Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

Chapter update reminder: Chapter 336, the Weapon Hall, is now open. Read it here.

The atmosphere of the exchange became completely harmonious. The long table was no longer just for the Qingyun Sect to showcase their work, but was filled with all sorts of medicinal herbs and tools. The alchemists gathered around, discussing, comparing, and demonstrating enthusiastically.

The alchemists from different schools, who were initially somewhat separated, quickly became one with each other because of their shared interests and expertise.

Li Xiaocao moved among them, sometimes listening attentively, sometimes humbly asking questions, and sometimes offering her own insights. Mu Qingqing and the other disciples were busy taking notes and assisting with the demonstrations, gaining a great deal from the experience.

The exchange lasted all day, and even as night fell, everyone was still reluctant to leave.

At the end, each participating alchemist received a jade slip containing not only the core content of today's exchange, but also Li Xiaocao's promise on behalf of Qingyun Dantang to hold similar exchanges regularly in the future.

As the alchemists departed, each wore a satisfied and excited smile, promising to stay in touch and continue their research together.

Before leaving, Elder Zhou of Medicine King Valley solemnly bowed to Li Xiaocao, saying, "Elder Li, your magnanimity and exquisite alchemy are truly admirable! If you encounter any difficulties in the future, I hope you will not hesitate to offer your guidance. Medicine King Valley is willing to maintain close ties with Qingyun Alchemy Hall."

Li Xiaocao smiled and returned the greeting: "Senior Zhou, you flatter me. Let's learn from each other and make progress together."

After seeing everyone off, the Danxiang Hall fell silent, filled only with the fragrance of herbs. Mu Qingqing excitedly said to Li Xiaocao, "Master! This is wonderful! I never expected to learn so many unique techniques!"

"That hundred-kneading and twisting method is very helpful for us in processing several kinds of strong mineral adjuvants! The water refining method of the East China Sea is also very inspiring!"

Looking at the bright eyes of his disciples, Li Xiaocao smiled with satisfaction: "The Dao of Alchemy is as vast as the sea; how can one sect or school possibly fathom its depths? Today's gathering has yielded far more for our Alchemy Hall than for us."

"More importantly, this opportunity allowed me to establish connections with my fellow practitioners of alchemy in the Southern Region. This is truly invaluable."

She walked outside the hall, gazed at the starry sky, and said softly, "The essence of an alliance lies in mutual exchange and joint progress. If we plant this seed today, our alliance's alchemy path will surely flourish and prosper in the future."

Inside the Liuyun Palace, Shen Mo listened to Su Xiao's report on the successful completion of the alchemy exchange meeting, and a slight smile appeared on his lips.

"Junior Sister Xiaocao did a good job. From technique to the Dao, and from the Dao to unity of mind. This Alchemy Alliance is like the meridians, connecting the various factions of the alliance more closely together."

"Pass down the order: the Weaponry Hall, the Array Hall, and the Talisman Hall may also prepare similar exchanges as appropriate. I want this alliance to truly become one, from its very core to its very essence."

Su Xiao accepted the order, a hint of admiration flashing in her eyes. The sect leader's vision always saw so far ahead.

......

The Qingyun Sect's Weapon Hall is about to be open to the public for observation.

The news caused a stir in the Southern Region's weapon-refining circle that was no less significant than the previous alchemy gathering. After all, compared to the relatively ethereal and mysterious alchemy, weapon crafting emphasizes practical skills, experience, and lineage, with each family's secret techniques often being kept more closely guarded than their own lifeblood.

In recent years, the Qingyun Sect's Artifact Hall has gained a reputation for its standardized magical artifacts, which are known for their stable quality, durability, and reasonable prices, and are especially popular among small and medium-sized sects and independent cultivators.

There are even rumors that Elder Zhao Tiechui of the Weapon Hall has obtained an ancient weapon-forging inheritance, which allows him to turn the rotten into the miraculous.

Now they're willing to open their core workshop to the public? Is this a sign of open-mindedness, or is there another motive?

