Chapter 522: Primary Artifact Refining Genius (66)

Chapter 522: Junior-Grade Artifact Refining Prodigy (66)

Zhang Yu had long been anticipating the evolution of Yu Xinghan’s Level 3 Dao Seed.

After all, every ounce of strength gained by his companion served as nutrients for his own further advancement.

As the Three-Eyed Divine Ability reached this third level, Zhang Yu, after a series of tests, gradually grasped the nuances of its transformation.

Previously, the Three-Eyed Divine Ability primarily offered the replication of others' movements, the observation of spiritual energy currents, the ability to discern the momentum behind a strike, a full three-hundred-sixty-degree field of vision, and a microscopic view of the human body.

Now, following its upgrade, the ability granted an eidetic memory for all manner of martial arts techniques.

It could be said that any fist style, swordsmanship, or blade technique, once observed by the third eye, would be firmly etched into the mind.

Furthermore, if one understood the corresponding flow of mana required for such arts, the act of watching became synonymous with the act of cultivation.

In other words, bolstered by the Three-Eyed Divine Ability, even without rigorous personal practice, one’s martial arts proficiency would naturally increase simply by watching others perform.

Upon realizing this, Zhang Yu’s first thought was naturally the potential synergy between the Three-Eyed Divine Ability and the Feather Script.

“Can watching others practice increase the cultivation count of the Feather Script? If it could...”

However, after a series of attempts, Zhang Yu quickly discovered it was not possible.

“Alas, this Three-Eyed Divine Ability cannot influence the progress of the Feather Script?”

Zhang Yu mused, “It makes sense. No matter how many martial arts manuals I read or how much guidance I receive from teachers... these things that theoretically could improve my cultivation have no way of pushing the Feather Script’s progress.”

“The Feather Script’s cultivation requires steady, step-by-step practice, time and time again.”

Though disappointed that the ability failed to affect the Feather Script, Zhang Yu soon discovered the true benefit of the upgrade.

“The microscopic observation effect has further improved, and my perception of mana and spiritual energy currents has also been enhanced.”

Zhang Yu thought, “If used to assist in artifact refining, it would bolster my ability to process the mana circuits of magical treasures, thereby increasing the efficiency and success rate of rune etching.”

Zhang Yu nodded slightly, thinking to himself, “If, in the future, there is an issue with a treasure’s mana circuit while I am refining, I can temporarily swap the Green Lotus Sword Embryo (Spirit Root) for the Three-Eyed Divine Ability (Spirit Root) to address the circuit problems.”

As for keeping the Three-Eyed Divine Ability active daily for martial arts practice, the efficiency was simply too low for Zhang Yu; he was better off focusing on the Green Lotus Sword Embryo to further enhance the adaptability of his Divine Spirit Root.

On the other side, once Yu Xinghan understood the functions of his upgraded ability, he became instantly exhilarated.

“Observation is cultivation?”

Yu Xinghan hurriedly pulled up a recording of a martial arts manual in his ocular memory and began to play it. With every viewing, he felt his understanding of the technique deepen, his mastery becoming more profound, as if he had practiced it himself several times over.

“Excellent, excellent,” Yu Xinghan thought. “If I watch videos while I work, wouldn’t that be equivalent to practicing martial arts every single moment?”

Watching Yu Xinghan’s Level 3 Dao Seed, Zhang Yu mused, “A Level 3 Dao Seed allows for cultivation through observation. If this continues to upgrade, won’t he eventually be able to master anyone’s technique just by looking at it once?”

Yet, a hidden worry arose in his heart: “If he reaches that point, it might not be a good thing. For a technique like the Sword of Extreme Emotion, learning it at a glance... that would be troublesome.”

“And if it truly reaches that stage, will this Three-Eyed Divine Ability also become a Divine Spirit Root?”

“If Yu Xinghan were discovered to have grown a Divine Spirit Root...”

At this thought, Zhang Yu furrowed his brows, his mind drifting to Le Mulan.

Whether it was the potential for Yu Xinghan’s ability to evolve into a Divine Spirit Root or Le Mulan’s life-extending Deep Cold Dharma Pulse, he sensed the scent of danger in both.

Glancing at Yu Xinghan again, Zhang Yu thought, “To reach Level 4, it will require 8,000 mana—that is the level of a Golden Core cultivator.”

“There is still plenty of time.”

“But regardless, I must become wealthier and more powerful to safely elevate the Dao Seed levels.”

...

Late May.

Zhang Yu had intended to invite his senior sister, Ye Xingli, to rent a laboratory together, only to receive news that she had already secured one of her own.

Walking into her lab and observing the rows of equipment on the benches, Zhang Yu said with envy, “Senior sister, how much did this laboratory cost you?”

Zhang Yu knew that for an artifact refiner, having one’s own laboratory made a world of difference; it was effectively the divide between two entirely different social classes.

Owning a lab not only saved a fortune in rent but also spared one the headache of queuing for equipment, allowing one to focus time and energy on the craft.

Taking it a step further, one could be like the Magnetic Pole True Monarch, possessing an entire production line capable of mass-producing magical treasures and Dharma remains.

Ye Xingli smiled faintly. “It didn’t cost me much; it was primarily funded by the Myriad Dao Artisan Sect.”

“They hired me to improve some of their products.”

Hearing this, Zhang Yu’s envy deepened. He thought, “My senior sister truly has a gift for artifact refining. No wonder she made it into the top five of the inter-university design competition.”

Zhang Yu knew that every magical treasure, once birthed, held immense room for improvement.

