378: Chapter 378 Refining Weapons, Crazy Refining Weapons

After the Breakthrough in the Transmission Monument Forest, Xu Ruyu did not stop for a single moment, directly bringing the Taihao Clan to the Artifact Refinement Hut in the inner layer of the Illusory Moon Well.

Because Yue Ling's cultivation had not yet fully stabilized, and because acting as a Protector this time had consumed a lot of her mental energy, she fell into a deep sleep shortly after returning to the Illusory Moon Well.

Before sleeping, she took Xu Ruyu's hand and said softly, "Ruyu, I'm going to sleep for a while. You... you focus on your Artifact Refining, don't overwork yourself."

Xu Ruyu nodded and said gently, "Don't worry, I know my limits. Get some good rest."

Yue Ling smiled slightly, and her figure gradually faded, finally turning into a ray of moonlight that merged into the depths of the Illusory Moon Well.

Xu Ruyu stood there, staring in the direction she had disappeared for a long time without speaking.

The Taihao Clan stood to the side with her arms crossed, curling her lip. "Alright, stop looking; my Master won't run away. Hurry up, weren't you going to refine artifacts? Are the Materials ready?"

Xu Ruyu snapped out of it and looked at her, a glint of craftiness flashing in his eyes. "Senior Taihao, speaking of Materials..."

The Taihao Clan's heart tightened as she looked at him warily. "What are you trying to do?"

Xu Ruyu rubbed his hands together and chuckled. "Senior, you are a Saint Realm Artifact Refiner who has lived for over ten thousand years; your collection must be very abundant, right?"

The Taihao Clan's expression changed, and she repeatedly retreated. "You... you're targeting me?!"

Xu Ruyu quickly said, "Senior, don't misunderstand! I'm not taking them for free; I'm borrowing! Borrowing! When I refine good things in the future, I'll pay you back double!"

The Taihao Clan glared at him. "You borrow my Materials to refine artifacts for me, and then the finished products still belong to you? Aren't you just trying to get something for nothing?"

Xu Ruyu said righteously, "How can you call it getting something for nothing? The things I refine can be used by you too, Senior!

Besides, haven't you always wanted to learn my Array Pattern and techniques? I'll teach you while I refine; this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

The Taihao Clan was stunned.

She had to admit that what Xu Ruyu said... made sense.

She had been coveting those Array Pattern and techniques for a long time.

If she could see him operate with her own eyes and hear his explanations with her own ears during the refining process, it would be much better than her trying to figure it out on her own.

But... those Materials were the family fortune she had saved up for ten thousand years!

The Taihao Clan's face twisted in conflict, looking like a bitter melon.

Seeing this, Xu Ruyu continued to sweeten the deal: "Senior, think about it. Once I equip every Hehuan Sect Disciple with a set of Source Energy Armor and a qi-breaking gun, our Taihu Clan will also benefit!

If external enemies ever invade, won't this equipment also protect our own people?"

The Taihao Clan's eyes lit up.

That was actually a good idea.

Although she wouldn't say it aloud, she knew in her heart that Xu Ruyu's things were indeed powerful.

If they could be mass-produced, the overall strength of the Taihu Clan would definitely reach a new level.

"Fine... fine." She gnashed her teeth. "But you have to keep your word—pay me back double!"

Xu Ruyu patted his chest and promised, "Definitely, definitely!"

The Taihao Clan glared at him, then turned and walked toward a hidden door deep within the Artifact Refinement Hut. The door was sealed by a Formation; she performed several hand Seals before the door slowly opened.

"Follow me."

Xu Ruyu followed her through the hidden door, and his vision suddenly widened.

This was a massive secret chamber, at least a hundred feet square, surrounded by rows of tall shelves densely packed with various Materials.

refined iron, Black Iron, Cold Iron, Red Copper, Wind Copper, Star-Pattern Steel, Moon-Essence Stone, Solar Essence Gold, Taiyi Essence Gold, Ten-Thousand-Year Warm Jade, Black Ice Jade Marrow, Star Sand, Lightning-Struck Wood, Phoenix Feathers, Flood Dragon Scales...

Xu Ruyu's eyes glazed over.

"This... this is all your collection?"

The Taihao Clan raised her chin proudly. "Of course! I've lived for over ten thousand years; what does saving this little family fortune count for? If this isn't enough, I have several more secret chambers like this."

Xu Ruyu sucked in a breath of cold air.

He had originally only wanted to borrow some ordinary Materials; he hadn't expected the Taihao Clan to lead him directly into a treasure vault!

"Se... Senior, this is too much, I..."

The Taihao Clan waved her hand. "Cut the nonsense! If you're going to borrow, borrow the good stuff. How powerful can things refined from trash be? If you're going to use something, use the best!"

Xu Ruyu looked at her, a wave of warmth rising in his heart.

This woman was sharp-tongued but more generous than anyone else in her heart.

"Alright!" He took a deep breath. "Then this Junior will not be polite!"

...

Meanwhile, eight hundred miles outside Tianyin Mountain, in a hidden valley.

Ancestor Jile Situ E sat cross-legged on a green stone, playing with a Jade Slip in his hand, a faint, mocking smile on his face.

Beside him stood several high-ranking figures of the Jile Sect.

"Sect Leader, we've been waiting outside for half a month already. When are we finally going to make a move?" a burly man with a face full of scars couldn't help but ask.

Situ E spoke unhurriedly, "What's the rush? Tianyin Mountain is the Taihu Clan's territory. That old-brand clan has a Legacy spanning ten thousand years and deep foundations; is it that easy to attack?"

The burly man scratched his head. "Then we're just going to wait like this?"

Situ E smiled, a smile filled with sinister intent. "Of course not just waiting. This seat is waiting for someone."

"Who?"

"Zhao Qianyi."

The burly man was stunned. "That Zhao Qianyi from the Tianshu Sword Sect? He's coming too?"

Situ E nodded. "This seat has already 'accidentally' leaked the news to him. Given his hatred for Xiao Nianyin, it's impossible for him not to come. But that old fox definitely won't want to be the first to stick his head out. So, we'll just wait him out and see who loses patience first."

He stood up and looked toward Tianyin Mountain, a cold light flashing in his eyes. "Tianyin Mountain is not to be trifled with, and the Taihu Clan is even harder to deal with.

Let Zhao Qianyi scout the way first. If they start fighting and both sides are wounded, we'll reap the benefits. If they don't fight... then we haven't lost anything anyway; there's no loss."

"Sect Leader is brilliant!"

At the same time, on another mountain peak three hundred miles away, Tianshu Sword Sect Elder Zhao Qianyi also stood by a cliff, looking toward Tianyin Mountain with a dark expression.

"Elder, we've been waiting for half a month. Are we still not moving?"

A Disciple behind him asked cautiously.

Zhao Qianyi said coldly, "Move? Move with what? Do you think the Taihu Clan is a soft persimmon?"

The Disciple shrunk his neck, not daring to speak further.