Chapter 250 - 176: Liu Heng Returns, Gains, and Artifact Refining

Chapter 250: Chapter 176: Liu Heng Returns, Gains, and Artifact Refining

He could refine Upper-Grade Magical Treasures and, when in peak condition, even craft Top-Grade ones. A "Top-Grade Magical Treasure" was one that far surpassed its Upper-Grade counterparts in power but had yet to reach the level of a Spiritual Artifact.

Of course, mastering the Melt Casting Technique didn’t mean he could immediately refine Middle-Grade Magical Artifacts. Zhao Zuo still needed some time to prepare before he could make his first official attempt.

That evening, Liu Heng came to the Cave Mansion, carrying a meal and wine from Ruyi Pavilion.

It had been half a month since they last met, but Zhao Zuo keenly sensed a change in Liu Heng’s aura. He was now very close to the Eighth Layer of Qi Cultivation and would probably achieve a breakthrough within a year.

Clearly, his trip to the Foundation Establishment Cave Mansion had resulted in a fortuitous encounter.

"Brother Zhao, it’s confirmed now," Liu Heng said to Zhao Zuo, lowering his voice. Though his tone was soft, it couldn’t hide his excitement. "That Cave Mansion was left behind by a Foundation Establishment Powerhouse. And not just any powerhouse—he had reached Foundation Establishment Perfection in his lifetime. The whole place was created to pass on his Cultivation Technique."

"Then congratulations, Brother Liu," Zhao Zuo said. A flicker of envy rose in his heart but was quickly extinguished. ’I chose stability and rejected adventure, so there’s no reason to envy what others gain.’ The truth was... he wasn’t particularly impressed by the resources found in a mere Foundation Establishment Cave Mansion.

After all, he was an Artifact Refiner who earned tens of thousands of Spirit Stones every month.

"It’s too early for congratulations," Liu Heng said. "The core chamber hasn’t been opened yet. The three of us still need to gather some talismans and magical artifacts to break the restrictions. After that, we’ll have to make another trip to the Yunlan Mountain Range."

Liu Heng spoke frankly. Because of the Master-Servant Contract, he couldn’t even conceal things with a lie; doing so would result in a miserable death.

"I see," Zhao Zuo said.

The two had now laid out the meal on the table. Even though he hadn’t obtained the core inheritance, Liu Heng had still bought around a hundred Spirit Stones’ worth of food to celebrate.

Nearby, the Fire Spirit Snake had wrapped itself around Liu Heng’s legs, its posture clearly saying, ’Feed me... or I’m not letting go.’

"What a greedy snake."

Liu Heng chuckled and stroked the Fire Spirit Snake’s head. He picked up a piece of Spirit Dove meat with his chopsticks and fed it to the snake.

One piece wasn’t enough to satisfy the Fire Spirit Snake. It remained coiled around Liu Heng’s legs, refusing to give up.

He had no choice but to pick up a few more pieces of Spirit Dove meat. Only then did the Fire Spirit Snake release him and slink back to its corner to sleep, completely satisfied. It had been sleeping more and more lately; another transformation must be approaching.

’The peak of a Middle-Grade Tier One?’

’Or will it break straight through the High-Level bottleneck?’

Zhao Zuo wasn’t sure yet, but he was happy for it all the same. He’d been keeping an eye out for resources that could help the Fire Spirit Snake break through its bloodline limits, but so far, he had found no leads.

"Brother Zhao, what are you thinking about?" Liu Heng asked, noticing that Zhao Zuo seemed distracted.

"Are you thinking about joining the exploration of the core chamber?"

Liu Heng grew visibly tense as he asked. The three of them had already navigated the traps and dangers in the outer sections.

If Zhao Zuo wanted to join now, it would be like swooping in to reap all the rewards after they had done all the hard work. And yet... he couldn’t lie, nor could he refuse Zhao Zuo.

"You’re overthinking it," Zhao Zuo replied. "I said I wouldn’t participate, and I won’t change my mind, even if it were the Cave Mansion of a Golden Core master."

Zhao Zuo pulled back from his thoughts. He had just been pondering how to help the Fire Spirit Snake break through its bloodline restrictions, but unfortunately, no answer had come to him.

"Good, good, good." Liu Heng nodded repeatedly, clearly pleased. This was great news for him.

"Oh, right. I found these old magical artifacts in the Cave Mansion. Their rank should be Upper-Grade Magical Artifacts," Liu Heng said, finally remembering the main reason for his visit.

He took a wooden box from his Storage Bag. Inside were three dusty, sword-shaped magical artifacts, each about fifteen centimeters long. Their surfaces were smooth, and they gave off no metallic sheen, appearing remarkably subdued.

