Chapter 128 - 112: Breath-Concealing Ring, Advancement

Chapter 128: Chapter 112: Breath-Concealing Ring, Advancement

After settling on a concrete plan, Zhao Zuo felt a sense of relief.

’Since Shen Yunjiao made this suggestion,’ he then realized, ’it must mean she’s guessed that I’ve mastered refining Lower Grade Magical Artifacts and have become a One Tier, Lower Grade Artifact Refiner.’

’After all... although she’s never been in the Earth Fire Chamber, the sound of forging can’t be faked. She does come from an Artifact Refining Clan, and her father can even refine Middle Grade Magical Artifacts. She should have an ear for it.’

Shen Yunjiao had meticulously prepared several dishes. The first was a cold appetizer, cooled with ice, consisting of cucumber and crisp melon, accompanied by peanuts and dried tofu. It was fragrant, crisp, and delicious, and the accompanying sauce left a lingering, delightful aftertaste.

The crisp melon was a vegetable similar to a cucumber, only a bit sweeter.

The next dish was a Sichuan-style course containing Demon Beast meat and three kinds of vegetables. The fiery heat of the chili peppers combined with the rich aroma of spices was simply irresistible...

This was followed by braised prawns and Spirit Doves, as well as barbecued Demon Beast meat. The golden, crispy skin, paired with a dipping sauce prepared by Shen Yunjiao, created a rich tapestry of flavors and textures.

Zhao Zuo’s mouth watered, and he ate about a pound of the Demon Beast meat all by himself.

It was clear Shen Yunjiao had put a lot of thought into the meal. Both of them ate to their satisfaction, then leaned back lazily in their chairs, sipping on the now-chilled Ice Thorn Tea.

"So... you’ve thought of a way, haven’t you?" Shen Yunjiao chuckled softly.

"Mhm."

Zhao Zuo nodded.

"After hearing your suggestion, I just had to think about it for a bit and it all clicked."

"That’s good. If you really can’t find a way, you could just enter secluded Cultivation within the Moyun Sect. Anything you need can be purchased internally. You could also use a Communication Jade to contact me and have someone bring things to you. It might cost a few extra Spirit Stones, but it’s the safe option," Shen Yunjiao suggested again, genuinely worried for Zhao Zuo’s safety.

"I’m confident I can resolve this. Inner Sect Disciples can recruit an attendant to serve them, and that attendant can also enjoy the concentration of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Power in the Inner Sect. I wonder... are you tempted?"

Zhao Zuo’s original plan had been to spend half a year getting used to life in the Moyun Sect’s Outer Sect before passing the assessment to become an Inner Sect Disciple. But now that this had happened, he had to change his plans.

"No, it’s more convenient to go out if I live here. Besides, the fluctuations from cultivating the Taotie Secret Technique can’t be hidden from a Foundation Establishment Divine Thought. A powerful expert could easily suppress me," Shen Yunjiao said, looking at the man before her, her tone unwavering.

Hearing this, Zhao Zuo didn’t press the matter. It was Shen Yunjiao’s own choice. ’She’s my friend, not my subordinate.’

"In the future... if you change your mind, contact me anytime. I’ll always have that spot saved for you."

"I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you. The Taotie Secret Technique can never see the light of day," Shen Yunjiao lowered her head, her words tinged with a sigh.

’Considering the origin of the Taotie Secret Technique, the manual must have other forbidden aspects. That must be why Shen Yunjiao has to avoid the Foundation Establishment Cultivators in the Moyun Sect.’

"Alright, I understand." Zhao Zuo picked up his teacup from the table and drained it in one gulp.

Afterwards, Shen Yunjiao talked about her experiences during this time, which basically consisted of hunting Demon Beasts, earning Spirit Stones, and then entering secluded Cultivation... Compared to Zhao Zuo’s experiences, hers had far fewer changes and upheavals. This was essentially the standard pattern for Loose Cultivators living in the core area.

At that moment, Zhao Zuo clearly perceived the gap between them. Although they were still close, they had embarked on two completely different paths. He couldn’t help but feel a little sad.

That night, Zhao Zuo sat quietly cultivating in his bedroom. He opened his eyes at midnight.

He first took out the materials needed to advance the Breath-Concealing Ring from his Storage Bag: the extremely unstable Profound Dark Stone contained in a glass bottle, a porcelain vial of Shadow Spring Water, a small piece of Shadow Stone, and the Hidden Cicada Silk, which was so close to transparent that it was nearly invisible to the naked eye.

"Advance," Zhao Zuo said softly.

