Turtle Spirit Holy Mother's transformation was like a weathervane, quietly changing how many mid- and high-ranking disciples on Jin'ao Island viewed Lin Xuan (Xuanyuanzi). This "Special Invited Researcher" was no longer merely a windbag who came up with novel theories, but someone who could genuinely solve practical cultivation problems. Even a direct disciple of a Saint had benefited immensely, so naturally, everyone else was all the more convinced.
This growing trust created favorable conditions for Lin Xuan to carry out deeper reforms. His attention once again turned to a key area he had long been planning to tackle—artifact refining.
One day, Lin Xuan submitted a detailed proposal to Daoist Duobao: "A Pilot Plan for Implementing 'Standardization and Modularization' in the Artifact Refining Hall on Jin'ao Island." Compared to the earlier, small-scale Flying Sword refining pilot, this time the target was the very foundation of the entire artifact-refining system.
The proposal's central idea was clear and bold: break down the complex process of refining magic treasures into a series of standardized "basic components" and "functional modules." Through standardized design, batch production, and flexible assembly, the plan would greatly improve the efficiency and success rate of refining low- and mid-grade magic treasures, reduce excessive reliance on individual refiners' talents, and lay the groundwork for industrial-scale production of more complex composite magic treasures in the future.
Daoist Duobao carefully reviewed the proposal and pondered it for a long time. He knew this would affect a great many people and strike at the foundations of a tradition the Artifact Refining Hall had upheld for many years. But the successful pilot data and Turtle Spirit Holy Mother's case were right there before him, and Master had tacitly approved. In the end, he made his decision. "Approved! But proceed step by step. Begin with a pilot in Room Bing of the Artifact Refining Hall, which handles low-grade magic treasures. The researcher will be fully in charge, with Deputy Hall Master Lady Shiji assisting. If you meet any resistance, report it to me at once."
With Daoist Duobao's backing, Lin Xuan acted swiftly and immediately took up his post.
Room Bing of the Artifact Refining Hall covered a vast area. Its furnaces blazed day and night, while hundreds of disciples of varying cultivation levels busied themselves refining basic magic treasures such as standard Flying Swords, protective jade pendants, and storage bags. The air was thick with heat and the scent of smelted metal.
Lin Xuan's arrival was not greeted warmly. Most of the Artifact Refining Hall's disciples were steady by nature, even somewhat stubborn, and they were deeply skeptical and resistant toward the "standardization" proposed by this parachuted-in "researcher," whose cultivation was far below their own. Deputy Hall Master Lady Shiji, in particular, had been ordered to assist, but her expression remained indifferent. Clearly, she wasn't optimistic.
Lin Xuan paid it no mind. He knew that here, only results would speak for themselves.
The first thing he did was not issue orders, but conduct an investigation on the front lines. For seven whole days, he visited every workstation, observed each disciple's process, and recorded an enormous amount of data on the detailed steps, material ratios, success rates, and common points of failure for several low-grade magic treasures they refined most often, such as the Qingfeng Sword, Thick Earth Shield, and Flowing Cloud Pendant.
Then he shut himself away for three days. Drawing on his powerful spiritual sense and the analytical abilities of the Insight Technique, he thoroughly organized and analyzed the data. He discovered that although the disciples were refining the same magic treasure, their methods, control of heat, and the order in which they traced the runes all differed slightly. These very differences were the key reason for fluctuations in success rates and inconsistent quality! Many failures stemmed from tiny mistakes at a single step.
Once he had found the root of the problem, the solution became clear.
Lin Xuan summoned all the disciples and refining masters from Room Bing for a general meeting. He didn't give a lofty speech. Instead, he went straight to the data, using charts to clearly point out the "pain points" and "points of variation" in the current refining process.
"Everyone, take a look." Lin Xuan traced a flowchart for refining the Qingfeng Sword in the air with his spiritual power, marking several key steps in red. "The temperature during material smelting varies by as much as fifty degrees. The molds used to shape sword blanks aren't consistently precise. Differences in the force used for the third stroke of the core Sharp Metal Talisman cause the efficiency of spiritual energy conduction to fluctuate by more than twenty percent... These are the main reasons we can't keep our success rate consistently above eighty percent!"
The disciples below, who had been somewhat inattentive, were astonished by such a clear presentation of the data. They usually relied entirely on feel and experience. When had they ever seen the problems laid out so plainly?
"Therefore," Lin Xuan said, presenting his central proposal, "we must implement 'standardization' and 'modularization'!"
