My Artifacts Can Upgrade Infinitely

Zhao Zuo was currently sitting on a soft cushion, grinding experience for his Sky-Breaking Saber. Not far from him coiled a Spiritual Snake, about two and a half meters long. Perhaps sensing the presence of a stranger, Xiaohei awoke from its slumber, its golden eyes fixed on Liu Heng, revealing a hint of Evil Qi.

Although it usually looked a little goofy and had a bit of a suck-up’s personality, as a Demon Beast, its combat ability was an instinct engraved deep within its soul, requiring no special practice.

"He’s a friend. Go on, back to sleep," Zhao Zuo instructed the Fire Spirit Snake.

Hearing this, the Fire Spirit Snake did not go back to sleep. Instead, it slithered over to Liu Heng and rubbed its triangular head against his pant leg.

"What does this mean?" Liu Heng asked, somewhat confused.

"It wants you to feed it," Zhao Zuo explained Xiaohei’s intentions to Liu Heng.

"Is that so." Liu Heng opened the food box a crack, took out a piece of meat from a Five-Colored Spirit Chicken, and fed it to the Fire Spirit Snake.

The snake immediately straightened the upper half of its body and swallowed the piece of meat in a single gulp.

The Fire Spirit Snake began slithering in excited circles on the ground. It had never experienced such a taste before—a deliciousness it found impossible to resist or even describe.

𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

A dozen seconds later, it returned to Liu Heng’s feet and resumed rubbing its triangular head against his pant leg.

"This..." Liu Heng was at a loss for a moment, looking up at Zhao Zuo, who sat opposite him.

"Go to sleep, now," Zhao Zuo commanded. ’The daily Spiritual Objects already cost me a lot of Spirit Stones. I have no extra to spend on Spiritual Food. I absolutely cannot let Xiaohei pick up such a bad habit.’

The Fire Spirit Snake looked as if its dreams had been shattered in an instant. Its straightened upper body drooped, and it dejectedly slithered back into the adjacent quiet room.

"Younger Brother Zhao, that Spirit Beast of yours is quite novel and cute." Liu Heng opened the three-layered food box and placed the Spiritual Food on the wooden table between them. Due to the box’s special design, the food was still steaming, looking exceptionally delicious and tempting.

"It’s still young, so of course it’s a bit greedy," Zhao Zuo said, slightly embarrassed.

"Please." Liu Heng didn’t dwell on the matter, gesturing toward the Spiritual Food for Zhao Zuo to begin.

He had come this time mainly to bring Zhao Zuo some news: the Demon Path had officially issued a challenge to Chen Xiaorong. The location was set for the outskirts of the Yunlan Mountain Range... just outside a small city within the Great Yue Country.

The Cultivator sent by the Demon Path was the current Sect Leader of the Blood Stream Sect, a powerhouse at the Middle Period of the Foundation Establishment Stage. Presumably, this battle was actually orchestrated by the Blood River Sect, who must have paid a significant price in resources and treasures to have the Blood Stream Sect act on their behalf.

"Oh, and the Demon Path also announced that if Chen Xiaorong avoids the battle, they will slaughter all of the nearly ten thousand people in that small city to honor the spirit of their beloved disciple, Zhou Wushuang," Liu Heng continued.

"There’s no choice at all. If she avoids the battle and causes nearly ten thousand mortals to lose their lives, Chen Xiaorong’s Tao Heart will shatter. At that point, she’ll no longer be a threat to the Demon Path," Zhao Zuo replied.

Chen Xiaorong cultivates the Sword Dao, so it’s not just a matter of her Tao Heart, but her Sword Heart. For a Sword Cultivator, their Sword Heart is the most important thing. It boosts their combat power, Cultivation speed, and the rate at which they learn Sword Dao Techniques. The drawback is that if their Sword Heart shatters, their strength will inevitably regress.

If she were to accept something that violates her beliefs, even if it didn’t give rise to a Heart Demon, the growth of her Cultivation would no longer be as rapid and unhindered as it once was.

"Exactly. It’s an open conspiracy. From the moment Chief Venerate Chen made her move, she was forced down a path with no return."

Zhao Zuo nodded in agreement. ’Still, I can’t help but feel indebted. It is, after all, because of me that Chen Xiaorong got dragged into the enemy’s plot.’

"Has the date for the battle been set?" Zhao Zuo asked.

"The first of the ninth month."

"There’s enough time, then," Zhao Zuo nodded.

He had recently paused his study of the Path of Artifact Refining, using most of his time to improve his Cultivation. Now, only a thin bottleneck separated him from the Late Period of Qi Cultivation. Assessing his current state, Zhao Zuo figured he could break through it in about a month.

