Chapter 82: Black Tortoise Bracelet and Wind-Thunder Vessel

Bee Dao friend, walk slowly.

Inside the Heavenly Workshop, the refined scholar Qi Peng, smiling broadly, escorted Yunhe to the first floor.

Yunhe's expression was not so pleasant, a cloud over his face; after nodding, he turned and strode out of the Heavenly Workshop without looking back.

However, after walking a certain distance, the solemnity on Yunhe's face gradually faded; he looked back at the Heavenly Workshop's pavilion and revealed a satisfied smile.

At this moment, beneath his wide sleeves, an upper-grade spiritual artifact named the "Black Tortoise Bracelet" appeared on his wrist!

Although it wasn't the spiritual artifact Yunhe most wanted for dealing with evil spirits and demonic cultivators, being able to purchase an upper-grade spiritual artifact that matched his spiritual root and cultivation method was enough to satisfy him.

Of course, the price he paid for this upper-grade spiritual artifact was not small; the few spirit stones he had were nearly exhausted, forcing him to fill the gap with demon beast materials.

Recalling the recent transaction, Yunhe couldn't help but sigh.

After Qi Peng heard Yunhe's request, he said that the Heavenly Workshop did indeed have a spiritual artifact for dealing with evil spirits, though it was only a lower-grade one called the "Falling Lightning Whip".

Lightning-element attacks, especially yang lightning attacks, are remarkably effective against both evil spirits and demonic cultivators.

This "Falling Lightning Whip" contains a trace of yang lightning essence; although it is only a minuscule trace, if unleashed, its threat to evil spirits and demonic cultivators is not insignificant.

However, although this "Falling Lightning Whip" is only a lower-grade spiritual artifact, its price is higher than that of most middle-grade spiritual artifacts.

A typical case of rarity increasing value.

Originally, Yunhe thought, even if it were a bit expensive, buying it would be fine.

But afterwards, Qi Peng produced this upper-grade spiritual artifact, the "Black Tortoise Bracelet".

Although naming it after the Black Tortoise may be somewhat exaggerated, after Yunhe's inspection it was confirmed to be a rare fine work, uncommon even among upper-grade spiritual artifacts.

If the user is a Foundation Establishment cultivator with a water spiritual root who also practices an excellent water-element cultivation method, when fully wielding this bracelet, it can even rival a top-grade spiritual artifact to a certain extent!

Coincidentally, Yunhe had just condensed a Black Tortoise phantom using the "Supreme Longevity Grand Five Elements True Canon", greatly boosting his water-element mana; moreover, the "Supreme Longevity Grand Five Elements True Canon" is a top-tier cultivation method, making the operation of this "Black Tortoise Bracelet" even more smooth and satisfying.

Moreover, even if this bracelet falls into the hands of a demon beast, it can still shine brightly.

It can be said to perfectly achieve dual purpose.

Naturally, such a fine piece among upper-grade spiritual artifacts carries a rather eye-catching price.

Not only because its intrinsic price is high, but also because wartime conditions have caused overall market prices to be inflated by at least twenty percent.

Therefore.

Finally, Yunhe had no choice but to choose the "Black Tortoise Bracelet" over the lower-grade "Falling Lightning Whip" aimed at evil spirits, which was more suited to him.

It's not that he couldn't buy both; setting aside those second-tier demon beast materials, his storage bag still held two Foundation Establishment Pills and one inferior Foundation Establishment Pill—these pills alone would have been enough to trade.

However, Foundation Establishment Pills are something Yunhe truly does not want to bring out unless absolutely necessary.

Otherwise, it would likely invite a great deal of trouble, especially if he were to take out two Foundation Establishment Pills at once.

Relatively speaking, using second-tier demon beast materials as exchange reduces the risk considerably.

And the reason he kept a stern face was also because, when Qi Peng learned that Yunhe possessed second-tier demon beast materials, he demanded that Yunhe hand them all over, plus some spirit stones, in exchange for the "Black Tortoise Bracelet", for which he was willing to lower the price somewhat.

After all, the Heavenly Workshop is renowned for artifact forging; with good materials, they can earn more.

To this, Yunhe naturally refused.

He also stated that he actually possessed only a small amount of second-tier demon beast materials, and he would not have taken them out if not for lacking spirit stones; he still hoped to keep some for his own reserve.

Revealing one's wealth is already quite risky; taking out a large amount of second-tier demon beast materials would surely attract attention.

Qi Peng, however, had no suspicions about him.

