14: 'Amiable and approachable' Uncle Li

Inside the Artifact Refining Hall, many Disciples in the Qi Refinement Stage were selecting Magical Artifacts.

Some were those who had just reached the Seventh Level of Qi Refining and were preparing to go out.

Others were those who had returned alive, having earned contribution points and Spirit Stones to improve themselves.

contribution points and Spirit Stones were the universal currency within the Xuanming Sect.

However, the priority of contribution points was higher than that of Spirit Stones.

Many cultivation techniques, Magical Artifacts, and even Medicinal Pills required a certain amount of contribution points in addition to Spirit Stones to be purchased.

Under normal circumstances, no one would exchange contribution points for Spirit Stones.

Su Ling scanned the area but did not see the Foundation Establishment Deacon who had previously helped him refine the white bone bow, feeling somewhat regretful.

Although the other party had charged him thirty Low-Grade Spirit Stones at the time, strictly speaking, the price was reasonable.

Su Ling had kept many teeth from the Bloodfang Ghost Bat; if he wanted to refine arrowheads, it would be best to ask for his help.

However, there was no rush, so Su Ling paced toward the counter where defensive Magical Artifacts were located.

The various Magical Artifacts emitting spiritual light dazzled him, yet he could not help but feel a bit disappointed.

These Magical Artifacts all belonged to the Low Grade category; for Su Ling, they were indeed no longer sufficient.

"This Junior Martial Nephew, are you unsatisfied with these Magical Artifacts?"

A gentle voice rang out beside him.

Seeing that it was a Foundation Establishment Deacon, Su Ling hurriedly bowed and saluted, "Junior Martial Uncle, these Magical Artifacts are all very good, but for this Disciple, their power is slightly insufficient."

This middle-aged Foundation Establishment Deacon looked Su Ling up and down and asked with a smile that was not quite a smile, "Oh, do you want to purchase a mid-grade magical artifact?"

"This Disciple dares to be bold and wishes to purchase a mid-grade defensive Magical Artifact."

Su Ling straightened up and smiled embarrassedly.

"Eighth Layer of Qi Refining... follow me."

The middle-aged Foundation Establishment cultivator smiled faintly and turned to walk toward the second floor. "The younger generation is truly formidable. I remember the last Disciple at the Eighth Layer of Qi Refining who purchased a mid-grade magical artifact was named Chen... oh, Chen Ping."

Chen Ping!

Upon hearing this name, Su Ling's heart stirred slightly.

However, he aptly revealed a trace of surprise on his face. "Senior Brother Chen Ping, he was in the same batch of Disciples as me, but it is said that he went out to execute a mission half a year ago and has not returned since."

"It is a pity; he was a Disciple with good potential."

The middle-aged Foundation Establishment cultivator nodded slightly and said calmly, "You may just call me Martial Uncle Li."

For a Sect Deacon to reveal his surname to a Qi Refining Disciple was, in a sense, a form of closeness.

After all, he was not as well-known as the Merit Hall Elder Mo Jinghun.

Su Ling knew that this 'Martial Uncle Li' before him was not being friendly toward him.

The Xuanming Sect was a Demonic Sect!

Su Ling did not believe that there was truly such an affable Junior Martial Uncle.

Mentioning Chen Ping seemed like a sigh of regret, but in reality, it was highly likely that he had some ulterior motive.

"Yes, Martial Uncle Li."

Su Ling bowed and saluted, a trace of excitement appearing on his face.

The second floor displayed only Magical Artifacts of Medium Grade or higher.

Ordinary Disciples in the Qi Refinement Stage were not qualified to come up here.

At this moment, only a few Foundation Establishment Disciples were conversing with the Deacons of the Artifact Refining Hall.

"Most Low Grade Magical Artifacts can be purchased for just twenty Low-Grade Spirit Stones."

Deacon Li led Su Ling to a counter and said calmly, "mid-grade magical artifacts require at least two hundred Spirit Stones plus one hundred contribution points to purchase... If special customization is needed, the price will be even higher."

