Chapter 8: The Spirit Furnace, An Unexpected Turn

What is a Spirit Furnace? A Spirit Furnace is a crucible of spiritual energy, a supreme treasure nurtured by the wonders of nature. Each Spirit Furnace has its unique characteristics or abilities, and even identical Spirit Furnaces can produce different effects when cultivated by different people.

The Spirit Furnace is a supreme treasure in the world, a dream for practitioners of any of the six great sanctuaries, and is priceless. Known Spirit Furnaces are almost entirely in the hands of the six great sanctuaries, passed down through generations. Even their father, as the deputy head of the Tenglong Branch of the Priest Sanctuary, does not have his own Spirit Furnace.

The fire mage's expression turned serious as he spoke about the Spirit Furnace: "There are many types of Spirit Furnaces. Currently, there are eighty-seven known types, each suitable for different professions. Among them, twenty-one are suitable for us mages. Some are shared between mages, priests, and summoners."

"Generally, Spirit Furnaces can only be found in places where the spiritual energy of heaven and earth converges or in ancient ruins. Among any profession, those who possess a Spirit Furnace are one in a thousand. The Spirit Furnace is the goal pursued by all practitioners. Because even just having one Spirit Furnace can make us stronger than other practitioners of the same level. Your Elemental Blessing talent has given you the qualification to obtain a Spirit Furnace, which is the greatest investment the sanctuary has made in you. If you do not grow to the level the sanctuary expects in the future, the sanctuary has the right to reclaim the Spirit Furnace granted to you. Therefore, even with your talent, you must work hard and not slack off in the slightest."

"Understood," Long Dangdang nodded. He never expected that, given his talent, the Mage Sanctuary would even bring out a Spirit Furnace.

The fire mage's eyes suddenly glowed with a faint red light. The temperature in Long Dangdang's dormitory noticeably increased. He circled his hands in front of him, and a gentle white light rippled in front of him. A small, exquisite white light orb, resembling a flower bud, appeared before him.

"The sanctuary, after careful selection based on your current situation, has chosen two Spirit Furnaces for you to choose from. This is the Holy Lotus Spirit Furnace, ranked eighth among the twenty-one Spirit Furnaces suitable for mages, with the skill Holy Spirit Guardian. Yes, it's the same ability as the scroll. However, its Holy Spirit Guardian needs to evolve three times to reach its peak. Initially, it is equivalent to a third-level magic shield. After the first evolution, it becomes a fifth-level shield. After the second evolution, it reaches the seventh level, the same as the scroll's defense. If it completes the final evolution, it will have a powerful ninth-level Holy Spirit Guardian. This level of Holy Spirit Guardian is considered the strongest defense for mages."

Long Kongkong couldn't help but ask, "Only eighth? Is there a first?"

The fire mage glanced at him and said, "The first one cannot be absorbed. Different Spirit Furnaces have different requirements for the absorber's strength. If the strength is insufficient, absorbing it would be harmful, even life-threatening. The Holy Lotus Spirit Furnace is one of the most gentle Spirit Furnaces, even suitable for those with basic cultivation."

As he spoke, he let the Holy Lotus Spirit Furnace drift to the side, emitting a faint white glow. His expression then became serious, and he circled his hands again. This time, rings of pale golden light appeared, and a slight whistling sound filled the room.

A pale golden vortex gradually appeared before everyone, with a subtle metallic texture.

"The Primordial Vortex Spirit Furnace. This Spirit Furnace is very special, ranked sixty-sixth among the eighty-seven known Spirit Furnaces. The sanctuary was actually hesitant to bring this one, but they still wanted to give you another choice."

"This Spirit Furnace is very unique. Its main function is to enhance spiritual energy. Simply put, if you can successfully absorb it, it will merge with your body, creating a vortex that constantly absorbs the elemental energy of the world, subtly enhancing your spiritual energy. However, the enhancement speed is not very fast, about one to two points per month. It can also evolve three times, with each evolution doubling the enhancement speed. If it completes the final evolution, it can enhance your spiritual energy by more than ten points per month. Additionally, it has another characteristic: double recovery. With it, your recovery after consumption will be doubled. This characteristic is relatively more practical."

