Chapter 3: It Seems You're Set for Life |
"Indeed, they do need some thorough polishing." Householder Redbrow nodded in deep agreement.
For some reason, Yu'an couldn't shake the feeling that the eyes beneath Householder Redbrow's crimson eyebrows were staring directly at him, causing him to instinctively duck his head.
At the end of the day, he was still an immortal cultivator at the Qi Induction realm. Thanks to his cultivation base, the swelling on his head—beaten into a pig's by his uncle's ten consecutive slaps yesterday—had already subsided significantly.
However, when he hunched his shoulders, coupled with his short stature as a youth, he appeared somewhat shifty in Householder Redbrow's eyes.
Looking at Yulou, then at Yu'an, Householder Redbrow sighed inwardly.
They were brothers of the same clan, both possessing dual spirit roots—how could the gap between two people be so massive?
'Forget it, I'll just treat him as an extra thrown into the deal.'
"I've drunk your tea and accepted your tuition gifts. As your master, it is only fitting that I give you an apprenticeship gift in return."
As he spoke, Householder Redbrow reached into his storage bag.
Sincerely acknowledging you as their master.
The tuition gifts are just what is owed.
Seeing that Householder Redbrow was about to fork over some treasure, Wang Rongyuan hurriedly chimed in.
He was thoroughly backing him into a corner with courtesy.
'Old Zhong, we've paid the tuition in full and with utmost respect. You can't be too stingy now!'
'We are all respectable people, aren't we?'
Zhong Tianshuo's expression stiffened slightly. His hand inside the storage bag paused its trajectory toward the low-grade magical artifacts and veered toward the section holding mid-grade magical artifacts.
'Old Wang, you really are a dog!'
'Whatever, I'll just consider it throwing a bone to a dog!'
The Wang family was powerful, and he had accepted a large sum of spirit stones from them. The tuition gift was indeed generous. Giving away a mid-grade magical artifact... he could just consider it a fair trade.
After all, these two youngsters were now his disciples.
Thus, a rare scene unfolded in the main hall of Forge Peak Residence.
All the cultivators cast subtle glances at Redbrow, curious about what kind of apprenticeship gift this ultimate budget-version Treasure Daoist would bestow upon his disciples.
Meanwhile, Redbrow's large hand fumbled around inside his storage bag.
As he searched, Redbrow calculated in his heart.
'Hmm, this flying sword is too expensive. Giving it to these two, no matter which one, would be a complete waste.'
'This Mountain Suppressing Stone still has the potential for further refinement of its restrictions... I really can't bear to part with it.'
After a long while, Householder Redbrow finally smiled and pulled a pitch-black bead out of his storage bag.
The bead was about the size of a chicken egg and completely black. It looked entirely unremarkable, not resembling any sort of powerful magical artifact.
Holding up the pitch-black bead, Zhong Tianshuo's fleshy cheeks jiggled as he explained with a beaming smile.
"Yulou, my child, you possess water and fire spirit roots. Hmm..."
"This mid-grade Black Jade Oil Bead is perfectly suited for your use. Although it isn't an item that will dominate in magical combat, it can accompany you all the way to late Qi Condensation.
"It was crafted using a complete piece of ninth-grade ink jade as its core. It can accommodate a maximum of thirteen layers of restrictions. In the future, if you achieve success on the artificing path, you can refine it into a premium piece among mid-grade magical artifacts.
"I have already refined nine layers of restrictions into it. It can hold nine hundred catties of fire oil, perfectly aligning with your water and fire nature. When activated in tandem with your spells, its power will multiply.
"However, you absolutely must not use it to clash with sharp or sturdy magical artifacts in magical combat. Even an ordinary low-grade magical sword with five or six layers of restrictions could damage it."
A mid-grade magical artifact with nine layers of restrictions!
Even if it was only an entry-level mid-grade item and lacked pure combat prowess, it was still a mid-grade artifact!
Wang Rongyuan, a high-tier Qi Refining cultivator from the Foundation Establishment Immortal Clan Wang family, was currently using a magical artifact with at most twenty-one layers of restrictions—and he was the Elder of the Law Transmission Hall of the Wang clan, a high-tier Qi Refining expert with top-tier combat skills!
Magical artifacts were scarce for two main reasons: damage during magical combat and the immense difficulty of manufacturing them.
Setting aside the wear and tear from magical combat, the sheer difficulty of crafting alone caused countless rogue cultivators to strive tirelessly for a single mid-grade magical artifact!
Refining spiritual materials carried a chance of failure, and the restrictions placed on magical artifacts were closely guarded secrets of every artificer and sect.
The Wang family had spent a massive fortune to send their two most talented direct-lineage sons under the tutelage of Householder Redbrow precisely because they coveted the Fire Method Metal-Stone Artificing Way restrictions he had mastered.
