Chapter 80

"Ancestor, what kind of achievement in cultivation would be considered significant? You know my talent! Humph, I knew it, you’re just fooling the kids!"

Zhu Lingwu deliberately used these words to provoke the three old men. However, it was clear that the matter of obtaining a magical artifact from this Elder Shi would definitely be in vain. With his current talent, let alone in five years, even in ten or twenty years, he might not achieve anything.

This was clearly a polite refusal. But after some thought, Zhu Lingwu felt at ease. Given his talent, it seemed that giving him a magical artifact would indeed be a waste. If he were in the same situation, he might not give it either.

Perhaps Zhu Lingwu would never have any hope of achieving success on the path of cultivation. In the end, he would just be an ordinary person. What use would a magical artifact be then?

However, if Zhu Lingwu really couldn’t achieve anything in cultivation, having a magical artifact for protection would be like having an additional talisman.

Although magical artifacts are not much to cultivators, in the secular world, they are not something that can be found easily. Not everyone can possess them.

Magical artifacts are also made from special materials, as can be seen from the memories of Meng Yashi.

As the son of the alchemy elder of the Xuanming Sect, Meng Yashi was not unfamiliar with the art of alchemy. Not to mention the high-level things like refining magical treasures, even refining ordinary magical artifacts requires special materials. Many things need to be refined repeatedly before they can be used.

For example, when Meng Yashi refined the Xuanming Ghost Head, the skull used was not just any human head. It had to be from someone whose five elements matched, and he had to kill the person to obtain the head. Additionally, he had to find a relative of the person, whose five elements also matched, to kill and extract the soul to serve as the secondary soul inside the Ghost Head.

Meng Yashi spent a lot of time finding the right people. Otherwise, the Xuanming Ghost Head would be even more powerful now.

So, if Elder Shi were to give Zhu Lingwu a magical artifact, it wouldn’t be something that could be easily refined. He would need to find the right materials, which is why Elder Shi was unwilling to give it away easily.

Sure enough, the Ancestor called Xiaobai, after hearing Zhu Lingwu’s words, defended Elder Shi, "Grandson, don’t misunderstand Elder Shi. Hmm, magical artifacts are not easy to refine, and the materials needed are not easy to collect. If you don’t achieve anything in cultivation, then having a magical artifact would be a waste! Indeed, it would cause some dissent among the children in the clan. Hehe, I think Elder Shi’s suggestion is good. However, your talent is indeed a bit disappointing. If you can cultivate to the third level of Qi Refinement within five years, Elder Shi, then reward him with a magical artifact!"

Ancestor Xiaobai understood Elder Shi’s meaning. He knew that Elder Shi was unwilling to give the magical artifact easily, so he didn’t force the issue.

"Hmm, I think that’s a good idea! However, since the grandson is so persistent, let’s return this ghostly magical artifact to him. We can’t be seen as greedy for the grandson’s things. We’ve made it clear, but you must not misuse it. This is not a child’s toy!"

Elder He also spoke, acting as a mediator. He seemed to understand that Ancestor Xiaobai was protecting Zhu Lingwu.

At this moment, he naturally couldn’t directly confiscate Zhu Lingwu’s Xuanming Ghost Head and the Xuanming Ghost Head inside. However, he was worried that Zhu Lingwu, being too young, might cause trouble with this ghostly magical artifact at home.

All the clan members were like his children, and harming any of them would be bad. So, he couldn’t help but warn Zhu Lingwu.

Zhu Lingwu, upon hearing this, realized that if he continued, Elder Shi might temporarily confiscate the Xuanming Ghost Head, using the excuse to prevent him from harming the clan members. He would have to wait until he was an adult to get it back.

So, after some thought, Zhu Lingwu had to put aside his greed and nodded, "Alright, I agree. The three Ancestors must keep your word. If I can reach the third level of Qi Refinement within five years, the Ancestors must give me a magical artifact! And let me choose the type, whether it’s a weapon or protective gear. I’m growing up, and I will do my best to cultivate and not disappoint the Ancestors!"

"Hmm, at such a young age, you speak with some resolve. Not bad, not bad! The Ancestor agrees! As long as you can reach the third level of Qi Refinement within five years, the Ancestor will refine a magical artifact of your choice for you!"

Elder Shi was quite satisfied with Zhu Lingwu’s words. With his cultivation at the Foundation Establishment stage, refining a magical artifact for a low-level Qi Refiner was not difficult, just requiring some materials.

He originally thought that with Zhu Lingwu’s talent, he might not even walk the path of cultivation. Giving him a magical artifact would be a waste, and doing so would indeed cause dissent in the clan.

Now, he didn’t really expect Zhu Lingwu to reach the third level of Qi Refinement within five years. After all, Zhu Lingwu’s bloodline was too low. If something unexpected happened and Zhu Lingwu obtained some fortune, truly reaching the third level of Qi Refinement within five years, then Zhu Lingwu would have a chance to become a hope for the clan. Giving him a magical artifact would be an investment, especially since Zhu Lingwu now had the special ability to control electricity.

"Hmm, but, Elder Shi, Elder He, since this grandson rarely comes to see us, it wouldn’t be right to let him leave so easily. It would make us seem stingy! How about this, I have a bottle of Shulin Pills, which I’ll give as New Year’s money!"

Ancestor Xiaobai seemed to have a special relationship with Zhu Lingwu. After failing to get the magical artifact, he was now clearly trying to get some benefits for Zhu Lingwu.

Elder He and Elder Shi, upon hearing this, couldn’t help but smile bitterly. It seemed they couldn’t escape today and were being called stingy.

Elder He then jokingly scolded, "Xiaobai, you rascal, this grandson must be your direct descendant. Fine, fine, I can’t refine pills like you. How about this, I’ll give this grandson three paper cranes? Elder Shi, I think you can’t escape this either. Give him a bottle of your Stone Skin Pills!"

As Elder He spoke, three yellow paper cranes flew out from his sleeve and slowly landed in front of Zhu Lingwu.

Zhu Lingwu caught them with one hand and carefully examined them. He found that these paper cranes were actually made from yellow talismans, indicating that this Ancestor He was likely skilled in talismans.

"Thank you, Ancestor! But how do I use these paper cranes?"

Zhu Lingwu deliberately made a puzzled expression and asked...