Chapter 331: Earth Core Rock

Inside the Secret Room.

Xiao Fan was naturally unaware of this; he was focused entirely on watching Bei Ming's Artifact Refining.

When a Rank Five Artifact Refiner forges a Magical Artifact, they allow outsiders to observe.

If word of this got out, few would likely believe it!

Once Bei Ming began Artifact Refining, he stopped speaking, appearing like a different person with a solemn and serious expression.

Xiao Fan also remained silent, standing quietly while enduring the scorching heat of his surroundings…

Even though breathing was difficult, he didn't utter a sound.

Bei Ming first used the lava within the furnace to slowly melt the metals he had just thrown inside…

Xiao Fan guessed that if even a single drop of this lava fell on him, it would likely burn straight through his body…

It was absolutely terrifying!

Of course, the high temperature of the lava in the furnace was also closely related to Bei Ming's use of spiritual power to fuel it.

After all, his cultivation was at the Yuanhun Realm and he was a Rank Five Artifact Refiner, so it wasn't surprising he had such means.

Like Alchemy, Artifact Refining requires a certain level of control over the fire.

But relatively speaking, an Artifact Refiner needs a fiercer and more intense flame…

Ordinary Fire-Attribute Cultivation Techniques simply couldn't reach that level, which was why Bei Ming used this lava kept in the furnace.

This lava was no ordinary substance either; it was something he had spent a fortune on at an auction years ago.

It was the legendary Earth Core Rock.

A divine object unique to the entire Wuhuang Province, it was a top-tier treasure for Artifact Refining!

Although there was only one furnace's worth, it had drained his entire fortune at the time, and the Jixian Sect had even covered more than half the cost for him to finally obtain it.

After half a quarter-hour of smelting…

Various metals slowly melted, turning into molten liquids of different colors…

By now, the temperature inside the Secret Room had reached terrifying heights, and the skin on Xiao Fan's body was already burned…

Spiritual power continuously surged through his limbs and bones, yet he still nearly failed to hold on.

After the metals melted into liquid, Bei Ming glanced back at Xiao Fan, his eyes showing a hint of surprise…

"Good lad, impressive. To think a first-level Tongtian Realm could endure before the Earth Core Rock for so long—this is the first time I've heard of such a thing."

Clearly, Bei Ming was shocked; he knew exactly what the strength of the first level of the Tongtian Realm was like.

Being able to endure near the Earth Core Rock for so long showed that besides his own formidable strength, Xiao Fan's willpower was also extraordinary.

He could see clearly that Xiao Fan had been burned in many places.

Being able to persevere in such an environment was truly no easy feat.

Xiao Fan didn't say a word—or rather, he couldn't.

The heat here made even breathing a form of torture…

His focus was entirely on channeling spiritual power to support his body and observing Bei Ming's Artifact Refining; he couldn't spare any mental energy.

Noticing this, Bei Ming smiled slightly and continued his Artifact Refining.

The melted liquids slowly fused and gathered together.

Bei Ming's hands formed seals, and the molten liquid condensed into the embryonic form of a longsword…

At this moment, the lava inside the furnace was no longer as violent as before…

It gradually regained its calm and slowly receded back into the furnace.

Clearly, the first step was complete.

Xiao Fan breathed a small sigh of relief; if that scorching environment had continued, he wouldn't have lasted much longer.

As the surrounding temperature dropped, Xiao Fan exhaled slightly and hurriedly took several jade bottles from his Storage Pouch.

He poured the Medicinal Pills inside into his mouth all at once.

These were Medicinal Pills for healing and restoring spiritual power.

They were ones he had kept from the Storage Pouches of those Outer Sect Disciples he had robbed, appearing to be of decent grade.

Entering the star chart required time, and with his Physical Body outside, he feared a sudden spike in temperature would destroy it without spiritual power to protect it…

Bei Ming glanced at Xiao Fan and smiled. "You are very good, being able to remain unfazed in such an environment."

The temperature had dropped somewhat; though still hot, Xiao Fan was now able to speak.

"I almost couldn't hold on…"

"At the first level of the Tongtian Realm, that you could survive the first step is already beyond my expectations."

Bei Ming praised him; under normal circumstances, even someone at the seventh level of the Tongtian Realm might not survive the first step.

Strength was the first requirement, but the demands on the Physical Body were also extremely high, and more importantly, it required immense willpower.

If one's willpower weren't strong enough, they would have likely given up long ago.

Xiao Fan didn't say anything and continued to observe…

The molten metal in Bei Ming's hands gradually solidified, and the embryonic form of the longsword was complete.

Different from what Xiao Fan had imagined, the metal remained its original color, without the glowing red hue he associated with blacksmithing.

Bei Ming glanced back at Xiao Fan and, seemingly sensing his confusion, laughed. "Ordinary metals change color due to high temperatures, but when the quality of the raw materials is extremely high, that common knowledge becomes useless."

Xiao Fan nodded, absorbing the knowledge.

These were common knowledge within the Artifact Refining Lineage.

But it was the first time Xiao Fan had heard of them, and he benefited greatly.

After another half a quarter-hour, Xiao Fan's complexion returned to normal, and his spiritual power had mostly recovered.

The embryonic form of the longsword had completely solidified and was finished.

"Alright, lad, next is the forging. Speak up if you can't take it; this step is very dangerous!"