My Artifacts Can Upgrade Infinitely

In the end, Zhao Zuo still spent four hundred Spirit Stones to buy the Vajra Pill. Although the item was expensive, if its effects were truly ten times as potent... then it wasn’t a bad deal.

Besides... the claim that one could fight a Foundation Establishment Cultivator upon reaching the Great Perfection of the Golden Body Technique greatly intrigued Zhao Zuo. Perhaps he could gain the combat prowess of the Foundation Establishment Stage without having to reach it first.

Suddenly, Zhao Zuo spotted the familiar fortune-telling stall. Old Li was there, beaming at him. At first, Zhao Zuo had believed in so-called fate, but after learning the old man’s true strength, he was more inclined to think that every one of their meetings... had been deliberately orchestrated by Old Li.

’When he wants to see me, he simply appears.’

"Good afternoon, Senior."

Zhao Zuo walked quickly to the stall and sat calmly on the wooden bench across from him.

"It’s been a while. Your Cultivation has improved rather quickly," Old Li said with a faint smile.

Hearing this, Zhao Zuo tensed. ’My unnaturally fast Cultivation speed is finally attracting attention. This might just be a casual remark for now, but if he notices how abnormal my progress is in the future, he’s bound to get other ideas.’

"No need to be so tense. Relax."

But Zhao Zuo didn’t dare relax in the slightest. After all, he had recently been burned badly by another old man and had nearly met a disastrous end. ’These Cultivators nearing the end of their lifespans tend to act more recklessly.’

"Senior, what guidance do you have for me this time?" Zhao Zuo asked. He paused for a moment, and then a thought suddenly cleared his mind. ’Since Old Li has revealed himself to me, he must have a goal. Until he achieves it... my safety should be guaranteed.’

’Besides, Old Li has always seemed more like an observer.’

"What the Wang Family is actually looking for is the Soul-Shaking Bell. To be precise, they want to recover the Soul Gold within it. That’s a primary material used for refining Divine Thought Magical Treasures, worth around forty thousand Spirit Stones."

At these words, Zhao Zuo instantly understood that Old Li knew he had the Soul-Shaking Bell. ’But he shouldn’t know that!’

’The only person who saw me use the Soul-Shaking Bell is already dead.’

"How do you know, Senior?" Zhao Zuo didn’t deny possessing the Soul-Shaking Bell, as there would be no point. He was more curious about how the man before him found out he had it.

"The Celestial Secret Technique doesn’t divine information about a specific person. Instead, it poses a question to the Heavenly Dao to receive an answer. Hence the saying, ’Man acts, and Heaven watches.’... And as it happens... two days ago, the Wang Family commissioned me to divine the whereabouts of the Soul-Shaking Bell."

Zhao Zuo suddenly felt lost. ’What is this? This world’s divination is so hardcore. Even though I didn’t let anyone see me with the Soul-Shaking Bell, my location can still be tracked? If I kill a disciple from a major family in the future, my identity would probably be exposed in minutes.’

At that moment, Zhao Zuo felt the sheer absurdity of the world.

"Senior, what must I do for you to help me hide my identity?" Zhao Zuo asked.

’Since the Wang Family hasn’t come for me in the last two days, it means Elder Li didn’t give them the answer. So, I still have a choice to make.’

"First, I can act as an intermediary and return the Soul-Shaking Bell to the Wang Family. There will be no repercussions for you, and you’ll receive a reward of two thousand Spirit Stones."

Elder Li raised a second finger.

"Second, I can make this matter go away, but you’ll have to do something for me after you reach Foundation Establishment."

Zhao Zuo’s panicked heart suddenly calmed. ’I have no choice here. The Soul-Shaking Bell has already been upgraded once, and my ability to upgrade Magical Artifacts is my biggest secret. It absolutely cannot be revealed!’

"I choose the second option." Zhao Zuo analyzed the information he had. ’I should be safe for now, because... Elder Li needs me to do him a favor after I reach Foundation Establishment.’

"I knew you’d choose that," Elder Li’s smile became much more genuine, like an old fox that had just gotten its wish. A flicker of excitement flashed in the depths of his eyes.

"And don’t worry. I can guarantee... what I need you to do for me is not dangerous at all."

A wry smile appeared on Zhao Zuo’s face. No matter how he looked at it, he owed Elder Li a favor this time. Agreeing to one task was fair enough. ’I just hope... this doesn’t end in another life-or-death battle.’

"Well then, we likely won’t see each other again before you reach Foundation Establishment."

Zhao Zuo felt a sense of relief. He stood up and strode away from the main commercial street. He didn’t ask what Elder Li actually wanted him to do; it would only give him something new to worry about. ’For now... the most important thing is to increase my strength as quickly as possible.’

After returning home, Zhao Zuo channeled his Mana into the Breath Concealment Ring, adjusting his displayed Cultivation to the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer. He did this to quickly raise the ring’s experience value, hoping to unlock its ability to block Foundation Establishment Divine Thought sooner.

On the way back, Zhao Zuo noticed that most of the snow on the roads had melted. Winter was almost over, which meant the Moyun Sect would soon be recruiting new disciples—a goal he had set for himself last year.

After a moment of thought, Zhao Zuo resumed swinging the Hidden Blade Giant Sword. Time ticked by, second by second. His body temperature steadily rose, his arms grew heavier and heavier, and the ache in his shoulders sharpened into a stabbing pain.

Zhao Zuo finally stopped swinging the sword and spoke softly.

"Tonight, I’ll upgrade you."

[Level: Lower Grade Magical Artifact +3 · Hidden Blade Giant Sword]

[Experience: 8600/1000]

[Status: Upgradeable]

Zhao Zuo had originally planned to start practicing the Golden Body Technique today, but he couldn’t seem to calm his mind. He kept imagining what the Hidden Blade Giant Sword would look like and how powerful it would be after its upgrade, preventing his thoughts from settling.