Chapter 474: Chapter 459: Refinement of 5th-Grade Magical Artifact
Danger and opportunity coexist, and effort and reward are equivalent.
Equivalent exchange, this is an eternal truth in the Cultivation Realm.
Zhao Hao and those Golden Core Stage cultivators from the Cyan Origin Sword Sect certainly know that to invite someone to participate in a death duel, or even to ensure victory, it’s definitely impossible without offering sufficient compensation.
"As long as you participate in the death duel, our Cyan Origin Sword Sect will prepare a Talisman Treasure for you, two Tier Five Lower-Grade Spirit Talismans, and an item sealed with the divine techniques of a Golden Core Stage cultivator."
"If you win, as long as you win one match, we will prepare a treasure to assist with Core Formation for you. If you have the ability to win three matches in a row, we are even willing to exchange for a [Jade Liquid Golden Pill] for you!"
In the cave mansion, Zhao Hao looked at Zhouyang, stating the terms full of temptation.
The intelligence on Zhouyang had already been thoroughly investigated through Jin Qu; they even knew about Zhouyang renting a Tier Five Cave Mansion in Haoyang Immortal City to attempt Core Formation.
So they were well aware of what Zhouyang needed most at the moment, what held the greatest allure for him.
One must say, their planning was not wrong. Zhouyang indeed extremely needed treasures like the "Jade Liquid Golden Pill" that could greatly increase the success rate of Core Formation.
But when Zhouyang heard that the Cyan Origin Sword Sect was even willing to offer a Talisman Treasure, Tier Five Spirit Talismans, and even an item sealed with the divine techniques of a Golden Core Stage cultivator just to get him in the ring, he suddenly realized that this death duel might be far more brutal than he had imagined.
His strength within the Ninth-Layer of the Purple Mansion was indeed unbeatable, but if the enemy employs power beyond the Purple Mansion Stage, he might not be able to withstand it.
Just like when he borrowed the Jade Talisman bestowed by Master Cyan Yang, even Zhong Chuming, a Golden Core Stage cultivator fused with the Gen Mountain Turtle, couldn’t stand a blow and was instantly defeated.
With a surprised face, he couldn’t help but ask: "Elder Zhao, in the death duel mode, are even Tier Five Spirit Talismans and items sealed with the divine techniques of Golden Core Stage cultivators allowed? If someone brings out a gift for life-saving from a Nascent Soul Stage cultivator, even you wouldn’t be able to block it if you entered, right?"
Upon hearing this, Zhao Hao hurriedly explained: "Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Zhou, although death duel mode allows bringing such things, each person is only allowed to bring one Talisman Treasure, two Tier Five Lower-Grade Spirit Talismans, and one item sealed with the divine techniques of Golden Core Stage cultivators. The situation you mentioned won’t occur."
Zhouyang asked again: "What about Tier Five Spiritual Artifacts? Aren’t Tier Five Spiritual Artifacts prohibited?"
"Tier Five Spiritual Artifacts are indeed not prohibited, but Purple Mansion Stage cultivators cannot unleash their full power with Tier Five Spiritual Artifacts, and losing them would only aid the enemy, so most cultivators don’t bring them into the arena."
Zhao Hao patiently explained the rules of the death duel, not daring to conceal anything.
He hoped for Zhouyang to represent the Cyan Origin Sword Sect in the death duel and even more that Zhouyang could win, so he certainly wouldn’t deceive Zhouyang in this matter.
"According to Elder Zhao’s description, winning one match might be feasible, but winning three matches in a row is probably no less difficult than killing a Golden Core Stage cultivator!"
"For such a dangerous task, just a [Jade Liquid Golden Pill] is far from enough!"
Zhouyang shook his head, not satisfied with the conditions Zhao Hao offered.
He really wanted to obtain the "Jade Liquid Golden Pill," but he wouldn’t do something where the effort far exceeds the reward just for this treasure.
Upon hearing this, Zhao Hao looked at him with a meaningful gaze and deliberately said, "No one knows Fellow Daoist Zhou’s strength better than Zhao. As long as Daoist Zhou is willing to act, there’s still a great chance of winning three matches in a row!"
"What’s more, such a treasure as the [Jade Liquid Golden Pill] cannot be measured with an ordinary item. If Fellow Daoist Zhou has this, forming a Golden Core within a century is not just an empty talk!"
Zhouyang remained unmoved, resolutely stating, "No matter how reasonable Elder Zhao’s words may be, they cannot change the fact that Zhou is risking his life. Zhou considers his life worth far more than a mere [Jade Liquid Golden Pill]!"
Seeing him so tough and unyielding, Zhao Hao was quite helpless.
Offering a [Jade Liquid Golden Pill] as a reward was already the maximum concession their Cyan Origin Sword Sect could make, and they had to wait until Zhouyang won three matches in a row, helped them gain prestige, before they could obtain this item from the high-level members of the Anti-Light Alliance to give to Zhouyang.
Now that Zhouyang demanded more compensation, he really didn’t have the authority to agree to this matter on his own.
After thinking for a moment, he said: "How about this, as long as Fellow Daoist Zhou ensures winning three matches in a row, Zhao can negotiate with other sects also sending out cultivators to let them contribute as well."
"Please rest assured, Elder Zhao, Zhou will not joke with his own life. As long as I enter, I will certainly give it my all!"
Zhouyang solemnly made his promise.
Zhao Hao immediately nodded in satisfaction and said, "Good, then Fellow Daoist Zhou, await Zhao’s good news."
Following this, after seeing Zhao Hao off, Zhouyang and his Dao Companion Xiao Ying, behind closed doors, discussed the matter further.
