Wanbao Pavilion, Artifact Refining Workshop, Earthfire Artifact Refining Room.
The stone door, which had been closed for three days, slowly opened with a 'rumbling' sound, and a wave of heat swept out.
Liu Zhong, who was guarding outside the Artifact Refining Room, bowed and stepped forward, asking with concern, "Master Li, what do you need?"
"I don't need anything. The Spiritual Artifacts are all refined. I'll rest for a few days first." Li Mu glared at Liu Zhong, speaking irritably.
"Yes, yes! Master Li, please go to the tea room to rest. I'll go call Manager Wang over." Liu Zhong repeatedly agreed fawningly, then hurried off to find Wang Wenbao.
Li Mu walked into the tea room and had just sat down, taking the spiritual tea offered by the maid, when a hurried sound of footsteps came from outside the door before he could even take a sip.
A moment later, Wang Wenbao's portly figure appeared at the doorway.
After receiving Liu Zhong's notification that 'Master Li' had exited the Artifact Refining Room, Wang Wenbao rushed over immediately to check the results of Li Mu's Artifact Refining.
"Master Li, hehe, how were the results of this refining session?" Wang Wenbao looked at Li Mu with bright eyes, rubbing his hands excitedly.
Li Mu couldn't help but smile, casually placing down his teacup, then spread out his right hand, his Divine Sense entering the nine storage spiritual pearl.
The next moment, one by one, agile Spiritual Artifacts flew out from the spiritual pearl ring, suspending in the air: four golden spiritual swords, two white cold swords, one flame essence wheel, one gray giant shield, one emerald spiritual whip, one purple giant hammer... a total of thirteen third-tier Spiritual Artifacts, suspended in the air, their spiritual light shining and competing for brilliance.
"Good, good! Absolutely wonderful!" Wang Wenbao's eyes narrowed, dazzled and mesmerized, his face beaming with continuous praise.
"This time, I refined a total of thirteen third-tier Spiritual Artifacts. Five are third-tier High Grade, and the others are third-tier High Rank Spiritual Artifacts. The Artifact Refining success was good; I only failed twice." Li Mu looked at Wang Wenbao, introducing with a smile.
"Master Li, your Refining Skill is getting higher and higher! Advancing to Grandmaster Refiner and successfully refining fourth-tier Spiritual Artifacts is just around the corner." Upon hearing this, Wang Wenbao was overjoyed, looking at Li Mu and praising him obsequiously, congratulating him.
Li Mu laughed dumbfounded, glancing at the nine storage spiritual pearl on his right index finger. With his Level 5 Refining Skill, he could already refine fourth-tier Spiritual Artifacts, and the success rate was not small.
However, to avoid being too high-profile, and due to the scarcity of fourth-tier Materials, he hadn't had the opportunity to refine fourth-tier Spiritual Artifacts. Therefore, Li Mu had never shown Wang Wenbao that he could refine fourth-tier Spiritual Artifacts.
"Manager Wang, how are the items I requested being collected? Is there any progress?" Li Mu asked Wang Wenbao with concern.
"Of course there's progress. You can rest assured when I handle things!" Wang Wenbao boasted proudly, then introduced, "I've arranged for a portion of fourth-tier celestial one true water for Master Li, which is being delivered by a Golden Core Cultivator from our pavilion. It will arrive in two months. At that time, this Golden Core Cultivator will also take action to help Master Li acquire that Crimson Flame Spirit Fire."
"celestial one true water, excellent, Manager Wang, I'm much obliged!" Li Mu's eyes lit up, then he manipulated the thirteen third-tier Spiritual Artifacts with his Divine Sense, sending them one by one towards Wang Wenbao.
Wang Wenbao happily accepted them one by one, his face beaming.
Seeing Wang Wenbao use a jade tablet-style Storage Pouch to store the thirteen Spiritual Artifacts, Li Mu's mind stirred, remembering the formation plate stored in his storage grid. He inquired, "Manager Wang, have you heard of Huanlang Spiritual Mountain, this place?"
"Huanlang Spiritual Mountain! That place name sounds a bit familiar, but I can't recall it at the moment. Master Li, I need to check and will tell you later!" Wang Wenbao frowned, indicating.
"No problem, this matter is not urgent!" Li Mu smiled and nodded.
After chatting with him for a while longer about strange spiritual objects and cultivation secrets, Li Mu bid farewell to Wang Wenbao and left Wanbao Pavilion.
—
After leaving Wanbao Pavilion, Li Mu wandered around Gangyang City for a while and arrived at Chen's Cultivation Method Building.
