Chapter 30: Let's go check out Hundred Splendor Pavilion

Is the Wood Generation Technique best for refinement?

Yulou watched the clan head carefully as he manipulated spiritual fire, and soon used the spiritual fire to awaken the inherent spirituality of the ink jade that was the base material of the Ink Jade Oil Bead.

He didn't know whether it was because Foundation Establishment cultivators weren't afraid of heat, or because the clan head wasn't afraid of heat, but the clan head simply took the Ink Jade Oil Bead, pulled out a spiritual seed from his storage bag, and began to catalyze it.

"Look, this is the most special step in refinement with the Wood Generation Technique. After awakening the artifact's original spirituality, you use the spiritual seed as a guide to connect it.

If you want a better refinement, you also have to consider the type of spiritual seed — whether it matches the artifact's own traits and the traits of the base material.

But your Ink Jade Oil Bead is relatively simple. Refining a mid-quality artifact doesn't require much fussing over; after all, it can't possibly be refined into a high-quality one. This white elm spiritual seed is more than enough."

The clan head truly taught everything, unlike Master Master Hongmei, who only told Yulou what to do without ever explaining why.

When asked, he answered, but it wasn't like he was teaching — there was no attitude of giving everything one had to offer.

"Ink Jade Oil Bead and white elm? Why does that sound so mismatched?"

Wang Yuan's mouth was a bit too chatty. The clan head glared at him and said,

"What do you know? The Wood Generation Technique is simple and quick for refinement, but it has a special feature — the spiritual wood portion attached to it is very hard to bring to a high level of compatibility with the original base material.

It can only enhance functionality; in terms of combat power, the gains are very small.

So, even though it looks like a rough fit, no matter how much care you put in, the result is only a tiny bit of difference."

As the Wang Shi ancestor, the clan head's attainments in artifact crafting were truly extraordinary.

While lecturing Wang Yuan, he continued catalyzing the spiritual seed, and soon refined the new prohibitions into the white elm spiritual wood portion, completing the refinement.

Taking the refined artifact from the clan head, Yulou realized it could no longer be called an Ink Jade Oil Bead.

Should it be called an Ink Jade Bead Walking Stick?

The short wooden handle made of white elm spiritual wood was only five or six inches long, and at one end of the handle was the original Ink Jade Oil Bead.

"The six layers of prohibitions I just added for you — two are for control. By activating these two layers, you only need a tiny bit of magic power and spiritual sense to manipulate it.

Two layers are responsible for controlling the Ink Jade Oil Bead itself. In other words, if you want to use the original Ink Jade Oil Bead, you just need to activate four more layers of prohibitions.

The last two layers are the activation prohibitions — this is the biggest change after my refinement.

Once these two layers are activated, the Ink Jade Oil Bead can explode directly. In combat, if the enemy is too strong, you can use it as a one-time artifact.

After the explosion, immediately switch to another artifact to follow up with a strike. Any ordinary Qi-Drawing cultivator would die without question!"

Looking at the Ink Jade Walking Stick in Yulou's hands, Wang Xianmao was extremely satisfied.

"Huh? One-time? This is a mid-quality artifact!"

Both Yulou and Wang Yuan were a bit dumbfounded. Is our Wang Shi really this wealthy?

"So what if it's a mid-quality artifact? A person's life is what matters most. I've seen too many unlucky cultivators die because they hesitated during a fight.

You need to understand that although this world is controlled by the Xian Alliance, it's perfectly normal for cultivators from different sects and factions under the Xian Alliance to fight each other.

Run when you should, don't strike when you don't have to, but when you do strike, you must use overwhelming force without any hesitation!

Our Wang Shi family rules teach you how to endure for a moment to plan for eternity, but once you've reached the Qi Refining stage and learned the combat secrets, you'll know we are not lacking in overwhelming force!" the clan head instructed.

Of course they're not lacking — when Wang Rongyuan fought one against three, taking down three same-rank high-level Qi Refining cultivators in half a cup of tea's time, what did he rely on?

Was it his cultivation?

Was it his artifacts?

Was it his secret techniques?

No, it was the Wang Shi's combat inheritance!

On this unlucky stretch of land called Wunan, the fact that the Wang Shi has lasted a thousand years means they really do have some real skills!

Otherwise, Wang Xianmao wouldn't have been able to become the person in charge of the Ghost Market auction.

The status and prestige of the Wang Shi in Anbei Kingdom isn't because of Anbei Kingdom — it's because of the Wang Shi that Anbei Kingdom exists, along with its prestige and status!

"Wang Yuan, take a look at this tortoise shell."

The clan head, looking somewhat weary, handed the refined Golden-Horn Mud Turtle Shell to Wang Yuan.

Yulou's Ink Jade Oil Bead was easy to refine with the Wood Generation Technique, but Wang Yuan's tortoise shell was dual-natured in metal and bone, and Master Master Hongmei had only refined three layers of prohibitions into it.

