Sword refining's preliminary preparations were very cumbersome.

First, one had to measure the positions of heaven and earth, the angles of latitude and longitude, align above with the various stars, and below with the dragon veins, not a thread's width off course.

After the geomancy was complete, construction of the altars began.

Originally, the Taiyin Hunyuan Ancestor was to be the core. He should have taken the central main position, but Shi Feiyang had to refine nine swords at the same time. Everyone refining swords together would attract more heavenly tribulations aimed at the main position.

The Taiyin Hunyuan Ancestor was aware that even if he withstood the tribulations he would be greatly weakened in his Primordial Qi and, if things went poorly, all his magical treasures could be destroyed here, so he yielded the main position.

Shi Feiyang didn't say much; he attracted more heavenly tribulations and should bear more of them. He just laughed at the Taiyin Hunyuan Ancestor in his heart, "You still can't be the leader of a group of immortals..."

So, his Dharma Platform was set right in the center, the largest in area, with a circular Dharma Platform in the middle for his casting, and in front, nine platforms arranged like a fan's surface spread out, together forming a large altar.

The Taiyin Hunyuan Ancestor's altar was in front of his, the White Bone God's altar was behind on his left, and Netherworld Saint Xu Wan's altar was behind on his right, the three forming a well-shaped pattern to protect Shi Feiyang in the center.

Those at the center faced more powerful heavenly tribulations, while those on the outside faced more human tribulations.

After positioning was set, construction commenced. Each of the four families built altars according to their own situations. The White Bone God's altar was made from millennium-old ghost bones he had collected over hundreds of years, deep in white bones, resembling a small fortress. The walls were covered in white bone skulls and many copper basins were set on white bone racks, overflowing with phosphorus sand.

Xu Wan's Dharma Platform was constructed from Rune-inscribed Netherworld Bricks, resembling a small castle. Black bricks were piled up, with a Ghost Gate in front and a Wangxiang Platform behind, the walls adorned with white sails draped with paper money, and numerous paper-men and paper-horses, paper-built pagodas, shrouded with dark clouds and an aura of malevolence, just looking at them one felt the ill-omen.

The Taiyin Hunyuan Ancestor's altar had his disciples fetch stones from the Five Mountains to build it, totaling five artificial mountains representing the true forms of the Five Mountains with the East Mountain seated, West Mountain standing, South Mountain flying, North Mountain moving, and Central Mountain lying. The Five Mountains forming the true forms responded above to the Five Stars, and below connected to the earth's energy. His Dharma Platform was set on the Central Mountain, with the sword placed at the South Mountain. Sikong Zhan was at the East Mountain, Xu Feiniang at the West Mountain, and all disciples were at the North Mountain.

Shi Feiyang's altar city was piled with Five-Colored Divine Sand, forming a layout of one origin and nine stars, crystal sand shimmering brilliantly, emitting a five-colored radiance. The central altar was nine zhang high, and thirteen zhang wide, containing a core of the True Sun Fire, with a pool formed of True Water on top, and the Qiantian Fire Bamboo from the Outer Heaven Divine Mountain was planted within the bamboo forest water system. Inside lay a Jade Couch, a Jade Table, an incense burner, and a Treasure Tripod among others.

The nine front platforms were also stacked with crystal sand, six zhang high, aligning with the Nine Luminaries, containing the Five Elements Essence Qi, interacting with mutual production and counteraction, and on the top of each platform were Five-Colored Divine Stones, each containing a sword embryo. The nine Sword Molds were sealed inside.

His site had an air of Immortal family, showing not the slightest hint of devilish air, forming a stark contrast with the two on his sides. The disciples of the White Bone Sect and Taiyin Sect stayed within their own White Bone Village and Taiyin City, looking over at his site, their gazes filled with envy and jealousy.

Once the altar city was constructed, there were still various procedures such as purifying the altar, consecrating the altar, and stabilizing the altar. Only after everything was ready could the altars be inaugurated.

The guardian deity used by Shi Feiyang for his altar was the Nine Child Mother Sky Demon.

After their birth several years ago, they reappeared already transformed into nine towering beauties. Shi Feiyang had them each guard next to one of the nine Immortal Slaying Swords.

While they were making the preparations for sword refining, all the Emei Sect's elders had also returned to the mountain to discuss countermeasures.

Qi Shuming even gave up his own sword refining, for if the adversary succeeded in refining the Heavenly Demon Immortal Slaying Sword, even if he refined the Golden Fierce Fire Sword it would be useless, let alone the fact that the opponent was to refine twelve swords at once!

