Let You Refine Artifacts, and You Make a "Hundred Percent Chance to Catch Blades Barehanded"?

The Primordial World, Kunlun Mountain.

The divine mountain towered majestically, reaching into the clouds.

Billions of feet of auspicious light cascaded down, while countless rare birds and exotic beasts darted through the forest.

As the foremost blessed land in the Primordial World, Kunlun Mountain had yet to suffer the pain of the Three Pure Ones going their separate ways.

The Three Pure Ones were of one heart, though the Chan and Jie Sects disagreed over their beliefs.

But on the surface, they still maintained the appearance of one big, loving family.

Of course, friction behind closed doors was inevitable.

In the Outer Sect of the Interception Sect, inside a cave dwelling filled with the energy of earthfire,

a young Daoist in a dark robe

sat cross-legged, his features handsome and resolute.

He slowly exhaled a breath of stale air.

"After coming to this Primordial World, I've finally adjusted to my identity as Zhao Gongming."

The young man opened his eyes, a trace of helplessness at odds with his appearance flashing in them.

He had been an overworked office drone on Blue Star, but after waking up, he'd become Zhao Gongming, the eldest disciple of the Interception Sect's Outer Sect.

By rights, this was an excellent background.

He had Sect Master Tongtian to rely on.

He also had the Three Xiaos, three top-notch younger sisters, and a future as the God of Wealth.

But as someone well-read on the Primordial World, he knew this identity was a huge trap.

Once the Investiture of the Gods Tribulation arrived, he'd be nothing but a walking fortune.

In the end, he'd wind up on the Investiture of the Gods and be driven by Haotian, losing his freedom forever.

"The Witch-Demon Tribulation has only just begun."

"Though the two races constantly clash, the Investiture of the Gods is still a long way off."

Zhao Gongming rubbed his brow, pondering.

"For now, the most important thing is to increase my strength."

"Those Golden Immortals from the Chan Sect have been looking down their noses at everyone lately."

"They keep bringing up our humble origins at every turn."

"Without real strength, I'm afraid I won't even be able to stay on Kunlun Mountain."

Just as Zhao Gongming was pondering how to break out of this predicament,

a mechanical voice, devoid of emotion, suddenly rang in his mind.

[ Ding! Congratulations, host, you have awakened the God-Tier Artifact Refining System! ]

[ Ding! After the host successfully refines an artifact, the system can grant it a conceptual-level effect! ]

[ Ding! It will also come with a conceptual-level side effect! ]

[ Within the same major cultivation realm, the effect is guaranteed to hit. Across realms, the effect is weakened. ]

[ Ding! After the artifact is gifted to someone else, the host will receive system rewards both when gifting it and when the recipient uses it! ]

[ Ding! Note: There are no restrictions on the first artifact refinement. Subsequent refinements require the system-designated natural treasures! ]

Zhao Gongming listened, his expression turning a little strange.

"Couldn't a conceptual-level effect make me invincible in the Primordial World?"

"But this so-called side effect..."

A calm smile instantly appeared on his face. He gave a couple of snorts.

Who cared what the side effect was? As long as the artifact was powerful enough, it'd be fine.

Besides, Zhao Gongming wasn't going to be the one using it.

As the saying went, better someone else's misfortune than your own.

Zhao Gongming immediately set about trying to refine an artifact.

What kind of fool would have a system and not use it?

"Rise!"

Zhao Gongming formed a hand seal. Earthfire surged up, enveloping the materials.

His artifact-refining skills were only average,

but with the system's help, the process went remarkably smoothly.

Several hours later,

"Clang—!"

A clear sword cry rang through the cave dwelling.

A long sword of ancient design, gleaming with a cold light, floated in midair.

[ Ding! Congratulations, host, you have successfully refined an artifact: 100% Barehanded Blade Catch · Holy Sword! ]

[ Conceptual Effect: 100% Barehanded Blade Catch! ]

[ As long as the sword is swung, the enemy must instantly come over, kneel, and catch the blade barehanded! ]

[ Note: Guaranteed to hit enemies of the same realm. Against an enemy one minor realm higher, there is a 50% chance of success. Against an enemy two minor realms higher, it has no effect and can only briefly paralyze them! ]

[ Side Effect: Father's Love is Like a Mountain. When swinging the sword, the user must shout with deep emotion, "Unfilial Son, your father's heart aches!" ]

[ If the shout isn't heartfelt enough, the artifact won't activate. ]

Zhao Gongming looked at the status panel before him.

He nodded slightly, feeling more reassured instead.

"This side effect really is... not something an ordinary person can handle."

"Even so, it's still a top-notch treasure."

"Wouldn't Eldest Uncle's artifact require shouting, 'I'm calling you—do you dare answer?'"

