Chapter 425: Chapter 425: Soul-Stabilizing Mother and Son Bells!

"What a fine magic artifact!"

As an elder, Zhu Chongjiu naturally knew how to refine artifacts, and he could tell just from its appearance the exquisiteness of the small bell pendant.

As for its use, he could only learn a little by binding it with his blood.

However, Ning Changzhong had only asked him to wear it, so he didn’t rashly make the magic artifact his own.

"This is the Soul-Stabilizing Bell," Ning Changzhong explained after seeing Zhu Chongjiu wear the bell and tuck the pendant into his collar. "Seventh Senior Brother, this is a recently developed magic artifact of mine. It can secure the body and steady the mind, helping you to focus better during cultivation! Please wear it well. These days, we too should step up our cultivation efforts."

"Thank you, Ning Junior Brother!"

Zhu Chongjiu accepted it with joy.

He could refine similar artifacts, but his remaining resources over the years had all gone into tempering Lu Chen’s Heavenly Inquiry Spear. One could say his pockets were empty, cleaner even than his face.

If he were to gather materials and refine one himself, it would be a great waste of time.

"There’s no need to be polite, Seventh Senior Brother. Who are we if not brothers? There’s nothing urgent at the moment. Would you like to wait here for Lu Chen, or do you prefer to return for your cultivation?"

It seemed that they had some knowledge of spells, but they usually focused on artifact refining and wouldn’t let the practice of spells delay important matters.

Additionally, when they pursued a breakthrough in their realm, they aspired to validate their paths through their artifacts. By refining a Supreme Magical Instrument and drawing insights from it, supplemented by their inherent strength, they could still make a breakthrough to the next stage.

At the mention of Lu Chen, Zhu Chongjiu snapped back to reality, his reflexive concern evident, "I’ll wait for Lu Chen. Who knows if any complications might arise in his cultivation!"

But no sooner had he spoken than he remembered what Lu Chen had told him, suddenly feeling that something was off with Ning Changzhong.

Previously, his thoughts were preoccupied, and he hadn’t dwelled on it, but now, recalling Lu Chen’s words, he grew suspicious.

Cultivation was all about competition.

Competing with heaven, earth, and fellow men!

Yet since Ning Changzhong wasn’t on good terms with him, why would he give him this excellent magic artifact that could help with his cultivation?

"Then, Senior Brother, wait here. I will go to the back mountain to cultivate," Ning Changzhong replied, with his own plans in mind. The so-called Soul-Stabilizing Bell he had given actually had the capability of captivating the mind.

This little bell was crafted using the Mother and Son Bells technique.

What Zhu Chongjiu held was the Son Bell.

And the Mother Bell was naturally on the back mountain!

Now that Zhu Chongjiu had put on the bell and decided to stay here waiting for Lu Chen, it was only natural for Ning Changzhong to go to the back mountain and make some preparations!

But Zhu Chongjiu was already alert, thinking that Ning Changzhong wouldn’t be able to play any tricks in his presence.

Yet on second thought, he was afraid that any commotion similar to what had happened before might alert Ning Changzhong, which wouldn’t be good.

"He was right about one thing; the master is still in the sect, nothing should go wrong. When Lu Chen comes out, I’ll discuss this matter with him and see what he thinks!"

Invisibly, he had begun to rely on Lu Chen. His own experience was insufficient, and Lu Chen, as a loose cultivator, might have some unique insights!

With this thought, Zhu Chongjiu bid Ning Changzhong farewell, watching him until he crested the hillside on his way to the back mountain before he finally let out a sigh of relief. Instinctively, he took out the small bell from around his neck and held it in his hand, intent on examining it closely for any external clues.

Unfortunately, he didn’t possess the Pupil Skill and couldn’t see the key patterns engraved on the inner wall of the bell.

And the connecting patterns of the Soul-Stabilizing Mother and Son Bells were precisely on the inner wall!

Meanwhile, Lu Chen gradually came to his senses, having completely refined the Fire Essence absorbed from the pit with his Spiritual Fire.

Observing the increasingly solid flame and his spear, the Pillar of Way, now faintly glowing with a grey-white light, a confident smile appeared on Lu Chen’s face.

"I never expected that three essences of fire would help me break through to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment! If I absorb all the Earth Vein Fire Essence from the nine caves... Core Formation is hopeful!"

Since entering the Foundation Establishment Stage, Lu Chen’s strength had continued to increase, but his realm had somewhat stalled.

He hadn’t expected that after joining the Casting Gear Pavilion, fortunate opportunities would follow one after another!

Inner sight, Fire Essence, breakthroughs in realm...

Lu Chen slowly stood up, glanced at the pit behind him, and then took out a wooden talisman to deactivate the wards before leaving the place.

The cave was extremely quiet. He didn’t see Ning Changzhong, but he did find Zhu Chongjiu alone, holding a small bell.

Without a doubt, the bell was refined by Ning Changzhong.

Yet why would the master also have one?

Remembering the potential hidden dangers, Lu Chen stepped forward and plucked the small bell from Zhu Chongjiu’s hands!

"Eh? Lu Chen?"

Zhu Chongjiu was taken aback, his mind suddenly filled with surprise and suspicion...

How had he, being in the Core Formation Stage, failed to notice Lu Chen’s approach?

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read