Chapter 219: Refining Master

Volume 3

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The market wasn't very crowded at this time. Han Li only saw about thirty cultivators in the outer areas, which made the place seem quite desolate.

"Have all the people gone to the Stardust Pavilion in the center?" Han Li wondered to himself.

However, he had no immediate plans to go to the Stardust Pavilion.

He was very curious about the artifact refining shop, which seemed to make quite a boast. (The talisman refining shop, in contrast, only refunded spirit stones equivalent to the materials if it failed.) So, after completing his circuit, Han Li couldn't help but walk inside.

The shop wasn't large, appearing to consist of only three rooms and a backyard.

When Han Li entered the front hall, a middle-aged man dressed as a scholar was already there, conversing with a white-haired, rosy-faced old man. Beside them stood a dark-skinned, respectful strongman.

The scholar and the old man were engrossed in their conversation and paid no attention to Han Li's arrival, continuing their long talk. It was the strongman who, responsibly, stepped forward and politely asked:

"Are you here to buy an artifact, esteemed guest, or to commission one?"

"Let me see what artifacts you have first, then I'll decide whether to commission one," Han Li replied calmly.

"Alright, esteemed guest, would you like to see mid-tier or high-tier artifacts?" the strongman asked, his face brightening as he realized it was a potential customer.

"Top-tier artifacts, and I want the best of them!"

Han Li's voice wasn't loud, but this single sentence instantly stunned the strongman. The two who had been conversing so heatedly immediately fell silent, their eyes now wide with astonishment as they scrutinized Han Li.

"You wish to see top-tier artifacts, and only the finest ones?" the strongman asked, regaining his composure, unable to help but confirm if he had heard correctly.

Top-tier artifacts were not something an ordinary person could afford, often costing hundreds of low-tier spirit stones. Even a cultivator who saved their entire life might not be able to purchase one. Yet Han Li was asking to see the finest of the top-tier items in one go. It was no wonder the strongman lost his composure.

"Xiao Hei, come back! Do not be rude to this Senior!" The white-haired old man finally recognized Han Li's Foundation Establishment stage cultivation, his expression changing. He rushed over and ordered the strongman away.

"This old man is the owner of this shop. Senior, please feel free to command me with anything you need!"

Both the old man and the scholar were evidently Qi Condensation stage cultivators. Seeing a 'master' like Han Li suddenly grace his small shop made the old man uneasy.

"Nothing much, just checking if you have any good artifacts here. If suitable, I might buy one or two," Han Li said. The old man immediately breathed a sigh of relief, but his face still showed a hint of awkwardness as he replied:

"I'm afraid I'll disappoint Senior. Although this shop does have two or three top-tier artifacts, they are merely for display and are not considered fine items." The old man, facing a Foundation Establishment cultivator like Han Li, dared not conceal the truth and spoke frankly.

Han Li was disappointed upon hearing this. However, he couldn't help but inwardly curse himself for being foolish! No matter how boastful the sign outside the shop was, it was just a means to attract customers. Why had he taken it seriously?

Han Li shook his head and turned to leave. But as he neared the door, he turned his head and said, a hint of dissatisfaction in his voice:

"So, the claim outside about being able to refine top-tier artifacts is just an empty boast then!"

"No! Senior, you've misunderstood. Our shop conducts business with integrity; every word on the sign outside is true, absolutely no falsehoods! As long as I have suitable materials, this old man can indeed refine top-tier artifacts," the white-haired old man quickly interjected, defending the shop's reputation.

"You can refine top-tier artifacts?" Han Li was greatly surprised, a flicker of doubt flashing in his eyes, his voice full of skepticism.

He had thought there was someone else who did the refining, not this old man himself.

It was no wonder Han Li was skeptical. Refining top-tier artifacts was unlike refining mid-tier or high-tier ones, which could be done with ordinary worldly flames. Top-tier artifacts required tempering with innate true fire or earth fire, similar to refining Foundation Establishment Pills, to be successfully created.

But this old man was merely a Qi Condensation stage cultivator; he wouldn't possess innate true fire, nor did this place appear to have earth fire. So how could he refine top-tier artifacts?

