Chapter 482 - 442: The Resolution

Chapter 482: Chapter 442: The Resolution

Despite maids bustling about and people occasionally entering, the dim hall remained extremely quiet.

All the Golden Core Cultivators sat serenely. Some, like Chu Mu, meditated with their eyes closed, ignoring worldly matters. Others conversed using Telepathy, so not the slightest sound could be heard.

The serving Maids and the young Artifact Refiner disciples of the Chen Family, in a place filled with Golden Core True Masters, naturally acted with extreme caution, not daring to step out of line in the slightest.

After about a quarter of an hour, a sudden fluctuation of Spiritual Qi rippled from the empty Jade Stone seat of honor at the head of the hall.

Immediately after, a strikingly out-of-place figure in white robes materialized.

"Greetings, Elder."

The Golden Core Cultivators rose one after another and bowed with clasped hands.

The Maids and the Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining disciples in the hall all scrambled to prostrate themselves on the floor.

"You may dispense with the formalities!"

With a wave of his sleeve, the man helped the bowing Golden Core Cultivators to their feet. His voice boomed like a great bell as he took his seat on the Jade Stone throne.

"Thank you, Elder."

The Golden Core Cultivators took their seats one after another. However, the group of Maids and the Chen Family’s Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining disciples remained prostrate on the floor, not moving a muscle.

Chu Mu glanced over, a flicker of surprise crossing his face.

The strict hierarchy within the Chen Family was, it seemed, even more severe than he had imagined.

His surprise was fleeting, vanishing the moment he looked away.

In a world where profit was king and the strong were revered, anything strange, even the utterly inconceivable, could happen.

Mere prostration was an utterly trivial matter.

His gaze shifted, and he once again looked at the figure in the discordant white robes.

Over the past few months, this dissonance had grown even more pronounced.

The man had grown two horns on his head. His cheeks, neck, and any other exposed skin were covered in metallic, dragon-patterned scales. What should have been human hands had transformed into withered dragon claws, gnarled like the roots of an old tree. His fingertips were chillingly sharp, exposed like fangs.

His once-large frame seemed to have shrunk by half, leaving him gaunt and towering like a withered tree—a truly terrifying sight.

"You were invited by my clan to repair our guardian Soldier Puppet. I have given you several months to study it. Have you made any progress?"

The man got straight to the point. From within his withered eye sockets, his pale-gold, snake-like vertical pupils gleamed as he scanned the Golden Core Cultivators present.

Then, before anyone could speak, he added, "Whoever can provide a viable repair plan may make one request of my clan. As long as it is within our power to fulfill, we will not refuse."

At this, the expressions of the Golden Core Cultivators varied, though most seemed tempted by the offer.

"If I may ask, Elder, is there a detailed Artifact Formula for this Soldier Puppet?"

At this, a Golden Core Cultivator rose to inquire.

Following this question, all the Artifact Refiners turned to look at the Array Dao Nascent Soul on the jade throne. This was clearly a question on everyone’s mind.

This was true even for Chu Mu, who felt he had already studied the Soldier Puppet quite thoroughly.

Without the original Artifact Formula to work from, relying solely on deductions derived from the puppet’s remaining half, the chances of a successful repair were minuscule.

And the Chen Family would certainly not allow him to use countless precious and rare Spiritual Materials just to test if his theories were viable.

"This Soldier Puppet originates from an Ancient Immortal Dao Sect. It was once their Sect Guardian Puppet."

"Its specific Refining method was lost long ago. However, after many years of searching, my clan managed to obtain a few fragments of its records..."

The man’s voice was even. As he spoke, Chu Mu felt the man give him a profound, meaningful glance.

A chill went down his spine, and the faint temptation he had felt was instantly suppressed.

His thoughts raced as he seemed to make a connection. He narrowed his eyes for a moment before returning to his calm and composed demeanor.

When the Array Dao Nascent Soul revealed that fragments of the records still existed, the silence in the hall was broken.

The Golden Core Cultivators began to speak up, presenting Jade Scrolls that detailed their proposed repair plans to the Array Dao Nascent Soul.

After a moment’s thought, Chu Mu flicked his hand, and the Jade Scroll containing the fruits of his past few months of labor landed on the tray respectfully held out by a nearby Maid.

All nine Jade Scrolls were presented before the man.

The man inspected them one by one. His expression, normally distorted by his bloodline mutation, showed subtle changes.

He picked up the Jade Scrolls one by one. Wisps of his Divine Sense enveloped each scroll before he slowly set it down again.

When he reached Chu Mu’s Jade Scroll, his expression changed after only a moment. His casual air was replaced by a look of solemnity.

After setting down the Jade Scroll, the man looked at Chu Mu. This time, it wasn’t a fleeting glance but a long, serious appraisal.

This change did not escape the notice of the other Golden Core Cultivators. In an instant, a flurry of gazes—some subtle, others undisguised—all focused on Chu Mu.

Fortunately, the man’s gaze didn’t linger. After only a few breaths, he waved his sleeve, and all nine Jade Scrolls shot back to their respective Artifact Refiners.

The man fell silent for a moment. His gaze settled on Chu Mu again as he spoke in a level voice.

"Young Friend Chu, you will take full responsibility for the repair of the Soldier Puppet."

