Arrival at Craftsmanship Tower

Ning Ri had been eliminated—how could Luo Ke possibly not be furious?!

He had personally given plenty of people from the Heaven Defying Sect two free rides. After going back and forth a few times, he had grown familiar with Zhou Hai from the Heaven Defying Sect's Outer Sect, and he knew how difficult the [Heaven Defying Soul Splitting Technique: Taxi Edition] was.

It was a technique that required, at the very least, a Foundation Establishment cultivator to learn.

Yet... Ning Ri, with merely Qi Refinement cultivation, had actually accomplished something only Foundation Establishment cultivators could do.

If that wasn't genius, then what was?

And yet the Golden Strategy Immortal Sect had let such a genius go?!

How could he not be angry?!

He had personally delivered Ning Ri right to the sect gates!

Damn it...

Aaaaaah...

Luo Ke's fury toward the disciple recruitment office reached its peak.

And the result of that fury was a warning from the flying boat.

The reason was that he had roared at a passenger.

That only made Luo Ke feel even more stifled.

Ning Ri was kind enough to temporarily set aside the important matter of practicing his saber and planned to comfort Luo Ke a little.

After all, the man was an incredible cultivator from a major sect. Offering him some comfort might forge a good connection.

To divert Luo Ke's attention, Ning Ri said, "By the way, Senior Luo, do you know of any local specialties in Luoxia City worth bringing back to the sect?"

Luo Ke's anger was not directed at Ning Ri. Thus, upon hearing his words, he calmly pondered for a moment before saying, "You've only just entered the immortal path, so don't squander the savings in your hands. Luoxia City's core is Craftsmanship Tower, so aside from magical treasures from Craftsmanship Tower, there's no need to buy anything else."

Only then did Luo Ke belatedly realize something. "Right, what are you going to Luoxia City for?"

Ning Ri said, "A sect mission."

"A mission in Luoxia City?" Luo Ke froze, then immediately understood. "Don't tell me it's to forge a set of Qi Refinement-stage magical treasures for Chen Xingfeng?"

Ning Ri asked in surprise, "How did you know?"

Luo Ke said, "Because that mission comes up every year. Our Golden Strategy Immortal Sect, your Heaven Defying Sect, and other sects all send disciples over each year."

"What Chen Xingfeng wants is a set of artifact-forging magical treasures. Ordinary Qi Refinement artifact refiners cannot complete it, and most Qi Refinement disciples in the various sects are busy laying their foundations, with little time to get involved in artifact forging."

"So we usually send Foundation Establishment disciples with greater experience and stronger cultivation. I never expected you to be the one going this year."

At that, he revealed a faint smile and said approvingly, "Haha, it seems your artifact-forging talent must be extraordinarily strong. Otherwise, Zhou Hai would never have chosen you rather than sending one of your sect's Foundation Establishment artifact refiners..."

Before he could finish, the smile on Luo Ke's face abruptly froze.

Then, for no apparent reason, he let out a deep sigh. He raised his head to gaze at the clouds around them and remained silent for a long while. Confusion, astonishment, melancholy, and even a hint of doubt about life itself flashed across his face in succession, before finally settling into another sigh...

Ning Ri: "..."

Senior, don't be like this. You're scaring me.

Senior, say something...

All along the way, Luo Ke kept wondering whether he had offended someone in the sect.

Why had he brought such a great treasure back to the sect, only for the others to eliminate him???

Why?!

Ning Ri had no idea what Luo Ke was thinking. Seeing that his attempt at comfort had instead become another blow to Luo Ke, he gave up on comforting him and began practicing his saber instead.

It had to be said that the distance from the Heaven Defying Sect to Luoxia City was indeed quite far.

Ning Ri felt that the flying boat was incredibly fast, yet even so, it took him two hours to reach the outskirts of Luoxia City.

After arriving, Luo Ke did not rest. He simply gave Ning Ri a communication jade slip, mounted his flying sword, and swiftly headed for the next pickup location.

