Chapter 18
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Chapter 18: News
Sha Yan sighed. Wasn’t alchemy appealing enough? Why did one have to become an artifact master?
In the cultivation world, alchemists and artifact masters often looked down on each other.
After finishing his tea, Xu Fan waved goodbye to his beautiful senior sister.
"Freedom is priceless," he remarked.
Xu Fan watched as his stunning senior sister skillfully maneuvered her artifact in the air. "150 years of Qi Training Stage; no one can endure that," he muttered.
Back in his room, Xu Fan took out the artifact crafting materials he had purchased, which included over one hundred jade slips containing the light shadow technique.
He picked up the jade slip marked as Number One, pressed it to his forehead, and used his mental strength to penetrate it.
In an instant, Xu Fan found himself in a vast artifact crafting arena, next to a volcanic crater.
"Artifact crafting involves extracting the essence of all things to shape magical treasures of the world," said a middle-aged man standing beside the volcanic crater.
"A qualified artifact requires three things: the materials, the runes, and the formation," he explained.
As the middle-aged man spoke, he produced a large block of black iron ore, controlling it to float in midair.
"The spirit fire condensed at the Qi Training Stage is currently insufficient to refine the materials, so we need to refine the spirit ore in a place with abundant fire spiritual power, taking advantage of the terrain," he continued.
A burst of spirit fire was directly drawn from the volcanic lava by the middle-aged man, surrounding the block of black iron ore.
As the spirit fire burned, the black iron ore began to soften, and at that moment, a giant hammer made of spiritual energy began to strike the black iron ore, just like forging iron.
"This is the basic process of refining materials in artifact crafting. Even raw spirit ores require re-forging in our hands after initial processing," the man explained.
As the black iron ore was hammered, impurities slowly filtered out, and in just a short while, the black iron ore transformed into a pool of pitch-black iron liquid, hovering in midair.
"Forging complete, what’s left is shaping. The techniques for artifact shaping can be found at the end of the jade slip," he said.
As he spoke, the iron liquid in midair gradually molded into a simple longsword under the middle-aged man’s control.
"The next step is to infuse runes into the artifact before it completely solidifies," he instructed.
"This is also the most critical step," he added.
The middle-aged man then used his finger like a brush, drawing three runes that merged into the longsword.
"A basic artifact should incorporate at least three runes. The three runes I just infused are: toughness, armor-breaking, and spirit control; as for formations, that’s something you’ll learn later," he explained.
"The basics of rune teaching are in the jade slip number 11," he noted.
After the longsword absorbed the three runes, its surface began to shimmer with spiritual light, and the blade and tip exuded a sharp golden aura.
"Finally, we add decorations," the man said.
He sprinkled silver powder over the entire longsword, and after a moment, a very elegant artifact longsword appeared.
"This is the process of crafting artifacts during the Qi Training Stage," he concluded.
After speaking, the scene where Xu Fan was standing transformed again, and he found himself in a classroom.
It was the same middle-aged man, holding a piece of black iron ore, beginning to speak, "Next is an introduction to over 1000 types of spirit ores commonly found in the cultivation world."
"And the characteristics of each type of spirit ore," he added.
Xu Fan felt as if he had returned to his school days.
"Damn, life is just getting more complicated," Xu Fan muttered.
As he delved deeper into his studies, his interest only grew stronger.
He made up his mind to master artifact crafting quickly; there were so many plans waiting to be executed.
Three months later, Xu Fan set down the last jade slip and let out a long sigh of relief.
"Interesting, this is way more fun than alchemy," he remarked.
Over the past three months, Xu Fan had devoured all the artifact crafting materials like a man obsessed, pushing himself to the brink.
He stood up and stretched, feeling the toll of three months of intense study. Even at the fourth level of the Qi Training Stage, he was starting to feel the strain.
Stepping outside, he was greeted by the blazing midday sun.
"Time for a good rest, then I’ll head over to the Artifact Crafting Peak," he thought.
Just then, his round communication artifact buzzed. He opened it to find the latest updates from Que Tian Gate.
"1. Que Tian Gate will soon open a batch of secret realms for the Qi Training Stage. Brothers in the alliance, don’t miss this chance (these realms usually open once every 50 years)."
"2. The Outer Sect’s top beauty, Murong Qianer, has recently become the cultivation partner of a disciple from Jia Hall."
"3. An Integration Elder from the Illusion Spirit Sect has arrived with disciples to pay their respects. Our alliance suspects they might be here to rent our Floating Sky Ship’s affiliated battleship."
"4. This year, the Spirit Pill Hall has taken in far more new disciples than usual. Meanwhile, the Artifact Crafting Peak has barely any new recruits. Expect prices for basic Qi Training Stage artifacts to rise, so brothers, prepare accordingly."
"5. In three days, Yun Shang Peak’s strongest combatant will face a challenge from the Illusion Spirit Sect. It’s going to be a spectacle, so don’t miss it."
"6. Insider sources report that our Floating Sky Ship returned earlier than expected, likely with significant gains."
"Trading Zone: WTB 1 bottle of medium-grade speed spirit pills for 1500 spirit stones. Brothers, please consider parting with it."
"Offering 200 spirit stones for advanced-level instruction in the Spirit Rain Technique."
"Seeking Yuan Snake Grass for 1000 spirit stones."
"WTB unused Foundation Establishment Pills. Let’s discuss in person."
"Personal Messages: Zhao Shiyuan: Fellow alchemists, I have 20 sets of speed spirit pills and spirit herbs. Looking to trade for one bottle of medium-grade speed spirit pills or one high-grade speed spirit pill."
"Li Shihu: Seeking high-grade Body-Refining Pills."
Xu Fan couldn’t help but smile as he scrolled through the messages. This was one of the perks of joining Pang Fu’s alliance—it felt like catching up on daily news, just like in his past life.
"Interesting. I wonder if Murong Qianer’s cultivation partner is that guy Yulun," Xu Fan mused.
As if on cue, the protective barrier’s chime rang out.
The barrier opened, and in walked Wang Yulun, accompanied by a strikingly beautiful young woman.
She wore a light blue dress, her long hair cascading down to her waist, exuding youthful charm. She clung to Wang Yulun’s arm, her face glowing with happiness.
"Yulun, is Senior Brother Xu really as amazing as you say?" she asked, her curiosity piqued. She couldn’t imagine anyone in the Outer Sect surpassing her beloved.
"Absolutely! Everything I’ve achieved is thanks to Big Brother Xu," Wang Yulun replied with genuine admiration. Even now, he knew he wouldn’t last more than a few moments in a fight against Xu Fan.
"Qianer, when you meet Big Brother Xu later, make sure to say some nice things. Your issue will probably be a breeze for him," Wang Yulun added seriously.
"Okay," Murong Qianer replied obediently.
"I still think Senior Sister Sha is prettier. The Outer Sect disciples are too young to appreciate mature beauty," Xu Fan thought, tearing his gaze from the window and heading outside to greet his guests.
"Big Brother Xu, how’s your progress with artifact crafting?" Wang Yulun asked with a grin.
"Hello, Senior Brother Xu," Murong Qianer greeted politely, her demeanor refined.
"Hello. If I’m not mistaken, you must be the Outer Sect’s top beauty, Murong Qianer," Xu Fan said warmly.
"Big Brother Xu, you already know?" Wang Yulun exclaimed, looking at Xu Fan in surprise.
