Chapter 223 - 221: I Am Very Talented at Artifact Refining

The Peak of the first layer of the Celestial Furnace Treasure Body and the Peak of the Fourth-Layer of the Guiyuan True Skill.

Every aspect of Luo Tian had reached a new apex.

He only needed to consolidate his foundation for a while before he could break through in all of them.

Next, Luo Tian set his sights on a weapon to improve his strength.

A suitable and powerful weapon could add a great deal to his combat power.

His Wind and Snow Sword was only a Low Grade Treasure Artifact with three inscriptions and was gradually becoming insufficient. The Red Lotus Sword, on the other hand, was of too high a grade to be used continuously, nor could it be shown to others casually.

’The Yunxiao Sect has three peaks. The one on the left is called Artifact Refining Peak, and the one on the right is Alchemy Peak!’

Luo Tian at least knew this much common knowledge.

As the ruler of the Eastern Domain, the Yunxiao Sect had cultivated its own Alchemy and Artifact Refining factions.

Having an artifact refined within the Sect was more cost-effective because the payment was split evenly between Contribution Points and Spiritual Essence Coins.

Furthermore, it was more secure within the Sect, with a lower chance of being scammed.

’I’m running low on Spiritual Essence Coins... and there’s been no sign of Xiao Feng. Don’t tell me he’s planning to welsh on his debt...’

Luo Tian muttered to himself, then stepped onto the bridge between the two peaks and arrived at the Artifact Refining Peak on the left.

The Artifact Refining Peak was inhabited entirely by Artifact Refiners.

Here, too, there was a distinction between the Upper Sect and the Lower Sect.

Lower Sect Refiners had to pass a specific assessment to enter the Upper Sect.

Lower Sect Disciples could only seek out Lower Sect Refiners for Artifact Refining services.

The residences of Artifact Refiners were far more luxurious than those of disciples, boasting not only private Artifact Refining Rooms but also storefronts.

"Who is the best Artifact Refiner here?"

Luo Tian casually found a short-haired Artifact Refiner and asked.

He wanted to forge a Top Level Middle Grade Treasure Artifact, so naturally, he had to find the best Artifact Refiner.

"You want to ask Senior Brother Cheng to refine an artifact for you?"

The short-haired Artifact Refiner sized Luo Tian up for a moment, his face filled with disdain.

"Senior Brother Cheng is the best Artifact Refiner in the Lower Sect. The ones who seek him out to forge Divine Weapon and Tools are all elites among the Lower Sect Disciples. Even old disciples at the Spirit Sea Realm Fifth Layer have to wait patiently in line. A mere Peak of Spirit Sea Realm Second Layer like you probably doesn’t stand a chance."

"If you just want to forge a Low Grade Treasure Artifact, any Artifact Refiner here can easily handle it."

The short-haired Artifact Refiner said with a look of pride.

"Good!"

Luo Tian’s eyes lit up, and he immediately asked, "Where is Refiner Cheng?"

When the short-haired Artifact Refiner heard Luo Tian say "Good," he thought Luo Tian had gotten the hint and given up. The second half of his sentence, however, left him completely stunned.

"Right over there."

The short-haired Artifact Refiner casually pointed a finger at a pavilion a hundred meters away.

Luo Tian headed straight there.

While the other Artifact Refining Shops were open for business, the door to this one was closed.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK!

Luo Tian knocked, but there was no response from inside.

But his Spiritual Sense detected someone within.

’It seems my knocking was too soft. Master Cheng must not have heard it!’

Luo Tian increased his force.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

His knocking instantly shook the surroundings, and the entire pavilion trembled lightly.

Many people in the distance saw this and were shocked.

"Is this kid here to cause trouble? He’s trying to tear down Master Cheng’s door!"

The short-haired Artifact Refiner hadn’t gone far and also witnessed the scene.

This Master Cheng’s background was not simple; no one in the entire Lower Sect, including both disciples and Artifact Refiners, dared to offend him.

This kid at the Peak of Spirit Sea Realm Second Layer must have a death wish.

"What are you knocking for?! Can’t you see the door is closed? You’re so noisy!"

The main door suddenly flew open, revealing a slender man whose eyes glowed with a crimson light. He stared at Luo Tian in fury as an invisible pressure radiated outward.

’This is Master Cheng? So young?’

