help you refine the cauldron.”

“This is what I was talking about, what I wanted to discuss with you.”

After Lu Qing explained the pros and cons, he got straight to the point: “Senior Wei, I’d like to make a deal with you.”

“It’s about the cauldron?”

Wei Shanhai suddenly realized.

“Yes, to be honest, Senior, I’d like to see if I can refine the cauldron.

Of course, as a trade, I’ll also pay a certain amount.

If you’re willing…”

Lu Qing reached into his arms and pulled out a jade bottle and a jade slip.

“Senior Wei, these two items are what I acquired during my trip to Zhongzhou.

The jade bottle contains a ray of the world’s origin energy. This

great opportunity descended from the strange phenomena of heaven and earth atop the Holy Mountain when the Nine Sounds of Dao resounded a while ago, and

the laws of heaven and earth were initially established. This origin energy has the power to seize the fortune of heaven and earth and

recreate the universe. Even those with ordinary talents, if they absorb it, can transform into peerless geniuses and prodigies of cultivation.

As for this jade slip, it contains a complete method for

cultivating immortality. At the highest level, one can achieve the Golden Elixir and enter the realm of the Primordial Spirit.

I wish to exchange these two items with you for the great cauldron magic weapon.”

“The world’s origin energy, the method for cultivating immortality…”

Wei Shanhai was stunned by Lu Qing’s description of the items in his hand.

Any one of these items would be an unimaginable treasure to him.

Putting aside the origin energy of the world, the name alone spoke of its extraordinary opportunity and treasure.

The method of cultivating immortality made Wei Shanhai’s heart burn.

After all, according to Lu Qing’s previous statement, the world is changing, the spiritual energy is revived, and in the near future, the immortal way will reappear.

If he can obtain the method of cultivating immortality and embark on the path of cultivating immortality, he may not become an immortal in the future, but at least his life span will be greatly increased, and he can live freely for hundreds of years again.

At the thought of this, Wei Shanhai’s breathing became a little rapid.

He stared blankly at the thing in Lu Qing’s hand for a long time before he calmed down a little.

A wry smile appeared on his face: “Young Master Lu, you really have given me a temptation that I can’t refuse.”

“Then, senior, are you willing to trade?” Lu Qing smiled.

“Yes, of course I am.” Wei Shanhai nodded without hesitation.

“I’ve possessed that cauldron for nearly a hundred years, yet I’ve never been able to comprehend its profound meaning.

Over the years, aside from its unique meaning, which has only marginally aided our cultivation, it

hasn’t yielded any significant benefits.

Therefore, using it to exchange for two truly magnificent opportunities would be a truly remarkable achievement.” Most importantly, even without Lu Qing’s reminder,   Wei Shanhai had already sensed the danger inherent in the cauldron

ever since his soul power was incinerated.   The cauldron had absorbed so much of the celestial energy of heaven and earth that he dreaded the terrifying prospect of an explosion.   However, one thing was certain: their ancestral home would be destroyed,   and even Cang County could suffer severe damage.   Therefore, if Lu Qing could resolve the situation, it would be a boon for the Wei family.   ”Then, Senior, these two items are yours.”   Lu Qing smiled, handing the items to Wei Shanhai.   Wei Shanhai took the item without examining it. After putting it away, he said,   ”Then, Young Master Lu, please come with me. Honestly, the power emanating from that cauldron has even me trembling.   If this hidden danger is resolved sooner rather than later, I’ll be relieved.”   ”Senior, won’t you examine the items first?” Lu Qing raised an eyebrow.   ”Haha, you’re joking, Young Master! My life and the lives of the entire Wei family were saved by Doctor Chen and you that day.   In fact, considering your kindness to our Wei family, even taking the cauldron outright is perfectly justified.   My acceptance of these two items was driven by greed and shamelessness,”   Wei Shanhai said with a touch of embarrassment.   ”That’s not the case. Ancient treasures are rare, and I wouldn’t be at peace if Lu Qing took them for nothing.” Lu Qing shook his head.   Only he knew the true value of the Lihuo Cauldron.   Not only was it a spiritual artifact of extremely high power, it also contained a significant portion of the ancient Lihuo Sect’s heritage.   Frankly speaking, half of his current achievements were due to the inheritance he received that day from the Lihuo Cauldron.   Therefore, Lu Qing felt, both morally and logically, that he owed the Wei family some compensation.   Half a quarter of an hour later, Lu Qing and the old doctor followed Wei Shanhai to the cavern beneath the Wei residence.   Upon returning to the underground chamber, Lu Qing and the old doctor discovered significant changes.   Not only was the temperature several times hotter than their last visit,   but the fire elemental energy within had become incredibly rich.   The Lihuo Cauldron, in particular, had grown seven or eight times larger, nearly touching the ceiling.   ”Young Master Lu, Doctor Chen, you’ve seen this cauldron undergo tremendous changes. If you don’t return, I’m afraid we’ll be in serious trouble.”   Wei Shanhai, sensing the cauldron’s power, felt a wave of fear.   The cauldron had grown considerably larger since he last left, and its aura was even more terrifying.   ”That’s all right. Let me see if I can refine it.”   Lu Qing was also somewhat surprised by the changes in the Lihuo Cauldron.   It seemed that in this fire-element cave, the Lihuo Cauldron’s recovery was much faster than he had imagined.   He immediately sat down cross-legged, concentrating his mind and calming his breath. The next moment, spiritual power surged out from the acupoint between his eyebrows and headed towards the Lihuo Cauldron.   When Wei Shanhai felt Lu Qing’s spiritual power, he was shocked.   Lu Qing’s spiritual power fluctuations were too powerful.   Compared to it, the spiritual power he cultivated was like a small water tank by the lake, completely incomparable.

“No wonder Young Master Lu is so confident he can refine the cauldron. His spiritual power is so formidable. Has he truly just entered the Xiantian realm?”

Wei Shanhai’s heart was filled with endless wonder. He

also gained greater confidence in Lu Qing’s ability to refine the cauldron.

If even someone as powerful as Lu Qing couldn’t refine it, he couldn’t imagine who else could conquer him.

However, Wei Shanhai hadn’t anticipated that Lu Qing, whom he had placed such high hopes on, would encounter some trouble.

As his spiritual power surged from the eyebrow acupoint, Lu Qing felt a scorching heat in his mind.

The rich fire energy within the cave seemed to be forging his spiritual power.

The fiery might emanating from the Lihuo Cauldron, in particular, seemed to be consuming his spiritual power completely.

Fortunately, Lu Qing had survived the thunder tribulation, and his spiritual power had undergone a qualitative transformation from yin to yang, reaching the realm of [Yang Fu].

This small amount of heat couldn’t cause any substantial damage to his spiritual power.

As his mind turned, he activated the unique method of refining magic treasures inherited from the Lihuo Sect.

The Lihuo Cauldron, which had originally resisted him, suddenly dissipated its resistance, allowing his spiritual power to easily penetrate.

However, before Lu Qing could rejoice, as

his spiritual power had just entered the Lihuo Cauldron, a majestic shout came from his mind.

“Who dares to offend this deity!”

(End of this chapter)