Chapter 690: Go All Out!
The item Yang Haoran wanted Ye Zhiqiu to refine was precisely the `Skin` unique to the Underworld.
And the information he was showing Ye Zhiqiu at this moment, via the `Underworld Iron Tome`, was the recipe for refining `Skins` as well as some important considerations.
After Yang Haoran had left Ye Zhiqiu’s room earlier, a bold idea had spontaneously emerged in his mind: could he get Ye Zhiqiu to refine `Skins` for him?
After all, he didn't just need `Skins` now; he would certainly need more in the future. If he had to constantly run to the Underworld, it wouldn't just waste his time, but also draw attention. No `Underworld Official` came to the Underworld to order `Skins` every now and then—wouldn't that be openly declaring that he was raising `ghosts`?
Therefore, in Yang Haoran's view, this approach was not a long-term solution. Given his cautious nature, he didn't want to do it this way. He had to find a way to resolve the `Skin` issue, and that's when he thought of Ye Zhiqiu.
However, he had only just conceived of this idea, and in his opinion, it was far from mature because he had no idea how to refine `Skins`, and that was the most crucial point.
After leaving Ye Zhiqiu’s room, he returned to his study. While waiting for Ye Zhiqiu’s response, he adopted a "let's try it" attitude and searched the `Underworld Iron Tome` for methods to refine `Skins`.
Originally, he hadn't held much hope for this, but to his surprise, he actually found some information on how to refine `Skins` within the `Underworld Iron Tome`.
Before this, Yang Haoran hadn't known that the method for refining `Skins` wasn't much of a secret in the Underworld. If it truly were a secret, there wouldn't be so many shops selling `Skins` there.
The method for refining `Skins` and some accompanying instructions were not secrets in the Underworld, but the way refining masters handled certain details *was* a secret. The quality of a `Skin` was directly related to how well those details were handled.
This was similar to a chef stir-frying a dish: for the same dish, even if one knew the ingredients and the precise steps, the taste of the final product would differ, with some disparities being quite significant.
By the same logic, even if one knew the materials and steps required to refine `Skins`, the resulting `Skins` would vary in quality, depending on the refining master's handling of the details.
The difficulty in refining `Skins` lay with the refining masters themselves. Thus, in the Underworld, what was in high demand were the refining masters, not the conventional recipes and steps. It was precisely for this reason that the standard methods and steps for refining `Skins` were not secrets in the Underworld.
Of course, this only applied to the conventional refining methods and steps. Unique handling methods and steps were still secrets—secrets that `Skin` masters would never reveal, even unto death.
Initially, Yang Haoran hadn't known any of this, but after he used the `Underworld Iron Tome` to consult some related information on `Skin` refining, he gained a deeper understanding.
`Skin` masters in the Underworld could almost all make a living, and highly skilled `Skin` masters were even more sought after. This was because `Ghost Officials` of the Underworld, as well as the active `ghosts` dwelling there, all needed `Skins`. The more exquisite the `Skin`, the higher its selling price. Furthermore, `Skins` had a certain lifespan, just like clothes: when damaged, they needed to be replaced. Thus, the market for `Skins` was quite good, and `Skin` masters could bring immense value to shop owners, making them highly desirable.
Some of these `Skin` masters had been artisans in the mortal realm in their previous lives. After arriving in the Underworld, and for various reasons not undergoing reincarnation, they relied on their craftsmanship to make a living there.
However, some `Skin` masters were not ordinary people in their previous lives. They had already known how to use special methods to refine various artifacts. This type of `Skin` master was usually more capable than the former.
For example, `Demon Hunters`: many `Demon Hunters` knew how to refine `Demon Weapons`. If they died and came to the Underworld, it would be one thing if they reincarnated. But if they didn't reincarnate and instead remained in the Underworld for some reason, then they were highly likely to rely on their artifact-refining skills to make a living.
Of course, it wasn't just `Demon Hunters` who knew how to refine artifacts in this world. Other groups also had individuals who could refine artifacts, and some groups were even more professional in refining than `Demon Hunters`.
