Chapter 44 - 44: Heavenly Treasure Refining Technique
Before he left, Perfected Luoyue specially came up to commend Perfected Yuntai, expressing her newfound respect for him after witnessing his true abilities in medicine. Perfected Yuntai, overwhelmed by the praise, couldn’t contain his smile and happily talked about Perfected Luoyue on the way back.
“Little Cheng, you might not know this, but when I was young, Perfected Luoyue was widely recognized as the number one beauty of the righteous path. There were countless people who pursued her.”
“Don’t tell me you were one of her pursuers back then?” Cheng Xu was at a loss for words.
“That’s not true. 1 was quite self-aware back then,” Perfected Yuntai replied.
Cheng Xu was even more speechless. “So, you liked her at some point?”
“What are you saying? Fairy Luoyue is naturally beautiful and talented. Who wouldn’t like her?” Yuntai Zhenren chuckled, shaking his ample body.
Cheng Xu clicked his tongue and responded meaningfully, “Then let’s work hard together!”
“Work hard together?” Yuntai Zhenren finally caught on and shook his head. “Forget it, forget it. How could Fairy Luoyue take a liking to me?”
“How would we know if we don’t try?”
On their way back, the master and disciple engaged in further discussions on medicine. Three days later, they successfully returned to the Medicine Celestial Valley.
After the data integration and optimization along the way, his refining ability increased again, from high-level (63%) to high-level (71%). If there were no accidents, he would be able to successfully advance to the next level after discussing with his master for a period of time.
Upon their arrival, it was evident that the news of the Scorching Sun Sect’s attack by the Devil Dao had reached the Uncles and Elders in the Medicine Celestial Valley. They were relieved to see both Cheng Xu and Perfected Yuntai safe and sound.
Cheng Xu immediately entered seclusion upon returning to his cave abode, eager to install the Heavenly Treasure Refining Technique. It turned out that his decision to not rush the installation was wise.
The Heavenly Treasure Refining Technique was an impressive technique. Although it was a mere 125MB in size, it overwhelmed Cheng Xu’s mind and temporarily froze his brain. Though the recovery time was relatively short, it was still a powerful technique.
Although it had only caused him to be down for less than three days, which was incomparable to the medicinal technique mantra from before, it was still very powerful.
When Cheng Xu woke up, he realized that he had successfully mastered the Heavenly Treasure Refining Technique. The realization left him shocked and muttering, “Holy shit, really?”
Feeling the explanation and understanding of the Heavenly Treasure Refining Technique in his mind, Cheng Xu could not help but be a little stunned.
He had thought that it was some kind of special refining technique, but as he comprehended the technique, Cheng Xu discovered that it was similar to the equipment strengthening system in the game.
To put it simply, some rare refining materials were used to perform an operation called ‘spirit infusion’ on the existing magical equipment and weapons. Every successful spirit infusion would improve the basic performance of the magical equipment or weapon by ten percent.
Wasn’t this the equipment strengthening system in the game?
Realizing the similarity to the game, Cheng Xu pondered, “The success rate of spirit infusion for this Heavenly Treasure Refining Spell seems to be related to the refining level, just like the medicinal technique mantra.”
The Heavenly Treasure Refining Technique fell under the category of [Artifact Refining], just like the medicinal technique mantra.
[Artifact Refining]
[Equipment Refining Theory: Level 10]
[Refining ability: Advanced]
[Spirit Enhancement Technique: Heavenly Treasure Refining Technique (125mb)]
He accessed the operation panel of the Heavenly Treasure Refining Technique, finding it indeed similar to the strengthening interface in the game.
Curious, Cheng Xu wondered, “Can we use the remaining earth spirit from the previous upgrade?”
With doubts in his mind, he retrieved the earth attribute flying sword from the set of five flying swords and placed it on the strengthening interface. Then, he took out a piece of earth spirit and positioned it below the flying sword.
Instantly, a notification appeared before his eyes. It read, “The success rate of this spirit infusion is 100%. Do you wish to proceed with the spirit infusion?” There was no need to think about it. He would definitely bet!
Without hesitation, Cheng Xu confirmed his choice. After confirmation, the flying sword and earth spirit were instantly enveloped in a ball of golden light, gradually transforming into a furnace-like shape. A progress bar appeared, indicating the infusion process.
Compared to the progress bar for refining medicine, this one progressed much faster. Within a few seconds, another notification appeared before him.
