90: Borrowing and returning spirit stones, golden talisman brushes

After clarifying the difference between magical power and True Qi, Chen Cuo at least knew where the strength of magical power lay, as it was the foundation for cultivators' longevity.

He then subtly questioned Dai Xiong about the Martial God Realm, but unfortunately, Dai Xiong knew very little. He only said that the Martial God Realm was comparable to Martial Dao Foundation Establishment, seeking the Fusion of spirit and intention, intention and Qi, the unity of the three powers, and an invincible momentum.

However, these were all stock phrases, and Dai Xiong had no idea how to actually achieve such a state.

There was one point though: the Martial God Realm sought spiritual intent. Would achieving Martial Godhood cause True Qi to transform, leading to a drastic increase in heavenly pressure?

He figured it wouldn't, because there were indeed legends of Martial Gods in this Jueling Realm. Of course, it was possible they were fabricated myths, or that those who broke through immediately crossed Realms and left this Jueling Realm.

Daydreaming was pointless. Even if he wanted to break through to Martial God, for Chen Cuo, it was still too early.

So, for the next three months, Chen Cuo spent every day in front of the forging furnace, learning forging knowledge, rain or shine, diligently researching.

Every hammer blow was progress, and every furnace opening yielded gains. Initially, Artifact Refining was merely forging, hammering out Hundred-Refined Fine Iron. This was the fastest area of progress for Chen Cuo; in just one week, he could easily hammer out Hundred-Refined Fine Iron.

After the proficiency of the Liu Family Forging Method increased, relying on his understanding of force and control of heat, Hundred-Refined Fine Iron was no longer the limit. Limited by the Materials, he could hammer out a maximum of one hundred twenty-three refined iron. Such refined iron was overall dark blue, already possessing a transcendent foundation, and was almost 100% successful when used to make Magical Artifacts.

This left Dai Xiong and the owner, White Egret, in awe. White Egret even personally processed the refined iron forged by Chen Cuo.

Later, Chen Cuo began to learn the forging knowledge of Magical Artifacts. The major basic processes required for Artifact Refining—selection, forging, Fusion, shaping, and engraving—each required a significant amount of time to master thoroughly.

The so-called selection means choosing the appropriate related Materials for forging different objects, requiring a keen eye and discerning judgment. This can only be memorized by rote, familiarizing oneself with the characteristics of various Ore Materials.

The appendix in the Fire Forging Method contains the uses and detailed introductions of nearly a thousand Materials; just memorizing them would take a lot of time.

Forging needs no further explanation. Fusion is learning to fuse iron. Most Magical Artifacts cannot be made from a single Material. To learn how to create objects by Fusion of multiple Materials, one must be intimately familiar with the characteristics of the Materials.

Shaping is forming and setting, also a profound body of knowledge. Engraving is carving inscriptions, which requires first learning inscriptions, successfully carving them, and enabling the object to resonate with Innate True Qi.

In short, just the basic knowledge of Artifact Refining requires a lot of time to master. No wonder the contract signed by Bailu Smithy stipulates that they don't have to refine artifacts for the first year. Artifact Refiners who can learn to refine Magical Artifacts within a year, given how much there is to learn, are already considered quite talented.

Of course, these were minor issues for Chen Cuo. After three months, he had completely mastered the basic knowledge of Artifact Refining. The experience of the Liu Family Forging Method had been maxed out, and the Fire Forging Method was just a little short. He could only wait until it was maxed out to Awaken his talent for Fusion.

However, he still hadn't started forging Magical Artifacts, mainly because there were still slight flaws in his inscription engraving, which had not reached a state of seamless perfection. It would probably take another half a month to reach perfection.

In that case, he would be able to re-refine the Chain Blade, at least making it a Low Grade First-Order Magical Artifact!

Today, after finishing his daily forging, it was only noon. Yue Wudao had called him two days ago to go out and explore the entire Xueshan City.

He couldn't just keep cultivating every day. Besides, he didn't get paid for forging in his first year, and his tasks were very lenient. In terms of the fine iron he forged, he had already exceeded the quota, so Chen Cuo, feeling good, decided to go out for a stroll.

"Master Dai, I'm going out to play for a few days. I've been in Xueshan City for three months and haven't really explored it yet."

Dai Xiong smiled and nodded. With the refined iron Chen Cuo had tempered in the previous two months, their time for forging Magical Artifacts was significantly faster. They had just delivered their goods last month, so they were quite idle at the moment.

As he spoke, he pulled out a bulging cloth bag from his pocket, containing seventy or eighty scattered small stones of various colors.

"You kid, wait. Take these. Consider it a loan."

It was surprisingly fragmented Spirit Crystal. Chen Cuo tore it open and saw that it was only a dozen pieces short of being worth one Spirit Stone. The exchange rate for Spirit Stone to fragmented Spirit Crystal was one to one hundred, with fluctuating prices.

"Thanks, Master Dai. I'll be back as soon as possible." Chen Cuo didn't act coy. It was only a month's salary, easily repayable. Aside from gold, he truly didn't have a single penny at the moment!

A moment later!

Chen Cuo and Yue Wudao were already seated in a restaurant called He Family Restaurant, the Spirit Chef He Family!

Chen Cuo looked at Yue Wudao with a hint of complaint, and handed him five fragmented Spirit Crystals to repay the debt.

"Oh, Old Brother Chen, it's not that I didn't tell you, but the currency here is Spirit Stones. I truly forgot!"

Yue Wudao showed an embarrassed expression, saying somewhat exaggeratedly. In truth, what he said was not wrong. Yue Wudao had a childlike heart and was free from worldly worries.

Slaughter, power, and wealth were all like fleeting clouds, never dwelling in his heart. When he went to Great Snow Mountain, he packed too hastily and truly forgot about this matter. Of course, later, when he paid for Chen Cuo, part of the reason was to make Chen Cuo feel indebted.

"Then this meal is on you!"

Chen Cuo crossed his arms and said faintly. He scrutinized Yue Wudao, noticing that he seemed a bit listless, as if his vital essence was depleted.

"Alright, if it's on me, it's on me!" Yue Wudao nodded and agreed.

After Chen Cuo called the waiter and ordered the dishes, he didn't extort him. It probably only cost about a dozen fragmented Spirit Crystals.

Then Chen Cuo asked, "Why do you seem to be suffering from a deficiency of vital essence, Brother Yue? Is the Huang Family forcing you to make Talismans?"

"No, no, the Huang Family gave me their 'Talisman Art Compendium' as soon as I joined, and I'm slowly Cultivating it. It's just that I want to earn some Spirit Stones to buy a Talisman brush. With my current Talisman-making skill, I can't make the Spirit Talismans in the 'Talisman Art Compendium' yet, but if I had a Talisman brush to help, I should be able to."

"If I can't make Spirit Talismans, I can only make more Blood Talismans to earn some Spirit Stones first. Please excuse me, Old Brother Chen."

The Huang Family's Talisman-making workshop, which recruits Talisman-making workers, is similar to Bailu Smithy in that there's no salary for the first year, only food and lodging. However, the difference is that the Huang Family accepts Talismans made by Innate Experts themselves.

Moreover, the Materials for Talisman making are not very expensive, and Yue Wudao happened to bring some fragmented Spirit Crystals with him, so he started thinking about earning some Spirit Stones first to buy a Talisman brush to use.

The Talisman brush, named Golden Bristle Talisman Brush, is manufactured and sold by the beast stable under the Yuanfu Sect. It is made from the chest hair of a type of wolf beast and has the potential to slightly increase the success rate of Talisman drawing.