Immortal Refiner

What nonsense! Li Qing thought. They think they can just get something for free based on a rumor of dubious authenticity? When had he ever been taken advantage of like this?

Besides, even if the rumor was true, it had nothing to do with him anymore. He had already severed ties with the Liu Clan.

So what if someone from the Flying Eagle Bandits had reached the Foundation Establishment Realm? This was the Heavenly River Market. Even if those bandit cultivators were given ten times the courage, they wouldn’t dare cause trouble here.

”Fellow Daoist, this is my first day in business. To try and get my Magic Artifact for free without a word is simply too much!” Li Qing said, flashing a brilliant smile that revealed his pearly white teeth. ”How about this? I’ll tell you a piece of news. Would that even things out?”

This piqued the young talisman maker’s interest. He paused, then asked with curiosity, ”Tell me, what news?”

”This news concerns the Heavenly River Sect, and not just them—many rogue cultivators are watching this matter closely!” Li Qing said, feigning mystery.

The arrogant talisman maker’s interest was immediately piqued. He leaned in and whispered, ”Is it related to the attack on the spirit stone mine? Do you know any inside information? Tell me about it.”

Li Qing shook his head. ”No, the Heavenly River Sect can’t even catch the culprits who attacked the spirit stone mine. How could I possibly know anything about it? You overestimate me, friend.”

”What I wanted to tell you is something else entirely!”

This piqued the young talisman maker’s curiosity even further. He wondered what else could be so important that it would draw the attention of both the Heavenly River Sect and rogue cultivators.

Li Qing didn’t keep him in suspense for long. With a smile, he said, ”Ahem, next year, the Heavenly River Sect will be holding its Ascension Conference!”

”What do you think? Isn’t that big news?!”

After Li Qing finished speaking, the young talisman maker stared blankly for a long moment before realizing he’d been played. His mouth twisted in anger.

Mother of all things, wasn’t this common knowledge?!

”What kind of secret is that? Any rogue cultivator in the Heavenly River Market could tell you that!”

”Besides, you can’t even dream of attending the Heavenly River Sect’s Ascension Conference without being in the Late Qi Refining Realm!”

Li Qing merely smiled. ”Well, I never said it was a secret. And that information you mentioned wouldn’t have helped me anyway!”

”Now we’re even. If you still want to buy the Curved Water Sword, I can give you a discount since we’re old acquaintances.”

After some further haggling, Li Qing finally closed his first Magic Artifact deal.

He sold the Curved Water Sword for sixty-five Spirit Stones, and the two cultivators became acquainted.

Over the next few days, they agreed to set up their stalls together, hoping to attract more customers.

For example, cultivators looking to buy talismans might also check out Li Qing’s Magic Artifact stall, and those who bought Magic Artifacts wouldn’t mind picking up a few talismans for self-defense.

By sharing customer traffic, their business thrived.

In just eight days, Li Qing sold four Inferior-Grade Magic Tools. Including the Curved Water Sword, he earned a total of three hundred and eighty Spirit Stones.

Of course, their success was largely due to the current unrest in the cultivation world. Many rogue cultivators needed Magic Artifacts or talismans for protection.

They were essentially riding the wave of the times.

During these days, their friendship deepened, and Li Qing learned his companion’s name: Ye Feng. Ye Feng was originally a mortal who stumbled upon a cultivation manual passed down from his ancestors. This led him to become a cultivator. The talisman inheritance also came from an ancient jade slip passed down through his family.

Later, while traveling the world, Ye Feng encountered young disciples of the Liu Clan and was recommended to join them.

Like Li Qing, Ye Feng chose to become a hired worker rather than marry into the Liu Clan.

The subsequent events were unremarkable: he attached himself to the Liu Clan, earning spirit stones by crafting talismans while simultaneously improving his cultivation and talisman art.

However, what surprised Li Qing most was that Ye Feng could already craft First-Tier Mid-Grade Talismans, though his success rate was low. Each attempt wasted considerable resources, making it somewhat unprofitable.

On the ninth day of his stay at the Heavenly River Market, Li Qing had nearly sold all his Inferior-Grade Magic Tools. He planned to forge another batch, hoping to capitalize on the uncertain situation in the immortal cultivation world and earn more spirit stones.

