My Artifacts Can Upgrade Infinitely

"There’s no need," Zhao Zuo refused firmly.

"Then I’ll handle it," Shen Yunjiao said with a happy smile. She casually tossed the book into the nearby fire. It ignited instantly, turning to ash that scattered... like black snowflakes drifting low across the ground.

"A Swordsmanship manual," Shen Yunjiao said, handing him another book.

Zhao Zuo took it and began to read. He found it was similar to a book of Mortal Martial Skills; its specific techniques weren’t even as profound as his One Slash. It was practically useless.

The two continued sorting. Most of it was ordinary stuff, but one item remained: a slip of golden jade. Its surface was carved with numerous characters and it looked extraordinary, giving off an impression of indestructible hardness.

"Soul-Forging Technique."

Zhao Zuo softly read the words on the jade slip’s surface. Strangely, he didn’t recognize these three words at all, yet he could instantly comprehend their meaning the moment he saw them.

This was an incredible legacy, its value surpassing every Cultivation Technique Zhao Zuo had ever seen. Perhaps only the Taotie Secret Technique from the Fangcun Demon Palace could compare.

Unfortunately, the jade slip only contained a general outline and the cultivation method for the first layer, but it was enough to see how extraordinary this technique was.

Only those with a powerful Innate Soul could successfully cultivate this technique. It involved forming a Divine Thought Hammer within one’s sea of consciousness to constantly hammer and temper the soul. This process would strengthen a Cultivator’s Divine Thought and increase their resistance to soul and Divine Thought attacks.

One could even use the Divine Thought Hammer to forge a Lifebound Soul Soldier, capable of killing without a trace.

Furthermore, the Lifebound Soul Soldier could also be used as a soul-defensive Magical Treasure. It could be stationed in the depths of one’s soul to defend against soul attacks or possession. As such, it was a perfect tool for both offense and defense.

After reading through the Soul-Forging Technique, Zhao Zuo couldn’t tear his eyes away.

’This technique is a perfect fit for my current situation...’ He was also intensely curious about the Lifebound Soul Soldier. ’If it can be upgraded or advanced, would that be the same as directly strengthening my soul?’

’And what if... in the future, I find a Cultivation Technique that treats the body as an artifact? Could I use my Golden Finger to directly increase my physical strength and power then?’

’If so, wouldn’t that mean I wouldn’t have to go through the painstaking process of practicing a Body Refining Technique?’

Zhao Zuo’s imagination ran wild as he considered the possibilities.

"You should keep this." He handed the jade slip containing the Soul-Forging Technique to Shen Yunjiao. After all, this technique came from the Storage Bag of the person she had defeated.

Therefore, Shen Yunjiao had the right of first choice, and she was well aware of how precious this technique was.

Shen Yunjiao had already examined the Soul-Forging Technique’s description. Holding the jade slip now, she asked Zhao Zuo curiously,

"You’re not even going to consider keeping such a precious legacy for yourself? You’re just handing it to me?"

"It was yours by right." Zhao Zuo took a deep breath, his mind gradually settling. ’Desiring things that don’t belong to you too much will only lead you astray.’

’This is a moment for cultivating my heart.’

"However, Taoist Friend Shen, if you succeed in your cultivation or find yourself unable to even begin, I hope you might consider selling this technique to me. You can name your price."

"I can give it to you right now," Shen Yunjiao said. "The Taotie Secret Technique also involves the soul, so while this technique is precious, it’s of no use to me."

"Really?" Zhao Zuo asked, surprised.

"The Taotie is Chaos," Shen Yunjiao explained, sharing part of the Taotie Secret Technique’s general principles to convince him. "Its core characteristic is forging one’s essence, spirit, and body into a single whole. This creates a physique like that of the Ancient Fierce Beast, the Taotie, allowing one to reach a state of being Immortal."

Hearing this, Zhao Zuo could see she wasn’t just making things up and was mostly convinced. He now roughly understood the core of the Taotie Secret Technique: it was a path to achieving divinity through the physical body.

The backlash to one’s lifespan and body must stem from the Cultivator’s inability to provide... the required Energy.

It wasn’t an Evil Technique, just an extremely domineering and absolute one that pursued the Extreme Realm.

"Then I’ll accept this technique. How about in exchange for thirty thousand Spirit Stones?"