"This Disciple understands."

Su Ling nodded silently; over the years, he had heard many Disciples talk about this.

Now, it could be considered personally verified.

Just like Chen Ping's set of fiend soul flying daggers; although a single flying dagger could not reach the level of a mid-grade magical artifact, its quality was absolutely among the best of the Low Grade Magical Artifacts.

Only when nine of them were combined could they reach the level of a mid-grade magical artifact.

Coupled with the additional 'soul-startling' effect, the quality of the fiend soul flying daggers reached the top tier of mid-grade magical artifacts.

They were much better than Qian Zheng's dark bone thorn.

Estimating their price, it would require at least five hundred Spirit Stones and two hundred contribution points.

As for High Grade Magical Artifacts, or even supreme grade Magical Artifacts, the exchange price would require thousands or even tens of thousands of Spirit Stones and contribution points.

In terms of price alone, if Foundation Establishment Disciples saved up, it was not that they could not afford to exchange for them.

But limited by the scarcity of resources in the Underground World, they could not be refined in large quantities, so most Foundation Establishment Disciples used mid-grade magical artifacts.

"The Green Pattern Armor is woven from the hide of a Tier 2 Green Patterned Beast mixed with coarse hemp, with defensive runes embroidered on the surface, providing decent defensive capabilities against physical attacks."

"The mysterious armor shield is made from the scales of a Tier 2 Mysterious Iron Turtle; it can form a spiritual energy shield on the surface of the body, which is effective against both Spells and physical attacks."

"The Netherlight Mirror is refined primarily from Night Nether Ore, which is abundant in the Underground World. Besides having decent defensive power, it possesses certain deflection and reflection functions against Qi Refinement Stage Spells."

"..."

Deacon Li pointed at the defensive Magical Artifacts in the counter and introduced them simply, "The prices are all about the same; take a look and choose."

These Magical Artifacts were all mass-produced by the Sect.

Su Ling had also heard of the names of two of them.

After hesitating for a long time, Su Ling said respectfully, "This Disciple wishes to purchase a mysterious armor shield."

"That is quite standard."

Deacon Li nodded slightly, "Supplies have been tight recently... so, this mysterious armor shield requires two hundred and fifty Low-Grade Spirit Stones, plus one hundred and twenty contribution points."

"This Disciple understands, sorry to trouble you, Martial Uncle Li."

Su Ling nodded in understanding, took out the Spirit Stones and his token from his Storage Pouch, and respectfully handed them to the other party.

Over the past half year, although Su Ling had been immersed in Cultivation, he was not completely ignorant of outside affairs.

More than a month ago, there were rumors that the Sect's Disciples at the Great Perfection of Qi Refining and the Foundation Establishment Stage were simultaneously purchasing large quantities of various Magical Artifacts and Medicinal Pills.

This caused the price of qi refining pills to rise from the original three Spirit Stones each to four Spirit Stones each.

Although the functions of the mysterious armor shield were a bit mediocre, they were more comprehensive.

The price would naturally be higher than things like the Green Pattern Armor.

"No problem."

After deducting one hundred and twenty contribution points from Su Ling's token, Deacon Li took out a mysterious armor shield and handed it to Su Ling along with the rest.

"Thank you, Martial Uncle Li."

Su Ling put away the mysterious armor shield and revealed a slight smile.

"If you have any needs next time, come directly here to find me."

"Alright, Martial Uncle Li, this Disciple will return to refine the Magical Artifact."

"Hmm."

After the pleasantries, Su Ling immediately turned and went downstairs.

"No scent of Chen Ping."

"However, the scents of Qian Zheng and Lu Can still remain..."

Deacon Li watched his departing back, his narrow eyes narrowing slightly. "The three went out together, and their Soul Lamps were extinguished half a year ago. This kid has a problem!"

While secretly pondering, his fingers were gently twisting something.

A trace of imperceptible magic power slowly drifted from his fingertips.

After a long while, Deacon Li turned and walked toward the counter.