Suddenly, the nine-colored figure’s movements abruptly changed. The Nine Spirits Profound Jade Fan produced unexpected effects with every open and close, every retraction and pull. Then, with another twist of the figure’s wrists, the Nine Spirits Profound Jade Fan split into two parts once more. Wielding one in each hand like a pair of dual blades, it launched a rapid assault. Gradually, the Profound Jade Fan began to make a faint sound as it sliced through the air. This sound grew louder and louder, eventually becoming a deafening roar.

’No wonder it’s called the Nine Waves Technique. The longer it’s performed, the greater the force of each swing. It’s like ocean waves, one building upon the last, growing stronger and stronger.’

After watching for a while, Mu Chen suddenly realized that the so-called Nine Waves Technique was simply a Combat Skill created by executing all the various techniques of the Nine Spirits Profound Jade Fan with maximum force. For example, the Gold Attribute Combat Skill, "Broken Halberd Sinks into the Sand," was the Slicing Technique from the Combined Form; the Wood Attribute Combat Skill was the Binding Technique; the Water Attribute Combat Skill was the Blocking Technique; the Fire Attribute Combat Skill was the Swinging Technique; the Earth Attribute Combat Skill was the Smashing Technique; the Wind Attribute Combat Skill was the Vortex Technique; the Ice Attribute Combat Skill was the Piercing Technique; and the Thunder Attribute Combat Skill was the Quick Technique. That left only the Condensing Technique for the Chaos Attribute.

Every move and every form had its own unique effect. Mu Chen finally understood the true power of the Nine Spirits Profound Jade Fan. It embodied the strengths of all types of weapons, giving its wielder the ultimate advantage against any foe.

The nine-colored figure danced for nearly an hour before slowly coming to a stop. The moment it concluded its form, the figure burst into a shower of colorful light that slowly flowed back into the Nine Spirits Profound Jade Fan. Mu Chen felt a wave of dizziness, and then found that his surroundings had returned to the dark chamber. The Nine Spirits Profound Jade Fan still floated silently in the air before him, as if it had never moved at all.

’What’s going on? It’s like those Combat Skills and movements have been branded into my mind.’ As Mu Chen came to his senses, he felt as if something had been forcibly poured into his head, causing a throbbing, bursting pain. The sensation lasted for a moment before being dispelled by a wisp of white mist released from the Extreme Spirit Pearl. Mu Chen could now perceive this white mist drifting out of the Extreme Spirit Pearl. Previously, he had always assumed it was his Master helping him dispel pain or heal his wounds. Only now did he realize that every wisp of white mist was emanating from the Extreme Spirit Pearl.

The Extreme Spirit Pearl, the Extreme Spirit Chaos Technique, and the Nine Spirits Profound Jade Fan—all three had converged upon him alone. Mu Chen didn’t know if there was some destined connection between them, nor did he care to find out. Right now, he was struggling to sort through the information that had been poured into his mind. A moment later, Mu Chen was surprised to discover that this information was none other than the Nine Waves Technique, the Combat Skill that came with the Nine Spirits Profound Jade Fan, as well as an introduction to the fan itself. The description was mostly consistent with what his Master had said, but some parts were different.

Nine Spirits Profound Jade Fan, also known as the Profound Jade Fan. Weight: 100,000 jin. After bonding, its weight can be controlled by the owner’s will. The bonding conditions are extremely demanding: one must possess all nine Attributes. If one possesses only a single Attribute, it must be the Extreme of that Attribute to form a temporary bond. A temporary owner can only wield the power of one of the Nine Waves Technique’s forms and cannot unleash its full potential. Weight control is also restricted, with the owner only able to reduce its weight by ten percent at a time. However, its true owner can use all the moves of the Nine Waves Technique, and its weight can be controlled at will. It can only be stored in Outer Heaven Meteorite Iron; no other material can contain it.

The rest was essentially the same as what his Master had told him. Now knowing the method, Mu Chen focused his will, and the Profound Jade Fan floated before him. As he reached out to touch it, Mu Chen was surprised to find that the fan was warm. The moment his fingers made contact, the Profound Jade Fan trembled and let out a clear, ringing hum.

A connection deep within his soul stirred Mu Chen. He could actually feel the Profound Jade Fan’s emotions. A moment ago, it had conveyed a feeling of dependence toward him, like that of a child for its parent.

With a thought, Mu Chen instantly reduced the Profound Jade Fan’s weight to 2,500 jin. He reached out and grasped the fan’s ring. A feeling of perfect harmony rose within him; the Profound Jade Fan felt like an extension of his own body. Gently stroking the fan’s frame, he then realized it was actually ten centimeters taller than he was.

’I wonder what it feels like to use the Nine Waves Technique.’ The thought made Mu Chen itch to try it out. However, his gaze inadvertently fell upon the floor nearby, where a black Scroll was lying flat.

"Master!"

Mu Chen cried out in alarm, snatching up the Scroll and quickly unfurling it. With a flash of light, the Profound Old Ghost’s image emerged from the Scroll once more. Mu Chen breathed a sigh of relief. ’Good, it’s not broken.’ 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

The Profound Old Ghost’s phantom appeared just as it always did, a gentle smile on his lips. "Silly boy, although I cannot see it with my own eyes, I know you have succeeded. Back when I wielded this Profound Jade Fan, I always felt there was more to it than just simple attacks. It had to be missing something, like a corresponding set of practical techniques. Fan-type weapons are virtually nonexistent on the Extreme Martial Continent. The creator of this Giant Fan couldn’t possibly have overlooked such crucial information. So I surmised that it must be hiding something else, and that perhaps you were the one meant to find it."