Zhao Zuo knew that a Cultivation Technique that directly affected the soul was bound to be extremely precious. Even in the vast Cultivation Realm, it would be considered a top-tier technique. After all, he hadn’t seen a single clue about soul-cultivating techniques in the Moyun Sect’s Scripture Pavilion.

Even at the exorbitant price of thirty thousand Spirit Stones, he knew he was getting a bargain.

But with his current means, thirty thousand Spirit Stones was already his absolute limit.

"There’s no need for that. The Artifact Refining Secret Record I gave you was worth far less than the Taotie Secret Technique. Now our roles are reversed, so there’s no need for... compensation." Shen Yunjiao’s expression softened as she spoke earnestly. She was very pleased that Zhao Zuo hadn’t shown a shred of greed in the face of such immense temptation.

"No, no, no. There must be some form of compensation, otherwise my conscience won’t be clear."

Zhao Zuo replied firmly, taking the Soul-Forging Technique.

"If that’s the case, then let’s not talk about thirty thousand Spirit Stones. Just promise me you’ll do one thing for me in the future," Shen Yunjiao said, her tone light and airy as a cunning glint appeared in her eyes.

"Well..." Zhao Zuo knew that favors with no price tag were often the most expensive. He gently stroked the carved patterns on the jade slip, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"I have two conditions," Zhao Zuo countered.

"Go on," Shen Yunjiao said, her tone relaxed, as if she already had him right where she wanted him.

"First, it can’t violate my principles."

"Second, you can’t ask me to go to my death."

"Very reasonable. No problem." Shen Yunjiao nodded and extended her small, jade-like pinky.

"Pinky swear."

"Alright."

Her skin was very smooth. They looked each other in the eye as they sealed their rather childish pact.

Zhao Zuo held the jade slip with the Soul-Forging Technique and examined it. Though called a slip, it was more like a small tablet. It was a faint gold color, and it reflected the light with a mysterious, transcendent aura.

Zhao Zuo admired it for a moment before placing the jade tablet into his Storage Bag.

At Zhao Zuo’s strong insistence, a reluctant Shen Yunjiao accepted the remaining items—two Magical Artifacts. Zhao Zuo even gave her the silver longsword that had belonged to Lin Hao.

In his mind, all the spoils from tonight combined couldn’t compare to... the Soul-Forging Technique.

This wasn’t just his opinion; it was a fact.

The value of this technique absolutely surpassed the opportunity he’d gained from the Spring and Autumn Cicada. While it couldn’t grant him immortality, successfully cultivating it would guarantee an incredibly bright future.

That was why Zhao Zuo had given the majority of the spoils to Shen Yunjiao.

"By the way, how do you plan to deal with these three Middle Grade Magical Artifacts?" Zhao Zuo asked.

"I’ll sell them at the Spirit Treasure Pavilion, of course. It has the best reputation in the entire Moyun Workshop. It doesn’t matter if it attracts some greed. At worst, I just won’t leave the core district. I refuse to believe anyone would dare to attack someone in the core district over a mere ten thousand Spirit Stones." Shen Yunjiao had clearly already thought about how to handle the loot, and her words were filled with confidence.

"I’m skilled in a Disguise Technique. If you trust me, I can handle selling the Magical Artifacts for you." Shen Yunjiao had always been aware that Zhao Zuo could disguise himself, so his admission wasn’t abrupt.

"There’s no need. You traded a promise for the Soul-Forging Technique, so you don’t have to feel like you still owe me," Shen Yunjiao said, seeing right through him.

"I wasn’t thinking that. I’m just worried you’ll run into danger." Zhao Zuo, of course, wouldn’t admit it, casually making up an excuse to deflect. "Besides, I was planning on going to the Moyun Workshop tomorrow anyway. It’s no trouble to take care of it together."

"That’s still not necessary," Shen Yunjiao said stubbornly, shaking her head.

"Alright." Zhao Zuo didn’t press the matter. He stood up and used a Cleaning Talisman to clear away the traces left by the burning book, as well as the smoke in the room.

"Next time there’s a good opportunity to earn Spirit Stones like this, remember to call me," Shen Yunjiao said with a laugh.

"Alright, alright..."

’A good opportunity to earn Spirit Stones? This was murder for profit.’ Still, since the two of them had attacked him first, it was only natural for them to be killed in the counterattack. He felt no burden about it.

After tidying up, Zhao Zuo returned to his bedroom. He planned to stay up all night studying the Soul-Forging Technique.

.......