My Crazy Upgrade System

"If you’re an alchemist, the Blazing Divine Furnace isn’t a great choice. It’s notoriously difficult to control, and if your skill level is too low, it will backlash against you. You need to be at least an Alchemy Master to use it without suffering a backlash."

Elder Luo offered his advice from the side. "The Celestial Burning Divine Furnace over there is an excellent alternative. It’s much gentler, generally speaking. Even a fourth-grade Alchemist can use it."

Elder Luo wasn’t just making things up—he was right. It was just that he viewed Yi Tianyun as a low-level Alchemist, not a high-level one. Yi Tianyun looked so young that most people would judge him by his appearance. Still, the elder felt Yi Tianyun’s cultivation wasn’t low, which was already a high evaluation in itself.

He figured Yi Tianyun was at most a fifth-grade Alchemist. While that was actually quite impressive, it still wasn’t enough to control the Blazing Divine Furnace.

"Thank you for the advice, Elder Luo, but I’ve set my heart on this Blazing Divine Furnace." Yi Tianyun had made up his mind. ’I can reach the level of an Alchemy Master easily enough. Controlling this Blazing Divine Furnace will be no problem.’

"Very well, then. It is your right to choose. But if you aren’t an Alchemy Master, I urge you not to use this Blazing Divine Furnace recklessly. Otherwise, you’ll suffer a backlash. You must remember that!" Elder Luo warned.

"I understand," Yi Tianyun said with a nod, accepting the elder’s kind intentions.

Elder Luo nodded, took down the Blazing Divine Furnace, and handed it to Yi Tianyun. "This is your reward. Please, take it. I hope it will be of great help to you in the future."

"Thank you, Elder Luo." Yi Tianyun accepted it. ’A mid-grade Sacred Artifact, and they’re just giving it away. To them, I guess this is nothing much.’

But for Yi Tianyun, it was a huge help. ’I have plenty of Sacred Artifacts in the form of weapons and armor, but I have practically nothing when it comes to Alchemy Furnaces. I’m still using that old Purple Fire Divine Furnace. If its grade hadn’t been halfway decent, I would have swapped it out long ago.’

’Sacred Artifact-level Alchemy Furnaces really are rare. That’s why even when I wanted to get a new one, I could never find a place to buy it.’

"Don’t thank me. It’s the reward you’ve earned. In fact, it’s a small one, all things considered," Elder Luo said with a smile.

After saying this, Elder Luo led him out. There was no point in staying any longer; the Treasure had been chosen, so they had no reason to linger.

After they exited, Elder Feng glanced their way and asked, "What did he pick?" He took out a notebook, ready to record what Yi Tianyun had taken, as everything had to be documented.

"The Blazing Divine Furnace," said Elder Luo.

"The Blazing Divine Furnace?" Elder Feng was just about to write it down when he froze. He looked up at Yi Tianyun and said, "Even an average Alchemy Master can’t control that thing easily. Are you going to use it yourself, give it to someone else, or sell it?"

"I’m using it myself," Yi Tianyun answered honestly.

"You can control it yourself?" Elder Feng asked, somewhat surprised.

"There shouldn’t be a problem." He spoke modestly, not claiming it was a sure thing.

"Your alchemy has reached the level of an Alchemy Master?" Elder Feng was astonished.

"Stop questioning him. It was his choice, and our only duty is to give him his reward," Elder Luo interjected, urging him, "Just hurry up and record it."

Only then did Elder Feng jot it down. Elder Luo then led Yi Tianyun away.

"Is there anything else you need?" Elder Luo asked as they walked.

"Not for now. I think this Alchemy Furnace is more than enough," Yi Tianyun said with a smile.

"There’s no need to be so polite. You brought my granddaughter home; this reward is nothing in comparison. If I had a spare Divine Artifact, I’d give it to you without a second thought. My granddaughter is priceless!" Elder Luo said, full of gratitude. "I don’t have many relatives in this life. Now, she’s the only one I have left."

He sighed deeply again. Though he was part of the Phoenix Race, what could be more important than one’s own flesh and blood?

"I understand your feelings, but I’d like to see Yan’Er one last time before I leave..." ’I can’t help but feel reluctant to part with the little girl who kept calling me Daddy.’

"It’s only natural you feel that way, but there’s no need for such a reluctant parting. You are welcome to visit the Phoenix Race any time. With my Token, you can come and see Yan’Er whenever you wish." Elder Luo smiled, his offer generous. It was certainly a good thing that someone cared so much for his granddaughter.

He could see how attached Yan’Er was to Yi Tianyun, which meant they had a good relationship, so of course he was willing to let Yi Tianyun visit. If Yan’Er had hidden every time she saw Yi Tianyun, Elder Luo certainly wouldn’t be extending such a welcome.

"Then thank you very much, Elder Luo. This reward is more than enough. If I were to ask for more, I’d just be greedy," Yi Tianyun said sincerely.

"Alright. Since you put it that way, I won’t insist. Refusing more rewards... you’re a strange one, you are," Elder Luo said, shaking his head.

Yi Tianyun just smiled without denying it. ’Anyone else would have taken anything and everything offered. For me, this is already more than enough.’

’Besides, being too greedy just makes people resent you.’

Just as they were preparing to head to Qingya Residence, a guard rushed over. "Elder Luo, bad news! There’s trouble at the Phoenix Cave again!"

"Trouble again? We’ll go right now!" Elder Luo’s face fell. He immediately turned to Yi Tianyun and said, "You go back to Qingya Residence with this guard. I’ll find you after I’ve handled this matter!"

"Elder Luo, may I come along and see what’s happening?" Yi Tianyun asked after a brief pause.

Elder Luo was taken aback for a moment, but he didn’t have to think for long before nodding. "Alright, you can come with me. But you must only watch from the sidelines. Do not wander off."

"Thank you, Elder Luo!"

Elder Luo nodded and shot directly into the sky. Yi Tianyun and the guard followed suit, taking flight as well. Walking would have been far too slow.

With Elder Luo leading the way, they soon arrived near Phoenix Cave. It wasn’t far, and the journey took only a moment. As they approached, Yi Tianyun saw a colossal statue of a phoenix perched atop a massive hill, looking as if it were about to spread its wings and take flight.

Beneath the hill lay an enormous cave from which flames spewed forth unceasingly. The heat was so intense it had melted the surrounding earth into lava, which was now spreading outward in all directions.

Nearby, many members of the Phoenix Race were already absorbing these flames into their bodies. However, as they did so, they seemed to be in excruciating pain. Their expressions were not of enjoyment; instead, their faces grew increasingly pale.

Yi Tianyun looked at the flames, and his Eye of Investigation immediately presented detailed data.

Immortal Fire: High-Grade Earth Level. A fire of the Supreme Yang. Cannot be absorbed by those without a special Supreme Yang constitution. Can only be extinguished by a flame of extreme yin and cold.

’Immortal Fire...’ He looked at the sheer amount of it. ’Am I about to strike it rich? If this is the Phoenix Race’s big problem, doesn’t that mean I’m about to hit the jackpot?’