Luo Tian was very surprised. In his mind, a "Master" should be at least middle-aged.

But this Master Cheng wasn’t much older than Luo Tian himself.

Not only that, but the cultivation aura Master Cheng exuded was close to Qi Nan’s—he was actually at the Spirit Sea Realm Sixth Layer.

"I want an artifact refined. A Top Level Middle Grade Treasure Artifact!"

Luo Tian stated his purpose concisely.

"Oh?"

Most of the impatience in Master Cheng’s eyes faded. He sized Luo Tian up, his gaze filled with doubt.

After all, a Top Level Middle Grade Treasure Artifact was equivalent to the Spirit Sea Realm Seventh and Eighth Layers.

A mere cultivator at the Peak of Spirit Sea Realm Second Layer wanted to have such a Treasure Artifact forged?

"Can you afford it?"

Master Cheng’s expression was flippant.

"See for yourself!"

Luo Tian took out his Identity Token.

Master Cheng placed his palm on it and sent his consciousness inside, instantly perceiving the number of Contribution Points recorded within.

A mere Peak of Spirit Sea Realm Second Layer actually had over six thousand Contribution Points.

"Sigh, I exchanged for an Earth Level Sword Technique earlier, which cost me over eight thousand Contribution Points!"

Luo Tian suddenly sighed.

"..."

The corner of Master Cheng’s mouth twitched.

"Come in!"

He turned and entered the house.

"Tell me your requirements, though I won’t necessarily adopt them."

Master Cheng said casually.

"...A sword-type weapon, a Middle Grade Treasure Artifact with six inscriptions, and preferably with a cold-leaning attribute."

Luo Tian didn’t have many requirements.

"Two thousand five hundred Spiritual Essence Coins, plus two thousand five hundred Contribution Points. If you have any rare materials, you can use them to offset the cost."

Master Cheng immediately stated his price.

’Rare materials?’

Luo Tian immediately took out a pair of black fangs.

"Oh? These fangs aren’t bad. They look like the venom fangs of a Giant Wolf Spider, an excellent material for refining a dagger with a Poison Attribute."

Master Cheng’s eyes lit up as he recognized the fangs’ origin.

"However, these venom fangs can’t be added to the refinement of your Treasure Sword, so I’ll knock five hundred Spiritual Essence Coins and five hundred Contribution Points off the price."

"No problem. Payment on delivery."

In reality, Luo Tian had no Spiritual Essence Coins on him at the moment.

Seeing that Luo Tian had plenty of Contribution Points, Master Cheng didn’t think much of it.

"You can go now. Come back to pick it up in ten days."

Master Cheng started to shoo him away.

Luo Tian felt a little uneasy about this Master Cheng. After all, he was too young and didn’t seem very professional.

"You can rest assured. This master is the best Artifact Refiner here and is about to enter the Artifact Refining Peak’s Upper Sect Area!"

Master Cheng noticed Luo Tian’s suspicion and felt a little displeased.

’About to enter the Artifact Refining Peak’s Upper Sect?’

"If I’m not mistaken, the requirement to enter the Artifact Refining Peak’s Upper Sect is to successfully refine an Upper Grade Treasure Artifact, right?"

Luo Tian seemed to have realized something.

Previously, Master Cheng’s attitude had been terrible, but he agreed as soon as he heard Luo Tian wanted a Top Level Middle Grade Treasure Artifact.

’Could it be that this guy wanted to use his order as practice?’

If that was the case, the probability of failure was at least eighty percent!

"Ahem, rest assured, if the refinement fails, this master will only charge you one-third of the fee."

Seeing that Luo Tian had figured it out, Master Cheng was slightly embarrassed.

"..."

Luo Tian was starting to regret seeking out this Master Cheng.

However, an idea suddenly struck him.

"I once knew an Artifact Refining Grandmaster. He said I had a high talent for Artifact Refining and wanted to take me as his disciple, but I refused."

"But he also taught me some knowledge about Artifact Refining. I’ll stay here and can lend you a hand at a critical moment!"

Luo Tian had once again fabricated a powerful backer for himself.

But Master Cheng didn’t believe him at all. He figured Luo Tian just wanted to watch him work and agreed nonchalantly.

Next, Master Cheng began his work, designing the Treasure Sword’s external shape and internal structure.

On the second day, he began the Artifact Refining.

