"Second-Order High-Grade Monster Beast?"

Second-Order High-Grade Monster Beasts were equivalent to the late stage of Foundation Establishment, and the strength of a Fish Demon was formidable. Apart from Golden Core Cultivators, no one could guarantee a decisive victory against such a demon in the river. Encountering one was extremely dangerous.

In the future, when I practice the Xuan Shui Escape, I must be extra cautious to guard against this demon's sneak attacks.

Jia Ren flew back to the small town along the river without any mishaps. It was not too late in the day. He continuously searched for suitable Spirit Fish, preferably alive. Dead fish could not undergo ancestral reversion and were worthless.

He scanned the fish stalls but didn't find any targets of interest, his attention unavoidably turning to the distant shops.

A sprightly Qi Refinement second-layer cultivator jogged over, his face full of respect.

"Senior, are you looking to buy Spirit Fish?"

"The Shen Family has lived near the Surging River for nearly a hundred years. We have a complete selection of Spirit Fish and have always sold them to the Jade Cauldron Market and nearby families, ensuring they are fresh and alive."

Inside the Shen Family's fish shop, a huge transparent tank, sparkling with the light of Inscriptions, was in view. This was a special Magic Artifact created specifically for containing Spirit Fish. Each of these distinct Magic Artifacts held Spirit Fish of respectable grades. Spirit Fish that were ungraded or of lower grades didn't receive such good treatment and were casually placed in ordinary fish ponds.

"First-Order Middle-Grade Spiritual Fish Jade Dace, a unique delicacy from the Surging River. Almost all have been ordered, with only two left."

"First-Order Low-Grade Spiritual Fish Three-tailed Phoenix Carp, not highly valued for eating, mostly treated as ornamental Spirit Fish. Many Sects like to breed this Spirit Fish."

"First-Order Middle-Grade Spiritual Fish Cang River Dolphin Fish, another unique fish from the Surging River that tastes even better than the Jade Dace. The only drawback is that the fish is poisonous and must be specially treated before consumption."

"..."

The variety of Spirit Fish far exceeded what he had seen elsewhere, with more than a hundred types. This was the area with the most kinds of Spirit Fish he had ever seen. Indeed, it is a treasure trove!

Jia Ren bought one of each type that he had never before used Spirit Attracting Bait on to attempt ancestral reversion. There were too many types, and purchasing them all at once would make them inconvenient to carry.

His gaze swept over several special Magic Artifacts, the likes of which he had never seen before. Magic Artifacts for containing Spirit Fish?

Ever since he obtained the Spirit Attracting Bait, Spirit Fish had become indispensable. No matter where he fled, he could not do without continuing to raise fish. Spirit Stones and treasures had Storage Bags, and Spirit Insects had Spirit Beast Bags, all convenient to carry. Only Spirit Fish were a bit bothersome. Spirit Beast Bags were not suited for holding Spirit Fish for long durations; a special Magic Artifact was needed. For example, a movable Cave Heaven-type treasure for fish breeding would eliminate the trouble of raising Spirit Fish and could be carried around.

Jia Ren was not a novice in the Cultivation World. He had only heard about Cave Heaven-type treasures in rumors; even the Great Sects might not possess them. If offered for sale, Foundation Establishment Cultivators could not even dream of them.

Cave Heaven-type treasures are out of reach, but perhaps I could make a low-end version as a temporary solution. Special Magic Artifacts created for holding Spirit Fish were not mainstream. Neither the Divine Arms Scripture nor the True Water Refinement Technique had records of such special Magic Artifacts. Based on this, could I create a portable Magic Artifact that could be used for rearing fish?

"Where did you buy these Magic Artifacts?" Jia Ren asked, pointing at the Magic Artifact in front of him.

The shop assistant hadn't expected a Foundation Establishment Cultivator to be interested in such commonplace artifacts. "The Artifact Refiner in town made them. They are cheap and meant for containing Spirit Fish. He lives at the very eastern end of the town. He's easy to find."

Jia Ren spent over two hundred Spirit Stones to buy more than a hundred Spirit Fish. The shopkeeper gifted him a basket-type Magic Artifact for holding them.

