Elder Chicken saw Ye Qiu’s actions and was instantly dumbfounded.
“Bare-handed artefact refining? This, how is this possible?”
Elder Chicken stared fixedly at Ye Qiu’s palms. The Five Elements Stones had already been kneaded by Ye Qiu into an unrecognisable shape.
“Is Master actually refining an artefact?” Elder Monkey gaped in astonishment. “Who refines artefacts like this?”
Elder Sheep also wore a face full of surprise. He said, “This kind of refining method is the first time I have ever seen it.”
Elder Dog looked full of doubt. “Can this succeed?”
“A bunch of ignorant fellows.” Elder Chicken recovered his senses and said, “Young Master Ye is performing bare-handed artefact refining.”
“Bare-handed artefact refining is the most profound refining technique. Because no forging platform is used, the refiner must devote his entire mind and heart when tempering the artefact. He cannot be distracted in the slightest.”
“Although no forging platform is employed, once successful, the artefact produced will be of a higher grade than one refined using a platform.”
“Not only that, if the refiner’s cultivation reaches the Emperor realm, he can even bare-handedly refine an entire world.”
So impressive?
All the elders present showed faces full of shock.
“Little Chicken, can you perform this refining technique?” Elder Monkey asked.
Thump!
Elder Chicken knocked a finger on Elder Monkey’s head and said irritably, “Will you die if you do not ask?”
Clearly, Elder Chicken could not perform bare-handed refining.
“No way. You are a heaven-grade artefact refiner, yet you cannot do bare-handed refining?” Elder Monkey found it unbelievable.
Elder Chicken said, “Do you think bare-handed refining is simple?”
“Let me tell you, throughout the entire cultivation world, the refiners capable of bare-handed refining can be counted on one’s fingers. It is even possible that Young Master Ye is the only one.”
“Because in the history of artefact refining, only emperor-grade refining arts record the method of bare-handed refining.”
At these words, the elders present were shocked once more.
“Elder Chicken, are you saying my Master has mastered emperor-grade refining arts?” Elder Ox asked in shock.
Elder Chicken nodded. “It is highly likely.”
Elder Monkey looked at Ye Qiu and said doubtfully, “Strange. Where did Master learn emperor-grade refining arts from?”
Suddenly, Elder Chicken thought of a possibility.
“Could it be…”
At this point, Elder Chicken suddenly stopped speaking and looked towards Little White Fox.
Little White Fox said, “It should be that old fellow. Apart from him, I cannot think of anyone else who possesses emperor-grade refining arts.”
Elder Monkey asked, “Sovereign, who is the old fellow you speak of?”
Little White Fox smiled and said, “Far in the horizon, yet close at hand.”
Hm?
Elder Monkey looked left and right, still failing to understand.
“You are usually as clever as a monkey, yet at critical moments you are as stupid as a donkey.” Elder Chicken finished speaking and pointed at the Eight Trigrams Treasure Furnace. He asked, “Do you know who it is now?”
“You mean the Eight Trigrams Treasure Furnace? Oh, I remember. You mean the artefact spirit!” Elder Monkey finally reacted. He said, “The Eternal Blue Sky Great Emperor once used the Eight Trigrams Treasure Furnace to refine many fine items. That artefact spirit has stayed inside the furnace for so many years. It must have long ago learned the Eternal Blue Sky Great Emperor’s refining arts.”
“But that old fellow has a terrible temper. Last time I went in, he could not even be bothered to acknowledge me. How would he teach emperor-grade refining arts to Master?”
“Perhaps because I am handsome!” Ye Qiu’s voice suddenly rang out. Everyone looked at Ye Qiu’s hands. The Five Elements Stones had already been bare-handedly refined by him into a treasure sword.
The sword was one foot long, resembling a crescent moon. It appeared rather ordinary.
However, the fact that Ye Qiu had bare-handedly refined a treasure sword in less than a quarter of an hour still left everyone deeply shocked.