Luo Tian could see that Master Cheng was very serious and focused. He desperately wanted to refine an Upper Grade Treasure Artifact and become an Upper Sect Refiner.

"Help me forge this piece of Cold Iron."

Master Cheng ordered.

However, Luo Tian’s series of actions made the corner of his mouth twitch. He couldn’t bear to watch.

Forging Cold Iron was considered one of the simplest Artifact Refining techniques.

Luo Tian was an absolute amateur!

’He even lied about knowing an Artifact Refining Grandmaster. What a foolish lie, I saw right through it in an instant.’

"I’m quite curious, who is this Artifact Refining Grandmaster you mentioned? His judgment certainly is excellent."

Master Cheng said with deliberate sarcasm.

"You’re right. Compared to his judgment, you’re still a long way off and need more practice!"

Luo Tian pretended not to understand, taking the bait and infuriating Master Cheng.

Master Cheng didn’t let Luo Tian affect his Artifact Refining.

「Eight days passed.」

The artifact was nearing completion.

"I’ll definitely succeed this time!"

Master Cheng said, his eyes burning with intensity.

"How many times have you failed before?"

Luo Tian, however, had a bad feeling.

"Uh, not many, only... a dozen or so times."

Master Cheng’s voice trailed off.

"..."

Luo Tian was speechless. He immediately walked to the side and activated his Creation Technique to perform an Inference.

With the Artifact Refining having progressed this far, the result of the Inference was easy to obtain.

Soon, Luo Tian had his answer.

Master Cheng would fail again this time!

Moreover, Luo Tian had also deduced the reason for the failure.

’Celestial Book...’

Luo Tian immediately used the power of the Celestial Book to find a solution to the cause of failure.

「Inside the Artifact Refining Room.」

Master Cheng was focused on carving the Inscriptions.

"Hey, there’s a big problem with your Inscription carving method."

Luo Tian called out.

"What does an amateur like you know?"

Master Cheng was instantly displeased.

Carving Inscriptions was the most difficult part of the Artifact Refining process.

Luo Tian didn’t even understand the simplest forging, yet he dared to give him pointers on carving Inscriptions?

"When carving Inscriptions, it’s best to mix in some Mo Essence Stone powder to enhance stability!"

Master Cheng was about to scold him, but he suddenly felt it might be worth a try.

"Your Inscription carving method is also wrong. I happen to have a simple carving method right here!"

So, Luo Tian took out a brush, ink, paper, and an inkstone, and wrote down the method given by the Celestial Book.

Master Cheng picked up the paper with a suspicious expression and began to read.

’Someone who doesn’t even know how to forge also understands Inscription carving methods?’

But the next moment, his expression changed dramatically.

"What... what an ingenious Inscription Carving Method!"

Master Cheng was astonished. He then came to a sudden realization and said, "So that’s how it is! My Inscription Carving Method has always had a flaw, which is why I could never complete an Upper Grade Treasure Artifact!"

He immediately started again, using the carving method Luo Tian had written down.

「Two hours later.」

"Yes! Six inscriptions!"

Master Cheng cried out in pleasant surprise.

Next, if he could just carve one more inscription, this Treasure Artifact would reach the Upper Grade!

"However, there doesn’t seem to be enough space to carve... What kind of inscription would be suitable for the last one?"

Master Cheng fell into deep thought.

"This inscription would be quite suitable."

Luo Tian produced a piece of paper on which was a profound and ingenious inscription pattern.

"This is... a Middle Level Rune!"

Master Cheng’s eyes widened.

Inscriptions were also divided by Level. All the ones he had mastered so far were Basic Runes.

Even in the Upper Sect Area, only a few Artifact Refining Masters had mastered Middle Level Runes.

And yet Luo Tian had just drawn a Middle Level Rune in one go!

Master Cheng stared intently at this rune, memorized it, and then began to carve.

「One day later!」

"I succeeded!"

An ecstatic cheer from Master Cheng echoed from the Artifact Refining Room.

Luo Tian walked in and saw Master Cheng pulling a crimson-silver Treasure Sword from the furnace. The blade was thin, and the exquisite patterns on its spine resembled natural ice veins.

The crimson glow on the Treasure Sword quickly faded, and it began to radiate an icy chill that caused the temperature in the entire Artifact Refining Room to drop rapidly.