"My husband, I truly don’t understand your plan. If you really want the Jade Liquid Golden Pill, you could just excavate the Spirit Stone Ore and take millions of spirit stones to Liuyun Immortal City to purchase it. I’m sure someone would be willing to sell it!"
"Is it really worth risking your life for a few treasures?"
Inside the cave mansion, Xiao Ying looked at Zhouyang with a face full of distress, her words were filled with confusion and resentment.
When Zhao Hao and Zhouyang were talking earlier, she held back her urge to speak, enduring a lot of frustration. Now, with only the couple left, she no longer wanted to hold back.
"My dear, you are mistaken in this!"
"Not to mention I’ve been hunted by the Beast Taming Sect and exposed the existence of Elder Xu Song. Once my identity is revealed in the Liuyun Continent Cultivation Realm, it’s easy to be pursued and killed. Even if I manage to hide my identity, do you think the Jade Liquid Golden Pill is so easily bought?"
"Back then, Elder Cao Wenjin, despite his Golden Core Stage cultivation, worried constantly about being robbed after buying a Jade Liquid Golden Pill at the auction."
"If I followed your advice, bringing millions of spirit stones to buy such treasures, how could a mere Purple Mansion Stage cultivator carrying treasures and vast spirit stones not attract attention?"
"Rather than facing unknown Golden Core Stage cultivators’ assassinations, dealing with just some Purple Mansion Stage cultivators now is indeed much safer."
"Moreover, you’re aware of my strength. With Zhao Elder and the treasures provided by the Cyan Origin Sword Sect, in a one-on-one fight with cultivators of the same tier, there’s no chance of losing!"
Zhouyang gently pulled his somewhat annoyed wife into his arms, explaining and analyzing the situation with a bitter smile and helplessness, comforting her wounded heart.
Xiao Ying cared for him, and he certainly knew that, but he had his path to follow.
If he didn’t fight and strive, how could he achieve so much at this age?
He’s not like Jiang Fengxian, an innate spiritual body cultivator!
Fortunately, Xiao Ying’s best quality is listening to him, and it’s quite easy for him to convince her with logic.
Upon hearing his explanation now, her distress significantly dissipated, and her expression improved.
Next, Zhouyang coaxed and persuaded her, finally convincing Xiao Ying not to strongly oppose his decision to participate in the deadly confrontation.
With Zhao Hao negotiating terms, Zhouyang took the opportunity to lay out all the Tier Five Spiritual Artifacts he had collected.
Since the confrontation didn’t prohibit bringing Tier Five Spiritual Artifacts into the arena, there was no reason for him to not use them, given he had such treasures.
Now his cultivation had reached the Ninth Layer of the Purple Mansion, barely enough to wield a Tier Five Artifact for combat.
Zhouyang had quite a few Tier Five Artifacts, including two Tier Five High-grade Artifacts: "Soul Capturing Treasure Pearl" and "Fire Phoenix Banner," originally owned by Golden Light Ascendant and Xu Song, both Golden Core Stage cultivators.
He also had four Tier Five Middle-grade Artifacts: "Profound Turtle Shield," "Jinghong Sword," "Earth Guarding Banner," "Wooden Cyan Spirit Banner," previously owned by Xu Song, Golden Light Ascendant, Jiang Ming from the Yellow Sand Sect, and Zhong Chuming from the Beast Taming Sect. Among them, the "Wooden Cyan Spirit Banner" is a Lifebound Spiritual Artifact, largely lacking refinement value.
In contrast, he had the fewest Tier Five Lower-grade Artifacts, only four, which included the "Thunderbolt Golden Light Divine Shuttle" obtained from Golden Light Ascendant, the "Green Bamboo Sword" from Zhong Chuming of the Beast Taming Sect, and lifebound artifacts like the Golden Saber and Golden Curved Saber from Ba Yan’Er of the Great Bright Immortal Palace.
Of these artifacts, the two Tier Five High-grade Artifacts were definitely beyond Zhouyang’s ability to wield, and using them could be too conspicuous, likely attracting attention.
Regarding the Tier Five Lower-grade Artifacts, aside from the "Thunderbolt Golden Light Divine Shuttle," a flying artifact useful to Zhouyang, he didn’t think much of the others.
Thus, after selection, he decided to refine only one Tier Five Middle-grade Artifact, the "Profound Turtle Shield."
The "Profound Turtle Shield" was refined by Xu Song using the turtle shell of a Tier Five Demon Beast, the "Golden Armor Profound Turtle," which supposedly had the bloodline of the Divine Beast "Black Tortoise," naturally having unparalleled defense among Demon Beasts of the same tier.
Though the Divine Beast "Black Tortoise" is a Water Attribute beast, the "Golden Armor Profound Turtle" is a Gold and Water Dual-Attribute Demon Beast. Even if Zhouyang lacked full compatibility, it wouldn’t prevent normal use.
With this Tier Five Middle-grade Defensive Spiritual Artifact in hand, even if an enemy uses treasures sealing Golden Core Stage cultivators’ divine techniques to attack, it wouldn’t break through his turtle-shell-like defenses.
As for attack, Zhouyang’s eighteen "Great Derivation Divine Light Swords" were already adequate, and if pushed to the extreme, he still had the ace move "Qianyang True Flame" to employ!
Refining a Tier Five Artifact proved even harder than Zhouyang expected, taking him half a year to bring the "Profound Turtle Shield" to a suitable level for wielding.
While he prepared wholeheartedly for battle, Zhao Hao, after numerous negotiations and skirmishes with sects and clans needing to send cultivators for the deadly confrontation, returned to him with new terms.