"Clang, clang—"
In an instant, the sound of swords clashing echoed. The Thunderfire Sword and the Fiery Void Sword struck again.
The Metal Demon Beast realized it could not withstand the attacks of the two immortal swords with its body. It could only dodge at the cost of enduring attacks from everyone else.
Even so, one of its arms was severed by the Fiery Void Sword. The intense pain and relentless attacks left it completely disoriented.
"Now's the time."
In that moment, Elian seized the opportunity and activated his ultimate technique.
A deafening sword cry reverberated through the heavens and earth as the Grand Plough Celestial Sword radiated an incomparably brilliant golden sword light.
The sword light, over eighty zhang long, descended with unmatched sharpness, cutting through the skies and slashing directly at the Metal Demon Beast.
The sword light was as fast as lightning. The Demon Beast, already at the end of its rope, didn't even have time to escape before the Grand Plough Celestial Sword decapitated it.
"Aaargh—"
A miserable cry echoed between heaven and earth. A powerful mid-stage Purple Mansion Demon Beast was finally slain, its life ended in this underground vein by Elian.
"It's done."
After slaying the Demon Beast, everyone showed expressions of joy.
Elian exchanged a glance with the Patriarch, sheathed the two extraordinary immortal swords, and collected the remains of the two Purple Mansion Demon Beasts.
After securing the spoils of battle, the Patriarch instructed Chen Qinghao and the others, "Arrange for people to inventory the resources in the mine and compile a report as soon as possible."
Chen Qinghao nodded and replied with a smile, "I'll handle it right away."
The group was naturally overjoyed and began examining the resources in the mine. Meanwhile, the Patriarch and Elian ascended the nearby spiritual mountain.
This spiritual mountain was the core of the Metal mine vein. Upon reaching the summit, they discovered that not only was the Metal energy abundant here, but the spiritual energy was also exceptionally dense.
"It seems this Metal vein is indeed a mid-tier, third-rank vein," the Patriarch said, unable to hide his excitement as he gazed at a pool of spiritual liquid before them.
Elian's eyes flickered as he reached out to touch the liquid in the pool. A sharp energy stabbed into his fingers, causing pain.
Ever since advancing to the Purple Mansion stage, his body had been tempered day and night by his magical power, making it incredibly strong. For this liquid to cause him pain, it was evident how extraordinary it was.
Despite the pain, Elian wasn't discouraged. Instead, his eyes lit up with joy.
"Could this be the legendary Sword Cleansing Pool?"
"It's crystal clear, with sword energy faintly emanating from it. This is indeed the Sword Cleansing Pool," the Patriarch confirmed with a smile that couldn't be concealed.
The Sword Cleansing Pool was a rare treasure that only had a slim chance of forming in mid-tier third-rank Metal veins, and a somewhat higher chance in fourth-rank veins.
The liquid in this pool, known as Metal Essence, was an extraordinary worldly essence and an exceptionally potent metallic spiritual liquid.
This liquid had incredible properties, capable of enhancing the quality of metal-based materials. It was said that just a small amount of Metal Essence could increase the power of a third-rank immortal sword by thirty percent.
When this liquid gathered into a pool, it gained the property of cleansing swords. By placing an immortal sword in the pool for three years, the Sword Cleansing Pool could temper it day and night, washing away all impurities.
Once cleansed, the sword's power would increase by fifty percent, its material would become exceedingly pure and refined, and its strength would be greatly enhanced.
"I never imagined that this Metal vein would produce a Sword Cleansing Pool," the Patriarch exclaimed.
"It seems my Crimson Flame Spirit Blade might see its power increase significantly."
The Patriarch stroked his beard, visibly excited.
His Crimson Flame Spirit Blade wasn't particularly remarkable, neither in material nor crafting technique.
During his Foundation Establishment stage, the blade served him well, but as he advanced to the Purple Mansion stage, its performance had become mediocre.
Moreover, the blade's material was subpar. Even if it advanced to the third rank, it would struggle to endure the tribulation of a fourth-rank artifact.
The tribulation for fourth-rank artifacts was extraordinarily challenging. It was best to fuse precious materials into one's natal artifact, enhancing its power and durability to improve the odds of surviving the tribulation.
The Sword Cleansing Pool had arrived just in time. With its help and the fusion of third-rank treasures like Whiteblade Metal, the Patriarch's Crimson Flame Spirit Blade could undoubtedly be elevated to an upper-grade third-rank artifact.
Once it became an upper-grade third-rank artifact, the Crimson Flame Spirit Blade's chances of surviving the tribulation would significantly improve.
Furthermore, with a powerful natal artifact at his disposal, the Patriarch's odds of surviving his Golden Core tribulation would increase by twenty to thirty percent.
Elian also smiled. This treasure was invaluable not only to the Patriarch but also to him.
If his Grand Plough Celestial Sword were tempered in this pool, its power would likely increase by fifty percent, propelling it into the ranks of top-tier immortal swords.
Additionally, his Fiery Void Sword could also undergo enhancements.
Thinking of this, Elian retrieved a sword made of Western Whiteblade Metal and handed it to the Patriarch.
"When you advance to the Purple Mansion stage, fusing this material with your Crimson Flame Spirit Blade will undoubtedly enhance your natal artifact's power."
"No need," the Patriarch declined with a smile.
"This material is excellent. It's better suited for your Fiery Void Sword."
"After all, your Fiery Void Sword can surpass its rank limits."
Hearing this, Elian nodded and presented the Whiteblade Sword Embryo to the Patriarch.
This time, the Patriarch accepted it. Holding the sword embryo, he smiled and said, "With this Whiteblade Metal and the Sword Cleansing Pool, I can enhance my Crimson Flame Spirit Blade's power. In the future, even against other Purple Mansion cultivators of the same rank, my natal artifact will hold its own."
Elian smiled and then looked into the distance.
"Let's check out the Source Spring of the vein first."
After dividing the treasures, they set aside the precious Sword Cleansing Pool temporarily and headed toward the core of the Metal vein.
The Source Spring was the origin point of the five-element veins, where the energies of the five elements gathered and surged forth, maintaining the balance of the vein.
This Source Spring was also where high-grade treasures were most likely to form within the vein. Treasures like Metal Crystals and Whiteblade Metal were often birthed from the Source Spring.
It didn't take long for the two to locate the Source Spring of the Metal vein. The spring was shrouded in dense Metal energy, constantly emitting streams of metallic essence.
Elian gazed at the spring and saw three crystalline Metal Crystals, along with several scattered pieces of third-rank precious metals.
"Metal Crystal, Purple Veined Azure Gold, Whiteblade Metal…"
The Patriarch, preparing for his own breakthrough to the Purple Mansion stage, was overwhelmed with emotion.
"Truly remarkable…"
...
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I need POWAAA! Gimme Power Stones :D