Chapter 198 - 181: Refining 2 Tier 2 Magical Artifacts, Heading to Yue Country
Chapter 198: Chapter 181: Refining 2 Tier 2 Magical Artifacts, Heading to Yue Country
The next day, Lu Zhao arrived at the Artifact Hall.
This time, Lu Zhao headed straight for the interior of the Artifact Hall. The space was far more vast than the General Affairs Hall, its air thick with the scorching heat of Earth Fire, the acrid smell of smelted metals, and the strange aroma of various intermingled Spiritual Materials.
Gigantic furnaces, like slumbering behemoths, hummed low in the depths of the hall. Artifact Refining Disciples in uniform short robes were either manipulating Earth Fire, swinging hammers to forge metal, or concentrating on carving Array Patterns—a scene of bustling, fiery activity.
After a few brief inquiries, Lu Zhao found Zhou Xianlu’s Artifact Refining Chamber. Unlike the clamor outside, this chamber, located in a side hall, was remarkably quiet, with a simple Sound Insulation Restriction placed at the entrance.
Lu Zhao triggered the Restriction. A moment later, the stone door slid open, revealing Zhou Xianlu’s face—one that carried a scholarly air yet hinted at a sharp competence.
"Junior Brother Lu, you’re here. Please, come in." Zhou Xianlu stepped aside, a warm smile on his face.
As Lu Zhao stepped into the room, a wave of pure Fire Spirit Qi mixed with a faint metallic scent washed over him. The chamber was simply furnished. In the center stood an Artifact Refining Furnace etched with complex Array Patterns. Its flames burned a pale, bluish-white, a clear sign of its high quality. All sorts of artifact refining tools hung on the surrounding walls, while a corner was piled with half-finished Artifact Embryos and Spiritual Materials.
Once Lu Zhao was inside the Artifact Refining Chamber, Zhou Xianlu’s gaze swept over him with a barely perceptible, probing glint. "Junior Brother, you truly hide your depths. To be so wealthy that you can casually produce Tier Two Middle-Grade Jade Cold Iron and Tier Two High-Grade Profound Gold Stone... It seems you had already amassed a considerable fortune before reaching Foundation Establishment."
Hearing Zhou Xianlu’s words, Lu Zhao gave a perfectly timed, wry smile. "Brother Zhou, you flatter me. It’s just a few things I acquired by chance. Plus, by scrimping and saving over my years in the Sect, I’ve managed to scrape together some meager savings.
"I already spent everything I had just to reach Foundation Establishment. Now, I’m just hoping to make the most of what little I have left to better protect myself. It’s nothing worth mentioning."
As he spoke, he took several items from his Storage Bag: his Tier One High-Grade Hundred Waters Magic Disc, a specially made Jade Bottle containing Cold Abyss Spirit Water, and a Tier Two Middle-Grade Water Spirit Stone that emanated dense Water Spirit Fluctuations.
"Brother Zhou, please take a look. This is why I’ve come today. I was hoping you could see if it’s possible to upgrade this Magical Artifact to Tier Two. I also have another Spiritual Material I’d like to ask for your help in refining into a Tier Two Magical Artifact."
Hearing Lu Zhao’s words, Zhou Xianlu reached out and took the Hundred Waters Magic Disc. He injected a thread of pure Magical Power from his fingertip, and his powerful Divine Sense, like the most precise of probes, slowly swept over every inch of the Magic Disc’s material and every single one of its Spirit Patterns.
The chamber fell silent, with only the faint crackle of the furnace fire breaking the stillness. Zhou Xianlu’s expression was focused and solemn. At times he would furrow his brow in thought, at others he would give a slight nod. A full half-hour passed before he slowly set down the Hundred Waters Magic Disc and let out a long sigh.
"Junior Brother," Zhou Xianlu said, looking at Lu Zhao with a serious tone, "this Magic Disc’s foundation is exceptionally well-made. Among Tier One Artifact Refiners, whoever crafted this is absolutely top-tier. The Spirit Patterns are fluid, the materials are perfectly fused, and that ’Water Rhythm Spirit Guide’ Array Pattern at its core is exquisitely inscribed. It has laid an excellent groundwork for future upgrades."
He paused, picking up the Cold Abyss Spirit Water and the Tier Two Water Spirit Stone. "Both of these Spiritual Materials are of superior quality. This Cold Abyss Spirit Water, in particular, is of an extremely high grade. The Ice Cold Water Essence it contains is exceptionally pure and a perfect match for your Water Attribute Technique. Using these two as catalysts, upgrading this Magic Disc to Tier Two won’t be difficult."
Lu Zhao felt relieved at his words and cupped his hands. "Then I’ll have to trouble you, Brother Zhou."
However, Zhou Xianlu’s tone shifted, tinged with both honesty and regret. "But, Junior Brother, I must be upfront about something. Given the Magic Disc’s foundation and the quality of these materials, if one of the Tier Two High-Grade masters from our Artifact Hall—those who have been immersed in the Artifact Refining Dao for centuries—were to do it, there’s even a slim chance, maybe one or two percent, that they could push it to the Tier Two High-Grade realm in one go! But if I’m the one to refine it..."
He shook his head and admitted frankly, "Although I was fortunate enough to advance to a Tier Two Middle-Grade Refiner, my skill and experience are still lacking. Even if I give it my all, I can only guarantee a stable upgrade to Tier Two Middle-Grade. There’s absolutely no chance I could reach the High-Grade threshold. You must be aware of this, Junior Brother."
Upon hearing this, Lu Zhao showed no disappointment. Instead, a smile of understanding appeared on his face. "Brother Zhou, you must be joking. A Tier Two High-Grade Artifact Refiner? What kind of grandmaster are we talking about? Never mind a novice like me who just reached Foundation Establishment; even many senior brothers in the Sect who have been at that stage for years often have to wait in line for several years, even more than a decade, just to commission their services once. How could I possibly dare to hope for that?"
"Besides, a Tier Two Middle-Grade Magical Artifact is more than enough for someone at my current Cultivation level. It’s plenty for my own protection," he said with sincerity.
Then, with a perfectly placed compliment, he added, "As far as I’m concerned, you are the most skilled Artifact Refiner I have access to. Just having you agree to work on this is a great blessing for me."
"As for the future, if the day comes when I truly need a Tier Two High-Grade Spiritual Artifact, I’m sure that with your talent, Brother Zhou, you will have long since become a Tier Two High-Grade Artifact Refiner yourself. When that time comes, I’ll have to shamelessly impose on you again, and I can only hope you won’t find me too much of a nuisance."
These words both acknowledged the present reality and affirmed his confidence in Zhou Xianlu’s future potential, which clearly pleased Zhou Xianlu. The smile on his face grew a little more genuine.
"Haha, you have a silver tongue, Junior Brother!" Zhou Xianlu laughed and pointed at Lu Zhao. "Tier Two High-Grade? Easier said than done! With my meager abilities, who knows how much hard work and how many years it will take to make that leap." Despite his words, a gleam of appreciation flashed in his eyes.