Immortal Refiner

[Successfully refined a Low-Grade Magic Artifact: Golden Platform Seal! Reward: 15 years of lifespan!]

[Successfully refined an Inferior-Grade Magic Tool: Forest Shadow Sword! Reward: 5 years of lifespan!]

[ ... ]

In the weeks following his successful refinement of the Water Entangling Net, Li Qing crafted another batch of Magic Artifacts for sale. Among them was a seal shaped like a golden brick, forged from spiritual materials sourced from the Green Gang of the World of Eternal Night.

By now, Li Qing could refine Low-Grade Magic Artifacts almost effortlessly, rarely failing more than once or twice during the inscription process.

”The Ascension Conference is just around the corner,” he mused. ”This is the perfect opportunity to earn as many spirit stones as possible.”

Gathering his newly refined artifacts, Li Qing left his cave abode with a broad smile. He anticipated a slight price increase for Magic Artifacts in the coming weeks and was also preparing to take on commissions for Mid-Grade Magic Tools.

However, Li Qing wasn’t in a rush to set up his stall. It was time for the monthly Secret Zone Trade Fair. Having missed it for a year, Li Qing was eager to attend now that he had emerged from seclusion. Even if he didn’t acquire any particularly valuable items, simply gleaning intelligence unavailable through ordinary channels would make the trip worthwhile.

Pulling up his hooded cloak to partially conceal his features and physique, Li Qing suppressed his vital energy to minimize his presence and stepped into the Secret Zone.

The Secret Zone was as tranquil as ever, bearing little resemblance to a bustling marketplace. Li Qing had grown accustomed to this peculiar serenity.

”Hmm?” he murmured inwardly, his heart stirring with surprise as he entered.

Ahead, a slender, elegant figure stood before a stall, seemingly engaged in conversation.

It was Liu Hanyue!

Li Qing had never expected to encounter her here; her presence was truly unexpected.

Sensing his gaze, Liu Hanyue’s brow furrowed slightly. Instead of turning to investigate, she subtly released a wisp of her Qi Refining Realm’s perfected aura.

Tenth Layer of Qi Refining!

Li Qing was even more astonished by this level of cultivation. Quickly averting his eyes, he hurried toward the secluded chambers of the trade fair.

”I’ll take the Three Yang Flower. Also, I wish to meet the Pill Refiner behind you,” Liu Hanyue said, her voice as cold and aloof as ever, a barrier erected to keep others at arm’s length.

However, the stall vendor selling spirit herbs remained unfazed. A smile played on his lips as he brazenly scrutinized the beautiful woman before him.

Liu Hanyue wore a simple gauze dress today, her dark hair pinned up with a jade hairpin, giving her an air of ethereal beauty and refined elegance. Her slender figure and jade-like skin exuded a natural coolness that only enhanced her captivating appearance.

Unaccustomed to such scrutiny, Liu Hanyue’s delicate brows furrowed slightly.

”Heh heh, Immortal Maiden, my Master rarely sees outsiders. If you need anything, just tell me directly,” the stall owner, who traded in spirit herbs and pills, flatly refused her request.

Liu Hanyue tightened her slender jade fingers and said coldly, ”I want your Master to refine a batch of Origin Return Pills. I’ve already gathered nearly all the spirit herbs.”

”I can relay your request, but my Master has been exceptionally busy lately. I can’t guarantee he’ll have time for Pill Refinement anytime soon.”

Before the stall owner could finish speaking, Liu Hanyue produced a bag of spirit stones and slammed it down on the counter.

Thud!

”Could you put in a good word for me? I need the pills within a month,” she demanded coldly.

The stall owner’s smile widened at the sight of the spirit stones, their quantity far exceeding the value of even a Three Yang Flower.

”Hahaha, consider it done!”

...

Li Qing, who had entered the secret chamber of the trade fair, overheard everything. A sense of suspicion stirred within him.

”Liu Hanyue came here to hire someone for Pill Refinement? The Origin Return Pill—what exactly does it do?”

”Why didn’t she just ask a Pill Refiner from the Heavenly River Sect?”

Filled with questions, Li Qing slipped into the dimly lit chamber. Several cultivators were already seated inside, the familiar glow of the Eternal Flame Lamp casting a weak light across their faces.

For cultivators, secluding themselves for a year or two for intensive cultivation was commonplace. No one questioned Li Qing’s year-long absence; they merely glanced at him briefly.

