153: Small exchange meeting

According to the rules, after Old Man Fuyun announced the rankings, he invited all the eliminated participants out, leaving the others to rest within the boundary.

Moreover, the successful few were granted their own refined Magical Artifacts.

This was a benevolent act, as Magical Artifacts like Zhang Zhao’s Black Soul Blade and Snowy Mei’s Illusion Heart Bell were perfectly attuned to their respective Origin magical power, and others would find it difficult to unleash their full power if they used them.

Furthermore, when Li Hao refined the Qiankun Bead, he used the Blood Refining Method, so even if this Magical Artifact were given to someone else, it would take a lot of time to wash away Li Hao’s Bloodline traces.

It was better to do them a favor.

It was a small surprise.

“Senior Xue, hello, I am Mu Erhun, may I…?”

“Senior Chen, I am willing to exchange the Soul Refining Method for your assistance, but you must make a Dao Heart vow.”

“Yes, but you must provide your own Materials!”

After Old Man Fuyun left, everyone present began to meditate. After most of the day, Mu Erhun mustered the courage to approach Snowy Mei!

Zhang Zhao also came to find Chen Cuo, agreeing to the terms Chen Cuo had proposed!

The area immediately became lively, with several people chatting and getting to know each other!

Ling Bu Zi came to Chen Cuo’s side and bowed, saying, “I never expected Junior Brother Chen to be so young. I am older, but my Artifact Refining skills are far inferior to Junior Brother Chen’s and Junior Sister Xue’s, which is truly embarrassing! May I ask which family Junior Brother Chen comes from?”

His tone was very polite, without any arrogance. He treated Chen Cuo with considerable courtesy. He was simply unaware of Chen Cuo’s background and wanted to inquire while also showing a desire to befriend him.

Ling Bu Zi stared intently at Chen Cuo. Chen Cuo had entered the True Inheritance selection through the Bai family, and the Bai family had kept his identity tightly under wraps, so many people truly did not know or recognize him.

“Greetings, Senior Brother Ling Bu Zi. I am a humble offering of the Bai family, and I came through the Bai family’s recommendation!”

Chen Cuo revealed his identity, intentionally trying to foster a closer relationship. Mu Erhun and the others were slightly surprised to hear that Chen Cuo was a Bai family offering.

The Bai family’s business had been booming these days, and they had quite a reputation on Lingbao Mountain. The same was true for Ling Bu Zi; the Fire Spirit Ring was popular throughout Lingbao Mountain, and many low-level Disciples would go to great lengths to gather enough Spirit Stones to buy one.

The Bai family’s reputation was soaring, and according to the Bai family, this item was developed by a Bai family offering. Could it be?

Ling Bu Zi instantly became even more amiable. The Fire Spirit Ring, ah, a Magical Artifact specifically designed to amplify Artifact Refining, could increase the success rate of low-level Artifact Refiners by about ten percent.

Its effect was similar to his Three-legged Golden Toad Cauldron!

However, it was too cheap. The Fire Spirit Ring only cost eight hundred Spirit Stones and one hundred merit points. This price was equivalent to the cost of one of his own Artifact Refining attempts.

No wonder low-level Disciples flocked to it, and the Bai family’s status within the sect rose accordingly. Even so, it was nothing. But then Bai Tang achieved Foundation Establishment, and Chen Cuo’s True Inheritance status was most likely a sure thing. If not now, when would be the time to befriend him?

He tentatively asked, “Presumably, Junior Brother Chen is the master of the Fire Spirit Ring, right? This item truly benefits many outer sect Disciples and Loose Cultivators outside Lingbao Mountain, making their Dao path smoother. It is a great achievement!”

Chen Cuo looked up, wondering what the other party was thinking. How did he guess that the Fire Spirit Ring was developed by him?

The value of the Fire Spirit Ring, to Chen Cuo, was merely a tool for making money. As for any “blessing,” that was all nonsense. If every low-level Disciple had one, what would be the difference from now?

Furthermore, selling this item in large quantities would certainly lead to a mass appearance of low-level Magical Artifacts, impacting the current market. The results could be good or bad, but someone’s interests would definitely be harmed.

Perhaps someone would hold a grudge against Chen Cuo, or against the Bai family, which would be another troublesome matter.

The Bai family hadn’t even announced the news that Chen Cuo refined the Fire Spirit Ring, yet this old Daoist actually blurted it out based solely on speculation. It was unclear if it was intentional or for some other purpose.

However, Chen Cuo’s expression turned cold, and he shook his head, saying, “No!”

After speaking, he remained silent, neither admitting nor denying anything else.

