Chapter 678: Refining Instruments

For cultivators, as long as spiritual energy is abundant, nothing is a problem.

While the cities on Duyan Island appear crude and simple, in reality, the island hosts a significant number of mortals and low-level cultivators, presenting a thriving and prosperous scene. In the Demon Sea, few places can maintain stability like Duyan Island. Surrounded by abundant demonic beast resources, not only have the island's original inhabitants developed remarkably well, but many foreign cultivators also venture across the sea to settle here.

Qin Sang disembarked with Ran Luo and the others, and under Ran Luo's guidance, easily located his cave dwelling.

The cave dwelling chosen by Elder Zou was located on the outskirts of the city, near a barren mountain. This specific location had a purpose. This mountain is called Redstone Mountain. Unlike other rocky mountains, its stones have a faint reddish hue, indicating an underground fire vein. The Island Lord established numerous fire chambers here, making it an excellent location for both artifact refining and elixir alchemy.

While Ran Luo and Elder Zou were busy organizing their personnel, no one disturbed Qin Sang's quiet cultivation. It wasn't until ten days later that Ran Luo came to visit him.

"Cultivator, have you rested well? If you have nothing else to do, how about we start refining artifacts now? Our guild's staff has acquired many demonic corpses recently, filling several warehouses. Elder Zou and the guild's alchemists have already sorted them, setting aside the parts usable for spirit elixirs like Fiendbane Pills and Blood Bone Pills. More than half still remains, and we'll need your expertise for those. Everything is prepared on Redstone Mountain..."

Qin Sang was already prepared and readily agreed, "Please lead the way, Fellow Daoist Ran."

To refine artifacts on Duyan Island, one must go to Redstone Mountain. Especially when dealing with a large volume of artifact and elixir refining, a cultivator's internal Dan fire simply cannot sustain such high consumption. Qin Sang did not wish to expose his Nine Nether Demonic Flame and thus needed the terrestrial fire to conceal it. Renting fire chambers on the mountain was expensive, but since the Jade Firmament Guild was covering the costs, Qin Sang certainly wouldn't try to save them money.

The two walked side-by-side and soon arrived at Redstone Mountain. Upon ascending Redstone Mountain, one could feel the intense heat of the terrestrial fire permeating the air. Mortals who came here would likely dehydrate and perish within a short time.

Ran Luo led Qin Sang through several twists and turns, eventually arriving before a stone wall halfway up the mountain. An opening had been carved into the stone wall, and several people were waiting in front of it. Elder Zou was among them.

Standing behind Elder Zou were two individuals: one was a kindly-faced, white-bearded old man who was constantly smiling. Upon seeing Qin Sang and Ran Luo, he kindly nodded to them. The other was a lean young man with a stern, expressionless face. Qin Sang keenly noticed a hidden hostility in his gaze when the young man looked at him.

A thought crossed Qin Sang's mind as he recalled the identities of these two individuals. He had heard Ran Luo mention earlier that the white-bearded old man was Elder Zou's chief alchemist, and the lean young man was an artifact refiner.

"So, I'm standing in someone's way," Qin Sang thought to himself, but felt nothing in particular, and was indifferent to the lean young man's hostility. Artifact refining was all about skill. If his abilities were inferior, there would be nothing to say. But if his refining prowess surpassed that of the lean young man, then the position of chief artifact refiner would naturally be his by right.

"Cultivator, you've arrived," Elder Zou greeted, stepping aside with his companions. "Allow me to introduce you. Elder Jia is an old friend of mine; he had originally planned to retire, but I persuaded him to come out and help. This is Fellow Daoist Zhuo. Fellow Daoist Zhuo hails from the renowned Sword Cauldron Sect, which is very famous throughout the East Sea region."

Qin Sang cupped his hands and said, "This humble Daoist Qingfeng greets both fellow Daoists." He hadn't heard of the Sword Cauldron Sect, guessing it was a sect famous for artifact refining in the Azure Waves Sea.

The young man surnamed Zhuo, however, maintained his composure. He returned Qin Sang's greeting with his usual expression and asked curiously, "May I ask which sect Daoist Qingfeng hails from? Elder Zou and Steward Ran speak highly of you. You must have unique expertise in the path of artifact refining. Perhaps your sect has some connection with our Sword Cauldron Sect."

"This humble Daoist is a rogue cultivator," Qin Sang replied. "I accidentally obtained a refining technique in the past; I don't think it has any relation to your esteemed sect..." Qin Sang evaded the question with a chuckle, and the young man surnamed Zhuo didn't press further.

Elder Zou took out a Mustard Seed Pouch and handed it to Qin Sang. "Please have a look, Cultivator," he said. "How many artifacts can be refined from the spiritual materials and demonic corpses in this pouch?"

Qin Sang swept his spiritual sense over it, discovering the pouch contained a rich array of items. Besides some spiritual materials, there were also many beast bones and hides, including a complete spine that appeared to be from a flood dragon.

After inspecting each item, Qin Sang pondered for a moment, then said, "With these spiritual materials, this humble Daoist should be able to refine five top-grade artifacts. As for low-grade artifacts, it's harder to say; it depends on how many spiritual materials are left over."

"Five?" Elder Zou and Elder Jia exchanged glances, their eyes filled with surprise and delight.

The lean young man, however, was stunned, his face filled with disbelief. He would only dare to refine three top-grade artifacts at most to ensure success. He couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "With just these spiritual materials, can you truly refine five top-grade artifacts? Are you perhaps exaggerating?"

Qin Sang said confidently, "Fellow Daoists, please wait a few days. You'll know once this humble Daoist finishes refining, won't you?"

Elder Zou clapped his hands. "Excellent! The fire chamber is ready for you, Cultivator. During this time, no one will disturb you. Should you need anything, simply instruct our people. This Zou will await your good news."

Then, a guard emerged from inside. Qin Sang bid farewell to the group and followed the guard into the cave dwelling, choosing a prime fire chamber at random.

Watching Qin Sang enter the cave dwelling, Elder Zou smiled faintly and looked at Ran Luo, saying, "Daoist Qingfeng can actually refine five top-grade artifacts. Such a level of skill is rare in the entire Eastern Pole Alliance. It's a pity he can't refine magic treasures, but this is still exceptionally valuable. Our success in recruiting him is largely thanks to Steward Ran's great efforts."

"Previously, Fellow Daoist Zhuo told me that he only dared guarantee the refining of three top-grade artifacts," Elder Jia chimed in. "Fellow Daoist Qingfeng, on the other hand, stated five, and his tone was extremely confident. It should not be an exaggeration. Indeed, congratulations to Fellow Daoist Zou on recruiting such a talent."

The lean young man remained silent. If this person could truly deliver on his words, then his own skills were indeed inferior, and he wouldn't dare voice any further dissatisfaction.

At this moment, the middle-aged man who had been silently observing from behind stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Elder Zou, Steward Ran mentioned that this person has been wearing a hood since he arrived from the Witch God Continent and has never shown his true face. Has he committed some offense in the inner sea? If we don't clarify his identity, aren't we afraid of getting implicated?"

Elder Zou shook his head and said, "We have only invited Daoist Qingfeng to be an outer sea guest elder. Even if he committed a grave offense in the inner sea, how does that concern us? There's no need to worry. In a few days, after Daoist Qingfeng emerges from seclusion and his guest elder status is confirmed, I will head to other islands to oversee the guild's business. The affairs of Duyan Island have been largely sorted out. From now on, Elder Jia will be in charge of internal affairs here, and Steward Ran will primarily handle external matters. I ask all fellow Daoists for your cooperation."

Everyone readily agreed.