Chapter 498: Chapter 415 Dongning
"Another two have arrived!"
"Are they immortals too?"
"My goodness! Isn’t this the fifth wave already?"
"The Dean is truly incredible!"
...
The teachers and students of the Summoning Cottage have been living as if in a dream these days.
First, three legendary figures from the continent came to pay their respects to their Dean with a reverent attitude.
Then, the fourth legendary figure, ’Anos,’ arrived with a friendly elder in tow, similarly seeking an audience with the Dean. When someone recognized ’Anos’ and noticed him trailing the elder like a subordinate, there was widespread speculation about the elder’s identity.
One instructor ventured into the library to research various character biographies, only to uncover that the elder was none other than the mythical immortal, celebrated for his vast knowledge and known as the ’Dawn Scholar.’
The visit of an immortal immediately sent shockwaves through the Summoning Cottage.
For the teachers and students, the Dean’s recent ’promotion’ to legendary status had already been a source of great excitement. Before then, legends had always seemed unattainable in their eyes.
But now, immortals—those lofty beings akin to invincible gods—were also coming to the Summoning Cottage?
This was beyond surreal.
After Anos and the Dawn Scholar departed, three more immortals, including the ’Curse Eye,’ arrived in succession. The academy’s teachers and students speculated that their Dean must have done something profoundly monumental beyond their knowledge.
Unfortunately, the East Continent’s vast distance meant that the battle outside the Star Cluster Graveyard, though well-known across the Three Continents, was only discussed among legends and other high-ranking figures.
Below the legendary level, very few knew about the ’Tyrant,’ and most of those were scattered across the Three Continents.
Thus, the teachers and students of the Summoning Cottage had no idea what kind of awe-inspiring feat their Dean had achieved outside the academy.
Nevertheless, if immortals were coming to visit, it had to be a good sign.
Overflowing with anticipation, the teachers and students eagerly counted the visitors. Already, three immortals had arrived, and today two more had come in one go.
...
Summoning Cottage, Dean’s Office.
"Daoists, what is the meaning of this?"
"Please, retract these gifts at once. I cannot accept favors beyond my capacity."
"Back then, I misspoke carelessly, and it wouldn’t be right to leave ’Silver Alliance’ out lest it attracts animosity to your organization."
"But accepting these ten Holy Artifacts is absolutely out of the question."
Before Chen Jichuan stood ten Holy Artifacts: ordinary in form but shining brilliantly. He waved his hands vehemently at Yu Ming Immortal Venerable and Shanhua Venerable, firmly refusing their offer.
The battle outside the Star Cluster Graveyard had passed two years ago.
At the time, Chen Jichuan ordered factions like the ’Magic Martial Holy Hall’ to offer ten Holy Artifacts as compensation within two years. They had stalled and delayed, but as the deadline approached and no means of countering Chen Jichuan was found, they finally made their way to the Summoning Cottage.
Yu Ming Immortal Venerable and Shanhua Venerable had come representing the ’Silver Alliance.’
.
They also brought ten Holy Artifacts.
But how could Chen Jichuan accept them?
After all, his foundation was in Chongming Realm, and Yu Ming Immortal Court dominated the Nine Heavens. There was no reason to let ten Holy Artifacts strain their relationship.
Moreover—
"I can’t bring myself to value ten Holy Artifacts nowadays."
Chen Jichuan didn’t even glance at the ten Holy Artifacts before him.
Ten?
Far too few!
He wouldn’t bother with them.
Ten Divine Artifacts, perhaps, would be worth considering.
"I absolutely cannot accept these Holy Artifacts from you two Daoists." Not only did Chen Jichuan refuse the ten Holy Artifacts, but he also took out ten more Holy Artifacts and placed them before himself: "I have ten Holy Artifacts here, collectively bearing twenty-one Holy Marks. I’d like to offer them at the previous transaction price to Yu Ming Immortal Court. If you Daoists would permit this transaction, I would be immensely grateful."
"Selling Holy Artifacts?"
Yu Ming Immortal Venerable and Shanhua Venerable sensed the goodwill extended by Chen Jichuan.
The two exchanged a glance.
Yu Ming Immortal Venerable smiled and said, "It would be our honor. No Immortal Court can ever have too many Holy Artifacts."
Being able to acquire ten Holy Artifacts effortlessly through trade naturally pleased Yu Ming Immortal Venerable deeply.
On the Divine Throne Continent, while Holy Artifacts were relatively abundant and every major organization maintained hefty stockpiles, many of these organizations were backed by immortals and had numerous legends under their command.
Given the might of the ’Silver Alliance,’ seizing the Holy Artifacts held by others was not an easy task.
Yu Ming Immortal Venerable and Shanhua Venerable had no choice but to wait for opportunities, accumulating resources slowly over centuries. To acquire even a single Holy Artifact in a few hundred years was considered fortunate.
To amass ten Holy Artifacts would usually require thousands, even tens of thousands of years.
"Thank you, Immortal Venerable."
Chen Jichuan still expressed his gratitude.
However, he was well aware that Yu Ming Immortal Court would not turn away such a fruitful deal.
Noticing a lingering eagerness in the expressions of Yu Ming Immortal Venerable and Shanhua Venerable, Chen Jichuan could discern their thoughts. He knew they were still eyeing the remaining Holy Artifacts in his possession.
But Chen Jichuan had his own plans: "I still have quite a few Holy Artifacts on hand, but I have a strong interest in Artifact Refining. I plan to experiment with refining these Holy Artifacts and see if it’s possible to craft them. If it works out, everything will become much easier in the future."
He addressed the two, explaining the reason for selling only ten Holy Artifacts.
"The Eight Immortal Courts have gathered countless Artifact Refiners, tirelessly researching Holy Artifacts for years, yet no progress has been made."
"The differences in system rules and other barriers are too significant."
"Crafting Holy Artifacts?"
"Far too difficult!"
Yu Ming Immortal Venerable sympathized with Chen Jichuan’s aspirations. Many who had ventured into the Divine Throne Continent had initially entertained similar ambitions upon learning about the rarity and value of Holy Artifacts.
In the end, however, all had abandoned such hopes.
The difficulty was indeed insurmountable.
Even on the Divine Throne Continent, where suitable magic materials were available, the number of alchemists capable of forging Holy Artifacts could be counted on one hand.
For outsiders like them, the challenge was even greater.
"Understood."
Chen Jichuan nodded, indicating he was aware of the difficulties involved.