Off to the side, Wu Jinyan and Tang Nianqiu were practically drooling as they watched.
Was this the wealth of a top-tier Qi Refining stage artificer?
'Master Zhong, if we wanted to be reborn and enter your tutelage right now, would it be too late?'
Giving away a mid-grade magical artifact as an apprenticeship gift—Zhong Tianshuo's sheer generosity directly stunned even the head of the Wu Clan, who was also at the Qi Refining stage.
A mid-grade magical artifact with nine layers of restrictions would cost at least two hundred spirit stones.
It was just that expensive!
'No, from now on, we must renegotiate the prices for the metal and stone spiritual materials we supply to Forge Peak Residence!'
"Thank you for bestowing this treasure, Master. Yulou will never forget his esteemed master's teachings!"
Yulou raised both hands high, somewhat excitedly accepting the Black Jade Oil Bead bestowed upon him by Householder Redbrow.
Aside from the number of restrictions, the grade, and the material differences, there was another crucial factor that determined the quality of a magical artifact: compatibility.
Possessing dual water and fire spirit roots, when Wang Yulou progressed further in Qi Refining in the future, the spiritual energy he refined would definitely be of the water and fire attributes.
This Black Jade Oil Bead made from ink jade could hold fire oil to aid in magical combat. Fire oil was inherently water-natured, but once ignited, it became fire-natured.
In two words—absolutely perfect!
Moreover, the maximum limit of thirteen layers of restrictions meant there were still four layers left unrefined. If another four layers were added, the Black Jade Oil Bead's effects could become even stronger!
Yulou had received his treasure. Now it was Yu'an's turn. The boy looked at his newly acquired master with a face full of anticipation.
But... Householder Redbrow's gaze toward him was a bit complicated.
There was a reason your face was slapped into a swollen mess yesterday, kid.
'From the moment you entered Forge Peak Residence until now, just how many times have you peeked at my daughter?'
'Do you have any manners?'
He felt a bit stifled with anger, but with many Fellow Daoists, relatives, and friends present, and since today's apprenticeship ceremony was being held with due properness, Householder Redbrow couldn't well lose his temper.
So, he sifted through his storage bag and finally pulled out a special defensive treasure.
Amidst everyone's puzzled gazes, Householder Redbrow held up the special defensive treasure in his hand and explained.
"Yu'an, my child, you possess metal and earth spirit roots. I don't have many mid-grade magical artifacts suited for metal and earth spirit roots here.
"This Golden Horn Mud Turtle shell is a special spiritual material possessing both metal and bone properties. It inherently boasts very good hardness; ordinary low-grade magical artifacts cannot break it.
"I refined it simply. It currently has three layers of restrictions. Although it is a low-grade magical artifact, its maximum limit can accommodate up to fifteen layers of restrictions. Once refined to its peak, it will be even more powerful than Yulou's Black Jade Oil Bead.
"Come, hold onto it well. In the future, with this in hand, even if you encounter enemies, you'll be able to emerge safe and sound."
Householder Redbrow thought, 'You brat, sooner or later you're going to crash and burn over women. Your master is doing this for your own good!'
'When the time comes and someone is beating you up, you can summon this turtle shell and hide inside to defend yourself. Wouldn't that be beautiful?'
Taking the turtle shell handed to him by Householder Redbrow, Yu'an was a bit bewildered.
"Thank you, Master! Thank you, Master!"
'Why did Yulou get a mid-grade magical artifact while I only got a low-grade magical artifact...'
Yu'an felt wronged, but he had no idea why.
Standing to the side, Yulou felt the urge to laugh.
Although this defensive magical artifact was indeed rare, and Householder Redbrow was being exceptionally generous, still...
Golden Horn Mud Turtle—a Squirtle.
It was hard to hold it in.
'Yu'an, it seems you're set for life.'
"Good! Fellow Daoist Redbrow has gained excellent disciples, and Yulou and Yu'an have found a fine master. Now for the third bow, the apprenticeship ceremony..."
Tang Nianqiu was just about to shout 'Apprenticeship ceremony concluded,' when he was interrupted by an uninvited guest barging into Forge Peak Residence.
"Bang!"
The formation array outside Forge Peak Residence only served as an alert; it did not block people.
The visitor didn't knock, but directly kicked the door in!
The man was wearing the robe of an Outer Gate Disciple from the Red Lantern Illumination Sect. He wore a magical artifact on his head instead of a crown, and tied around his waist was a mid-grade magical artifact-level Spirit-Binding Rope. He looked incredibly imposing.
He swept his triangular eyes across everyone in the hall, pausing for a moment on Wang Rongyuan. He seemed a bit surprised, but he still spoke in an overbearing tone.
"Oh? Old Tang is here too. Perfect, that saves me a trip to the Taste-Knowing Bistro!"
