Top-Grade Magical Artifact
Translator: Cinder Translations
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The person who greeted Song Wen was a strikingly beautiful female cultivator with a cultivation level of Qi Refining Stage 9.
They were in a cramped secret room, ensuring their conversation couldn't be overheard.
"Senior, may I ask who you are looking for?" the female cultivator asked gracefully.
Song Wen replied, "Xue Mei."
The female cultivator frowned slightly. "Senior, you only know their name? That makes it difficult to find. There are quite a few cultivators named Xue Mei in the world."
Song Wen pondered for a moment before continuing, "This person is likely someone who has undergone soul replacement, and appeared around 110 years ago in the Tianyuan Continent's cultivation world. They should be skilled in blood and corpse path techniques."
The female cultivator held a jade slip in her hand, and after searching with her spiritual energy for a long time, she spoke.
"Sorry, Senior, we don't have any information on this person."
Upon hearing this, Song Wen wasn't disappointed.
He hadn't really expected to find information about Xue Mei at the Secret Records Pavilion; he had simply come here on a whim, since he was already there.
Xue Mei, having replaced another's soul, wouldn't draw attention to herself or easily reveal her true name.
It wasn't easy for the Secret Records Pavilion to gather information on her.
"May I ask if there's anything else you require, Senior?" the female cultivator asked.
Song Wen nodded slightly. Suddenly, a short spear appeared in his hand—this was the personal magic artifact of Lei Yue.
"I wish to find a Fourth-Stage artifact refiner to refine this into a Top-Grade lightning-type artifact."
Upon hearing the words "Top-Grade artifact," the female cultivator's eyes widened in shock.
Although she was only at the Qi Refining stage, she had dealt with many cultivators in the First-Class area and knew some secrets of higher-level cultivators.
She was well aware that only Nascent Soul-level experts could wield Top-Grade artifacts.
She immediately stood up. "Please forgive my earlier rudeness, Senior. I did not realize you were a Nascent Soul cultivator."
Though Song Wen's cultivation was at the Mid Golden Core stage, the female cultivator, with her low cultivation, could only feel Song Wen's aura as dense and vast like the sea, and was unable to determine his exact level.
Song Wen shook his head and said, "I am only a Mid Golden Core cultivator. I am carrying out a mission for a Nascent Soul senior to help him find a Fourth-Stage artifact refiner."
Upon hearing Song Wen casually mention "only a Mid Golden Core cultivator," the female cultivator's eyes showed deep envy. That level was still out of her reach.
After collecting herself, the female cultivator said, "As for the artifact refining, our Nine Palaces Sect's Artifact Refining Peak can take on the task. However, the artifact you wish to refine is too high in grade, and I do not have the authority to make decisions. I will need to consult with the manager. Would you be willing to wait a moment, Senior?"
Song Wen asked, "What is the cultivation level of your manager?"
"Peak Foundation Establishment," the female cultivator replied.
Song Wen nodded. "That's fine."
The female cultivator's expression brightened. "Thank you, Senior. Please wait here while I go fetch the manager."
After she finished speaking, she left the secret room.
To prevent any issues, Song Wen secretly placed a Shadow Gu on her.
However, as events unfolded, it turned out that Song Wen was being overly cautious.
After leaving the secret room, the female cultivator walked down a long corridor and knocked on a secret room at the end.
After reporting the matter regarding the Top-Grade artifact, a middle-aged male cultivator emerged from the secret room.
This man was the manager she had mentioned, and his cultivation was indeed at the Peak Foundation Establishment level.
The manager hurriedly entered the secret room where Song Wen was and bowed, clasping his fists.
"Junior Kang Jiang, manager of the Secret Records Pavilion, greets you, Senior. May I ask what your esteemed title is?"
"Don't worry about it," Song Wen said indifferently.
"Senior wishes to refine a Top-Grade magical artifact?" Manager Kang Jiang asked.
"Precisely," Song Wen replied, producing the short spear once again. "This was originally the natal artifact of a Nascent Soul cultivator. A Nascent Soul senior entrusted me to find a Fourth-Stage artifact refiner to reforge it into a Top-Grade artifact."
Kang Jiang said, "This matter is beyond my authority. It must be reported to Patriarch Hao Kong for a decision."
The Nine Palaces Sect had four Nascent Soul cultivators: two at the early stage, one at the mid-stage, and one at the late stage. Hao Kong was one of the two early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators and the sect's only Fourth-Stage artifact refiner, renowned for his expertise.
"However, requesting Patriarch Hao Kong's assistance will not come cheaply. May I ask, Senior, how many spirit stones you can provide as payment?" Kang Jiang inquired cautiously.
He was concerned that Song Wen might not be able to pay sufficiently. If he disturbed Hao Kong prematurely, it might provoke the patriarch's ire.
Song Wen replied, "I don't plan to pay with spirit stones. Instead, I intend to offer a low-grade soul defense artifact as compensation."
"Is that true?" Kang Jiang asked, clearly surprised. He was well aware of the rarity of soul defense artifacts.
"Of course," Song Wen said. He then took out a beast bone and handed it over.
Kang Jiang carefully examined the beast bone. As an experienced manager of the Secret Records Pavilion, he quickly discerned that it was indeed an artifact, one imbued with unique soul energy fluctuations.
This beast bone was undoubtedly a soul artifact!
Although Kang Jiang couldn't immediately determine its exact grade, Song Wen's claim that it was a low-grade soul artifact seemed credible.
Kang Jiang's expression turned excited. If this transaction succeeded, he would surely benefit handsomely.
"Senior, please wait a moment. I will immediately notify a Golden Core elder of our sect and have them request Patriarch Hao Kong's approval," Kang Jiang said eagerly.
Seeing Kang Jiang hurriedly produce a messaging jade slip, Song Wen quickly interrupted him.
"Manager Kang, there's no need to rush," he said.
Kang Jiang looked puzzled. "What other instructions does Senior have?"
Song Wen took out a jade slip and said, "This is my messaging jade slip. If Patriarch Hao Kong agrees to assist, he can contact me directly through it."
Song Wen was cautious, worried that the Secret Records Pavilion might activate a trapping formation if Hao Kong became greedy and attempted to seize the artifact by force. In such a scenario, escaping would be difficult.
Kang Jiang, being a shrewd individual, instantly understood Song Wen's concerns. He accepted the jade slip and said, "Rest assured, Senior. I will report this matter to Patriarch Hao Kong as soon as possible."
Song Wen nodded, said a brief farewell, and left the secret room.
Less than an hour after leaving the Secret Records Pavilion, while meditating in a cultivator's inn, Song Wen received a message from someone claiming to be Hao Kong.
[Are you Bie Chou? You wish to use a low-grade soul defense artifact to hire me to reforge a natal artifact into a Top-Grade lightning-type artifact?]
[Yes, Patriarch Hao Kong,] Song Wen replied.
[I must personally inspect the soul defense artifact before agreeing to the deal,] Hao Kong stated.
[That is acceptable, but the meeting cannot take place within Anzhou City,] Song Wen said.
[Where do you propose to meet?] Hao Kong asked.
[One hour from now, at Pingxi Waterfall, 200 miles south of Anzhou City. Will that work for you, Senior?] Song Wen inquired.
[I will be there on time,] Hao Kong replied.
(End of the Chapter)
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