I Build a Shelter in the Eternal Night

"Thank you, Domain Lord."

Zhao Shengping took a deep breath, his expression serious as he spoke in a raspy voice, "This old man doesn’t have many years left. If the Domain Lord doesn’t mind, I would like to work in the Mortal Realm until my death, and do my best to train this bunch of worthless apprentices behind me for you before I pass."

"Just don’t live past four years. Don’t force yourself to hang on. When it’s time to go, just go."

"Otherwise, I’ll have to give you a share of the Celestial Dao Blessing."

After his casual joke, Chen Fan pointed to the Celestial Artifact Pavilion and began his introduction with a serious expression.

"This is the Celestial Artifact Pavilion."

"A special building."

"It can increase the success rate of your work and has a low chance of raising the grade of any Spirit Treasure forged inside it by one level. I prepared this Celestial Artifact Pavilion for you."

"The Celestial Artifact Pavilion?"

Zhao Shengping was momentarily stunned. He then came to his senses and gazed at the Celestial Artifact Pavilion before him—which was clearly different from a normal Artifact Refining Workshop—and murmured, "To think I’d be able to be in a Celestial Artifact Pavilion again in this lifetime."

"This is already the best Artifact Refining Building among the white-grade ones."

"There are better ones?" Chen Fan raised an eyebrow.

"I’ve never heard of any Green Level Artifact Refining Buildings, but there is a Yellow Level one called the Ten Thousand Soldiers Pavilion. Its effects are incredibly powerful."

"Have you used it?"

"No, I’ve only heard of it."

"Mm."

Chen Fan nodded thoughtfully. Just then, Xiaoyu walked over, holding a pile of clothes and tokens.

"Let me make some introductions."

He took the clothes from Xiaoyu’s arms and said, "This is Xiaoyu, the Pavilion Master of the Mortal Realm’s Logistics Pavilion. You can go to him for any daily life or logistical matters. After nightfall, the core members of the Mortal Realm will return to camp. Lame Monkey will introduce you to everyone then."

"The Mortal Realm didn’t have an Artifact Refiner before."

"Today, we establish the Artifact Pavilion. Your apprentices behind you will join it with you. You will be the first Pavilion Master of the Artifact Pavilion, though it’s a temporary appointment for now."

Chen Fan took a token symbolizing the status of a Pavilion Master from his robes.

It was rectangular in shape.

The front was engraved with the words "Mortal Realm," and the back with "Artifact Pavilion."

"It contains the unique aura of the Mortal Realm for authentication. If you bring two tokens close together and feel a gentle warmth, it means the other person’s token is genuine."

"The Mortal Realm also has a department called the Dark Pavilion, responsible for assassinations and intelligence gathering. You won’t be able to meet the Dark Pavilion Master for now; he is away on official business."

"There is a batch of Earth Gold in the warehouse. I need you to forge it into daggers and Night Traveling Clothes suitable for the Dark Pavilion. For now, make thirteen sets."

Zhao Shengping accepted the token representing his status as Artifact Pavilion Master with both hands. He was turning it over and examining it when he heard Chen Fan’s words. He then chose his words carefully and said in a low voice, "Domain Lord, forging Night Traveling Clothes from Earth Gold is extremely resource-intensive..."

"If we only have a small piece of Earth Gold, I can forge thirteen daggers with Earth Gold tips. They would still have some shield-breaking effect, and though it wouldn’t be as good as a blade made entirely of Earth Gold, it would be very cost-effective."

"Forging the entire item... requires a rather large amount of Earth Gold."

Part of his job was to make sure the boss understood the specifics of Artifact Refining. Otherwise, you’d get situations like this: the boss gives him a small piece of Earth Gold and tells him to make thirteen sets of Night Traveling Clothes. Never mind a Level 9 Artifact Refiner, even a Level 90 couldn’t do that.

Even the most skilled housewife can’t cook a meal without rice.

"The quantity should be sufficient. The Dark Pavilion Master has assessed it and confirmed there’s more than enough."

Chen Fan didn’t elaborate, only saying casually, "You’ve just joined the Mortal Realm today, so there’s no rush. First, familiarize yourself with the environment. When the Celestial Granary Pavilion Master returns tonight, go find him to request the Earth Gold. Then, see what other supplementary materials you need and report to Wang Mazi. Have him go procure them in Mortal City."

"Once you have the supplementary materials, forge this batch of daggers and Night Traveling Clothes as soon as possible."

"Yes!"

Zhao Shengping forced himself to agree. For a moment, he regretted joining the Mortal Realm. ’This Domain Lord seems to know nothing about Artifact Refining! "The Dark Pavilion Master has assessed it," he says. The Dark Pavilion Master doesn’t know a thing about Artifact Refining, so what the hell would he know!’

Earth Gold is an extremely Rare type of Heavenly and Earthly Treasure.

’Where the hell am I supposed to find enough Earth Gold to make thirteen sets of Night Traveling Clothes?!’

’You couldn’t find that much even on the Guanxi Plain.’

"One more thing—"

Chen Fan paused for a moment before continuing, "That beggar’s chicken you were eating at the city gate—did you make it yourself?"

"Ah? Er, yes, this old man made it..."

"Once the Braised Room is set up, make one for me, too. I want to try it. It looked pretty good, very juicy."

"No problem!"

Zhao Shengping’s eyes suddenly lit up, and he nodded with complete confidence. "Domain Lord, just you wait. It’ll be a flavor the likes of which you’ve never tasted before!"

Compared to his confidence in Artifact Refining, he was even more confident in his braised dishes.

In this field, he was a god. In all his long life, he had never met anyone who could make them better than he could. He was the absolute authority in the world of braised food. And he didn’t just love eating braised dishes; he loved making them even more.

Especially when he saw the look of pure satisfaction and enjoyment on people’s faces as they ate his creations.

That, too, gave him an extraordinary sense of satisfaction.

His sense of self-worth was mainly centered on his braised dishes. Artifact Refining was just his job; braised food was his life.

"..."

Chen Fan chuckled, then looked toward the crowd of apprentices behind Zhao Shengping. "The position of Vice Pavilion Master of the Artifact Pavilion is currently vacant. Over the next few days, I will be observing your group’s performance. One of you will be chosen to become the Vice Pavilion Master."

With that, he turned to leave. As he did, the eyes of the apprentices behind Zhao Shengping lit up. Clearly, this news was a pleasant surprise for them.

Vice Pavilion Master...

A position of considerable rank.

These people were all Zhao Shengping’s apprentices. Although they had joined the Mortal Realm, the one they would primarily obey was undoubtedly Zhao Shengping. These people would definitely follow his orders.