Chapter 276 - 260: A New System and an Edge Revealed

Chapter 276: Chapter 260: A New System and an Edge Revealed

Everything in the Cultivation Immortal Realm, from the cultivation of Essence, Qi, and Spirit to the Hundred Skills of Cultivation Immortal, is derived from the principles of the universe—the supreme truths of heaven and earth.

The greater one’s power, the more of these universal principles one can glimpse, and with greater clarity.

Perhaps truly ancient, omniscient, and omnipotent beings exist, but that is not the case here, at least not in the Great Chu Cultivation Immortal World.

This was abundantly clear from the Immortal Dao Sect’s copy of the Artifact Refining General Outline.

The Artifact Refining General Outline had been passed down through countless generations of the Immortal Dao Sect’s Artifact Pavilion Grand Elders. Each generation revised and compiled it, discarding the obsolete and preserving the essential.

Although the Spiritual Qi and resources of the Cultivation Immortal Realm were slowly declining, its civilization was still developing at a rapid pace.

Naturally, the Artifact Refining Skill was part of this rapid development.

And this Magical Artifact before him...

...was the best example.

It didn’t use the traditional combination of Array Prohibition and Artifact Patterns, but a combination of Runes and Artifact Patterns!

As is well known, the greatest advantage of a Talisman is its ability to unleash a quick, instantaneous burst of power.

The greatest advantage of an Array Prohibition, on the other hand, is its enduring stability.

A single-use offensive Magical Artifact combined with a Rune System...

Chu Mu’s eyes shone with increasing brilliance.

This Artifact Refining System was undoubtedly beyond his current understanding.

It wasn’t even recorded in the Immortal Dao Sect’s Artifact Refining General Outline.

He estimated that this kind of Artifact Refining System probably didn’t exist back in the era of the Immortal Dao Sect.

After all, if it had existed, the specialized Magical Artifacts used in the Artifact Refiner assessment he faced in the Illusory World would have certainly tested for this innovative system.

Evidently, it was highly likely that this Artifact Refining System was an innovation developed after the age of the Immortal Dao Sect.

’Runes...’

Chu Mu murmured to himself. In just a few short breaths, countless ingenious ideas surrounding this newly discovered system flooded his mind.

’Runes, Array Prohibitions, Artifact Patterns...’

’An Artifact Refining Skill that merges all three...’

His cheeks flushed with excitement. What true Artifact Refiner could possibly resist the allure of a new system, new knowledge?

After a very long time, he managed to calm himself. His True Flame reappeared, and he proceeded to refine the other two Magical Artifacts.

Both were creations that combined Runes and Artifact Patterns, and both were single-use Magical Artifacts.

One was a Spiritual Bomb, classified as an Upper Grade Spiritual Artifact. However, unlike the other Spiritual Bombs he had studied, this one was inscribed with five Fire Attribute Runes. Upon instantaneous detonation, its Mighty Power was amplified several times over.

The other Magical Artifact was Top Grade—a single-use Top Grade Magical Artifact, no less! An incredible extravagance!

This Magical Artifact was quite peculiar. It was cylindrical, about half the height of a person, and its refining method was a fusion of Runes and Array Prohibitions.

Its method of Attack was also explosive, but the nature of the explosion was different.

Strictly speaking, it was a cannonball...

It was likely a shell for one of the Spiritual Energy Cannons he had seen on the Longevity Flying Boat.

The shell’s power wasn’t particularly great. While it could pose a threat to someone in the Foundation Establishment Realm, it wouldn’t be a significant one.

But this was, after all, just a shell. The grade of the Artifact that fired it would be the true determinant of its final power.

The remaining twelve Spiritual Artifacts were far more conventional, all of them traditional items made with Array Prohibitions and Artifact Patterns.

They were all of a standardized design, made from a single recipe: twelve Lower Grade Spiritual Artifact Flying Swords.

Chu Mu pursed his lips. With a wave of his hand, the Contract Contact Order appeared in his grasp. A slight stir of his Divine Sense dispelled the isolating Restriction, and rows of tasks materialized on its screen.

’I thought I no longer lacked knowledge, just the resources for Cultivation.’

’But now, this new system is right in front of me...’

’I need both knowledge and resources.’

