Chapter 30: Come on, let

The Wood Generation Method is best for refinement?

Yulou watched intently as the clan chief manipulated spiritual fire, quickly awakening the inherent spiritual nature of the black jade base within the black jade oil bead.

Whether it was because Foundation Establishment cultivators were immune to heat, or because the clan chief himself wasn’t bothered by it, he took the black jade oil bead directly, pulled a spirit seed from his storage pouch, and began to activate it.

“Look, this is the most distinctive step in Wood Generation refinement: after awakening the original spiritual nature of the artifact, attach the spirit seed as a catalyst.”

If you want better refinement, you must also consider whether the type of spirit seed matches the artifact’s inherent qualities and the base material’s properties.

But your black jade oil bead is simple—it’s a mid-grade artifact, so no need to be too picky; you can’t turn it into a high-grade one anyway, and this white elm spirit seed is sufficient.”

The clan chief truly taught everything, unlike Hongmei, who only told Yulou how to do it without explaining why.

When asked, he’d answer only if it was time to learn—no willingness to share everything.

“Black jade oil bead and white elm? Why do they sound so mismatched?”

Yuan’s mouth was a bit too loose; the clan chief shot him a glare and said:

“What do you know? Wood Generation refinement is simple and fast, but it has a special flaw: the spiritual wood component attached rarely achieves high compatibility with the original base material.

It can only enhance functionality; combat power gains are minimal.

So it may seem makeshift, but even with the utmost care, the result is barely any difference.”

As the Wang clan’s ancestral elder, the clan chief’s artifact refinement skills were truly exceptional.

While scolding Yuan, he activated the spirit seed, swiftly weaving six new restrictions into the white elm spirit wood portion, completing the refinement.

Taking the refined artifact, Yulou realized it could no longer be called a black jade oil bead.

It should be called… Black Jade Bead Staff?

The short handle, made of white elm spirit wood, was only five or six inches long; at one end rested the original black jade oil bead.

“I’ve added six new restrictions: two for control—by activating these two, you need only a tiny amount of magic power and spiritual sense to manipulate it.

Two are for controlling the black jade oil bead itself—meaning, to use the original black jade oil bead, you simply activate four additional restrictions.

The final two are activation restrictions—this is the greatest change I’ve made through refinement.

Once activated, the black jade oil bead can explode directly. In combat, if your enemy is too strong, you can use it as a disposable artifact.

After detonating, immediately summon another artifact for a follow-up strike; ordinary Qi Refining cultivators will die without a doubt!”

Watching the black jade staff in Yulou’s hand, Wang Xianmao was thoroughly satisfied.

“Huh? Disposable? This is a mid-grade artifact?”

Both Yulou and Yuan were stunned—did the Wang clan really have this much wealth?

“So what if it’s a mid-grade artifact? Staying alive matters most. I’ve seen too many unlucky cultivators die because they hesitated in combat.

You must understand: though the Immortal Alliance controls this world, skirmishes among different sects and factions under it are perfectly normal.

When you need to run, run. When you can avoid fighting, avoid it. But when you do fight, strike with absolute, unhesitating force!

Our Wang clan’s rules teach you to endure momentarily for a thousand-year plan—but once you reach Qi Refining and learn our combat secrets, you’ll see we’re never short of thunderous tactics!” the clan chief instructed.

Of course we’re not short—Wang Rongyuan once fought three at once and shattered three high-level Qi Refining cultivators in half a teacup’s time—what did he rely on?

His cultivation base?

His artifacts?

His secret techniques?

No—he relied on the Wang clan’s combat heritage!

In this cursed land of Wunan, the Wang clan has endured for a thousand years for good reason!

Otherwise, Wang Xianmao could never have been in charge of the Ghost Market auction.

The Wang clan’s status and prestige in Anbei State didn’t exist because of Anbei State—it was because of the Wang clan that Anbei State existed, and with it, status and prestige!

“Yuan, take a look at this turtle shell.”

The clan chief, looking weary, handed the refined golden-horned mud turtle shell to Yuan.

Yulou’s black jade oil bead was simple to refine with Wood Generation, but Yuan’s turtle shell was dual-metal-bone in nature, and Hongmei had only embedded three restrictions.

