Artifact Refining

After another half month, having cultivated for a long time, Chen Heng, who was restless from extreme stillness, suddenly had the idea of learning artifact refining techniques.

Currently, he had the blessings of two types of Lu Qi: [Water-Fire Harmony] and [Force Piercing Thousand Jin].

His control over his own true essence, mana, and physical body had reached a meticulous level.

Although he hadn't reached the point of doing as he pleased, with the blessing of Lu Qi, Chen Heng believed that day wouldn't be too far off.

As for the ability to control water and fire, which was the foundation of almost all spells and even spiritual powers related to the water and fire paths, under the blessing of Lu Qi, he had already reached a state of minor accomplishment.

Most Qi Refining cultivators who practiced the water or fire path were still at the stage of initial comprehension.

Only those with outstanding comprehension who had immersed themselves in this path for many years could reach the stage of minor accomplishment.

Furthermore, a cultivator's ability to control water and fire was also the foundation for cultivating water-based and fire-based alchemy and artifact refining.

Because water-based alchemy or artifact refining generally took a considerable amount of time, this path was relatively niche, and related inheritances were quite rare.

It was estimated that in the Southern Profound Domain, only the Scripture Pavilions of the five major immortal cultivation sects and some families with inheritances spanning over a thousand years would have inheritances in this area.

As far as he knew, the Chen Family did not have any inheritance in water-based alchemy or artifact refining.

Even if Chen Heng was interested, he had no way to pursue this path.

Since that was the case, he could only turn his attention to the more common fire-based alchemy or artifact refining.

The reason he wanted to learn artifact refining techniques instead of alchemy.

It was simply because the Chen Family's alchemy inheritance was rather ordinary, and there was only one Rank 1 High-grade alchemist in the clan.

He was already teaching several alchemy apprentices, so he had no energy to teach anyone else.

The Chen Family, on the other hand, was more skilled in artifact refining and talisman crafting, with inheritances of Rank 2 and above within the clan.

Whether it was the magical artifacts they refined or the talismans they drew, they were well-regarded in many market towns.

They enjoyed the reputation of 'Artifact and Talisman Chen Family' in the Moon Gazing Mountain Range.

According to the Chen Family's rules, cultivators under eighteen years old only needed to focus on their cultivation.

After the age of eighteen, if they failed to be accepted into the Azure Profound Sect, they would have to obey the family's arrangements and take on clan affairs.

This could include tending spiritual fields, hunting Yao Beasts, managing market towns, or gathering herbs in the mountains...

If they had talent and interest in the hundred arts of immortal cultivation, they could also apply to the clan for free resources to study, but this required the approval of the clan elders.

If they could master one of the hundred arts of immortal cultivation, they could stay on the mountain to craft talismans, refine artifacts, or concoct pills, without needing to descend the mountain.

Chen Heng was only fifteen years old this year and did not need to bear clan responsibilities.

He had the time and energy to learn artifact refining techniques.

Moreover, due to winning the competition and earning merit for the family, he currently had nine hundred merit points to use.

Chen Heng planned to first go to the Scripture Pavilion to spend merit points to obtain the clan's artifact refining inheritance and materials, and then teach himself for a period of time.

This did not require the clan elders' approval, as he would be using his own merit points.

If he encountered any difficulties or confusion, he would then go to the Earth Fire Courtyard near the Green Bamboo Lodge to seek guidance.

He believed that the artifact refiners in the clan would not refuse such a request.

After all, Chen Heng was now on the clan registry and was considered a direct descendant of the Chen Family.

With his decision made, he called out to the old servant, Uncle Fu, who was tending the spiritual fields, and they headed together to the Scripture Pavilion located at the summit of Jade Spring Mountain.

Jade Spring Mountain possessed a Rank 3 Mid-grade spirit vein.

The spiritual energy was most abundant at the summit.

Important buildings such as the Scripture Pavilion, treasury, and alchemy rooms, as well as the cultivation cave dwellings of the clan elders and some direct descendants, were located here.

Having lived two lives, Chen Heng knew that cultivating artifact refining was not a task that could be accomplished in a single day.

Therefore, he took the old servant along a mountain path and slowly made his way to the summit, step by step.

He also took the opportunity to admire the scenery along the way on Jade Spring Mountain.

Along the path, numerous small and large springs, resembling fine jade, were visible everywhere, truly living up to the name Jade Spring Mountain.

After more than half a day, the two finally arrived at the summit.

This was Chen Heng's first time visiting this place. He saw more than a dozen tall and straight Emerald Jade Spirit Bamboos standing on the summit, which were quite striking.

These were not the Ink Jade Bamboos of Little Bamboo Peak, nor were they the ordinary bamboo near the Green Bamboo Lodge.

They were Rank 2 High-grade spiritual plants – Emerald Jade Spirit Bamboo!

Not only could they gather spiritual energy, but their branches could also be used to craft magical artifacts, and their leaves could be made into Talisman Paper.

