Chapter 5

Faced with the stunned expressions of the crowd, Yan Zhaoge seemed completely oblivious, continuing as if nothing was amiss: "I mainly considered your protection, so most of these are defensive items rather than weapons. Don't become overly reliant on them, or become complacent. The true purpose of trials is to temper you yourselves."

"No... No, Cousin Yan, wait a moment." Elder Cui's tongue stumbled, taking a while to smooth out: "You said earlier, about refining the next batch of treasure weapons?"

He looked at the pile of treasure weapons in front of him with disbelief: "Your meaning is that these are not from your collection, but were personally refined by you?"

Yan Zhaoge shrugged: "Of course, I refined them myself. I have no interest or patience in collecting low-grade treasure weapons."

These words made everyone swallow hard, but they found no words to refute him. Low-grade treasure weapons were treasures to them, but given Yan Zhaoge's family background, they were nothing special.

But...

Everyone's expressions became subtle, feeling as if the world around them had become unreal. Everything before their eyes completely contradicted their past knowledge and common sense.

No one disputed Yan Zhaoge's ability to refine treasure weapons. Although it was unheard of, it was not unimaginable that Yan Zhaoge knew the art of refining.

However, refining a single treasure weapon was no easy task, requiring a great deal of time and effort. How many martial artists who knew the art of refining would use themselves as blacksmiths?

Elder Cui took a deep breath: "How long did it take you to refine these treasure weapons?"

Yan Zhaoge said casually: "I refined them during my spare time between practice sessions. Sixteen pieces, less than a month."

"Impossible," Elder Cui said decisively. "I believe Elder Yan has the ability, but Cousin Yan, you..."

He shook his head, clearly not believing Yan Zhaoge.

Moreover, while it might not be difficult for Yan's father or some of the higher-level cultivators in the sect to refine treasure weapons, who would be so bored as to do so?

With that time and energy, their focus would naturally be on higher-level spirit weapons.

The others' gazes toward Yan Zhaoge gradually became skeptical, feeling that this Yan Brother might be putting on a brave face out of desperation.

Yan Zhaoge chuckled: "Using an external crystal furnace is of course not feasible, but who said an internal crystal furnace can't be used?"

Most people were puzzled by this, but a few were stunned again.

Elder Cui's voice became stammering again: "You... You mean the internal crystal furnace, which is... which is... the legendary one from before the Great Cataclysm?"

"But the internal crystal furnace has long been extinct! Not to mention the actual item and the method of making it, even the most basic structural description has not been left behind! The entire Eight Great Worlds now only have some simple legends!"

According to legend, before the Great Cataclysm, martial arts civilization was at its peak. Besides cultivation techniques and martial skills, the art of refining was also highly developed. In that era, ordinary weapons and iron were not tolerated in the world of martial artists. Battle weapons, treasure weapons, spirit weapons, and even holy weapons were not scarce.

However, with the Great Cataclysm, everything was destroyed, leaving only countless legends for future generations to admire and yearn for.

But for Yan Zhaoge, it was no secret. The divine palace's collection from before the Great Cataclysm was vast, not just martial arts secrets.

"By chance, I discovered a relic during my travels, which contained an incomplete method for constructing an internal crystal furnace." Yan Zhaoge smiled: "So I worked on perfecting it, bringing the internal crystal furnace back to life. These low-grade treasure weapons are my own creations during the trial process."

"Currently, I can only refine low-grade treasure weapons. These grade B items are the best among them. There are also a few grade A items, which are close to mid-grade treasure weapons but still fall short and are unstable. So I kept them to refine and summarize the experience for the next batch."

Yan Zhaoge snapped his fingers: "With continuous improvement, mid-grade and high-grade treasure weapons are not unimaginable. If I can also research the ancient methods to enhance the internal crystal furnace, then spirit weapons can be anticipated."

Ah Hu, who knew his master's intentions, had left and returned to the side hall, bringing back a furnace as tall as a person, heavy and solid, radiating with spiritual energy.

