Chapter 2, The Refinement of the Sun and Moon

Ying Ding's howl paused, his brows furrowed in anger as he locked eyes with Ying Chong. He noticed that the other party's gaze was unyielding, filled with rebellion, resentment, and dissatisfaction, devoid of any semblance of familial affection or guilt. For a moment, Ying Ding's face shifted between shades of blue and white. After staring at Ying Chong for a long while, he finally sighed and said, "I know Chong'er, you are suffering, but why must you resort to self-destruction?"

To the left of this nameless cauldron and the two instruments of the Seven Wonders, at a distance of four zhang, there stood a broken spear. Only the spearhead and half of the shaft remained. Just by looking at it, Ying Chong could tell that the spear blade was undoubtedly sharp and unmatched, capable of cutting through hair and severing strands. The red tassel wrapped around the back of the spear blade danced on its own without wind. An inexplicable aura was generated, and from a distance, it appeared as if a swirling mass of crimson energy was forming around this broken spear. Presumably, this is the so-called Overlord Spear.

This should be the "Two Instruments and Seven Wonders True Fire" mentioned by the King of An, which means that his current location is actually within that so-called "Sun and Moon Refining Spirit Cauldron"

This An Wang should refer to himself—his own title is Duke of An Guo. However, the one just now, 'Ying Chong', referred to himself as An Wang, which means that 'in the future' he has been conferred the title of king? If such a fortune could truly be attained, it would indeed be quite remarkable

On the 15th day of the 4th month in the 3rd year of the Yuanyou era, it rained! The Left Chancellor Li Si falsely accused me of treason, and the Emperor believed his words. He gathered 81 powerful individuals from the heavenly realm to ambush the imperial palace and summoned me to come. He also ordered the Minister of Justice to lead 53,000 troops from the Left Martial Guard, along with 6,000 armored soldiers, to raid and execute the Prince An's residence. On that day, the entire Ying clan of Prince An, totaling 1,745 individuals, was slaughtered. The Duke of Anxi, Ying Dingli, died in battle, and his wife, unwilling to suffer humiliation, hanged herself! I used the power of the Divine Refining Pot to escape alone from the imperial palace. Upon hearing the dreadful news, I was filled with grief and indignation, and had it not been for the assistance of Uncle Xin, my profound skills would have been nearly destroyed.

Continuing to ignore Ying Chong, she hugged her head and continued to sob softly

The expression on Ying's face grew increasingly helpless and sorrowful. She wanted to say something more, but saw that Ying Chong had already closed his eyes to rest, clearly unwilling to engage. In the end, she could only let out a long sigh and walked out of the Cuiyi Garden with an unusually stooped posture, her back appearing desolate and lonely.

That individual, King Ying Chong, seemed to be on the verge of collapse, causing his soul shadow to dissipate. However, Ying Chong did not believe that the person had simply vanished; it was possible that it was a deliberate act to make him lower his guard. The methods of Qi practitioners in ancient times were unpredictable, and he had witnessed them firsthand, which is why he remained highly vigilant.

In addition, to the right of the nameless cauldron, there stood a tall stone monument, measuring no less than 9 zhang, made of an unknown material that was neither gold nor jade. Ying Chong noticed that on the large stone monument, there were a few scattered lines of inscriptions. Upon just a glance, his brows furrowed deeply.

With a cold snort in his heart, Ying Chong suppressed the frustration within his chest and continued to gaze elsewhere, searching for a way to escape. This area, measuring ten zhang on each side, could be fully surveyed at a glance; there were no doors or windows, nor any mechanisms for entry or exit. Just as he was at a loss, the girl in the corner silently tossed a bamboo scroll over.

Although Ying Chong is only fourteen this year, he is already an experienced hand in the world of courtesans, having frequented nearly one hundred brothels in the city of Xianyang. He has encountered many renowned beauties, and no matter how stunning they are, it is difficult for them to amaze him. However, he has no recollection of any girl with features as nearly perfect and a refreshing demeanor as this young lady.

On the twenty-ninth day of the ninth month in the twenty-seventh year of the Tian Sheng era, it was clear. I ventured out after my injury had healed and coincidentally obtained the legacy of the Eternal Evil Emperor and Gongshu. The foundation of martial arts begins here

Gazing sideways, Ying Chong's eyes flashed with a hint of astonishment. In the left corner of this ten-zhang square void, there sat a girl of about thirteen or fourteen years old, curled up with her body wrapped around herself, her delicate face, which seemed as fragile as a blown silk, was streaked with tear marks.

Ying Chong was momentarily taken aback, and then he heard the sound of a woman sobbing beside him

The foundation of martial arts begins here—Is this true or false

Ying Chong smiled incessantly, then wearily brushed his sleeves, not wanting to speak further with his grandfather. He had sustained a head injury and had already felt weak upon waking today. After experiencing the strange events with the Spirit Refining Pot and that 'Prince An' Ying Chong, he felt even more exhausted, and at this moment, he was already feeling dizzy and lightheaded

What is going on next? Is the family extinct? Did grandfather die in battle? Did the beloved wife hang herself? What is this nonsense? Is this a curse upon him?

Hehe, it has come to this point, if I still cannot live freely and joyfully, then what is the meaning of my existence as Ying Chong? If you want to howl, just go further away, feel free to cry even louder, just let others see it, and in the future, they can discuss how unfilial I, Ying Chong, am, and that losing this Duke of Anguo title is well-deserved.

Before the words of King Ying Chong could be fully spoken, his figure had already transformed into a scattering of ethereal light, dissipating into the air

Ying Chong found the situation rather dull, and could not help but curl his lips in disdain. He was quite puzzled by the strange expression of the young girl just now, but in his view, what mattered most at this moment was to escape from this peculiar place.