"Younger Brother Zhao, you’re not actually thinking of getting involved in a battle of that level, are you? Someone at our level would be turned to dust in an instant!" Liu Heng asked nervously, seeing the inscrutable smile on Zhao Zuo’s face.

"I won’t get involved, but I might go watch," Zhao Zuo replied.

At these words, Liu Heng grew even more panicked, as if he could already picture his own head suddenly exploding.

"Younger Brother Zhao, a battle of that caliber is absolutely not something someone of your realm can meddle in. I urge you to prioritize your own safety," Liu Heng advised nervously.

"Relax. I’m just going to watch, not throw my life away," Zhao Zuo said seriously.

Liu Heng didn’t press the issue. Some things were beyond his power to change, and he could only accept them.

"The custom Upper-Grade Magical Artifact will be finished by the beginning of the ninth month. You’d better get the Spirit Stones ready. Subtracting the two thousand five hundred I owe you, you’ll still need to pay me seventy-five hundred," Zhao Zuo said, changing the subject. He had no intention of changing his mind about Chen Xiaorong.

"Don’t worry. I’ve already prepared the Spirit Stones," Liu Heng said.

Zhao Zuo nodded and began eating even faster, picking up pieces of Spiritual Food, chewing, and swallowing. Seeing this, Liu Heng also quietly quickened his pace. Before long, they had finished the several dishes.

"BURP." Zhao Zuo let out a satisfied burp.

Liu Heng rose to take his leave. Before he left, he couldn’t help but add one last earnest plea.

"Younger Brother Zhao, the Demon Path is determined to see Chief Venerate Chen die there. Aside from the Middle-Period Foundation Establishment expert, they must have other schemes in place. Please, think it over and be cautious."

"Alright, I’ll keep that in mind," Zhao Zuo replied, though his resolve hadn’t wavered in the slightest. After coming to understand his own heart, he knew exactly what he stood for. He would not be lost, much less lose his direction.

All he sought in his actions was a clear conscience.

’If Chen Xiaorong were to die at the hands of the enemy, the only thing I could do is avenge her in the future. After all, to provoke a Foundation Establishment Stage expert with our current strength would be pure suicide.’

’However, if Chen Xiaorong manages to win, even at a price, then the situation will change. I could then provide her with support or assist from the sidelines.’

’The Demon Path surely has a backup plan, but it’s unlikely to involve another Foundation Establishment Cultivator. After all, all-out war hasn’t been declared yet; both sides are still maintaining a tacit understanding and abiding by certain rules.’

’Their plan might be an open conspiracy, but they only get one shot at it. If Chen Xiaorong dies in a direct confrontation, the Moyun Sect will have no grounds for complaint.’

’But if she wins... and the Demon Path then uses a Foundation Establishment Powerhouse to launch a sneak attack, that would be a clear violation of the rules.’

’Of course, I have some confidence in this plan.’

’Now that Shen Yunjiao and I have both had breakthroughs in our Cultivation, facing someone at Qi Cultivation Perfection won’t leave us as helpless and desperate as before. In truth... the main reason we suffered so much that night was because Zhou Wushuang was simply too powerful, far exceeding the strength of a normal cultivator at Qi Cultivation Perfection.’

’She cultivated both the Blood and Soul Daos and was decked out with two Magical Treasures—one for offense and one for defense. That’s what made her so formidable. Others wouldn’t have that kind of backing.’

After Liu Heng left, Zhao Zuo returned to the quiet room and began circulating his Cultivation Technique, refining the Spiritual Power in his abdomen. His Cultivation increased by another sliver.

Meanwhile, the Fire Spirit Snake was sulking in a corner, looking rather displeased.

Seeing this, Zhao Zuo had no choice but to give it a little lecture.

"Xiaohei, listen. You have to understand, you have a huge appetite now. Those Fire Element Seeds... I spend a fortune on them just so you can eat your fill every day. And that Spiritual Food, while delicious, doesn’t do much for your growth..."

"Xiaohei, you need to understand that it’s already hard enough for your master to earn Spirit Stones to buy your rations. That Spiritual Food is just too expensive. It’s not something your master... I... can afford."

"I know you feel wronged. Here, have another Fire Element Seed."

After Zhao Zuo’s concerted efforts to console it, the Fire Spirit Snake finally returned to its usual self. It swallowed another Fire Element Seed, then went back to its corner to begin the refinement process.

Zhao Zuo then began to absorb the surrounding Heaven and Earth Spiritual Power.

...