"S-simple?"
"It was all right, I guess... It wasn't quite that simple, was it..."
He thought about the proportion of artifact refiners in the Azure Pool Sect's outer sect, and how much Xu Xiong had struggled while refining an artifact.
Lu Li sounded a little uncertain.
But at the other end of the jade pendant,
Wang Zhiwen began talking to himself.
"Artifact refinement... combining and fusing materials with the same properties, or materials that can produce a chain reaction."
"Using an artifact refiner's unique techniques to forge the shape of an object... and finally inscribing Artifact Inscriptions..."
"Those wondrous functions mainly came from the enhancement of Artifact Inscriptions and the materials' inherent properties..."
"The reason artifact refiners in the cultivation world were so valued, and their artifacts so precious, was that they had no means of testing the process beforehand..."
"Even with someone to teach them, the heat, timing, and quantities all varied... They couldn't be quantified and standardized... Even if the legendary mighty cultivators had a way to work it all out..."
"The cost would surely be considerable..."
"Hiss!"
"Th-this... this... huff, huff, huff..."
After sucking in a sharp breath, Wang Zhiwen suddenly began breathing heavily.
He viewed artifact refinement purely from an academic perspective.
In his eyes, the artifacts of the cultivation world... were not precise.
Yes, that went for both the methods and the use of materials.
They had so many functions for two reasons: first, the miraculous Artifact Inscriptions, and second, the raw materials, which already possessed wondrous properties.
If they could use Great Xia's present-day methods to analyze, study, and reconstruct those materials,
then combine them with the miraculous Artifact Inscriptions, they would surely achieve astonishing results!
At that thought, Wang Zhiwen took a deep breath.
He gripped the receiver and said in a grave voice,
"Comrade Xiao Lu, the insights into artifact refinement you sent back this time are extremely important!"
"I can tell you with certainty... what the cultivation world calls artifact refinement is a matter of the utmost importance to our Great Xia."
"Humanity's technological research began to slow as early as the beginning of the twenty-first century, and even now there haven't been any major breakthroughs."
"But if we could make progress with the help of this 'path of artifact refinement'..."
Wang Zhiwen left the rest unsaid.
Or rather, even he could hardly imagine what might result from combining technology and artifact refinement.
"Elder Wang, do you mean... I should make the path of artifact refinement my top priority right now?"
"That's right!"
"Comrade Xiao Lu, if possible, I hope you can thoroughly master the path of artifact refinement."
"Absorb as much knowledge of artifact refinement as you can, including the differences between artifact refinement masters, grandmasters, and even the legendary immortal artisans."
"I have a feeling..."
Wang Zhiwen paused.
"I have a feeling that the so-called immortal artisans may be connected to a power at the limits of the world."
"That power is probably related to what we often call... the 'Dao'!"
"Perhaps... you might even be able to use it to come home before you become an immortal!"
"Come... come home..."
Lu Li was startled by his conjecture.
He hadn't expected Wang Zhiwen to place such importance on the path of artifact refinement.
What he had said surprised Lu Li even more.
Thoughts flashed through his mind, and he came back to his senses.
"Don't worry, Elder Wang. I understand. I'll do my best to learn artifact refinement."
"Mm..."
After that reply, Wang Zhiwen said no more and put down the receiver.
He focused all his attention on the analysis report.
Like a child just beginning to learn, he hungrily absorbed the new knowledge.
"Comrade Lu Li, I didn't quite understand what Elder Wang just said."
"But... as the old saying goes, whatever you do, you must first ensure your own safety."
"You must never take risks. Don't push yourself."
Li Yuanchao's voice sounded beside his ear.
It was full of sincerity and concern.
It warmed Lu Li's heart.
"I understand, Director Li. I'll be careful."
"Mm, good. Group 749's personnel structure has been reorganized."
"Group 749 has now been restructured as Bureau 749... The organization has already promoted you to honorary group leader. Your specific department... is the Pioneer Group."
"The Pioneer Group? Honorary group leader?"
"That's right. Although you're the Pioneer Group's only member right now, I believe we'll meet one day!"
Li Yuanchao's words could always give people immense confidence and a sense of security.
Even though Lu Li knew that day was a long way off,
he couldn't help looking forward to it.
"All right, Comrade Lu Li. Keeping our communications shorter is safer for you."
"Take the documents back and look through them yourself. They include... a summary we put together of how your family has been doing lately."
"Until we meet again!"
"Until we meet again!"
Hearing what Li Yuanchao had prepared, Lu Li brightened a little.
He also knew the communication shouldn't go on too long.
He grabbed the report.
The thick report detailed Bureau 749's recent experimental progress, personnel changes, specific positions, and so on...
Lu Li didn't linger on that section.
He didn't even take the time to examine the results of the slag simulation experiment.
His fingers kept turning the pages until a report titled "Recent Family Updates" came into view.
His eyes suddenly trembled.
"Whew..."
Taking a deep breath, Lu Li opened the paper report, which weighed as heavily as a thousand catties.
[March 2099] [Comrades Lu Dahai and Liu Xiulan were promoted to technical director and head of quality control] [That same month, Lu Yao was transferred into the advanced class at Jing City No. 3 Middle School] [April 2099] [Lu Dahai bought a new car, and the couple returned to their hometown to hold a banquet celebrating your meritorious service to the country] [June 2099] [Student Lu Yao took the college entrance examination and, in September of the same year, entered the National Defence University with the highest score in her school] [2099... month...] [...] [As of this month, November 2099, your family is all well]
Reading about the many changes in his family's lives over the past half year or so, Lu Li felt his eyes grow moist.
To protect their privacy, National Security had not watched his family too closely or intrusively.
They had only recorded major events.
They had also thoughtfully filled in the earlier events one by one.
Several photographs were included as well.
They gave Lu Li a general picture.
As he read, his longing surged like a spring.
"It's a good thing I lied. Mom and Dad don't have to be sad, and they're doing well."
"Little Sister is amazing too. She actually got into the National University of Defense Technology..."
"With the country helping look after them, I can rest easy."
Lu Li read those few lines and looked at the photographs over and over.
He couldn't help gently tracing the words "National Defence University" with his fingertip.
The corners of his mouth lifted in an unconsciously gratified smile.
He carefully put the report away separately, placing it in the jade pendant's space.
His gaze grew ever more resolute.
"Little Sister got into the National Defence University..."
"As her older brother, I can't fall behind."