Chapter 138 - 119: Inner Sect Elder

Chapter 138: Chapter 119: Inner Sect Elder

After a few two-hour periods, Liu Heng’s face was showing signs of fatigue and he was drenched in sweat, yet he didn’t complain and continued to work with all his might.

Zhao Zuo nodded in satisfaction at the sight.

"Do you know Elder Wang of the Inner Sect... the one in the Earth Fire Hall?" Zhao Zuo asked offhandedly.

"I’m familiar with him. I was once considered Elder Wang’s disciple." Liu Heng didn’t even raise his head, still focusing most of his attention on polishing and sharpening the Lower-Grade Magical Artifact before him.

"Once?" Zhao Zuo took out his gourd and took a big swig of cool water, asking with a hint of curiosity.

"Later, I couldn’t afford the tuition, so naturally I was no longer considered a disciple," Liu Heng admitted frankly.

"So what’s Elder Wang’s skill level like? Is he a dedicated teacher?"

"Elder Wang has successfully refined Upper-Grade Magical Artifacts before, but only a few times. That’s why his Artifact Refiner rank is still One-Tier Middle Grade."

"Among the Inner Sect Elders, his Artifact Refining skills are about average. He’s also notoriously greedy. He needs a massive amount of materials for practice before he can officially advance to become a One-Tier Upper-Grade Artifact Refiner."

"As for his teaching, he is quite dedicated. A few of his disciples can even refine Middle-Grade Magical Artifacts now. However, he only lectures after being paid in Spirit Stones, so there’s no personal connection with his disciples. Also... he deliberately manages his time so that the two-hour period ends right as he’s halfway through explaining a critical point. So... if you want to hear the whole thing, you have to pay Spirit Stones for the next session."

Liu Heng’s hands never stopped moving as he explained everything to Zhao Zuo in meticulous detail.

’Isn’t that just leaving a cliffhanger?!’ Zhao Zuo mentally condemned the practice.

"Younger Brother Zhao, has Elder Wang approached you yet?" Liu Heng asked offhandedly.

"He has. He wants to take me as his disciple."

"With your proficiency in refining and engraving Spirit Patterns, there’s no point in learning how to refine Lower-Grade Magical Artifacts. You could go straight to learning the method for Middle-Grade ones," Liu Heng suggested.

"That’s exactly what I was thinking."

Zhao Zuo nodded. He had the answer he wanted. Elder Wang might be greedy, but he was still a dedicated teacher, and that was enough.

"I’m leaving now," Zhao Zuo continued. "Keep the remaining Lower-Grade Magical Artifacts with you after you finish sharpening them. Come to this Earth Fire Chamber early tomorrow, and try not to arouse anyone’s suspicion."

"Understood," Liu Heng replied.

"Also, if anyone contacts you, report to me immediately."

Zhao Zuo put away his Artifact Refining tools, stood up, and left the Earth Fire Chamber. Liu Heng continued to polish the blades of the Lower-Grade Magical Artifacts, looking as if he had completely resigned himself to his fate...

Meanwhile, in a corridor of the Earth Fire Hall, Zhao Zuo circulated Mana to his face. His features immediately began to shift and reshape like modeling clay, and even his height changed simultaneously. He casually slipped into an unoccupied Earth Fire Chamber.

When he emerged, he was wearing a different set of clothes. Only then did he leave the Earth Fire Hall. He didn’t go far, however. He found an ancient, several-hundred-year-old tree and sat meditating at its base, absorbing the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Power and converting it into Mana.

This method of Cultivation was known as communing with and comprehending nature, all in pursuit of the Unity of Heaven and Man Realm. Unfortunately, while many people meditated under trees, only a rare few could ever truly enter this state.

Zhao Zuo appeared to be in Cultivation, but he was actually watching.

About half a two-hour period later, Liu Heng walked out of his Earth Fire Chamber. Zhao Zuo’s eyes narrowed as he discreetly observed the other man’s expression.

Liu Heng’s steps were heavy. His face was a mask of bitterness and frustration, and his Essence, Qi, and Spirit seemed drained. There was a sense of resigned dejection about him, but no resentment or anger.

As the distance between them closed, Zhao Zuo shut his eyes, feigning Cultivation.

A few minutes later, Zhao Zuo stood and returned to his Cave Mansion. He still didn’t fully trust Liu Heng. Even though he held dominion over the man’s life and death, he couldn’t control his thoughts.

