Zhao Di and the other three waited for only a moment, when the dense clouds underwent a change. A burst of spiritual light flashed, and from within the dense clouds emerged a magnificent cloud ladder, two or three zhang wide and nearly one hundred zhang long, stretching directly from in front of the small pavilion to deep within the mountainside shrouded in dense clouds.

  The three of them hastily stepped onto the cloud ladder and walked into the mountains.

  After passing through the cloud ladder, the thick clouds were thrown behind them, and Zhao Di and others finally saw the true face of this hidden peak. This hidden peak was indeed different from the others, not only did it not have lush green grass and trees like other mountains, but also the rocks on the mountain peak presented a dark red color. Moreover, the three people clearly felt that the temperature of this hidden peak, where no grass grew, was much higher than outside.

  Although their cultivation had reached the level of Zhao Di and others, they were already immune to cold and heat. Ordinary temperature changes would not affect them. However, the temperature inside this Hidden Peak was at least a lot higher than outside. If an ordinary person entered, they might not be able to withstand the heat for long.

  The three of them walked silently for a short distance along the mountain road and arrived in front of a stone temple. On a red boulder in front of the temple, the three powerful characters "Bai Cui Tang" were engraved.

  The stone hall was built with a kind of snow-white crystal jade, which stood out particularly dazzling against the dark red background.

  As soon as the three of them stepped into the hall, they immediately felt the temperature drop sharply again, and it was almost the same as the outside temperature.

  Zhao Di immediately remembered the name of the snow-white jade stone used in this stone hall - Han Yu.

  It is said that in one of the books Zhao Di read, Cold Jade was also a common material for refining equipment. However, the difference in spiritual power contained in different Cold Jades was quite large. Generally, according to the spiritual power from less to more, it can be divided into Hundred-Year Cold Jade and Thousand-Year Cold Jade. If Hundred-Year Cold Jade is used as the main material, middle-grade or even high-grade magical instruments can be made. If Thousand-Year Cold Jade is used, there is a chance to refine top-grade magical instruments.

  The stone hall uses cold jade, from the strength of its spiritual power, its just a decade or tens of years of cold jade, but the entire large hall is built with this material, which is indeed a big handwriting.

  In the stone hall, there was a middle-aged monk with a slightly plump figure, about forty years old, sitting in the only armchair in the hall, dozing off with his eyes closed.

  Zhao Di judged from the spiritual fluctuations emitted by this cultivator that his cultivation was slightly lower than Old Man Mas, and he should be a cultivator in the early stages of foundation building. Whether it was his cultivation or appearance, they all matched the description of Kuang Shifu who the three of them were looking for.

  The three of them looked at each other, no one dared to make a sound, and just stood there quietly.

  Thinking that they would have to work under the Foundation Establishment cultivator for a very long time, none of the three dared to make a sound, and could only stand there motionless, not even daring to breathe.

  This stop actually lasted for seven or eight hours.

  Even with the physique of a cultivator, standing in this posture for so long had made all three feel a bit sore-legged. However, the middle-aged cultivator still showed no signs of waking up.

  Ma Gao was the youngest of the three and also the first to lose his patience. Just as he was about to call out to wake up the middle-aged monk, the latter suddenly yawned and opened his eyes.

  Before the three of them could speak, the middle-aged cultivator took the initiative to say: "You three are this years new outer sect disciples, right? Not bad, standing for so long is quite determined."

  "I am the Master Khong you are looking for, but if you want to become a disciple of mine, I must test you first. Not just anyone can master the art of alchemy! Besides having determination, necessary techniques and knowledge are also indispensable." Master Khong continued to say.

  "Assessment? Why didnt that old horse mention this point? He just casually mentioned it and asked me to take a look at the classics related to alchemy." Zhao thought to himself, instantly cursing the old Taoist priest surnamed Ma countless times in his mind.

  But Master Kuang didnt give the three of them any time to prepare, as soon as he said he was going to test them, he immediately pointed at Zhao Di and asked: "Ill ask you first, do you know what kind of fire is needed for refining equipment?"