Leaving the shop that sold Spirit Fish, he carried the basket Magic Artifact on his back and headed towards the eastern end of the town. Occasionally, he saw many cultivators coming and going, selecting suitable Magic Artifacts. Unlike the usual Magic Artifacts, most were enormous, resembling tanks and fish baskets. A specialized Artifact Refiner who focuses on making Magic Artifacts suitable for Spirit Fish?

Looking up, all he saw were Low-Quality Magical Artifacts; there was not a single Medium-grade Magic Tool.

"Senior, what would you like to buy?" a young boy asked as he carefully approached, sensing Jia Ren's aura.

Foundation Establishment Cultivators seldom visited this part of the town, and none had ever come here before. The grade of the artifacts was too low, the Inscriptions simplistic, and their usability very poor. Foundation Establishment Cultivators didn't take much notice of them.

"Senior's presence graces us. I apologize for not greeting you sooner," a gaunt old man said as he walked out of a house and quickly approached, offering a respectful salute.

Without wasting time, Jia Ren got straight to the point, "Did you refine these Magic Artifacts? Do you have higher-grade ones?"

"I must disappoint you, Senior. I don't possess an Artifact Refining heritage; these are all self-made. These Magic Artifacts are my own inventions," he added, a hint of pride on his face. No one had guided him, and with no heritage to follow, he relied on himself to create Magic Artifacts.

Jia Ren's gaze swept over each artifact, examining the peculiar Inscriptions. They were strikingly similar, with no variation. I had originally thought it was a special artifact refining heritage, but it turns out to be... nothing more than the superficial. Creating an entirely new artifact refining heritage was exceedingly difficult; new Inscription patterns and the refining method were both indispensable. A poor foundation means it can easily reach its limit. The lower the upper limit, the harder it is to meet my requirements. Even if I could obtain this 'heritage,' it's doubtful a second limit break using Breakthrough Points would meet my standards, and it would waste valuable Skill Breaking Points.

"The self-created Inscriptions are extraordinary; it's a pity they don't form a system." The Magic Artifacts had no technical content and could easily be replicated. Their effects were too simplistic, and their practicality was very low. The idea of a Cave Heaven Magical Treasure is too far a stretch.

"Are you an Artifact Refiner, Senior?"

Seeing Jia Ren turn to leave, a trace of hesitation flashed in the old man's eyes. He decisively spoke up, "Senior, I once obtained a damaged Jade Token with a few Ancient Inscriptions on it. I have used these as the foundation to craft Magic Artifacts. I wonder if Senior could give me some guidance."

A Foundation Establishment Cultivator who is also an Artifact Refiner—this is definitely a chance not to be missed! Ever since he had obtained the Ancient Inscriptions, he had been studying them diligently. Unfortunately, the Ancient Inscriptions were too complex, and he had barely scratched the surface without understanding their essence. Years of research were not in vain, as the Simplified Ancient Inscriptions allowed him to tentatively enter the field of Artifact Refining and produce rudimentary Magic Artifacts for storing fish. The functionality of the Magic Artifacts was simple and not recognized by other Artifact Refiners. If not for the meager income he could earn in the small town, survival would be incredibly tough. If I hand the Ancient Inscriptions to this Foundation Establishment Cultivator, could I obtain the Artifact Refining legacy I desire?

"Ancient Inscriptions?" Jia Ren immediately showed some interest and turned his head to look back.

The old man gritted his teeth, took out a damaged Jade Token, and handed it to Jia Ren. The Jade Token was clearly old, its surface dim and dusty. The recorded Inscriptions had become blurred with time, with only three slightly clear ones remaining. One was similar to the Inscription on the Magic Artifacts, but dozens of times more complex, far surpassing the most intricate Inscriptions Jia Ren had ever seen, even outmatching those on Top-grade Magical Instruments. An Inscription of Magical Treasures? Or even an Ancient Engraving Inscription! A hint of surprise flashed in Jia Ren's eyes; he hadn't expected this fortuitous find. The value of such Inscriptions was immeasurable. Many Inscriptions of Magical Instruments are simplified versions derived from the Inscriptions of Magical Treasures. This man's special Magic Artifacts were also created this way; however, his understanding wasn't deep enough, resulting in inferior quality. In my hands, though, they could be put to much better use. The other two Ancient Inscriptions should be no less significant; probing them fully might bring unexpected delights. The dream of creating a personal Cave Heaven treasure seems more promising.

