Chapter 49: Seeking Success
Chapter 49: Chapter 49: Seeking Success
「Three months later.」
In a rented cave-dwelling within Peacock Demon City.
’It’s time to pick up my Magical Artifact!’
Xu Chang’an slowly opened his eyes.
For the past three months, he had mostly stayed inside his cave-dwelling to avoid trouble.
Although his cultivation at the Qi Refining Eighth Layer wasn’t high enough for Fasting, the rich Spiritual Qi in this place allowed him to go without food or drink for short periods.
After a quick scan to make sure nothing was left behind, Xu Chang’an stood up and walked out of the cave-dwelling.
Outside the cave was a clear spring-fed pool, dotted with strange flowers, creating a rather artistic scene.
Dozens more cave-dwellings like Xu Chang’an’s were carved out in the surrounding area.
The entire inn and cultivation grounds covered a considerable area.
To be able to run a business renting out cave-dwellings within the Demon City, the power backing it was naturally not to be underestimated.
Xu Chang’an walked along the stone bridge over the spring-fed pool, on his way to handle the check-out procedures.
Come to think of it, he had rented this place for quite some time.
It had cost him a hundred Demon Stones.
That was enough to buy four or five Low-grade Magical Artifacts!
"Daoist friend, Pill Master Ye and I go back many years.
As for refining the Foundation Establishment Pill, you can rest assured. Leave it to me."
’Foundation Establishment Pill!?’
Xu Chang’an looked up.
He saw a Beijing Spirit leading a Wolf Demon toward him.
This type of Wolf Demon was relatively rare; it must be a White Wolf Demon.
"For now, just settle in and stay here peacefully.
As soon as I find a Daoist friend to cooperate with on the Alchemy, I’ll let you know immediately."
The Beijing Spirit said with a wide smile.
"Alright."
The White Wolf Demon wasn’t one for words, and his voice was cold.
The Beijing Spirit was about to say more, but seeing Xu Chang’an approach, he immediately fell silent.
The few demons passed each other.
Only when they were some distance away could he faintly hear the Beijing Spirit’s voice again.
"Rest assured, Daoist friend. What you’ve gathered this time are the main ingredients for the Foundation Establishment Pill.
Based on my experience, it will take a month at most to find a suitable Daoist friend to collaborate on the Alchemy."
After that, the Beijing Spirit’s words became inaudible.
’That White Wolf Demon is seeking a Foundation Establishment Pill. Although I didn’t probe its cultivation, it must be at the Peak of the Ninth Level of Qi Refining.’
’He’s found the key primary ingredients for refining a Foundation Establishment Pill. And he’s also found a channel for getting it refined. Quite impressive!’
The Foundation Establishment Pill was a type of Tier-Breaking Elixir.
For a cultivator at the Ninth Level of Qi Refining to step into the Foundation Establishment Realm, they generally needed to consume a Foundation Establishment Pill to even attempt the breakthrough, unless they possessed a Demon King Bloodline or were one of the few exceptionally talented demons.
The existence of the Foundation Establishment Pill had indeed greatly increased the number of Great Demons within the Demon Race.
It allowed the originally weaker Demon Race to stand on equal footing with the Human Race.
However, even after taking it, there was still a chance of failure, depending on the demon’s accumulated foundation, experiences, and Mental Realm.
Tier-Breaking Elixirs were far more difficult to refine than Cultivation Elixirs of the same tier.
An Alchemist capable of refining a Foundation Establishment Pill had to be at least a Tier Two Middle Grade Alchemist.
Alchemists who had mastered the skills for refining Tier-Breaking Elixirs were enough to make countless demons flock to them, racking their brains for ways to curry favor.
The revered status of Alchemists was no joke.
’The Foundation Establishment Pill!’
His Alchemy Skills came from a Tier Three legacy.
Naturally, it included the refining method for the Foundation Establishment Pill.
Xu Chang’an thought to himself.
’One day, I’ll also be able to refine Foundation Establishment Pills. I’ll establish my own cultivation grounds and have demons flock to me, drawn by my reputation. That day might not be too far away.’
After completing the check-out procedures, Xu Chang’an headed straight for the Hundred Tools Workshop in the Inner City.
Business at the Hundred Tools Workshop was brisk, with demons coming and going constantly.
"Senior, what can I help you with?"
A Little Demon came forward to greet him.
Xu Chang’an stated his purpose: to pick up the Magical Artifact he had commissioned.