However, others like Snowy Mei and Mu Erhun, upon hearing about the Fire Spirit Ring, also actively approached Chen Cuo to befriend him.

“Greetings, Junior Brother Chen. This humble one is Snowy Mei…”

The two chatted happily!

Ling Bu Zi, however, looked at Chen Cuo again, and then at Snowy Mei. He said to everyone present, “In the Dao of Artifact Refining, the most important thing is to cultivate spirituality. Although I have cultivated for so many years, I am still fumbling in this Dao, but I do have a small insight!”

“I propose that we take this opportunity today to hold a small Dao Discussion session, where we can exchange and discuss Artifact Refining insights. What do you all think?”

Although Snowy Mei and Chen Cuo were young, their Artifact Refining techniques demonstrated earlier had already reached a profound level, showing signs of True Inheritance.

Their understanding of Artifact Refining had reached a certain level. Even if they revealed only a fraction, it would surely be a far-sighted and incisive truth.

It would definitely be of great help to everyone.

However, this was still the True Inheritance assessment, and the third round was about to begin. They were still competitors, so Ling Bu Zi’s words were indeed a bit untimely.

Yet, Chen Cuo felt it didn’t matter. His Artifact Refining methods were based on the talents awakened from his panel, plus the proficiency he had accumulated. That kind of thing was just muscle memory.

As for insights, if counted, they were more about summarizing the Artifact Refining process. One could say he had proficient techniques and rich experience, but it couldn’t be called profound understanding.

Listening to others’ Artifact Refining insights could make up for some shortcomings.

The rest of the people naturally agreed, and Snowy Mei did not refuse either. Since it was an exchange session, it was also a way to gather ideas and share experiences, with no one losing out.

As for the timing, regardless of whether Ling Bu Zi was intentional or not, she wouldn’t casually reveal her true trump cards. A little insight from her daily Artifact Refining was enough.

So she agreed!

“Hahaha, in that case, let me start by offering some humble opinions!”

“What I specialize in is the Fire Tempering Method. During tempering, one must fully feel the breathing of the Ore and Materials. One must feel the moment they transform, just like our own cultivation Breakthrough. The artifact embryo also grows and transforms…”

…

“These are some of my shallow insights. I ask all Junior Brothers to enlighten me!”

It was indeed brilliant. The old Daoist Ling Bu Zi might not look impressive and seemed a bit cunning, but his Artifact Refining skills were truly those of a seasoned expert. He didn’t hold back, genuinely imparting all his insights.

Everyone felt they had gained something!

In the Dao of cultivation, it is said that one needs wealth, companions, methods, and land. The word “companion” can refer to a fellow Dao Companion, or relatives and friends, or even teachers, and more similarly, fellow Disciples and friends!

Although cultivators might seem like lone wolves, how could true lone wolves achieve the Dao? Cultivation is not about blindly toiling in isolation, but about constantly communicating with others to avoid errors in cultivation.

If one simply cultivated in seclusion, it would only be a futile effort, like performing a ritual in a snail shell.

This was Chen Cuo’s first time participating in such an exchange, and he truly realized the importance of companions.

Next, Zhang Zhao stepped forward and said, “My shallow insights are somewhat similar to Senior Ling Bu Zi’s, but I have some understanding of the unity of soul and artifact. The so-called unity of soul and artifact makes it easier…”

After everyone else had finished their Dao discussions, Chen Cuo and Snowy Mei were saved for last.

Chen Cuo went first. He said, “The Dao of Artifact Refining is actually consistent with the Martial Dao. The myriad Great Daos eventually lead to the same destination. The Martial Dao emphasizes maintaining a single mind. One must be meticulous in practicing martial arts, without the slightest error, otherwise one will suffer Qi Deviation. Artifact Refining is the same; every step must strictly adhere to the proper logic, and only then can necessary innovations be made. First and foremost, one must have a deep understanding of runes…”

His grand discourse, if purely dismissed as rambling, was not entirely so. It merely leaned somewhat towards empiricism and frequently mentioned knowledge of runes, mostly at the level of understanding.

Yet, everyone was receptive to this. People truly lacked Chen Cuo’s experience in applying runes, and could even be said to be quite rigid.

Then Snowy Mei stepped onto the stage and said, “What I want to talk about is the issue of unifying magical power and spirituality. Spirituality is especially important for the ultimate effect of a Magical Artifact. For second-tier Magical Artifacts and above, whether or not they possess spirituality already determines the potential of a Magical Artifact…”

Yuanyuan True Man, who had been secretly observing, nodded silently and thought, “These children will be the pillars of our sect in the future! Nascent Soul is within reach, Nascent Soul is within reach, hahaha!”