My Artifacts Can Upgrade Infinitely

The Fire Spirit Snake opened its golden eyes and gazed at the oppressive, dark sky, a trace of fear showing through. As a Fire-type Demon Beast, it had a natural aversion to such gloomy, rainy weather, and the downpour from the heavens filled its heart with dread.

But it didn’t retreat into the dry Cave Mansion. Instead, it stubbornly used its body to form an umbrella.

Gradually, the Fire Spirit Snake was no longer afraid of the lightning and thunder in the dark night, but it also began to feel a bit bored. The violent raindrops kept it from falling asleep, so it started passing the time by observing the surrounding scenery.

After a while, it poked its head through its umbrella-like body and watched Zhao Zuo’s movements with both eyes. As it watched... the rampant Qi and Blood within its body began to circulate according to a specific rhythm, and faint golden specks of light appeared beneath its skin.

It didn’t know what caused all these changes, but the Fire Spirit Snake clearly sensed that it had grown closer to its master, and there was a faint, kindred aura between them.

Immediately, it began to observe, imitate, and learn with even more patience.

Overnight, Zhao Zuo consumed ten Vajra Pills, equivalent to four hundred Spirit Stones.

When the morning sun rose in the east, Zhao Zuo took a slow breath and exhaled a long, lingering plume of white vapor. He straightened his back and looked at Xiaohei, who had shielded him from the rain all night.

Although the number of raindrops it had blocked was quite limited, the sentiment was precious. Joy welled up in Zhao Zuo’s heart, and he reached out to stroke the Fire Spirit Snake’s smooth scales.

"Have I been too harsh on it? Maybe I should add a meal of Spiritual Food every few days?" Zhao Zuo murmured.

Xiaohei shook its body, and the water droplets on its scales instantly evaporated from the high heat. It rubbed its triangular head against Zhao Zuo’s palm, its eyes full of ingratiating affection.

Zhao Zuo took out three Fire Element Seeds and fed them to the Fire Spirit Snake, then said,

"Go back and sleep."

Zhao Zuo glanced back at the Sky-Breaking Saber, which had been dancing wildly in mid-air the entire time. Dividing his attention wasn’t difficult; after just a couple of simple tries, he was able to control the Sky-Breaking Saber to fly randomly around him while he was cultivating the Golden Body Technique.

At Zhao Zuo’s call, the Sky-Breaking Saber descended into his palm.

[Level: Upper-Grade Magical Artifact +2 · Sky-Breaking Saber]

[EXP: 23453/80000]

[Status: Not upgradeable]

In one night, the EXP had increased by about three thousand points. At this rate, it could gain six thousand EXP per day, and the third upgrade would be possible in about ten more days.

After the third upgrade, a large expenditure of Spirit Stones would be required to complete its advancement.

But according to his current plan, Zhao Zuo had no time to earn Spirit Stones, which meant he couldn’t gather the materials needed for the Sky-Breaking Saber’s advancement. This was the problem he now needed to consider.

Zhao Zuo walked back to his Cave Mansion, still controlling the Sky-Breaking Saber to fly around him with minimal effort. Since he had already decided on his next plan, he had to make some trade-offs.

In a corner, the Fire Spirit Snake had already coiled up and fallen into a deep sleep. Staying up all night was a huge burden for a baby snake only a few months old.

’Why do I feel such a sense of closeness from the Fire Spirit Snake?’ Zhao Zuo wondered, puzzled.

But he quickly dismissed the thought from his mind.

While he was eating breakfast, the Communication Jade in Zhao Zuo’s Storage Bag began to vibrate.

"I succeeded in my breakthrough! I’m at the Eighth Layer of Qi Cultivation." Shen Yunjiao’s voice came from the Communication Jade. Even through the jade, Zhao Zuo could feel her joy and excitement.

"Congratulations, congratulations." Zhao Zuo was holding a piece of roasted Demon Beast meat in his right hand, a smile on his face. But then he suddenly remembered the life-devouring characteristic of the Taotie Secret Technique, and the joy in his heart vanished.

"The joy is mutual. Is the Ghost Slayer Shield repaired?"

"It’s repaired. Let’s meet today, at the Moyun Market. There are some things we need to discuss in person."

Zhao Zuo thought for a moment. If he followed his plan, he would definitely need Shen Yunjiao’s help to participate in that battle between Foundation Establishment cultivators. Therefore, he first needed to confirm... Shen Yunjiao’s intentions.

"Alright, then let’s meet at noon today. See you at the teahouse," Shen Yunjiao replied.

