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墨書 Inktalez
Xunuo, though disdainful of their chatter, did not show any signs of impatience. Instead, he patiently drew out the information he wanted to know. After learning that the Insect Path had not extended its reach here, he let out a slight sigh of relief.
However, Xunuo did not let this deter him from accompanying them up the mountain. When he heard that they were also escorting a batch of supplies, he volunteered to join the escort.
There were many Cultivators on the mountain, and some lower-tier Cultivators still required food and other necessities. This gave rise to a basic flow of goods and trade. The Youzhou Ancient City became the main base for supplying materials to the Yuzhou Celestial City. The exchange and sale of goods between the two cities were largely monopolized by Yuzhou Celestial City and several large Cultivation Families.
It was practically unrealistic for Loose Cultivators to get involved in this industry. Firstly, the personnel and capital involved were vast, making it impossible for ordinary Loose Cultivators to manage. Secondly, within Yuzhou Celestial City, there were elders from the Taiyi Sect stationed there, and no one dared to cause trouble on the mountain. However, outside Yuzhou Celestial City, especially between the two cities, bandits frequently appeared, and incidents of robbery and murder were numerous.
Cultivation Families transported goods back and forth with their disciples acting as escorts. But those Cultivation Families that dared to engage in this business certainly had some formidable means. Therefore, when disciples from a Cultivation Family escorted goods, bandits would think twice before acting. For Loose Cultivators, even traveling unarmed was hardly safe.
Xunuo followed three disciples from a Cultivation Family as they escorted dozens of horse-drawn carts loaded with goods toward Yuzhou Celestial City. Along the way, Xunuo unleashed his Divine Sense and indeed detected several groups of bandits. However, upon seeing the insignia of the Cultivation Family, those bandits either held back or retreated. Xunuo and his companions entered Yuzhou Celestial City without incident.
Yuzhou Celestial City was built against the mountains, rising layer upon layer. From below, looking up at the towers and palaces seemed endless and quite spectacular. The spiritual energy was palpable, surpassing even that of Spirit Lake Island occupied by Xunuo and his companions.
The three disciples from the Cultivation Family engaged in pleasant conversation with Xunuo and invited him to join them. Xunuo smiled and said, "I plan to rent a Cave in the city for secluded cultivation. Once I settle down, I will visit you three." Upon hearing this, they agreed and left him with their address before departing.
On his way, Xunuo learned that there were inns within Yuzhou Celestial City that offered short-term rentals. However, the daily rates were quite high. It would be better to rent a Cave since it was still early for Crimson Flower Sect to open its doors for disciples. Moreover, refining a Defensive Artifact was not something that could be accomplished in a short time.
Xunuo intended to use this time to thoroughly stabilize his cultivation Realm and practice several powerful Spells until he reached perfection. Only then could he hope to make an impression at the Arena where Crimson Flower Sect would recruit disciples.
Xunuo found the rental office for Caves set up by Taiyi Sect in Yuzhou Celestial City and rented the outermost Cave. Naturally, it was also the cheapest one—one Mid-Grade Spirit Stone per year.
The Caves in Yuzhou Celestial City were divided into several levels based on their location. Generally speaking, the higher up one went, the more abundant the spiritual energy became, resulting in higher rents. However, each Cave had a minimum rental period of one year; this point was non-negotiable.
Xunuo handed over the spirit stones. A Manager Disciple from the Taiyi Sect gave Xunuo a jade slip to unlock the cave's restriction.
The cave Xunuo chose was located in a remote area, which had the advantage of being quiet and spacious. Upon entering, Xunuo found a hillside covering nearly five acres. The environment was serene, with a waterfall nearby, making it a pleasant place to stay long-term. Xunuo set up a Defensive Array and deactivated the cave's restriction.
With a place to settle down, Xunuo left the cave and headed to the market in Yuzhou Celestial City, where he inquired about crafting Defensive Artifacts.
The market in Yuzhou Celestial City was not only large but also well-organized. The market Xunuo visited specialized in Refining Materials, artifacts, and shops for pre-ordered items. There were no shops for pills or talismans.
Once there, Xunuo took his time browsing. In one shop specializing in artifact crafting, he was astonished to learn that they charged only two Mid-Grade Spirit Stones for an artifact. This was a stark contrast to the price Wang Lizun had mentioned.
After some thought, Xunuo concluded that Wang Lizun had no reason to deceive him. He continued to ask about guarantees. The shop's Refiner replied directly, "Two Mid-Grade Spirit Stones for an artifact—what more do you want? Your luck is your guarantee."
Xunuo nearly spat blood and left the shop with a dark expression.
After visiting several more crafting shops, Xunuo gained some experience. Those with extremely low prices also had very low success rates. When he encountered a shop that quoted ten Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, he finally mentioned his intention to craft a Defensive Artifact, specifically one that incorporated Thunder Law defenses.
The Refiner advised Xunuo, "You should check out the shops with Black Banners." Upon stepping outside, Xunuo noticed various banners fluttering in front of the crafting shops, but only three displayed Black Banners.
Entering one of the shops with a Black Banner, Xunuo realized he had found the right place. However, the price of twenty-five Mid-Grade Spirit Stones for crafting left him speechless.