All the Emei Sword Immortals were filled with grave concern.

Master Can Xia spoke up first, "Relying solely on ourselves, we probably cannot prevent that bunch of fiends from refining the swords. We must invite more assistance."

Qi Shuming had already intended to do this, "Correct! The fiends are refining the Demon Sword, which will cause chaos on earth, triggering boundless killing tribulations. Everyone will be within the scope of disaster. I desire to issue the Demon Extermination Token, inviting all those in the world with right-minded Qi to join us in heading to the Star Constellations Sea to exterminate demons and uphold the Dao!"

Once the Sect Leader set the tone, everyone else also expressed agreement, and together they discussed who might be invited.

Master Can Xia was the first to suggest inviting the Divine Nun You Tan. After Master Changmei's Ascension, she took her as her Master for Buddhist and Daoist Dual Cultivation. Now she is her official Master.

During the last swordfight, Divine Nun You Tan took action, defeating Shang Heyang, Poison Dragon Venerable, and Fiery Fire Ancestor, who joined hands at the Guiyuan Temple.

It was previously arranged that she would be invited for the third sword fight, so this time she would certainly not refuse.

Then, everyone voiced numerous candidacies, with suggestions to ask Master Jile Li Jingxu, to invite Bai Mei Zen Master from Ningbi Cliff, to call upon Zen Master Tian Meng, and to request Yan Yingmu from the Miao Zhen Temple… The crowd pooled their wisdom and efforts, and finally under Qi Shuming's direction, a list of twenty-six individuals was finalized. Invitation letters were produced, and messengers were sent to deliver them to various locations.

Amongst these invitations, there were ones for Jiang Shu of the Qingcheng Sect, Ling Hun of the Snow Mountain Sect, Mr. Zhong of the Kunlun Sect, and the co-leader old nun of the Wudang Sect.

Shi Feiyang railed against the sins of himself and the Taiyin Hunyuan Ancestor among others, for harming innocent lives, for refining the Heavenly Demon Immortal Slaying Sword, calling on everyone to join forces in slaying demons and exterminating evil spirits, and to safeguard the Righteous Path in the world.

Among the twenty-six, there were those whom Qi Shuming couldn't be certain would come, but most were confirmed to attend, and even those who were sure not to come were also invited, for it was essential to make clear their stance and position.

In human affairs, success lies with the heavens, Shi Feiyang had done all that he needed to do and then ceased to ponder other matters. Seated cross-legged atop the Sun Altar, he calmed his mind and focused his will, no longer affected by external influences.

On the day the altar was to be activated, Shi Feiyang donned the Immortal Crane Robe early. He was prepared to endure even more of the Heavenly Tribulation, for he was the Altar Master, dressed very formally, his head crowned with the sun, moon, and five stars, and in his hand, he held a White Jade Dust Brush. Following the ceremony, he ascended the altar once again.

After his ascension, disciples from the Wutai Sect, White Bone Sect, and Taiyin Sect, under the leadership of their respective Sect Leaders, first paid homage to the Altar Master, then each ascended the altar.

As Shi Feiyang swung his dust brush, he dispersed the "Crown Cloud" that had previously enshrouded the Dharma Platform, directly facing the sun-kissed blue sky and ordered the commencement of the sword refining!

The four individuals began simultaneously, first cleansing the sword mold with Essence Blood Primordial Qi, and after three days, they would each feed their prepared Divine Demons into the sword mold.

The White Bone Divine Monarch used Yin Fire for refinery, Xu Wan used Evil Qi, the Taiyin Hunyuan Ancestor used Five Elements True Fire, and Shi Feiyang used True Sun Fire, his station was the brightest and most dazzling.

During those three days, the entire surrounding area of a hundred miles around the Star Constellations Sea was illuminated by various brilliant lights, shining even brighter than the sunlight, making the nights as bright as daytime.

Once the purification was complete, it was time to switch the furnaces and tripods, feeding the Divine Demons into the sword mold.

The Taiyin Hunyuan Ancestor coaxed the Primordial Spirit of Chi You, Emperor Chi You himself, who was certainly no weaker than the Heavenly Demon. Upon realizing that the Taiyin Hunyuan Ancestor intended to use him for sword refining, he roared in rage, refusing to submit. With a combination of soft and hard tactics, the Taiyin Hunyuan Ancestor promised him future liberation while simultaneously casting spells to force him into the sword. The sudden upheaval caused the sky and sea to change color, striking awe into everyone present.

Yet where Shi Feiyang stood, all was calm; nine Heavenly Demons were introduced into the sword mold by nine Golden Flowers.

