Immortality begins with Becoming an Alchemy Grandmaster

Chapter 1679: Chapter 617: The Master’s Fame Spreads, An Old Friend Has Arrived_2

Similarly, when it comes to tool casting, creating offensive magical weapons and treasures only requires focusing on amplifying their destructive power, ensuring that the weapon has the capability to harm the enemy.

Even if the weapon comes with various drawbacks or side effects during activation, as long as it can inflict damage, it suffices.

However, defensive weapons are an entirely different matter.

They must, after being forged, ensure that they do not possess obvious weaknesses, preventing enemies from easily exploiting vulnerabilities during combat to utterly dismantle them.

Think about it: if a cultivator places their trust in a defensive magic item, only to have its flaws exposed at a critical moment, forcing them to turn their supposed protection into their fatal weakness, how terrifying would that scenario be?

Therefore, forging defensive magic items is incredibly challenging.

From material selection, to refinement techniques, to the array inscriptions aligned with the item, every aspect comes with strict requirements.

Due to these demands, the failure rate for crafting defensive magic items is extremely high, as is the cost of production.

Even renowned Tool Casting Masters seldom attempt pure defensive magic items after creating representative pieces of such nature.

They prefer forging weapons that combine offensive and defensive capabilities.

But wise individuals immediately see the flaw: being a jack-of-all-trades means both offense and defense have shortcomings compared to a pure defensive magic item.

Even then, these wise individuals often have no choice but to accept such a reality.

As a result, despite the abundance of magical weapons and treasures in the Immortal Cultivation World, pure defensive magic items remain exceptionally rare.

And now, someone is willing to auction such a treasure?

Even if its order is merely of lower grade, it’s still an extravagance that borders on foolish extravagance.

Huo Fang naturally understands this reasoning and directs his gaze toward the Foundation Establishment cultivator.

”Who submitted this item? Are there any additional conditions tied to its sale?”

The Foundation Establishment cultivator responds without hesitation: ”This treasure was submitted by Zhang Jiadi from the Qingyang Store. There don’t seem to be any extra conditions associated with its transaction.”

Qingyang Store!

Huo Fang instinctively looks at Zi Hou, and the two exchange glances.

Earlier, they had just discussed this store and its owner.

Could it be that this treasure belongs to Qingyang Zi?

”Now that I recall, Zhang Jiadi specifically mentioned that, during the auction of this item, the name of the forging master behind it must be promoted.”

”Who?”

”Tool Casting Master Qingyang Zi!”

In that instant, Zi Hou’s expression becomes rather fascinating.

This treasure doesn’t belong to Qingyang Zi but was personally crafted by him!

Anyone capable of forging pure defensive magic items undeniably deserves the title of Tool Casting Master. It must be noted that even Moyun Cave Lord, the most renowned Tool Casting Master of the Ten Thousand Immortals Gathering, hasn’t personally created such magic items in years.

Could it be that Qingyang Zi has reached a level comparable to Moyun Cave Lord?

If this were true, she would’ve absolutely prevented Huangfu Song from provoking him back then.

For a master of this caliber, as long as word gets out that they’re willing to craft custom defensive magic items, countless cultivators would eagerly seek their favor.

With just Huangfu Song’s mere handful of followers, how could he possibly rival Qingyang Zi’s influence?

Clearly, Qingyang Zi is leveraging the Longyuan Auction to make a name for himself, perhaps to deter such incidents from happening again.

”Should I consider paying him a visit and offering explanations for last time’s events?”

”Qingyang Zi left obvious room for reconciliation in how he handled matters before. Evidently, he doesn’t wish to be overly hostile towards me.”

”However, visiting him so directly might cause me to lose face.”

While Zi Hou’s expression shifts between various shades, the rumbling sound of activity suddenly arises nearby.

It’s Huo Fang testing the power of the magic item called Youlan Xuan Armor.

After a while.

Huo Fang stops what he’s doing, his face revealing an expression of satisfaction.

”It is indeed the purest Water-type defensive magic item, showing exceptional restraint against Fire-type attacks. Additionally, it possesses unique attributes, consisting of an inner armor and a Qi armor layer, and can even counter physical attacks.”

”Judging by its power, when fully activated, it should be able to withstand the full-force strike of an Early Golden Core Cultivator without damage and should offer sufficient resistance against attacks from Middle Stage Golden Core Cultivators. However, against Great Cultivators, it would provide no hindrance.”

”Lastly, its Qi Power consumption exceeded my expectations, giving me the impression that even Late Stage Foundation Establishment cultivators might be able to activate it.”

After his evaluation, Huo Fang couldn’t help but click his tongue in admiration.

”Qingyang Zi’s tool casting techniques are truly impressive. It’s been years since I’ve seen such a high-quality lower-grade defensive magic item.”

”This treasure is well-suited for the Longyuan Auction, preferably featured during its opening stages to attract the interest of both Foundation Establishment cultivators and Golden Core cultivators.”

”As for Qingyang Zi’s conditions, I agree to them.”

In just a few decisive steps, Deputy City Lord Huo Fang finalizes the matter.

This time, he doesn’t bother soliciting Zi Hou’s opinion, seemingly forgetting that earlier, he had mentioned her feud with Qingyang Zi.

Evidently, personal connections cannot outweigh the significance of the Longyuan Immortal City Auction!

Zi Hou quietly observes the scene without making any objections.

But in her heart, a decision has clearly been made.

She must make a trip to Penghu, and this time, it won’t be to merely observe from the outside as before; she’ll need to personally step inside.

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As one of the rare grand events during the Ten Thousand Immortals Gathering, the Longyuan Auction draws countless cultivators.

Among them are rogue cultivators and representatives of sect families from near Divine Yuan City alike.

The former arrive to acquire resources, while the latter mainly come to broaden their horizons and scout for items that catch their fancy.

This auction spans two days.

A length that is neither long nor short yet sufficient to bring great vibrancy to Longyuan Immortal City.