’It seems... I now have another reason to risk my life for the Righteous Alliance.’

As his thoughts churned, Chu Mu pondered for a moment before putting the Token into a separate Storage Talisman.

A moment later, his True Flame ignited, and the refining continued.

Even with the new Rune System, his foundational mastery of the Artifact Refining Skill meant it wasn’t too difficult.

After all, these few Magical Artifacts weren’t overly complex; he was merely copying the design.

A month later, the tightly sealed door of the Artifact Refining Room slowly swung open.

Sensing the movement, Xie Hui rushed over the very instant Chu Mu stepped out of the room.

"It’s all here. Take it and turn in the missions," Chu Mu said, looking slightly weary as he handed over a Storage Talisman.

Refining over a hundred Magical and Spiritual Artifacts in just over a month had been a considerable challenge, even for him.

But at that moment, as Xie Hui took the Storage Talisman and sensed the Magical and Spiritual Artifacts piled within, he froze on the spot, completely stunned.

’A total of one hundred and nine sets of Spiritual Materials,’ he thought, ’I’m absolutely certain of that.’

’And now, in this Storage Talisman, there are one hundred and five... Magical and Spiritual Artifacts...’

’A success rate of nearly one hundred percent?’

Xie Hui swallowed hard, struggling to look at the master before him. His gaze was filled with nothing but profound awe and shock.

’I’ve brought back... an Artifact Refining Master!’

Sensing Xie Hui’s awe-filled gaze, Chu Mu chuckled lightly, not paying it too much mind.

’This nearly one-hundred-percent success rate I’ve shown is shocking, but it’s only for refining Magical Artifacts and Lower Grade Spiritual Artifacts.’

’And the Artifact Refiner level I’ve revealed is Tier Two Upper Grade.’

’For a Tier Two Upper Grade Artifact Refiner to have a nearly one-hundred-percent success rate when refining Magical Artifacts and Lower Grade Spiritual Artifacts is shocking, but not completely unbelievable.’

’In these chaotic times, since I can’t hide from the turmoil, I have no choice but to face it.’

’So, for me, with my current Foundation Establishment Realm Cultivation, appropriately revealing some of my talent should bring more advantages than disadvantages...’

’Whether for earning resources or simply for self-preservation, this identity—as an Artifact Refiner, a genius Artifact Refiner—has significant benefits...’

"Senior, could I please see your Contract Contact Order? When the Contribution Points are awarded, I can transfer them directly to you."

Xie Hui’s already humble attitude had become even more reverent.

Chu Mu took out his Contract Contact Order and handed it over.

He recalled that each Contract Contact Order had a unique identifier, which could be used to trade and transfer Contribution Points.

From what he understood, the market for the Righteous Alliance’s Contribution Points was extremely tight.

The exchange rate had soared from one Spirit Stone per Contribution Point to three or four Spirit Stones per point, and even then, there were often no sellers at that price.

"Senior, these are the Spiritual Materials I’ve collected this month."

As he handed back the Contract Contact Order, he also presented Chu Mu with a Storage Talisman.

Xie Hui glanced at Chu Mu cautiously before adding, "Senior, I made some inquiries. There’s a trade fair in the Marketplace in a few days. I heard that all the attendees are Foundation Establishment Realm seniors..."

"A fair like that should have plenty of rare items that you don’t normally see on the market. Would you like to check it out?"

"A trade fair?"

Chu Mu paused, momentarily startled. He subconsciously recalled the underground auction from before. The Bright Moon Battle Armor had left a profound impression on him; it was that very armor that had caused his reverence for the Artifact Refining Skill to skyrocket.

"When and where?"

"It’s on the second floor of the Celestial Wind Pavilion in the Marketplace. I heard it’s being organized by one of the Alliance’s Honored Guest Elders, someone in the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment."

"The fair is the day after tomorrow. This is the token for entry. If you wish to go, Senior, you can attend with this."

With that, Xie Hui respectfully presented him with a Jade Token.

"You’re very thoughtful."

Chu Mu accepted the Jade Token and glanced down at it. He then took out a bag of Spirit Stones and handed it to Xie Hui.

"Continue acquiring Spiritual Materials. Also, keep an eye out for any information or texts on the Rune System of artifact refining. If you find any, buy them if you can."

"I understand."

...