Lu Fan carefully harvested the various types of sword grass that had grown from the level 1 and level 2 sword seeds he'd acquired earlier. Each sword grass yielded different elemental swords, including those with attributes like fire, water, and even wind. The variety of elemental swords fascinated him, as it was challenging to create sword seeds with specific elements through conventional means. His sword array, however, had an unexpected benefit—it could produce new seeds from the sword grass, allowing him to generate additional weapon-type plants over time.
Intrigued by this unique aspect of weapon plants, Lu Fan turned his attention to researching other types. He visited Star Pavilion again and bought a special level 1 club weapon seed. Similar to how the sword grass possessed sword Qi, this club seed contained a type of force Qi, making it compatible with blunt weapons. Unfortunately, the club seed was only level 1, and he knew he would need at least a level 2 weapon to compete in higher realms.
He planted the club weapon seed and allowed it to grow for several months, collecting a small batch of seeds during each harvest. Once he had gathered a sufficient number, Lu Fan placed some of the club seeds in the Titan Qi array, hoping this would enhance their growth or unlock new qualities. However, what he discovered went beyond his expectations: the Titan Qi array had formed a Heart Vein, an invaluable source of energy capable of greatly enhancing certain materials.
Curious, he removed the Heart Vein to see its effect on the seeds. To his surprise, a few of the club seeds transformed, taking on the Titan Qi attribute. The change was immediately apparent; Titan Qi was exceptionally well-suited for club-type weapons. It harmonized seamlessly with the force Qi within the seeds, much like metal Qi naturally enhanced sword Qi. The Titan Qi amplified the club's inherent power and stability, strengthening its impact potential.
Lu Fan left the remaining club seeds in the array to observe whether they would undergo further changes over time. After a few months, he noticed that one of the seeds had successfully advanced to level 2. Pleased, he nurtured this particular seed for several more months, eventually cultivating enough seeds to establish a steady supply of level 2 club weapons. Each seed retained the Titan Qi attribute, solidifying them as powerful blunt-force weapons.
After experimenting with different growth techniques and refining processes, Lu Fan finally crafted a club weapon that met his high standards. It had a solid heft, radiated force Qi combined with Titan Qi, and possessed a raw, formidable aura that felt perfect for a lifebond armament. Confident in his choice, Lu Fan decided to bind the club weapon using the Lifebond Armament Art, a cultivation technique that created a symbiotic connection between a cultivator and their weapon, allowing the weapon to grow in strength along with him.
With the bond established, he set out to increase the club's power even further. Using a range of materials he'd gathered from his experiments, Lu Fan refined the weapon, gradually raising its level from low-level 2 to high-level 2. Each refinement added new layers of force to the club, strengthening its durability and impact power.
Following his previous success with the medallion, he placed the newly strengthened club weapon back into the Titan Qi array, hoping it would undergo a similar transformation. The Titan Qi suffused the weapon, enhancing the flow of force Qi within and further harmonizing its natural power. This final step left Lu Fan feeling satisfied—the club weapon was now a formidable asset, ready for any challenge he might face.
With his new weapon in hand, Lu Fan turned his focus to mastering the Spirit Chain Art. This unique cultivation art allowed him to form a soul weapon—a chain that could both protect and strike against soul-based attacks. However, unlike most soul cultivation techniques that strengthened or refined the soul itself, the Spirit Chain Art didn't alter the soul's inherent nature. Instead, it created an independent soul weapon, one that could serve as a barrier or lash out at threats targeting the soul.
Lu Fan immersed himself in the complex process of creating links that would eventually form a complete soul chain. The Spirit Chain Art demanded patience and precision, as each link had to be meticulously formed and connected to the next, gradually building a long chain that could both attack and defend. Initially, he struggled with the intricacy of the process, but his persistence paid off as he grew more adept at shaping each link.
Once he had a few links ready, Lu Fan decided to test them using the magnet experiment, similar to his previous trials. This experiment required breaking down the chain link into its smallest possible particles to observe the underlying patterns. The magnet experiment revealed delicate, yet potent, formations within each link, patterns that amplified the strength of the chain when combined. Intrigued, he used these patterns to develop a Soul Link Array, an arrangement that would enhance the creation speed of each link.
Excited by this new breakthrough, Lu Fan set up the Soul Link Array in his hidden cave, activating it with a high-grade spirit stone to ensure a steady flow of Qi. This array boosted the stability and density of the links, allowing him to form them at a much faster rate than before. Within days, the array's assistance became evident, and the soul chain began to grow, link by link.
Determined to complete his new soul weapon, Lu Fan spent the next six months dedicated solely to this pursuit. He practiced tirelessly, allowing his connection with each link to strengthen. Eventually, his chain grew long enough that it could coil around him, creating a protective barrier akin to a giant ball. This soul armor had a tangible density, radiating a faint aura that felt both powerful and comforting. With this, Lu Fan knew he'd crafted a true soul defense capable of safeguarding his consciousness against most forms of spiritual assault.
Pleased with his progress, he tested the defensive capability of the soul chain by placing it under various attacks, including energy attacks from his own weapon. The chain absorbed and deflected each blow, proving itself to be as sturdy as any physical shield. He also practiced using the chain offensively, extending it outward in rapid strikes, and was impressed by how easily it could pierce through solid objects. Its dual-purpose nature made it an invaluable tool, and he knew it would prove especially useful against cultivators skilled in spiritual techniques.
Satisfied with the Soul Link Array's effectiveness, Lu Fan decided to leave it active, intending to create additional links in the future to further enhance the chain. Now, with both his lifebond club weapon and a formidable soul defense.