My Artifacts Can Upgrade Infinitely

After learning the difference between the two types of Cave Mansions, Zhao Zuo ultimately chose an A-grade one. For every Lower Grade Magical Artifact he refined and submitted, he would earn ten Contribution Points. He only needed to hand in fifteen Lower Grade Magical Artifacts each month to meet his monthly quota.

After he selected the grade, the young man behind the counter took out a black, square box that emanated fluctuations of Spiritual Power. Its surface was carved with silver patterns, and with a wave of his hand...

The air between them shimmered, and a map shrouded in white mist materialized. It was about two meters long, displaying a spectral image of a tall mountain crisscrossed with root-like paths and hundreds of twinkling lights. Most were red, while a few were green.

"The green lights represent available locations. The red lights represent locations that are already occupied."

Zhao Zuo gazed at the mountain’s phantom image and ultimately chose a location in a corner. The spot was rather secluded, with only one other unoccupied Cave Mansion nearby. ’He wouldn’t have to worry about getting dragged into trouble again and could focus on his ascetic cultivation.’

"Junior Brother, I should remind you," the young man behind the counter said, "the location you’ve chosen is at the very end of the underground Spirit Vein. The concentration of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Power is a bit thinner there compared to the areas around the main vein. Over time, it will inevitably affect your Cultivation speed."

"It’s fine. I prefer peace and quiet, so this place suits me perfectly."

"One moment." He had only been offering some well-intentioned advice.

Before long, he handed a silver Token to Zhao Zuo and said.

"Junior Brother, starting next month, remember to go to the Ministry of Affairs Hall to submit fifteen Magical Artifacts. The sect will purchase each one for ten Contribution Points."

"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother." Zhao Zuo took his Identity Token and the Array Token for opening the Cave Mansion’s Array. He was about to leave the Ministry of Affairs Hall when the young man stopped him with a hand.

"Junior Brother, I see you’re all alone. Would you like me to arrange for someone to take care of your daily needs?"

"No, thank you." Zhao Zuo shook his head. ’These so-called attendants were basically female disciples from the Outer Sect. The benefit for them was gaining access to the higher concentration of Spiritual Power in the Inner Sect, and also a chance to get close to a disciple with high potential. They would even pay a certain amount of Spirit Stones for such an opportunity.’

Zhao Zuo knew how it all worked, but he had already promised that position to Shen Yunjiao.

As he left the Ministry of Affairs Hall, he took out the Array Token. Following the map in his mind, he ascended the white jade steps, searching for his Cave Mansion.

Zhao Zuo hadn’t left any personal belongings in his courtyard in the Outer Sect, so there was no need to make a special trip back. He could head directly to his Inner Sect Cave Mansion.

After leaving the main path, the road narrowed into a mountain trail about wide enough for one person.

The path was lined with lush weeds and flowers of various colors. A fine layer of crystal-clear dewdrops clung to the leaves. Harmless Spirit Beasts occasionally darted through the forest—pink rabbits, multi-colored butterflies, and palm-sized spirit turtles napping on the green stones.

By the looks of it, they were Longevity Turtles.

’That Senior Sister Wang actually swindled me out of my Spirit Stones with a Spirit Beast that’s common everywhere in the Inner Sect?’ Zhao Zuo couldn’t help but complain inwardly. ’The Fire Spirit Snake I bought probably isn’t worth much either.’

The path was not only rugged but also steep, with only a few protruding rocks serving as steps. As he struggled up the mountain, he couldn’t help but feel a little envious of the Inner Sect Disciples who could travel by Sword Flight.

Every so often, a Black Stone several meters tall stood by the path. Carved upon them with Sword Intent were the admonitions of past seniors. It was said that once one’s Cultivation broke through to the Golden Core Stage, they were qualified to leave a message on the Black Stones.

The words weren’t just admonitions; some seniors had also left behind a few humblebrags.

For example: "I cultivated the Dao for a century and finally broke through to the Golden Core Realm. Future Moyun disciples should aspire to be like me."

