Chapter 280: Entrusting the Refining Tool

"Due to the strength of the Foundation Building stage, it can already influence the rise and fall of a sect. Therefore, the Thousand Crafts Pavilion strictly controls the puppet refinement methods and transactions for the Foundation Building stage.

In the entire city of Qianqiao, there are no more than five people who can refine Foundation Building stage puppets. All Foundation Building puppets sold to outsiders must be auctioned by the Thousand Crafts Pavilion, and no one is allowed to sell them privately."

"I see. Thank you, Friend Chao," said Wang Hong, grateful for Chao's explanation.

After hearing the explanation from Innkeeper Chao, Wang Hong abandoned the idea of purchasing a large number of Foundation Building puppets. Some Qi Cultivation stage puppets were not particularly useful to him, and his Poisonous Bees were more practical.

However, as a specialty of Qianqiao City, the trading caravan could bring some back to Azure Void City for sale, which should be profitable.

"Could you please show me the Spirit Plant puppets, Friend Chao?" Wang Hong had lost interest in combat puppets.

Subsequently, Innkeeper Chao introduced various Spirit Plant puppets to Wang Hong. There were puppets specialized in tilling soil, weeding, and various other tasks related to farming and gardening.

The craftsmanship of these utility puppets was not as refined, and they looked rougher. Some humanoid puppets had square faces with lifeless eyes, serving mainly as decorations.

After Innkeeper Chao's introduction, Wang Hong found these puppets, although not visually appealing, quite useful.

"I'll take two of each of the soil-tilling, planting, harvesting, and weeding puppets, please," Wang Hong decided after some thought. Having these puppets in his Space would save him a lot of trouble.

Without any weeds to remove in his Space, he could give the two weeding puppets to Chén Nián, who was quite busy managing the cave mansion alone.

"Very well, each of these puppets is priced at ten thousand Spirit Stones, totaling eighty thousand Spirit Stones. Also, would you like to purchase the maid puppet we discussed earlier? She could serve tea, pour water, and tidy up the courtyard in your cave mansion. There might even be some unexpected surprises. If you buy them together, I can offer you a discount on Spirit Stones," Innkeeper Chao suggested, noticing Wang Hong's interest in the maid puppet.

"What is the price for that specific puppet, and how much of a discount can you offer in Spirit Stones?" Wang Hong inquired. He was indeed intrigued by the puppet's remarkable realism and didn't mind spending the extra Spirit Stones.

"This particular puppet was crafted by me over several years, using countless rare materials. Its price is one hundred thousand Spirit Stones. If you purchase it along with the eight other puppets, the total would be one hundred and eighty thousand Spirit Stones. However, I can offer you a discount of ten thousand Spirit Stones, making it one hundred and seventy thousand Spirit Stones," Innkeeper Chao explained.

After a brief consideration, Wang Hong agreed to the deal and promptly paid one hundred and seventy thousand Spirit Stones. Innkeeper Chao, after receiving the payment, became even more enthusiastic and explained in detail how to control the puppets.

Taking advantage of the conversation, Wang Hong also gathered some valuable information from Innkeeper Chao, who was willing to share his knowledge.

"Friend Chao, I intend to refine a Spiritual Weapon. Do you have any recommendations for a reputable refining tool shop in the city?" Wang Hong asked.

"The largest-scale refining tool shop in Qianqiao City is undoubtedly the Thousand Crafts Pavilion. However, the skill level of the refining tool masters there is only average. The truly outstanding ones are kept within the pavilion's inner circle. It's similar to our Qingxu Sect, where the truly exceptional Alchemists are reserved for Sect use, and the external shop Alchemists mostly practice with other people's materials," Innkeeper Chao replied, understandingly.

Wang Hong nodded, understanding the situation. It seemed that he would need to explore his options carefully when it came to refining a Spiritual Weapon.

"So, are there any better options in Qianqiao City? I would appreciate your guidance," Wang Hong inquired.

"Guidance, I dare not offer, but there is Qianlian Pavilion to the west of the city, founded by the Yu-Chi Cultivation Clan. This clan has been dedicated to refining tools for generations and has extraordinary expertise in the field. Additionally, in the northern part of the city, there is the Ouyang family, another Cultivation Clan specializing in refining tools, known for their exceptional skills," Innkeeper Chao replied, enthusiastic after a successful deal.

"Thank you for the information, Friend Chao!"

After leaving the puppet shop, Wang Hong inquired around and found that Innkeeper Chao's recommendations for these two refining tool families in Qianqiao City were highly regarded.

Subsequently, he headed to the west of the city and quickly located the Yu-Chi family's shop. With its imposing storefront and bustling activity, it was clear that business was thriving.

Upon entering, a Qi Cultivation cultivator approached him, asking, "Senior, are you interested in purchasing finished products or commissioning a refining tool?"

"I'd like to take a look at finished Spiritual Weapons first, if that's possible," Wang Hong replied. While he intended to commission the Refinement of some Spiritual Weapons eventually, he wanted to see what was available for purchase.

"Of course, please follow me upstairs. The first floor displays Magical Weapons, while the second floor showcases Spiritual Weapons," the Qi Cultivation cultivator said.

Wang Hong followed the cultivator to the second floor, which was much quieter. Several dozen Spiritual Weapons were displayed on shelves, and a few Foundation Building cultivators were browsing the selection.

Approaching the shelves, Wang Hong noticed that the weapons available were mostly common and lower-grade Spiritual Weapons. He picked up a few to examine and found the quality to be acceptable.

Spiritual Weapons sold here could only be traded for middle-grade Spirit Stones or other second-tier Spiritual Objects, not accepting lower-grade Spirit Stones. Wang Hong understood this policy; Refining Spiritual Weapons required at least second-tier materials, making it challenging to acquire them with lower-grade Spirit Stones.

"Could you please recommend one of your refining tool masters to me? I'm interested in commissioning the Refinement of some Spiritual Weapons," Wang Hong asked after briefly inspecting the weapons. He had decided to try their Refinement services.

The primary purpose of his trading caravan's visit to this city was to obtain refining tool materials and commission the Refinement of Spiritual Weapons. Although they had acquired a significant number of Spiritual Weapons from treasure hunters on the way, unifying their equipment with Spiritual Weapons would enhance the combat capabilities of his Foundation Building cultivators.

"Of course, Senior, please follow me."

Guided by the Qi Cultivation cultivator, Wang Hong entered a private meeting room. A refining tool master was already waiting inside.

"I wonder what kind of Spiritual Weapons you wish to have Refinement, and do you have your own materials?" the refining tool master inquired.

"I have some mulberry wood and leopard's tendons that I'd like to use to Refine some powerful bows. Would that be feasible?" Wang Hong inquired. He remembered planting Purple Cloud Mulberries, which now had over a thousand years of growth, and believed that mulberry wood was suitable for crafting sturdy bows. However, he only had a limited quantity of leopard's tendons, having acquired them during the battles with Demon Clan forces.

"These materials should be acceptable. May I ask about their tier?" The refining tool master accepted the leopard's tendons for examination and replied.

Wang Hong took out a Storage Bag and placed a piece of mulberry wood, measuring several zhang in length, on the floor. He then handed over the leopard's tendons for inspection.

"The leopard's tendons are second-tier, suitable for bowstrings. As for this... this is third-tier Purple Cloud Mulberry, with an age of at least fifteen hundred years." The refining tool master exclaimed in astonishment after examining the Purple Cloud Mulberry wood.

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay