Master Mafan was a supreme grandmaster of artifact refining, his skills exquisitely honed. Across the vast expanse of the Three Thousand Worlds, you could count on one hand the number of artifact refiners who could rival him.
When other factions refined a dwelling-type Artifact, they would inevitably deploy dozens or even over a hundred refiners working together. Even the more skilled among them needed at least a dozen. But Master Mafan had refined the Purple Firmament Palace entirely on his own, from start to finish.
In all the Three Thousand Worlds, the number of artifact refiners capable of such a feat could be counted on a single hand.
A refiner of this caliber would be a rare and precious talent in any of the Caves of Heaven or Blessed Lands. It wasn't just Yang Kai who was envious—even the Thirty-Six Caves of Heaven and Seventy-Two Blessed Lands, every single one of them coveted his abilities.
It wasn't that no one had tried to recruit him. Over the countless years, nearly every Cave of Heaven and Blessed Land had sent emissaries to woo him, offering generous and extravagant terms, yet without exception, Master Mafan had turned them all down.
For him, the Dayan Blessed Land was his root. Born a son of Dayan, he would remain so even in death.
Yang Kai had once harbored similar thoughts himself, attempting to invite Master Mafan to serve as a Supreme Guest Elder of Lingxiao Palace. After learning the dire circumstances of the Dayan Blessed Land, he had even dangled the existence of the World Tree as bait to lure the master out of seclusion.
However, while Master Mafan had agreed to help him refine a dwelling-type Artifact, he had never given his consent to taking up the post of Supreme Guest Elder.
Yang Kai hadn't pressed the matter.
Who could have imagined that now, in this place, with Yang Kai completely in the dark, Master Mafan would drop such a bombshell?
Yang Kai's first reaction wasn't joy—it was the sensation of a burning hot potato having been slammed into his hands.
In his shock, Yu Changdao was already looking at him with gleaming eyes: "The master is actually one of our own? That's wonderful! Sect Master, you must take good care of our own people!"
Hong Xiangling was even quicker, rising in a single step and planting himself in front of Yang Kai: "Young Yang, I have a disciple—sixth-rank Open Heaven cultivation, beautiful as a flower, gentle and sweet-natured, still without a match to this day, emotionally a complete blank, so devoted to her Cultivation that she's practically fallen into it headlong, showing signs of Qi Deviation if you ask me. I think she needs a young hero like you to come rescue her—"
Before he could finish, Duan Ruishan slapped a palm over his face and shoved him aside. "Sect Master Yang, name whatever conditions you wish! If Wuxiang Heaven can fulfill them, we won't hesitate for a moment!"
Lu Zhengyang of the Qingming Blessed Land chimed in as well: "Is Lingxiao Palace still short on a Supreme Guest Elder? I've long felt a deep connection with Lingxiao Palace. My only regret is that Sect Master Yang has been away so long—eager as I was to join, I had no way in!"
Four upper-rank Open Heaven masters stared at Yang Kai with burning eyes, like starved ghosts beholding a sumptuous feast, trading words back and forth in a heated rush.
Yang Kai stared at them, mouth agape for a good while. "What are you all talking about?"
Seeing his dumbfounded expression—genuinely stunned, not feigned—the four upper-rank Open Heaven masters exchanged glances.
Hong Xiangling said, "Boy, you don't know?"
"Why would I know?" Yang Kai shot back. "I just got back from the Shattered Heaven. I came here to collect my Artifact from Master Mafan, nothing more."
Lu Zhengyang frowned and turned to Master Mafan. "Master, can Sect Master Yang truly make decisions on this? He seems completely unaware."
Master Mafan sat there watching with a genial smile. He produced a wine gourd, took a blissful sip, and nodded. "Of course he can make decisions. Mm, even if he couldn't before, now that I've said it, he can!"
Their gazes blazed even hotter.
Yang Kai's face crumpled. "Master, what exactly is going on? The least you could have done was give me a heads-up first."
Master Mafan pondered briefly, then rose to his feet. "Come with me."
With that, he strode out through the doors.
Yang Kai stowed the Purple Firmament Palace and hurried after him. Honghu moved to follow, but Yang Kai waved her off, gesturing for her to stay behind.
Together with Master Mafan, he exited the great hall and ventured deep into the void.
The master's voice drifted back from ahead: "Our Dayan Blessed Land possesses two supreme treasures. The first is a replica of the Universe Furnace. The true Universe Furnace drifts somewhere unseen, condensing the essence of the universe and giving rise to profound spiritual pills. Any cultivator who has reached the Open Heaven Realm can break through their shackles by consuming them—as long as the supply is sufficient, one can advance without limit. The Open Heaven Pills commonly circulated in the world today were developed by ancient powers who had studied the Open Heaven Pills born from the Universe Furnace and reverse-engineered their formula. Every time the true Universe Furnace appears, it sends waves across the Three Thousand Worlds, and no one can claim it. Our ancestors were fortunate enough to glimpse the true Universe Furnace. They devoted their entire lives, spending immeasurable years and resources to forge a replica—though it cannot match the true one in profundity, it is nonetheless remarkable. It is what I use when I refine artifacts, and you've seen it yourself."
Yang Kai nodded. The first time he had come here with the Madam to have Master Mafan refine an artifact, he had watched the master harness the power of the True Solar Fire inside that replica Universe Furnace.
"The second is called the Creation Divine Furnace!" Master Mafan's voice grew solemn.
"The Creation Divine Furnace?" Yang Kai raised an eyebrow.
"This one was not made by mortal hands—it is born of heaven and earth itself. A true supreme treasure!" A note of unmistakable pride threaded through the master's voice. "According to the records passed down by our ancestors, the Creation Divine Furnace appeared one day without warning within the Dayan Blessed Land, as if bestowed by heaven and earth. The workings of creation are infinitely profound."
Yang Kai asked curiously, "What does this Creation Divine Furnace do?"
Master Mafan said, "You'll see for yourself in a moment."
Yang Kai asked no more.
After a short while, they had penetrated deep into a region of the void. Here, layer upon layer of restrictions blanketed the space, and even before drawing near, a foreboding and dangerous aura reached them, sending a chill of dread through Yang Kai's heart.