The observation day was scheduled for three days after the Alchemy Exchange Conference. On this morning, outside the "Golden Flame Valley" on the west side of the main peak, a large crowd had already gathered. About twenty weapon refiners from various sects, who had been invited, passed through the faint red barrier of light that enveloped the valley entrance, guided by disciples from the Weapon Hall.

Upon entering the valley, a wave of intense heat hit you, a stark contrast to the cool spring air outside. The air was thick with the unique smells of burning metal and smelting spirit ores, mixed with the scents of sweat and grease.

A tremendous sound came from the depths of the valley, a heavy symphony of hammering, roaring earth fire, and the operation of arrays.

"Fellow Daoists, please follow me." The disciple from the Weaponry Hall who led the way was a strong young man with skin tanned from years of being near the furnace fire. His voice was loud and clear. "Elder Zhao is already waiting for us at the 'Flowing Fire Workshop'."

The group walked along the smooth mountain path into the valley. Along the way, they could see tall stone houses built against the mountainside, some with thick chimneys on their roofs, spewing out smoke of various colors.

Some doors were open, revealing the shimmering magical light of the arrays inside and the craftsmen wielding their hammers. Everything was orderly, busy but not chaotic.

Three weapon refiners from the Blazing Sun Sect walked at the front of the group. Leading them was a ruddy-faced, middle-aged man with a short beard named Yan Zhu, the deputy hall master of the Blazing Sun Sect's weapon refining hall. He was a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator and had been immersed in weapon refining for over two decades, holding a highly respected position within the Blazing Sun Sect.

His expression was calm, but his gaze swept across the valley like a falcon's, with a hint of scrutiny and barely perceptible arrogance deep in his eyes.

The two disciples behind him were younger, with more curiosity than composure in their eyes, and couldn't help but look around.

"Master Yan, this weapon hall of the Qingyun Sect looks quite impressive, but I wonder what its true nature is like inside," a disciple of the Lieyang Sect whispered.

Yan Zhu gave a soft "hmm" through his nose, neither confirming nor denying: "What kind of heritage could a small, backwater sect have? They're just putting on a show because they've recently acquired some resources. The art of weapon crafting is vast and profound; how can one possibly grasp its essence through such simple hammering and banging?"

His voice wasn't loud, but it was loud enough for several other weapon refiners nearby to hear, attracting several glances with different meanings.

The group also included many independent cultivators and weapon refiners from small sects, whose expressions were much more enthusiastic.

For them, being able to enter a place like the Qingyun Sect's Weapon Hall to observe was already a rare opportunity, and they all stared wide-eyed, afraid of missing anything.

Before long, the group arrived in front of the most magnificent stone hall. The hall was ten zhang high, with a base made of a single piece of "obsidian" and walls made of thick "fire-resistant rock". Above the hall door hung an iron plaque with the four large characters "Liu Huo Gong Fang" cast in molten gold. The strokes were powerful and vigorous, and there was a faint sense of flowing flames.

The palace doors swung open, releasing an even stronger wave of heat. The interior was extremely spacious, divided into several areas by an array. Most striking was a long, metallic-gleaming "assembly line" in the center.

Dozens of disciples from the Weapon Hall, dressed in uniform heat-insulating leather aprons, stood on both sides of the assembly line, each performing their assigned duties.

Some were responsible for placing the processed basic spirit ore blanks such as "cold iron" and "red copper" into the teleportation slots according to fixed dimensions; others stood guard beside the huge "earth fire furnace" and manipulated the array to instantly heat the blanks until they were red-hot and softened.

Next, the blank is conveyed to the next station, where several disciples simultaneously wield specially made "wind hammers" to perform preliminary forging at a specific rhythm and angle, removing impurities and shaping the basic form;

Next comes fine shaping, rough engraving of runes, quenching, tempering, fine polishing, final rune array engraving, spiritual power infusion, and testing...

The entire process was seamless and fluid. Each disciple was responsible for only one or two steps, their skills were extremely proficient, and their movements were as precise and efficient as a machine.

With each swing of the hammer, the clanging of metal against metal created a continuous, yet strangely rhythmic sound.

Spirit ore blanks rolled along the assembly line, transforming at a visible speed from rough ore into gleaming sword blanks, blade blanks, and armor plates with faintly visible runes...