Cultivation is just so scientific!

Chapter 443: Chapter 268: Artifact Refining

At Shushan Sect, Li Shiming, aside from his once-daily alchemy practice compared to the previous five times a day, needed only around three to four two-hour periods to craft Third-grade Spirit Pills, and consequently, he had some extra time.

He then began to look into the artifact refining legacy he had acquired before. Of course, the artifact refining legacies in his possession were of very low grade, but they were still sufficient for an introduction to the craft.

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In fact, using the Red Sun Spirit Fire, which was nearly at the Golden Core standard, to learn artifact refining was a tremendous waste.

Especially since he was still using First-grade Materials for practice, resulting in the production of Magic Artifacts.

Crafting Magic Artifacts was not difficult, but he soon recognized the limitations of the artifact refining legacy he had.

The legacy of Loose Cultivator’s artifact refining in his hands only contained records for a relatively small number of materials, for both First-grade and Second-grade refining materials, while most materials lacked relevant information.

One couldn’t blame the Loose Cultivator’s refining legacy for these shortcomings; rather, it was due to the limitations inherent to Loose Cultivators themselves.

Loose Cultivators had limited access to refining materials to begin with, as most superior resources were controlled by the major sects and powerful forces; whatever fell into the hands of Loose Cultivators were the leftovers disregarded by these major players.

Of course, this did not mean that there were no superior materials available, but Loose Cultivators lacked the systematic legacy of major sects and had to rely on personal experience. Even if they were fortunate enough to encounter valuable materials, they dared not refine them on their own.

If a Loose Cultivator failed while using high-quality materials or did not achieve the desired quality, the loss would be too great, so great that a Loose Cultivator couldn’t afford it.

As such, the artifact refining legacy that Li Shiming had soon became of little use to him after he got started on refining artifacts.

Just as he was considering whether to use contribution points to exchange for a better artifact refining legacy from the sect, Sect Elder Zhang from Sword Holding Peak sent a visiting spell to the outside of his location.

When Li Shiming saw the spell, he was slightly startled. He naturally knew Elder Zhang, who was a Golden Core Elder in Elder Su’s lineage, but his relationship with Elder Zhang was just average.

Being a junior, Elder Zhang had previously praised him only in words, and that was for the sake of his master, Elder Su.

Afterward, Li Shiming became an Alchemy Master, and Elder Zhang’s enthusiasm faded among the many Golden Core cultivators, leaving little impression on him.

Although Li Shiming did not know why Elder Zhang was coming, based solely on Elder Zhang’s relationship with Elder Su, he couldn’t disregard the visit.

Li Shiming activated the Mountain Protecting Array and welcomed Elder Zhang in.

“Shiming, it’s rather presumptuous of me to come visit like this and disturb you, right?” Elder Zhang said with a proactive smile as soon as he met Li Shiming.

This was a manifestation of Li Shiming’s status; even Sect Elders were now interacting with him on equal footing.

Elder Zhang had also chosen the time carefully, knowing that Li Shiming’s alchemy practice hours were fixed, during which no cultivator would disturb him.

His deliberate manner of speaking was to lower his stance and narrow the gap between them.

“Uncle Zhang, you’re too kind, it’s not a disturbance at all!” Li Shiming smiled and invited him to the pavilion at the mountaintop, specially constructed for entertaining guests.

Li Shiming brought out Second Grade Spirit Tea and spiritual spring water enhanced by Spirit Cleansing Carp, and brewed a cup of Spiritual Tea for Elder Zhang.

“The tea is excellent, as is the water! Since the ceremony, I’ve been longing for your Spiritual Tea!” Elder Zhang did not rush to reveal his purpose of visit and complimented after taking a sip of the Second Grade Spirit Tea, his eyes lighting up.

“If you like it, Uncle Zhang, take some Spiritual Tea with you when you leave, and some spiritual spring water as well!” Li Shiming laughed and gestured.

The Second Grade Spirit Tea was personally crafted by him and tasted exceptionally good, not to mention paired with the elevated quality of the spiritual spring, which he estimated was, aside from what the Nascent Soul Ancestor might have, the best within the sect.

This was also the most suitable gift he could offer at the moment, without much concern for the quantity.

“Then I won’t be polite!” Elder Zhang said happily. With the atmosphere having warmed up, he then broached the main topic, “I heard you’ve recently been learning artifact refining?”

Those who paid attention within the sect would have noticed Li Shiming’s study of artifact refining.

Li Shiming was no longer the same as before; many cultivators in the sect kept an eye on his every move.

Recently, he exchanged contribution points for a batch of First-grade Refining Materials, and such affairs could hardly be concealed from the cultivators within the sect.

He had no intention of keeping it a secret either, mainly because learning artifact refining was nothing to be ashamed of.

“Yes, just casually passing time!” Li Shiming replied with a smile.

“You’re at the Late-stage Foundation Establishment, it’s indeed time you should learn artifact refining. I’ve just heard about your interest in refining, and I’ve taken the liberty to come teach you. Although I’m not an Artifact Refining Master, I’m just a step away, mostly due to my lackluster talent in refining. However, my artifact refining legacy is top-notch!” Elder Zhang nodded and said.

Elder Zhang understood Li Shiming’s interest in learning artifact refining.

It was commonplace for cultivators with confidence in advancing to the Golden Core Stage, and at Late-stage Foundation Establishment, to learn artifact refining as a secondary profession.

Because once a cultivator reached the Golden Core Stage, they needed to prepare their own magic treasures.

Magic treasures could be purchased or self-crafted. Typically, a cultivator’s own lineage would have the methods for crafting the treasures, which would complement the main Cultivation Technique.

A self-crafted magic treasure, in harmony with the primary Cultivation Technique and with closer spiritual linkage and better controllability due to personal crafting, are reasons why those Golden Core cultivators who could, would often prefer to craft their own magic treasures.