My Artifacts Can Upgrade Infinitely

Zhao Zuo stared at the familiar gray ball of light, his thoughts drifting back to the scene of his meeting with Shen Yunjiao several days ago.

「A private room in a teahouse at the Moyun Market.」

Shen Yunjiao sat across from Zhao Zuo, voraciously eating the pastries on the table. A bit of powdered sugar and crumbs clung to the corners of her mouth, making her look rather cute. Though she ate quickly, her movements weren’t crude... On the contrary, she carried herself with the reserved grace of a high-born lady.

"The Ghost Slayer Shield has been repaired." Zhao Zuo untied a Storage Bag from his waist and handed it to Shen Yunjiao.

"Thank you."

Shen Yunjiao thanked him. She knew she had gotten the better end of this deal. A damaged Ghost Slayer Shield would sell for seven thousand Spirit Stones at most, but its value would instantly double once repaired. Even though she had paid a two-thousand-Spirit-Stone repair fee, she had still made a hefty profit.

"I plan to set out in mid-August and head to the location where Chen Xiaorong is set to fight the Demon Path Foundation Establishment cultivator."

Zhao Zuo said after Shen Yunjiao had taken the Storage Bag.

Shen Yunjiao put down the pastry she was holding, took the Storage Bag, and looked into Zhao Zuo’s eyes.

"You plan on getting involved in a battle between Foundation Establishment cultivators?" The conflict between the Righteous and Demonic Path Foundation Establishment cultivators was causing a huge stir, so Shen Yunjiao, who frequented the Moyun Market, had naturally heard the rumors.

"Not getting involved in the Foundation Establishment battle," Zhao Zuo corrected. "If Chen Xiaorong is victorious, we can help her deal with the other forces the Demon Path has sent out—for example, those Demon Cultivators at the Qi Cultivation Stage."

"You were never one to take risks." Shen Yunjiao was a bit puzzled. She wanted to know why Zhao Zuo had made such a decision, seemingly uncaring of the dangers it entailed.

"Chen Xiaorong rushed back from the Yunlan Mountain Range and killed Zhou Wushuang because of my voice transmission," Zhao Zuo stated his reason.

Shen Yunjiao nodded. ’Although his answer is a bit foolish and reckless, it’s definitely in character for Zhao Zuo... He’s the type of person who would risk his own life for his friends.’

"You know," Shen Yunjiao began, sighing as she offered a well-intentioned warning, "only your friends can betray you. As your friend, I have to admit, it’s a good personality trait. But as your close friend, I must remind you: that kind of personality will easily lead you into danger in the Cultivation Realm."

"I’ve learned a lot about Chen Xiaorong’s past. I trust her."

’Over the past ten years, Chen Xiaorong paid a heavy price to stick to her principles. If that was all an act, then all that toil and effort... surely it wasn’t just to make as many enemies as she could, right?’

"On the way to the battle site, I’ll help you hunt Demon Beasts. Aside from the heart, where a Demon Beast’s Qi Blood converges, you can have all the other parts. On the way back, we can hunt Demon Cultivators. You can also have the spirituality from their flesh and blood. And on top of that, the Storage Bag..." Zhao Zuo laid out his terms. He believed Shen Yunjiao had absolutely no reason to refuse.

’The energy demands of the Taotie Secret Technique, coupled with her naturally adventurous personality, should all lead to one outcome: her agreeing to my terms.’

"What she did for you could be considered a life-saving grace, I suppose. But it was just a tiny bit of goodwill from a powerful expert looking down from the clouds, shown out of pity or protectiveness toward the weak. To risk your life for that... don’t you think it’s a little unwise? If you’re always like this... how can you even talk about pursuing the Great Path of longevity?" To Zhao Zuo’s surprise, Shen Yunjiao didn’t agree. Instead, she seemed displeased, her tone turning cold as she questioned him.

"It *was* a life-saving grace. And besides, I’m not practicing Cultivation for the sake of longevity," Zhao Zuo said earnestly. He wasn’t the least bit upset by Shen Yunjiao’s harsh tone. ’He knew... she just wants me to learn the law of Cultivators: put yourself at the center of everything.’

"Huh?"

"Then what are you practicing Cultivation for?" Shen Yunjiao asked in disbelief.

"I only figured it out myself a little while ago. It’s to have a clear conscience. That is my original heart."

When Shen Yunjiao heard the two words "original heart," she stopped trying to persuade him. Most Cultivators have an original heart—a desire or sense of belonging they yearn for from the depths of their soul. If a Cultivator follows their original heart, their Cultivation will be like walking down a broad, smooth highway. Their progress will be extraordinary, and no Heart Demons will arise.

Conversely, if they do something that goes against their original heart, their progress will be slow, and Heart Demons will flourish.

Zhao Zuo was adhering to his original heart and acting on it, all so that his Cultivation path would be smooth and he wouldn’t be troubled by Heart Demons.

"So, can you agree to go with me now?" Zhao Zuo asked, seeing that Shen Yunjiao was still hesitating.

"One last question," Shen Yunjiao said.

"Go ahead."

"This trip—are you going to honor your original heart and repay a debt of gratitude, or have you developed other feelings for Chen Xiaorong?"

"For my original heart, of course!" Zhao Zuo answered instantly and frankly.

"Then I agree to go with you. As we agreed, you have to help me hunt Demon Beasts on the way." Shen Yunjiao stared into Zhao Zuo’s clear, untroubled eyes, and for some reason, a bit of joy welled up in her heart.

"It’s a deal," Zhao Zuo said.

They immediately began to discuss the details of their plan and the route they would take.

To make planning easier, Zhao Zuo truthfully told her that his Cultivation had broken through to the Qi Cultivation Seventh Layer, and also that his Body Refining Cultivation would soon break through again.

In the end, the two concluded that as long as they didn’t run into a Second Tier Demon Beast, they could work together to kill it in a very short amount of time. But they still had to be careful... and avoid Second Tier Demon Beasts.

Besides this, the two also discussed other details, including the Pill Medicine, food, and resting places they would need, along with a large supply of drinkable Clear Water.