Hearing this, Mu Chen looked at his Master’s phantom in astonishment, filled with admiration for his foresight. So, his Master had long since suspected that the Profound Jade Fan had its own unique techniques. He gave the fan a firm tug. Primordial Power swirled around his fingertips, and with a flick of his wrist, the Profound Jade Fan snapped open with a sharp *SHING*. The razor-sharp Fan Blades were instantly revealed.

"Silly boy, you’ve already accomplished the first task. Now, Master needs you to complete the second. This second task is very simple. Inside that long, black case, there is a smaller black box. Go and take it out. That is the second item Master has left for you."

Mu Chen paused, then closed the Profound Jade Fan with a flick of his wrist. He hurried over to the long, black case and peered inside. Sure enough, an ordinary black Iron Box was resting in a corner. Since the Iron Box was almost the exact same color as the long case, and because all of his attention had been on the Profound Jade Fan, he hadn’t noticed it at all.

Setting the Profound Jade Fan aside, Mu Chen gently took out the Iron Box. It was ancient and covered in strange characters, none of which Mu Chen recognized. He opened the lid, revealing a small, three-legged cauldron the color of white jade. The little cauldron was so crystalline and translucent that one could see right through its body into the space within. Nine white dragons were carved upon it in various poses: one playing with a pearl, another swallowing a Fire Flame, another glaring angrily. In short, the small cauldron’s first impression was one of exquisite beauty.

However, after turning the cauldron all the way around, Mu Chen was left speechless when he discovered it had no vents. Going by the standard grading for Medicine Cauldrons, this would make it a Gradeless Medicine Cauldron.

The Profound Old Ghost’s phantom stared straight ahead and continued, "When you open it, you will see a Medicine Cauldron. I know you’re questioning why it has no vents, and you’re probably wondering if that makes it a Gradeless Medicine Cauldron, aren’t you? Heh. In truth, everyone has the same initial reaction. But I have some unfortunate news for you, my boy: you’re wrong."

"Among Medicine Cauldrons, there is no such thing as ’No Grade.’ The lowest is First Grade, which has a single vent. Even I, your Master, am seeing a ventless Medicine Cauldron for the first time. So, when I obtained it back then, I specifically tested it. I put a Third-Grade Medicinal Herb inside and was astonished to find that the small white cauldron refined it almost instantly. Afterward, I tossed in Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and even Eighth-Grade Medicinal Herbs. Without exception, all of them were refined. Unfortunately, I had no Ninth-Grade Medicinal Herbs at the time, so I couldn’t test it further. But I am certain that this is no ordinary Medicine Cauldron. Its Grade cannot even be calculated by conventional means. Now, bond with it."

Mu Chen nodded. He was still reeling from the cauldron’s peculiarity, but a Medicine Cauldron that could refine Eighth-Grade Medicinal Herbs was a rarity you could count on one hand across the entire Extreme Martial Continent. Swallowing hard, Mu Chen cut another small opening on his hand. A drop of crimson blood fell into the cauldron with a soft *PAT*.

The small white cauldron trembled, and the faint sound of a dragon’s roar echoed out. The nine white dragons on its body suddenly burst forth from its surface, transforming into nine illusory White Dragons. Each dragon pulled on a golden Locking Chain that was connected to the cauldron. For a moment, the magnificent scene of nine dragons pulling a cauldron filled the small, dark chamber. Mu Chen stared, dumbfounded. The nine White Dragons locked their gazes on him, and in the blink of an eye, they carried the small white cauldron into his chest and merged into his very soul. From then on, the Medicine Cauldron and Mu Chen were completely fused.

’White Dragon Cauldron.’

This was the information about the small cauldron that fed back into his mind after the fusion. It was only three words, with no other information whatsoever.

Taking a deep breath, Mu Chen felt as if he had spent the entire day living in a dream. The Nine Spirits Profound Jade Fan, which incorporated the attack styles of every major weapon, and the White Dragon Cauldron, which could refine at least Eighth-Grade Medicinal Herbs... These were items that would be considered priceless treasures in the eyes of any Great Power, and today, he had obtained them all.

"Silly boy, do you remember when I told you that once you reached my old residence, your resources would be in no way inferior to that little girl, Qin Wu? Now, your starting point is far higher than most people’s. But that cannot be an excuse for you to grow complacent. Master gave you these things to help you become stronger, not for you to become dependent on them. You must remember: in this world, anything that isn’t your own power is merely an external force. It can never be an excuse for you to stop moving forward."

"If you are ready, then begin absorbing the Extreme Ice Attribute Spirit. When you do, remember to first refine the Medicinal Power of the Fire Crow Grass. This is why Master had you bond with the Medicine Cauldron first. To be safe, you should refine the Emperor’s Heart Returning Lotus at the same time. Secondly, you must release the Shattered Star Lock Chain. Have it convert to the Fire Attribute and wrap it tightly around your body. This will slightly weaken the external chill. The internal and external forces will counteract each other. While it might not reduce its power by even one percent, it’s better than nothing."

"During the fusion process, the Extreme Ice Attribute will resist violently. The pain will be unlike anything you have ever experienced. But you must remember this: no matter how excruciating it becomes, even if you feel your very marrow decomposing, even if your flesh and blood feel like they’re bursting apart, you absolutely must maintain a clear consciousness. The moment your consciousness falls silent, the moment you lose yourself completely, you will become a Puppet of the Extreme Ice Attribute—nothing more than a killing machine. The people you love, and the people who love you, will all weep for you in sorrow. Everything you are will vanish from this world."