Over the course of a year, Lu Li had not only made a breakthrough in his cultivation, but had also greatly improved his artifact-refining skills.
Having nearly reached the level of a first-tier artifact refiner, he now had a way to earn a living in the outer sect.
He no longer had to rely on his meager stipend and earnings from missions.
He could take commissions from fellow disciples to refine and repair artifacts in exchange for Spirit Stones.
"It's just a shame... I can't sell Spirit Fire Grenades on a large scale yet."
"Otherwise... I'd be filling my pots and bowls to the brim."
Thoughts flickered through Lu Li's mind as he continued flying toward the back mountain.
The Spirit Fire Grenade was an inspiration that had struck him during one of his communications with Great Xia.
As the currency and fuel of the cultivation world, Spirit Stones contained a tremendous amount of power in themselves.
Combining them with firearms had produced an unexpected effect.
Lu Li had achieved results after just two experiments.
"An ordinary Spirit Stone, also called a Low-Grade Spirit Stone, combined with the most lethal 'anti-tank grenade,' has enough power to severely injure someone in Late Qi Refining..."
The memory of his last experiment made his heart itch.
Spirit Stones really were wonderful things.
Even Low-Grade Spirit Stones contained a terrifying amount of power.
At the moment that immense tension in their spiritual power erupted, combined with the precise weapon design from Blue Star...
The resulting power had been utterly beyond his expectations.
"And that's just a grenade..."
"If Spirit Stones, or even artifact refining, could be combined with other firearms..."
"Spirit Machinery sniper rifles, Spirit Machinery cannons, and even... the truth of Spirit Machinery?"
As a science and engineering student, Lu Li's imagination ranged far and wide.
He could see infinite possibilities in the immense potential of Spirit Stones as a power source.
"Li Yuanchao seemed to have mentioned that the country was already developing mech-type firearms..."
"But there hadn't been any progress because of technical problems..."
"Maybe one day, with the help of Spirit Stones, they could even make a Spirit Machinery Mech!"
At the thought, Lu Li grew even more eager to see the country's progress in cultivation research.
But he also knew that those advanced studies probably couldn't be carried out until he sent back a Spirit Vein...
It was still too early.
"Hmm, now... let me see how this enchanted armor refined by the country holds up."
When he reached the back mountain, he made sure no one was around to disturb him.
Lu Li took off the enchanted armor again.
He raised a hand and sent out a flash of spiritual light, suspending it in the air.
"Fireball Technique... go!"
With a soft shout, Lu Li cast the spell.
The Fireball Technique from the Advanced Five Elements Instruction was spectacular.
The moment Lu Li summoned it, a blazing fireball the size of a water vat surged forth.
Trailing intense heat and smoke and flame, it hurtled straight into the enchanted armor.
"Boom!"
"Bang! Boom, boom, boom!"
A massive cloud of smoke and dust rolled aside, revealing the enchanted armor within.
The silvery-white armor was blackened and slightly warped.
But it hadn't been destroyed, and it could still provide protection.
"This enchanted armor... is remarkably ingenious!"
"Even though it was made from restored 'slag material' too, thanks to the precisely engraved Artifact Inscriptions and steady output of spiritual power..."
"Its defense is actually comparable to a mid-level first-tier artifact!"
Astonished, Lu Li summoned the armor in front of him and examined it carefully.
Then he called forth water spells, earth spells, metal spells... and various others.
He tested every minor spell of the five elements contained in the Five Elements Instruction, and even summoned a flying sword to stab and thrust at it from every angle.
Only after he had thoroughly tested every property of the enchanted armor and carefully recorded them all...
Did he put away the battered armor and fly to the Artifact Hall to begin his day.
"Whoosh!"
The flying sword sped through the air.
Lu Li became a streak of light and arrived at the peak where the Artifact Hall stood.
He had made plenty of trips here over the past year.
He knew his way around the Artifact Hall like the back of his hand.
Each hall of the Azure Pool Sect had a dedicated area where outer-sect disciples could buy and sell goods.