Upon a glance at the entrance, he saw the eloquent and knowledgeable Miss Chen. Dressed in a pink dress, she was comfortably reclining in a rocking chair, holding a book, reading leisurely.
At the recommendation of this Miss Chen, Li Mu spent a lot of Spirit Stones buying books. However, it had to be said that they were worth it. Reading in his free time increased his useful knowledge, especially several spiritual plant techniques. After their Rank increased, they could also be used against enemies, and their power was no less than other techniques.
Li Mu smiled slightly and stepped into Chen's Cultivation Method Building.
"Senior, hello, welcome to Chen's Cultivation Method Building." Seeing Li Mu enter the shop and feeling the Foundation Establishment Spiritual Pressure on him, Chen Sisi immediately stood up and bowed in greeting.
"Hmm, do you have the 'Insect Scripture' and Spirit Beast Cultivation Techniques? Get me one of each." Li Mu went straight to the point.
"Yes, yes! Please wait a moment." Chen Sisi responded with a smile, then turned to the counter below and retrieved six Jade Slips of Cultivation Technique of different colors.
"This Cultivation Technique is: 'Spirit Beast Treasure Codex', Huang Grade High Rank, primarily cultivating Bloodline Control, suitable for most Spirit Beasts."
"This Cultivation Technique is: 'Spiritual Communication Art', Profound Rank Low Grade: primarily cultivating Spirit Beast Spiritual Communication Control, suitable for some Spirit Beasts with higher intelligence."
"This Cultivation Technique is: 'Spirit Control Contract', Earth Rank Low Grade, primarily cultivating Spirit Control Contract Seal. By imprinting a Divine Soul Contract Seal on the Divine Soul of the controlled spirit, it can control Spirit Beasts and also control Spiritual Insects."
"This one is 'Insect Spirit Scripture', primarily cultivating various types of insect slave control Cultivation Techniques, insect arts..."
""
...
Chen Sisi picked up each of the six Jade Slips for Spirit Beast and Spiritual Insect Cultivation Techniques one by one, introducing them in detail to Li Mu.
After listening to Chen Sisi's detailed introduction, Li Mu immediately took a liking to 'Spirit Control Contract'. Controlling both beasts and insects meant he wouldn't need to learn another Cultivation Technique! It would save a lot of free attribute points.
"Oh! This 'Spirit Control Contract' is actually an Earth Rank Low Grade Cultivation Technique, capable of controlling both beasts and insects. How can your Cultivation Method Building even possess such a Cultivation Technique Legacy? Does this Cultivation Technique have some flaws?" Li Mu asked with a face full of surprise and curiosity.
"Yes, unlike other Spirit Control Cultivation Techniques, 'Spirit Control Contract' imprints a servitude contract seal on the Divine Soul of the Spirit Beasts and Spiritual Insects, which will affect their growth and ability enhancement, hindering their development. Additionally, forming too many seals for contracted spirits will also consume the contractor's Divine Soul, leading to an inability to contract many controlled spirits. Furthermore, this method's Legacy is incomplete, and its subsequent effects are unknown. I suggest Senior choose other Cultivation Techniques." Chen Sisi looked at Li Mu and introduced.
"Incomplete Cultivation Technique? How severely incomplete is it?" Li Mu asked with concern, not surprised but rather pleased.
"A little, only about two-tenths of the content from the beginning. 'Spirit Control Contract' has a higher Rank, but there is no subsequent Legacy. Practicing this method places a heavy burden on the Divine Soul. If any unexpected situations arise after Cultivating, our Cultivation Method Building cannot be held responsible! Please Senior choose carefully!" Chen Sisi introduced with a solemn expression.
After listening to the other party's introduction, Li Mu became even more interested.
The Cultivation Technique Legacy being incomplete, the heavy burden on the Divine Soul... Li Mu didn't care about any of these shortcomings. As long as he could continue farming to obtain spiritual plants, relying on the proficiency panel, these problems were not an issue.
"I'll take this 'Spirit Control Contract'. How many Spirit Stones does it cost?" Li Mu made a decisive decision.
Upon hearing this, a faint smile flashed across Chen Sisi's pretty face, and she quickly said, "Senior is interested in this Cultivation Technique? Because the latter half of this Cultivation Technique is mostly missing, Senior, please consider carefully. If you buy it, our building will not accept returns!"
Noticing the fleeting smile on her face, Li Mu realized that to sell this Cultivation Technique, this woman must have employed some sales tactic again.
If it weren't for the proficiency panel that could supplement the subsequent Cultivation Technique, he would probably have fallen for this woman's sales scheme again.
