Chapter 372: Chapter 372: The Shocked Lu Li
In Artifact Refining, decomposition is several times more difficult than refining itself. Even Lu Li wouldn’t dare claim he could completely break down all three materials. Yet, not only had Ye Xuan succeeded, but he had also achieved an incredible level of purity—and still, he wasn’t satisfied.
It felt as if a beggar who had starved for hundreds of days had just seen a table laden with delicious food, only for someone to flip the entire spread onto the floor before he could even take a bite—all because the dishes were a tiny bit too salty.
The feeling made him want to fly into a murderous rage.
"I thought Master Lu Li would be interested in this Hundred-Turn Tempering Skill, but it seems I was being presumptuous. If that’s the case, I’ll take my leave."
Ye Xuan gathered the materials, a regretful expression on his face, and started toward the exit as he spoke.
"Wait."
Lu Li suddenly roared and lunged forward as if he’d taken an aphrodisiac, throwing himself in front of Ye Xuan. His eyes burned with an intense fire as he stared, his expression like that of a wolf spotting a beautiful woman, gleaming with avarice.
"What, are you really going to beat me half to death?" Ye Xuan taunted. "Let me be honest. Since I dared to come here, I’m not afraid of you making a move."
’Of course, I know why he’s acting like this. He’s tempted by the Hundred-Turn Tempering Skill I just showed him.’
’In fact, this was all part of my plan. I know perfectly well that no Artifact Refiner in the world could lay eyes on the Hundred-Turn Tempering Skill and remain unmoved.’
"Ahem, you must be joking. Why would I ever lay a hand on you? Your skill in Artifact Refining is astonishing for someone so young. I have the utmost admiration for young people like you. Anyone who dares to touch you is making an enemy of me, and I’ll be the first to make them pay!"
Lu Li’s eyes darted about. Realizing he must look rather frightening, he stroked his beard and adopted a tone of righteous indignation.
"Is that so? Then why are Master Li Xu and his men still surrounding me? Judging by their stance, it looks like they’re about to throw me out, wouldn’t you say?" Ye Xuan asked, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Lu Li’s beard bristled with indignation. He pointed at Li Xu and the others and began to curse, "You lot! Who told you to surround this master? Hmph! The nerve! How many times have I told you all? Our Artifact Refining Workshop is a place of hospitality! Look at your menacing faces! What if you scare our distinguished guest?"
Li Xu and the others looked like they were about to cry from the tongue-lashing. ’Master,’ they thought, ’weren’t you the one who just told us to beat this guy half to death and throw him out?’
Of course, that was something they would never, ever dare to say aloud.
After thoroughly berating Li Xu and his men, Lu Li forced a smile back onto his face and said to Ye Xuan, "I’ve given them a good scolding. Now, shouldn’t the two of us get back to discussing that... earlier matter?"
He spoke as if he had completely forgotten the recent unpleasantness. His face was wreathed in smiles, and his eyes shone with a warm, gentle light. He had gone from a raging old man to a kindly grandfather in the blink of an eye.
This ability to change his tune faster than one could flip a page left even Ye Xuan momentarily stunned.
Ye Xuan hadn’t actually intended to leave, so hearing Master Lu Li’s words, he swaggered over to a chair, sat down, and said nonchalantly, "Seeing as you’re so sincere, I suppose I can reluctantly agree."
"Of course, of course." Seeing that Ye Xuan wasn’t leaving, Lu Li also sat down, chuckling.
When he saw Li Xu and the others still standing there, stunned, Lu Li’s expression immediately darkened. "What are you all still gawking at? Hurry up and make some tea for our distinguished guest! Remember to bring out my best Yunshan Maojian. I am entertaining a very important guest today!"
"Yes, Master." Li Xu and the others, long accustomed to Lu Li’s fiery and volatile temperament, hastily excused themselves.
"By the way, may I have the honor of knowing your name? And if I may ask, who is your master?" Lu Li asked, looking at Ye Xuan with a hint of curiosity.
If he had initially viewed Ye Xuan as just an arrogant young man who didn’t know his place, his opinion had now completely shifted. He now saw a genius in Artifact Refining, an equal who could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with him.
It wasn’t just because of the Hundred-Turn Tempering Skill he had displayed. Every aspect of Ye Xuan’s process—his techniques, his composure, his movements—was imbued with a sense of perfection, hinting at a profound and fundamental truth.
Every step of the refining process had been executed with unparalleled precision, utterly flawless. Even Lu Li had to admit that he himself would struggle to achieve such perfection.
’This man’s origins must be absolutely unfathomable.’
Lu Li simply couldn’t imagine which Artifact Refining Master on the Dream Realm Plain could have produced such a genius.
"My name is Xuan Ye," Ye Xuan said calmly. "As for my master, it is not convenient for me to say."
"I understand, I understand," Lu Li said, nodding. He was now certain that Ye Xuan was the personal, last-in-line disciple of some great Artifact Refining Master on the continent.
"By the way, I observed that during your refining earlier, besides the Hundred-Turn Tempering Skill, you also employed a variety of other techniques. Furthermore, you seem to have a rather unique insight into the Dao of formations as well."
