As the notifications appeared, Chu Mo came to understand the abstruse theory.
Although Chi Lian shrouded his explanations in clouds and mist, deliberately making them sound loftier, the panel regarded any words and actions that fit the pattern of "instruction" as valid skill instruction.
[You listened to artifact master Chi Lian's instruction. Artifact Refining experience +1] [You listened to artifact master Chi Lian's instruction. Artifact Refining experience +1]
Notifications scrolled steadily through his consciousness, line after line. Chi Lian's deliberately obscure, disjointed explanations did nothing to hinder the rate at which he gained experience.
Before long, the panel updated again.
[Character information] Player: Chu Mo Race: Human Race Dao Path: Cultivator Level: 6 Cultivation methods: Zhou Tian Qi-Gathering Method, Dawncloud One-Qi Profound Cavern Scripture... Skills: [Craft · Fire-method Artifact Refining], [Mystic · Profound Cavern Roselight], [Spell · Golden Baleful Bone-Piercing Art]...
The four-hour lecture finally ended, leaving most of the audience dizzy and muddleheaded.
Expressionless, Chi Lian swept his gaze over the bewildered disciples below. When he saw Ji Qing's knitted brows in particular, a barely perceptible gleam of satisfaction flashed through his eyes.
"That will be all for today. If you have questions, ponder them yourselves."
He left them with that customary closing remark, then turned and walked out of the fire chamber without another glance, leaving a chorus of quiet groans and discussion behind him.
"I'm done for. I didn't understand a thing..."
"What in the world was he even talking about?"
"Over a hundred Spell Coins straight into the water. I'll have to come again next time..."
"How was it, Junior Brother Chu?" Ji Qing came over, wearing an "I knew it" expression.
"Did it make your head feel ready to burst? I'm telling you, you'll need at least another two or three visits before you start getting the hang of it. Martial Uncle Chi Lian knows exactly how to set the entry fee for his money-making scheme!"
Chu Mo smiled helplessly. "It was indeed... rather profound. Still, I did pick up a few things."
"Heh, good that you can see it that way. Come on, this place is roasting." Ji Qing patted his shoulder. "By the way, what are your plans now? Are you really going to delve into Artifact Refining?"
"I am considering it." Chu Mo nodded. "I happen to have some materials on hand, so I'd like to try refining a dharmic instrument."
He did not specify that it was the Profound Scenery Refining Truth Banner, but Ji Qing did not ask. He merely reminded him:
"Artifact refining is enormously expensive, and the failure rate is high. Stay within your means, Junior Brother. If you need basic spiritual materials, the Artifact Hall sells them. The prices are fairly reasonable, and the selection is comprehensive."
"Thank you for the guidance, Senior Brother Ji."
They parted outside the Artifact Hall. Ji Qing rode away on a cloud, seemingly having other important matters to attend to.
Chu Mo was in no hurry to leave. He stood where he was, digesting the artifact-refining knowledge he had just heard.
Refining the [Profound Scenery Refining Truth Banner] straight away would be too risky. It's my only spirit embryo...
Although he had now acquired the skill [Fire-method Artifact Refining], he was still at the stage where his mind knew how, but his hands did not.
After a moment's consideration, Chu Mo decided to buy some of the most basic artifact-refining materials and a refining cauldron to practice with first.
Several days of practice flew by.
Inside his cave abode, Chu Mo focused his mind and stilled his breath, holding the Profound Scenery Refining Truth Banner in one hand and Myriad Forms Treasure Qi in the other.
Starting from Foundation Establishment, the grades of Dharmic Treasures complemented cultivators' cultivation realms, progressing through: Profound Attainment, Truth Penetration, Spirit Communion, True Form...
A treasure that reached the realm of "magic attaining profound mysteries" became a Profound Attainment Dharmic Treasure wielded by Foundation Establishment cultivators. Its power utterly eclipsed that of dharmic instruments.