After a while, as the appointed time drew near, the Foundation Establishment Realm elder announced, ”Alright, let’s begin.”

Soon, the sounds of bartering filled the air.

Li Qing quietly sat on the sidelines, listening intently. He noticed that Ling Ying, the female cultivator who had previously been buying Heavenly Star Grass, had stopped. He surmised that she must have gathered enough over the past year and no longer needed more.

Sure enough, the cultivator who had discovered the secret realm began peddling Heavenly Star Grass.

”Selling Heavenly Star Grass! Prices negotiable!”

However, buyers were scarce. While the spirit herb could nourish the divine soul and slightly enhance one’s spiritual sense, it required continuous long-term consumption to be effective.

For most cultivators, spending so many spirit stones for only a slight increase in their spiritual sense intensity simply wasn’t worth it. After all, nearly everyone present was at the Qi Refining Realm, where the practical applications of spiritual sense were still quite limited.

Li Qing, as a rogue cultivator, certainly had no intention of being a sucker. He needed to use every spirit stone wisely.

After the trading session, it was time to exchange information. Li Qing settled comfortably onto his cushion, eager to sponge up some free intel.

Just then, Nine Heavens, sitting opposite him, spoke up: ”Fellow Daoist Er Niu, I was wondering if you’re now capable of refining Mid-Grade Magic Tools. If so, I might have a lucrative commission for you to repay the favor I owe you.”

The moment these words left his mouth, every cultivator in the chamber looked up, their gazes converging on Li Qing.

Li Qing paused, then replied hesitantly, ”Refining Mid-Grade Magic Tools... my confidence isn’t very high. I can barely attempt it, and I can’t guarantee success.”

He didn’t dare overpromise. Truth be told, he had only successfully refined one Water Entangling Net, and even that was thanks to the Artifact Refinement Diagram.

However, the other cultivators picked up on another implication in Nine Heavens’ words: Li Qing had somehow managed to make Nine Heavens owe him a favor?

Soon, some immediately recalled Nine Heavens’ earlier request for Li Qing to help repair his spirit boat.

One of the cultivators spoke up, ”Fellow Daoist Nine Heavens, you mentioned owing Fellow Daoist Er Niu a favor. Does that mean he successfully repaired your spirit boat?”

Nine Heavens hesitated for a moment before nodding. ”Indeed,” he confirmed. ”It’s all thanks to Fellow Daoist Er Niu.”

Whoosh!

Upon hearing Nine Heavens’ confirmation, many eyes turned to Li Qing with newfound respect.

The ability to repair a spirit boat equivalent to a high-grade magical artifact!

That meant he must also be capable of refining mid-grade magic tools!

Combining these two abilities, Li Qing’s standing in their eyes skyrocketed.

At their level, mid-grade and high-grade magical artifacts were essential tools.

An artifact refiner with such capabilities couldn’t be taken lightly. Even within a major immortal clan, he would be revered as a distinguished guest!

Hiring such a refiner as a clan retainer offered numerous advantages.

The moment this revelation spread, Li Qing immediately sensed the shift in his status and prestige resulting from his improved Artifact Refinement Technique.

The cultivator who had previously mocked Li Qing’s Artifact Refinement Technique was the first to react, speaking with a hint of awe, ”Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Er Niu, on your improved Artifact Refinement Technique!”

Others chimed in, ”Haha, Fellow Daoist Er Niu’s progress in Artifact Refinement is good news for all of us.”

”Indeed! We might need to seek your assistance in the future, Fellow Daoist Er Niu. Please don’t refuse us.”

Listening to the flurry of flattery and fawning, Li Qing remained grounded. He chuckled wryly and said, ”You all overestimate me. I haven’t even attempted to refine a Mid-Grade Magic Tool yet.”

”As for successfully repairing Fellow Daoist Nine Heavens’ spirit boat, that was pure luck. Please don’t overpraise me.”

”However, if any of you need help in the future, I will do my best to assist you within my capabilities.”

Li Qing’s response was perfectly measured, striking a perfect balance between humility and confidence. Many nodded inwardly, their impressions of him significantly improved.

Soon, the conversation shifted to other recent events in the cultivation world.

”The Heavenly River Sect is placing great importance on the upcoming Ascension Conference in a few months.”

(End of the Chapter)

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