306: Chapter 306 A New Day, Xu Ruyu Asks Granny Liu for the Secret Manual of Weapon Forging

The next morning, as the first light of dawn began to shimmer, the sound of the Spiritual Qi waterfall awakened Xu Ruyu from his deep slumber.

He stretched comfortably; after a good night's sleep, the exhaustion from yesterday had been swept away.

Turning his head to look beside him, the bedding was already empty, leaving behind only a faint trace of cold, ethereal fragrance and a lingering warmth.

Xiao Nianyin had already risen and left, though he did not know when.

Xu Ruyu did not mind and got out of bed.

Just as he finished dressing, the warm water, towel, green salt, and other items for washing were already neatly arranged on the shelf beside him, clearly prepared by Xiao Nianyin.

After washing up, he pushed open the bamboo door. The moist and fresh morning air rushed to meet him, mixed with the fragrance of vegetation and soil, making him feel refreshed.

Arriving in the main hall, he saw Xiao Nianyin standing with her back to him, facing the window and gazing silently at the morning mist in the valley. Her figure remained cold and lonely.

Hearing footsteps, she turned around slowly, her face having recovered that expression of eternal ice, as if the woman from last night, filled with shame and anger while being ordered around, had just been an illusion.

Yet, upon closer inspection, there seemed to be a trace of imperceptible exhaustion and... resignation in her eyes?

"Awake?" Xu Ruyu asked casually, his tone as natural as if he were asking his own maid.

"...Mn." Xiao Nianyin replied softly and averted her gaze.

"I am going to Elder Liu's place in a while; do not wait for me for lunch," Xu Ruyu instructed, as if it were the most ordinary daily routine.

"...Understood." Xiao Nianyin's voice was even lower.

Xu Ruyu glanced at her, said nothing more, and turned to walk out of Tingquan Residence.

Ordering Xiao Nianyin around seemed to be becoming more and more natural, and her reaction—clearly full of reluctance yet forced to comply—actually made Xu Ruyu feel... a unique sense of amusement?

Of course, this thought flashed by; he had more important things to do now.

Passing through the now bustling Qixia Valley, Xu Ruyu headed straight for a few stone houses located in a relatively quiet area on the west side of the valley.

This was the temporary "Scripture Pavilion" and "Artifact Pavilion" established by the Hehuan Sect, managed by Granny Liu, Elder Liu, who had been highly respected within the Sect for many years and was in charge of Cultivation Technique classics and miscellaneous Artifact Refining items.

Elder Liu was not a combatant, and her cultivation was only at the Golden Core Initial Stage, but she was meticulous and earnest. She had a thorough understanding of the Sect's various Legacies and miscellaneous items, making her an invaluable "Chief Housekeeper."

"Is Elder Liu in?" Xu Ruyu knocked on the door of the largest stone house in the middle.

"Creak—" The door opened, and an old woman with gray hair, a kindly face, but very clear eyes appeared at the doorway. It was Granny Liu.

Upon seeing Xu Ruyu, she quickly bowed and saluted: "Sect Master! Why did you come in person? If you have matters, you need only call for this old woman to go to you."

"Elder Liu, no need for such formalities." Xu Ruyu steadied her. "I have come this time to borrow all the classics in the Sect regarding the Dao of Artifact Refining, including the most basic Ore identification, temperature control, Formation inscription, and forging of artifact embryos, all the way to some higher-level Artifact Refining insights and incomplete artifact recipes. The more comprehensive, the better."

"Artifact Refining classics?" Granny Liu was taken aback, feeling somewhat puzzled.

The Hehuan Sect was famous for its Dual Cultivation, Charm Technique, and illusion techniques; Artifact Refining was not its strong suit, so the related classics collected were not numerous, and most were superficial.

"Sect Master, are you planning to...?"

"I wish to study them." Xu Ruyu did not explain further.

"The Sect is newly established and awaiting development; the Disciples' cultivation is still shallow. Mastering an extra craft is always good. Besides, I also want to see if I can combine some new ideas to refine some small trinkets for the Disciples to protect themselves and safeguard their Dao."

He spoke nonchalantly, but Granny Liu heard the profound meaning within.

Combine new ideas? This young Sect Master was a freakish genius who could even "optimize" the ancient Forbidden Array of the Taihu Clan!

The "small trinkets" he spoke of were likely not simple.

"Sect Master is far-sighted; this old woman admires you." Granny Liu asked no more and turned aside to lead Xu Ruyu inside. "The Jade Slips, books, and diagrams related to Artifact Refining in the Sect are all stored on that cold jade shelf in the innermost room. I will go retrieve them for you now."

The interior space of the stone house was not small; it was divided into several areas with many bookshelves and jade racks. They stored, categorized, most of the classics and miscellaneous items brought out when the Hehuan Sect migrated. Although it could not compare to the collection of the former main altar, it could still be considered the preservation of most of the Sect's seeds of knowledge.

Soon, Granny Liu brought over two jade boxes that were not very large. After opening them, they contained over twenty Jade Slips of various colors neatly stacked, along with a dozen ancient books made of animal hide or silk, as well as some scattered diagrams depicting the structures of various artifacts and rune Formations.

"Sect Master, it is all here. From the most basic 'Introduction to Metals and Stones' and 'Twelve Methods of Fire and Temperature Control,' to some notes and insights from the Sect's past Artifact Refiners, as well as several incomplete artifact recipes of low grade (highest being third grade) obtained through external exchanges or accidents, all are included. Additionally, there are some miscellaneous notes regarding the characteristics, origins, and processing methods of common Artifact Refining Materials." Granny Liu introduced.

Xu Ruyu nodded. This was even less than he had expected, but as a foundation for entry and understanding the Artifact Refining system of this world, it should be sufficient.

"Thank you for your trouble, Elder Liu. I will take these back to study first and return them in a few days."

"Sect Master, please take them. If you have any needs, feel free to command this old woman at any time," Granny Liu said respectfully.

Xu Ruyu put the two jade boxes into his Storage Pouch (the basic model gifted by the Taihu Clan) and returned to Tingquan Residence.

He did not rush to start his research immediately, but instead sat quietly to regulate his breathing, adjusting his state to the best.

Then, he spread out all the Jade Slips and books regarding Artifact Refining on the desk and the low table he had temporarily moved to the side.

For the next three days, Xu Ruyu barely stepped out, immersing himself wholeheartedly in the study and comprehension of these Artifact Refining classics.

Like the most diligent student, starting from the most basic 'Introduction to Metals and Stones,' he learned about the classification, basic physical properties, and Spiritual Qi affinity of Materials such as metals, Ore, and jade in this world.