After losing its gray glow, the Clear Heart Jade Pendant revealed its true form. Its color had become even darker.
The green hue was almost completely gone. Only when placed under a light source would it reveal a touch of vibrant emerald green. Just by holding it for a few seconds, Zhao Zuo could feel his stinging Meridians being gently nourished. He estimated it wouldn't be long before he could start absorbing Heaven and Earth Spiritual Power again.
Previously, for every four hours Zhao Zuo cultivated, he needed to rest for four hours. This meant he could only cultivate for about ten hours a day. Now, with the aid of the Clear Heart Jade Pendant, his cultivation sessions could last longer while his recovery time was shortened. In effect, he could cultivate for an additional four hours each day.
As Zhao Zuo was pondering, the transparent panel quietly appeared.
[Upgrade Description: Slightly enhances the nourishing effect on Meridians. Slightly increases resistance to Heart Demons and Divine Thought attacks.]
Zhao Zuo discovered that the original "Clear Heart and Calm Breath" function had now transformed into a defense against Divine Thought and the ability to resist the invasion of Heart Demons.
In truth, he still didn't know what a Heart Demon was, but having the protection was better than not.
The text quickly faded, and new text appeared before Zhao Zuo's eyes.
[Level: Lower Grade Magical Artifact +3 · Clear Heart Jade Pendant]
[Experience: 0/1000]
[Status: Advancement Unavailable]
[Creation Points: 6]
'My guess was right. Upgrading it to a certain level triggers a promotion in its grade.'
'In fact, after three upgrades, the Clear Heart Jade Pendant's abilities already surpassed some Middle Grade Magical Artifacts. The grade doesn't necessarily represent a magical artifact's true strength.'
Zhao Zuo lightly tapped on "Advancement Unavailable," and new text appeared.
[Initial Tier Advancement: Two Taels of Clear Heart Jade, plus two Creation Points. After advancement, you will gain a moderate boost to the Nourishing Meridians and Body Protection effects.]
[Intermediate Advancement: Four Taels of Clear Heart Jade, plus four Creation Points. After advancement, you will gain a moderate boost to two effects: Nourishing Meridians & Body Protection, and Divine Thought Defense.]
[High Level Advancement: Four Taels of Clear Heart Jade, Five Jin of Spirit Gathering Jade, plus ten Creation Points. After advancement, you will gain a moderate boost to three effects: Nourishing Meridians & Body Protection, Divine Thought Defense, and Gathering Spiritual Power.]
After a quick read, Zhao Zuo began to analyze the number of Spirit Stones required for the three routes.
'The Initial Tier Advancement requires fifteen Spirit Stones to buy the Clear Heart Jade.'
'The Intermediate path would cost about thirty Spirit Stones.'
'For the High Level path, I can tell that the Four Taels of Clear Heart Jade will cost thirty Spirit Stones. As for the Five Jin of Spirit Gathering Jade, I can't determine the price.'
'Right now, the magical artifacts I have can be sold for twenty Spirit Stones. Combined with my blacksmithing work, I should have no problem gathering forty Spirit Stones within a month. If I push myself a little harder... I should be able to afford the materials for the High Level Advancement.'
'The Cloud Shuttle, that shuttle-shaped magical artifact, has been repaired, and the Willow Leaf Darts were also finished today. I'll change my plan and go into seclusion at the Earth Fire Forging Hall ahead of schedule.'
'Although the environment is a bit poor, at least the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Power is dense, and I can earn Spirit Stones there.'
That day, Zhao Zuo continued grinding experience for his Sky-Breaking Saber. When he figured it was about time, he opened his door and began to wait patiently for Shen Yunjiao to return from the Market. He planned to rely on her for a safe trip to the Market tomorrow.
Of course, Zhao Zuo didn't waste time either. He continuously reviewed the contents of the Artifact Refining Introduction in his mind.
More than an hour passed before Shen Yunjiao walked past his doorway.
Shen Yunjiao immediately saw Zhao Zuo sitting on his doorstep and reminded him with a smile.
"Taoist Friend Zhao, remember to pay me back my Spirit Stones."