After his meal, Zhao Zuo left his Cave Mansion and went to the Ministry of Affairs Hall to turn in the twenty Lower-Grade Magical Artifacts for the eighth month. In return, he received two hundred and fifty contribution points and three Yellow Bud Pills.

While at the Ministry of Affairs Hall, Zhao Zuo also checked the progress of the custom Upper-Grade Magical Artifact he had ordered. He found that its refining had officially begun, but it was still unknown how long it would take to complete.

Clearly, the refining of the Upper-Grade Magical Artifact would not be finished before his plan was set in motion.

"Outer Sect central platform. Let’s meet." Zhao Zuo took out his Communication Jade to contact Liu Heng.

About ten or so minutes later, Zhao Zuo and Liu Heng met. They found a thick, ancient tree and sat cross-legged beneath it. The area near the roots was a bit damp because of the previous day’s rain.

Mana surged, transforming into scorching heat. Combined with the warmth radiating from their churning Qi and Blood, the area within three meters of the two of them quickly dried out. Even the dewdrops on the tips of the wild grass were evaporated by the high temperature.

"I wonder... why has Brother Zhao sought me out?" Liu Heng took two pieces of dry rations from his robes, put one in his mouth to chew, and asked with some curiosity.

These dry rations were made from a mixture of Spirit Grass and Spirit Rice powder. The taste was average, and the texture was plain... Although the Spiritual Power provided by the Spirit Rice powder was affected by the Spirit Grass, making it less helpful for cultivation than pure Spirit Rice, it was very filling. Eating two pieces would stave off hunger for three days, making it a low-grade version of a Grain Avoidance Pill.

"I can let you move into the Inner Sect ahead of schedule," Zhao Zuo said first, stating the benefit he could offer.

"What’s the price?" Liu Heng asked.

"Advance me seven thousand five hundred Spirit Stones. This is the payment from the sale of the Upper-Grade Magical Artifact. You also know I’m about to do something very dangerous, so I need to prepare some trump cards," Zhao Zuo stated his demand directly.

"Alright, no problem," Liu Heng agreed immediately, without any hesitation.

’So readily?’ This reaction surprised Zhao Zuo a little.

"My life is tied to yours. I’m at your mercy. I never had the right to refuse in the first place. I only hope that you, Brother Zhao, will keep your promise." Liu Heng took a Storage Bag from his robes and handed it to Zhao Zuo.

After claiming ownership with his Mana, Zhao Zuo did a quick count. There were about eight thousand three hundred fifty Spirit Stones inside. This amount was likely Liu Heng’s entire life savings.

"Alright. I’ll consider the extra eight hundred fifty Spirit Stones a loan from you." Zhao Zuo glanced at the incredibly unappetizing dry rations in Liu Heng’s hand. He knew that Liu Heng must have paid a great price to save up these Spirit Stones, even sacrificing many pleasures.

If Zhao Zuo hadn’t been left with no other choice, he wouldn’t have resorted to this.

"Here." Zhao Zuo took a porcelain bottle from his robes. Inside were three Yellow Bud Pills.

"These are Yellow Bud Pills, specially supplied to the Inner Sect. If you were to trade them for Spirit Stones, they’d be worth at least fifty Spirit Stones each. Consider it interest on the loan..." Zhao Zuo said in a very casual tone.

"This..." Liu Heng took the porcelain bottle and inspected it. When he saw they were indeed Yellow Bud Pills, he couldn’t help but feel a touch of gratitude, and any dissatisfaction he felt about his Spirit Stones being taken quickly dissipated like smoke.

Although the official price of a Yellow Bud Pill was fifteen Spirit Stones each, basically no one would ever sell them. After all, Yellow Bud Pills could strengthen one’s Meridians. Even if one didn’t need them, they were an excellent choice for nurturing future generations or gifting to younger relatives.

This was a very precious interest payment, one he hadn’t even imagined receiving.

Liu Heng clenched the porcelain bottle tightly. This bottle represented that he had made the right choice. Zhao Zuo was truly the opportunity he had been waiting for, someone who might even have a chance to reach the Foundation Establishment Realm.

Liu Heng’s heart burned with excitement. That very night, he decided to move to the Inner Sect area. He excavated a simple cave near Zhao Zuo’s Cave Mansion to serve as his new residence.

「In the blink of an eye, the end of July arrived.」

Zhao Zuo and Shen Yunjiao had already reached an agreement.

Zhao Zuo summoned the Sky-Breaking Saber down from mid-air and touched it lightly.

The EXP now met the requirement for an upgrade. He didn’t hesitate and directly tapped the upgrade option. A familiar gray light spread out, enveloping the Sky-Breaking Saber. The upgrade had begun.

........

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