"Indeed, these are Ancient Inscriptions, and they are of considerable value to me. What would you like to exchange for them?" The man must have had a motive for bringing out the Ancient Inscriptions, and Jia Ren didn't mind paying a price to get them.

He had succeeded! The weight in the old man's heart finally lifted. The reason he had brought out the Ancient Inscriptions was to exchange for an Artifact Refining legacy. Without the right opportunity, he would never be able to attain it in his lifetime. Bringing out the Ancient Inscriptions was a gamble that risked his very life. It was a bet on the value of the Ancient Inscriptions and also a bet that the other party was not a ruthless villain who would turn on him. Should either gamble fail, the outcome would not be good.

"I want... the Artifact Refining legacy." Having said that, the old man's eyes were filled with hope. This was something that had not been worn away even after nearly a hundred years.

Life is difficult for Loose Cultivators; acquiring Cultivation knowledge and legacies is even more so. He had traveled through numerous markets, seeking instruction, only to be turned away time after time. He didn't give up and kept running into walls. Perhaps it was divine favor that he unexpectedly bought a Jade Pendant with Ancient Inscriptions at a stall, and he began studying it with fervor. After thirty years of simplifying Ancient Inscriptions and replacing materials, he finally crafted his first Magic Artifact. This was the beginning of his good fortune, but also its end. The functionality of the Magic Artifact was too simple, and real Artifact Refiners wouldn't give it a second glance. Cultivators wouldn't spend Spirit Stones on something so useless. In the decades that followed, he could not further his Artifact Refining skills, simply because he had no foundation, lacking a true Artifact Refining legacy, and had never undergone formal training. He had once thought of using the Ancient Inscriptions to exchange for an Artifact Refining legacy, but the result was that no Artifact Refiner was willing to trade, and his attempts even brought mortal danger upon him.

"Agreed!" Jia Ren said. "However, at most, they can only be exchanged for the portions of the legacy pertaining to Low-Quality Magical Artifacts and Medium-grade Magic Tools." The value of these three Ancient Inscriptions couldn't be definitively confirmed; they simply weren't worth a complete Artifact Refining legacy.

"Definitely!"

Jia Ren took out a blank Jade Slip and began to record, inscribing portions of the True Water Refinement Technique. The two items were exchanged, and the deal was done.

The old man clutched the Artifact Refining Jade Slip, his hands trembling uncontrollably. "Thank you, Senior!"

Having secured the desired object, Jia Ren quickly left with the Jade Token.

My luck today isn't bad! I hope the Ancient Inscriptions won't disappoint me.

Jia Ren flew on his sword towards the Jade Cauldron Market, returning to the courtyard he was renting. The Formation was intact, with no sign of forced entry. He placed nearly a hundred Spirit Fish into the Fish Pond, took out the Spirit Attracting Bait, and fed the Spirit Fish individually.

After finishing everything, Jia Ren eagerly took out the Jade Token with the Ancient Inscriptions and began to study them intently. First, he studied the special Inscription meant for storing Spirit Fish, comparing it to its simplified version used by the old man.

Crafting an Inscription of Magical Instruments isn't just a matter of finding a Magic Artifact embryo and engraving it. The vessel for an Ancient Engraving Inscription cannot be subpar; corresponding materials are also required for it to function. All elements are indispensable. I can't truly use the three Ancient Inscriptions themselves; their only utility to me lies in creating simplified versions. His knowledge was far beyond that of a half-baked Artifact Refiner, so simplifying them would be much easier for him.

As he worked on simplifying the Ancient Engraving Inscription, the Fish Pond where he had fed the Spirit Attracting Bait glowed with dazzling flames. A Spirit Fish with its tail ablaze in crimson fire swam agilely around. It seemed like the king of Spirit Fish, before which all others would yield.

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