Chapter 270: Four Artifacts

Inside the private room.

Xue Zhili urged again, still hoping to invite Qin Ming to join.

After all, Qin Ming's current status and position were no longer what they once were; if he attended this black market exchange, he would surely draw considerable attention.

And it would boost the reputation of his exchange society.

Qin Ming held no strong aversion toward Xue Zhili; the man was relatively upright and had broad connections within the immortal city.

Thus, he frequently invited fellow cultivators to host small-scale exchange gatherings, facilitating mutual trade; Xue Zhili not only gained benefits from these events but also earned a good reputation.

"Comrade Qin, this exchange will feature some high-grade second-rank spiritual materials. Let me tell you frankly—beyond Wei Kingdom cultivators, even cultivators from the other three kingdoms are participating, and among them are several Foundation Establishment experts at the peak. They truly possess many valuable items awaiting trade." Xue Zhili whispered.

Upon hearing this, Qin Ming paused, his interest immediately piqued.

If that were the case, it might be worth going to take a look.

After all, his current strength meant virtually no one below the Golden Core realm could challenge him; self-preservation was more than sufficient.

After a moment's hesitation, he nodded in agreement.

"Then I'll see if I can free up time to attend. Comrade Xue, when does the black market exchange begin?"

Seeing Qin Ming agree, Xue Zhili beamed with delight: "It begins in three days."

He then pulled out a black xuan iron token and handed it to Qin Ming.

"This is the invitation token; when you arrive at Fangcun Mountain Bazaar, simply present this token to gain entry."

Qin Ming took the token and gave a slight nod.

"Then I shall await your arrival, Comrade Qin. Hehe!" Xue Zhili's face glowed with satisfaction; successfully persuading Qin Ming had put him in excellent spirits.

The two chatted a while longer, after which Xue Zhili departed the Dingding Pavilion, as he needed to proceed to his next invitation.

Inside the room, only Xu Jing and Qin Ming remained.

"I didn't know Comrade Qin and Comrade Xue were acquainted." Xu Jing poured Qin Ming tea with a smiling expression.

Qin Ming replied: "Hehe, not very close—we only attended one exchange gathering organized by Comrade Xue."

"Did Comrade Xue come here to invite you, or Elder Xu?"

"No, I must stay to manage the shop; Comrade Xue merely purchased some elixirs and spiritual materials from our pavilion." Xu Jing explained.

"My grandfather is not here either—he's currently busy with the sect's once-every-ten-years recruitment of new disciples."

"It will begin in a year."

"Oh? Is this the Dantao disciple selection Elder Xu mentioned earlier?" Qin Ming asked, his thoughts stirring, though his expression remained calm.

"That's right," Xu Jing smiled without hesitation.

Qin Ming listened, his mind deep in thought.

He then changed the subject: "I came here to purchase some spiritual materials for crafting high-rank elixirs."

"That's most welcome. Which materials do you require?" Xu Jing smiled warmly.

Next,

Qin Ming purchased a batch of spiritual materials from the Dingding Pavilion; after the transaction concluded, he departed under Xu Jing's courteous farewell.

…

With three days remaining until the Fangcun Mountain black market exchange, Qin Ming found a random inn within the inner city to stay.

Over these days, Qin Ming began studying the inscriptions on the half-silk fragment within the bronze mirror relic fragment, which described several powerful methods for refining artifact embryos.

Among them were four top-tier wood-attribute artifact refinement techniques, which greatly interested Qin Ming.

The first was called "Divine Wood Cauldron," a weapon combining offense and defense; it could absorb and store plant essence, condensing into a "Wood Wheel Divine Light" capable of instantly paralyzing a cultivator's Five Element spiritual power—once struck by this light, the connection between the cultivator and their internal spiritual power would be severed.

Moreover, the Wood Wheel Divine Light could bypass most defensive measures.

A cultivator unable to channel spiritual power became little more than a lifeless log; no matter how powerful their techniques, without spiritual power, they were defenseless.

Additionally, as a third-rank wood-attribute artifact, the Divine Wood Cauldron possessed potent healing abilities—it could expel poison, heal wounds, regenerate flesh and blood, and even be used to refine third-rank elixirs.

It was, in short, multifunctional and exceptionally powerful.

The second was called "Yi Wood Divine Ring," an offensive artifact; when refined to perfection, it could gather nearby wood spiritual energy into a near-tangible third-rank azure wood dragon, its power overwhelming! Similar to the third-rank talisman artifact "Azure Dragon Seal" Qin Ming had previously obtained.

But compared to the true artifact "Yi Wood Divine Ring," that was like comparing a candle to the sun.

They were not even on the same level.

The third wood-attribute artifact was called "Wood Emperor Nail," a set artifact capable of being refined into up to eighty-one nails, inherently suppressing demonic cultivation methods, ghostly entities, and yin-evil impurities.

However, the spiritual materials required to refine it were extremely rare and difficult to find in the immortal world; only materials imbued with wood spiritual essence could be used.

Yet Qin Ming happened to possess one!

The fourth artifact was called "Life-Death Talisman"; refining it required even rarer materials and demanded the cultivator sacrifice their own lifespan. Upon completion, it could directly attack and weaken an enemy's lifespan, and possessed immense growth potential—upon further advancement, it could evolve into the "Time-Space Talisman."

Qin Ming immersed his spirit, rereading the inscriptions on the half-silk fragment dozens of times.

"Alas—this half-silk fragment only contains artifact descriptions; the crucial artifact embryo refinement techniques are surely on the other half."

"The refinement techniques for such top-tier artifacts must have been written by a highly accomplished third-rank artifact master, perhaps even stronger."

Qin Ming was deeply drawn to these powerful artifacts, but for now, he could only stare helplessly.

After pondering for a moment, he tucked the silk fragment away, rose, and left the inn.

Qin Ming wound through the main road, turning corners until he reached the Jingxue Pavilion.

"Comrade Qin, you're still in the immortal city?" Gu Qingzhao was surprised to see him again.

Qin Ming smiled faintly. "Hehe! I still have some matters unresolved, and I may need to trouble you with one more favor."

"Comrade Qin, you're too kind. Let's go upstairs to talk." Gu Qingzhao was delighted—Qin Ming seeking her help was precisely what she had hoped for.

Moments later,

By the window of the room, sandalwood incense curled gently.

Gu Qingzhao personally served Qin Ming spiritual tea, then asked with a faint smile: "What favor do you need from me, Comrade Qin?"

Qin Ming took out the half-bronze mirror fragment from his storage pouch and handed it to Gu Qingzhao, then said:

"I wish to entrust you with secretly searching for the other half of this fragment."

"As payment, if you find it, I will offer one premium Foundation Establishment Elixir and one premium Xuan Jade Elixir."

Hearing Qin Ming was willing to pay such a price—a premium Foundation Establishment Elixir and Xuan Jade Elixir—

Gu Qingzhao was astonished; her eyebrows furrowed slightly as she reached out to take the bronze mirror fragment.

(End of Chapter)