However, even though it appeared effortless, as soon as these entities appeared, all Sect Leader-level individuals could feel their minds shaking and their blood churning.

The onslaught brought by Chi You was tangible, with its grandeur, while the attack from the Heavenly Demons was intangible, a direct assault on the heart!

Only a few among the disciples from the three sects could sense this, the vast majority were being influenced by the Heavenly Demon unconsciously. The three Sect Leaders hastily commanded their disciples to collect themselves, concentrate, and beware demonic disturbances.

Shi Feiyang was the first to complete the process of "Demons entering the sword." Next, he released fresh blood, divided into nine parts, each poured onto the sword, then exhaled Essence Energy, and used Essence Blood to congeal and refine the sword embryo.

Previously, during the forging of the sword mold, they used visible fire, that was Martial Fire. Now for nurturing the Sword Spirit, they used Heart Fire, which is Civil Fire.

Shi Feiyang was wholeheartedly connected with the nine Heavenly Demons, divining his thoughts and feelings, which allowed both parties to know what the other was thinking, like an umbilical connection, with True Qi nutrients flowing between them.

This process was perilously dangerous; should the one refining the sword make a mistake, they could be dominated by the Demon within, controlling their innermost thoughts. At that moment, the Divine Demon within the sword would become the master - the sword would be the corporeal body, and the sword refiner would become the Divine Demon's weapon.

Shi Feiyang's consciousness was vast and boundless, an endless void, against which the nine Demon Lords surged with massive amounts of memory.

Beings in Heaven generally lived exceptionally long lives, usually around three to four thousand years. All nine Heavenly Demons had lived for over ten thousand years. Their collective ninety thousand years of memories were virtually inexhaustible.

Having been captured, they were extremely rebellious, and now they aimed to shatter Shi Feiyang's mental fortitude in one fell swoop. The nine streams of Divine Thought carrying infinite memories surged into Shi Feiyang's consciousness, seeking to capture his Primordial Spirit. Should Shi Feiyang harbor even the slightest intention or thoughts, they would detect his position, burst into the Mud Ball Palace, and seize his Primordial Spirit.

However, Shi Feiyang harbored not a single thought, and the memories brought by the nine Demon Lords, if likened to nine torrents of bursting floodwaters, then Shi Feiyang's memories were akin to the vast universe itself. Their ninety thousand years of memories, even at ninety million or nine hundred million years, could still not fill the space - such was the Dao Level of one who has Seen Dao!

Naturally, should Shi Feiyang entertain even a single thought, his consciousness would shift from the intangible to the tangible, from "nothingness" to "somethingness," instantly changing from infinite to finite, and would be overwhelmed.

The White Bone Divine Monarch and Xu Wan were in such a situation; they guided their respective Divine Demons into the sword mold, created a bridge with their thoughts, and the Divine Demons immediately detected the location of their Primordial Spirits. Demonic Qi and Devil Thought surged into the Mud Ball Palace, attacking their Primordial Spirits.

Fortunately for them, the Primordial Spirits they used for refining were from this realm and their Daoist power was not greater than theirs. Both could endure it; they each used casting techniques and operated their powers in response, employing their Primordial Spirits to suppress the Divine Demons, then used Heart Fire to refine the sword, pressuring them into the sword embryo.

The Taiyin Hunyuan Ancestor was in the most danger. He did not possess a Dao Level as high as Shi Feiyang and used the same method as the other two, yet Emperor Chi You was much more powerful than the likes of Di Can and Hong Yun. Once the bridge was established, the ancient divine might of Chi You charged directly into the Mud Ball Palace, nearly capturing the Taiyin Hunyuan Ancestor in one move.

It was only thanks to his prior preparations and refining of the Chaos Divine Mist from the Chi You Three Disks Scripture, along with the protection of treasures like the Taiyin Five Smoke Net, assisted by Sikong Zhan on his left and Xu Feiniang on his right casting spells, activating the Five Mountains True Forms, and continuously feeding Primordial Qi into the main peak, that the Taiyin Hunyuan Ancestor managed to stabilize his position.

This was only one-third of Chi You's Primordial Spirit; had it been the entire thing, he would have instantly become Chi You's slave!

The four individuals successively forced the Divine Demons into the sword embryo and used Essence Blood Primordial Qi for sacrificial refinement, making the internal creation within the sword embryo respond in concert, nurturing the Sword Spirit. At this point, they synchronised with heaven and earth, beginning to draw upon the air of the Heavens, inducing the Heavenly Tribulation!

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