The clan head sat in the refining room and worked with spiritual fire for two full hours before finishing it.

Fortunately it was only a mid-quality artifact — if it had been a high-quality one, the chances of Wang Xianmao causing an explosion during refinement would have risen sharply.

After all, the Wang Shi's fire-technique refinement inheritance was lacking, and the clan head didn't have a fire spiritual root either.

Actually, the most suitable person to refine the tortoise shell was Master Master Hongmei, but Master Master Hongmei wasn't particularly outstanding in spiritual bone materials, which was why he had never refined it.

Uncle Rongyuan's judgment wasn't wrong. Master Master Hongmei sent the tortoise shell to Wang Yuan precisely because he knew the Wang Shi was skilled in spiritual bone artifact crafting — it was a small, easy favor.

"Seventeen layers, there really are seventeen layers! Clan Head, thank you, Clan Head!"

Wang Yuan held the tortoise shell, looking it over lovingly, wishing he could activate it right now and try it out.

But he was only at the second layer of Qi-Drawing, and simply couldn't operate an artifact with a full seventeen layers of prohibitions.

"Alright, you two head back first. I still need to refine that Xian Alliance female cultivator's dharma seal."

Yulou and Wang Yuan rose and bowed, then left.

After stepping out of the refining room and looking at the flow of people on the street outside, Wang Yuan's eyes shifted, and he said to Yulou,

"Bro, how about we go check out this Huang Shi Hundred Treasures Workshop?"

Yulou thought for a moment and said,

"Sure. This is the Red Lantern Illuminator sect master's family's business, and it's located inside the magic treasure, so there shouldn't be any audacious bandit cultivators daring to cause trouble here."

Having gotten his big brother's approval, Wang Yuan walked ahead with light steps, complaining,

"You're just too cautious. We've been in Qing Xi Fang for half a month now, and there haven't been any bandit cultivators in Qing Xi Fang either, have there?"

"Just because there haven't been any recently, and not today, doesn't mean there won't be tomorrow. It's just that with the Qing Xi Grand Gathering underway, no bandit cultivator dares to poke the Red Lantern Illuminator's tiger whiskers."

Yulou took his little brother and walked into a shop selling dharma robes.

Because both of them were wearing servants' clothes from the Edge-Sharpening Residence, they looked quite shabby. The shop boy at the dharma robe store merely glanced up at them and said,

"You can look, don't touch. If you're not buying, don't ask. There's an introduction below."

This was still the first time in Wang Yuan's life he had been looked down on like this. He wanted to speak, but forced himself to hold back.

They're all family heirlooms!

What should you do when someone provokes you?

First, mark the provoker as a key target. As long as your interests aren't harmed, endure. Endure until the situation is clear, then respond.

The Wang clan absolutely will not allow its own disciples to be idiots!

"Brother, isn't this what the family taught us — what to do when we're out in the world and looked down on?" Wang Yuan asked in a low voice.

"They aren't looking down on you or me. We really can't afford it.

This robe made from silver-back spirit silkworm silk sells for two hundred and thirty spirit stones. Even if they sold you and me, we still couldn't afford it!"

Yulou looked at the robe's introduction and couldn't help clicking his tongue.

This Silver Spirit Gold-Embroidered Silkworm Silk Robe was only at the level of a low-quality technique artifact, yet its price was no lower than an ordinary mid-quality technique artifact.

Showing off — truly a common need shared by all cultivators who haven't yet ascended to immortality. Many cultivators are willing to spend a few extra spirit stones on showing off.

"Let's switch to another shop. Too expensive. No matter how much we look, we can't afford it. It doesn't feel good."

Yulou found it a little funny. Wang Yuan was still too young.

Thinking of this, he raised an eyebrow and said with a smile.

"Let's go. We'll go to Baili Xuan and broaden our horizons."

Wang Yuan was a little expectant, but still maintained respect for the clan leader's admonitions. He twisted and turned, his heart full of longing, and replied.

"Huh? Brother, the clan leader said the female cultivators there have mastered charm arts. Are you sure it's appropriate for you to take me?"

As long as Yulou said it was appropriate, he would go!

When the time came and the clan leader asked about it, Yulou would take the blame and get beaten.

Wang Yuan had calculated it all perfectly clear.

A purple copper bead with six layers of restrictions — he could just give it to big brother.

Brotherly affection is there; it's just a small matter.

But as for taking a beating, the more favored big brother ought to go first, right?

After all, I, Wang Yuan, have already been given a little ten-combo by Uncle Rongyuan.

You, Wang Yulou, haven't taken a beating yet!

"Hahahaha, alright, at least you still know what's important."

Having successfully teased the child, Yulou laughed heartily.

Wang Yuan's little face quickly fell.

You're teasing me, aren't you?

Got excited for nothing!

Brothers keep you in their hearts, and you treat your brother me as a toy!

I really thought you were actually going to take me!