Lu Li squinted, studying Ye Xuan intently.
"They’re nothing special," Ye Xuan said. "Besides the Hundred-Turn Tempering Skill, I did use a few other techniques. Thirteen in total, including several from the Three Gates and Seven Principles."
"That many?" Lu Li was aghast. He carefully replayed the process in his mind and realized he had only identified nine distinct techniques. This meant there were four techniques Ye Xuan had used that even he had failed to perceive.
"I would be honored to hear the details," Lu Li said, his expression completely serious. A fervent glow appeared in his cloudy old eyes.
"There’s no harm in telling you," Ye Xuan said, and began to list them. "My thirteen techniques are..."
’The techniques I just used aren’t considered forbidden on the continent, so there’s no reason to hide them.’
’Besides, mastering a technique requires careful instruction. It’s not something you can learn just by hearing the name.’
Time trickled by.
CREAK. The door to the room was suddenly pushed open.
Li Xu and the others entered carrying a tea set. Upon seeing the scene inside, their eyes went wide, and they nearly dropped the tray.
Inside the room, Ye Xuan was lounging back in a wide chair with his legs crossed, speaking animatedly. Their master, Lu Li, however, was sitting bolt upright, frowning in concentration and listening intently. He looked exactly like a diligent elementary school student, as prim and proper as could be.
"This..."
Li Xu and the others were utterly petrified.
’Is this really our ill-tempered, foul-mannered, impossible-to-please master?’
Ye Xuan noticed them the moment they entered. He smiled and waved them over. "Ah, it’s Master Li Xu. Come, come, let me taste Master Lu Li’s Yunshan Maojian."
Lu Li was jolted from his concentration, clearly annoyed that Li Xu and the others had interrupted the lecture. He growled, "Are you all deaf? Did you not hear what Master Xuan Ye said? Bring the tea over now!"
"Yes, yes!"
Li Xu and his men hurriedly brought the tea over, cold sweat beading on their foreheads.
’Master Xuan Ye? Is he referring to this young man? Master’s mood is so bizarre today. We’d better not do anything to set him off.’
The moment Li Xu set down the tray, Lu Li personally and swiftly brewed the tea, poured a cup, and respectfully presented it to Ye Xuan. "Here you are, Master Xuan Ye. Please, try my Yunshan Maojian."
THUD!
Li Xu and the others all stumbled and fell to the floor, their eyes wide in disbelief.
’What the hell is going on?’
’Since they began studying under their master, this was the first time they had ever seen him personally pour tea for anyone—and for a young man of about twenty, no less!’
’Even the powerful Martial Kings from other sects, who came asking him to refine Profound Soldiers, had never received such treatment!’
"You disgraceful lot, get out!" Master Lu Li roared. Li Xu and the others scrambled out of the room.
"Master Xuan Ye, what do you think of my tea?" Master Lu Li asked, looking at Ye Xuan with an expectant face.
"Not bad, not bad at all. I didn’t realize Master Lu Li was also a tea connoisseur."
Ye Xuan savored the taste and nodded in approval.
’Although this Yunshan Maojian can’t compare to the teas from my past life, it’s still quite pleasant,’ Ye Xuan thought. ’The fragrance is refreshing on the palate. With just a small sip, the aroma fills the senses, and its flavor lingers long after.’
’Upon drinking it, a pleasant warmth spread through my body, and even my Profound Power began to circulate more vigorously. It truly is a fine tea.’
"Haha, you flatter me, you flatter me." Master Lu Li beamed, grinning so widely his eyes narrowed into slits.
"No need for humility. The Dao of Tea is like the Dao of Artifacts—both are about one’s state of mind. Without the proper mindset, no matter how skilled one’s technique, one is merely a common craftsman. Your ultimate achievements will always be limited."
Ye Xuan’s words struck Lu Li like a thunderclap, a moment of profound, sudden enlightenment.
Artifact Refining, much like Alchemy, demands patience and a specific state of mind. Though Lu Li appeared boisterous and carefree, he was meticulous and strove for perfection during the refining process. A truly crude or impatient person, regardless of their talent, could never achieve much in the field of Artifact Refining.
"By the way, what was it that Master Xuan Ye wanted me to refine?" After a long and pleasant chat, Master Lu Li finally took the initiative to ask.
For one, he was dying to learn more about Ye Xuan’s Hundred-Turn Tempering Skill. For another, he was intensely curious about what Ye Xuan wanted to create.
’Based on the mastery of Artifact Refining he’s shown, he’s not the least bit inferior to me. The only thing he might be lacking is a higher realm of Profound Power. What could he possibly need my help to refine?’
"I came here today for two things. The first is a flying Spiritual Treasure. Please, take a look."
Ye Xuan produced a diagram and placed it in front of Master Lu Li.
It was the design for his own personal flying Spiritual Treasure.
Master Lu Li took the diagram and glanced at it. His eyes immediately shot wide, and he drew in a sharp breath. "What an ingenious design for a flying Spiritual Treasure."
