CLINK...

CLANG!

In front of the forge.

Shirtless, Zhu Ju wore a grave expression as he wielded a massive hammer, striking the Magical Artifact before him again and again.

Sparks flew with every fall of the massive hammer.

After a long while.

HISSSS...

As the red-hot Magical Artifact was plunged into the Extreme Cold Ice Crystal, thick white smoke billowed from the point of contact.

"That’s about it."

Though a woman, Ding Gui’s voice was coarse and hoarse. Her gaze fell upon the Magical Artifact, and she nodded in satisfaction.

"In less than two years, you’ve managed to master the Artifact Refining Skill to such a realm. You’re a true prodigy in this field."

"If you weren’t the Furnace Tripod of a True Disciple, I’d definitely ask a sect senior to help you change your station."

"Oh?" Zhu Ju straightened up.

"Is that possible?"

"Of course!" Ding Gui said in her gruff voice.

"Artifact Refiners are extremely important to the Sect, second only to Array Masters. Your talent in this area is undeniable. If you could refine a Top-Grade Spiritual Artifact, your status would be no less than that of a Core True Inheritance."

"Unfortunately..."

"You’re someone else’s Furnace Tripod, and a Core True Inheritance’s Furnace Tripod at that."

"Senior Sister," Zhu Ju said, seemingly nonchalantly.

"Is there really no other path for a True Disciple’s Furnace Tripod?"

"I’ve heard of Sect Disciples falling in love with their Furnace Tripods, cultivating the Great Dao together, and both reaching the Dao Foundation Realm in the end."

"..." Ding Gui looked at Zhu Ju, a complex expression flashing in her eyes. She then subconsciously glanced toward the cave entrance.

"It’s not the same."

"Junior Brother, every Core True Inheritance is a Dao Foundation Seed, and their Furnace Tripods are rather special."

"How are they special?" Zhu Ju tilted his head.

"I believe Yuann Tong would never kill me."

"Heh..." Ding Gui’s face twisted into a cold sneer.

"You actually believe a disciple of the Joyful Sect?"

The moment the words left her mouth, she seemed to realize she had misspoken. Her expression darkened, and she waved her sleeve dismissively to shoo him away.

"Get out!"

"Leave this place!"

Zhu Ju raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything more.

BOOM!

Viscous flames, like molten lava, roiled and churned.

A deafening roar echoed in his ears as Gang Wind and Powerful Qi howled without cease.

Zhu Ju sat cross-legged on a rock suspended in mid-air, his bright eyes staring directly at the Celestial Fire ahead.

The burning Fierce Flames made his cheeks flicker between light and shadow, and a strange light glinted in his eyes.

This place was called the ’Celestial Fire Domain’ by the Cultivators of the Joyful Sect.

Because the Celestial Spirit and Earth Evil True Flame converged here, the Five Elements Magnetism was in chaos, so very few people ever came.

But it was Zhu Ju’s favorite place.

His left hand possessed the Five Elements; what was chaotic Primordial Energy to others, he could perceive with clarity.

He could sense any anomaly in his surroundings in advance.

Moreover, although this place seemed utterly chaotic, it actually followed certain rules. Completely disrupting it would be no easy feat.

At least, a mere Qi Refining Cultivator could not do it.

"Husband!"

A familiar voice came from below. Zhou Yuantong, treading on a red flying ribbon, drifted closer, her face alight with joy as she spoke.

"Master agreed to let me leave the valley to carry out a mission."

"Oh?" Zhu Ju’s eyes shifted slightly.

"That’s good news. It’s worth celebrating."

"Hee hee..." Zhou Yuantong chuckled, then lightly waved her long sleeve. An invisible shroud of Powerful Qi enveloped them both, ensuring their conversation would not be overheard.

"My husband is my Furnace Tripod, so we can’t be separated for long. I’ll definitely be taking you with me when I leave the valley."

"When the time comes..."

Her beautiful eyes sparkled, her body trembling slightly with excitement.

"We’ll find a chance to slip away, and we can finally be free from the Joyful Sect’s control!"

"Mm," Zhu Ju nodded.

"You haven’t left this place in ten years, have you?"

"Just about," Zhou Yuantong said, thinking for a moment, her voice tinged with emotion.

"Ten years. Time really flies."

"Come," Zhu Ju said with a faint smile, taking her hand and beckoning lightly toward the distant Celestial Fire.

"I have a gift for you."

"Oh!" Zhou Yuantong’s face lit up with surprise.

"What is it?"

SWISH!

Following his Spell, a faint white glimmer flew out from the Celestial Fire and landed in Zhu Ju’s palm.

VMMMM...

The white glimmer pulsed rapidly in his palm as if it were alive.

"It’s done!"

Zhu Ju said slowly, holding the white glimmer in his hand.

"This is the first High Grade Spiritual Artifact I’ve ever refined. It’s compatible with the Cultivation Technique you practice. Drip a drop of your blood Essence on it."

Zhou Yuantong pressed her lips together, the joy in her beautiful eyes nearly overflowing. She pricked her finger, and a drop of fresh blood fell into the white glimmer.

ZZZING!

The sword hummed softly.

The sound was melodious and vast, lingering for a long moment before fading.

The white glimmer dispersed, and the Flying Sword revealed its true form: a translucent, pocket-sized sword about three inches long.

The body of the sword was engraved with fine patterns, which on closer inspection resembled the characters for Zhu and Zhou.

"You refined this especially for me?"

Feeling the connection forged by her blood, Zhou Yuantong gently caressed the sword’s body, her voice soft.

"I love it."

"I’m glad you like it," Zhu Ju said with a faint smile.

"Give it a name."

"A name?" Zhou Yuantong tilted her head, a light flashing in her beautiful eyes.

"How about we call it the Passionate Sword?"

"Passionate?" Zhu Ju seemed lost in thought.

"Let’s call it the Forget Love Sword instead."

"Forget Love?" Zhou Yuantong pursed her lips, clearly not fond of the name, but she shrugged anyway.

"Fine."

"The Forget Love Sword it is!"

’The Supreme Forget Love is not without emotion, but because of it, one is not trapped by it, and can thus perceive all living beings and the wonders of the human heart.’

She silently recited a line from her Cultivation Technique, then waved her long sleeve.

"Go!"

The Forget Love Sword trembled lightly, then shot out like a flash of lightning. It was only after it was a hundred meters away that it made a sharp turn and circled back.

She controlled the Flying Sword to perform a few Sword Formulas, finding it as responsive as her own arm and unusually agile. She couldn’t help but praise it.

"What a fine sword!"

"I’m glad you like it." Zhu Ju placed his hands on Zhou Yuantong’s shoulders, making her look directly at him, and said seriously,

"Yuann Tong."

"You must remember this: after we leave Wind Moon Valley, if I’m not with you, find a chance to leave on your own."

"Don’t worry about me!"

"Huh?" Zhou Yuantong’s face was a picture of confusion.