The first person to create a flying sword was brilliant, but the technology contained within that first sword could never compare to the expert-grade flying swords on the market today.

As major corporations competed, they constantly sought to innovate and improve their products. Often, beyond their own internal researchers, they would hire outstanding students and faculty from universities for collaborative development. Ye Xingli was clearly one such student favored by the industry.

Ye Xingli continued, “There are six benches here, and I usually only use five.”

“If you like, I can rent a bench to you. As for the equipment, just keep an eye on my schedule and use it when I’m not. I’ll charge you the lowest possible rate.”

In Zhang Yu’s eyes, Ye Xingli was a prodigy with a Dao Seed and talent.

And in Ye Xingli’s eyes, was Zhang Yu not also a prodigy with a gift for refining, the attention of the Magnetic Pole True Monarch, and the opportunity of a Transformation-level Dharma remain?

Especially over the last two months, Zhang Yu had taken several orders from her, and she had seen him master several new refining techniques, causing her to hold her junior brother in even higher regard.

As they spoke, Zi Yunzhen, wearing a brand-name Dharma remain, walked into the lab with two other students.

Zhang Yu sent a private message: Senior sister, are these the assistants you hired?

Zhang Yu knew that many artifact refiners hired assistants to improve their efficiency.

After all, the refining process involved many tedious tasks beyond the complex technical challenges.

Things like cleaning and refining materials, extracting specific elements, organizing documentation—these repetitive, dirty, and time-consuming tasks were exhausting.

If these could be delegated to assistants, the refiner would naturally have more time and energy for the critical work.

Many students in the refining department were eager for such roles.

After all, in this process, they didn't need to rent a lab or buy materials, yet they could practice their skills while receiving guidance from a senior.

Ye Xingli nodded and replied privately: The treasure I’m improving this time involves baleful energy.

Ye Xingli: You know how troublesome Earth Baleful Energy can be.

Ye Xingli: Poor people have to handle baleful energy themselves, and wealthier cultivators buy specialized treasures. But let me tell you, when dealing with baleful energy, no treasure is as good as an assistant.

Ye Xingli winked at Zhang Yu, smiled, and messaged: In the face of inescapable baleful pollution, only an assistant is the best protective treasure.

Ye Xingli then asked: I heard from Master that you aren’t planning to join the design competition, but are instead going straight for a prototype of the Heavenly Sun Radiant God?

Zhang Yu replied: Yes, that is my plan. I’ve already been studying the blueprints recently.

Ye Xingli advised: Isn’t that a bit too ambitious? In fact, if you join the design competition first and find a way to secure a military-grade technique, refining military-grade treasures in the future will be a natural progression.

Ye Xingli: Starting by trying to build a military-grade prototype right away will take much more effort.

In Ye Xingli’s view, even with Zhang Yu’s superior aptitude, mastering the many necessary technologies for a military-grade prototype without the support of a military-grade technique would likely take years of failure. It was a process of accumulation, and there were few shortcuts.

With a military-grade technique, many steps could be bypassed, allowing one to achieve more in less time.

As for the design competition, it was filled with tricks and shortcuts.

Zhang Yu replied, "Rest assured, Senior Sister, I know what I am doing."

Ye Xingli shook her head inwardly, deciding against further persuasion.

She had once harbored similar notions, believing her own innate brilliance would allow her to achieve what others could not, only to abandon the endeavor after a fortnight of struggle.

The Zhang Yu before her was similarly overconfident; he would learn to pivot once he hit a wall.

Turning her gaze toward Zi Yunzhen and the others, Ye Xingli asked, "I have already explained your work assignments, have I not?"

"Your tasks today are simple: prepare for my experiment tomorrow by cleaning and sorting all the necessary materials..."

Zi Yunzhen asked with curiosity, "Senior Sister, is Zhang Yu here to serve as an assistant as well?"

Ye Xingli replied indifferently, "Zhang Yu is here to borrow one of my workbenches and some equipment; you need not concern yourselves with his affairs."

In the days that followed, Zhang Yu frequently visited Ye Xingli’s quarters to cultivate his artifact-refining techniques.

Before long, as May drew to a close, he successfully completed the sixth technique of the Artifact Refining Prodigy.

Primary - Artifact Refining Prodigy (6/6): The practice efficiency of artifact production techniques is doubled.

Observing the effect of the Artifact Refining Prodigy, Zhang Yu’s gaze sharpened, and he whispered to himself, "Excellent."

Zhang Yu understood that these so-called artifact production techniques differed from cultivation methods like the Imperial Fire Divine Mirror, which enhanced one's innate refining ability; these were the specific skills required to manufacture magical treasures according to blueprints.

Items such as Azure Sand and Taiyi Golden Liquid Pills fell under the category of production techniques.

The doubling of practice efficiency meant that whenever Zhang Yu practiced the production techniques for a specific blueprint, each attempt would count as two toward his progress in the Feather Tome.

"Splendid. While the University Saint Body only boosts the efficiency of cultivation methods, this Artifact Refining Prodigy enhances my mastery of blueprints."

"With the progress doubled, not only will it take half the time to refine level 20 treasures, but the number of practice pieces required will also be halved, effectively saving half the materials."

"Though with the Taiqing Realm, I could technically simulate the learning process within the Spirit Realm without consuming any physical materials."

"Regardless, cutting the time in half is a tangible and significant gain."

Seeing such results from the first tier of the Artifact Refining Prodigy, Zhang Yu felt his confidence swell regarding his future ability to master the construction of the prototype for the Heavenly Sun Radiant God.