Chapter 48: Future Prospects
Chapter 48: Chapter 48: Future Prospects
"Valued customer, what grade of magical artifact are you looking to have forged?"
The Yellow Ox Demon asked with a beaming smile.
"A top-grade magical artifact!"
Xu Chang’an said calmly.
Surprise flashed in the Yellow Ox Demon’s eyes.
’Usually, only old demons at the Qi Refining Ninth Layer would even begin planning for a top-grade magical artifact.’
’This Mouse Demon is no ordinary fellow, planning to forge a top-grade magical artifact while only at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer.’
"Valued customer, do you have any specific requirements for the magical artifact? You can describe them in detail."
The Yellow Ox Demon inquired patiently.
Xu Chang’an had already given careful thought to the top-grade magical artifact he planned to commission.
Seeking a top-grade magical artifact was also a way to bolster his Guardian Dao.
His cultivation had now reached the Qi Refining Eighth Layer, and he was experienced in magical combat.
To maximize its usefulness, he needed to choose an offensive top-grade magical artifact.
Therefore, the artifact’s type should be offensive.
Right now, the only offensive magical artifact he owned that he was reasonably satisfied with was the Yuanbao Seal.
The Yuanbao Seal primarily relied on overt and righteous power.
Crushing foes with overwhelming momentum!
It was incredibly effective when the strong attacked the weak.
However, against a powerful enemy, any setback could easily lead to a stalemate.
Therefore, he urgently needed a sharp artifact capable of piercing through tough defenses.
Thus, the second requirement for this top-grade magical artifact was that it must be sharp and swift!
Given his Demon Body and Spirit, an overly large magical artifact was not suitable for him.
He could still wield one, but it would be extremely inconvenient.
Combined with the requirement for sharpness, the magical artifact naturally had to be small and nimble.
And if it was small, it would be best if it also had some kind of stealth function.
So, to summarize...
Xu Chang’an’s requirements for forging this top-grade magical artifact were: offensive, sharp, small, and stealthy.
The Yellow Ox Demon listened quietly, occasionally asking for specific clarifications.
During the process, the Yellow Ox Demon also asked if Xu Chang’an would be providing his own materials or if the workshop would supply them.
Xu Chang’an naturally chose to have the workshop supply them.
Providing your own materials was cheaper, but it was also extremely time-consuming.
Having the Hundred Tools Workshop provide everything was much faster.
"By the way, I need a guaranteed success rate."
Xu Chang’an added.
"Alright, understood."
The Yellow Ox Demon made a note of it.
There was, of course, a chance of failure when forging magical artifacts.
Therefore, the Hundred Tools Workshop offered a special service.
For an extra fee of demon stones, they could guarantee the magical artifact’s forging would be one hundred percent successful.
If the forging failed, the Hundred Tools Workshop would bear the cost and forge it a second time.
The customer wouldn’t need to spend a single extra demon stone.
"Valued customer, based on your requirements, forging this magical artifact will cost three thousand six hundred demon stones.
To guarantee success, there is an additional charge of six hundred demon stones.
In total, that will be four thousand two hundred demon stones."
"Alright."
In a little under an hour, the two demons had finished their discussion.
After confirming the details and price for forging the magical artifact, they signed two copies of the contract, and both parties applied their Demon Power Mark.
It was a contract in duplicate; Xu Chang’an took one copy to serve as his claim ticket.
He then paid a deposit of one thousand demon stones, with delivery scheduled for three months later.
With all business concluded, Xu Chang’an left the Hundred Tools Workshop.
’I wonder what his background is.’
The Yellow Ox Demon mused to himself as he watched Xu Chang’an depart.
’If a member of a major power’s direct lineage wants a top-grade magical artifact, they have their own sect’s exclusive Forging Hall to craft one, or they can obtain one through channels like the Merit Hall.’
’The ones who come to trade for forged artifacts are typically Independent Cultivator Demons.’
’To possess such financial resources at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer... he must have a significant background!’
’Even among Independent Cultivator Demons, there are vast differences in background.’
