In a restricted area of the Immortal Sect's back mountain, Su Min observed the scene below.
At the center of the massive formation lay a cluster of multicolored eggs emitting a unique radiance—these were nearly all the Kirin eggs Su Min had brought back. Among them, a jet-black egg pulsed with faint light.
"Even the Ink Kirin hasn't hatched yet? Seems impatience won't help."
Su Min sighed helplessly at the eggs. This wasn't something she could rush. Fortunately, vibrant life energy emanated from them, easing her concerns slightly.
If anything happened to these Kirin, extinction would be trivial compared to losing access to the Central Wutu Divine Earth.
"Time to find the Little Golden Crow and refine my weapon."
With a final glance, Su Min vanished from the spot. Her available time wasn't particularly long or short—she had other matters to attend to, while the Kirin would require patience.
Soon, beneath the ancient Fusang Tree...
"You acquired three more eggs?"
When Su Min located the Little Golden Crow, the latter was placing several golden-shelled eggs into a geothermal vein. Their unique energy signatures revealed their origins immediately.
"Progress is already slow enough. Including me, there are only three Golden Crows now. Adding two more will stretch the Fusang Divine Tree's energy thin—ten is likely the limit."
The Little Golden Crow rolled her eyes. Compared to humans' rapid reproduction, their species' growth was painstakingly slow.
"Can we melt this weapon together?"
Su Min cut straight to the point, producing the ancient sword.
"Heaven-grade high-level artifact?"
The Little Golden Crow's brow furrowed at the weathered blade.
"Yes."
Su Min felt no attachment to the weapon she couldn't use. Melting it down posed no moral dilemma—only a technical challenge. This artifact could withstand a star's core—ordinary heat wouldn't damage it. Only special heavenly flames or supreme cultivators could refine it.
So far, Su Min knew of four heavenly flames: the Little Golden Crow's Solar True Flame, Jiang Xi's Lunar True Flame, her own Nanming Lihuo, and her disciple's Nether Ghost Flame.
The latter two were unsuitable for this task. That left only their combined efforts.
"We can try. But be warned—success or failure, our powers might destroy it completely."
After contemplation, the Little Golden Crow agreed. Though the Golden Crow Clan possessed two Emperor's Artifacts (one exceptionally powerful), heaven-grade high-level artifacts weren't commonplace.
"No problem. I killed its original owner, and his techniques are nearly lost to time. I'll never wield it properly."
Su Min remained indifferent. Strictly speaking, the techniques weren't completely lost—the alliance on that planet had recovered them. The original owner's methods weren't evil, just incompatible with her path.
If someone there cultivated sufficiently, they might use this sword. But that concerned Su Min little—she'd saved their world; their distant future was their own.
"Then let's begin."
Seeing Su Min's resolve, the Little Golden Crow stopped hesitating. Raising her hand, golden flames erupted. Simultaneously, crimson light flickered around Su Min's palm.
Upon contact, the Little Golden Crow's eyebrow twitched.
"Tch."
The two contrasting flames now burned with equal intensity—a surprise, as Su Min's Nanming Lihuo had always been slightly inferior in destructive power.
"The Five Elements Saint Physique's uniqueness. With the Central Wutu Divine Earth, the effect would be even more dramatic. Enough talk—let's proceed."
Su Min briefly explained before intensifying her flames. The crimson blaze engulfed the weapon completely as the Little Golden Crow joined forces.
Instantly, energy turbulence shook the surrounding area. Nearby spirit beasts gaped at the spectacle.
"What are the mistress and Lady Su doing?"
An elder transformed from a spirit beast murmured. At late-stage Divine Transformation, even the stray energy could reduce him to ashes. The might of Dao Comprehension experts was truly terrifying—though his bloodline limited further advancement.
Countless curious gazes turned toward the phenomenon, yet none dared investigate.
A month passed in what felt like moments.
Under the dual refinement of Nanming Lihuo and Solar True Flame, the heaven-grade high-level weapon lost its original form, liquefying completely. Its former properties were irrevocably erased.
Even if reshaped now, it could never regain its previous grade.
"Now!"
Without hesitation, Su Min summoned her slender sword. It flew into the molten metal, devouring and assimilating it.