These Emerald Jade Spirit Bamboos were arranged in a well-ordered manner, with each one seemingly placed in a carefully selected location, containing a special rhythm.

Chen Heng guessed that this was related to the requirements of some formation arrangement.

The reason he could see this was not because he had a talent for formations, but because this was a vital area of the Chen Family, and there should be a mountain protection array set up here.

Without lingering too long, Chen Heng took down the identity token hanging from his waist and transmitted a trace of mana.

The token immediately emitted a faint light, which shot directly towards the Emerald Jade Spirit Bamboo.

In an instant, a dozen or so Emerald Jade Spirit Bamboo swayed gently, and a narrow path appeared before the two.

If it were in the past, Chen Heng would not have been able to enter this important family area without being a direct descendant, accompanied by an elder, or summoned.

The master and servant walked about a hundred paces along the narrow path between the bamboos. The scene suddenly opened up, revealing a dozen or so ancient, heavy, and textured buildings.

Chen Heng, with a clear goal, walked towards a pavilion with an antique appearance, bearing the plaque 'Scripture Pavilion'.

He encountered many clan members along the way, but he didn't recognize most of them.

However, after winning the decisive competition, many people recognized him, and some even greeted him directly.

Chen Heng could only return their greetings one by one. When he met clan members who were lively and came forward to chat, he would engage in conversation with them.

This way, he would neither appear rude nor cold.

After all, immortal cultivation wasn't just about fighting; it also involved social interactions.

A moment later.

After informing the Third Elder Chen Xingzhu, who was guarding the Scripture Pavilion, of his intentions, Chen Heng leisurely entered the main hall.

As for the old servant Uncle Fu, he naturally waited outside the hall.

This Scripture Pavilion was over eighteen feet tall and had three floors. The first-floor hall alone was over ten feet high.

The hall was filled with over a dozen tall bookshelves, mostly containing scriptures and classics, with few legacy jade slips.

It was likely that important items were stored on the second floor.

Most of the books here were copied manuscripts.

Chen Heng purposefully searched for several classics related to artifact refining.

These included widely popular ones like the Secret Manual of Artifact Refining and the True Explanation of the Path of Artifacts, both of which were renowned and widely circulated.

They mainly expounded on the basic theoretical knowledge of artifact refining, with little explanation of refining techniques.

However, since they were included in the Chen Family's Scripture Pavilion, they must have some merit. Their combined value was only ten merit points.

There were also the Illustrated Guide to Common Five Elements Materials and the Illustrated Guide to Common Materials in the Southern Profound Domain, which specifically cataloged information on various materials.

These two books were detailed and richly illustrated, likely compiled by someone within the clan responsible for collecting, organizing, and summarizing.

Such books generally required generations of inheritance and accumulated experience to contain such rich content.

It was rare to find such detailed scriptures and classics in the market towns.

The reason why cultivators often found treasures in street stalls or small shops was that many rogue cultivators had shallow knowledge and insufficient experience.

Furthermore, some materials had inconspicuous characteristics and were often misidentified.

This was the intangible benefit of being part of a sect or family with an orderly inheritance.

Although the exchange value of these two illustrated guides was only fifty merit points, equivalent to fifty Spirit Stones, they were often unavailable for purchase in the market towns.

After all, knowledge could only exert its greatest value through monopoly.

The fewer people who knew, the higher the value.

No sect or family would easily sell such items unless absolutely necessary.

However, the most valuable book was the Chen Family Record of Artifact Refining, compiled and summarized by the late Second-Order High-Grade artifact refining master Chen Xiaoyan!

It not only contained explanations of various artifact refining techniques but also tips on refining common materials, controlling furnace temperature, and the key points of material matching.

It even included the artifact refining experiences of a Second-Order High-Grade artifact refining master.

Its exchange value was a full two hundred merit points.

This artifact refining classic was the core textbook for cultivating artifact refiners in the Chen Family, without exception.

Originally, a young cultivator like Chen Heng, who was not involved in clan affairs and had no parents or elders, could never accumulate enough merit points to redeem it.

Under normal circumstances, only artifact refining apprentices who displayed sufficient talent and were approved by the clan's artifact refiners had the opportunity to access parts of this classic.

Without hesitation, Chen Heng took all these artifact refining-related classics.

He went to the entrance of the Scripture Pavilion and registered them one by one with the Third Elder Chen Xingzhu, who was guarding the pavilion.

First, he took an oath of secrecy, then his merit points were deducted. Only then did the Third Elder hand over several recorded disposable jade slips to Chen Heng.

The copied classics were returned to their original places.

That's right, these classics were all just simplified versions. Although they looked comprehensive, many parts in these classics stopped abruptly at crucial points.

There were even deliberate errors and omissions in the copying.

These were the Chen Family's measures against theft.

Chen Heng didn't examine them closely, which was why he didn't notice anything amiss immediately.

He could only say that he had underestimated the Chen Family's foundation.

Afterward, the master and servant returned to the Green Bamboo Lodge.