"Stop talking so much, just tell me the price!" Li Mu asked irritably, picking up this bargain openly.
"Yes! Senior, just give me 500 medium spirit stones!" Chen Sisi quickly nodded, smiling as she quoted the price.
"Isn't this Cultivation Technique severely incomplete in its later parts?! It's worth at most 100 medium spirit stones!" Li Mu ruthlessly haggled.
Upon hearing this, the smile on Chen Sisi's face froze, and she quickly said, "Senior, this is an Earth Rank Cultivation Technique; you can't find a Cultivation Technique of this Rank on the market at all. This price is not expensive at all!"
"I know, but its Legacy is incomplete, isn't it? Its value must be greatly discounted. 500 medium spirit stones can buy a complete Profound Rank Cultivation Technique. This quote is too expensive!" Li Mu chuckled, looking at her stomping her foot, and said indifferently.
"This... Senior, please give a little more! 100 medium spirit stones really can't be sold to you." Chen Sisi said with a bitter smile.
"This Cultivation Technique is not only incomplete in its Legacy but also places an extremely heavy burden on the contractor's Divine Soul. After Cultivating, one doesn't know what negative situations might arise. Not many people would buy such a Cultivation Technique, right? 100 medium spirit stones is not unreasonable." Li Mu chuckled, indicating.
...
Chen Sisi felt like she had shot herself in the foot.
"400 medium spirit stones, and I'll also give you a copy of 'Records of Strange Beasts and Exotic Insects'." Chen Sisi gritted her silver teeth, pulled a book from the bookshelf to include, and said in compromise.
"In that case! I'll also concede a step. Including the book you're giving me, I'll give you 200 medium spirit stones." Li Mu said with a smile.
"Senior, our book building operates on a small profit margin; we really can't withstand your haggling like this. Why don't you look elsewhere!" Chen Sisi decisively shook her head, firmly and politely declining the business.
...
Really can't sell?
Li Mu looked at Chen Sisi's expression, frowning. It seemed this cut really hit her hard!
"Alright! I'll pay a little more, 300 medium spirit stones!" Li Mu quoted again.
"How about this! Senior, you give me 350 medium spirit stones, and besides 'Records of Strange Beasts and Exotic Insects', I'll also give you this 'Hundred Insect Stratagems'." Chen Sisi was slightly pleased, offering another book, and suggested.
Li Mu was tired of haggling. Having taken advantage of the other party twice, he decided to quit while he was ahead, saying, "Alright! That's fine!"
After speaking, Li Mu placed his hand on the counter, his Divine Sense attached to the nine storage spiritual pearl. The next second, countless baby fist-sized Spirit Stones 'crackled' onto the wooden counter, instantly piling up into a small mountain.
"350 medium spirit stones, you count them!" Li Mu indicated, reaching for the Jade Slip of Cultivation Technique and the two ancient books in Chen Sisi's hand.
Chen Sisi looked at the pearl spiritual ring on Li Mu's hand, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes. However, her attention was quickly drawn to the pile of spiritual stones on the table, full of spiritual charm. She quickly counted them with a joyful expression, then stored them all in her Storage Pouch.
"The count is correct, thank you, Senior!" Chen Sisi thanked him gratefully, then inquired, "Senior, our building has a complete range of Cultivation Techniques. Besides Spirit Beast Cultivation Techniques, there are other Cultivation Techniques and skill Legacies. Would you like me to introduce them to you?"
"Do you have any third-tier Talisman books in stock?" Li Mu smiled slightly, asking casually.
"Senior, you're joking! Even second-tier Talisman books are rare to see. Third-tier Talisman book Legacies are only available in the Hall of Dharma Transmission of a Sect!" Chen Sisi smiled awkwardly, speaking apologetically.
"Since you don't have them, then so be it!" Li Mu chuckled and left Chen's Cultivation Method Building.
Having been ripped off by the female manager of Chen's Cultivation Method Building twice, he finally had his moment of triumph today, picking up a big bargain. Li Mu's eyes curved in a smile, and he was in a great mood.
After leaving Chen's Cultivation Method Building, Li Mu remembered something. He was so focused on buying Cultivation Technique books that he forgot to ask that female manager about the location of Huanlang Spiritual Mountain. With her knowledge, she surely knew that place.
"Never mind! I'll come back next time!" Li Mu thought for a moment and gave up the idea of going back to ask. Perhaps Manager Wang could find it too.
Soon, Li Mu left Gangyang City, soared on his sword, and flew towards Lingyin Mountain outside Gangyang City.