  Its just a common sense question, and Zhao Di has indeed read the relevant classics. After a moment of thought, Zhao Di replied: "Refining equipment generally requires the use of pre-heavenly true fire. The so-called pre-heavenly true fire refers to a flame of spiritual power that is emitted from the dantian of cultivators who have reached the foundation-building period. This pre-heavenly true fire does not need to be cultivated, and as long as ones cultivation reaches the foundation-building period, they will possess it. Apart from using pre-heavenly true fire to refine equipment, people usually use earth fire, also known as the fire of the earth lungs, to replace pre-heavenly true fire in refining equipment. The fire of the earth lungs comes from some special geological locations deep within the earth, and its power is even higher than that of ordinary pre-heavenly true fire. If one can properly adjust and utilize the fire of the earth lungs, it is more suitable for refining equipment than pre-heavenly true fire. This is because pre-heavenly true fire requires a huge amount of spiritual energy to be consumed, making it unsuitable for long-term use."

  Zhao paused for a moment, then continued: "Its said that theres another minor method, using the flames spat out by some second-grade or higher fire-attribute demonic beasts to refine equipment. As for the specifics, Im not too clear on them."

  "Very good!" The middle-aged master nodded his head in approval, saying: "You even know how to use the demonic flame to refine equipment. It seems youve studied the relevant scriptures on equipment refinement."

  Apart from Zhao Di, the two Qi Refining stage cultivators exchanged a glance, both seeing envy in each others eyes. Clearly, Zhao Di had already passed the assessment.

  The middle-aged cultivator pointed at Fang Lin and asked, "Tell me, what materials and methods are usually used to refine a magical artifact?"

  Fang Fu fell silent for a moment, as if he was organizing his thoughts, then slowly began to answer: "To answer Master Kuang, generally speaking, refining equipment requires not only the main material of ore, but also auxiliary materials such as Lingquan water and Ganggang sand. In addition to the craftsmanship of purifying materials, one must also grasp certain knowledge of array techniques, because several common small-scale array techniques are used in the refinement of magical equipment. For some types of magical equipment, one must also draw talismans during the refining process."

  "Hmm, not bad." The middle-aged master nodded his head in satisfaction with Fufeis answer.

  Next was Ma Gaos turn. He was asked: "In the mineral materials, what methods do you know to extract the raw materials needed for refining equipment?"

  This question is obviously the most difficult of the three, Zhao Di thought to himself with a hint of relief, if he had encountered this question, he really wouldnt have known how to answer.

  Indeed, Ma Gao didnt know much either. Sweat beads the size of beans appeared on his forehead as he stuttered and replied: "This refining, this... Disciple only knows that you can use true fire to melt the ore, then these impurities will be burned off or lost, and it can achieve the effect of refining and purifying."

  The middle-aged master nodded and said, "Yes, using fire to refine is indeed the most common method, but it requires precise control of ones divine sense. Otherwise, the raw materials are easily damaged by the true flames, losing part of their power. Apart from this, there are many other methods for refining and purifying. If you all work hard and study diligently over the next year, you will naturally master a skill."

  The three of them were overjoyed, and the implication behind Master Kuangs words was very clear: all three had passed the assessment.

  "Alright," said the middle-aged cultivator as he stood up, "Here are three jade slips, which record several techniques for purifying your skills. Study them carefully and you can try it out yourselves." As he spoke, his right hand waved lightly, and three streams of green light flew slowly in front of the three people before stopping in mid-air, transforming into three identical green jade slips.

  After Zhao Di and the other three people put away the jade slips, the middle-aged cultivator said: "Half an hour later, a senior brother will take you to the alchemy room and give each of you a batch of fine copper ore. You should refine the fine copper well, and I will check each persons refining progress and effect in a month."

  Having said that, the middle-aged monk swung his sleeves and left the Frost Jade Stone Hall.

  Not long after, a young cultivator in the 13th layer of Qi Refining, surnamed Lu and named Wen, who was only one step away from entering the Foundation Establishment stage, took three people with him and left Baicheng Hall, heading towards the Alchemy Room.

  A group of people walked in the belly of the mountain for more than half a time, Ma Gao couldnt help but ask: "Lu Shixiong, where is this alchemy room located underground? Weve been walking down for over half a time, and were probably hundreds of meters deep into the ground."

  Lu Wen said coldly: "Whats the hurry, well be there soon. The refining rooms all use the earth lung fire, how can they not be close to the ground?"

  "Its getting better now, this place is getting hotter and hotter, Im afraid if we dont use our spiritual power to protect ourselves, well be sweating profusely and fainting." Ma Gao whispered.

  (Todays fourth update, second update. Seeking collection and recommendation!)