Damaged Floating Sky Vessel

Chapter 35: Damaged Floating Sky Vessel

Xu Fan's mind raced as he looked at the Outer Sect Elder before him.

"Elder, what do you mean by that?"

Xu Fan pitched his fearful tone perfectly.

"At such a critical moment for the Sect, when Artifact Refiners are needed, you're here busy with private matters." The Outer Sect Elder glared, while inwardly humming a little tune. The task the Peak Master had assigned him was complete.

"I..."

"This junior originally wanted to contribute to the Sect, but half a month ago, I encountered pursuers while out and was seriously injured. I only fully recovered now."

"I only came here in haste to refine this Magic Treasure because the agreed deadline with someone else was approaching."

"Tomorrow, I'll take on a Sect mission."

Xu Fan spoke cautiously. To him, Nascent Soul Stage cultivators were Big Shots—ones he could not afford to offend.

"So that's how it is. It seems I wronged you." The Outer Sect Elder nodded, then continued, "What Magic Treasure did you just refine? I can offer you some guidance."

Xu Fan had wanted to refuse, but seeing the Outer Sect Elder's eager expression, he decisively abandoned that idea.

The moment the Sword Box was brought out, the way the Outer Sect Elder looked at Xu Fan changed, like a jade lover spotting an uncarved piece of precious jade.

The Elder accepted the Sword Box and began examining it closely.

"Mm, your foundation in runes is very solid, and the Array inscriptions are quite inventive as well."

"The extraction, fusion, and shaping are decent. That should be because you relied on external Spiritual Fire."

The Elder's eyes grew brighter and brighter. This youngster's foundation in runes was truly far too solid. It seemed Artifact Refining Peak would produce another Artifact Refining Grandmaster in the future.

"How many types of runes have you mastered?" the Elder casually asked.

"Two hundred and six," Xu Fan answered honestly. Half his Spirit Stones had gone toward purchasing runes. Some of the more precious ones, he had not even learned yet, and the will contained within them had already dissipated.

"Not bad, not bad. Don't take on any missions either. Wait for me here tomorrow morning. I'll take you to the Inner Sect to repair a Floating Sky Vessel."

The Elder patted Xu Fan on the shoulder, sending a mark into his body.

"Then this junior will respectfully await Senior's arrival again tomorrow." Xu Fan accepted the Sword Box and spoke respectfully.

"Good."

From then on, whenever Xu Fan came to Earth Core Workshop, he developed a new habit. Whether he was refining artifacts or not, he would first set up several layers of barriers.

On the Spiritual Wind Vessel, Xu Fan looked back at Earth Core Workshop. Just as he was about to complain, he remembered the mark on his shoulder and chose to keep his mouth shut.

Spirit Mercantile Peak, Alliance Merchant Guild headquarters.

Xu Fan handed the Sword Box to Pang Fu.

"Master Xu, your three Magic Artifacts sold for a total of 200,000 Spirit Stones," Pang Fu said.

Xu Fan froze. Were there really that many suckers?

"Why are there an extra 50,000 Spirit Stones?" He had originally thought 50,000 Spirit Stones for one Magic Artifact was already plenty.

"Over the years, the name of our Merchant Guild's Artifact Refining Grandmasters has become very well known in the Outer Sect."

"So after word got out that you were selling Magic Artifacts, people came to see them in an endless stream."

"On top of that, the Sect Exchange Meet is two months away, so they sold at quite a premium," Pang Fu said happily.

"Also, I've received orders from sixteen War Hall disciples who are interested in participating."

Hearing there were so many more orders, Xu Fan was first delighted, then slightly bitter. "Put those orders aside for now. An Elder from Artifact Refining Peak has drafted me as labor."

"Fine. Those orders aren't urgent anyway," Pang Fu said.

"Leave the 200,000 Spirit Stones with the Merchant Guild for now. I'll use them later when I purchase supplies."

As he spoke, Xu Fan handed Pang Fu another list containing all the items he needed to buy.

"Complete corpses of Foundation Establishment Peak and Golden Core Initial Demon Beasts?"