Reaching Golden Core in a hundred years definitely made one a prodigy. It was a pity that such a person had likely already perished. Otherwise, with such an expert around, the Moyun Sect’s prestige would have surely risen by several levels.

Zhao Zuo continued his climb, reading the admonitions left by the seniors along the way.

Occasionally, he would come across someone else’s Cave Mansion. Zhao Zuo didn’t dare disturb them, instead skirting around the outside of their Array and continuing on his way. The higher he climbed, the thicker the surrounding mist became. Pure Spiritual Power, like strands of white silk, even began to actively drill into Zhao Zuo’s body.

With this concentration of Heaven and Earth Spiritual Power, even normal breathing would lead to a slow increase in one’s Cultivation over time. Combined with the Yellow Bud Pills given to Inner Sect Disciples, even a pig could reach the Late Period of Qi Cultivation.

Zhao Zuo felt an indescribable envy, but thankfully, he too would be able to enjoy this treatment starting today.

After about half an hour, a protruding platform appeared on the path ahead of Zhao Zuo. The entrance was shrouded in a thick, pure-white mist, obscuring the scene within. Two verdant pine trees, about two or three meters tall, grew from the crevices in the mountain around the Cave Mansion, looking like giant umbrellas.

Beneath the pine trees, a thick layer of pine needles had accumulated, turning yellow and rotten.

Before he even got close, Zhao Zuo sensed a danger hidden within the thick mist. It must be an extremely powerful Killing Array, designed to protect the Cave Mansion’s owner from potential enemies.

Zhao Zuo took out the Array Token and infused it with a little Mana.

The thick mist rapidly dissipated, as if a barrier had vanished from existence. The faint sense of threat also subsided quickly. The Array protecting the Cave Mansion was deactivated.

Two black stone doors appeared before him. Zhao Zuo continued to channel Mana into the Array Token.

RUMBLE RUMBLE...

The stone doors slid open to either side automatically. Zhao Zuo quickly stepped inside and closed the doors. Outside, the mist reconverged, covering the Cave Mansion’s entrance, and the Killing Array reactivated.

The Cave Mansion was only about sixty square meters. Though not large, it was fully functional.

Besides a bedroom, there was also a resting room, a lavatory, and a kitchen. Inside the Cave Mansion, there were Arrays to keep the air circulating and to store water. Several Luminous Beads were embedded in the walls, emitting a soft glow. The only drawback was that their light was a bit dim, which was slightly depressing.

The resting room contained only a simple, double stone bed and no other decorations.

Zhao Zuo did a quick tidy-up, using a Cleaning Talisman to get rid of the accumulated dust in the Cave Mansion. He then returned to the bedroom and laid a layer of straw paper on the stone bed.

At the same time, he took out a brush and dipped it in ink.

A lot had happened today. He had been mulling it over for a long time but still hadn’t reached a conclusion. ’I need to re-evaluate and analyze the situation.’

With a flick of his brush, he wrote Zhao Qingmeng’s name on the paper, adding the word "suicide" after it.

’First, let’s assume her suicide was to protect an accomplice. Who would that accomplice be?’

’Was it a coincidence that I became her neighbor, or was it intentional?’

’When exactly did Zhao Qingmeng target me?’

What if becoming neighbors was the reason Zhao Qingmeng was looking for a target?

Zhao Zuo started with a hypothesis.

The eager and kind face of Liu Heng couldn’t help but appear in his mind. It was Liu Heng who had volunteered to be his guide in the Outer Sect, which led to him becoming Zhao Qingmeng’s neighbor, and ultimately led to the current outcome.

’Then, let’s start by assuming that becoming Zhao Qingmeng’s neighbor was no coincidence.’

’In that case, perhaps Liu Heng was also part of the process of selecting a target.’

Zhao Zuo decided to find Liu Heng tomorrow and ask him a few simple questions to clear up his doubts.

.....