The reason the Wang family had spent a fortune to place their two most talented direct descendants under Householder Redbrow's tutelage was precisely because they valued his mastery of the Fire Method Metal-Stone Artificing Way.
Off to the side, Wu Jinyan and Tang Nianqiu were practically drooling.
'Is this the immense wealth of a top-tier Qi Refining artificer?'
'Master Zhong, if we want to start over and become your disciples right now, is it too late?'
Giving away a mid-grade magical artifact as an apprenticeship gift—Zhong Tianshuo's sheer extravagance was enough to completely stun the head of the Wu Clan, who was also at the Qi Refining realm.
A mid-grade magical artifact with nine layers of restrictions would cost two hundred spirit stones at the very minimum.
It was simply that expensive!
'No, we need to renegotiate the prices of the gold and stone spiritual items we supply to Forge Peak Residence in the future!'
"Thank you for bestowing this treasure, Master. Yulou will never forget your teachings!"
Holding his hands high, Yulou excitedly accepted the Black Jade Oil Bead from Householder Redbrow.
The quality of a magical artifact was determined not only by its grade, materials, and the number of restrictions, but also by one crucial factor: compatibility.
As someone with dual water and fire spirit roots, Wang Yulou's future spiritual energy refinement during the Qi Refining stage would undoubtedly involve water and fire attributes.
This Black Jade Oil Bead, crafted from ink jade, could hold fire oil to assist in magical combat. Fire oil was inherently water-natured, but once ignited, it became fire-natured.
In a word—perfection!
Furthermore, it still had four unrefined layers remaining before reaching its thirteen-layer limit. If those four layers were added, the Black Jade Oil Bead's effects would become even more formidable!
Yulou had received his treasure, and now it was Yu'an's turn. The boy stared at his newly acknowledged master with a face full of anticipation.
But... the look Householder Redbrow gave him was rather complex.
'There's a reason your face was slapped swollen yesterday, you little brat.'
'From the moment you entered Forge Peak Residence until now, how many times have you peeked at my daughter?'
'Do you have any manners?'
He felt a bit frustrated inwardly, but with so many Fellow Daoists, friends, and relatives present, and the apprenticeship ceremony proceeding so respectfully, Householder Redbrow couldn't easily lose his temper.
Thus, he rummaged through his storage bag and finally brought out a unique defensive treasure.
Under the confused gazes of the crowd, Householder Redbrow held up the peculiar item and explained.
"Yu'an, my child, you possess metal and earth spirit roots. I don't have many mid-grade magical artifacts suitable for those elements on hand."
"This Golden Horn Mud Turtle shell is a special spiritual material that possesses both metal and bone properties. It is naturally incredibly hard; ordinary low-grade magical artifacts cannot break it."
"I've simply refined it a bit. It currently has three layers of restrictions. Although it is a low-grade magical artifact, its upper limit allows for fifteen layers. By then, it will be even more powerful than Yulou's Black Jade Oil Bead."
"Here, hold onto it. With this, even if you run into enemies in the future, you will remain safe and sound."
Householder Redbrow scoffed to himself, 'You little rascal, you'll definitely end up in trouble over women sooner or later. As your master, I'm doing this for your own good!'
'When someone beats you up later, you can summon this turtle shell and hide inside to defend yourself. Wouldn't that be wonderful?'
Taking the turtle shell Householder Redbrow handed to him, Yu'an looked a bit bewildered.
"Thank you, Master! Thank you, Master!"
'How come Yulou gets a mid-grade magical artifact, and I get a low-grade magical artifact...'
Yu'an felt wronged, but he couldn't pinpoint why.
Standing off to the side, Yulou fought the urge to laugh.
Although this defensive magical artifact was indeed rare, and Householder Redbrow was being remarkably generous, still...
A Golden Horn Mud Turtle—a squirtle.
It was hard to keep a straight face.
'Yu'an, it seems you're set for life.'
"Excellent. Fellow Daoist Redbrow has gained fine disciples, and Yulou and Yu'an have found a worthy master. Now for the third bow, the apprenticeship ceremony is..."
Tang Nianqiu was just about to announce the conclusion of the apprenticeship ceremony when he was interrupted by an uninvited guest bursting into Forge Peak Residence.
"Bang!"
The formation array outside Forge Peak Residence only served as a warning system; it didn't block people.
The visitor hadn't knocked; he simply kicked the door open and barged right in!
The man wore the robes of an Outer Gate Disciple of the Red Lantern Illumination Sect. A crown-like magical artifact rested on his head, and a mid-grade magical artifact—a Spirit-Binding Rope—was tied around his waist. He looked incredibly imposing.
He swept his sharp, triangular eyes across everyone in the hall, pausing for a moment on Wang Rongyuan. He seemed slightly surprised, but he still spoke in an overbearing tone.
"Oh? Old Tang is here too. Perfect, that saves me a trip to the Flavorful Bistro!"
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