My Artifacts Can Upgrade Infinitely

Zhao Zuo stood up and rubbed his sore right wrist. He plunged the Black Flame Saber into the ground, his gaze fixed on the Dark Night Wolf’s still-twitching corpse, not daring to let his guard down for a second.

Even though its brain had been instantly destroyed, it didn’t die immediately. Its sapphire-blue eyes gradually dimmed, and it stopped trying to struggle... Instead, it let out a low, pained roar. In that sound, Zhao Zuo could somehow hear a hint of sorrow.

Shen Yunjiao charged her sword and slit its throat. A torrent of hot blood gushed from the wound. The beast’s eyes went completely dim, and its breathing grew weaker and weaker.

The next second, Zhao Zuo swung his saber and severed its head.

Ordinarily, a One Tier Middle Period Demon Beast, known as one of the most difficult to deal with, shouldn’t have been defeated so easily. But precisely because the Dark Night Wolf was intelligent, it had judged Zhao Zuo as no threat before the fight even began, labeling him an ant. That was why, when faced with that downward slash, it failed to make the right call in time.

It was a patient hunter, but in the end, its pride was its downfall.

The spreading scent of blood could attract other Demon Beasts, so the two had limited time. They couldn’t afford to wait dozens of seconds for it to die naturally. They had to skin and process it quickly before the smell spread too far.

Although the Dark Night Wolf was dead, its massive body still radiated an oppressive aura. Its dagger-like fangs glinted coldly. This pressure came from the sheer difference in size; the Dark Night Wolf was over four meters long and could weigh more than four tons. Even after removing the bones and organs, the Demon Beast meat alone would yield a profit of over three hundred Spirit Stones.

Adding in the bones and pelt, this hunt brought in a total profit of four hundred Spirit Stones!

’We’re rich, we’re rich!’ Zhao Zuo was thrilled. He immediately took a few steps forward and began using the Sky-Breaking Saber to dismember the Demon Beast’s corpse. Even when operated at minimum power... the Sky-Breaking Saber could still easily slice through fur and flesh, only meeting resistance when it hit bone.

After about eight minutes, the Demon Beast’s corpse was fully dismembered. During the process, Shen Yunjiao continuously scattered a white, pungent powder to stop the scent of blood from spreading. Also... Shen Yunjiao collected the Dark Night Wolf’s heart and another part. The latter, it was said, could be sold for a very good price.

The Dark Night Wolf’s other internal organs were mostly discarded on the spot.

Almost all of the Demon Beast meat was stuffed into Shen Yunjiao’s Storage Bag. From this, it was clear... the space inside Shen Yunjiao’s Storage Bag was several times larger than Zhao Zuo’s.

Before leaving, Shen Yunjiao formed a seal with her hands, manipulating the loose snow on the surface to cover and bury the discarded organs and bloodstains as much as possible. Although these organs couldn’t be sold, they could be used as bait for the next hunt.

The thick layer of snow would naturally act as a preservative.

"Let’s go."

After the intense battle, followed by using the Sky-Breaking Saber to dismember the Demon Beast, his Mana was now completely depleted. Encountering another enemy would be extremely dangerous.

Zhao Zuo took out a Spirit Revitalizing Pill and swallowed it, rapidly restoring his Mana. He then followed Shen Yunjiao to retreat. The way back was quite lively; people were fighting Demon Beasts.

The two immediately chose to go around, avoiding trouble and skirting several combat zones.

As they neared Qingni Lane, Zhao Zuo gradually relaxed, his heart filled with the joy of striking it rich.

’If this happens a few more times, I’ll have all the materials to upgrade my Clear Heart Jade Pendant. But the Creation Points are still an unavoidable hurdle. After that, I can start preparing to break through to the Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer.’

Zhao Zuo took out a Cleaning Talisman and activated it with his Mana. After the talisman paper burned away, the caked-on bloodstains on his body vanished, and his black clothes were once again clean and tidy.

"The first Demon Beast was a One Tier Late Period Unihorn Rhinoceros. It specializes in defense. Given our condition at the time, there was a high chance we would’ve been killed instead, which is why I chose not to act," Shen Yunjiao explained.

