Chapter 28

Three days passed in a flash.

In these three days, Lin Xuan almost didn't step out of the house, devoting himself entirely to the preparations before departure.

He first used his status as a guest of the Four Seas Merchant Guild and the spirit stones in his hand to successfully exchange for the auxiliary materials such as Void Sand and Star Iron needed to refine the "Dust Ring." When the guild steward saw the materials he needed, although he was a bit surprised that a "Golden Core Stage 1" guest actually wanted to refine a magic treasure involving spatial power, he didn't ask much and provided the goods readily, clearly Qian Duoduo or higher-ups had already greeted him.

With the materials ready, Lin Xuan immediately started refining in the quiet room of his small courtyard.

He had no artifact refining furnace, nor earth fire, but for him who possessed the system, this was not a difficulty that could not be overcome.

"System, assist in refining the Dust Ring!"

【Ding! Consuming slack-off points, initiate auxiliary artifact refining mode! "Dust Ring Refining Method (Simplified Version)" has been loaded. Please host inject spiritual power according to the guidance and control system energy for fine operation.】

A profound artifact refining knowledge flooded into his mind, and at the same time, an invisible force took over Lin Xuan's fine control of spiritual power. He only needed to continuously provide pure Golden Core spiritual power as energy and foundation, while the system was responsible for completing the most complex and precise material fusion and rune engraving.

I saw the Void Stone fragment slowly floating up under the wrapping of system energy, Lin Xuan pinched the formula with both hands, and Golden Core spiritual power was like a docile stream, continuously injected. Auxiliary materials such as Void Sand and Star Iron were melted one by one under the precise control of the system, turning into liquid emitting light of various colors, as if possessing life, wrapping around the Void Stone fragment, and gradually fusing with it.

The whole process was quiet and efficient, without the smoke and fire of ordinary artifact refining, only the flow of spiritual light and the faint humming of energy.

Several hours later, all auxiliary materials had been perfectly fused, and the Void Stone fragment had turned into a liquid substance emitting soft silver light. The system controlled this mass of substance to start shaping, and finally solidified into a ring with a simple style, dark silver body, and tiny light spots like stars flickering on the surface.

The last step, engraving spatial runes and owner-recognition array!

System energy was like the most precise carving knife, outlining complex patterns invisible to the naked eye inside the ring. Lin Xuan forced out a drop of essence blood and dripped it onto the ring.

"Hum!"

The essence blood was instantly absorbed, the star light spots on the ring suddenly lit up, then restrained, returning to a simple and unadorned appearance. A feeling of blood connection surged into Lin Xuan's heart.

Refining successful!

Lin Xuan picked up this Dust Ring and wore it on the index finger of his left hand. Probing his spiritual sense in, a stable dimensional space of about one cubic meter clearly appeared in his perception. Although the space was not large, it was more than enough to store the most important items, such as Phoenix Wood remains, elixirs, spirit talismans, etc., and it was much safer and more secret than a storage bag.

【Ding! Successfully refined "Dust Ring" (low-rank spiritual tool), artifact refining proficiency +100! Gained 3000 slack-off points!】

"Done!" Lin Xuan looked at the ring on his hand with satisfaction; with it, it was much more convenient.

Next, he went to the internal treasury of the Four Seas Merchant Guild again. Relying on the guest token and the authority given by Qian Duoduo before, he browsed the list of items in the treasury that he could exchange for.

Attack type, defense type, auxiliary type... dazzling.

Lin Xuan carefully weighed and finally chose three things:

1. One-time sword talisman "Jin Guang Breaking Evil Sword": Contains a full-strength strike equivalent to a late-stage Golden Core sword cultivator, specifically for breaking evil spirits and demons, just right for dealing with the Youming Sect cultivators or powerful demonized exotic beasts he might encounter. Consumed 3000 contribution points.

2. High-rank spiritual tool "Profound Turtle Shield": Amazing defensive power, can automatically protect the master, can withstand the continuous attacks of mid-stage Golden Core cultivators. Consumed 5000 contribution points.

3. Third-rank superior elixir "Heaven-Returning Pill": As long as there is a breath left, it can hang the life and strive for treatment time, it is a life-saving divine medicine. Only one, consumed 8000 contribution points.

These three things almost exhausted his contribution point quota as a newly promoted guest, but they also armed him instantly, and his attack, defense, and life-saving means were greatly enhanced.

He put the sword talisman and Heaven-Returning Pill into the Dust Ring carefully, and the Profound Turtle Shield was refined and put into his dantian for nourishment.

After doing all this, Lin Xuan felt that his confidence was much stronger.

On the eve of departure, Qian Duoduo came uninvited, carrying a pot of spirit wine.

"Elder Mu, how are the preparations?" Qian Duoduo sat down familiarly and poured a glass of wine for himself and Lin Xuan.

"Almost there, thank you, Young Master Qian, for your concern." Lin Xuan raised his glass to signal.

