Chapter 254: Chapter 234: Refining Requirements

When Fang Yun had previously killed the early-stage Foundation Establishment Vice Sect Leader of the Stone Demon Sect, luck had certainly played a part, but it was definitely not a major one.

Now, Fang Yun had taken on four enemies at once. It wasn’t a direct confrontation, but a successful ambush—and pulling off a successful ambush is a skill in its own right.

At this moment, he finally had a clear understanding of Fang Yun’s true strength.

Of the four people present, he was the one most able to accept the strength Fang Yun had displayed.

"Elder Fang, are the Spiritual Artifacts you’re using specifically designed to counter Demons?" Elder Cao asked immediately as a thought struck him.

His Seven-Aperture Exquisite Body allowed Fang Yun to precisely control multiple Lower-Grade Spiritual Artifacts without expending too much Divine Sense.

Furthermore, Fang Yun’s skill in Artifact Refining was top-notch. An outstanding Artifact Refiner understands themself best and can forge Spiritual Artifacts that allow them to better unleash their power.

The stealth techniques Fang Yun had displayed must have come from the Spiritual Artifacts he’d personally refined.

Elder Cao could understand that.

The only thing he couldn’t comprehend was the sheer speed with which Fang Yun had dispatched the Foundation Establishment Demons. After thinking for a long time, he figured Fang Yun must have refined Upper-Grade Magical Artifacts specifically designed to counter Demons.

Many of the late-stage Qi Refining Sect Disciples who had come here had already purchased such Upper-Grade Magical Artifacts.

As for the next step up—Lower-Grade Spiritual Artifacts—Elder Cao had been under the impression that Fang Yun couldn’t refine them yet. But now, it seemed things might be different.

"I do," Fang Yun nodded.

’Not many Elders know this yet.’ 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

’There’s no need to go out of my way to announce it. The Elders who need to know will find out sooner or later.’

’Even if they knew I could refine this type of Lower-Grade Spiritual Artifact, gathering the necessary Spiritual Materials isn’t easy.’

"Only Lower Grade?" Elder Cao asked, seeking confirmation.

For a Middle-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator like him, a Lower-Grade Spiritual Artifact of this kind would offer an improvement, but not a significant one. If Fang Yun could refine a Middle-Grade version, however, the boost to his power would be immense.

Fang Yun nodded again.

’To refine this type of Middle-Grade Spiritual Artifact, it would be very difficult with my current six-star artifact refining talent. I’d probably need to reach the Late-stage of Foundation Establishment to do it. At my current early-stage, I would likely need a seven-star artifact refining talent to pull it off.’

"Lower Grade is fine too. What Spiritual Materials do I need to gather?"

"Elder Cao, first tell me what kind of Lower-Grade Spiritual Artifact you need."

"Oh, right. I forgot."

In his nervousness and excitement, Elder Cao had forgotten that before commissioning an Artifact Refiner, one first had to state their requirements for the Spiritual Artifact. Only then could the refiner help determine the best Spiritual Materials to collect.

As Elder Cao stated his general requirements, Fang Yun provided a corresponding list of Spiritual Materials to collect.

"Some of these Spiritual Materials..." Elder Cao looked at the list, noting that few of them were common. "These would be easier to collect in the territory of the Celestial Demon Sect, wouldn’t they?"

Fang Yun nodded in agreement. To refine a Spiritual Artifact designed to counter Demons, some of the necessary Spiritual Materials were indeed difficult to find within the Celestial Cloud Sect’s territory.

That was why he was so looking forward to what was in the Demons’ Storage Pouches.

If they contained the Spiritual Materials he needed, he could equip himself with more of these specialized Spiritual Artifacts.

The three Foundation Establishment Cultivators from the Shen Family had been listening to the entire exchange between Fang Yun and Elder Cao.

This information was quite important to them.

If they had the chance in the future, they could ask Fang Yun to refine similar Spiritual Artifacts for them.

Patriarch Shen glanced at the two family elders, and they nodded in understanding. From now on, they would pay more attention to Spiritual Materials from the Celestial Demon Sect’s territory.

Having dealt with the Demons and given Elder Cao the list of materials, Fang Yun had no intention of lingering in the Shen Family’s ancestral land.

Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly remembered something.

’It seems Battle Peak doesn’t know what I’ve been up to yet.’

’Given my current importance to the sect, I might not have even been able to accept this kind of mission through the proper channels. It was better to just come on my own.’

’Opportunities like this—killing Foundation Establishment Demons quickly for a large number of Talent Points—are rare. I can’t let them pass me by.’

"By the way, Elder Cao, could I trouble you to report the situation here back to Battle Peak?"

"Aren’t you going to be the one to report back, Elder Fang?" Elder Cao asked instinctively.

"I didn’t come here on an official mission. The Elder from Battle Peak who actually accepted the assignment is probably still on their way."

"Oh, I see."

Thinking about the Lower-Grade Spiritual Artifacts Fang Yun used, Elder Cao understood instantly.

Fang Yun had rushed over to help and kill these Foundation Establishment Demons because he wanted their Storage Pouches. Those pouches might contain the materials he needed to refine his Lower-Grade Spiritual Artifacts.

Those were all Fang Yun’s spoils of war now. After learning about the special Spiritual Materials needed to refine anti-Demon artifacts, Elder Cao found that he, too, now coveted the Storage Pouches of Foundation Establishment Demons.

However, coming here without an official mission meant missing out on the rewards of Contribution Points and Spirit Stones. Elder Cao felt it was a small pity for Fang Yun.

With those rewards, Fang Yun’s haul from this trip would have been even more substantial.

「A short while later.」

Fang Yun’s figure disappeared into the distance.

Once he was a good distance away from the Shen Family’s ancestral land, the four Spirit Patterns on the Half-Hidden Spirit Boots on his feet began to glow faintly.

After watching Fang Yun disappear, Elder Cao returned to the Shen Family’s ancestral land and immediately reported the situation back to the sect.

He stated that Elder Fang Yun had already arrived to provide support and had successfully slain the Foundation Establishment Demons outside the Shen Family’s ancestral land.

...

"Halt!"

The middle-aged Cultivator in the lead was the first to stop after receiving the message.

They were the Elders from the Celestial Cloud Sect’s Battle Peak, sent to reinforce the Shen Family.

After the meeting, they were the three who had been dispatched to the Shen Family’s ancestral land after careful consideration.

"What is it, Elder Gao?"