Chen Shuangbai looked through them for a long time, first nodding, then shaking his head. At last, he settled on a flying Law Artifact called the [Flowing Cloud Flying Pouch].
He opened the entry for the flying Law Artifact, which resembled a wisp of white cloud that could stretch and change shape at will, and saw its description-
[Flowing Cloud Flying Pouch]: a high-grade Law Artifact of exceptional speed but extremely poor stability. It possesses a cloud-and-mist concealment effect and gains an adaptability bonus in water- and mist-attribute environments. Once released, it transforms into a white cloud about a zhang across, bearing a cultivator away at great speed.
It wasn't that Chen Shuangbai had never considered having Feiguang carry him, but that was impossible for the time being.
For one thing, the stronger a Demon Beast's bloodline, the longer it took to reach adulthood. Even with the aid of various pills refined by cultivators, it still needed time.
There was no rushing that.
Besides, Feiguang was ill-suited to being a mount.
He was a Snow-Plumed Eagle, fierce and ferocious, a peerless bird of prey with a combative nature.
He was suited to fighting an opposing cultivator's Demon Beast head-on or assisting Chen Shuangbai against his enemies from the side, not serving as a mount and letting his gifts go to waste.
A flying Law Artifact was therefore still very important.
"Senior Brother Qian, I'll take this one."
Chen Shuangbai pointed to the [Flowing Cloud Flying Pouch].
Qian Jin was mildly surprised to see that Chen Shuangbai had chosen it.
Seeing his reaction, Chen Shuangbai wondered if there might be some hidden flaw and asked, "Senior Brother, you've been doing business in the hall for many years. If there's anything wrong with it, I hope you'll enlighten me."
Lu Zhiyuan also saw Chen Shuangbai's choice and said with a chuckle, "That eye of yours is both sharp and unlucky."
Seeing Chen Shuangbai's confusion, Lu Zhiyuan and Qian Jin took turns explaining the Law Artifact's origins.
The Jade Spring Sect's three palaces and nine halls each had their own duties. To outsiders, the duties of the Hundred Crafts Hall and the Artifact Forging Hall seemed to overlap somewhat.
In truth, they did not.
There were considerable differences between the two halls.
Besides forging masters who specialized in artifact refinement, the Hundred Crafts Hall had artisans who specialized in other cultivation crafts, such as plant masters who studied the cultivation of Spirit Plants, culinary masters who specialized in food, beast masters who specialized in controlling beasts, and puppet masters who specialized in puppetry.
The Artifact Forging Hall, on the other hand, was divided into outer and inner sections. The outer section refined Law Artifacts for outer sect disciples, while the inner section made custom protective Law Treasures for inner sect members.
The [Flowing Cloud Flying Pouch] was the work of a first-tier forging master from the Artifact Forging Hall. He had originally intended to make a Law Treasure, but he failed, and it had ended up as a mere high-grade Law Artifact.
For that very reason, its price was comparatively favorable.
Hearing this, Chen Shuangbai felt his heart settle a little.
So that's what happened...
"I thought there might be some hidden flaw."
Qian Jin said, "Actually, there is one."
"The [Flowing Cloud Flying Pouch] is extremely fast, but its stability is terrible. If the cultivator who refines it isn't very confident in their control, they'll probably be thrown off the moment they activate it."
"That's why it's been returned several times."
"You can return it?"
Chen Shuangbai was somewhat taken aback.
Lu Zhiyuan picked up a small, delicate pastry and popped it into his mouth. With his cheeks bulging, he said, "Our Jade Spring Sect is an honorable and upright sect, a great sect of the immortal path. We're not some foul and murky demonic sect like the Heart-Eroding Stronghold."
"If it doesn't suit you, just return it. What's the big deal?"
Chen Shuangbai thought to himself that the sect was generous and said no more.
After hearing the two of them out, however, Chen Shuangbai was even more curious about the [Flowing Cloud Flying Pouch]. Qian Jin also wanted to befriend this junior brother, who was quite talented in the Dao of Alchemy, so he personally fetched it for him to see.
Qian Jin tossed a token into the air. Spiritual light shimmered, and an object like a soft white cloud appeared.
Chen Shuangbai stepped closer, a faint spiritual light appearing in his eyes as he activated the [Spirit-Appraising Pupil] and looked at the cotton-like wisp of cloud.
It was about the size of a human head and slowly undulated, its shape constantly changing. Sometimes it was oval, and sometimes it spread apart, revealing a strange crystal within that glowed with a pale golden halo, surrounded by countless densely packed specks of light.
Outside those specks of light, three exceedingly profound runic arrays revolved around it. Chen Shuangbai couldn't quite understand them at present, but together they formed this flying Law Artifact, a cloud shaped like cotton.
"What a treasure!"
The reason Law Treasures were so wondrous and could be used to protect cultivators lay in the runic arrays within them: those were Law Restrictions.
Explaining Law Restrictions was a long and complicated matter.
In general, the more powerful a Law Treasure was, the more Law Restrictions it contained.
But one couldn't simply stuff them in at random. Different Law Restrictions had different effects on one another: some complemented each other, while others countered each other. Forcibly inscribing the latter together would result in a thunderous self-detonation.
Chen Shuangbai didn't really understand what Law Restrictions were at present, but he knew that the [Flowing Cloud Flying Pouch] was a fine Law Artifact.
"Senior Brother Qian, how much does it cost?"
Qian Jin turned to look at Chen Shuangbai. Clearly, he hadn't expected him to remain set on buying it even after everything he had said.
He didn't stop him, though, thinking instead, Forget it. If it doesn't suit him, I'll let him return it. After all, a newborn calf doesn't fear a tiger, and a genius has a genius's pride.
Qian Jin quoted a price that wouldn't prompt an investigation from the hall, yet would still feel like a considerable bargain to Chen Shuangbai.
Chen Shuangbai agreed without hesitation.
Lu Zhiyuan stood to the side, his eyes narrowed and his face radiant with delight.
By bringing the two together for the deal, he had made Chen Shuangbai owe him a small favor... all in all, he had come out ahead.
Their disciple jade tokens touched, the corresponding Merit Points were deducted, and the item became Chen Shuangbai's.
Qian Jin handed the token to Chen Shuangbai and cautioned him, "This item is of a somewhat higher grade. If you find it takes a long time to refine after you return, don't worry. That's normal."
Chen Shuangbai had taken quite a liking to Senior Brother Qian, and the smile on his face grew a little more sincere.
After chatting for a while, they exchanged contact information.
Chen Shuangbai couldn't help feeling pleased.
This trip had been worthwhile: he had bought a suitable flying Law Artifact and befriended Senior Brother Qian, who had been doing business in the Expenditure Hall for many years.
Chen Shuangbai continued looking for the protective Law Artifact he needed.
But after looking for a long time, he still wasn't very satisfied.
Seeing him shake his head again and again, Qian Jin and Lu Zhiyuan realized that none of the Law Artifacts currently in the [Artifact Repository] had likely caught Junior Brother Chen's eye, but a Law Treasure wouldn't suit him either.
No matter how heaven-defying a Qi Refining Stage disciple was, he couldn't wield a Law Treasure that only Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators could use.
That was common knowledge.
Lu Zhiyuan said, "Junior Brother, do you have any special requirements for a protective Law Artifact?"
Chen Shuangbai shook his head, then nodded.
"I was wondering if there was a Law Artifact that, once released, could protect me when I fight enemies with magic and also help with cultivation in everyday life... but after looking around, there doesn't seem to be one here that fits."
Both men were a little surprised when they heard his requirements.