No Money to Cultivate Immortality?

The day after Zhang Yu returned to his dormitory, he had yet to receive official leave to go off-campus. So, he decided to continue his practice in Artifact Refinement.

He entered the Artifact Refinement Lab, reached out to grab a swirling mass of bright yellow flame, then inhaled it into his body. The flame coursed repeatedly through his meridians, and Zhang Yu continuously poured mana into it, refining the energy until it fused completely with his own mana.

Then, channeling both the yellow flame and his own mana, he directed them into a secondhand artifact laid out on the lab bench. Layer by layer, he etched special restrictions into it, gradually altering the nature of the artifact.

With each infusion of mana, a faint dragon’s roar echoed from within the artifact, and rippling marks resembling dragon scales began to surface on its exterior, as if the artifact had come to life.

The technique Zhang Yu was cultivating at this moment was the Dragonvein Treasurecasting Sutra.

And the bright yellow flame was none other than the power of a dragonvein.

Zhang Yu sighed. “Sigh… it's impure and unstable. Definitely from an artificial dragonvein.”

Fu Ji replied, “No kidding. Where can ordinary people still find a real dragonvein these days? Having access to artificial ones is already a luxury.”

Zhang Yu shook his head and focused back on his cultivation.

Those techniques involved crafting artifacts based on specific design schematics.

But the Dragonvein Treasurecasting Sutra allowed cultivators to gain a special ability through cultivation—namely, to infuse dragonvein power into artifacts and enhance their performance.

Many techniques existed to improve one’s Artifact Refinement capabilities. Some focused on controlling true flames, like the Dao Technique Divine Fire Mirror, which enhanced the cultivator’s ability to refine materials.

Others focused on restriction inscriptions, such as the Twelve Cloud Restrictions, which let a cultivator stack more restrictions onto artifacts, thereby increasing their power and utility.

There were even techniques that defied categorization, such as the Five Thunder Emergency Refinement Technique, the Mortal World Armament Technique, and the Sword-Nurturing Technique...

Beyond these were techniques for using artifacts in battle, like Artifact Wielding Secrets, Azure Dragon in the Sleeve, and Treasure Theft Technique. These could amplify artifact power during combat or disrupt an opponent’s artifact mid-battle.

In short, the world of Artifact Refinement wasn’t just about blueprints. Cultivation techniques in this field were equally vast and diverse, extending into nearly every profession and application imaginable.

As for why Zhang Yu had chosen the Dragonvein Treasurecasting Sutra—he needed it to complete his Chain Diagram set, Artifact Prodigy.

Back when True Lord Magneto had granted him the Appraisal Technique, Zhang Yu had guessed that the set effect of Artifact Prodigy would boost his refining capabilities. It was a set worth completing as early as possible.

But back then, learning each artifact blueprint had already drained most of his spirit coins.

And cultivation techniques cost even more. Zhang Yu simply couldn't afford to learn both at once. So he had prioritized learning blueprints to pass exams and increase his earning potential.

Now, with his income rising rapidly, he finally had the financial foundation to pursue Artifact Refinement techniques.

Dragonvein Treasurecasting Sutra, Level 7 (0/70)

After completing another infusion of dragonvein power, Zhang Yu examined the secondhand artifact and thought, “It’s almost saturated.”

“Sigh… cultivating this kind of technique is so expensive. I need cheap used artifacts to practice on, and I also have to buy dragonvein power as materials.”

He muttered internally, “If they keep refusing to let me work at the construction site, and I’m stuck relying on lab stipends and miscellaneous side income, I really won’t be able to afford this.”

Just then, a message arrived detailing the arrangements for external work and competition participation.

“First up is a treasure called the Sun-Moon Heaven-Connecting Bracelet, funded by the project team and temporarily loaned to me.”

Zhang Yu tapped open the artifact’s description and thought, “This Sun-Moon Heaven-Connecting Bracelet is similar to the Green-Silk Flying Sword—both are used to access the Spiritual Realm Network.”

“But while the Green-Silk Flying Sword depends on Heavenly Sword Sect University’s 84,000 Sky-Piercing Flying Swords deployed across the second level…”

“The Sun-Moon Heaven-Connecting Bracelet draws power from the celestial sun and moon.”

He had long heard that the sun and moon in Kunxu’s second level were actually colossal artifacts forged by Wanfa University, capable of radiating a Spiritual Realm Network that covered the entire region.

But it wasn’t until he read the user manual for the Sun-Moon Heaven-Connecting Bracelet that he learned the sun-like artifact was named Sun-Chasing Vermilion Bird, and the moon-like one was called Eternal Night Jade Palace.

“The Sun-Moon Heaven-Connecting Bracelet links directly to these two artifacts, allowing me to request school support anytime.”

“That’s perfect—no need to route messages through the Sky-Piercing Flying Swords at Heavenly Sword Sect University anymore.”

Zhang Yu nodded in satisfaction.

In addition to the bracelet, the school also raised his confidentiality clearance, making it harder for outsiders to track his whereabouts.

