The crafting of magical artifacts

After finishing the letter, Chu Liang returned to his small cabin for a brief nap. He didn't rise until the afternoon, when he tidied himself up and went to see his master to report.

Upon arriving at his master's pavilion, he found Lady Phoenix sitting there with a picture album in her hands, crying.

When she saw Chu Liang enter, she quickly closed the album and wiped her eyes.

"...Master, were you crying?" Chu Liang looked at her.

"No," Lady Phoenix shook her head, her eyes rimmed with red.

"Did the romance between the protagonists fall apart?" Chu Liang asked.

"It's not that serious..." Lady Phoenix shook her head again. "It's just that the male lead died."

"My condolences," Chu Liang said quietly.

Who would have thought that this notorious tyrant of Shushan actually possessed the sentimental heart of a young girl?

Lady Phoenix glanced at him again, "Did everything go smoothly?"

Chu Liang recounted what he could, saying things had gone well overall, and he hadn't needed to use the jade talisman his master had given him.

"That's excellent. You can handle matters on your own now," Lady Phoenix praised.

"It's still thanks to the confidence you gave me, Master," Chu Liang quickly responded with tact.

"Enough. Return the jade talisman to me," Lady Phoenix said casually.

"Hmm?" Chu Liang frowned, as though he didn't understand the word. "Return?"

"You've finished your task—aren't you going to give it back?" Lady Phoenix blinked.

"But didn't you say this was a life-saving spell for your disciple..." Chu Liang replied.

"Ah, who knew you wouldn't even use it." Lady Phoenix sighed. "I've been on edge these past few days, afraid I wouldn't be able to reach you in time if you called for help. Normally, I sleep seven hours a day, but now I wake up after five. If this continues, I'm going to have a nervous breakdown."

Well then.

So you know you sleep seven hours a day.

Aren't you worried you'll sleep yourself into a vegetative state?

Chu Liang grumbled inwardly, but kept smiling. Then he said, "Master, I suddenly remembered that I found a drink with a pleasant flavor at the foot of the mountain and bought some for you to try."

As he spoke, he took out a jar of honey tea.

"What is this?" Lady Phoenix took it, sniffed it suspiciously, "You're not going to poison your master, are you?"

Chu Liang laughed.

The kind of drug that could poison someone of your constitution, if dissolved in water, would fell thousands of elephants; no way could a single jar hold that much.

Lady Phoenix took a sip, and her eyes lit up.

"Hmm... this really does taste good. I've never had water so... so sweet," she murmured. "If you mixed in some wine, it might taste even better."

"Do you like it, Master?" Chu Liang asked.

"It's not bad," Lady Phoenix nodded.

"Then I'll buy more next time to honor you," Chu Liang said, and immediately took his leave. "If there's nothing else, I'll head back now—still need to go to the Sword Transmission Hall later."

Without waiting for Lady Phoenix to wave him off, he slipped away, his departure betraying a hint of impatience.

Watching him go, Lady Phoenix suddenly furrowed her brows.

"Huh? Did I forget something?"

...

Chu Liang's claim that he needed to visit the Sword Transmission Hall was not a lie.

He went straight to Tongtian Peak, first handing over some useless items he'd acquired in exchange for a few sword coins, and then proceeded to the second floor of the Sword Transmission Hall.

The second-floor corridor was lined with ancient scrolls, all depicting the most renowned artifacts ranked in the Treasury Almanac. The most eye-catching among them was the legendary Shushan Demon Suppressing Tower.

Initially, Chu Liang had wondered whether the white tower he possessed could be the long-lost Demon Suppressing Tower. But its appearance was vastly different from the depiction on the scroll, so he dismissed the idea.

On either side of the corridor were several quiet rooms.

"Hello, I'd like to forge a magical artifact," Chu Liang entered one and stated his intention plainly.

"Greetings, senior brother. Please, have a seat."

Inside was a young male disciple, seemingly younger than Chu Liang, pale and slender, with a youthful face but calm and mature eyes.

Still, Chu Liang dared not underestimate him. Those entrusted with artifact forging here were all personal disciples of the Sword Transmission Elder, and had to be highly accomplished.

The Sword Transmission Elder was one of the four chief elders, outranking even the thirty-six peak masters. To be his personal disciple required both talent and hard work.

Youth only meant greater genius.

"I am Wen Yulong. If you have any requests or questions about artifact forging, feel free to ask," the young disciple said politely.

"I recently acquired a fine material," Chu Liang took out the natal green leaf. "I'd like to forge it into an artifact. Do you have any recommendations?"

Wen Yulong took the leaf, examined it closely in his palm, and infused it with a trace of true energy, causing it to glow.

"Hmm," he nodded lightly, "this green leaf... must have come from a tree spirit at least at the peak of the fourth realm, used as its core. It's not fully intact, but the material is excellent."

Immersed in thought, he continued, "For artifact forging, there are two suitable sets of array patterns. One for flight, which would make a wind-riding artifact; the other for defense, yielding a defensive artifact. Both match the material well. Other effects are possible, but wouldn't be as effective."

Flight... defense...

Chu Liang considered it; he lacked both types at present.

Since he wasn't familiar with artifact forging, he asked, "Which of the two patterns do you think is better?"

"The flight pattern is simpler, less risky, since we take no responsibility for failed forging—you know that, right? We refund the forging fee but not the material," Wen Yulong explained. "The defensive pattern is a bit more complex, but more practical—it's certainly better for combat."

He seemed hesitant, as if holding something back.

"Of course, since the initial forging yields the best results, it's ideal to add both patterns at once," he finally added.

"Both can be added?" Chu Liang was puzzled. "Then of course, I want both."

"That's best, but it's... expensive," Wen Yulong said quietly, "and much harder. It often fails; my master doesn't usually let us do it..."

Chu Liang now understood his hesitation.

Recommending the pricier option could be seen as upselling, inviting misunderstanding. Worse, the higher failure rate could tarnish the hall's reputation.

Better to make simple artifacts and keep everyone happy.

But...

Mediocre artifacts are easily discarded as one's cultivation advances—ultimately, that's a loss.

Without hesitation, Chu Liang said, "I'll add both patterns and aim for the best result."

Wen Yulong's eyes brightened, "You're not worried about the risk, senior brother?"

"There's always risk in forging. I trust you'll do your best," Chu Liang smiled. "How much?"

"If both patterns are added, it's one hundred sword coins," Wen Yulong replied.

Chu Liang's smile vanished instantly.

But he knew that, for artifact forging, this was a fair price. If successful, he would gain a fine magical treasure.

Gritting his teeth, he said, "One hundred sword coins is no small sum. I hope it works."

"Rest assured, senior brother. Don't be fooled by my age—I've forged artifacts on my own twelve times already..." Wen Yulong nodded vigorously. "I hope this time will succeed too."