Lingquan Mountain served as the central business district for the entire Star-Moon City, a place where every inch of land was precious. Those who resided on Lingquan Mountain were all influential figures, either wealthy or noble.
Zhu Yu, apprenticed to a rogue cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage, was fortunate enough to be granted a cave dwelling at the foot of Lingquan Mountain.
At this moment, the old man with a youthful countenance and crane-like hair sat cross-legged on a jade bed within the cave dwelling. Having completed his cultivation, he slowly opened his eyes.
"Yu'er, come in and quickly help me bathe!"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Yu, clad in magnificent robes from the outer chambers, entered. He swiftly approached the old man and gently helped him up.
The Ancestor lightly lifted Zhu Yu's handsome face, which was adorned with sword-like eyebrows, piercing eyes, a nose like a hanging gall, and lips as red as cinnabar.
"Yu'er grows more handsome by the day."
"Had I not taken you as my disciple to serve as a flute boy, you would likely be married and have children by now! Do you harbor any resentment towards me?"
"Yu'er is fortunate enough to have met the Ancestor in this life! If not for the Ancestor, how would Yu'er have had the opportunity to embark on the path of cultivation?"
Zhu Yu assisted the old man into the hot spring pool and then knelt before him...
The scene that followed was inappropriate for description and is thus omitted.
...
Xiao Fei, carrying a large satchel, entered the artifact refining workshop he had visited previously.
Upon seeing the large satchel, the shopkeeper's demeanor became considerably more welcoming.
"May I ask, fellow Daoist, are you here to refine artifacts or to sell materials?"
"I wish to refine a few useful magical artifacts, and sell you the rest of the materials?"
As Xiao Fei spoke, he opened the satchel, revealing a pile of materials within.
The shopkeeper's eyes narrowed into slits of delight at the sight of the materials.
"One whole piece of Grade 1 Mid-grade Porcupine Hide, 368 porcupine quills. One whole piece of Grade 1 High-grade Black Viper Skin, one viper skeleton, two fangs, and two venom sacs."
At this point, the shopkeeper cupped his hands in respect towards Xiao Fei.
"Fellow Daoist has actually managed to hunt and kill a Grade 1 High-grade Black Viper! I am truly impressed!"
Xiao Fei's expression remained calm and indifferent as he waved his hand.
"It was merely a fortunate encounter, nothing worth mentioning."
This was not Xiao Fei being boastful; it was a matter of survival in the cultivation world. Sometimes, one should be low-key, playing the pig to eat the tiger. Other times, one should be appropriately assertive to secure greater benefits, at least to avoid being easily manipulated and to reduce trouble.
"May I inquire how Fellow Daoist intends to dispose of these materials? What kind of magical artifacts do you wish to refine?"
"This viper skin can be refined into two pieces of soft armor, the fangs can be forged into poisoned daggers, and the porcupine quills can be made into needle-like magical artifacts. I will sell you the remaining materials."
Xiao Fei then elaborated on his specific requirements for each artifact, which the shopkeeper meticulously noted down.
"Fellow Daoist, before we begin refining, I must inform you that any artifact or pill refining carries the risk of failure. Should the refining fail, our shop will only compensate for the cost of the materials lost."
"No problem!"
Xiao Fei was somewhat aware of this. Even the most skilled artifact refiners could not guarantee a hundred percent success rate.
The shopkeeper estimated that after refining these artifacts, there would not be many materials left, which would not cover the entire refining cost. Furthermore, he would have to add many auxiliary materials himself.
"According to Fellow Daoist's requirements, after refining everything, you will need to pay an additional 20 spirit stones."
"I also have a spare flying sword here. How much can it offset in spirit stones?"
Xiao Fei had killed Lin Dagou and obtained a water-attribute flying sword, which he had no use for.
The shopkeeper took the flying sword, but his attitude became even more respectful. This individual not only hunted Black Vipers but was also a ruthless treasure-snatching cultivator. They usually acquired such second-hand artifacts through killing and looting.
"This sword is Grade 1 Low-grade, water-attribute magical artifact, about seventy percent new. Its retail price is around 45 spirit stones, but our shop's purchase price is only 40 spirit stones. Are you sure you want to sell it?"
The shopkeeper often dealt with treasure-snatching cultivators and knew their ways. It was better to be upfront about the price. If the other party felt cheated, they might target him when he was out and about.
"Yes! I'm sure!"
The transaction was settled. Xiao Fei handed over the satchel, received 20 spirit stones, and left with a receipt.
Ten days later, Xiao Fei returned to the artifact refining shop. The shopkeeper led him into the backyard.
"Fellow Daoist, your two pieces of soft armor and the porcupine quills have been successfully refined. However, there was an error during the refinement of the fangs, and it failed!"
As the shopkeeper spoke, he appeared somewhat nervous, fearing that Xiao Fei might suddenly become violent. Seeing that Xiao Fei's expression revealed neither joy nor anger, he continued.
"After the fangs failed, we added the remaining materials and the venom from the two venom sacs to the porcupine quills, thereby enhancing their quality."
After examining the finished products, Xiao Fei was quite satisfied. When the shopkeeper compensated him with another 20 spirit stones, he became even more pleased.
The two sets of armor were crafted to fit him and Huang Feifei, possessing a Grade 1 Mid-grade quality, capable of withstanding the slashing of ordinary flying swords.
Out of the more than 300 porcupine quills, many were damaged during refining, leaving 250 in the end. These 250 refined porcupine quills were reduced in size to the thickness of toothpicks, their texture hard and sharp, and they were imbued with the viper's venom. The artifact refiner, following his instructions, crafted a small magical artifact box to hold all 250 refined poisoned quills. When activated, countless poisoned quills would shoot out, making them impossible to defend against.
Xiao Fei named this round little box "Exploding Pear Blossom."
Xiao Fei packed these artifacts and returned to the inn with a large satchel.
Green-bean eyes was, as always, holding a large golden rat, the breed of which was unknown. Xiao Fei greeted Green-bean eyes and headed towards the back courtyard where his room was.
He could now afford to move to a better place with the money he had earned. However, after discovering that Green-bean eyes was a hidden senior expert, Xiao Fei decided not to leave. He would definitely cling to such a powerful figure. If nothing else, the fact that he could guide his cultivation was something many would envy. Moreover, with a powerful expert guarding the inn's entrance day and night, there was no need to worry about any malevolent spirits sneaking in.
"Young Master! Look, this is a new robe I've made for you!"
As soon as Xiao Fei entered his room, Huang Feifei presented him with a robe to try on. This robe was of higher quality than the previous one and fit him perfectly.
"Coincidentally, I also made an extra piece of soft armor. Here, take it."
Xiao Fei took the female soft armor from his satchel and casually handed it to Huang Feifei.
"Thank you, Young Master."
Huang Feifei returned to her room, took off her outer garment, and put on the soft armor. It fit snugly, with the size and dimensions perfect in every aspect. Huang Feifei's face flushed slightly.
After giving away the soft armor, Xiao Fei returned to his bedroom and entered the spatial dimension with his divine sense. The few spiritual herbs he had transplanted into the space had all survived and were growing robustly. The two red-fruited trees by his second sister's grave had blossomed with white flowers, and a light layer of white petals had fallen to the ground. They should bear fruit soon. The red-fruited tree produces Grade 1 spiritual fruits, with ripe fruits selling for five spirit stones each. That would be another source of income.