Furthermore, he now had access to a range of artifacts and sigils, which True Lord Magneto could use to support him immediately when needed.

“With all this, it’s a lot safer now.”

Breathing a sigh of relief, Zhang Yu was finally ready to work off-campus again—no more worrying about falling into debt.

He immediately messaged the company group:

Start of operations! Let’s get to work!

Zhao Tianxing: Got it!

Mo Tianyi: Got it!

Che Yufei: Got it!

Zhang Yu’s announcement immediately revived the group chat.

Having been idle for two days due to Zhang Yu’s situation, Zhao Tianxing and the others felt a huge weight lifted off their shoulders.

Zhao Tianxing thought, “Finally, back to the site. These last two days doing odd jobs were way worse than construction work.”

With his experience as a Soul Cultivation student growing, Zhao Tianxing increasingly understood one thing—if you don’t take the job, someone else will. For someone with just a vocational degree, work opportunities were scarce, and good ones even scarcer.

…

While Zhang Yu was out working...

Ping Han was utterly exhausted, letting out a long, weary breath.

Only to be grabbed by Fu Xinyao, who snapped, “Hold it in! Don’t exhale!”

Ping Han had no choice but to clamp his mouth shut.

Fu Xinyao gave a faint smile. “So, how does it feel to cultivate with the younger generation of students?”

Swallowing his humiliation, Ping Han muttered, “As long as you’re satisfied.”

Just then, Ping Han began to tremble violently. Sensing the disturbance, Fu Xinyao headed out to the street.

Scanning the data sent by the Yin Artifact, her eyes quickly locked onto Yu Xinghan.

“Over a thousand self-study sessions?” Her eyes gleamed. “Wanfa University actually has someone like that?”

Feeling the Yin Artifact tighten, she asked, “Do you know him?”

Ping Han hesitated for a moment, then sighed. “He’s Zhang Yu’s friend.”

“Oh?” Fu Xinyao chuckled. “Even better.”

At that moment, Yu Xinghan furrowed his brow, feeling as though someone was calling out to him.

He turned—and spotted Fu Xinyao standing in a side alley, beckoning repeatedly.

“Classmate, want to train together?”

Yu Xinghan smiled faintly as he approached. “How much are you charging?”

At the same time, his EyeNet had already begun recording. He thought, “Seriously… poaching business right outside our shop?”

“No license on display either. Might as well report you first.”

…

After a long day’s work, Zhang Yu rushed back to school to participate in True Lord Magneto’s experiment.

This time, after the Nectar Maiden Forty-Eight activated, the rhombus-shaped crystal Yin Artifact transformed into a glowing sigil and affixed itself firmly to Zhang Yu’s forehead—and didn’t come off even after half an hour.

“What the hell…” Zhang Yu muttered, rubbing the sigil. “What’s going on?”

True Lord Magneto mused, “This Yin Artifact seems to have equipped itself onto you. It likely wants to follow you.”

“Follow me?” Zhang Yu asked, confused. “Why?”

True Lord Magneto didn’t answer directly. “Try stepping out of the lab.”

Zhang Yu hesitated. “Huh? That… won’t something happen?”

“What could happen under my watch?”

As Zhang Yu exited the lab, True Lord Magneto followed secretly, sending messages to guide him.

True Lord Magneto: Stop covering your forehead.

Zhang Yu: Isn’t this too flashy?

True Lord Magneto: It’s fine. I’ve applied concealment sigils—no one can tell it’s a Nascent Soul Yin Artifact.

Zhang Yu lowered his hand, gazing at the street before him, feeling a bit overwhelmed.

True Lord Magneto: Just wander around.

True Lord Magneto: Go wherever you feel like.

True Lord Magneto: As you walk, try to sense changes in the Yin Artifact. She might guide you.

True Lord Magneto: But remember—do not communicate with her.

True Lord Magneto: If you ever hear her voice, inform me immediately.

Zhang Yu sighed and did as instructed. Just then, a message popped up from Zhang Pianpian.

Zhang Pianpian: Don’t reply. I’m secretly messaging you.

Zhang Pianpian: I’ll try communicating with the artifact spirit to see what she wants.

Her mind entered the Nascent Soul Yin Artifact.

Zhang Pianpian: Nectar Maiden Forty-Eight, what are you trying to do?

Nectar Maiden: I sense the presence of my kin.

Nectar Maiden: I want to find them.

Zhang Pianpian: Your kin?

Zhang Pianpian: You mean other high-intelligence artifact spirits? Where are they?

Nectar Maiden: I don’t know. But they’re calling to me.

Zhang Pianpian: Why attach yourself to Zhang Yu?

Nectar Maiden: Because he’s different. Not like most of the people here.

Zhang Pianpian: Different how?

Nectar Maiden: He’s more obvious.

Zhang Pianpian: More obvious?

Nectar Maiden: He’s done over a thousand self-study sessions.

Nectar Maiden: Among the people here, he stands out. We can recognize his uniqueness at a glance.

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