"Control of the Celestial Sinking Ruins? So the ruins can actually be controlled?"
Yi Tianyun's eyes glinted. 'They probably have no idea about this,' he thought. 'But thanks to the Crazy Upgrade System, I know what the final objective is.' If he couldn't accomplish it, then this main quest would surely fail.
The reward alone suggested the difficulty was anything but low. Shi Xueyun had just said that the second layer of the Spirit Refining Stage was the minimum standard for entry. And that was just the *minimum*, which meant he would need a much stronger cultivation base to gain a firm foothold inside.
While he was still reveling in the surprise of the incredible reward, the other elders' expressions soured. The Second Elder, in particular, looked furious.
'It seems my disciple's spot is gone.' She couldn't argue, so she had no choice but to accept it. 'Making him an Outer Disciple is one thing, but this is a special exception. An Outer Disciple at the Spirit Refining Stage... what a lavish waste.'
At his age, someone with his cultivation level would absolutely be a Core Disciple, a prime candidate for focused nurturing. He might even have become a candidate for Palace Master in the future, but since he was male, that was an impossibility.
"Do any of you elders have any other objections?" Shi Xueyun asked, looking at the three of them.
"No objections..." They exchanged glances, managing only bitter smiles. 'Since our Palace Master has spoken, what more can we say?'
Yi Tianyun met every condition, including the cultivation requirement, and he was only asking to be an Outer Disciple. They had no choice but to agree. Although the Second Elder was still resentful, she had to concede.
"Good. Now that we're all in agreement, let's prepare to have the weapons forged. Has the Forging Master we invited arrived yet?" Shi Xueyun asked.
"He is already resting in the main hall, waiting for us. Shall we go now?" the First Elder asked.
"Let's go now. We mustn't keep him waiting."
Shi Xueyun turned to Yi Tianyun and said, "Come with me. I'll have Master Kong custom-forge a weapon for you. Those gauntlets of yours look decent, but choosing a sword or a long spear would undoubtedly be more advantageous in a real fight."
They firmly believed that weapons with longer reach were superior. Close-quarters combat was suicidal. Getting that close basically meant leaving yourself open to attack. Therefore, a weapon like a Longsword was the minimum, which was far better than needing to be right next to an opponent to strike. Fighting at such close range only made things more difficult.
"Well... alright. Let's go take a look."
Yi Tianyun highly doubted the man could forge anything decent. 'My Frost Fist may only be at the Mortal Iron Level, but its effects are incredible. The special ability is what makes it so valuable.'
'As for a weapon forged by someone else... can it even use my Madness Value? Obviously not. I'd probably have to forge it myself to get an effect like that.'
They soon arrived at one of the palace halls, a place primarily used for receiving honored guests. And without a doubt, this Master Kong was considered an honored guest.
As soon as he entered, Yi Tianyun saw a middle-aged man sitting in the great hall, leisurely sipping tea. The man had rugged features and a burly physique. His cultivation wasn't low either, having reached the fourth or fifth layer of the Spirit Refining Stage.
Although his cultivation was weaker than the elders present, he was still addressed as a Master.
The reason was simple: he was a third-rank Blacksmith, capable of forging weapons of the Spiritual Artifact Level.
In this world, the status of those who only focused on cultivation was merely average. But those who possessed a special skill like this, if they were proficient enough, could earn the title of Master.
After all, high cultivation didn't guarantee one would have such special abilities, but someone with special abilities was certain to achieve high cultivation in the future. With a profession like this, their connections and status were far greater than that of an ordinary cultivator.
"Master Kong, we must trouble you to forge three Spiritual Artifacts for us. As for the price, we can discuss it."
Shi Xueyun approached with a smile, her demeanor perfectly gracious. Even a Palace Master had to show a certain degree of deference.
The other three elders also greeted him with smiles, but Master Kong, in stark contrast, wore a condescending expression. He said to them coolly, "Spiritual Artifacts aren't forged so easily, and the cost isn't low. I can forge three of them, but I have a few conditions. Otherwise, I'm not interested."
"What are your conditions?"
Shi Xueyun inquired, "As long as they are not too excessive, we can agree."
"My conditions are actually quite simple," Master Kong stated. "First, I want my disciple to join Merak Palace as an Outer Disciple."
"That... is acceptable."
Shi Xueyun's delicate brows furrowed, but she ultimately agreed. Accepting an Outer Disciple wasn't a major issue. After all, disciples from the Celestial Spirit Sect had become Outer Disciples here before. They would be assigned to different areas and generally wouldn't interact.
"Second, the materials for three Spiritual Artifacts are expensive," Master Kong continued. "But since you agreed to my first condition, we can be flexible. However, being flexible doesn't mean it's free. Either you provide the materials, or you provide the funds for me to procure them myself."
"That is also not a problem. Spiritual Artifacts are never cheap. What price are you asking?" Shi Xueyun asked.
"It's not much. Just ten thousand taels of Gold will be enough," Master Kong said, dropping a bombshell of a price.
They were stunned speechless. Ten thousand taels of Gold! That was an astronomical price! It wasn't that they couldn't afford it, but the price was simply too high. It meant each weapon would cost over three thousand taels of Gold.
Usually, transactions were conducted in silver. This meant the price was one hundred thousand taels of silver! Over thirty thousand taels for a single weapon—an astonishing price.
"This price... could you perhaps lower it a bit?" Shi Xueyun asked hesitantly.
Merak Palace was not a large sect. They could come up with the funds, but it would drain a significant portion of their treasury, making future operations difficult.
"This price is already very low, Palace Master Shi. I trust you understand the market for Spiritual Artifacts. Out there, one costs at least fifty thousand taels. I'm already giving you a discount!" Master Kong said, his face hardening.
They exchanged helpless, bitter smiles. They had no counterargument. The price on the open market was indeed, as Master Kong had said, around fifty thousand taels.
"Very well. We'll pay your price," Shi Xueyun conceded.
"And for the final condition... it's a personal matter," Master Kong said with a cool smile.
"What is it?" Shi Xueyun's brow furrowed. 'This Master Kong certainly has a lot of conditions.'
"It's nothing difficult, really. I've simply taken a fancy to one of your disciples. I was wondering if she might become my cultivation partner? If she agrees, I will gift you the three Spiritual Artifacts, free of charge!"
As he spoke, Master Kong's face lit up with excitement. He had clearly already chosen someone.
The women frowned upon hearing this. They hadn't expected Master Kong to make such a request. However, Merak Palace didn't forbid its disciples from marrying, as long as the feelings were mutual.
"There is no issue with that. May I ask who you have chosen?" Shi Xueyun asked, keeping her patience.
"A disciple named Lian," Master Kong said with a smile. "As long as she agrees to be my cultivation partner, the three Spiritual Artifacts are yours!"
"Lian!?" Yi Tianyun froze. 'He can't mean Lian!'
His expression darkened. 'If Lian is willing, then it's not my place to interfere. But if she isn't, and they try to force her... I absolutely will not let that happen!'