“It is refined so quickly? Master, you are truly amazing.” Elder Monkey frantically flattered him. He said, “Master, your refining arts are unrivalled in the world. In future, you will certainly be the greatest, most powerful, and most handsome refiner in the cultivation world…”
“One final step remains,” Elder Chicken said. “Bloodletting to sharpen the edge.”
Ye Qiu forced a drop of golden blood from his middle finger and dripped it onto the blade. Instantly, the edge flashed with cold light, releasing a chilling aura of sharpness.
In the next second, five booming sounds rang out in the invisible air around the treasure sword, like muffled thunder.
“Five refining resonances. Earth-grade supreme quality!”
Elder Chicken looked at Ye Qiu with a complicated expression. She had refined artefacts for a thousand years, enduring countless hardships, yet she was merely a heaven-grade refiner. But Ye Qiu had directly advanced to earth-grade refiner, now only one step away from her.
“What a monster!”
Elder Chicken set aside her random thoughts and said with a smile, “Young Master Ye, congratulations on advancing to earth-grade artefact refiner.”
“With your refining talent, you will surely become an emperor-grade refiner in future.”
The other elders also spoke up one after another, congratulating Ye Qiu on advancing to earth-grade artefact refiner.
Little White Fox stood to the side, watching Ye Qiu surrounded by everyone. She smiled so widely her eyes nearly overflowed with joy. Her appearance suggested she was happier than if she herself had become a refiner.
“Young Master Ye!”
Elder Chicken hesitated for a moment and said, “The bare-handed refining technique was taught to you by the artefact spirit, was it not?”
“Yes.” Ye Qiu gave a hum of affirmation.
As expected, the artefact spirit had passed on the Eternal Blue Sky Great Emperor’s refining arts to Ye Changsheng.
While feeling envious, Elder Chicken could not help cursing the artefact spirit inwardly. “Old thing, you actually refused to teach me emperor-grade refining arts. I curse you to remain trapped forever inside that furnace.”
Though angry, Elder Chicken looked at Ye Qiu again, wanting to speak yet hesitating.
Ye Qiu noticed her expression and asked, “Elder Chicken, is something the matter?”
“I… I…” Elder Chicken’s face reddened. She appeared unable to bring herself to say it.
Ye Qiu said, “Elder Chicken, we are all friends. If you have something to say, feel free to speak directly.”
Elder Chicken took several deep breaths, as if steeling herself. Suddenly, she knelt before Ye Qiu.
This scene felt somewhat familiar.
Ye Qiu touched his nose and asked, “Elder Chicken, you are not also wanting to…”
“Yes, Master Ye. I wish to take you as my master.” Elder Chicken raised her head and said sincerely, “Please, Master Ye, accept me.”
Her form of address had changed from Young Master Ye to Master Ye, showing utmost respect.
Ye Qiu knew what she wanted. He said, “Elder Chicken, there is no need for this. I can teach you the refining arts that the artefact spirit passed to me.”
“Emperor-grade refining arts are far too precious. I cannot accept them for nothing. Please, Master Ye, take me as your disciple.” Elder Chicken’s attitude was resolute.
“Since that is the case, I shall accept you.” Ye Qiu then added, “By the way, artefact refining and pill refining share many common principles. In future, you can exchange insights more often with Elder Monkey.” Ye Qiu gave Elder Monkey a meaningful glance.
Elder Monkey’s face filled with gratitude.
Elder Chicken naturally understood Ye Qiu’s intention. She glanced at Elder Monkey with a flushed face, then said, “Master above, please receive a bow from this disciple.”
Thump, thump, thump!
Elder Chicken kowtowed several times to Ye Qiu.
Ye Qiu immediately transmitted the refining arts taught to him by the artefact spirit to Elder Chicken. Then he took Little White Fox’s hand and said, “Come. I will take you somewhere.”