The Little Demon led him to a private room and asked him to wait patiently.
Inside the room, Spirit Tea and a platter of fruits were laid out.
Xu Chang’an sensed them for a moment and was surprised to find a faint trace of Spirituality within the fruits.
It was minuscule, but it was definitely there.
Not wanting to let the Hundred Tools Workshop’s gesture go to waste, Xu Chang’an swept the plate of fruit clean.
’A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step! Accumulating Energy should be a daily practice.’
Xu Chang’an mocked himself a little.
After commissioning the Top-grade Magical Artifact, he was truly feeling the emptiness of his purse.
After a short wait, the Yellow Ox Demon from before walked into the private room.
"Greetings, valued guest."
The Yellow Ox Demon offered his respects.
As he did, his eyes unintentionally fell upon the completely empty fruit platter in front of Xu Chang’an.
’This...’
The Yellow Ox Demon was speechless.
Of all the guests that came and went, he had seen some who tasted a piece or two.
But this was the first time he’d ever seen someone sweep the whole plate clean.
However, it was ultimately a trivial matter.
"Valued guest, please take a look. This is the Magical Artifact we forged. Please inspect it."
With that, the Yellow Ox Demon took out a tiny golden needle from his Storage Bag.
It was extremely small, just like an ordinary embroidery needle.
"This Magical Artifact is called the Golden Radiance Needle. Of course, the valued guest is free to name it as you please."
"The greatest feature of the Golden Radiance Needle is its peerless sharpness.
It is extremely effective against ordinary Restrictions, Defense Arrays, and Demon Talismans.
When driven by the same amount of Demon Power, it is a third more effective than an ordinary Top-grade Magical Artifact."
"The Golden Radiance Needle also possesses the Ruyi attribute, allowing it to change size at will.
What you see now is the Golden Radiance Needle in its smallest form.
At its largest, it can become seven to eight zhang long.
Its key characteristic is its flexible size-changing ability.
You can just imagine. During Magical Combat, the Golden Radiance Needle can first approach the enemy in its tiny form.
Then, at the opportune size, it can deliver a sharp blow to your foe, widening the wound.
Caught off guard, they are certain to be hit.
Also, if you are Flying in the Sky, its largest form is big enough to carry numerous companions."
"During Magical Combat, the Golden Radiance Needle can emit a golden light.
This light not only affects the enemy’s vision, but it also has a stunning effect.
This gives it an even greater element of surprise!"
The Yellow Ox Demon spoke with eloquent confidence.
’Sharpness for Breaking the Ban, the Ruyi size-changing, and the stunning golden light.’
The first two perfectly met Xu Chang’an’s requirements for sharp Attack capabilities and a compact size.
As for the stealth aspect, although it wasn’t perfectly realized, the effects of its tiny form and the stunning golden light were more than enough to compensate for this shortcoming.
’It’s really quite good!’
The price was higher than that of a typical Top-grade Magical Artifact, but it seemed to be worth the cost.
However, controlling the Golden Radiance Needle would be much more difficult than a typical Top-grade Magical Artifact designed for brute-force Attacks.
Mastering the timing for its Ruyi size-changing ability required an extremely high level of skill!
Furthermore, while the Golden Radiance Needle could emit its stunning golden light, it required the user to divide their focus.
Wielding it as an extension of one’s own arm would be incredibly difficult!
However, none of this was a difficult task for Xu Chang’an.
He took the Golden Radiance Needle and performed a quick preliminary refinement on the spot, sensing that its functions were indeed just as the Yellow Ox Demon had described.
After confirming there were no issues, Xu Chang’an paid the remaining balance of three thousand two hundred Demon Stones.
The transaction was complete!
Xu Chang’an put away the Golden Radiance Needle and turned to leave the Hundred Tools Workshop.
The Yellow Ox Demon watched Xu Chang’an depart.
Their Hundred Tools Workshop had an excellent reputation; they wouldn’t do something like tailing a customer to rob and kill them.
But he still had a basic sense of curiosity.
’A Top-grade Magical Artifact! If I work hard for a few more years, I’ll be able to have one too!’
...
After leaving the Hundred Tools Workshop, he walked past streets lined with shops, their shelves dazzlingly full of various Magical Artifacts, Demon Talismans, and Elixirs.
Xu Chang’an didn’t linger for a moment, heading straight for the city gates.
This part of his plan was a complete success!
...
PS: To all you dashing, debonair, and handsome Daoist friends, this little mouse is begging for votes~