“Guest, may I ask what you wish to inquire about?” Wei An frowned, watching Qiu Yuting depart, and asked Li Mu in confusion.
“Elder Wei, your assessment of the two Spiritual Artifact swords just now truly flattered me. To be frank, I refined them,” Li Mu said with a slight smile, looking at the two third-tier Crimson Gold Spiritual Artifact swords on the table.
“You? Really!” Wei An was astonished.
“I wouldn't dare to deceive you!” Li Mu smiled and nodded, confirming it.
“These two Spiritual Artifact swords, the Artifact Refining technique is masterful, and the control over the artifact arrays and patterns has reached Major Achievement, which is how they broke through the limits of second-tier Crimson Gold Materials to be refined into third-tier Low Grade Spiritual Artifact swords. I originally thought they were from the hands of a Great Master, but I didn't expect them to be refined by you, Young Master. Truly remarkable!” Wei An couldn't help but praise Li Mu.
“Elder Wei overpraises me. High-tier Artifact Refining Materials are hard to come by, so I daringly attempted to use second-tier Crimson Gold to refine third-tier Low Grade Spiritual Artifact swords, and it was merely a stroke of luck that I succeeded!” Li Mu said modestly with a slight smile.
“To continuously refine two third-tier Spiritual Artifact swords, this isn't luck, but rather full confidence!” Wei An chuckled, exposing him.
“May I ask what you wish to inquire about, Young Master?” Elder Wei changed the subject, looking at Li Mu and asking with concern.
Li Mu looked at the tortoise shell on the table and went straight to the point: “As an Artifact Refiner, the moment I saw this tortoise shell, I was overjoyed. This tortoise shell has good hardness, and it should be possible to refine a defensive Spiritual Artifact with it. So, I took the liberty of staying to ask Elder Wei, what kind of tortoise shell is this? And why is it so small?”
Upon hearing this, Wei An couldn't help but laugh, fully understanding Li Mu's thoughts.
“Li Gongzi, not only is your Artifact Refining skill excellent, but your discernment for Artifact Refining Materials is also outstanding! You recognized this tortoise shell as a good item at a glance,” Elder Wei praised Li Mu with a smile.
Then, Wei An picked up the tortoise shell from the table, his brows tightly furrowed as he assessed it: “Actually, to be honest, I also cannot discern the origin of this ancient tortoise shell. It seems to be the remnant shell of an Eight Trigram Spirit Turtle, yet there are no obvious Eight Trigram patterns on its back, and the size of the shell doesn't match. The shell's texture, instead, somewhat resembles the remnant shell of a third-tier Profound Turtle, but a Profound Turtle's remnant shell would never be this small. Such a small tortoise shell is only found in Stone Spirit Turtles, but a Stone Spirit Turtle's remnant shell is definitely not of this texture... it's truly peculiar!”
“It's similar but not quite, what kind of tortoise shell is it, after all! I have never seen such a small tortoise shell, but its hardness is indeed good,” Wei An said, then tapped the tortoise shell twice with his hand, confirming it.
“So, Elder Wei also cannot discern the origin of this tortoise shell! However, that's normal; there are many types of spirit turtles in this world, who can know them all! Elder Wei, this tortoise shell is indeed suitable for refining a defensive Spiritual Artifact. Li happens to lack a defensive Spiritual Artifact. Would Elder Wei be willing to part with it? The price will absolutely satisfy you,” Li Mu said directly and frankly to Wei An.
“This…” Wei An frowned, hesitating.
Just then, Qiu Yuting stepped through the door, followed by a middle-aged man in brocade robes, looking somewhat portly.
“Young Master, this is Manager Wang of our Wanbao Pavilion,” Qiu Yuting quickly introduced him to Li Mu.
“Greetings, Manager Wang!” Li Mu greeted him with a smile.
“Manager Wang, this is Master Li. Both third-tier Spiritual Artifact swords were personally refined by him,” Elder Wei promptly reminded him.
Upon hearing this, Wang Wenbao's smile instantly brightened: “So it's Master Li, welcome, welcome! To think Master Li, at such a young age, can refine third-tier Spiritual Artifact swords, truly young and promising! May I ask which sect you inherited your Legacy from?”
“Li is merely a Loose Cultivator who travels around; I have no inheritance,” Li Mu explained with a slight smile.
Hearing this, Wang Wenbao was delighted and then asked: “Oh! Master Li has no inheritance and isn't affiliated with any other power? To possess such Artifact Refining skill is truly extraordinary!”
“It's just a hobby! It's not worth such praise from Manager Wang!” Li Mu replied perfunctorily with a slight smile, not wanting to dwell on the topic of his identity and origin, as his extraordinary Artifact Refining skill couldn't withstand scrutiny.
“Haha, Master Li, you're too modest. Oh, right! This is the consignment contract and the Spirit Stones for the two Spiritual Artifact swords. Please keep them safe!” Wang Wenbao took a Storage Pouch and a piece of parchment from Qiu Yuting's hand and handed them to Li Mu with a smile.
