Lu Danxin set down the jade slip. Lin Feng and the others each picked it up and examined it in turn, finally understanding why Lu Danxin had spoken as he did. This jade slip contained Master Lanling's final words before his death. From these words, one could even feel the deep sorrow and regret that filled him in his final moments.
To advance to the Divine Transformation realm, Master Lanling had expended all his resources and made every possible preparation. Yet, fate is unpredictable. In the end, he failed. Although he didn't perish immediately under the Heavenly Tribulation, he barely managed to return to his cave dwelling before his vital energy was completely exhausted, leading to his demise.
Lin Feng inwardly sighed as well. He recalled the lightning tribulation he himself had endured during his Golden Core formation – only the weakest single-nine tribulation, yet it had been perilous enough. What must a truly formidable tribulation be like? And what would his own Divine Transformation Heavenly Tribulation look like in the future?
Giving his head a slight shake to dispel these idle thoughts, Lin Feng's gaze settled on the few utterly shattered artifacts. His mind began to work.
There were four artifacts: a flying sword, a circular shield the size of a plate, a palm-sized turtle shell, and a purple ring.
These artifacts were so badly damaged that it was impossible to discern their original grade. Even if they had once been powerful Spiritual Artifacts or even Dao Artifacts, they were now essentially indistinguishable from scrap metal, utterly unusable. However, whether they were truly irreparably "scrapped" wasn't necessarily certain for Lin Feng. He reached out and picked up the flying sword, instinctively probing it with his spiritual sense.
"CRACK…"
To Lin Feng's utter dismay, before he could even attempt to use his Repair Technique to assess the sword, a series of cracking sounds erupted from his hand. Countless fissures instantly spread across the sword's surface, and it shattered into innumerable fragments that clattered onto the table.
"Uh…" Lin Feng froze for a moment, then looked up at the others with some embarrassment.
Lu Danxin shook his head slightly at Lin Feng. "It's nothing. That sword, like the Spatial Ring earlier, was completely destroyed. The remaining artifacts might be slightly better – they won't shatter at a touch – but they are still utterly unusable. Repairing them is impossible."
Lin Feng frowned inwardly, unwilling to give up. He picked up the palm-sized turtle shell artifact next. This one didn't crumble. But when he channeled his Repair Technique to examine it, the information he received only deepened his disappointment.
Equipment Damage Level: 100% Cannot be repaired.
The artifact's internal structure was completely ruined. Though it hadn't disintegrated, it was, at best, nothing more than a useless lump of metal. His Repair Technique couldn't even identify its component materials, let alone repair it.
He picked up the plate-sized round shield next, only to find it identical to the turtle shell. Lin Feng's heart sank further. Finally, he reached for the last item, the purple ring.
Equipment Damage Level: 98% Repair Materials Required: Thunder Extreme Essence Crystal (3 cm³), Mournful Glow Iron (1 cm³) [can be substituted with Moondrop Iron], Dark Willow Crystal (2 cm³) [can be substituted with Violet Glyph Stone].
The string of information appearing in his mind made Lin Feng's eyes light up. A surge of excitement washed over him.
This ring can be repaired! Moreover, the materials required – Thunder Extreme Essence Crystal, Mournful Glow Iron, Dark Willow Crystal – were all sixth-grade materials! That meant this ring was very likely a Peerless Spiritual Artifact, on the same level as his White Tiger Fierce Soul Talisman!!
Lin Feng held the ring, keeping his head bowed as he fiercely suppressed his inner excitement, ensuring no unusual expression showed on his face. After a moment of flickering thought, he looked up at Lu Danxin and the others.
"Esteemed Seniors… I would like to keep these damaged artifacts. Would that be acceptable?"
The others hadn't paid much attention to Lin Feng's previous actions. Lu Danxin was observing other parts of the room, while Lu Su and the others were studying the other jade slip that recorded Master Lanling's cultivation technique. Hearing Lin Feng's request, they all looked over, glancing curiously between him and the artifacts on the table.
Lu Danxin smiled. "Since you wish to keep them, take them."
Lu Su chuckled. "Heh, I didn't realize Young Friend Lin had such an interest? They're just useless artifacts. If you like them, take them."