’Take the Red Cloud Mountain Range’s number one Independent Cultivator Demon, the Thorn Demon King, for example!’
’No matter which power he visits, he’s treated as a guest of honor!’
...
After leaving the Hundred Tools Workshop, Xu Chang’an set about selling his middle-grade magical artifacts.
He had already learned about some of the larger shops in the Inner City while he was in the Outer City.
After asking around, he headed straight for his destination with a clear goal in mind.
The quality of resources in the Inner City was far beyond anything in the Outer City, so Xu Chang’an easily sold the middle-grade magical artifacts he had.
He kept only three magical artifacts: the Yuanbao Seal, the Illusory Bell, and the Earth Suppression Order.
He took stock of his demon stones. After setting aside the final payment of three thousand two hundred demon stones and accounting for his living expenses in Peacock Demon City, he used the remaining several hundred demon stones to purchase elixirs and spirit plants.
...
「Inside a rented cave residence in the Outer City of Peacock Demon City.」
Name: Xu Chang’an
Bloodline: Ordinary Grey Rat (Ungraded)
Lifespan: 36 Years
Realm: Qi Refining Eighth Layer
Skills: Alchemy (Tier One Low Grade)
Energy: (59/300)
...
Drawing his attention away from the data panel, Xu Chang’an sighed softly.
’Accumulating energy is getting harder and harder.’
Thanks to the panel, he didn’t have to worry about his bloodline’s aptitude or realm bottlenecks.
But it also placed a huge burden on his finances.
In his past life, he had rushed all over searching for opportunities, all in the name of toiling for spirit stones and spiritual items.
As long as he had enough energy, his cultivation path would be wide open.
Unfortunately...
In his past life, he had ultimately failed to reach the Nascent Soul realm, perishing in both body and Dao.
’To rapidly increase my energy accumulation, I have to find a way to earn demon stones!’
Unlike his past life, in this life he was specializing in the Alchemy Dao.
As long as his Alchemy Skill improved, his ability to earn demon stones would increase dramatically.
’A Middle-grade Alchemist!’
Xu Chang’an’s eyes narrowed as he looked ahead.
For a while now, he had been on the verge of reaching the skill level of a Middle-grade Alchemist.
Now, he was just one final step away.
’If I can get the backing of a major power, establish some channels, and do business in both regular elixirs and high-end custom ones... then wealth would surely pour in!’
A middle-grade magical artifact on the market costs only a few hundred demon stones.
But a custom-tailored top-grade magical artifact costs several thousand demon stones.
One could only imagine the speed at which the Hundred Tools Workshop accumulated wealth.
The Alchemy Skill was considered a first-rate discipline among the hundred arts of cultivation; its speed of accumulating wealth would naturally be no slower than forging.
As long as his skill was high enough, demon stones would pour in endlessly.
Xu Chang’an fantasized.
This was also the goal for his second phase.
When he had first achieved his demon transformation, he had just stepped onto the path of cultivation. His strength was paltry, unable to withstand any major storms.
Therefore, his initial goal had been to join a power—it’s always good to have a big tree for shade.
A stable and reliable environment for cultivation was more important than anything else.
That was why he had been willing to travel a great distance to follow the Black Chicken Spirit to Red Cloud Mountain.
It was only by a stroke of luck that he ended up joining Langlang Mountain instead.
His next goal, then, was to establish a secure base and make his fortune.
To have no shortage of demon stones and live a life of comfortable cultivation.
’Mid-stage Foundation Establishment!’
Xu Chang’an set a prerequisite for himself.
It was incredibly difficult to establish a secure base, let alone run a business that would make his fortune.
If he truly managed it, there was no telling how many demons would set their sights on him.
To make a fortune, one had to possess the strength to match and protect it.
The Hundred Tools Workshop had been able to operate in Peacock Demon City for centuries, passing down its legacy from generation to generation.
How could it have done so without a powerful backer of its own?
...
P.S. I was at the hospital this morning, so I’m releasing this Chapter a bit early.