"Thank you, Brother Liu," Zhao Zuo said with genuine gratitude. He’d been wanting to collect some damaged magical artifacts to study their internal Spirit Patterns. He had only mentioned it once, offhandedly after a meal, yet Liu Heng had taken it to heart.

"It’s the least I could do," Liu Heng replied.

Zhao Zuo took the wooden box and infused a small amount of mana into it, sensing the three overlapping layers of Spirit Patterns within.

The three Spirit Patterns seemed completely unfamiliar, except for one... which looked somewhat recognizable. It was the Enemy Tracking inscription from the Fangcun Demon Palace’s Land of Inheritance.

After Zhao Zuo completed the refinement of the magical artifacts, he understood the true functions of the three Spirit Patterns: Enemy Tracking, Armor-Piercing, and Extreme Speed.

The three Spirit Patterns worked in concert to increase the gray magical swords’ flight speed and piercing power, as well as provide Enemy Tracking.

However, due to their great age, the Spirit Patterns inside these three artifacts were extremely worn... When he tried to circulate mana through them, the flow felt sluggish and frequently became congested.

In other words, these three artifacts were no longer usable in combat. Even their flight speed had become incredibly slow. On top of that, they weren’t made with a large amount of material, so even if melted down, their value wouldn’t be very high.

"Normally, a worn-out Upper-Grade Magical Artifact like this would be priced around two to three thousand Spirit Stones. These three are quite small, but still... I’ll give you five thousand Spirit Stones for them."

Zhao Zuo had recently sold some magical artifacts and still had ten thousand Spirit Stones in his Storage Bag. He took out five thousand and handed them to Liu Heng.

"I can’t accept these Spirit Stones," Liu Heng insisted. "Doing things for you... it’s my... my duty."

"Just take them." Zhao Zuo looked up, his tone carrying a hint of command.

’He saw right through Liu Heng’s intentions. He was trying to play the sympathy card, to close the distance between them in the hopes of having the Master-Servant Contract removed. But Zhao Zuo had no such intention, at least not for now.’

’Or, to be more precise, he wouldn’t remove the Master-Servant Contract until Liu Heng’s power was no longer a potential threat to him.’

’Even though he had rarely taken advantage of Liu Heng recently, the contract had to remain in place.’

’From the moment he started visiting the Cave Mansion, bringing expensive Spiritual Food each time, Liu Heng had begun his campaign of subtle influence. It was a direct approach... and a huge gamble, all riding on when Zhao Zuo’s heart might soften.’

Liu Heng looked up and met Zhao Zuo’s firm gaze. He gave a slightly sheepish smile and accepted the Spirit Stones.

He clearly understood the unspoken message.

’Still, he decided to keep playing the long game. He felt he had a good grasp of Zhao Zuo’s character. One day, he would win his true freedom.’

Liu Heng looked up again, his smile returning as if that brief moment of unpleasantness had never occurred. He took the initiative and continued to pour Spirit Wine for Zhao Zuo.

"Drink up. Cheers!"

Zhao Zuo wasn’t the least bit worried about the food being poisoned. The Master-Servant Contract was precisely for this reason. He had already issued an absolute command to Liu Heng: if Liu Heng ever even considered a thought that threatened Zhao Zuo’s safety, his head would instantly explode.

Such was the domineering power of the Master-Servant Contract.

"Oh, right. I also found some old books in the Cave Mansion. I know you like to read this sort of thing, Brother Zhao, so I brought them along for you." Having had a few cups of wine, Liu Heng began pulling more things from his Storage Bag.

"Thank you," Zhao Zuo said, accepting them.

Next, Liu Heng recounted the dangers he had faced on his trip to the Yunlan Mountain Range and explained the reason for the significant boost in his cultivation. In the Cave Mansion’s Spirit Herb Garden, he had discovered several stalks of Thousand-Year Red Ginseng.

This plant could augment Fire Attribute mana and even had the slight ability to raise the rank of a Fire-series Spiritual Root. It was a rare Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure in the Cultivation Realm.

Of the three people on the team, Liu Heng was the only one whose cultivation was founded on a Fire-series Spiritual Root. So, after paying a certain price, all of the Thousand-Year Red Ginseng stalks ended up in his possession.

After refinement... they were equivalent to roughly five years of arduous cultivation.

"If we find more Red Ginseng in the core chamber, I’ll be sure to bring one back for you, Brother Zhao."

Liu Heng promised, patting his chest. His eyes were hazy with drink.

......