After Yang Haoran found the `Skin` refining information in the `Underworld Iron Tome`, he was pleasantly surprised. The idea that had seemed immature to him suddenly became much more viable.
Ye Zhiqiu was a `Demon Hunter` and knew how to refine `Demon Weapons`. Furthermore, with the ready-made `Skin` refining information available in the `Underworld Iron Tome`, it was absolutely worth a try.
It was precisely this consideration that led Yang Haoran to give the information he had found to Ye Zhiqiu for his perusal.
However, judging by Ye Zhiqiu's current reaction, Ye Zhiqiu didn't seem to approve of this approach. As for the reason, Ye Zhiqiu had just made it very clear.
"You don't need to be so surprised," Yang Haoran said with a chuckle. "You weren't afraid to help me kill people; are you truly afraid to refine `Skins` for me?"
"It's not a matter of fear," Ye Zhiqiu said with a shake of his head, his voice deep. "I've already made it clear to you: I've never refined `Skins` for `ghosts` to wear before. I have no experience in this area whatsoever."
"No one has experience in a certain field right from the start. The more you do something, the longer you do it, the more experience you naturally gain. Isn't that right? " Yang Haoran asked with a smile.
Ye Zhiqiu frowned, not responding immediately, while Yang Haoran continued to speak with a smile.
"Although you haven't refined `Skins` before, you do know how to refine `Demon Weapons`. When one method is understood, all methods are understood. With detailed information and refining steps, it's not impossible to successfully refine `Skins`. I have great confidence in you, so you should have confidence in yourself too."
Ye Zhiqiu thought for a moment, then responded with a frown.
"Alright, let's set aside the success rate for now. What about the materials? Do you have enough materials on hand?"
Ye Zhiqiu had no experience in refining `Skins`. If he attempted it, he would inevitably experience failure after failure, and each failure meant a batch of wasted materials. Therefore, without preparing enough materials, it simply wouldn't work.
Yang Haoran understood what Ye Zhiqiu meant. He seemed to have been prepared for this, so he didn't show the slightest surprise at Ye Zhiqiu's words.
"I'll figure out a way to get the materials," Yang Haoran said. "You just need to do your best to help me refine `Skins`."
Ye Zhiqiu remained silent for a moment, then finally nodded at Yang Haoran.
"While I don't really approve of your approach in my heart, I don't have the bargaining chips to negotiate with you. If you can truly find enough materials, I have no problem refining them for you. But there's one thing I must state upfront: I'm only responsible for the refining, not the success rate. If the success rate is too low and causes you more trouble than it's worth, don't blame me."
In truth, Ye Zhiqiu was quite puzzled at this moment. As an `Underworld Official`, Yang Haoran could clearly go to the Underworld and purchase `Skins`. Why would he go to the trouble of refining them himself?
And those twenty masks—he also couldn't understand why Yang Haoran had prepared so many, especially since they looked so eerie.
Although he had doubts, Yang Haoran hadn't offered any explanations, so Ye Zhiqiu didn't press for details. Given his personality, as long as Yang Haoran didn't bring it up himself, he was too lazy to ask further.
With Ye Zhiqiu's concession, Yang Haoran was delighted.
"Heh heh, don't worry," Yang Haoran said. "Even if the success rate is incredibly low, I won't blame you. So just go all out and do it, don't have any psychological burden."
After receiving Yang Haoran's assurance, Ye Zhiqiu said nothing more. He retrieved paper and a pen from his independent space and meticulously recorded the detailed steps for refining `Skins`.
Refining `Skins` was not a simple task, and the steps were quite intricate. Therefore, to be safe, Ye Zhiqiu recorded all the steps and every single precaution.
Although Yang Haoran had already promised him that he wouldn't be blamed even if the success rate was low, Ye Zhiqiu still had his own pride. If he failed too many times, he wouldn't be able to lose face. That's why he took out the paper and pen at this moment to note down the key points, intending to return to his bedroom shortly and study them thoroughly.
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