3: The Secret of Sublimation

The notification of the Family's expedition was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples among the young disciples of the Yun Family. Over the next two days, Yun Feng clearly felt the atmosphere within the Family become much more active; the figures practicing on the training grounds were more diligent, and more people were consulting Yao Beast illustrations and gazetteers in the library.

Yun Feng himself maintained a low profile, still performing his "standard" and "diligent" morning exercises during the day, occasionally helping his parents with chores, and spending most of his time cooped up in his small courtyard, ostensibly to "consolidate his foundation and avoid fainting again."

This reason was logical and reasonable, and coupled with his past performance, no one suspected anything.

His true purpose was to thoroughly understand the usage of the myriad manifestations sublimation system, especially the new discovery that it "requires no energy points"!

That was on the afternoon of the same day the expedition notification was issued, when he picked up the ordinary clay cup in his room.

"System, sublimate this cup," he muttered in his mind.

【Instruction received. Scanning target: Ordinary clay cup.】

【Sublimation path: Ordinary clay cup -> Rule-level optimized material and structure -> Glimmering Clay Cup (Black Iron Low Grade). Sublimation complete.】

Almost at the moment the prompt sound faded, the clay cup in his hand once again flashed with a more obvious stream of light than last time; the cup body became even more delicate and smooth, faintly exuding a warm texture, and an extremely faint, almost invisible, shimmering glow even appeared on its surface. The water in the cup also carried a clearer cool aura and a faint Spiritual Qi.

【Host: Yun Feng】

【Surface Status: No cultivation (disguised), Ordinary Physique (slowly strengthening)】

【True Foundation: Black Gold Rank cultivation Origin (System barrier sealed 99.99%), Innate Divine Soul (continuously nourished)】

【System Status: Rule connection stable, basic sublimation function activated without consumption.】

【Remarks: Sublimation effect is related to the target item's original quality, potential, and the Host's cognition. The higher the quality/greater the potential/deeper the cognition, the relatively smaller the sublimation amplitude/specific conditions are required. Sublimation of high-dimensional rule items, living beings, etc., requires special resources or specific prerequisites.】

Looking at the updated information on the System interface, a huge surprise surged in Yun Feng's heart! Basic sublimation without consumption! This meant that he could freely "upgrade" ordinary items!

Although the effect depended on the item's inherent quality and might not directly turn a stone into a Divine Artifact, this undoubtedly removed his biggest restriction!

He immediately began frantic testing.

He picked up the generic 《Basic Herbal Illustrated Guide》 issued by the Family on the table.

【Sublimation complete! 《Basic Herbal Illustrated Guide》 -> 《Compendium of Herbal Illustrated Guide》 (Black Iron Medium Grade), content is more detailed, images are more precise, with a small amount of common medicinal material processing tips attached.】

The book became slightly thicker, the paper quality improved, and the illustrations and text inside were indeed much clearer and richer.

He picked up an ordinary pebble from the courtyard.

【Sublimation complete! Ordinary pebble -> Hardened pebble (Mortal Peak), hardness and toughness significantly improved.】

The stone's surface was brighter, it felt heavy in his hand, and when he squeezed it hard, with his current Physical Body strength, he actually felt it was a bit abrasive.

He even tried it on the old cloth garment he was wearing.

【Sublimation complete! Coarse cloth garment -> Comfortable and durable cloth garment (Mortal High Grade), breathability and wear resistance slightly improved.】

The texture of the clothes indeed became softer, and they were more comfortable to wear.

"Sure enough, the worse the item's original foundation, the more obvious the change brought by sublimation. But there seems to be an upper limit, for example, this stone, no matter how much it's sublimated, for now it's only Mortal Peak, unable to Breakthrough to Black Iron Rank, unless its material itself is special or I invest more 'cognition' or other resources?" Yun Feng mused thoughtfully.

This ability was simply a Heaven-Defying Divine Skill of "pretend to be a pig to eat the tiger" tailor-made for him!

He could carry some seemingly ordinary items that were actually "sublimated" with him, which could have unexpected effects at critical moments.

The expedition was imminent, and preparation work could not be delayed.

Yun Feng first turned his attention to the standard equipment issued by the Family: an ordinary refined iron longsword, a set of cowhide armor, and a small military backpack.

He picked up the standard longsword; its blade was dull, and its edge was ordinary.

【Sublimation complete! Standard refined iron longsword -> Hundred-Refined Steel Sword (Black Iron Low Grade), sword body is tougher, sharpness is improved, not easy to chip.】

A cold light flashed across the surface of the longsword, its weight seemed more balanced, and when he flicked the blade with his finger, the humming sound was also slightly crisper.

Although it was far from being a Divine Weapon or Sharp Weapon, it was more than a notch stronger than before.

Next was the cowhide armor.

【Sublimation complete! Ordinary cowhide armor -> Tanned Tough Leather Armor (Black Iron Low Grade), protective power slightly increased, lighter and more comfortable.】

The leather armor became more resilient, and the key parts also seemed a bit thicker.

Finally, there was the military backpack.

【Sublimation complete! Ordinary military backpack -> Wear-Resistant Storage Backpack (Mortal Peak), capacity slightly increased, more sturdy and durable.】

The fabric of the backpack became denser, and the space also seemed a little larger.

After "upgrading" these pieces of equipment, Yun Feng began to prepare other supplies. He went to the Family's storeroom, and using the convenience of having helped inventory supplies, he exchanged some standard hemostatic powder, Qi recovery pills, and a few portions of dry rations and clear water with his meager Family contribution points.

Back in his room, he immediately "sublimated" these basic supplies.

【Sublimation complete! Hemostatic powder -> High-efficiency hemostatic powder (Black Iron Low Grade), hemostatic effect improved, with mild anti-inflammatory properties.】

【Sublimation complete! Qi recovery pill -> High-quality Qi recovery pill (Black Iron Low Grade), Soul Power recovery effect improved, medicinal properties more gentle.】

【Sublimation complete! Dried meat patty -> Delicious and durable meat patty (Mortal High Grade), better taste, more filling.】

【Sublimation complete! Clear water -> Sweet and refreshing clear water (Mortal High Grade), sweet taste, slightly moisturizing effect.】

Looking at these refreshed "ordinary" equipment and supplies before him, Yun Feng nodded in satisfaction. To those who were unaware, these items would at most make them think he was well-prepared and that his items were of good quality, never associating them with any world-shattering ability. But at critical moments, these sublimated items might just save the day or even turn the tide.

He also specifically found an ordinary-looking hard wooden stick, preparing to use it as a walking stick for scouting.

【Sublimation complete! Hard wooden stick -> Indestructible wooden stick (Mortal Peak), extremely high hardness, comparable to refined iron.】

Very good, it could be used as a bludgeon if necessary.

After all this, Yun Feng carefully organized the sublimated items and put them into the equally sublimated backpack. He caressed the cold blade of the Hundred-Refined Steel Sword, felt the dormant, truly terrifying power within him, and the Heaven-Defying System in his mind, and an unprecedented sense of security and anticipation arose.

This expedition was not just an external exploration, but also a preliminary test of his own abilities.

"Black Spring Village..." He softly murmured the place name, his gaze seemingly piercing through the wall, looking towards the unknown distance outside the city, "I hope you can bring me some... interesting 'surprises'."

Three days passed in a flash, and the day of departure arrived.