Though his stall held few items, Li Qing had erected a sign this time, attracting the attention of several rogue cultivators.

”You can craft Low-Grade Magic Tools?!”

Upon seeing Li Qing’s sign, Ye Feng, usually arrogant, was forced to swallow his pride.

Crafting Inferior-Grade Magic Tools and crafting Low-Grade Magic Tools were entirely different concepts.

Although the difference wasn’t vast, Inferior-Grade Magic Tools only required mortal iron, making them cheap to produce and within the capabilities of Weapon Refinement Apprentices.

Low-Grade Magic Artifacts, however, already required the addition of spirit materials.

Once spirit materials were involved, the artifact refinement process became a true test of the refiner’s skill. Most spirit materials were quite valuable, and a mistake that ruined them could lead to significant losses.

Therefore, in the immortal cultivation world, many people seeking to have Magic Artifacts crafted would seek out reputable refiners, even if their prices were slightly higher.

”Well, as long as the spirit pattern variations aren’t too complex, I’m quite confident in refining Low-Grade Five Elements Magic Artifacts,” Li Qing nodded.

Indeed, the sign he had just erected was specifically to take commissions for refining Inferior-Grade Magic Tools and Low-Grade Magic Artifacts.

Hearing this, Ye Feng’s gaze toward Li Qing became much more respectful.

A refiner capable of crafting Low-Grade Magic Artifacts was highly sought after in Heavenly River Market and could easily secure a position as a refiner within a mid-tier sect.

For one thing, Ye Feng himself had a need for Low-Grade Magic Artifacts.

He quickly spoke up, saying, ”I need a water-attribute whip-type Magic Artifact crafted. I’ve gathered quite a few materials. What are your chances of success?”

After hearing this, Li Qing lowered his head in thought for a moment before speaking. ”First, tell me what you need this Magic Artifact for. Is it meant for offense, trapping enemies, or something else?”

”Offense only! The more destructive power, the better!” Ye Feng thought for a moment before adding, ”I’ve prepared Water-Condensing Sand, a Profound Yin Serpent Skin, and a Bloodthirsty Vine!”

These words surprised Li Qing. These materials were all spiritual treasures! If the artifact refiner’s skill was high enough, they could be used to create a Mid-Grade Magic Tool!

”Brother Ye, if you’re referring to these spiritual treasures, I’m 90% confident I can craft a Low-Grade Magic Artifact for you.”

”But I must warn you, these materials are already sufficient to create a Mid-Grade Magic Tool. You should consider this carefully.”

As a conscientious artifact refiner, Li Qing felt it was his duty to explain the implications to Ye Feng, lest he regret his decision later. After all, providing so many spiritual treasures only to receive a Low-Grade Magic Artifact might leave some lingering resentment.

However, Ye Feng simply smiled. ”It’s fine. I only need this Magic Artifact for offense. I don’t care about anything else. Just make sure it’s destructive enough.”

”All the artifact refiners at the Weapon Refinement Pavilion in the market are fully booked. Some of them won’t be able to start refining until next year, and their prices for crafting Magic Artifacts are exorbitant.”

Ye Feng seemed quite anxious. Li Qing nodded. ”Fifty Spirit Stones, and it should take about a month.”

Considering the crafting of a Low-Grade Magic Artifact, this price was fair—neither too high nor too low, just right.

However, Li Qing’s primary motivation was to improve his artifact refinement skills.

He would need Water-Condensing Sand to craft the Water Entangling Net later, so familiarizing himself with handling this material beforehand would greatly benefit him when he eventually refined this Mid-Grade Magic Tool.

Moreover, Ye Feng cultivated the water attribute and primarily used water-attribute Magic Artifacts. Li Qing thought that once he could craft the Water Entangling Net, he would sell one to him.

”Excellent! Deal!” Ye Feng grinned as Li Qing agreed. ”Meet me here tomorrow. I’ll bring the Spirit Stones and materials.”

”And if you succeed, I have another reward for you!” Ye Feng said mysteriously.

(End of the Chapter)

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