Zhao Gongming pictured the scene.

On the battlefield, a mighty cultivator suddenly burst into tears and called his enemy an unfilial son.

The thought was too horrible to look at.

Just then, the system's reward notification rang out again.

[ Ding! Congratulations, host, you have refined a conceptual-level artifact for the first time and triggered the beginner's critical reward! ]

[ Reward: Talent · Heaven-Defying Comprehension! ]

A cool stream of energy instantly surged into Zhao Gongming's sea of consciousness.

The Great Dao, once abstruse and hard to understand, suddenly seemed simple.

The bottleneck that had once seemed unbreakable was suddenly shattered!

The aura around Zhao Gongming surged.

Three Flowers gathered at his crown, while Five Qi faced the Origin in his chest.

His cultivation, which had been stuck at the peak of the Mystic Immortal realm for years, instantly broke through the barrier!

Early-stage Golden Immortal!

Mid-stage Golden Immortal!

Only then did Zhao Gongming slowly open his eyes, stars seeming to swirl within them.

"I'd only ever read about Heaven-Defying Comprehension in webnovels in my previous life. You have to experience it firsthand to realize it really is heaven-defying!"

Meanwhile, deep inside Biyou Palace,

a young Daoist in a Qingping Sword Robe, his body wreathed in flowing Daoist aura, suddenly opened his eyes.

His gaze pierced through the void and fell upon Zhao Gongming's cave dwelling.

A satisfied smile appeared at the corner of Sect Master Tongtian's mouth.

"I didn't expect Zhao Gongming to break through to the Golden Immortal realm, too."

"And he broke straight through to the mid-stage Golden Immortal realm."

"I knew I hadn't misjudged him. He truly is a pillar of my Interception Sect!"

At the thought of a Sage, all under heaven knew.

But Tongtian didn't interfere. He simply nodded slightly, then closed his eyes and resumed his wandering meditation.

Inside the cave dwelling,

Zhao Gongming reined in his aura. His gaze burned as he looked at the Sword of Father's Love Like a Mountain in his hand.

"The reward for refining an artifact is already this good. If I give it away, won't I take off?"

"But the artifact is so strange. Who should I give it to?"

Several candidates flashed through Zhao Gongming's mind.

Senior Brother Duobao?

No. The Senior Disciple Brother was too cautious; he probably wouldn't be able to bring himself to use it.

Golden Spirit Holy Mother?

Too stern. He'd probably get beaten.

Suddenly, three graceful figures appeared in his mind.

The Three Maidens of Sanxiao!

His eldest younger sister, Yunxiao, was gentle, virtuous, and well-read.

She had the bearing of a refined young lady. If he gave her this sword,

she'd probably die of embarrassment. No good.

His fourth younger sister, Qiongxiao, was an innocent, lively little girl.

She spent all day following her two elder sisters around and eating spirit fruits. Giving it to her would be a waste.

That left his third younger sister, Bixiao...

Zhao Gongming's eyes lit up.

Bixiao was fiery-tempered and fiercely competitive.

She couldn't stand the Chan Sect's lot putting on airs.

He'd recently heard that she'd clashed with Daoist Ci Hang of the Chan Sect.

She'd suffered a minor loss because her magic treasure was inferior, and she was still seething with anger.

"Bixiao is a Golden Immortal, too."

"Daoist Ci Hang may be strong, but he's only at the late-stage Golden Immortal realm. He hasn't entered the Taiyi realm yet."

"They're both in the Golden Immortal major realm, so this sword's power is guaranteed to hit!"

"You're the one, Third Sister!"

"Big Brother's helping you get revenge. Just put up with the side effect."

Zhao Gongming gave a sly chuckle and put away the long sword.

He straightened his Daoist robe, pushed open the cave dwelling's doors,

and rode an auspicious cloud straight to the Three Xiaos' home.

The Three Xiaos' cave dwelling was in a secluded valley on Kunlun Mountain, and was called Three Immortals Cave.

As soon as Zhao Gongming descended from the clouds, he heard an angry shout from inside the cave dwelling.

Her voice was full of resentment and indignation.

"I'm furious! That Cihang is simply too much!"

"He's only relying on the fact that his cultivation is a step higher than mine."

"And that he has the Pure Glazed Vase bestowed by Uncle Yuanshi!"

"He keeps going on about how humble my origins are. If only I had a powerful spiritual treasure, too."

"I'd smash that superior look right off his face!"

Zhao Gongming smiled knowingly. The perfect opportunity had practically fallen into his lap.

He cleared his throat, stood at the entrance to the cave dwelling, and called out in a clear voice,

"Little sisters, your big brother's come to visit!"