Dao Lord: Starting from a Top-grade Golden Core

Years ago, after creating the Void Shape Xuan Creation Dragon Dao Skill, Xuzhuang worked with Yan Renhe to design a complementary Magical Artifact. He envisioned that only with this artifact could the Dao Skill unleash its true, intended power. However, due to the demands of his cultivation and the difficulty in acquiring refining materials, he had never been able to forge it.

Now, however, Xuzhuang had reached the Nascent Soul realm and had also received the rarest primary material, the Primordial Jade Gui, from Zhou Jun. The idea of forging the artifact resurfaced, so he went to the Earth Fire Hall to inquire about the availability of refining chambers. If the timing was right, he figured he might as well attempt to craft it.

Dongguo Yi smiled. "As you know, Senior Brother, the Divine Continent hasn't been peaceful lately. Many of the sect's senior cultivators and elders want to refine Magical Artifacts for their own protection, so the refining chambers at the Earth Fire Hall are in very high demand."

Xuzhuang nodded. He was well aware of the current situation, which had left many sect members on edge. As a result, not only were the Earth Fire Hall's chambers in demand, but the sect's medicinal pills, magical items, and precious materials were all in short supply. Although Xuzhuang hadn't had the chance to exchange his merits for the Primordial Jade Gui after returning, he suspected that a top-grade vessel for Magical Power and restrictive formations like it would be even scarcer.

Of course, given his current status, he only needed to hint at his need, and resourceful people like Zhou Jun would surely find a way to procure it for him.

Seeing that Xuzhuang didn't disagree, Dongguo Yi continued, "I've already made some inquiries on your behalf, Senior Brother. If you're in an urgent need, I can get you a refining chamber within three years. I'm just afraid that would be too long a wait for you."

Xuzhuang smiled faintly. 'Of course I know that,' he thought. Given his status, plenty of cultivators who already had a spot reserved at the Earth Fire Hall a year or two out would willingly give up their place in exchange for a favor from him. The only reason he hadn't done so was that even that timeframe was longer than he had anticipated.

So Xuzhuang simply said, "I have other urgent matters to attend to soon, so a three-year wait is indeed too long. Junior Brother, if you have something else to say, please speak freely."

Dongguo Yi was not offended. He cupped his hands in a fist. "Yes, Senior Brother. As you know, our Yunmeng Marsh is a Water Realm, naturally lacking in fire energy. Our only Earth Fire Hall was created when the sect's founder used his immense Magical Power to connect to the Earth Lungs, providing a place for us to refine Top-Grade Magical Artifacts. But the Divine Land is vast; there are bound to be natural Earth Lung Fire Veins available."

"Oh?" Xuzhuang said, surprised. "Don't tell me you have a lead on one, Junior Brother?"

Dongguo Yi smiled. "Precisely. When my father was traveling the Divine Continent in his younger days, he stumbled upon a Fire Vein that connected directly to the Earth Lungs. However, my father neither practices Artifact Refining nor cultivates fire-based techniques, so he simply recorded its location and never made use of it. When I heard you were in urgent need of Earth Fire, Senior Brother, I immediately thought of this."

Without waiting for Xuzhuang's reply, he took a leather scroll from his sleeve and presented it. "Please take a look, Senior Brother. This is the map marking the location of that Fire Vein."

"You're very thoughtful, Junior Brother." Xuzhuang accepted the map but didn't unroll it immediately, casually placing it on the table. "You mentioned earlier that you had another matter to discuss. You might as well tell me everything now."

Seeing this, Dongguo Yi had no choice but to say, "I won't hide it from you, Senior Brother. I came here today to ask for your help."

Xuzhuang nodded, gesturing for him to elaborate.

During his past trip to Suffering Realm Mountain, Xuzhuang had incurred a small debt of gratitude to Dongguo Yi. Now, he had presented this Fire Vein Map. 'It seems he's acting with a clear purpose,' Xuzhuang mused. 'But he is thoughtful.' If the request was within his power, Xuzhuang wouldn't mind lending a hand, but that was as far as it would go.

Dongguo Yi cupped his hands again. "As you know, Senior Brother, the duties at Suffering Realm Mountain are crucial, and the conditions are austere. I have been stationed in the Suffering Realm for a century now, and I've never been able to secure a transfer..."

Xuzhuang raised an eyebrow. 'It's less about not getting a transfer and more about not getting a promotion,' he thought. Although the duties at Suffering Realm Mountain were heavy and the conditions harsh, the spiritual energy for cultivation and the allocation of resources were top-notch. If Dongguo Yi merely wanted to change posts or even retire to a leisurely life, it would be quite simple.

Dongguo Yi continued, "I know you've already reached the Nascent Soul realm, Senior Brother. You will surely be appointed to the Three Halls soon and wield true authority in the sect. That's why I've come to boldly ask for a transfer decree from you."

"So that's it." Xuzhuang smiled. 'Just a transfer order. If I really were appointed to the Three Halls, it wouldn't be difficult to arrange.'

"Unfortunately, I have not received an order to take up a position in the Three Halls," Xuzhuang said.

Dongguo Yi was stunned. "What? But... according to what I've heard, the sect did issue a decree for Nascent Soul True Disciples to be appointed to the Three Halls..."

"That is true," Xuzhuang said coolly. "However, I have other matters to attend to. Whether I will serve in the Three Halls in the future is still uncertain."

"This... this..." Dongguo Yi sighed. "In that case, I was being presumptuous. Please don't take offense, Senior Brother."

Xuzhuang gave a carefree laugh. "But what you're asking for is quite simple. I have two ways to achieve it."

The tip of Dongguo Yi's eyebrow twitched. He asked in a low voice, "Please, Senior Brother, do tell."

Xuzhuang said, "First, it's true the sect has issued the decree, and I have several acquaintances among the True Disciples who have already taken up positions in the Three Halls. You've stood guard at Suffering Realm Mountain for a century; if not for your merits, then for your toil. I could write a letter and get this done for you."

But doing so would cost Xuzhuang a favor. Dongguo Yi understood this well and asked, "May I ask, Senior Brother, what is the second way?"

Xuzhuang smiled. "I can see from your cultivation that you have already refined the Golden Mercury. If you could reach the Nascent Soul realm, you naturally wouldn't have to worry about a promotion."

Dongguo Yi's eyes widened in shock. He cupped his hands. "Please, Senior Brother, show me the way."

Xuzhuang took a Bronze Measuring Vessel from his sleeve and placed it on the table. He said lightly, "This is called Celestial Purity True Sand. How much do you need to break through to the Nascent Soul realm, Junior Brother?"

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!