My Artifacts Can Upgrade Infinitely

Cultivators draw upon the Spiritual Mechanism of all things to temper their bodies, seeking to attain a transcendent state.

The human body is wondrous, but it ultimately has its limits. For example, there’s a cap on the amount of Mana one’s Meridians can withstand, a limit to how much Mana the Dantian can contain, and a growing resistance to Pill Medicines and Spiritual Objects. To surpass one’s peak, a Cultivator must break through these physical limitations.

To break through their limits, Cultivators eventually developed two major paths.

The first is slow but safe, and is considered the mainstream, orthodox path.

The second is fast but dangerous, and is known throughout the Cultivation Realm as the Demon Path.

Both paths aim for Longevity and Vision. Though their focuses differ, neither is inherently superior or inferior.

Take Zhao Zuo, for example. His Clear Heart Jade Pendant and Huayang Bead both exist to help break these limits. His approach is that of the orthodox path chosen by most Cultivators.

The Taotie Demon Manual also aims to break these limits, but it pursues the infinite. It allows for limitless devouring and absorption to advance one’s power without any side effects. Its foundation is built upon refining Taotie True Blood, and upon reaching Great Success, its practitioner could even possess the combat prowess of the Ancient Fierce Beast, the Taotie itself.

Of course, this method comes with just one small price... The Cultivation Technique devours all things, including the Cultivator’s own lifespan. Only by achieving Great Success can one be completely free of this cost.

This naturally isn’t a side effect, just a tiny little price to pay.

At the very least, the senior who created the Taotie Demon Manual refused to acknowledge this as a side effect. Moreover, once a person begins this Cultivation, they can never stop. They must satisfy the Taotie Demon Manual’s appetite daily, or they will lose a massive amount of their lifespan until it devours them completely.

Of course, as long as one reaches Great Success in the technique, all these costs will be resolved in an instant.

WHOOSH, WHOOSH.

The figures of Zhao Zuo and Shen Yunjiao materialized on the snowy ground. The giant boulder was nowhere to be seen, and they were only a few hundred meters from Moyun Market.

Their position in space had been shifted at will.

Only then did Zhao Zuo fully believe that the Land of Inheritance was, in fact, a separate space.

"Taoist Friend Shen, you are truly fortunate... To stumble upon such a blessing even while being chased by a Demon Beast," Zhao Zuo said, his tone congratulatory. He couldn’t help but feel a sliver of envy.

"Yes, I really am lucky," Shen Yunjiao sighed. It was only after she had fully absorbed the memories of the Taotie Demon Manual that she understood it was a devil’s gift, and accepting it meant stepping into an abyss.

The two moved quickly, returning to their small courtyard in about half an hour.

On the way back, Shen Yunjiao grew increasingly silent, speaking very little.

Zhao Zuo simply assumed she was so overjoyed by the inheritance that she was lost in a daze, completely unaware... that his friend was grappling with a momentous choice.

As they neared the stairs, Shen Yunjiao turned around and thanked him in a very solemn tone.

"Thank you."

Zhao Zuo paused. Shen Yunjiao had thanked him many times before, but this time... he felt that her gratitude carried... an inexplicable chill.

"Don’t mention it. But... remember to pay my fee," Zhao Zuo replied bluntly. He had shouldered the most crucial part of this exploration. Without him, Shen Yunjiao would never have had the chance to obtain the inheritance.

"Of course. This is for you." Shen Yunjiao took several books from her Storage Bag and tossed them over.

Zhao Zuo immediately caught the books. He noticed that a portion of the most important page of the cover had been torn off, leaving only four large words: Artifact Refining Secret Record. The calligraphy was transcendent and powerful, like a distillation of art, exuding the air of a great master and a certain heroic spirit.

A look of delight spread across Zhao Zuo’s face as he continued to flip through, opening to the table of contents in several of the books. This was indeed the Artifact Refining inheritance he needed most, and it even included information on various refining materials.