The clan chief sat in the artifact chamber and spent two full hours refining it with spiritual fire alone.

Luckily it was only a mid-grade artifact—if it had been high-grade, Wang Xianmao’s chances of blowing it up would have skyrocketed.

After all, the Wang clan’s fire refinement lineage is weak, and the clan chief lacks a fire elemental root.

In truth, Hongmei was best suited to refine the turtle shell—but Hongmei isn’t particularly skilled with spirit-bone materials, which is why he never did it.

Rongyuan’s judgment was correct: Hongmei gave the turtle shell to Yuan precisely because he knew the Wang clan excelled in spirit-bone artifact refinement—it was a small, convenient favor.

“Seventeen restrictions? There are really seventeen? Thank you, Clan Chief!”

Yuan held the shell, staring at it endlessly, eager to activate it right away.

But he was only at Qi Refining Level Two—he couldn’t possibly control an artifact with seventeen restrictions.

“Alright, go back now. I still need to refine the Immortal Alliance female cultivator’s seal.”

Yulou and Yuan rose, bowed, and left.

Outside the artifact chamber, amid the bustling street crowds, Yuan’s eyes flickered and he said to Yulou:

“Brother, how about we check out the Huang family’s Hundred Treasures Emporium?”

Yulou thought for a moment and said:

“Fine. It’s owned by the Hongdengzhao Sect Master, and located inside a magic treasure—no bold bandits would dare cause trouble here.”

Having gained his brother’s approval, Yuan walked ahead with light steps, grumbling:

“You’re too cautious. We’ve been in Qingxi Alley for half a month, and there’s still no sign of bandits.”

“No bandits recently, no bandits today—doesn’t mean none tomorrow. It’s just that the Qingxi Fair is underway, so no bandits dare provoke Hongdengzhao’s wrath.”

Yulou led his younger brother into a shop selling magic robes.

Since both wore the clothes of Hua Feng Ju employees, they looked poor and shabby; the shop attendant glanced at them once and said:

“You may look, but don’t touch. If you’re not buying, don’t ask. Descriptions are below.”

This was the first time in Yuan’s life he’d been treated with such disdain. He wanted to speak but held his tongue.

It’s all family training!

What do you do when provoked?

First, mark the provocateur clearly. As long as your interests aren’t harmed, endure—wait until the situation is clear before responding.

The Wang clan does not allow its descendants to be fools!

“Brother, is this what the family taught us about being looked down upon while traveling?” Yuan whispered.

“They’re not looking down on us—we simply can’t afford it.

This silver-back spirit silkworm silk robe costs two hundred and thirty spirit stones—sell both of us and we still couldn’t buy it!”

Yulou stared at the robe’s description, slightly stunned.

This silver-gold embroidered spirit silk robe was only low-grade artifact quality, yet its price wasn’t lower than that of an ordinary mid-grade artifact.

Showing off—apparently, it’s a universal need among all cultivators who haven’t become immortals; many are willing to spend extra spirit stones on appearances.

“Let’s go somewhere else. Too expensive. Looking but never buying just hurts.”

Yulou almost laughed—Yuan was still too young.

Thinking of this, he raised an eyebrow and smiled:

“Come on, let’s go see the Baili Pavilion.”

Yuan was eager but still respected the clan chief’s warnings, replying hesitantly, clearly tempted:

“Huh? Brother, the clan chief said the female cultivators there practice seduction arts—would it be right for you to take me?”

As long as Yulou said yes, he’d go!

When the clan chief asked later, Yulou would take the blame and the beating.

Yuan had calculated it perfectly.

He could give his brother the six-restriction purple copper bead.

Brotherly affection—it’s just a small thing.

But getting beaten? The favored elder brother should bear it first, right?

After all, I, Wang Yuan, have already endured Rongyuan Uncle’s ten-hit combo.

You, Wang Yulou, haven’t even been hit yet!

“Hahaha, fine—you still know some sense of proportion.”

Yulou laughed heartily, having successfully teased the child.

Yuan’s face instantly fell.

You’re messing with me, aren’t you?

All that excitement for nothing!

I put my brotherly trust in you, and you treat me like a toy!

I thought you actually meant to take me!