Long Kongkong couldn't help but say, "It doesn't sound very useful!"

The fire mage's eyes showed a hint of complexity, "You're right. For most strong practitioners, its effect is indeed limited. Moreover, this Spirit Furnace is very difficult to merge, with a success rate of less than five percent."

Long Kongkong said, "Brother, choose the Holy Lotus Spirit Furnace. This one is hard to merge and doesn't seem very useful. Why bother? In the future, when you reach a higher level, you might be able to enhance your spiritual energy more in a day than this one does in a month."

The fire mage said irritably, "Be quiet and listen to me."

Long Kongkong nodded, "Go on."

Long Dangdang nudged him, signaling him to be quiet.

The fire mage continued, "The Primordial Vortex Spirit Furnace has a hidden special ability, which is why we brought it. It is an extremely rare Spirit Furnace that can be used by any profession, affecting both magical and internal spiritual energy. More importantly, after merging with it, the enhanced spiritual energy might be innate spiritual energy. In other words, it might purify the host through the absorbed elemental energy, enhancing the host's talent."

"Based on the sanctuary's thousands of years of experience, the higher the host's talent, the lower the probability of enhancing innate spiritual energy, but it is still possible. Your innate magical spiritual energy is already eighty-four. If, in the next ten or even twenty years, the Primordial Vortex Spirit Furnace helps you enhance your innate spiritual energy by six points, you might have the constitution of an Elemental Child."

As he mentioned the words "Elemental Child," the fire mage's expression became visibly excited. Ninety points or more of innate spiritual energy make one an Elemental Child, and there is currently no Elemental Child in the entire Mage Sanctuary.

Can it enhance talent? Long Dangdang subconsciously looked at Long Kongkong. Long Kongkong didn't pay much attention, looking indifferent.

The fire mage continued, "Therefore, according to the sanctuary's plan, we hope you will first try to absorb the Primordial Vortex Spirit Furnace. If successful, we look forward to seeing you become an Elemental Child in the future. If it fails, you can then absorb the Holy Lotus Spirit Furnace. Don't worry, the success rate of absorbing the Holy Lotus Spirit Furnace is proportional to your talent, so you will definitely be fine."

Long Dangdang nodded, "Alright. How do I absorb the Primordial Vortex Spirit Furnace?"

The fire mage controlled the pale golden vortex, slowly bringing it to Long Dangdang and Long Kongkong, "Just touch it with your hand. If it recognizes you, it will be absorbed directly. Otherwise, there will be no reaction. Although the success rate of absorbing it is low, the Primordial Vortex Spirit Furnace is one of the few Spirit Furnaces without any backlash. Don't underestimate its functions; currently, only our Mage Sanctuary has it. What are you doing?"

As he spoke, he saw Long Dangdang suddenly pull Long Kongkong's hand up and touch the golden vortex. Long Kongkong was also confused.

To the amazement of the two mages, in an instant, "Whoosh," the golden vortex disappeared...

"What are you doing?"

"What happened?"

The two mages were stunned.

Long Kongkong was also confused, with golden light surrounding his body and a golden vortex quietly pulsating on his chest. The gentle golden light made him feel incredibly comfortable.

Long Dangdang shook his hand, looking innocent, "Our sleeves got caught together."

Indeed, the cuffs of their school uniforms had buttons, and they were standing side by side, so their sleeves must have gotten caught at some point.

"This, this can't be. That's a Spirit Furnace! Quickly separate."

The wind mage was about to rush to Long Kongkong.

"No," the fire mage held him back, "You don't know that the Primordial Vortex Spirit Furnace cannot be separated, right? That's why we only have one left. It cannot be inherited; once used, it merges completely, and even if the host dies, it dissipates."

The wind mage's face changed, "What do we do now? How do we explain this when we return?"

Long Dangdang blinked, "Seniors, don't worry. You were supposed to give me a Spirit Furnace. If I don't want it, it's fine. Just say my brother absorbed it. We look the same, and if you don't say anything, it will be fine."

The fire mage smiled bitterly, "That won't work. When you go to the sanctuary, they will definitely check the Spirit Furnace. Matters concerning Spirit Furnaces are serious in any sanctuary; no one dares to fake it. I will report the truth."