Zhao Zuo didn’t spend time carefully reading the section on materials. Instead, he kept flipping through the table of contents, his expression gradually shifting from calm to ecstatic. While this item wasn’t as precious as a Foundation Establishment inheritance, its value was still immeasurable.

"Heavy Mountain Spirit Pattern, Thick Earth Spirit Pattern, Spirit Wind Spirit Pattern."

"The fusion of Heavy Mountain and Thick Earth Spirit Patterns, the refining technique for the Upper Grade Magical Artifact, the Cyan Mountain Shield."

"Advanced Artifact Refining techniques, the characteristics of Spirit Patterns."

If Zhao Zuo could fully comprehend these books, he would have no problem refining Middle Grade Magical Artifacts at the very least. He could even attempt to refine the Cyan Mountain Shield—an Upper Grade Magical Artifact worth tens of thousands of Spirit Stones!

"Are you satisfied?" Shen Yunjiao asked with a smile.

"Satisfied? I’m more than satisfied," Zhao Zuo replied immediately, his words tumbling out. He carefully flipped through the Artifact Refining Secret Record in his hands, his heart filled with a joy that was hard to put into words. These books were exactly what he was missing.

"As long as you’re satisfied." Shen Yunjiao nodded and turned toward the stairs.

"Oh, right. There’s no need to make a Heavenly Dao Oath for this secret record. If you really do manage to refine the Cyan Mountain Shield, remember to alter its appearance slightly. You’ll also need to be extremely careful when you sell it."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Zuo quickly came to his senses. Clearly, the origin of this Artifact Refining inheritance was questionable. There was some other Cause and Effect tied to it, hiding a degree of danger.

"I’ll be careful."

"The Path of Artifact Refining is vast and profound. It is mentally and physically taxing, so don’t become too obsessed and let it affect your own Cultivation."

This was the third time Shen Yunjiao had tried to persuade Zhao Zuo not to become too engrossed in the Path of Artifact Refining. Although she meant well... it still left Zhao Zuo feeling a bit puzzled.

"I won’t neglect my own Cultivation," Zhao Zuo said solemnly, showing no trace of impatience. After all, Shen Yunjiao was just being kind.

Shen Yunjiao didn’t linger. After mentioning she would be entering seclusion for the next few days to begin a Transferred Cultivation Method, she went up the stairs and into her bedroom, leaving Zhao Zuo standing alone downstairs.

This expedition had been dangerous, and he had even hovered between life and death several times. But luckily, they had managed to turn peril into safety. He had also witnessed the wonders of Puppetry, one of the Hundred Skills of Cultivation. It was a shame he hadn’t obtained an inheritance related to Puppets; otherwise, he could have tried to see if his Golden Finger could upgrade them.

At the same time, both of them had reaped satisfying rewards. Zhao Zuo, in particular, had not only gained the Enemy Tracking Spirit Pattern, but had also received three more from Shen Yunjiao: Heavy Mountain, Thick Earth, and Spirit Wind.

Adding the Controlling Objects and Sharpness Spirit Patterns he already possessed, he now knew how to draw five types of Spirit Patterns in total. He had, however, only learned the Controlling Objects Spirit Pattern so far.

Zhao Zuo took out a kettle to boil water and also retrieved the Cold Thorn tea he had purchased some time ago. This tea could enhance and prolong his state of concentration, increasing the success rate of drawing the Controlling Objects Spirit Pattern.

When the water in the kettle came to a rolling boil, white steam billowed out from its spout.

He immediately moved the iron kettle off the fire. Zhao Zuo took a pouch of tea leaves from his Storage Bag, grabbed a large handful, and poured about one tael of leaves into the kettle. Before long, a rich, fragrant aroma began to spread.

Adding this much tea would make it extremely bitter, but it would also double the effect.

Strong Cold Thorn tea invigorated the mind, making it perfect for reading the Artifact Refining Secret Manual.

Zhao Zuo placed the three books into his Storage Bag, then picked up the one that recorded the drawing methods for the Heavy Mountain and Thick Earth Spirit Patterns. He carefully opened it... and began to read.

...