The golden light in the shape of the crafting furnace gradually dissipated and the earth spirit had long disappeared, leaving behind a shining flying sword adorned with golden patterns flowing round it. Cheng Xu picked up the sword and felt it. It was indeed stronger than before. Even the sensation of holding it was different.
“Tsk tsk, it’s a whopping +13 improvement!” he exclaimed in awe.
However, just as Cheng Xu took out another piece of earth spirit to continue strengthening the flying sword, a notification unexpectedly appeared before him, catching his attention.
“1 see. The higher the level of strengthening, the more materials it consumes,” he mused, his mind drawing parallels with his gaming experience. Without wasting a moment, he hastily added another piece of earth spirit.
Now, he could finally proceed with the spirit infusion.
“Hey, it’s still 100%!” Cheng Xu exclaimed. “Looks like all that reading of artifact refining manuals wasn’t in vain.”
The flying sword, having been successfully injected with spirit twice, emanated a significantly enhanced aura.
He continued the process, using three pieces of earth spirit essence to perform the third spirit infusion. However, this time, the success rate was no longer 100%, instead it had dropped to 85%, a considerable decrease.
“It seems strengthening it to a high level won’t be easy,” Cheng Xu remarked, noting the diminishing success rates and a few failures along the way.
Gradually, the 40 earth spirits were exhausted. The spirit infusion level of the earth-attributed flying sword ultimately settled at +5, with all its functions boosted by 50%. It had become an exceptional weapon.
While others were still using unenhanced weapons, wielding a +5 weapon instilled a sense of advantage and superiority.
Regrettably, there were no further strengthening materials available. Cheng Xu yearned to strengthen all five flying swords if given the chance.
“Take your time. No need to rush,” he reminded himself.
Little did he know that Yue Wanling was aware of the astonishing refining method possessed by the Scorching Sun Sect.
Cheng Xu observed Yue Wanling and deduced that she, too, must be an accomplished Armament Master, likely at a high level.
“Forget it. Why am I thinking about her? It’s uncertain whether we’ll meet again in the future,” Cheng Xu shrugged off his thoughts. He contentedly stored away the flying sword and retrieved the water-attribute flying sword that sealed Yuntai Zhenren.
As soon as he brought it out, a plea for mercy from the Grand Cloud Master echoed from within the sword. “Little friend, if you have any requests, spare my life.”
“Tell me, what is your connection to the Black Water Palace?” Cheng Xu inquired.
“Well… It is true that this old man had indeed cultivated in the Black Water Mystic Palace for a period of time, but I couldn’t stand the Demon Dao’s customs. So, I fled from the Demon Dao and ended up in Mini Southern Heaven,” the Grand Cloud Master explained.
Cheng Xu rolled his eyes at the response.
“Everything I said is true,” the Grand Cloud Master insisted.
“In that case, what about the sacred item of the Black Water Mystic Palace?” Cheng Xu pressed on.
“Uh, it’s actually a kind of demonic object condensed from Yin Qi and Evil Qi. After refining it, one can increase their strength. It’s said that refining it to a certain extent can grant an indestructible body,” the Grand Cloud Master revealed.
Cheng Xu couldn’t help but be astonished.
“That’s right.”
“By the way, what is the background of the Black Water Mystic Palace?” Cheng Xu continued his interrogation.
“It lies north of the Ancient Desolate Demon Realm, in the Great Southern Wasteland,” the Grand Cloud Master answered.
“The Great Southern Wasteland? What kind of place is it exactly?” Cheng Xu inquired, growing curious.
“Just Ike the Mini Southern Heaven, it is also a gathering place for cultivators. However, it is much larger than the Mini Southern Heaven and home to an equilibrium between the Righteous Dao, the Devil Dao, and a third faction, the Demon Race,” the Grand Cloud Master elaborated.
“Are the cultivators there more powerful than in Little Nantian?” Cheng Xu nodded, his curiosity piqued.
“Of course. After all, the spiritual energy concentration in the Great Southern Wasteland far exceeds that of Little Southern Heaven,” Yuntai Zhenren chimed in with a smile. “As far as 1 know, cultivators in Little Southern Heaven usually seek ways to reach the Great Southern Wasteland after attaining the Transformation Core Realm.”
“Why is this the case?” Cheng Xu inquired further.
“Because, by the time they reach the Core Transformation stage, cultivating solely with the spiritual energy in Little Nantian becomes exceedingly difficult,” Yuntai Zhenren explained.
Cheng Xu nodded, now understanding why he had never heard of Transformation Realm experts in Little Nantian. It turned out that they had all ventured to the “big cities” in the Great Southern Wasteland..