Chapter 969

Chapter 969: Traveling Expenses~

“I feel like if I strike that last hammer, I might lose control.”

“I don’t want to miss the chance to become your disciple, so I’m playing it safe,” Guangxu replied honestly.

Since he was a child, his parents had taught him that in front of important figures like this, it’s best not to lie. Being truthful is crucial, especially in significant moments where you should show your true self.

Xu Fan raised his hand slightly, and the crafted Spiritual Sword appeared before him.

“This sword is quite impressive; it’s a top-tier piece among magical artifacts.”

The sword had the natural shine of spirit iron, with special treatments on the blade and tip.

At the tip, the sturdy rune Guangxu had carved could adapt to the user’s condition, showing great thoughtfulness.

A dark Spiritual Sword appeared before Xu Fan, then transformed into a beam of spiritual light and landed in front of Guangxu.

“This is the first Spiritual Sword I ever crafted. I’m giving it to you as a keepsake.”

“From now on, you’ll be my seventh direct disciple,” Xu Fan said, looking at Guangxu.

“Master, could my parents attend the disciple ceremony?”

“They’ve always dreamed of me joining a sect, and I want them to witness this moment,” Guangxu said softly, his expression warm as he remembered all the sacrifices his parents made for him to become an artifact master.

“Of course. Contact your parents, and I’ll have Grape bring them here soon,” Xu Fan nodded.

A small spiritual boat landed beside Guangxu.

“Please board the Shangling boat; I’ll take you to your cave dwelling,” Grape’s voice chimed in.

While Guangxu was crafting, his personal cave dwelling had already been prepared.

“Master, I’ll go rest now!” Guangxu said respectfully.

“Go ahead. If you have any questions, ask Grape,” Xu Fan nodded.

While crafting the Spiritual Sword, Xu Fan had noticed Guangxu was pushing himself too hard.

That’s why Xu Fan had taken out a drop of wood essence.

After Guangxu left, Xu Fan examined the Spiritual Sword he had crafted, feeling more and more pleased with it.

Xu Fan had always categorized talent into a few simple types.

The first type is someone who can barely see food and only gets a little, never enough to be full.

The second type sees plenty of food right in front of them, within reach, and can eat until satisfied.

The third type is in a place full of delicacies, like a luxurious buffet, where they can serve themselves.

The fourth type is in that same luxurious buffet, but with divine assistance feeding them—all they need to do is open their mouths.

Talents in the world could roughly be divided into these four types, and Xu Fan didn’t fit into any of them.

In Xu Fan’s eyes, Guangxu’s artifact crafting talent was the top-tier fourth type. With proper guidance, becoming an artifact great master within a thousand years would be no problem.

As Xu Fan admired the Spiritual Sword in his hand, his outer disciple Zhang Daqi came to visit.

“Master, I’ve completed the task you gave me. Please assign me the next stage,” Zhang Daqi said confidently. After years of training, he was at the peak of master craftsman level, just a final push away from becoming an artifact great master.

Zhang Daqi’s aura was exceptionally strong. Though he was a master craftsman, the energy he exuded hinted at the level of an artifact great master.

"Impressive, your energy is robust. Your next challenge is to craft a Quasi-Immortal artifact. Grape will supply you with all the necessary materials," Xu Fan said with a cheerful smile.

Such a potent aura needed refinement; without it, even if he managed to become a grandmaster, further advancement would be impossible.

"Understood, Master!" Zhang Daqi responded with a respectful bow, his heart filled with joy. Crafting a Quasi-Immortal artifact would secure his place as Xu Fan’s direct disciple.

"By the way, this Spiritual Sword was crafted by my new disciple, your junior brother. It’s his second attempt at creating a magical item."

"Take this sword back to evaluate it, and then return it to me," Xu Fan instructed.

"Master, does my junior brother specialize in artifact crafting?" Zhang Daqi inquired cautiously.

"Yes, he focuses on artifact crafting. His exceptional talent and pure character earned him a spot as my direct disciple."

"So, you better step up your game!" Xu Fan remarked lightly.

"Understood, Master." A slight pang of jealousy stirred in Zhang Daqi, but it was fleeting.

He then took the Spiritual Sword and retreated to his cave dwelling.

"I didn’t become the first direct disciple specializing in artifact crafting; what a shame," Zhang Daqi muttered, though he remained undeterred.

Meanwhile, in Guangxu’s cave dwelling, he was attempting to reach his parents.

Guangxu tried using his communication artifact several times, but to no avail.

"Are my parents not in the Giant City?"

"What should I do?" Guangxu fretted anxiously.

"The communication artifact you’re using is of the lowest grade and can only connect within the Giant City," Grape explained.

"Do you need my help to reach your parents? But I’ll need you to authorize all the spiritual energy wave channels in your communication artifact," Grape’s voice chimed in.

"Will this help me contact my parents?!" Guangxu exclaimed, his excitement palpable.

"Yes."

"Then I authorize it."

Guangxu only vaguely grasped the concept of authorization.

Suddenly, a spiritual thread appeared in the void, slowly connecting to his communication artifact.

Soon after, a light curtain materialized before Guangxu.

His parents’ faces appeared within it.

At that moment, outside a giant city, a couple at the Core Formation stage gazed curiously at the light curtain.

Upon seeing their son, their expressions turned anxious.

Only major forces could create such a light curtain through communication artifacts.

"Mom, Dad, I’ve been accepted as a disciple by the Grand Elder of the Hidden Spirit Sect!"

"Tomorrow is the disciple ceremony; can you come?" Guangxu’s voice brimmed with joy.

Hearing their son’s words, the couple exchanged glances.

They were familiar with the Hidden Spirit Sect, the largest sect in the Golden City. Though not yet a celestial sect, the tales from its millions of new disciples suggested it was on the brink of achieving that status.

Moreover, the Hidden Spirit Sect’s strength rivaled that of a typical celestial sect.

However, when they heard Guangxu’s request to attend the ceremony, their faces clouded with concern.

Currently, they were two giant cities away from the Golden City, and their spirit stones barely covered the return trip for one person.

"Son, I have a task here; let your mother go," the man said, glancing at his wife’s hopeful eyes, his own showing little surprise.

"Dad, why can’t you come?" Guangxu asked, his disappointment evident.

"I have a contract with the merchant guild; someone needs to fulfill it," the man replied casually, unwilling to admit to his son that he couldn’t afford the trip back.

"Fine then…"

At that moment, a burst of spiritual light appeared in the void, revealing a teleportation formation before them.