First Contact with Imprints (Requesting Follows Monthly Tickets Recommendation Tickets)

After Instructor Fang dismissed the class, some disciples took out their meal boxes, while others headed for the Dao Academy dining hall in small groups.

Zhou Ling watched Instructor Fang tidying up his desk, then walked over and asked respectfully, "Instructor, this disciple wishes to cultivate engravings. I wonder which type of engraving would be suitable?"

Seeing that it was Zhou Ling and sensing the change in his aura, Instructor Fang smiled faintly and nodded in satisfaction. "Not bad. You've already entered the Third Layer of Qi Condensation!"

"Cultivate diligently, and you'll have a great chance of becoming an Inner Disciple in the future!"

After offering a few words of praise, Instructor Fang continued, "You possess a Five Elements Spiritual Root and primarily cultivate fire-attribute techniques. It would be best for you to choose the Five Elements Basic Engraving. It is a relatively standard, widely applicable engraving."

"It is suitable for laying a foundation, so it fits you perfectly."

"Among your peers at the Dao Academy, your artifact refinement is already considered outstanding."

"If there is anything you cannot comprehend for the moment, practice it a few more times or ask me!"

Zhou Ling nodded and respectfully acknowledged his words.

With the [Stronger from Adversity] and [Basic Analysis] talents, even if there were inscription patterns he did not understand, he would be able to figure them out after practicing a few more times.

Fang Lan summoned an attendant and gave him a few instructions. The latter then departed.

Fang Lan then smiled and reminded him, "The expenditure involved in drawing engravings is far greater than that of inscription patterns."

"It is not only demanding on one's spiritual power, but also places high requirements on the engraving brush, spirit paper, and spirit ink. You must be mentally prepared for this investment, and do not rush."

"For now, you must ensure that you enter the Mid Qi Refining Stage in terms of cultivation within the next two years."

"Only then can you ensure that you will be able to continue cultivating at the Dao Academy."

Zhou Ling was still quite confident about reaching the Fourth Layer of Qi Condensation within the next two years and passing the Dao Academy's placement examination.

Though his aptitude and resources could not compare to those scions of noble families, he was relentless in his efforts and had the support of his talents.

His chances should be quite good.

At that moment, the young attendant returned, carrying a jade tray with a Jade Slip placed atop it.

"This is the Five Elements Basic Engraving. It contains thirty-six basic engravings involving the Five Elements Attribute, as well as the key points for drawing them. Most are First-order Low-grade Engravings."

"There are also five First-order Mid-grade Engravings at the end. With your current cultivation, it is still too early for you—you cannot draw them yet. Do not attempt them lightly."

"This disciple understands!" Zhou Ling replied earnestly.

Instructor Fang nodded in satisfaction. He usually did not speak much, but he had seen Zhou Ling's performance.

A rogue cultivator's child with unremarkable talent, yet through his own hard work, he had not fallen behind in cultivation and had even become quite skilled in artifact refinement techniques.

This earned Fang Lan's deep appreciation.

His interest in teaching Zhou Ling had clearly risen considerably.

"Engravings are formed by linking basic inscription patterns together in specific arrangements. A basic engraving consists of six inscription patterns."

"The more difficult the engraving, the more numerous and complex its inscription patterns."

"The placement, arrangement, linking, and integration of the various inscription patterns also become increasingly difficult."

"Yet no matter how things change, their essence remains the same. As long as you lay a solid foundation, everything else will come easily!"

Instructor Fang handed the Jade Slip to Zhou Ling and explained some more about engraving cultivation.

Zhou Ling listened with utmost attention.

At last, Instructor Fang instructed him, "To become a true Artifact Refiner, you must devote enormous effort and resources, and possess the patience to persevere!"

After pausing, he added, "At the same time, do not aim too high or blindly cultivate engravings beyond your own abilities."

"This disciple understands!" Zhou Ling replied respectfully.

Of course, he ultimately paid thirty spirit stones in exchange for this Five Elements Basic Engraving.

Though the sect's price felt rather exorbitant, this sort of basic engraving would probably cost even more on the outside market.

More importantly, since it was part of the sect's curriculum, it included explanations and annotations for certain difficult points.

That would make comprehending it much easier.

It was not something ordinary techniques sold outside could compare to.

After class ended that afternoon, Zhou Ling headed to the market street on West Main Street and went straight to Old Man Zhao's stall.

The spirit stones he had saved for months had vanished in one go. In a single morning, he was back where he had started.

He was also eager to earn some spirit stones.

Seeing Zhou Ling, his head covered in sweat, Old Man Zhao greeted him with a broad smile. "Brother Ling, I haven't seen you in days!"

During this time, the items Zhou Ling had repaired had earned him quite a bit more money.

Zhou Ling wiped the sweat from his forehead, looked at the artifacts laid out on the stall, and asked, "Do you have any defective or flawed First-order Low-grade Magic Artifacts?"

"A defective First-Grade Low-Rank Magic Artifact? You can repair it?" Old Man Zhao shot Zhou Ling a doubtful glance.

"Don't worry about that. Do you have one or not?" Zhou Ling said.

"I do." Old Man Zhao bent down and rummaged through the sack beside him, then carefully took out a somewhat old Three-legged Pill Furnace.

"This is a First-Grade Low-Rank Fire Pattern Furnace. I've had it for years, and I don't know where it's broken."

"If you can repair it, I'll give you five Low-grade Spirit Stones!"

"Five Low-grade Spirit Stones? Do you take me for a beggar?" Zhou Ling glared at him.

Though he said that, he still reached out and took the pill furnace.

A First-Grade Low-Rank pill furnace currently sold for at least twenty or thirty Low-grade Spirit Stones on the market.

Even if it was defective, as long as it could be repaired and used normally, it would still be worth ten to twenty Spirit Stones.

Zhou Ling carefully examined the Fire Pattern Pill Furnace and discovered that its inner wall was inscribed with engraving marks, two of whose inscription patterns he had never seen before.

[You are observing the Condensing Fire Engraving. Basic Insight +1, Condensing Fire Engraving proficiency +1]

With [Basic Insight], he discovered that among the six inscription patterns within the furnace's engraving, only one was damaged—and the damage did not seem particularly serious.

Though he had found the problem, Zhou Ling hesitated. If he failed to repair it and accidentally ruined the pill furnace, he would have to compensate quite a few Spirit Stones.

After all, he had only just begun learning about engraving marks.

I'll take a gamble. I've already pinpointed the problem. Once I go back and analyze it carefully, then proceed a little more cautiously, I shouldn't make a mistake!

Zhou Ling thought to himself. Even if he could not repair it, as long as he was careful enough, he should not end up damaging the pill furnace.

If he wanted to earn more Spirit Stones without taking even the slightest risk, that would be unrealistic.

"Ten Low-grade Spirit Stones!" Zhou Ling set down the pill furnace, his face wearing an utterly harmless smile.

"Ten? Who bargains by doubling the price like that?" Old Man Zhao rolled his eyes at him.

But then he thought to himself, If he really can repair it, this pill furnace can sell for at least a dozen or so Spirit Stones. Better than letting it gather dust in my sack!

"Are you sure you can repair it?" Old Man Zhao asked uneasily.

"I'll give it a try!" Zhou Ling said.

"You'd better be careful. This pill furnace is worth a lot!" Old Man Zhao carefully wrapped the pill furnace in the sack and solemnly warned Zhou Ling.

"Also, you provide the materials needed to repair the pill furnace," Zhou Ling continued.

"You?" Old Man Zhao puffed at his goatee, rendered speechless for a moment.