"Indeed, keep them. We have no objection," Zhao Qian added. "By the way, this cultivation technique legacy of Master Lanling is also a rare Earth-rank Mid-grade technique. Young Friend Lin, you should make a copy for yourself as well."
Lu Su and Zhao Qian were similarly indifferent. As members of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, they had some expertise in artifacts. They could tell without picking them up that these were genuinely beyond repair; not even the most skilled artifact refiner could salvage them. Therefore, they harbored no suspicion.
"An Earth-rank Mid-grade technique? Alright, I'll make a copy," Lin Feng replied casually as he gathered the artifacts into his storage pouch. In the past, acquiring an Earth-rank Mid-grade technique would have thrilled him. But now, possessing the Stellar Spectrum Art left by his father, he had no interest in other techniques. Even a Heaven-rank technique wouldn't tempt him to switch. Still, having a copy on hand was useful; it was a valuable resource, as Earth-rank Mid-grade techniques held significant worth.
Subsequently, while Lu Danxin kept the original jade slip, everyone else made copies of the technique. Once this was done, the group cremated Master Lanling's remains with solemn reverence before finally leaving the cave dwelling.
...
Overall, everyone felt a distinct sense of disappointment. The treasures obtained within Master Lanling's cave dwelling fell far short of their expectations. Still, it wasn't a complete loss. Each had gained some precious spiritual herbs and acquired Master Lanling's cultivation technique. As for Lin Feng, he had obtained a repairable Peerless Spiritual Artifact. He was thoroughly satisfied, feeling he had scored a significant bargain.
After resealing the cave entrance, the group emerged back above Cold Mist Valley. Lu Danxin turned to Lin Feng.
"Lin Feng, are you truly not coming back to Lingyue Sect with me? Rest assured, if the Absolute Sword Sect dares to cause trouble again, the sect will absolutely not compromise."
Lin Feng shook his head. "Thank you for your kindness, Sect Leader. I have an extremely important matter I must attend to. I will be leaving Xia Kingdom directly after this, and it may be a very long time before I return. As for my grudge with the Absolute Sword Sect… perhaps I will settle it myself in the future."
"Very well, I won't insist. Take care of yourself," Lu Danxin said, recognizing Lin Feng's resolve. He nodded, then suddenly produced another jade slip and handed it to Lin Feng. "The sect's inherited alchemy techniques are not mine to impart freely. However, this contains my personal insights and experiences accumulated over many years of alchemy. I gift it to you. It also includes some common pill formulas that should prove useful."
Lin Feng was overjoyed. He hurriedly accepted the jade slip. "Thank you, Sect Leader!"
During his six months at Lingyue Sect, Lin Feng hadn't learned any profound alchemy techniques. Lu Danxin's gift now was precisely what he needed. With the substantial number of third-grade herbs he had acquired, he could likely begin attempting to refine third-grade pills.
Lu Danxin glanced around at the surroundings. "I intend to return to the sect now. Will you all be heading out as well?"
Lu Su nodded. "We've been away long enough too. We'll head back to Lingyue City. What about you, Lin Feng?"
Lin Feng hesitated briefly before shaking his head again. "I wish to do some training here in the Lanling Ruins first. After that, I'll leave Xia Kingdom directly. So, I'll bid you farewell here."
"Oh? Is that so?" Lu Danxin seemed slightly surprised but didn't press for details. "Alright. With your strength, as long as you don't venture deep into the Lanling Ruins, you shouldn't face any danger. In that case, we part ways here."
Lu Su clapped Lin Feng on the shoulder. "Then we take our leave, Young Friend Lin. Remember, you are an Honorary Artificer of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion. Wherever there is a Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion branch, you have support. Should you need anything, feel free to visit any of them."
"Understood," Lin Feng said. "Farewell, Senior Lu, Manager Duan, Senior Zhao. Take care."
Duan Chenglian and Zhao Qian cupped their hands towards Lin Feng in unison. "Farewell."
...
Lin Feng watched as Lu Danxin and the others vanished into the distance. He then retrieved his map jade slip, consulted it, and turned to walk west along Cold Mist Valley.
Long after Lin Feng and the others had departed, from a spot roughly a thousand meters away from where they had stood, behind a pile of disorderly giant boulders, a transparent ripple suddenly shimmered faintly in the seemingly empty air...