The Refiner was a middle-aged man with a dark complexion. After reviewing Xunuo's Refining Materials and hearing his requirements for the artifact, the Refiner raised the price to thirty spirit stones. The reason was that while Ironclad Mountain Beast materials could fuse with Thunderwood, they were prone to destruction due to their unique properties related to sensing treasures.
Thus, crafting required extra effort and the addition of a special auxiliary material. Of course, this thirty Mid-Grade Spirit Stones included that auxiliary material and other supporting materials.
Xunuo frowned and asked how confident he was in the process.
The Refiner thought for a moment and said, "I have a fifty percent chance, but if I fail, I won't take a single coin."
Xunuo rubbed his forehead in contemplation for a moment, then decided to leave the materials with him for refining. They set a time for the pickup, and Xunuo gave the Refiner a deep look before turning to leave.
Xunuo understood the difficulty of refining artifacts; to claim a fifty percent chance meant that this Refiner was already among the best. Especially when it came to crafting a fully defensive Defensive Artifact. Xunuo realized that it would truly come down to luck now, so he chose not to dwell on it any longer.
Upon returning to the Cave, Xunuo activated all the Defensive Arrays and Restrictions, sealing off the Cave. He swallowed a Minor Rejuvenation Pill and entered a meditative state.
This time, his seclusion lasted for two months, during which Xunuo finally stabilized his Realm. For the first time, he felt the overwhelming power of an Eleventh Layer Grandmaster.
When Xunuo calculated the time, it was already time for the transaction of the Defensive Artifact. However, at this moment, his mindset had stabilized significantly, and he was mentally prepared for the worst-case scenario. When he arrived at the refining shop, the Black-Faced Refiner still wore a lifeless expression. Upon seeing Xunuo enter, a strange look crossed his face.
Xunuo knew that those with some skill often had even more temper. He ignored the Refiner's deadpan face and directly inquired about the status of the artifact's refinement. The Black-Faced Refiner stammered and fell silent.
Xunuo wasn't foolish; he immediately sensed something was wrong. He slightly released his aura and said, "Friend, do not act foolishly; just speak plainly about what happened."
The Black-Faced Refiner was a Foundation Stage Cultivator at level ten. Under Xunuo's pressure from his aura, he tensed up. With a somewhat guilty smile, he said, "Do you have any intention of transferring this artifact?"
Upon hearing this, Xunuo wasted no time and pulled out thirty Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, tossing them onto the counter before the Refiner. He extended his hand toward him and demanded, "Hand it over."
The Black-Faced Refiner's expression grew increasingly grim. Reluctantly, he said, "There were additional costs incurred in refining this artifact; I must ask for five more Mid-Grade Spirit Stones. Otherwise..."
Xunuo waved his hand to stop him. Coldly, he replied, "While Yuzhou Celestial City prohibits fighting, it also does not allow deceitful transactions. If you do not return the artifact to me immediately, I will go to the Heaven's Judgment Platform and settle this matter with you once and for all. You need not harbor any hopes; I am an Alchemist."
Upon hearing Xunuo's words, the Black-Faced Refiner immediately wilted. After several changes in expression, he took out a black circular artifact and tossed it to Xunuo.
Xunuo grasped the circular artifact and peered inside. After a moment, he snorted coldly and turned to leave.
In Yuzhou Celestial City, if disputes arose among cultivators, they could request the elder from the Judicial Office stationed by the Taiyi Sect to mediate. Those who were unsatisfied with the Arbitration could apply for a duel at the Heaven's Judgment Platform or directly seek resolution there.
Of course, this required that the cultivation levels of both parties not differ too greatly; otherwise, one could refuse or hire a proxy. Unless there were special circumstances, applications for duels at the Heaven's Judgment Platform would always be approved. Even if the other party disagreed, they would be compelled to attend.
However, this rule was more lenient for Alchemists or Refiners. If one claimed a disparity in cultivation levels, they could evade a duel at the Heaven's Judgment Platform. This applied even if the other party was of the same Realm.
But if both parties were Alchemists or Refiners, this excuse would be disregarded. So when he saw Xunuo reveal his identity as an Alchemist, despite his intense desire for the artifact, he would not challenge a Cultivator of Eleven Layers to a duel.
He had successfully refined this artifact, and it had caught the eye of an Evil Cultivator he had dealings with. This Evil Cultivator immediately offered an exorbitant price to take it away.
Though the Black-Faced Refiner was greedy, he did not dare to sell it easily. Even if one claimed to have ruined it, the client would still want to inspect the ruined materials. Someone with a bit of experience would not be easily deceived.
The Black-Faced Practitioner glared darkly at Xunuo as he departed, unwilling to accept his defeat. After a moment's thought, he took out a Sound Transmission Talisman, left a few words on it, and tossed it away.
Inside Xunuo's cave, the Black Circular Artifact hovered quietly before him. As Xunuo reached out, the circular artifact fit perfectly around his wrist like a black bracelet. The bracelet was translucent and smooth, with a luster akin to jade that appeared quite elegant.
With a thought from Xunuo, the Black Jade Bracelet emitted a cracking sound as if it were shattering. Immediately, a wave of black light surged up his arm and enveloped him entirely. In an instant, a set of Black Armor materialized around Xunuo.
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