"It's perfectly normal for Senior to be unfamiliar with Brother Xu's shop, as this is your first visit! Brother Xu comes from a family with a deep legacy in artifact refining, and his skill is certainly no less than that of refiners from renowned sects. Furthermore, the Xu family has, for hundreds of years, maintained a Tier 2, early-stage Fire Crow. The demonic flames it spews are three parts more potent than innate true fire, which is more than sufficient for refining top-tier artifacts without worry," the middle-aged scholar, who had been silent until now, suddenly interjected to explain for the old man. This, however, only made Han Li more puzzled.

"Demonic flames? I've only ever heard of earth fire being used for refining artifacts and pills; I've never heard of demonic flames working!" Han Li frowned, still finding it hard to believe.

"Heh heh! Senior is unaware! Using demonic flames for refining artifacts, or even pills, requires special techniques and is not officially recognized by the major immortal sects. It is considered a minor, unorthodox art and is not widely spread. Our family wouldn't have specifically researched this path if we hadn't, by chance, acquired such a Fire Crow," the old man took over from the scholar, clarifying the matter for Han Li.

"Is that so!" Although Han Li had heard their explanation, he hadn't witnessed it himself, so he remained somewhat skeptical.

"Could Senior also be looking to commission a top-tier artifact?" the old man asked curiously, seeing Han Li lost in thought.

"If I provide you with sufficient materials, what is your success rate for refining a top-tier artifact?" Han Li looked up and asked, neither confirming nor denying.

"That depends on the quality of the materials and Senior's specific requirements for the artifact. If the materials and requirements are average, I have about a one-third chance of success. However, if a top-tier artifact refining fails, the shop will not compensate for the materials, as the failure rate is too high! The double compensation only applies to mid-tier and high-tier artifacts. Otherwise, this old man would have gone bankrupt long ago!" The old man, seeing Han Li's inquiry, secretly rejoiced and quickly replied with a serious tone.

It should be known that a master refiner like him most lacked high-grade raw materials to practice with. The process of refining a few top-tier artifacts would significantly elevate his refining skill!

And the person before him, though sounding young, was a Foundation Establishment cultivator after all! What he could produce would certainly not be ordinary goods. This made the old man greatly anticipate.

"I do have some materials that I can let you try refining. However, I must observe while you refine the artifact. Rest assured, I will not interfere, and if the refining is successful, I will give you a portion of the raw materials as compensation! You won't have worked in vain!" Han Li said with determination after a moment of silence.

For Han Li, it was more suitable to refine those precious Inkflood Dragon materials directly into useful artifacts rather than exchanging them for spirit stones.

Although the number of top-tier artifacts he currently possessed was considerable among Qi Condensation disciples, he felt uncertain compared to other Foundation Establishment cultivators, who surely wouldn't have few.

"Of course! Does Senior wish to begin refining now? This old man can start at any time!" The old man became excited, seeing that Han Li genuinely wanted him to refine a top-tier artifact. He immediately agreed to Han Li's conditions and spoke with anticipation.

"I still have some things to buy. I'll come back here to begin after I've finished my errands," Han Li replied, shaking his head.

"Very well! This junior will await Senior here!" The old man was slightly disappointed that Han Li wouldn't start immediately, but he quickly regained his composure and said respectfully.

Seeing that everything was settled, Han Li didn't wish to linger. After a casual farewell, he turned and walked out of the shop.

However, before he had even left the building, just a few feet away, the scholar's voice suddenly came from behind him.

"Senior, please hold your step for a moment!"

Han Li paused, hesitated for a moment, and then stopped. He turned around and saw the scholar who had followed him out. The scholar was now looking at Han Li with a broad smile.

"Is there something you need?" Han Li asked, frowning, his voice cool.

He disliked people who disturbed him without reason.

"This junior wishes to ask Senior, are you here to buy anything specific in the market? My name is Wang Ziling, and I reside permanently in this market. Perhaps I can assist you and save Senior a considerable amount of time!"

Upon hearing this, Han Li looked at the scholar with a hint of surprise, then suddenly chuckled softly and said:

"Are you Feng Xingzi?"

Although the scholar couldn't see Han Li's expression due to the hood, he clearly heard the amusement in his voice. His heart relaxed, and he quickly replied:

"Senior has guessed correctly. This junior only occasionally does this; I'm not specifically employed by any shop, so Senior can rest assured!"

Han Li nodded somewhat indifferently, then calmly stated:

"While I don't mind whether you're specifically employed by a shop, I'm here to buy things like formation flags and formation plates this time. It seems going to the Stardust Pavilion is the best option, and I don't appear to need any help."