My Artifacts Can Upgrade Infinitely

After leaving the Ministry of Affairs Hall, Zhao Zuo took out the Sound Transmission Talisman.

"Elder Wang, this is Zhao Zuo. We met once at the Scripture Pavilion. I am contacting you so suddenly today because I wish to learn how to refine Middle Grade Magical Artifacts. I hope I’m not disturbing you."

The talisman paper began to burn, leaving only ashes that were scattered by the wind.

Zhao Zuo waited patiently on the steps of the Ministry of Affairs Hall. Sure enough, it wasn’t long before a pure white paper crane began circling above his head. He immediately understood its meaning.

He immediately followed the paper crane’s flight path, heading toward the Inner Sect’s Cave Mansions. As he left the main road, the path underfoot grew more rugged. The surrounding mist was like a light veil, containing Heaven and Earth Spiritual Power so dense it was almost visible to the naked eye.

This location was already near the summit of Moyun Mountain, close to the sect’s core area. Further up was where the sect’s true core members resided, such as the Inner Sect Elders and the few powerhouses at Foundation Establishment Perfection who were the Moyun Sect’s Stabilizing Needles.

This was where the Inner Sect Elders lived. The paper crane flying above Zhao Zuo’s head slowed down, finally stopping over a platform roughly fifteen meters in diameter.

The platform was surrounded by a few lush pine trees and had several cushions laid out on it. Elder Wang was teaching a class to several Outer Sect Disciples in green robes, lecturing on how to refine Lower Grade Magical Artifacts. Zhao Zuo didn’t approach to avoid disturbing them, instead waiting patiently from a distance.

Most of these disciples were men in their thirties or forties. They were tall and powerfully built, with strong physiques and extremely thick arms... their builds were similar to Liu Heng’s. Their bodies all bore the marks of years spent forging Spirit Iron.

These men sat upright and attentive, listening to the lecture with great seriousness. They would occasionally take out brushes and ink to take notes.

After about three hours, Elder Wang suddenly rolled up the scroll in his hand. He stopped speaking, and a greedy look appeared on his face.

"That’s all for today’s lesson. Everyone, come back tomorrow," Elder Wang said.

Hearing this, the disciples immediately rolled up their scrolls, stood up, and bowed to Elder Wang before leaving one by one. However, their faces showed little reverence; after all, this was an inheritance they had paid for with Spirit Stones.

Once everyone had left, Zhao Zuo finally took a few steps forward and bowed to Elder Wang with clasped hands.

"Sit."

Zhao Zuo immediately sat in the spot beside Elder Wang, appearing quite obedient.

"I knew you’d come looking for me," Elder Wang said, taking a sip of hot tea to moisten his throat. "You must be a little curious... why the Outer Sect rated your talent as exceptionally high, yet in all this time, no Elder has shown any interest in taking you as a disciple."

Zhao Zuo was taken aback. ’He’s right, I have been wondering about that.’ The Outer Sect Steward had given him a very high evaluation, but more than a month had passed, and not a single Inner Sect Elder had shown any intention of taking him as a disciple.

That was why he had saved up six hundred Spirit Stones to seek out Elder Wang and learn how to refine Middle Grade Magical Artifacts.

"The disciples of the Moyun Sect can be roughly divided into two types. The first are those who begin their Cultivation within the sect at the age of ten. After ten years of training, even those with lesser talent can become successful as long as they are diligent. These people are called orthodox disciples."

"And then... there are the unorthodox ones like you, who pass the assessment in their twenties and gain the status of a disciple. Lacking formal training, your foundations are weak, and it often takes much more time to cultivate you into someone successful."

Elder Wang sipped his tea slowly, a faint smile on his face as he asked Zhao Zuo a question.

"If you were an Inner Sect Elder, which type of disciple would you choose?"

"The orthodox disciples, who have a foundation and have been cultivating for over ten years," Zhao Zuo answered honestly. ’I knew there was friction between the unorthodox and orthodox disciples, but I never imagined... the divide was so deep it affected an Elder’s choice of who to pass their inheritance to.’

"It seems you know a little of the inside story, but your knowledge is quite limited. For instance, out of the ten True Inheritance disciples, only one comes from the unorthodox path. And he is the oldest, while his Cultivation and combat abilities are the lowest among them."

Elder Wang continued, hoping to make Zhao Zuo understand the reality of the situation.

"Among the more powerful disciples in the Inner Sect, only three are from the unorthodox path."

"I understand. You are the only person in the Moyun Sect from whom I can learn the method for refining Middle Grade Magical Artifacts." Zhao Zuo finally understood the underlying meaning in Elder Wang’s words.

"Indeed... you’re a smart one." Elder Wang nodded in satisfaction.

"Elder Wang, please teach me the method for refining Middle Grade Magical Artifacts," Zhao Zuo said respectfully.

"So you get it now, don’t you? I may be greedy, but I don’t take on disciples just for the money. It’s to give a chance to those disciples who, like me, came from the unorthodox path."

Zhao Zuo nodded in admiration. ’There’s some truth to what he’s saying. If he were only after money, the Spirit Stones he could earn by refining Middle Grade Magical Artifacts himself would surely be more than what he makes teaching disciples.’

"I understand now... your painstaking efforts," Zhao Zuo said, trying to curry favor. ’Even setting aside his Artifact Refining skills, Elder Wang is a powerful patron to have.’

Next, Elder Wang began to expound on his philosophy and ideas. He seemed to transform from a somewhat greedy old man into the beacon of hope for all unorthodox disciples in the Moyun Sect, growing more and more excited as he spoke.

"Elder Wang, you have truly worked hard. Your contributions are immense!" Zhao Zuo said, flattering him with a sincere expression.

"This kid gets me." Elder Wang stroked the beard on his cheek, looking quite pleased with himself.