Long Dangdang said seriously, "Senior, you don't have to be so troubled. My brother is a genius at the Knight Academy. You said the Primordial Vortex Spirit Furnace is hard to absorb, right? Even if it fell into my hands, I might not have been able to absorb it. But my brother is different! His innate internal spiritual energy is eighty-seven. With the Primordial Vortex Spirit Furnace, he might become a Light Child in the future."

"Innate internal spiritual energy of eighty-seven?" The two mages instantly widened their eyes.

Long Dangdang nodded, "Yes, the Knight Sanctuary said my brother might be the next Divine Seal Knight. So, I think, since my brother accidentally absorbed it, why not this: let's communicate with the Knight Sanctuary. They should be willing to compensate us with a Spirit Furnace. That way, our Mage Sanctuary won't suffer any loss."

"No, no, no, no need for compensation. Since your brother's innate internal spiritual energy is eighty-seven..." The fire mage's eyes brightened again, "I will make the decision for our Mage Sanctuary. Let's consider it a gift to him."

Although Spirit Furnaces are rare, they are nothing compared to a future Divine Seal Knight. This investment is absolutely worth it! Moreover, it has already been absorbed and cannot be returned. If this child becomes a pillar of the Knight Sanctuary in the future, this favor will greatly increase his recognition of the Mage Sanctuary. The Primordial Vortex Spirit Furnace, though precious, is somewhat redundant. If we can gain the favor of a Divine Seal Knight...

The fire mage made his decision almost instantly.

Long Dangdang turned to the Holy Lotus Spirit Furnace emitting a white glow, "Then... this..."

"Of course, this is for you. Come, we will protect you while you absorb it." The fire mage had made his decision. As a seventh-level Grand Mage, he had some influence in the sanctuary headquarters and believed his decision would be supported.

The gentle Holy Lotus Spirit Furnace was guided to Long Dangdang. Under the fire mage's guidance, the white light petals slowly bloomed.

Gentle light washed over Long Dangdang, making him feel as if he were soaking in a warm spring. Next, a milky white glow rippled around him, rapidly merging into his body. The Holy Lotus Spirit Furnace gradually enlarged and floated toward Long Dangdang, lifting him into the air.

Standing on the white lotus, he had a sacred aura.

Long Kongkong stood to the side, looking at Long Dangdang with a strange expression. He was recalling the moment when Long Dangdang rubbed his sleeve against his sleeve while the fire mage was explaining the Primordial Vortex Spirit Furnace. At the time, he thought Long Dangdang was just excited and nervous. He knew his brother well; this seemingly shy guy was actually quite mischievous! Just like the white lotus under his feet.

Half an hour later, the two mages, leaving behind a large gift from the Mage Sanctuary and two Spirit Furnaces, hurriedly left.

"You did it on purpose, didn't you?" Long Kongkong stared at Long Dangdang.

"Of course! I wanted you to try. A Spirit Furnace that can enhance talent! What if it works for you? You would have a chance, right? As your brother, it's my duty," Long Dangdang smiled.

"Don't give me that. You just want me to get stronger to help you share the pressure from Dad and Mom," Long Kongkong said irritably.

"Think what you want. I just wanted you to try. If you couldn't, I would. I didn't expect you to succeed right away. It's great, one for each of us, and we got an extra Spirit Furnace."

"Anyway, don't think I'll help you with the family pressure! No way, I'm going to take it easy. When the Mage Sanctuary comes, the Knight Sanctuary will also send gifts. You go then! Whatever Spirit Furnace they give, I don't want it, all for you."

"Alright." Long Dangdang thought for a moment, "Do you think the Knight Sanctuary can also provide two Spirit Furnaces? The more, the better! Even if we can't absorb them, we can give them to Dad and Mom!"

...

Years later.

"Brother, why did you deliberately give me the Primordial Vortex Spirit Furnace back then?"

"The mage said the lower the talent, the higher the probability of enhancing innate spiritual energy, right?"

"Is there another reason?"

"What did you just call me?"

...

Wishing everyone a happy new year, a joyful family, and all the best!