Elder Cui, though he had never seen an internal crystal furnace, knew that the refining furnace in front of him was definitely not the external crystal furnace commonly used.

The others gradually came to their senses, but their eyes were still full of shock.

Even the usually cold Sikong Qing was now stunned.

Because she knew more, she understood the importance of this furnace even more.

Perhaps it was just a seed now, but when it grew, it would be a towering tree.

"I am going to the Dragon Suppressing Abyss this time, not only for the sect's mission but also to handle personal matters, which involve further perfecting the internal crystal furnace. I need the special environment of the Dragon Suppressing Abyss and the True Flame seeds that appear there."

Yan Zhaoge's tone was calm, but it left Ye Jing and Sikong Qing looking at each other in surprise.

Someone called out excitedly: "Brother Yan, if even mid-grade treasure weapons, high-grade treasure weapons, and even spirit weapons... even..."

In the current world, holy weapons were extremely rare, and he dared not think further, but he was still very excited: "If our sect can mass-produce spirit weapons, wouldn't that mean... wouldn't that mean..."

Yan Zhaoge nodded, smiling with a mouthful of white teeth: "Exactly. If successful, in the future, when you go out, if others use battle weapons, you will use treasure weapons; if others use treasure weapons, you will use spirit weapons. You can overwhelm them just by the equipment."

The disciples immediately burst into cheers.

Yan Zhaoge waved his hand, and everyone immediately quieted down: "Practice well. You are the future of Guangcheng Mountain!"

The group responded in unison: "We will be humble and cautious, focus on our cultivation, and uphold the glory of Guangcheng!"

In fact, Yan Zhaoge, who had become famous at a young age, was only a few years older than Ye Jing and Sikong Qing. Calling them the "future of Guangcheng Mountain" seemed a bit inappropriate, as if they were not of the same generation.

But except for a few, no one in the room felt it was strange.

The comparison between Yan Zhaoge and Ye Jing had long been forgotten by them.

Their perspectives and ways of thinking, their horizons and visions, were on completely different levels.

Not to mention other aspects, Yan Zhaoge's revival of the internal crystal furnace refining method could potentially advance the entire Guangcheng Mountain. Such a contribution was far beyond what a mere young grandmaster could compare to.

No matter how great Ye Jing's potential, only a truly grown genius could be considered a true genius. Before that, there were too many possibilities.

Moreover, Yan Zhaoge himself was a genius and a prodigy.

While they were preoccupied with how to stand out in the sect, Yan Zhaoge was seeking the possibility of advancing the entire sect.

Elder Cui resumed his smiling demeanor: "Cousin Yan truly lives up to being the pillar of Guangcheng Mountain, a young genius!"

"However, this news should be reported to the sect leader as soon as possible..."

Yan Zhaoge directly interrupted him: "There's no need for Elder Cui to worry. I reported it yesterday, and my great-grandfather and father already know. In fact, my father has taken over the development of the internal crystal furnace."

"The internal crystal furnace here is actually a replica. There's a better one in my father's hands. I kept this one to continue experimenting."

Elder Cui's white beard twitched, and he forced a smile: "This news is certainly good, but it should be kept confidential. If other sects and holy lands find out, it could be detrimental to Guangcheng Mountain. Cousin Yan, you are being a bit careless..."

Yan Zhaoge chuckled: "The official notification will come soon. At your level, Elder Cui, you will receive it tomorrow."

"As for why my great-grandfather made this decision, I won't speculate, and neither should you."

Elder Cui's face stiffened slightly, but he saw Yan Zhaoge walk directly to him.

Yan Zhaoge's smile gradually turned cold: "Elder in charge? Ha, what a high position, what a prestigious status. For junior disciples, you are easily overlooked in the entire matter, and afterward, you can continue to be the kind and benevolent elder."

"Do you think that by embarrassing me in front of everyone, I will resent that Ye Brother, but not you?"