Artifact Refiner, the Unlucky Purple Crystal Winged Lion King

"The Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame is something I must obtain, but..."

Yao Lao pondered for a moment before gradually dismissing the thought. It was not that he feared Lin Mu's Dou Emperor strength; rather, Lin Mu's battle with Ling Ying had made him realize that Lin Mu was no ordinary Dou Emperor.

If they truly fought, even if he could win, his Soul Power would be damaged. Besides, who knew what other tricks Lin Mu still had?

"Heavenly Flames... I remember you telling me that Heavenly Flames are something every Alchemist longs to obtain in their lifetime."

Xiao Yan nodded, his eyes filled with longing as well. How could he not yearn for Heavenly Flames?

Especially now that Yao Lao had already promised to teach him how to become an Alchemist.

I've already recorded this fragmentary map anyway. Whether it will belong to you, Xiao Yan, in the future is still uncertain. Giving you one fragmentary map is no big deal.

"Call me big brother. If I'm in a good mood, maybe I'll give it to you."

Compared to the map of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame, he cared more about the system's special reward. If he got another move like the Kun Peng Method, wouldn't he hit the jackpot?

Hearing this, Yao Lao secretly transmitted his voice to Xiao Yan. "Hehe, little fellow, he doesn't look like he's bluffing. Even if he told you to call him father, you'd have to shamelessly do it."

"Hehe, the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame is a Heavenly Flame that would make everyone on the continent see red."

Xiao Yan's face twitched.

Why did it feel like this old bastard was setting me up?

[Host's selection complete. Special reward triggered: become an Artifact Refiner. The system will assess the host. From First Grade to Emperor Grade, every breakthrough will grant a random reward!]

An Artifact Refiner?

"I've never heard of this profession..."

Lin Mu was instantly dumbfounded. Could it be that the system wanted him to figure out an entire profession on his own?

[The basic methods of artifact refinement have been stored in the host's mind.]

Lin Mu felt a flood of information appear in his mind. After briefly reviewing it, he immediately breathed a sigh of relief. "So that's how it is. Artifact refinement is similar to alchemy..."

"For some simple weapons, all that's needed is iron tempered with Dou Qi to give them considerable power. But to forge extremely powerful weapons, one may need metals born from heaven and earth, along with high-tier Magic Cores and spiritual treasures of heaven and earth. Only then can truly formidable weapons be forged."

His mind also contained information on the materials needed for some simple artifact refinement. As for the rest, he would likely have to wait for future rewards from the system.

Lin Mu came back to his senses and said to Xiao Yan with great interest, "Hurry up and call me big brother, or I'll keep it for myself."

"..."

Xiao Yan's face turned black, especially with Yao Lao beside him, wearing a wicked grin as he urged Xiao Yan on...

In the end, Lin Mu gave the fragmentary map of the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame to Yao Lao. Although he had lost something, in the long run, he had gained another profession and could receive plenty of rewards.

Besides, it was only a fragmentary map. It could not change anything.

When the Purifying Demonic Lotus Flame descended, even those in the Middle Continent without the map would still know its exact location.

After returning to his residence, Lin Mu muttered to himself, "I should first try the simplest form of artifact refinement."

"I really am lacking a weapon right now."

Having decided on his goal, Lin Mu flashed away and arrived at the Marketplace, among the many shops.

There were quite a few shops selling medicinal ingredients, but those selling metal were rather rare. Perhaps he could only buy some at a blacksmith's shop.

"Why does a Dou Emperor like me feel so miserable?"

Lin Mu sighed and entered a blacksmith's shop. The quality of the metals there seemed fairly good, and he could not be bothered to haggle. He bought all the intact metal in the shop and had it packed up.

"Take care, honored guest!"

The blacksmith shop owner grinned from ear to ear.

The moment Lin Mu stepped out of the blacksmith's shop, he heard an arrogant voice. "Hey, bring me some top-quality metal materials, now! If you dare neglect me, believe it or not, I'll smash your shop?"

The owner immediately rushed forward in fright upon seeing the newcomer. "Um... Young Master Jialie, all the metal materials in the shop have already been bought by this guest."

"Hm?"

The young man called Young Master Jialie frowned slightly. Dou Qi instantly erupted from his body and blasted the owner flying.

"Spare me, sir! Spare me!"

The owner spat out a mouthful of blood and repeatedly begged for mercy from the ground.

Then, the young man looked at Lin Mu. "Hey, you dare steal what belongs to me, Jialie Ao? Are you courting death?"

"I advise you to immediately kowtow to this young master twice. Otherwise, I'll break your legs..."

Before he could finish, Jialie Ao's pupils suddenly widened. Lin Mu slapped down with one hand. It seemed like a simple movement, yet Jialie Ao's body instantly exploded into a pool of blood.

"You sure talk a lot."

Lin Mu helped the owner to his feet. "If anyone comes looking to cause you trouble, tell them to find me at the Xiao Family."

The onlookers were dumbfounded. That had been Jialie Ao, a one-star Dou Zhe, yet he had been slapped to death just like that?!

Just who was this young man?

"H-he... he killed Young Master Jialie!" Several attendants following behind Jialie Ao immediately charged at Lin Mu with longswords in hand. Yet after taking only a few steps, they exploded without warning, leaving no corpses behind.

The surroundings fell silent.

"Idiots are everywhere."

Lin Mu sighed. After returning to his residence, he sealed off the area, then took out the metal he had bought earlier from his Na Ring. With a flick of his finger, mysterious Black-White Dou Qi surged forth. The instant it touched the metal, it directly burned it into a pool of molten iron...

"..."

Lin Mu fell silent.

He had already controlled the release of his Dou Qi very carefully, yet he had not expected it to be so overbearing.

"What a waste of money."

Lin Mu shook his head helplessly. "Ordinary metal won't work... Perhaps that fellow can give me some decent metal."

Lin Mu seemed to suddenly think of something. Weren't there many Purple Spirit Crystals inside the cave of the Purple Crystal Winged Lion King he had fought before? If he could get some Purple Spirit Crystals, perhaps they could serve as excellent materials for artifact refinement.

"Looks like I need to see the little lion again. Bad luck for him."

Lin Mu rose to his feet. Just as he was about to make another trip to the Monster Beast Mountain Range, a commotion erupted at the Xiao Family's gates.

"Xiao Zhan, you must give me an explanation! Someone from your Xiao Family killed my son!" The Jialie Family patriarch was filled with fury, with many formidable people following behind him.

"Who gave you the nerve to slander my Xiao Family here? I told you the Xiao Family did not kill your son. Can't you understand me?" Xiao Zhan sneered.

"You! In that case, your Xiao Family will pay for my son's life today!"

The strength of a Da Dou Shi erupted, terrifying beyond measure!

At that moment, Lin Mu strolled out leisurely. Seeing the many people from the Jialie Family, he said, "I killed your son."

"It was you, you little bastard?"

The instant the Jialie Family patriarch said those words, the entire scene froze, as though even the air had solidified. Lin Mu slowly raised his hand and instantly crushed every member of the Jialie Family present.