The smile on Zhao Zuo's face froze. 'A novel feeling rose in my heart. After all, in my previous life, I'd never experienced being hounded for money by a beautiful woman.'
"I was waiting for you today precisely to return your Spirit Stones. Please, come in."
"Oh, that's wonderful!"
Shen Yunjiao's smile was incredibly sincere. She walked into Zhao Zuo's house with natural grace and casually closed the door behind her to prevent any prying eyes.
"Hand it over."
Her slender, delicate fingers waved before Zhao Zuo's eyes.
Zhao Zuo no longer hesitated. He took the repaired Willow Leaf Darts from a hidden pouch at his waist and handed them to Shen Yunjiao. Her eyes flickered for a moment upon seeing the familiar darts, and then she accepted them with a smile.
"Aren't you keeping a few magical artifacts for your own protection, Taoist Friend Zhao?"
"Thank you for your concern, Taoist Friend Shen. I have other magical artifacts," Zhao Zuo replied calmly.
"For the remaining four Spirit Stones, how about I give you a Purifying Spirit Pill?"
"Alright," Zhao Zuo nodded. This was his original plan anyway. He then continued, "When you head to the Market tomorrow, Taoist Friend Shen, may I accompany you?"
'The bloody calamity might have passed, but I'm still a bit shaken. Following Shen Yunjiao to the Market is my safest option right now.'
"No problem," Shen Yunjiao agreed without a second thought. She secretly wondered if escorting others to the Market could be a viable business to earn Spirit Stones, but she quickly shook her head.
'There are a few households in Qingni Lane who work in the Market's core area, and they always travel in groups in the morning and evening... there's basically no opportunity to make money there.'
Shen Yunjiao couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. She casually took a small white porcelain bottle from her Storage Bag, handed it to Zhao Zuo, and then spoke.
"I'll head back to my Cultivation now. Taoist Friend Zhao, make sure to bring me more business in the future!"
"Allow me to see you out, Taoist Friend Shen."
Zhao Zuo respectfully saw Shen Yunjiao out the door. He had actually considered trading the upgraded Cloud Shuttle for two damaged Lower Grade Magical Artifacts from her, but his inner caution ultimately made him dismiss the idea.
'Right now... I'm not in a position to negotiate with Shen Yunjiao.'
'But it won't be long.' Zhao Zuo put away the white porcelain bottle. 'The two Purifying Spirit Pills will definitely help me reach the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer faster. By then, with my advanced Sky-Breaking Saber, I might even be able to pose a threat to Shen Yunjiao.'
'Additionally, I'll eat several large meals tonight and finish off all the Spirit Rice at home. Tomorrow, I'll head to the Market for my seclusion. As for the rent, I can just ask Shen Yunjiao to pay it for me.'
'With my plan set, I'll cook all the Spirit Rice in the jar in three batches. I also plan to practice the Golden Body Technique again and try to break through to the Second-Layer as soon as possible. By then, my body will be strong enough to withstand some Talisman attacks. My defensive capabilities will skyrocket.'
That night, after swallowing about three jin of Spirit Rice, Zhao Zuo performed the nine peculiar stances of the Golden Body Technique in sequence. Although he hadn't practiced for several days, he didn't feel rusty at all and quickly got back into the rhythm. His stomach churned rapidly, absorbing the essence within the Spirit Rice and transforming it into scorching energy that nourished his muscles and bones.
After more than an hour, Zhao Zuo's skin was covered in sweat, and his stomach was once again completely empty. He had no choice but to end his Cultivation, take out his iron pot, wash more Spirit Rice, and swallow it down after it was cooked.
Once he was full again, Zhao Zuo started practicing the Golden Body Technique again.
'Even though Spirit Rice is delicious, this feeling of stuffing my stomach not out of hunger or for enjoyment, but purely for the sake of Cultivation... it's starting to give me an aversion to it.'
'So it's true... you can get tired of even the most delicious food one day.'
Zhao Zuo used a Cleaning Talisman to remove the sweat from his body and the dust from his clothes, then squeezed back into the woodpile to rest.
Before sleeping, he took out his Sky-Breaking Saber and started grinding experience as usual.
At this point, he was only seventy-three experience points away from the third upgrade.
.....