Li Mu reached out, took the contract and Storage Pouch, and checked them, confirming there were no issues.
“Thank you, Manager Wang!” Li Mu said to Wang Wenbao, expressing his gratitude.
“Master Li, you're too kind. I should be thanking you for your trust in our Wanbao Pavilion. This is an invitation token for the Auction. If you're free, you can come and see the Auction the day after tomorrow,” Wang Wenbao enthusiastically handed Li Mu a purple token.
“Alright! If I have time, I will definitely attend,” Li Mu smiled and accepted the token.
“Master Li, if you're not affiliated with any other power, may I ask if you're interested in becoming an Artifact Refining Guest Elder of our Wanbao Pavilion?” Seeing Li Mu accept the token, Wang Wenbao smiled brightly and suddenly extended an invitation.
“Artifact Refining Guest Elder?”
Suddenly hearing Wang Wenbao's invitation, Li Mu was momentarily taken aback.
“Yes, an Artifact Refining Guest Elder. Our Wanbao Pavilion has a Guest Elder position, inviting Great Masters who have achieved Major Achievement in the hundred arts of cultivation. The benefits and treatment are generous, with priority supply of various Cultivation resources and Spirit Materials. Both sides benefit mutually, with no mandatory measures,” Wang Wenbao said, his gaze fervent as he enthusiastically invited and explained to Li Mu.
“What are the benefits of becoming a Guest Elder of your esteemed pavilion, and what responsibilities would I need to undertake?” Li Mu frowned, swayed by Wang Wenbao's words, and asked for clarification.
“Naturally, there are many benefits. Wanbao Pavilion's branches are spread throughout the Southern Spirit Continent, Southern Border, Northern Region, Myriad Star Sea... collecting spiritual items from all over the world. If you become a Guest Elder of our pavilion, you can take advantage of your position to purchase special spiritual items and Legacy Cultivation Techniques at discounted prices. At the same time, after completing your Guest Elder duties, you can also receive a corresponding monthly stipend. If needed, our pavilion can also provide safety protection for Guest Elders...” Wang Wenbao ceaselessly introduced the benefits of becoming a Guest Elder to Li Mu.
“As for the responsibilities of a Guest Elder, they are simple! Master Li, you just need to complete a batch of Artifact Refining tasks within a certain period. If you're busy, refining less or even not refining at all is fine; it just means a reduction in some benefits, with no other punitive measures. Additionally, for every Spiritual Artifact refining order completed, Master Li can earn a 20% Artifact Refining profit,” Wang Wenbao paused, then looked at Li Mu and explained with a smile.
Listening to Wang Wenbao's explanation, Li Mu was immediately tempted!
Wanbao Pavilion is wealthy and has branches everywhere. If he could cooperate with them, acquiring some high-tier spiritual plant seeds and special Spirit Materials through their channels would become very convenient. With this cooperative relationship, transaction safety could also be guaranteed.
However, Li Mu was concerned that becoming a Guest Elder of Wanbao Pavilion might cause him to lose his personal freedom, which was his main worry.
Wang Wenbao, who was good at reading expressions, noticed Li Mu's hesitation.
“Master Li, if we can cooperate, it will be beneficial to both sides. If you have any concerns, please feel free to tell me; it's alright!” Wang Wenbao said with a chuckle, looking at Li Mu, indicating.
“Mm! If I become a Guest Elder of your esteemed pavilion, can I withdraw at any time? What are the specific tasks of a Guest Elder? Manager Wang, could you be more specific?” Li Mu nodded and asked Wang Wenbao.
“Of course, no problem. We will sign a cooperation contract at that time. Whether you withdraw or continue to cooperate, everything will be executed according to the contract, fairly and justly. The Guest Elder's responsibilities will also be listed in the contract. For example: Master Li is a third-tier Artifact Refiner, so you will become an Intermediate Artifact Refining Guest Elder of our pavilion. By helping refine one hundred third-tier Spiritual Artifacts each year, you can enjoy corresponding benefits, such as: free accommodation, personal guards, a monthly stipend of 300 medium spirit stones, and the privilege of purchasing high-tier spiritual items at an 80% discount as an Intermediate Guest Elder...” Wang Wenbao looked at Li Mu, introducing ceaselessly.
For a moment, Li Mu fell into contemplation. According to Wang Wenbao's explanation, he currently found nothing amiss.
“Of course, to ensure a pleasant cooperation between both parties, we also need to verify Master Li's Artifact Refining skill. May I ask if Master Li is willing to demonstrate it for us?” Wang Wenbao looked at Li Mu, asking with concern.
“Of course, no problem! However, the matter I was discussing with Elder Wei hasn't been resolved yet, Manager Wang, could you wait a moment?” Li Mu's heart stirred, and he looked at Wei An, who was watching the scene, hinting.
“Oh!” Wang Wenbao looked at Wei An curiously.
Qiu Yuting looked at Wei An in surprise.
Suddenly, all the pressure was on Wei An.