"To everyone else present, I expect your full cooperation with Young Friend Chu."

As the man finished speaking, several Maids emerged carrying trays.

"Consider these humble gifts compensation for your hard work."

"Once the task is complete, my clan will reward you generously!"

"I trust you will all work together to repair this Soldier Puppet..."

Trays were presented to each of the Golden Core Cultivators. On each tray were several neatly arranged Jade Bottles, obviously containing Elixirs, and a square Jade Box piled with dozens of crystal-clear Spirit Stones.

Chu Mu briefly probed them with his senses. The Spirit Stones were a fiery red—all of them, without exception, were Fire Attribute Upper Grade Spirit Stones!

He glanced around and saw that every Golden Core Cultivator had been given Upper Grade Spirit Stones that corresponded to their own primary Attribute.

Chu Mu was secretly astonished. Such a gesture was nothing short of extravagant.

Spirit Stones are found in Spirit Stone Ore.

Any given Spirit Stone Ore is composed primarily of Lower Grade Spirit Stones.

Middle Grade Spirit Stones, Upper Grade Spirit Stones, and even the legendary Top Grade Spirit Stones are merely byproducts found within a Spirit Stone Vein.

The only difference is that the size of the Spirit Stone Vein determines the quantity of these higher-grade companion deposits.

This naturally makes any Spirit Stones above Lower Grade exceptionally rare.

In the Cultivation Immortal Realm, the most common currency is Lower Grade Spirit Stones and the scraps left over from mining, known as Broken Spirit.

Even Middle Grade Spirit Stones rarely circulate on the market!

As for Upper Grade Spirit Stones...

In all his years on the Path to Immortality, this was the first time he had ever seen a true Upper Grade Spirit Stone.

And not just any Upper Grade Spirit Stone, but one with the Fire Attribute that matched his own Immortal Dao Cultivation...

The difference in the quality and quantity of Spiritual Qi contained within different Grades of Spirit Stones was like the difference between heaven and earth.

Take, for example, the many Tier Two Puppets he had refined in the past. If powered by Lower Grade Spirit Stones, they required a massive internal Spirit Stone Cabin packed with a huge quantity of stones just to meet their Energy needs.

But if powered by Middle Grade Spirit Stones, only one or two were needed. The purer Spiritual Qi they contained would also allow the puppet to unleash even greater Mighty Power.

As for this Soldier Puppet, Chu Mu estimated it would require Upper Grade Spirit Stones at the very least just to meet its basic Energy requirements.

It was an extravagant gesture, to be sure, but after the man’s announcement, none of the Golden Core Cultivators paid the Spirit Stones much mind. Their gazes, which had only just dispersed, converged on Chu Mu once again.

"Young Friend Chu, I’ll leave the arrangements for the Soldier Puppet to you."

"This Jade Scroll records part of the Soldier Puppet’s Refining method. Take it and study it."

As the man looked at Chu Mu again and spoke, a Jade Scroll flew toward him.

"I understand."

Chu Mu rose, accepted the Jade Scroll, and bowed with clasped hands.

The man’s figure then flickered. Just as his arrival had been abrupt, his departure was equally sudden, as he dissolved into motes of light and vanished.

Only then did the Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining cultivators who had been prostrated in the hall begin to rise.

Sensing the gazes still fixed upon him, Chu Mu paused for a moment before clasping his hands in a salute to the seated Golden Core Cultivators. "I am fortunate to have earned the Elder’s trust to lead the Soldier Puppet’s repair. From this point on, I ask for the cooperation of my fellow Daoists..."

After a few polite pleasantries, Chu Mu cut to the chase. With a wave of his hand, several blank Jade Scrolls materialized. He inscribed them with information, and the scrolls shot out to hover before each of the Golden Core Cultivators.

"This is my plan for repairing the Soldier Puppet. Please review it. If you find any shortcomings, we can discuss them."

With that, Chu Mu returned to his stone seat. He extended his Divine Sense into the Jade Scroll he had received and began to study the fragmented Refining method for the Soldier Puppet.

At this, each of the Golden Core True Masters took hold of their Jade Scroll. The hall, already quiet, grew even more silent. The Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining cultivators who had just risen to their feet hardly dared to breathe, afraid of disturbing the important affairs of the seated Golden Core True Masters.

The Jade Scroll Chu Mu had created contained a vast amount of information, and the scroll detailing the puppet’s Refining method, though only a fragment, was just as immense.

Under the effect of his Spiritual Radiance Blessing, countless pieces of information flashed through his Divine Sense Perception, aligning with the discoveries he had made during his own research over the past few months.

This process continued for nearly three hours before Chu Mu finally lowered the Jade Scroll.

Only then did the other Golden Core True Masters lower the Jade Scrolls in their hands. After reviewing his plan, their gazes toward Chu Mu held noticeably less scrutiny.

As fellow Artifact Refiners, the gap in their skills was not difficult to discern.

Given the same few months of research, the results recorded in that one Jade Scroll had made the disparity between them crystal clear.

When the difference was so obvious, none of them—all being cunning old masters hundreds of years old—was about to do something as foolish as a hot-headed youth.

As for the Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining cultivators, merely being allowed to attend and observe on such an occasion was a tremendous honor in itself...

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