"Master Xu, are you planning to refine Puppets in large quantities?" Pang Fu asked in surprise. Not long ago, he had helped Xu Fan acquire the corpse of a Golden Core Initial Flood Dragon.

"I feel like there's no security in life," Xu Fan said with a grin.

"..."

After returning to his own Mountain Peak, Xu Fan found a Spiritual Sword carrying a message circling outside his Forbidden Barrier.

With a light tap from Xu Fan, all the information appeared in his mind.

"This Protagonist sure has a lot going on. What's there to thank me for? Just stay far away from me."

After reading the message, Xu Fan decided that once he brought back his two disciples, he would move away and live in seclusion.

Xu Fan prepared the Magic Artifacts needed for Artifact Refining, then began resting. Refining Treasure Artifacts consumed a great deal of mental energy, so he needed a proper rest.

Early Morning, Xu Fan arrived at the entrance to Artifact Refining Peak's Earth Core Workshop and chatted with the guards.

At that moment, an enormous carriage appeared in mid-air. A force of suction directly pulled Xu Fan into it.

Inside the carriage, Xu Fan saw that it was the Elder from yesterday.

"Did you rest well?" the Elder asked with a smile, seeming to be in an excellent mood.

"I have fully recovered."

"Have you ever been to the Inner Sect?" the Elder asked with a smile.

"No," Xu Fan said. As for the Inner Sect's location, he had guessed it was either on some aerial continent high in the sky, or within a Mystic Realm.

"Then I'll broaden your horizons."

After saying that, the Elder activated the carriage, which was as large as a pavilion, and flew into the sky. Xu Fan stared out the window, trying to catch sight of the distant Inner Sect.

"Stop looking. The Inner Sect isn't here."

As he spoke, the carriage turned into a massive bank of white clouds. In an instant, heaven and earth changed.

Xu Fan stared wide-mouthed at the enormous Giant Gate in the distance, towering like a colossal mountain.

Two Cloud Sea Flood Dragons, each a thousand meters long, guarded either side of the Giant Gate.

"Strictly speaking, the Inner Sect is half a Minor Thousand World." The Elder looked at the stunned Xu Fan with satisfaction, just as he himself had been when he first saw this Giant Gate.

"Elder, what Cultivation Base do the two Flood Dragons guarding the gate have?" Xu Fan asked as he watched the Flood Dragons swimming around the Giant Gate. It was said that once these creatures reached Mahayana Stage, they would be qualified to evolve into True Dragons.

"Integration Stage. The Sect Leader caught them from the Endless Sea. Aren't they imposing?" the Elder asked with a smile.

"Mm-hm."

"Haha, if you spend 10,000 Spirit Stones, they'll even let you ride one for a lap." The Elder raised his eyebrows at Xu Fan.

Riding a Flood Dragon isn't the same as visiting a brothel. Why are you making it sound so suggestive?

"I think I'll pass. For 10,000 Spirit Stones, I'd rather buy more useful things," Xu Fan said. Once I lie low for a few thousand years, I'll be able to get a few of these things myself.

"Then that's a shame. It's actually quite impressive," the Elder said regretfully. Back then, he had saved Spirit Stones for a long time just to ride a Flood Dragon for one lap. It had not been nearly so cheap then.

As they spoke, the Elder's carriage passed through the Giant Gate. By Xu Fan's estimate, the gate was at least ten thousand meters tall.

The moment they entered the Giant Gate, Xu Fan saw the Floating Sky Vessel suspended in the sky, riddled with holes and scars.

"I called you here mainly to repair the outer surface of the Floating Sky Vessel and reconnect its damaged runes."

"Don't worry about being unable to refine the materials. There are dedicated Void Refining Cultivators to help you."

"As for your compensation, it will be calculated according to your workload: 1,000 Spirit Stones per square meter."

"Also, I'll teach you twenty more runes. How does that sound?"

When Xu Fan heard there would be another twenty runes, he immediately became excited.

"Elder, are there runes related to Space Stability, Spiritual Power Connection, and Spiritual Power Manipulation?" Xu Fan asked excitedly.

"Yes, all of them." The Elder revealed a strangely sweet smile. See? I'm not the sort of Elder who forces people.

End of this chapter