At first, the advancement was quiet and peaceful. A gray light spread out silently, enveloping the advancement materials and the Breath-Concealing Ring. Moonlight streamed through the window but was repelled by the gray light, as if an invisible Domain had formed and taken a bite out of the moonlight blanketing the floor.

Immediately after, the Profound Dark Stone disintegrated under the gray light’s influence, forming extremely fine particles that enveloped the Breath-Concealing Ring and slowly seeped into it. A soft blue and pale purple light began to spread from its core, only to be completely blocked by the gray light.

As the advancement continued, the Breath-Concealing Ring seemed to begin breathing rhythmically, absorbing the essence of the materials with each second. The Hidden Cicada Silk appeared to combust, its impurities burning away completely, leaving only its essence behind, which dripped onto the surface of the ring like transparent drops of liquid.

In a flash, the Breath-Concealing Ring trembled slightly. The light in the room immediately dimmed as if it had been absorbed by the ring. ’This must be an effect derived from the advancement—the ability to suppress the propagation of light.’

The changes to the Breath-Concealing Ring itself were subtle and profound, making it look even more unremarkable.

About ten or so minutes later, most of the advancement materials had been absorbed by the Breath-Concealing Ring. Suddenly, a flash of golden light surged from between Zhao Zuo’s brows and swiftly merged into the ring floating in mid-air. Golden patterns began to spread and grow from the ring’s core.

Ultimately, something was missing, and it failed to achieve a perfect state. Naturally, it did not produce a special Spirit Seal effect. The speed at which the advancement materials merged suddenly accelerated. Ripples like the surface of water appeared on the Breath-Concealing Ring, spreading and converging, shattering and reforming.

Finally, the Profound Dark Stone was completely integrated into the Breath-Concealing Ring. The glow it emitted rapidly converged inward, and it became ordinary-looking... before falling back into the palm of Zhao Zuo’s right hand.

Zhao Zuo reached out to touch it, a bit anxiously. ’After I become an Inner Sect Disciple, the Breath-Concealing Ring will be even more important. Whether or not it gains the ability to block Divine Thought all depends on this advancement.’

Therefore, he had immense expectations for the results of this advancement.

[Advancement Description: Adds an additional layer of Cultivation concealment. At the same time, it can partially block a Foundation Establishment Divine Thought’s probing and judgment of your Cultivation.]

The good news was that Zhao Zuo had obtained the extra attribute he wanted.

The bad news was that the shielding wasn’t complete.

The first effect meant that from now on, Zhao Zuo could adjust his own Cultivation within a range of three layers. For example, his current Cultivation was at the Qi Cultivation Sixth Layer... so he could lower it to the Qi Cultivation Third Layer at most.

[Level: Upper Grade Magical Artifact · Breath-Concealing Ring]

[Experience: 84313/20000]

[Status: Upgradeable]

The experience points he had accumulated recently were just enough for two more upgrades. Zhao Zuo could only pin his hopes on these two upgrades strengthening the Divine Thought shielding.

"Upgrade."

The familiar gray light spread out, continuing to upgrade the Breath-Concealing Ring. Its exterior didn’t change at all, but the golden patterns inside began to grow again, spreading to every corner of the ring’s interior and taking a large step closer to complete perfection.

[Upgrade Description: Greatly enhances the ability to conceal Mana and Spiritual Power fluctuations. Slightly improves the effect of consuming Mana to reduce one’s presence.]

Zhao Zuo shook his head with some regret. He wasn’t very satisfied with the effect of the first upgrade.

Fortunately, he still had one more chance.

He immediately clicked "Upgrade" again.

The familiar gray light spread out as a new round of upgrading began.

Upgrading the Breath-Concealing Ring was always a silent process. There was no sound or significant disturbance; he could only feel the golden patterns within him improving and growing.

Zhao Zuo waited patiently for about ten minutes until the gray light gradually faded.

[Upgrade Description: Moderately increases the shielding effect against Divine Thought.]

Seeing the effect of the second upgrade, a satisfied smile appeared on Zhao Zuo’s face. He put the Breath-Concealing Ring back on and adjusted his Cultivation to the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer.

’According to the usual pattern for upgrades, the effects of the three upgrades are each different.’

’Since one upgrade has already been focused on strengthening the Divine Thought shielding, the third upgrade will definitely not be another enhancement to that same effect.’

’In other words... before this Breath-Concealing Ring advances into a Magical Treasure, its Divine Thought shielding effect won’t be strengthened again. This is the limit it can reach within the realm of an Upper Grade Magical Artifact.’

After the upgrades were complete, Zhao Zuo put on the Breath-Concealing Ring, adjusted his Cultivation to the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer, and resumed meditating to absorb Heaven and Earth Spiritual Power, not daring to slack off for even a moment.

.........

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