"I see." Zhao Zuo nodded in understanding.

"Don’t get distracted during the next hunt."

Zhao Zuo gave an embarrassed laugh. He hadn’t expected Shen Yunjiao to notice his hesitation, which had lasted less than half a second. He suddenly felt a surge of nervousness, like a child being caught by a teacher for not doing their homework.

"We might need to change our hunting strategy from now on." Fortunately, Shen Yunjiao quickly changed the subject, relieving Zhao Zuo’s awkwardness.

"How so?" Zhao Zuo asked.

"I’ll make a plan first. We can discuss it before the next hunt. For the next few days, I’ll focus on selling the meat."

"No problem."

’There are still a few days until the next hunt anyway, so there’s no rush.’

"The price of Demon Beast meat fluctuates every winter. While this meat won’t be hard to sell, the price might be a bit lower," Shen Yunjiao said frankly. It was like she was giving him a heads-up to prevent any conflicts over an uneven split of the profits in a few days.

"You’re the expert in these matters. I have no opinion on how you price it or sell it."

Zhao Zuo wasn’t shortsighted. He naturally wouldn’t start a conflict with Shen Yunjiao over a small profit. Besides, their past few collaborations had been pleasant, and they had established a preliminary level of trust.

"Good." Shen Yunjiao nodded, satisfied.

"Taoist Friend Shen, this Black Flame Saber feels very natural in my hands. I was wondering, how many Spirit Stones would you sell it for?"

Before they parted ways, Zhao Zuo was supposed to return the Black Flame Saber to Shen Yunjiao. But the saber’s attribute was a good match for his Spiritual Root, and after using it a few times last night, he had grown quite fond of it.

"Not for sale!" Shen Yunjiao replied instantly, snatching the Black Flame Saber directly from Zhao Zuo’s hands.

Zhao Zuo was a little surprised, but seeing Shen Yunjiao’s strong reaction, he had a guess as to why. He immediately cupped his fists, bowed, and apologized.

"Since it’s a treasured item of yours, Taoist Friend, it was presumptuous of me to ask. I hope you won’t take offense."

"It’s fine. Since you practice the Body Refining Technique, you should take this Dark Night Wolf heart and consume it. A Demon Beast’s heart is the source and reservoir of its Qi Blood, the very essence of its body." Shen Yunjiao took the basketball-sized heart from her Storage Bag and handed it to Zhao Zuo.

This was the first time Zhao Zuo had heard that a Demon Beast’s heart could aid Body Refining. A look of joy immediately appeared on his face, but he still insisted that its market price be deducted from his share of the profits.

Before they parted, Zhao Zuo also asked for a hind leg of the Demon Beast, weighing about a hundred jin, priced at ten Spirit Stones.

By the time he actually got home, the sky outside was already starting to brighten.

Zhao Zuo put the Demon Beast meat into his Storage Bag, leaving only the Dark Night Wolf heart in his hands.

The heart was nearly the size of a basketball and had a very smooth surface. A few blood vessels extended from the top of its deep-red surface, multiplying until they enveloped the entire heart like a fishing net. A faint, bloody smell was barely perceptible.

Following Shen Yunjiao’s instructions, he used the Sky-Breaking Saber to poke a hole in the heart’s surface. He then used his Mana to draw out the Heart Blood from within. After about three seconds... a viscous, crimson liquid, glinting with specks of golden light, flowed from the opening into a porcelain bowl below.

The basketball-sized heart ultimately yielded half a bowl of Heart Blood. Zhao Zuo picked up the porcelain bowl. Inside, the Heart Blood, rich with pure Energy, flowed slowly like mercury. A moment later, a special fragrance mixed with the thick scent of blood wafted into his nostrils.

Zhao Zuo’s whole body trembled slightly. The mere scent of it made his Qi Blood flow faster. He was certain this thing would be of immense benefit to him. Today might just be the day he broke through in his Body Refining Cultivation!

Without further hesitation, Zhao Zuo took a large gulp and drank down the still-scalding Heart Blood.

....