Echo Disc

"You were selected from among the many members of the Lineage for one purpose only: to be cultivated into Artifact Refiners."

Wang Yaoxi's gaze swept across Wang Changsheng and the other four as he spoke solemnly.

Wang Mingmei's delicate brows furrowed slightly. She asked doubtfully, "Seventh Uncle, cultivating an Artifact Refiner requires no small number of Spirit Stones. Given the Lineage's current circumstances, can it really cultivate five Artifact Refiners at once? Did I hear wrong, or did you misspeak?"

"I did not misspeak, and you did not hear wrong. The Lineage does intend to cultivate Artifact Refiners, but not all five of you. Two with the greatest talent will be selected from among you for focused training. Starting today, you will live here and study Artifact Refining with me. Lessons begin at the Mao Hour every day and end at the Hai Hour. I will teach you everything I have learned in my life. Your meals will be provided by dedicated servants; you need only focus on your studies. Remember this: every Spirit Stone spent on your study of Artifact Refining was earned through the blood and sweat of other Lineage members. Cherish this opportunity. The Lineage has placed great expectations upon the five of you."

Upon hearing this, Wang Changsheng and the others' expressions became solemn.

After a brief hesitation, Wang Mingmei asked, "Seventh Uncle, you still have not answered me. Where did the Lineage get so many Spirit Stones?"

"Changsheng happened to discover a Profound Gold Mine in Green Stone Town of Peaceful County. Only then did we gain the financial means to cultivate Artifact Refiners. This matter is a secret of our Lineage and must not be spread outside. Enough nonsense. Follow me inside. I will begin teaching you."

After saying that, Wang Yaoxi turned and entered the room, with Wang Mingmei and the other four hurriedly following behind.

Six wooden desks and six wooden chairs stood in the main hall. A brand-new blue book lay atop each desk.

Wang Yaoxi walked to the foremost desk and sat down, gesturing for Wang Changsheng and the others to take their seats as well.

"These are my insights and knowledge on Artifact Refining, which I organized overnight and had copied into several volumes. Open to the first page. Artifact Refining is much like alchemy: both require Artifact Forging Blueprints, and both involve placing various materials into the Furnace in sequence. The difference is that the most important step in alchemy is condensing the Dan, while the most important step in Artifact Refining is inscribing Spirit Patterns. Spirit Patterns have..."

Wang Yaoxi taught with exceptional care. After explaining each topic, he would let Wang Mingmei and the others ask questions and resolve the doubts in their hearts before moving on to the next subject.

Wang Changsheng and the others listened attentively. They all treasured this hard-won opportunity.

Wang Yaoxi first explained the basic principles of Artifact Refining, then introduced them to Artifact Refining knowledge and had them memorize it thoroughly.

Two months passed. Wang Changsheng and the others had never left the courtyard, nor had anyone come to disturb them. Their meals were respectfully delivered by dedicated servants.

They studied Artifact Refining knowledge during the day and cultivated at night, their days full and fulfilling.

After two months of study, Wang Changsheng and the others had gained a certain understanding of the path of Artifact Refining. They could recite the basic knowledge of Artifact Refining backward and forward.

At the Zi Hour, the night was deep and silent.

In the study, Wang Mingyuan was speaking with Wang Yaoxi.

"Mingyuan, has Mingzhi still not returned after all this time? I have already taught two months of theoretical knowledge. It is time for them to begin Artifact Refining in practice. No matter how solid their theory is, it will not do if they fail at practical work! They have memorized the basic knowledge of Artifact Refining perfectly. I need to teach them how to refine artifacts."

Wang Yaoxi frowned tightly as he urged him on.

"Seventh Uncle, please wait a little longer. Eldest Brother has been gone for two months and should be returning soon. Teach them something else for now. As soon as Eldest Brother returns, I will immediately send the Refining Materials over."

Wang Yaoxi sighed and nodded. "Very well..."

Before he could finish, hurried footsteps rang out, followed by a voice filled with delight. "Third Brother, Third Brother, I'm back!"

A burly man entered the room. His features were upright, and curly whiskers covered his cheeks.

The moment Wang Mingyuan saw the burly man, his heart filled with joy. He hurriedly asked, "Eldest Brother, you're finally back. Was the journey smooth?"

The burly man was Wang Mingyuan's eldest brother, Wang Mingzhi, and Wang Changxue's father.

Wang Mingzhi was fifty-five years old this year and possessed cultivation at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer. He had already passed the optimal age for Foundation Establishment and was responsible for escorting goods.

This time, he had led fifteen Lineage members in escorting two hundred catties of Profound Gold to a large Market in exchange for First Grade Lower Rank Refining Materials.

"Thanks to our ancestors' blessings, everything went smoothly. Third Brother, as you instructed, eighty percent of the Spirit Stones were used to purchase First Grade Lower Rank Refining Materials. Here are the Refining Materials you wanted, along with the remaining Spirit Stones. I have also written up the cargo manifest."

