Cooperation with the Medicine Seeking Team (Requesting Follows Monthly Tickets Recommendation Tickets)

Chu Xing was somewhat surprised, not knowing why Zhou Shan would say such a thing. Still, he found it a little hard to believe. "At the Third Layer of Qi Condensation, he can repair a First-Grade Low-Rank Magic Artifact?"

Although Zhou Shan cared greatly about his pride and often boasted to him about how capable his son was.

Repairing a magic artifact and refining one were not the same thing.

The former required sufficient experience.

In his view, someone Zhou Ling's age might possess decent talent, but he was most likely only capable of following what the Dao Academy taught and drawing according to existing engravings.

"Yes!" Zhou Shan took a sip of wine, picked up a piece of sauced beef, and ate it with a smile. "Just two days ago, he repaired a Fire-Repelling Bead."

"I was thinking that if the brothers in our Medicine Seeking Team damage their magic artifacts in the future, we can let Ling'er see whether he can fix them."

"If he can, wouldn't that save us a lot of trouble?"

"We also won't have to keep putting up with other Artifact Refiners' moods!"

"If that's true, that would be wonderful." Chu Xing smiled.

"Now that we're entering the Inner Mountain, the risks are far too great. Damaged magic artifacts are a common occurrence."

"Last time, Zhao Lao Liu's Golden Light Saber suffered a bit of damage. It didn't look serious, but when he went to a workshop to have an Artifact Refiner repair it, they asked for ten Low-grade Spirit Stones and said it would take a month."

"Not only is it expensive, it wastes far too much time."

There seemed to be a hint of anger in Chu Xing's voice. He gulped down a mouthful of wine, then took an earthy-yellow shield from his Storage Pouch and placed it on the wooden table.

Smiling, he said, "Brother Ling, take a look. Can this be repaired?"

The battle shield was round, roughly three feet across. Its center bulged outward, resembling a turtle's shell.

Zhou Ling rose to his feet and carefully examined the shield.

[You observe the condition of the Thick Earth Shield. Basic Insight +1]

[You are analyzing the Thick Earth Shield. Basic Analysis +1, Thick Earth proficiency +1]

Zhou Ling quickly found the issue with the Thick Earth formation. After thinking for a moment, he said, "This Thick Earth Shield was forged from Earth Essence Sand and Dark Iron. Seven-stroke Mountain Earth Engravings are inscribed upon it."

Chu Xing was slightly stunned upon hearing this. "You can even make out all seven inscription strokes?"

He had originally thought that Zhou Ling's level would at most allow him to draw four or five inscription strokes.

Yet Zhou Ling could actually discern the engraving, even clearly identifying the inscription strokes that formed it and the materials of the Thick Earth Shield.

That was not something an ordinary Rogue Cultivator Artifact Refiner could accomplish.

It sounded as though there was hope.

Zhou Ling said modestly, "I'm merely a little more perceptive when observing engravings. I've only just become able to draw Seven-Stroke Inscriptions."

Chu Xing raised a thumb in praise. "At your age, that's remarkable."

He glanced at Zhou Shan and said with a smile, "A tiger father truly has no dog son!"

Zhou Shan's face immediately lit up with delight.

"Brother Ling, can you repair this Thick Earth Shield?" Chu Xing asked, looking at Zhou Ling.

"Mm, I'll give it a try." Zhou Ling said, "Drawing a seven-stroke engraving is no easy task, but repairing it should be relatively quicker."

As the grade of [Basic Analysis] had increased, he had already roughly formed a repair plan in his mind during the analysis just now.

"Ling'er, this is a First-Grade Low-Rank Magic Artifact. It isn't cheap, so don't make a mistake!" Zhou Shan reminded him.

Chu Xing waved his hand dismissively and smiled. "Last time, I asked the Artifact Refiners at Qingshi Workshop about repairing this Thick Earth Shield. They wanted twelve Spirit Stones."

"A brand-new one only costs eighteen Spirit Stones. Naturally, it would be best if it can be repaired, but if it can't, then we'll simply treat it as practice for Brother Ling!"

"For Rogue Cultivators like us, raising an Inscription Master isn't easy. Since Brother Ling has this talent, Old Brother Zhou, you should let him practice without worry."

"If there's anything you need this old brother to help with, just say the word!"