The dangers of the Heavenly Ridge Mountain Range are obvious; second-tier demon beasts are hard to kill, and it is normal for cultivators to keep materials as reserves.

But after Qi Peng repeatedly, both openly and covertly, inflated the value of second-tier demon beast materials, Yunhe ultimately "reluctantly" gave up the portion he said he wanted to keep as reserve, while obtaining the condition of "signing a confidentiality secret contract".

Upon hearing this, Qi Peng was naturally delighted and without hesitation signed the confidentiality secret contract with Yunhe.

Thus, Yunhe exchanged a portion of second-tier demon beast materials, adding spirit stones, elixirs, and talismans, and after nearly "emptying his coffers", he finally obtained this "Black Tortoise Bracelet".

Actually, when all is calculated at the end.

The price he paid for the "Black Tortoise Bracelet" was not only not inflated due to wartime conditions, but was actually lower than the normal price by nearly ten percent.

Naturally, the Heavenly Workshop also obtained the second-tier demon beast materials it wanted, and after forging them into artifacts, it could earn even more spirit stones.

In the end, it was a win-win outcome.

However, to make this act more convincing and to put Qi Peng at ease, Yunhe thereafter never put on a pleasant expression.

On the contrary, Qi Peng repeatedly said this was the decision of the Heavenly Workshop's upper management, expressing sympathy for him and promising lower prices for future purchases of spiritual artifacts, etc., essentially issuing blank checks.

You see, sometimes if you act pleasant, the other party gets pushy; but if you show anger, they instead become amiable.

Interpersonal communication is often just that strange.

But no matter how you say it.

Having obtained this upper-grade spiritual artifact, the "Black Tortoise Bracelet", Yunhe's combat ability has increased by at least one level.

And after leaving the Heavenly Workshop, Yunhe had no intention of staying longer, and directly departed the Otter Market.

It must be said that the reputation of large establishments is still good; when he left, he encountered neither bandit cultivators nor those coveting his wealth and spiritual artifacts.

An establishment the size of the Heavenly Workshop certainly could not risk smashing its own sign over a single spiritual artifact or some materials.

Afterwards, Yunhe made several rounds of some markets in the Spirit Beast Domain.

Yet he could not find any spiritual artifacts for dealing with evil spirits or demonic cultivators, and had no choice but to return to the Blood Centipede Market in the Qingyu Domain.

Blood Centipede Market.

Yunhe recalled the Red Pattern Spirit Bee and summoned a vessel glimmering with faint electric currents and firelight.

After lightly tapping his foot onto it, he boarded the vessel and departed.

This vessel is named the "Thunderfire Boat" and is classified as a lower-grade spiritual artifact.

It is constructed using the hide of a horned viper as the base, supplemented with the horned viper's horn for lightning and the fire stone of a fire stone toad for fire, thereby establishing a thunderfire power.

In terms of speed alone, it is not inferior to some middle-grade spiritual artifact vessels.

Moreover, the refinement of vessel-type spiritual artifacts is the most difficult, their value high; being able to craft this vessel shows that Wei Quan's artifact-forging skill is improving.

But refining three early-stage second-rank demon beast materials into a low-grade spiritual artifact yields only an average success rate.

Almost all of the materials from the Flying Scythe Beast were damaged during the artifact refining.

If it weren't for the fact that Yunhe's most valued horned viper material wasn't wasted, he wouldn't be sure whether he would lose his temper.

But after this, he has decided not to come here again to find Wei Quan for artifact refining.

Although Wei Quan's artifact refining skill is decent, what matters most is that his confidentiality measures satisfy Yunhe, but frequently appearing at the same artifact shop is ultimately not a good idea.

Moreover, after seeing the high-grade spiritual artifact's finest piece, the Xuanwu Bracelet, Yunhe's expectations for spiritual artifacts have risen, and Wei Quan's refining ability can no longer fully meet his needs.

Of course, wasting materials in this artifact refining also counts as a somewhat significant reason.

However, artifact refining, like alchemy, cannot guarantee success; no one can pat their chest and claim certain success, as it depends on probability and luck.

If Wei Quan could achieve a hundred percent success in refining spiritual artifacts, that would truly be strange.

"Does that mean I'll just have to keep buying them?"

On the Thunderfire Boat, Yunhe felt the strong wind brushing past and experienced the speed of the spiritual artifact vessel—indeed, it surpasses what a high-grade magical artifact Windriding Boat can offer.

