If someone insisted on saving face, they could only use Spirit Stones to cover the consumption.
If they could swallow their pride, they could not only save some Spirit Stones, but more importantly, the heavenly fire fueled by the artifact owner's spiritual energy would strengthen the bond between the artifact and its owner when used to temper it.
This was a habit of the Eastern Great Emperor's when refining artifacts for others. Whether the artifact's owner could swallow their pride or not, he would never spell it out.
Hearing this, Song Shuhang suddenly sank into thought.
Can't swallow your pride? the Eastern Great Emperor thought as he watched the pensive Song Shuhang.
He had thought Tyrant Song's personality meant he would not fuss over such trivialities. To think he had misjudged him...
"Eastern Senior." Song Shuhang suddenly said with a serious expression, "If I can provide more spiritual energy, could you convert the surplus into Spirit Stones for me?"
Song Shuhang was quite confident in his abundant spiritual energy—with so many small dantians and so many cores, he had never worried about running out of spiritual energy when casting spells.
The Eastern Great Emperor: "..."
The Merit Snake Beauty covered her face with both hands. "Eee, eee, eee~" Don't look at me, don't look at me. I don't know that man down there.
"Is that a no?" Song Shuhang asked quietly.
"I underestimated you, Tyrant Song. You truly are the man the Heavenly Emperor took a fancy to." The Eastern Great Emperor suddenly burst out laughing.
Embarrassed by the praise, Song Shuhang gave a bashful smile.
"But don't get ahead of yourself. Letting you use your spiritual energy to offset the energy needed to fuel the heavenly fire is already a special favor. And you want me to pay you