Dazzling light erupted from the weapon as thunderclouds gathered overhead.
"Thunder manifests when heaven-grade artifacts emerge."
The Little Golden Crow opened her eyes. Heaven-grade artifacts always triggered celestial phenomena—only after enduring these heavenly tribulations could they be considered genuine. Their power far surpassed earth-grade artifacts—to Su Min now, earth-grade weapons might as well be paper.
"Go."
Su Min's eyes flashed as her sword shot skyward.
Boom!
Colossal lightning bolts descended, striking the weapon with force sufficient to injure even Su Min.
"Aren't you worried it'll shatter?"
"If it fails, that's its limit. I'll forge a new one upon reaching the Unity stage."
Though this sword had accompanied her since severing that Niu Ma upon first transmigrating, it was time for its final evolution.
More importantly, she had absolute confidence—this system-bestowed weapon had no upper limit. The system's gifts—like her Immortality and Heavenly Dao Insight ability—had proven extraordinary.
As expected, the thunder gradually dissipated, and the sword descended into Su Min's grasp. The moment she touched it, sword energy surged skyward, forcing both women to erect barriers rather than face it head-on.
"Heaven-grade low-level artifact—Five Elements Holy Sword."
Su Min admired the blade now radiating terrifying aura. Finally, she had a proper offensive weapon instead of relying solely on the massive Buddha projection's exhausting demands.
The sword's effect was straightforward—amplifying all Five Elements attacks, especially their combined force. A perfect match for her physique.
"Whew."
The Little Golden Crow exhaled in relief—the prolonged effort had drained her somewhat.
"Your power has grown again. Good—I must enter seclusion once more."
"Hmm?"
While examining her new weapon, Su Min started at the sudden declaration.
"I'm preparing to breakthrough to the Unity stage—a lengthy process. Given my bloodline, progression to Mahayana is virtually guaranteed without bottlenecks. But surpassing that..."
Her voice trailed off meaningfully.
"Throughout eternity, humans have dominated the emperor realm. Other races combined have produced only a handful—two or three each for Golden Crows and Dragons."
Su Min's brow furrowed. The five supreme physiques' upper limit was Mahayana—but breaking through to Ascension depended on more than just innate gifts.
Apart from the legendary Chaos Physique, all Mahayana peak experts stood equal before that final hurdle.
"So you're aiming for that supreme realm?"
Su Min's question carried weight—attempting emperorhood invited unimaginable dangers.
"My duty is ensuring the Golden Crow lineage's continuation. Ascension isn't my current concern."
"I see."
Su Min nodded without further comment.
"Seclude yourself with peace of mind. I'll oversee things here temporarily. Even in my absence, the two kings can manage."
Their triumvirate maintained an unspoken rule—never all secluding simultaneously. At least one remained active, ensuring the sect's safety.
With the Golden Crow Ancient Formation protecting Eastern Mulberry Province, a single Dao Comprehension guardian sufficed. Unless Su Min repeated her previous sect-exterminating expedition by mobilizing all top-tier combatants, even the Black Seal wouldn't attack rashly.
Despite their power, Fallen Ones remained cowardly at heart.
"Mm."
The Little Golden Crow transformed into a golden orb and vanished into the Fusang Tree.
Su Min, meanwhile, streaked across the sky toward the Immortal Sect. At her current level, traversing provinces took little time.
Soon...
"Yingying hasn't returned yet?"
A quick scan confirmed Xie Yingying's absence. Su Min knew where she'd gone.
"How long does this conference need? She's been gone a month—shouldn't she be back by now?"
Su Min had learned about the new sect assembly upon exiting seclusion. While unifying the continent against the Fallen Ones was ideal, she doubted the outcome. Human nature dictated the need for a leader—a position even Su Min couldn't fill securely. Only Yao Xian'er had that authority, yet she'd departed mysteriously.
True to expectations, Xie Yingying's message arrived the next day.
"Of course they're quarreling."
Reading the report, Su Min massaged her temples. Facing imminent catastrophe, they still bickered over status. The old adage rang true—better lose to outsiders than concede to kin.
"Hope they wake up soon. Time for me to attempt eighth-grade alchemy."
Shaking her head, Su Min acknowledged even she couldn't claim that leadership mantle.