Guiding his flying sword, Lu Li landed outside a white jade plaza at the Artifact Hall.
The moment a number of Qi Refining Middle Stage disciples in the crowd saw Lu Li appear...
They immediately swarmed over.
"Senior Brother Lu! Senior Brother Lu! You're finally here!"
"I'd like another flying sword refined this time. Sorry for the trouble, Senior Brother!"
"Senior Brother, Senior Brother, me too! I want a breastplate... thicker and heavier than last time!"
"I want enchanted boots. Please engrave a few more 'light body' Artifact Inscriptions on them for me, Senior Brother..."
"..."
Before Lu Li could land, dozens of Qi Refining Middle Stage disciples had surrounded him so tightly that not even a drop of water could have squeezed through.
"Easy, easy. Line up and tell me one at a time."
Lu Li waved a hand.
He motioned for everyone to come forward in an orderly fashion.
Over the past year, as his artifact-refining skills had improved...
The Law Artifacts he refined were considerably more finely crafted than those made by others.
As a result, more and more people had sought him out...
Seeing this, the disciples hurriedly formed a long line.
Each held various first-tier spiritual materials and respectfully described what they wanted in their artifacts.
"Senior Brother, I want a flying sword. Could you engrave it with 'bloodthirst,' 'armor piercing,' and 'corrosive poison' Artifact Inscriptions this time?"
A somewhat older disciple with a slightly sinister face spoke respectfully.
His words sent a chill down Lu Li's spine.
Bloodthirst, armor piercing, corrosive poison... the names of those three Artifact Inscriptions alone were enough to make one shudder.
Fortunately, Lu Li held to the principle that the customer was God.
He asked no further questions, nodding as he accepted the materials, which clearly included a considerable extra portion.
"Next."
"My turn, my turn!"
"Senior Brother, I want a breastplate this time, but... could you leave off the defensive Artifact Inscriptions?"
"No defensive Artifact Inscriptions? Then what do you want?"
Lu Li was momentarily taken aback.
"I... I want you to engrave 'dizziness,' 'paralysis,' and... 'deafening' on it!"
"Th-those are Artifact Inscriptions you'd put on a breastplate?"
"...All right... I'll try, but yours will cost forty percent more in materials."
"Understood! Understood! I came prepared!"
The disciple who wanted the breastplate was overjoyed and hurriedly took out a great armful of spiritual materials.
Shaking his head, Lu Li put them into his Storage Bag and continued taking commissions.
The reason his commissions were so popular, aside from his superb craftsmanship...
Was in large part his... ingenious ideas.
That was right. Thanks to his unconventional understanding of artifact refining and his combinations of Artifact Inscriptions...
The Law Artifacts Lu Li refined were extremely popular in the outer sect.
Who among them had ever seen enchanted boots covered in 'gravity' Artifact Inscriptions?
With one kick, a Qi Refinement cultivator could actually unleash the fighting power of a body cultivator.
And then there was... enchanted armor renowned for its speed.
Never mind breaking through its defenses with spells-they couldn't even touch it...
"Mm, got it. Come pick it up in a month."
"The usual rules... no Spirit Stones; I'll keep thirty percent of the materials."
After listening to everyone's requests, Lu Li put away all the materials.
That price was considered very fair in the outer sect.
Naturally, no one objected, and they all cupped their fists at once.
"Sorry for the trouble, Senior Brother."
"Sorry for the trouble..."
"..."
"Mm, I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave for now. Farewell, Junior Brothers."
He returned the salute.
Then Lu Li set off toward the depths of the Artifact Hall.
He accepted materials rather than Spirit Stones for his commissions because that was how he could maximize his profits.
He could use the leftover materials to refine finished Law Artifacts, then sell them to the sect or other disciples.
That brought in at least twenty percent more profit.
It was far more profitable than taking Spirit Stones alone.
His steps carrying him onward, Lu Li soon stood before the disciple on duty at the Artifact Hall...