Chapter 26

Luo Yao returned to her Cave Abode and instinctively set up an Array to block external Divine Sense probes, though she didn't know if it would work against Foundation Establishment cultivators, at least it gave her peace of mind.

So, Luo Yao decisively laid down over a dozen Geling Array, only then relaxing.

Today was a new day, meaning the Golden Finger could be used again.

She took out Ice Silkworm Silk from her Storage Bag, pondered for a long time, and ultimately chose to use the Golden Finger on it, so she could gather the materials for crafting "Thousand Illusion Ice Silk" faster and enhance her strength.

A seven-colored dice spun above the Ice Silkworm Silk, then stopped, revealing its number.

"5"

Luo Yao still didn't understand what "5" meant; she could only wait for the result.

In the end, she gritted her teeth and pulled out the "Heavenly Yin Scripture," while mentally planning how to explain it to her Master.

Cold Ice Jade—even if only a year old—she could double with the Golden Finger.

That was true, but Luo Yao already had a suitable Scripture and didn't want to switch to another.

As soon as she spoke, Luo Yao clearly noticed her Master's expression darken, and her heart sank.

"Bad!"

"Was I rejected by the Scripture?"

Thinking of how "Thousand Illusion Ice Silk," once forged, could serve as both a Defense Magical Treasure and an Attack Dharma Artifact, she grew excited.

After swallowing part of the Pills Yan Jie had given her, Luo Yao resumed cultivation.

Luo Yao forced a smile, nodding. "Then, Master, I'll return to my Cave Abode to recover."

Just as she considered feigning backlash from cultivation, her chest suddenly seized with pain, and she spat out a mouthful of blood.

Guilt immediately rose in Luo Yao's heart; she planned to tell him she had already chosen a suitable Scripture.

Luo Yao hesitated, and Gongsun Elder, seeing this, mistook it for fear of further backlash and reassured her.

This made Luo Yao even more aware of the Golden Finger's value and terror—she must be far more careful and never reveal its existence.

It was said the Xuanyuan Sect had been passed down for centuries without possessing a single ten-thousand-year material.

So now, she was afraid to face her Master.

That meant the ten-year Ice Silkworm Silk had been multiplied over three thousand times—so its age must now be over ten thousand years!

This age far exceeded what Luo Yao needed to forge "Thousand Illusion Ice Silk," but for a Core Dharma Artifact, the rarer the material, the better.

Then, she would present that Scripture to her Master and say the "Heavenly Yin Scripture" wasn't suited to her.

"Millennium Cold Ice Jade and Star Frost Sand!"

Yet, even as Gongsun Elder urged her to cultivate, Luo Yao still couldn't think of a good excuse.

But instead of flying into a rage, as she'd expected, Gongsun Elder merely sighed and said to Luo Yao.

Gongsun Elder's expression changed instantly; he sent a burst of Spirit Power into Luo Yao's body to suppress her injuries.

"It's fine," Gongsun Elder waved his hand. "Wait until I optimize the Scripture before you resume cultivation."

Moreover, she was already guilty—even though the backlash was caused by the Scripture, not intentional, she had indeed entertained such thoughts.

"And while your cultivation is still low, it's the best time to switch Scriptures; once you're higher, you'll have to disperse your Foundation and start over."

…

Moreover, according to the Scripture's description, the forged Thousand Illusion Ice Silk would be at least a Dharma Artifact level, and its quality would continuously improve with longer cultivation.

Luo Yao quickly explained, "Today I accompanied Yan Jie to visit Xu Zhanglao; Xu Zhanglao set a trial, so I hadn't time to cultivate."

Of course, cultivation couldn't be neglected.

"How is your new Scripture coming along?"

Five to the fifth power—Luo Yao suddenly received a message from the dice and froze; what was five to the fifth power again?

A Core Dharma Artifact can grow continuously, holding infinite potential, and the earlier you begin cultivating it, the longer its cultivation time, the higher its final quality.

But if Gongsun Master asked her to show him the Scripture, Luo Yao hadn't yet devised a suitable response.

She stood up, intending to return to Gongsun Elder's Cave Abode to ask, but after a few steps, she stopped—somehow, she felt her Master's mood was off today.

Gongsun Elder nodded and tossed her another vial of Healing Pills.

"My Master has seen much—he should know where to find Cold Ice Jade and Star Frost Sand."

"What happened?"

Luo Yao hadn't expected actual backlash; she felt both relief and guilt. "Master, I'm sorry."

Luo Yao returned to her Cave Abode, swallowed the Healing Pills to recover, then fell into deep thought.

If Luo Yao began cultivating her Core Dharma Artifact from the Qi Refining stage, not only would her strength rise, but her Core Dharma Artifact could potentially evolve into a Celestial Artifact.

"I, I haven't started cultivating yet…"

It was done in one go—Luo Yao nearly danced with excitement; this was a ten-thousand-year material!

But even the best Scripture must suit the cultivator.

Gongsun Elder frowned. "This shouldn't happen—it should be suitable for her cultivation."

"Perfect!"

She had never imagined her Master valued that Scripture so highly—had she misjudged it?

"Don't worry, once I optimize the Scripture, the backlash won't happen again."

Originally, she thought she'd need to reach Foundation Establishment to gather all materials, but now the hardest one was already secured—only two other rare materials remained.

"Looks like I still need to find a Scripture of similar rank to the 'Heavenly Yin Scripture.'"

The familiar white light enveloped the Ice Silkworm Silk; the pure white silk gradually turned transparent, then vanished entirely—even Luo Yao's Divine Sense couldn't locate it.

Luo Yao had just entered when she heard Gongsun Elder's words—her heart skipped a beat.

"I have the Ice Silkworm Silk—does that mean I only need to gather the other two main materials to forge my Core Dharma Artifact?"

Likewise for Star Frost Sand—it's precious, but I only need one grain; I can just use the Golden Finger a few more times.

But Luo Yao has a Golden Finger, so it is different.

Not knowing how much time passed, Luo Yao received a transmission from her master and had to stop cultivating.

"This..."

So, Luo Yao's next goal is to gather these two materials and refine her innate Dharma Treasure.

Then the whole person collapsed weakly onto the ground.

Luo Yao suddenly changed expression, slapped her own forehead in regret, "Forgot to ask master where to find Cold Ice Jade and Star Frost Sand."

"You cultivate now; I can point out which parts need attention."

These two: one requires over a thousand years of age, the other requires a large quantity.

After thinking, Luo Yao decided to ask when there was a chance; tomorrow she would go ask Xu Zhanglao, as he needs to contact various materials for alchemy, so perhaps he has some.

Even if he doesn't have any, he should know clues!

(End of this chapter)