Ying Chong was initially puzzled by its meaning, but after reading the bamboo slips, he realized that this was the last testament of Ying Chong. This individual was concerned that he would be unable to finish his words, so he had recorded some phrases in advance on these bamboo slips. The contents were largely similar to what the previous King An, Ying Chong, had said. Ying Chong focused on the latter part, which not only detailed the methods for entering and exiting the Sun and Moon Refining Divine Cauldron but also included instructions on how to use the Two Instruments and Seven Marvels True Fire, the Nameless Cauldron, and the Overlord Spear. However, it did not explain the origins of the young girl, only stating that she could assist him in mastering the crafting techniques of the Gongshu lineage, and that her martial prowess was exceptional, comparable to a high-level celestial position, urging him to treat her well. The contents were largely similar to what the previous King An, Ying Chong, had said. Ying Chong focused on the latter part, which not only detailed the methods for entering and exiting the Sun and Moon Refining Divine Cauldron but also included instructions on how to use the Two Instruments and Seven Marvels True Fire, the Nameless Cauldron, and the Overlord Spear. However, it did not explain the origins of the young girl, only stating that she could assist him in mastering the crafting techniques of the Gongshu lineage, and that her martial prowess was exceptional, comparable to a high-level celestial position, urging him to treat her well

Is there really someone else here?

The person across, Ying Chong, upon hearing his words, let out a chuckle, unable to contain his amusement, and shook his head slightly, saying: "These little schemes are best not played out in front of yourself. If you, Ying Chong, do not believe, I will not force you to believe; in the future, there will be facts to prove my words. In truth, you can rest assured, my celestial position has not yet reached the imperial throne, and I have suffered severe injuries from reversing the past and future; I have actually reached the end of my lifespan. Although I know the techniques of soul seizing, soul devouring, and spirit binding, I am willing but powerless. In truth, you can rest assured, my celestial position has not yet reached the imperial throne, and I have suffered severe injuries from reversing the past and future; I have actually reached the end of my lifespan. Although I know the techniques of soul seizing, soul devouring, and spirit binding, I am willing but powerless. Now, I leave you with four treasures: a spear, a pot, a person, and a cauldron—if you can treat them well and use them properly, there may yet be a chance to reverse your fate, avoiding the destruction of your family and preserving your loved ones. The spear is the Overlord's spear, binding the remnants of the martial intent of ninety-nine celestial position powerhouses, which can assist you in studying martial arts; the pot is the Sun and Moon Refining Spirit Pot, containing the true fire of the two instruments and seven wonders, which at its peak can extend three thousand zhang of void, combined with the remnants of the mysterious celestial pearl, with boundless uses; the person—"

Ying Chong's gaze flickered as he cautiously inquired, "May I ask, miss, where do you come from? Were you also captured by this person? Do you know who that individual was just now?"

Is it really that simple to produce this Spirit Refining Pot? Ying Chong was half-convinced, yet he still gave a firm slap to the back of his head, stirring his thoughts. In the next moment, he felt the world spinning around him, and when he regained his senses, he found that his consciousness had returned to his own chamber. Then he saw his grandfather, An Xibo Ying Ding, sitting on the steps outside, weeping and wailing, with tears and snot flowing as he lamented: "I once thought my son was a hero throughout his life, wielding six thousand ink armors to roam the world, his voice shaking the seven states, invincible wherever he went! But how could you turn out to be such a scoundrel? How can I face your father a hundred years from now?"

Ying Chong was momentarily dazed by his return, and after regaining his composure, he let out a cold laugh: "Old man, how can you still have the face to speak? Even if I, Ying Chong, were to turn over a new leaf, do you think you would have the face to meet my father and mother? Who are you crying for? And just now, who were you planning to break the legs of, and who did you want to hit?"

If these two sentences only left him astonished, the other line of text carved several zhang away beneath the stele caused Ying Chong to frown deeply

Ying Chong felt a surge of anger within himself; he did not believe the words of the stone tablet, yet the characters inscribed on it still appeared exceedingly glaring to his eyes

The young girl raised her head while sobbing, gazing deeply at Ying Chong. Her eyes first reflected affection and confusion, then shifted to resentment and sorrow, as two tear drops the size of beans fell from the corners of her eyes: "You are a bad person, Yue'er will not pay attention to you."

Chong'er, why do you go to such lengths? Even if you seek revenge, there is no need to provoke the Empress Dowager

Gazing around, Ying Chong carefully observed and explored this small void. In the very center, there stood a golden cauldron, nameless and unmarked, with ancient patterns. Beneath it was a white flame, which, despite the absence of wood or charcoal, burned fiercely. Even when Ying Chong approached within a foot, he felt no temperature; however, beyond that distance, the heat was astonishing, nearly melting his fingers. Yet, the nameless cauldron above remained completely unaffected. Even when Ying Chong approached within a foot, he felt no temperature; however, beyond that distance, the heat was astonishing, nearly melting his fingers. Yet, the nameless cauldron above remained completely unaffected.

In another body of his own, he is now also able to sense. The ability to sense is one thing, but the ability to move is another matter entirely; it is as if there is a membrane separating the two bodies. At this moment, Ying Chong is ultimately unable to return.

This seems to foreshadow his experiences in a few days, but who is the Eternal Evil Emperor? There have been several figures in ancient times who were known as Evil Emperors, all of whom were powerful beings of the highest rank. But who exactly is this Eternal Evil Emperor?

Ying Chong did not dare to approach this object; it seemed that as soon as he got too close, something within the gun came to life, overwhelming his consciousness with dizziness

Is this Gongsu, the unparalleled master craftsman Gongsu Ban, who was not inferior to the Mohists, from hundreds of years ago?