260: Songtuwan

Su Ming's breathing quickened slightly.

This kind of power, this kind of one-time consumable, was definitely hard currency in the cultivation world.

Especially for those Loose Cultivators who lived on the edge, or Sect Disciples heading to explore Secret Realms, this was practically a Divine Artifact for saving one's life and turning the tables.

"But this thing is too dangerous and too flashy."

Su Ming quickly calmed down, his brow furrowing slightly. "If people find out I'm the one who refined it, those guys from the Artifact Hall will probably be the first to jump out and cause trouble. It might even attract the attention of the Law Enforcement Hall."

"Who said you had to sell it directly?"

Lin Yu rolled his eyes. "We're the 'Repair Hall'; our main business is 'repairing.' We can sell 'Pest Control Services' or go through black market channels. Besides, isn't that good brother of yours, Wang Defa, always looking for a chance to show his loyalty? This kind of dirty and exhausting work is exactly the time to test him."

Su Ming pondered for a moment, his fingers rhythmically tapping the tabletop.

Risk and reward always go hand in hand.

The injury to his dao foundation couldn't be delayed, and the three hundred thousand Spirit Stone deficit weighed on him like a mountain.

If he didn't take a gamble, he could only wait for death.

"Let's do it."

Su Ming suddenly looked up, a flicker of resolve in his eyes. "However, the name must be changed. It can't be called 'Yin Thunder Bead'; that sounds too much like the Demonic Path. Since it's made from the soil of the Spiritual Plant Garden and has water and fire harmonized..."

A pure and harmless smile curled at the corners of his mouth. "Let's call it the 'harvest no. 1' Soil Loosening Pill. An agricultural tool specifically for reclaiming wasteland and blasting stubborn rocks."

"...I admit defeat to your naming ability," Lin Yu's mouth twitched. "What the hell is a Soil Loosening Pill?"

...The next morning, Repair Hall.

Wang Defa was leading several Utility Disciples in counting the old, discarded Magical Artifacts recovered yesterday when he saw Su Ming walk in and hurried over to greet him.

"Hall Master, morning!" Wang Defa's face was glowing. Since following Su Ming, he had stood tall in the Outer Sect; anyone who saw him had to call him 'Brother Fa'.

Su Ming nodded, his gaze sweeping over the crowd before finally landing on Wang Defa.

"Old Wang, come to the backyard with me."

Arriving at the backyard, Su Ming activated a sound-isolating Restriction.

Seeing this, Wang Defa's expression immediately became serious, instinctively lowering his voice. "Hall Master, has something happened? Did those grandsons from the Artifact Hall come looking for trouble again?"

"It's not a bad thing; it's business."

Su Ming took out a freshly refined, walnut-sized dark red orb from his sleeve.

The surface of this orb was rough, looking like a ball of red mud that had been rolled into a round shape. There were no Spiritual Qi fluctuations; it was so ordinary that no one would pick it up if it were thrown by the roadside.

"This is?" Wang Defa took it curiously. It felt slightly heavy and a bit warm to the touch.

"This is a new... auxiliary tool developed by our Repair Hall."

Su Ming pointed to a large boulder of Blue Steel Rock in the corner of the yard used for sword testing. "Stand back a bit and throw it at that rock. Remember, when you throw it, input a sliver of spiritual power to activate it."

Although Wang Defa didn't understand why, he never hesitated to carry out Su Ming's orders.

He stepped back fifteen meters as instructed, released a bit of spiritual power, and flicked his wrist.

The "mud pill" traced a parabola and accurately struck the Blue Steel Rock.

Boom!

A muffled explosion suddenly erupted.

There were no world-shaking flames, only a dark red shockwave mixed with countless tiny fragments that instantly exploded.

That Blue Steel Rock, which was as hard as iron and enough to withstand the strikes of a Low Grade Magical Artifact, actually had a corner shattered in an instant. A bowl-sized crater was blasted into its surface, surrounded by a dense network of cracks.

Even more terrifying was that the dust from the explosion seemed to carry a fire toxin that caused one's spiritual power to stagnate.

Wang Defa's mouth hung open as he stared blankly at the rock, then at his own hand.

That thing just now... was produced by that mud pill?

"This... this power..." Wang Defa's throat felt dry. "If it hit a person..."

"This is for blasting rocks."

Su Ming corrected him calmly. "Of course, if you encounter a blind Yao Beast or some ill-intentioned Bandits, it can also be used to 'send them on their way'."

He looked at Wang Defa, his gaze deep. "Old Wang, you've been around the Outer Sect for many years. You should be familiar with the ways of the black market, right?"

Wang Defa's body shook.

Looking at Su Ming's young yet steady face, he suddenly realized that this Hall Master's ambition was far more than just simple repairing.

This was a great ship.

A great ship that could either ride the wind and waves or strike a reef and sink.

But Wang Defa didn't hesitate in the slightest. Having struggled at the bottom for so many years, he knew all too well that opportunities were fleeting.

"Familiar!"

Wang Defa grit his teeth, a hint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes. "Don't worry, Hall Master. How to sell this, who to sell it to, and how to keep ourselves clean—I, Wang Defa, know it all! Even if the Law Enforcement Hall investigates, they won't find a single hair out of place in Qingxi Valley!"

Su Ming nodded in satisfaction and patted Wang Defa's shoulder.

"Very good. This thing is called 'harvest no. 1'. Remember, what we're selling are agricultural tools, bringing warmth to those Loose Cultivator brothers who work hard to reclaim wasteland."

"Also," Su Ming changed the subject, "keep an eye out for any news on 'Water Jade Marrow' in the market. Even if it's just a fragment or a clue, tell me immediately."

"Yes!"

Wang Defa took his leave, his steps heavier than when he arrived, yet more determined.

Su Ming stood there, looking at the shattered Blue Steel Rock, and gently rubbed his fingers.

"Master, the first step has been taken."

"Hmm, quite a commotion," Lin Yu commented. "However, relying solely on this 'Soil Loosening Pill' to earn three hundred thousand is still a bit uncertain. We still need to dig up some high-value-added items."