He explained in detail: "Standardization means uniformity! Standardize material specifications and establish a standard materials repository to ensure that every batch of raw materials is of consistent quality. Standardize refining tools by designing and mass-producing high-precision sword blank molds, rune-inscribing arrays, and temperature-control formations, eliminating human error as much as possible. Standardize the process by creating detailed operating manuals that specify the optimal temperature, time, and technique for every step, ensuring repeatable results."
"Modularization means breaking things down and putting them together!" Lin Xuan continued. "Think of a magic treasure as consisting of multiple 'functional modules.' For example, a Qingfeng Sword can be divided into a 'sword blank module'—responsible for its shape and durability; a 'sharpness module'—the core runes responsible for its attack; and a 'spiritual control module'—auxiliary runes that help it attune to the user's spiritual energy. Each module is refined independently to a standard interface, then assembled at the end."
He showed them the design plans. "That way, disciples can focus on refining the kind of module that suits their strengths. With practice, their skill will improve, and both efficiency and quality will naturally increase. Even if a module fails, only that module needs to be replaced; the entire magic treasure won't have to be scrapped, saving a great deal of cost. In the future, we may even be able to create new magic treasures with different properties by combining different modules!"
His explanation broke down the complex art of artifact refining into a clear process, much like building with blocks. Many disciples' eyes lit up as they listened, especially those of ordinary talent who had long been stuck at a particular step. It was as if they had seen new hope!
But resistance remained. A veteran refining master couldn't help questioning him. "The Researcher's proposal sounds wonderful, but artifact refining is a craft that comes from the heart. If everything is standardized like this, won't refiners all become assembly-line workers? What spirit will the magic treasures they forge have then?"
The question went straight to the heart of the conflict.
Lin Xuan had anticipated this and answered calmly. "Master, your concern is entirely valid. But our first priority in this pilot is to solve the problems of availability and accessibility! Standardization and modularization are meant to give the vast majority of disciples a stable, efficient way to refine 'qualified' magic treasures. That's the baseline. They are not meant to replace the 'creative work' of high-level refiners!"
His tone was firm. "For talented disciples with ambition, the solid foundation built through standardization will actually let them grasp the core principles of magic treasures sooner, so they can focus more on higher-level 'customization' and 'imbuing them with spirit'! Standardization is the foundation; creativity is the pinnacle. We must first solve the problem of building the foundation, so more people can set out on the path of cultivation. Only then can more geniuses emerge who are capable of building the pinnacle! First broaden access, then raise the standard!"
He looked around at everyone and said solemnly, "Besides, standardization doesn't mean rigidity. We'll establish 'innovation incentives' to encourage disciples to optimize and improve upon the standards. Today's standards can also become the starting point for tomorrow's innovations!"
His words affirmed the value of traditional craftsmanship while also explaining the strategic importance of standardization to the overall development of the field. His argument was well-reasoned and persuasive. The veteran refining master pondered for a moment, then slowly nodded and said no more.
With the greatest ideological obstacle removed, the pilot moved forward in full force. Under Lin Xuan's personal guidance and with Lady Shiji, whose attitude was gradually changing, assisting him, Room Bing began sweeping reforms. Standard molds and arrays were rushed into production overnight, the materials repository was reorganized, detailed work instructions were distributed to every disciple, and the modular production line began to take shape.
At first, the process was full of hitches. Disciples who were used to working freely found the rules and restrictions difficult to adapt to, and the error rate even rose briefly. But with Lin Xuan's patient guidance and constant process improvements, results began to show after a month!
Daily Qingfeng Sword production tripled! The average refining success rate soared from sixty-five percent to ninety percent! The consistency of magic treasure quality improved dramatically! More importantly, many disciples who had previously been unable to complete artifact refining on their own due to limited talent could now reliably produce qualified items, giving them a much greater sense of achievement! The atmosphere throughout Room Bing changed from its former gloom and oppression to one full of energy and drive!
Even Lady Shiji, who had resisted the most at first, completely changed her opinion of Lin Xuan after seeing the data reports and the smiles on the disciples' faces with her own eyes. She even began asking him for advice on technical difficulties she encountered in modular design.
The successful pilot in Room Bing of the Artifact Refining Hall struck Jin'ao Island like a clap of thunder. "Standardization and modularization" was no longer an empty concept, but something whose gains in efficiency and effectiveness were visible to the naked eye. With hard evidence, Lin Xuan proved that his "scientific" approach had just as much vitality in the prehistoric world of cultivation!
This wind of reform began quietly spreading to the Artifact Refining Hall's other workshops, and even to the Alchemy Room and the Array Court. A deeper transformation was gathering momentum.
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