As Ning Ri watched the flying sword streak away like lightning, swiftly vanishing into the orange glow on the horizon...

He felt that his earlier thoughts had been wrong.

Golden Strategy Tally was not Golden Strategy Taxi. It should have been [Golden Strategy Flying].

Then he picked up the [Golden Strategy Tally] again and shook his head. "What a pity. There's no five-star rating to give..."

He was still extremely satisfied with the [Golden Strategy Tally].

It was fast, the environment was pleasant, there was no traffic congestion, and it was free. There was even a bodyguard from a righteous sect!

For a low-level cultivator like him, who still lacked the ability to fly long distances alone, this was simply pie falling from the sky.

It was just that next time might not necessarily be free...

Ning Ri stroked his chin.

Under normal circumstances, it definitely could not be free. But the reason he said "might not" was because he was considering resetting the [Heaven Defying Soul Splitting Technique] before using the Golden Strategy Tally next time.

He felt that this might let him freeload again.

If it worked, then it truly would be freedom and free of charge.

Luoxia City.

This city had two main cities, inner and outer, as well as four subsidiary cities.

In Ning Ri's understanding, the two main cities were basically downtown, and Craftsmanship Tower was located in the inner city.

Ning Ri entered the city very quickly. After showing his Heaven Defying Sect Disciple Token, he was immediately allowed through.

Traffic flowed like woven silk within the city, and people came and went in endless streams. It was extremely prosperous, and there were visibly far more cultivators here.

The sunset glow spread across the fresh bricks of the city walls, lending the scene a touch of leisure. Small groups gathered beneath the walls, drinking tea, playing chess, chatting, and enjoying themselves...

Craftsmanship Tower was especially easy to find.

The tallest building in Luoxia City was Craftsmanship Tower, and there were signposts all around, so there was no fear of getting lost.

Artifact Refiner Chen Xingfeng's skills were exceptionally formidable, and the Craftsmanship Tower under his command was even more so. It drew many people to Luoxia City specifically to purchase magical treasures. For this reason, the people of Luoxia City's City Lord's Manor had adjusted the city's positioning accordingly—

With the Craftsmanship Tower industry as its core, they would build Luoxia City's cultural tourism strategy.

Very soon, Ning Ri arrived before a tall building. Craftsmanship Tower had a hundred floors, each with an impressive height. Its peak rose straight into the clouds. Night had only just fallen, and the portion of Craftsmanship Tower submerged in the clouds radiated dazzling yet non-glaring divine light...

Craftsmanship Tower had a bronze-colored plaque hanging high above its entrance, bearing the solemn words [Craftsmanship Tower]. Within the main hall, treasure-light flowed faintly, giving off an air of refinement.

At the entrance to Craftsmanship Tower, a handsome young man dressed in a brocade robe politely asked Ning Ri, "Young master, may I ask whether you have come to purchase magical treasures or to tour Craftsmanship Tower?"

Ning Ri glanced over the other man's clothes. They were magical robes. Good heavens, even a receptionist at Craftsmanship Tower dresses this well?

Moreover, the other man's cultivation was considerably higher than his own.

Yet even so, when receiving Ning Ri, the young man still wore a humble and gentle smile.

Ning Ri politely said, "Hello, my name is Ning Ri. I am a disciple of the Heaven Defying Sect, and I have come to undertake Master Xingfeng's mission!"

As he spoke, he also presented his Heaven Defying Sect Disciple Token.

The moment Ning Ri finished speaking, clear astonishment and confusion flashed through the young man's eyes. But he immediately composed himself and said, "Young Master Ning, those undertaking Master Xingfeng's trial are all waiting on the twenty-third floor."

"I'll take you up now!"

Ning Ri did not know why the other man had made that expression, but he did not dwell on it. He merely nodded. "Thank you!"

Only then did the young man escort Ning Ri onto the Cloud Ladder, which flew directly from the first floor to the twenty-third floor...