"Buying spiritual artifacts, not to mention the risk of revealing wealth, makes it hard to find one that truly suits you as this time did; most cases involve spending money but ending up with an artifact that lacks appeal."

Yunhe rejected his own idea.

"Or should I learn artifact refining myself?"

A bold idea arose in his mind.

But as soon as it arose, he suppressed it himself.

His alchemy skill barely reaches second-rank low-grade, and his talisman-making is similar; going forward, whether alchemy or talisman-making, he must continue to invest effort, plus cultivation.

"Forget it. Now I have the low-grade spiritual artifact Thunderfire Boat and Red Sheath Fan, plus the high-grade spiritual artifact Xuanwu Bracelet as trump cards; in the early Foundation Establishment stage, they are absolutely sufficient, and I shouldn't need to replenish them soon."

"Moreover, after this outing, I at least have some grounds; if necessary, I can ask an artifact refiner from the sect for help. I recall that Ran Lingyao's master, Liu Tianhong, is a second-rank medium-grade artifact refiner, right?"

Although he denied the idea himself, once such a thought arises, it cannot be stopped.

"It would be best if the demon beast form could also be equipped with a set of spiritual artifacts."

"The demon beast form studies the talisman Dao, while the cultivator form immerses itself in the alchemy Dao; they actually complement each other well."

"I still have nearly eight hundred years of lifespan."

Originally, Yunhe intended to fly straight back to the Qingzong Sect.

But as he approached Qingshan City, he suddenly turned the boat's bow and flew toward the bustling human market.

He exchanged a low-grade spirit stone for a large amount of gold and silver from an ordinary wealthy merchant.

Afterward, he swept through several ordinary markets, buying an entire storage bag's worth of candied haws!

Various kinds of candied haws—some with hawthorn, others made from assorted fruits according to his past-life understanding, all sorts and varieties.

After doing these, he finally returned to the Qingzong Sect.

First he sought Headmaster Kong Zhibai, and again recounted the affairs of Wang Clan Village.

From the changes in Headmaster Kong Zhibai's expression, Yunhe sensed the matter's complexity, perhaps even greater than the previous rat plague's impact.

But these are matters for Headmaster Kong Zhibai to worry about; he merely kept sufficient vigilance in his heart and then asked no further.

In short.

No matter what happens, striving to improve oneself is the greatest safeguard; it will never be wrong.

Moreover, after this mission, he will also obtain at least three years of stable cultivation time.

Leaving the Qingzong Sect Main Hall.

Yunhe didn't hurry back to his cave dwelling either; instead, he came to the outside of the formation at the Practices Pavilion.

This time he politely knocked on the 'door'.

Bang bang!!

Ripples spread slightly across the formation.

"Who is it?!"

Huaxin's clearly displeased, youthful voice came from inside the Practices Pavilion.

Upon seeing Yunhe, she placed her hands on her hips and spoke in an old-fashioned, pompous tone:

"It's you, kid! Once the Practices Pavilion's techniques are chosen, they can't be changed—go back where you came from!"

"Disciple Yunhe greets you, Uncle-master."

Yunhe merely performed a respectful salute and then said:

"Disciple has come this time to thank Uncle-master for the guidance in technique selection last time. I specially prepared some small trinkets, hoping Uncle-master will like them."

The gratitude comes from the heart.

After all, without Huaxin, he wouldn't be sure he could find such a well-suited 'Great Longevity Grand Five Elements True Scripture'.

Helping him find a suitable technique, Huaxin barely counts as half a teacher.

Teacher's rites must not be abandoned.

In big and small sects, these are most valued.

If people found out he didn't go to thank Huaxin, it might become a flaw they criticize.

However, to thank a Golden Core Expert, he indeed had nothing that could catch the other's eye, so he could only prepare some candied haws that the other would likely like.

Saying this, he handed over the storage bag.

Huaxin wore a look of suspicion, even with a hint of contempt and disdain in her eyes.

But she still curiously took the storage bag, merely muttering:

"The sect just has kids like you who overemphasize such formalities as teacher's rites and respecting the teacher and Dao—huh?"

As she spoke, when she saw the contents of the storage bag, her big round eyes instantly lit up.

Especially seeing those various candied fruit skewers of all kinds, they were flavors she had never tried.

The gaze toward Yunhe changed instantly.

He hastily shoved the storage bag into his red robe.

He stepped forward, tiptoed, and since he couldn't reach Yunhe's shoulder, he just patted his arm.

"Not bad, kid!"

He just thought this guy grew more pleasing the longer he looked.

(End of chapter)