"Thank you, Uncle Chu!" Zhou Ling cupped his hands with the composure of an adult.

Although refining Thunder Fire Beads was urgent, one could not take from others without giving something in return.

Chu Xing had so generously given him Fire Haze Grass, and he had also triggered the [Spirit Medicine Reaction] talent. He ought to thank him properly.

Afterward, he returned to his room and took out Earth Attribute Spirit Ink.

Since he usually studied the Five Elements Basic Engraving, he had purchased Spirit Ink of all Five Elements Attributes.

After mixing the Earth Spirit Ink evenly, he focused and analyzed the shield once more.

Once he confirmed there was no other damage, he began repairing the engraving.

The Thick Earth Shield had suffered a heavy blow, causing inscription strokes within the engraving to crack. They could no longer channel spiritual power, making the shield impossible to activate.

As for the repair method, it was to redraw the two damaged inscription strokes within the Mountain Earth Engraving.

That way, the entire engraving could once again conduct spiritual power and condense the Mountain Earth Seal. Then it would be repaired!

Zhou Ling picked up the Engraving Brush with his small hand, lightly dipped it in Spirit Ink, and began drawing inscription strokes at the armored pattern in the center of the Thick Earth Shield.

[You are drawing an Earth Attribute Engraving. Born to Excel +1, Engraving proficiency +1]

Watching Zhou Ling calmly dip the brush in ink and set it to the shield, his movements skilled and seasoned, Chu Xing's face filled with admiration.

It seemed Zhou Shan had not exaggerated. Zhou Ling truly possessed remarkable talent in inscription patterns.

Two Earth Inscription Patterns on the Mountain Earth Engraving had been damaged, while the other five inscription patterns had also dimmed under the heavy blow.

They needed to be redrawn as well.

Within this Mountain Earth Engraving, the Earth Inscription Patterns were like overlapping mountain peaks, each one heavier and more solid than the last.

The farther he drew, the greater the spiritual energy consumption.

The expenditure of spiritual energy was no less than that of the Thunder Fire Engraving.

Even with Zhou Ling's [Precise Control] reducing the spiritual energy consumption, he still had to rest once midway through.

It took nearly half a shichen to repair the Mountain Earth Engraving.

At the Third Layer of Qi Condensation, being able to draw a six-stroke inscription was normally already quite impressive.

Yet Zhou Ling had repaired a Seven-Stroke Inscription, leaving both Chu Xing and Zhou Shan somewhat astonished.

Chu Xing looked at Zhou Ling, his face full of admiration.

"Whew!" Zhou Ling let out a soft breath and set down the Spirit Brush. "Uncle Chu, try and see whether this Thick Earth Shield can condense a Mountain Earth Seal."

"Alright, I'll try."

Chu Xing picked up the Thick Earth Shield and walked to the small open space outside the hall, channeling spiritual energy into it.

At once, the Thick Earth Shield gave a slight tremble. Then a palm-sized Mountain Earth Seal appeared and gradually expanded.

But as Chu Xing withdrew his spiritual energy, the Mountain Earth Seal dispersed along with it.

After returning to the hall, Chu Xing gave Zhou Ling a thumbs-up and praised him lavishly. "Well done, Brother Ling! With this Thick Earth Shield, we'll have another means of protection when we enter the mountains this time."

Zhou Ling smiled and nodded.

Zhou Shan patted Zhou Ling on the shoulder. "Brother Chu, this is my son, Zhou Shan's son!"

His tone brimmed with delight.

Afterward, Chu Xing wanted to pay Zhou Ling for the repair, but Zhou Ling refused, saying the Fire Haze Grass was already enough.

After some thought, Chu Xing took another stalk of Fire Haze Grass from his person and handed it to Zhou Ling. "Brother Ling, take this stalk of Fire Haze Grass too."

This time, Zhou Ling firmly refused to accept it.

"Brother Ling, listen to me. In the future, I'll need you to help repair the damaged Magic Artifacts of our Medicine Seeking Team as quickly as possible."

"And when the time comes, we'll use spirit herbs as payment. What do you say?"

Chu Xing said after thinking it over.

Hearing Chu Xing's words, Zhou Ling considered it briefly, then nodded.

In the end, only under Chu Xing's insistence did he accept the other stalk of Fire Haze Grass.