Chu Mo focused his mind and stilled his breath, recalling Chi Lian's instruction and what he had learned through half a month of practice. Carefully, he guided the strand of [thin Myriad Forms Treasure Qi] in his hand slowly toward the Profound Scenery Refining Truth Banner.
The treasure qi provoked no violent reaction when it touched the banner's surface. Instead, like a drop of water merging into the ocean, it was quietly absorbed into the banner's deep, dark hue.
The banner stirred without wind. The dim light flowing across it seemed a little more lively, and a faint sense of affinity emanated from it.
It worked! Chu Mo's spirits lifted.
Although the improvement was minuscule, it proved that his approach was correct. Refining this banner with the treasure qi cultivated through the Myriad Forms Treasure Body Art could indeed enhance its spirituality.
He pressed on, continuing to circulate the method as he patiently refined the entire strand of treasure qi into the banner.
The whole process took roughly the time it took an incense stick to burn.
As the last wisp of treasure qi merged into it, the Profound Scenery Refining Truth Banner trembled gently. The somewhat murky glow on its surface visibly brightened a little, and its pole felt warmer and smoother to the touch.
[Profound Scenery Refining Truth Banner] [Description: A pole of cold jade and a banner of shadow silkworm silk, with a strong suppressive effect on soul bodies. Preliminary refinement has enhanced its spirituality, allowing it to collect and command living souls. Specter limit: twenty; currently held: ten.]
Good, very good. Chu Mo was quite satisfied.
The number of banner spirits it could hold had doubled outright. Once he filled those slots, the Profound Banner's power would surely increase greatly.
As for the [Mutated Flood Dragon Pearl], the yin qi contained within it was far too vast and pure for him to handle at his current cultivation level.
My fellow disciples who cultivate the Myriad Forms Treasure Body Art really are precious treasures...
Just one strand of treasure qi from the sixth level of Qi Refining produced such a clear change in the Profound Banner... If I could obtain more, and purer strands...
Naturally, Chu Mo would not hunt down his fellow disciples over this. As the saying went, walk along the river often enough, and your shoes were bound to get wet.
Although the Duo'e Sect did not prohibit fighting, the prerequisite was to leave no loose ends and use the Mind-Cleansing Mantra diligently.
Once he let the horse's hoof show and the Enforcement Hall came knocking, he would inevitably spend several years in hard labor, working for the sect without pay to compensate for its "losses."
Perhaps... I could find a way through other channels.
Chu Mo pondered, once again sinking his divine sense into the Hezhen Token.
Since all sorts of resources could be exchanged within the Hezhen Society, and its access requirements were fairly low, might a special "spiritual material" like Myriad Forms Treasure Qi also be in circulation?
He searched carefully through the ocean of information, filtering for entries related to "treasure qi" and "bodily essence."
A moment later, his gaze sharpened.
[Myriad Forms Treasure Qi, fifty Spell Coins] [Description: Sourced from a cultivator at the fourth level of Qi Refining. Can be used to refine dharmic instruments, enhancing their spirituality and power.]
There really was some!
It seemed that joining the Hezhen Society had also raised his access level, allowing him to uncover more secrets.
Fifty Spell Coins per strand... That's almost the price of a poorer-quality low-grade dharmic instrument.
Chu Mo inwardly clicked his tongue. Practitioners of the Myriad Forms Treasure Body Art were labor while alive and spiritual materials when dead. They truly were "treasures" from head to toe.
Before the Profound Banner advances into a Dharmic Treasure, its capacity for banner spirits can rise to no more than ninety-nine. To break past the hundred-spirit limit, I'll have to refine it into a true Dharmic Treasure, which also requires refining a set of formations into it...
Just as Chu Mo concentrated on planning the next stages of refinement, a sudden disturbance rippled through the restrictions outside his cave abode.
Someone he had not expected came calling at that moment.
Jiang Yunya!