Zhao Zuo was observing him to determine if he was safe to keep around. If Liu Heng passed this test, Zhao Zuo could afford to be more lenient. But if he harbored any resentment or anger, Zhao Zuo would have to find an opportunity to make him disappear without a trace.

For the next few days, Zhao Zuo continued to refine artifacts with Liu Heng, but he varied their schedule—sometimes in the morning, sometimes in the afternoon. He also always changed his face, height, and clothes upon leaving to conceal their connection as much as possible.

After several days of observation, Zhao Zuo hadn’t sensed any malice from Liu Heng. It seemed the man had truly accepted his fate. Zhao Zuo was also very satisfied with Liu Heng’s daily work of fine-tuning and sharpening the Magical Artifacts.

「In the blink of an eye, nearly half a month passed like this.」

In the Earth Fire Chamber, Liu Heng was using the furnace fire for the final processing of a Magical Artifact, smoothing out its uneven surfaces before quenching it in Spiritual Liquid to increase its hardness.

Finally, he took out a Sharpening Stone for polishing. Liu Heng’s movements were deft and efficient. He was hardworking and uncomplaining, never once questioning an order from Zhao Zuo.

"I’ve been very satisfied with your attitude and efficiency lately," Zhao Zuo said.

"Thank you for the acknowledgment, Younger Brother Zhao," Liu Heng said immediately.

"Next month, I won’t be taking your Contribution Points. Consider it a reward for your hard work."

’The hundred-odd Contribution Points per month are equivalent to less than three hundred Spirit Stones. To be honest, that’s less than what I make in a single day of Artifact Refining. It doesn’t do much for my own progress, so I might as well use it to buy some loyalty and make Liu Heng even more devoted.’

"Thank you, Master! I will never forget this immense kindness!" Liu Heng’s hand trembled, the Forging Hammer almost crashing down on it. He spoke to Zhao Zuo with extreme excitement, his eyes filled with undisguised, bloodshot veins.

Zhao Zuo could tell Liu Heng was genuinely happy. ’And all I did was give back what was originally his, and in return, I get this level of gratitude.’

"Keep up the good work. Who knows, if you continue to work for me, you might even start earning Contribution Points."

’I’m just dangling a carrot to keep him motivated,’ Zhao Zuo thought skillfully. ’In reality... I have no intention of giving him a raise this year. I’m short on Spirit Stones myself, and I need them to upgrade my various Magical Artifacts!’

"Younger Brother Zhao, I will work my absolute hardest," Liu Heng said, his voice full of joy. For a moment, it was as if both of them had forgotten the unpleasantness of their past.

During this time, Zhao Zuo’s success rate and speed at engraving the Controlling Objects Spirit Patterns had improved dramatically once again. If not for the limitations of his Mana and spirit, and the need to avoid overexertion, he could have refined at least twenty Magical Artifacts per day.

"I’m heading out for the day. You finish up here," Zhao Zuo said, leaving early as usual.

Just as before, he changed his Taoist Robe and appearance in an empty Earth Fire Chamber. Although he had started to develop some initial trust in Liu Heng, that didn’t mean the test was over.

’After all, when my life is on the line, I can never be too cautious.’

’I remember someone once said that people reveal their flaws when they are most joyful and relaxed. Let’s see if you’re just putting on an act, or if you’ve truly accepted your fate.’

’Liu Heng’s joy at not having to turn over his Contribution Points couldn’t have been faked. Today was without a doubt his most relaxed and happy day in a long while, like seeing a ray of light in the darkness.’

’Light represents hope, true enough, but it also casts the sharpest shadows, revealing what’s perfectly hidden.’

Zhao Zuo once again found an ancient tree nearby and feigned Cultivation, his attention fixed on the Earth Fire Hall.

A short while later, Liu Heng emerged. His steps were light, and even his exhaustion couldn’t suppress the smile on his face. The sorrow that usually clung to him was gone, replaced by a heartfelt joy. His entire being seemed to radiate a light called hope.

Zhao Zuo could see no sign of malice or anger on his face.

Zhao Zuo breathed a sigh of relief. Liu Heng had passed his test yet again. ’From now on, I’ll observe him once every three days,’ he decided.

But just as he turned to leave, the expression on Liu Heng’s face—still standing at the entrance to the Earth Fire Hall—suddenly changed. It was now a mixture of nervousness, hesitation, and contemplation.

About ten seconds passed.

Liu Heng lowered his head, took a Communication Jade from his Storage Bag, and brought it to his lips.

......