Wang Mingzhi took a Cyan Storage Pouch from his robes and handed it to Wang Mingyuan.

Wang Mingyuan accepted the Storage Pouch and swept it with his divine sense, becoming wild with joy.

"Excellent! Seventh Uncle, I'll check the accounts first and deliver the Refining Materials to you early tomorrow morning. It's already so late. Please return and rest!"

Wang Yaoxi nodded. "All right. Do not stay up too late either; try to sleep early. Mingzhi is tired as well. Go back and get a good rest!"

"Seventh Uncle, I'm not tired. I still have other matters to report to Third Brother. Please return and rest first."

After seeing Wang Yaoxi off, Wang Mingyuan poured Wang Mingzhi a cup of tea and asked impatiently, "Eldest Brother, tell me in detail about your escorting of the goods."

Wang Mingzhi drained the tea in his cup, moistening his throat before he spoke. "After we left Azure Lotus Mountain..."

At the end of the Yin Hour, the sky had yet to brighten.

Wang Changsheng and the other four rose punctually. After washing up, they began breakfast.

Breakfast was simple: a large basin of Spirit Jujube Porridge and ten large steamed buns.

The Spirit Jujube Porridge was cooked from First Grade Lower Rank Spirit Grain and Spirit Jujubes. Spirit Jujubes ripened once every two years and were comparable to First Grade Middle Rank Spirit Grain, while the steamed buns were made from First Grade Lower Rank Spirit Grain. The buns contained less spiritual qi than Lotus Seed Porridge.

Several Spirit Jujubes floated atop the porridge, while Wang Changsheng and the others each had only plain porridge in their bowls.

"I'm full. You can eat slowly. Changhuan, Changsheng, you two finish the porridge. No wasting food. Eldest Sister-in-law and the others got up early to make breakfast for us; not a bit of it can be wasted."

Wang Mingmei set down her bowl and chopsticks and spoke seriously.

"I'm full too. Changsheng, Changhuan, it's up to you two."

Wang Mingdong also set down his bowl and chopsticks as he instructed them.

Wang Mingcan put down his bowl and chopsticks, picked up two steamed buns, and walked into the room. "Eat slowly. I'll review what Seventh Uncle taught yesterday."

Wang Changsheng and Wang Changhuan looked at each other, each seeing the emotion in the other's eyes.

At every meal, Wang Mingmei and the other two left the food richer in spiritual qi for Wang Changsheng and Wang Changhuan, saying that they were at the best age for cultivation and should eat more spiritual foods, which would benefit their cultivation. Of course, Wang Mingmei and the others still ate their fill and did not go hungry.

The elders' care moved Wang Changsheng and Wang Changhuan deeply. Whenever Wang Yaoxi taught, they listened with exceptional attention. Every day, they rose half a shichen early, and after breakfast, they reviewed what they had learned the previous day.

"Ninth Brother, eat quickly. Once you're done, review what Seventh Granduncle taught yesterday."

"Alright, Eighth Brother. Let's split the Spirit Jujubes evenly."

After breakfast, Wang Changsheng and Wang Changhuan entered the room to review what they had learned the previous day.

A Moonlight Stone sat on every desk. They remained silent, each holding a book scroll and reading with great concentration.

Before long, Wang Yaoxi walked in.

"Seventh Uncle." "Seventh Granduncle." Wang Mingmei and the others saw Wang Yaoxi and greeted him one after another.

Wang Yaoxi nodded and said with a smile, "I have taught you theoretical knowledge for two months. It is time for you to begin Artifact Refining."

Wang Mingmei's eyes lit up. She asked delightedly, "Seventh Uncle, can we begin refining artifacts ourselves?"

"To be precise, you will watch how our ancestors refined artifacts and accumulate some experience. If you could become an Artifact Refiner just by reading a few Artifact Forging Manuals and immediately refining artifacts, that would be absurd. If reading a few Artifact Forging Manuals could make someone an Artifact Refiner, Artifact Refiners would already be everywhere."

With a flip of his left palm, a palm-sized Silver Disc appeared in Wang Yaoxi's hand. He formed a hand seal with his right hand, sending a Hand Seal into the Silver Disc.

A dazzling mass of silver radiance immediately lit up, and densely packed silver Spirit Patterns emerged.

"Condense."

A streak of Silver Light flew from the Silver Disc. After blurring, it transformed into a silver Mirror more than a zhang wide. Within it, they could clearly see a kind-faced old man in green robes. Before him stood an Azure Copper Furnace more than a zhang tall. The furnace stood three chi high, round and smooth throughout, with four legs and two handles, its surface engraved with a lotus flower.

"The Echo Disc!"

A trace of astonishment flashed through Wang Mingdong's eyes as he cried out.

Thanks to Feng Xueluan for the reward,