"The Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range is not like the imperial capital, where exotic beasts are rampant and the environment is complex, so you must be more careful... of people." Qian Duoduo sipped his wine, implying something, "Liaochen and that girl from the Floating Snow Palace also went, so be careful. In addition, according to the news we received, the Nether Sect also seems to be very interested in the abnormal movement in the mountain range, and it is very likely that they have sent people to sneak in."

Lin Xuan's gaze condensed: "The Youming Sect's hand really stretches long."

"Profit moves people's hearts." Qian Duoduo smiled and lowered his voice, "Give you a reminder, if... I mean if, you find anything special in the mountain range, such as... things related to ancient sects or special bloodlines, try to record them, or... hehe, you understand. The main guild has always rewarded such information heavily, much more valuable than that Condensing Core Jade Liquid."

Ancient sects? Special bloodlines? Lin Xuan's heart stirred, thinking of the Phoenix Wood remains scanned by the system. Could it be that what the Four Seas Merchant Guild really cared about was these?

"Young Master Qian, rest assured, if there is any discovery, I will definitely not forget the guild's support." Lin Xuan replied calmly.

"Haha, talking to smart people is worry-free!" Qian Duoduo patted Lin Xuan on the shoulder and drank the wine in his glass, "Wish Elder Mu a triumphant return and a full harvest! At that time, I will hold a banquet for you!"

After seeing Qian Duoduo off, Lin Xuan stood in the courtyard, looking at the stars in the night sky.

Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range, Condensing Core Jade Liquid, Nether Sect, Liaochen and Yun Yao, ancient secrets... various clues intertwined, indicating that this would be a journey that would never be calm.

He touched the Dust Ring on his index finger, feeling the Profound Turtle Shield nourished in his dantian, as well as the life-saving trump cards in the ring, his heart filled with expectation and vigilance.

"System, bring up my current status."

【Host: Lin Xuan】

【Cultivation: Golden Core Stage 1 (Stable)】

【Cultivation Art: Nine Turns Lei Gang Body (Entry), Turtle Breathing Technique, Shadow Concealment Art, Shape-Shifting Hundred Changes, Inch-by-Inch Land Shrinking (Entry)...】

【Skill: Deep Scan, Luck Disguise (Primary), Basic Talisman, Basic Contract Technique...】

【Item: Dust Ring (contains Phoenix Wood remains, Heaven-Returning Pill, Jin Guang Breaking Evil Sword Talisman, etc.), Profound Turtle Shield (refined), Bad Luck Curse Doll (used), Bilin Pill x3...】

【Slack-off points: points】

Looking at his current panel, compared to when he first transmigrated, it was already a world of difference.

"Almost there." Lin Xuan took a deep breath, his eyes sharp as a knife, "Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range, let me see, what surprises (or shocks) you are hiding!"

The next day, Chen hour.

The military camp drill ground in the west of the city, banners fluttering, the atmosphere was murderous.

Nearly a hundred Golden Core cultivators who passed the screening gathered here, standing in line according to different team numbers. Lin Xuan (Mu Xuan) was assigned to the third squad.

His gaze swept over, and he saw Liaochen and Saintess Yun Yao standing in front of the team with outstanding temperament; they seemed to be in the first squad. He didn't find Ye Chen's figure.

The members of the third squad were mixed, with military cultivators wearing standard leather armor, fierce rogue cultivators, and a few people who looked like they were from small clans. The captain was a cold-faced middle-aged military officer carrying a long spear, with mid-stage Golden Core cultivation.

"My name is Zhao Lie, and I am the captain of your third squad." The middle-aged officer's voice was loud, carrying the iron-blooded aura of a soldier, "This mission is to go deep into the Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range, investigate the source of the beast tide, and clear out high-rank exotic beasts! Remember, in the mountain range, danger is everywhere, not only to guard against exotic beasts, but also to be vigilant against other ill-intentioned people! All actions, listen to my command! Those who violate the order will be dealt with by military law!"

Everyone responded solemnly.

Soon, a huge flying warship like a black mountain slowly landed on the drill ground with a roar. This was the "Cloud-Piercing Ship" used by the imperial military for large-scale troop transport and warfare, with a very high rank.

"Board the ship!"

Following the order, all conscripted cultivators boarded the Cloud-Piercing Ship one by one.

Lin Xuan followed the crowd and stepped onto this huge war magic tool. The ship's body was engraved with countless defensive and offensive runes, exuding heart-palpitating spiritual power fluctuations.

The Cloud-Piercing Ship slowly rose into the sky, then accelerated violently, turning into a stream of light, galloping toward the rolling Ten Thousand Beast Mountain Range in the distance like a giant dragon crawling!

A new adventure, officially started!

Standing by the ship's side, looking at the mountains and earth flying backward under his feet, feeling the whistling gale, the blood in Lin Xuan's body was boiling slightly.

He glanced at Liaochen and Yun Yao in the direction of the first squad, and then looked at the teammates with different expressions behind him, the corners of his mouth hooked into a curve imperceptibly.

"Slack-off system, don't let me down."

"This wave, must be a blood profit!"

(Chapter 28 End)