Chapter 454: Chapter 420: The Most Precious Thing About Geniuses

In the forging room, Master Mao first explained the functions of various equipment to Chen Xu.

This small forging room, just like the large workshop outside, is fully equipped, only smaller in scale.

At the same time, it can only accommodate one to three or five people.

Master Mao didn’t really expect Chen Xu to learn all the intricacies of artifact refining in one go; it’s impossible.

He said, “The path of artifact refinement is vast and profound. Beginners must first stoke fires for three years, smith for three years, and quench for three years.

Only then can they learn the art of formations, artifact techniques, spirit imbibing, and shaping.

To learn all this, at least twenty years must pass, and only then can one be considered to have begun in artifact refining.”

Saying this, Master Mao seemed to reminisce about something. He paced around the refining room with his hands behind his back, his tone becoming nostalgic and leisurely.

“I remember when I first started, how it wasn’t just three years of smithing? With stoking and smithing combined, that was a full ten years.

This banana leaf fan of mine came from my obsession with fire, born out of that ambition, gradually crafted after I achieved Core Formation.

Up to now, nearly two hundred years have passed.

This banana leaf fan, the artifact’s core remains the same as back then, but its spiritual materials and treasures have been refined and replaced countless times.”

Master Mao spoke slowly, and from this Master Nascent Soul, Chen Xu saw a kind of sedimentation of the years.

He listened attentively, while gently brushing his hand over all the equipment in the room.

Through this distant yet close touch, he seemed to see the countless people that had come and gone in this refining room.

People had sweated, cried, laughed, succeeded, and failed here…

Throughout the long years, the only constant was the ever-burning intense fire under the ground fire furnace.

The intense fire refined magical treasures, and wasn’t it also refining the artifact refiner’s life?

On the path of cultivation, strength and longevity are the eternal pursuits.

But besides that, the landscapes along the branches are each unique.

Initially, Chen Xu had no interest in artifact refining, but now, hearing Master Mao’s explanation, he suddenly felt that learning some artifact refining seemed not impossible.

Perhaps he could even personally create a few small magical treasures, and when he left the sect to do the True Inheritance Task, take the chance to return to the Great Li Kingdom.

He could gift these magical treasures to Little Mouse and Wei Yuan.

While also collecting more treasures in this realm to help two little demons accelerate their cultivation.

Compared to the Xuantian Star Realm, the resources of the Great Li Kingdom are very scarce.

In fact, even if Chen Xu casually brought something back, it would be considered valuable in the Great Li Kingdom.

He previously made large purchases in the Hundred Battles Ruins to bring back more supplies.

But unexpectedly, plans couldn’t keep up with changes.

Chen Xu commanded Ji Yang to create the Celestial Secret Box in the Hundred Battles Ruins, attracting many coveting eyes.

With a large sum in hand, Ji Yang didn’t dare linger much in Bailiu City, and so simply took a flying boat to Canglan Immortal City.

However, this step wasn’t a mistake.

As they say, nothing is established without breaking; now that the two have joined Shenji Sect, they have initially gained a foothold in the Immortal City.

Chen Xu also planted Cyan Cloud Lotus Seeds, just waiting for them to grow a little more, he would immediately return to the Great Li Kingdom.

By then, traveling between the two realms, cultivation would not only be more convenient, but the world would also be broader.

But as to how to accelerate the growth of Cyan Cloud Lotus Seeds, Chen Xu currently lacks some ideas.

Previously in the Fire and Smoke Kitchen, he used the All Things Transmutation Talisman several times to accelerate the growth of the Cyan Cloud Lotus Seeds.

When this thing first sprouted, the Talisman’s acceleration was very effective.

In the spiritual garden, spiritual Qi was abundant, and the Bagua planting area was like a well-cultivated spiritual field, with all kinds of spiritual plants flourishing within it.

But this prosperity suddenly changed when the Cyan Cloud Lotus Seeds grew to three feet high.

The other spiritual plants were still fine, but only the Cyan Cloud Lotus Seeds’ growth became exceptionally slow.

Chen Xu pondered over it many times but to no avail, yet he didn’t dwell on it excessively.

Now that he’s come to the Shenji Sect, he learns various artifact refining knowledge from Master Mao, while also planning to visit the library when he has the chance.

Who knows, there might be surprises in the library.

Chen Xu has an excellent memory, and even though he has matters on his mind, he firmly remembers every word of artifact knowledge spoken by Master Mao.

He heard Master Mao say, “Alright, today we have no time to teach you from scratch how to light the fire and forge; first learn to sense formations and repair these three puppets.

Once you recognize these three puppets as your own, I will add another layer of armor to them, and their combat power will surely increase.

When you take them out, whether you’re doing the True Inheritance Task outside or entering the Gate of Catastrophe, with these three puppets, you’ll be protected.”

Chen Xu then understood why Master Mao insisted on bringing him to repair these three puppets.

This was not about repairing puppets?

Master Mao was clearly concerned about his disciple’s safety, intending to add an extra layer of protection.

Even though he had already given Chen Xu a Seven Star Golden Ring Armor as a meeting gift.

The Seven Star Golden Ring Armor is strong enough to withstand a blow from a Master Nascent Soul.

Yet despite this, Master Mao also planned to give Chen Xu the Hundred Battle Puppet, clearly intending to arm his disciple to the teeth.

Being a master to this extent can truly be considered one of the best masters in the world.

Understanding this, Chen Xu felt a swell of emotion in his heart.

But he heard Master Mao say, “My disciple, it’s not easy to take on a disciple. Do you know what is the most precious thing about geniuses in this world?”

Upon hearing the question, Chen Xu thought for a moment and said, “Is it comprehension?”

“No, no.” Master Mao shook his head, smiling at Chen Xu, “Think again.”

Such questions usually have only a few sorts of answers.

Based on his own cultivation experience, Chen Xu replied, “Is it the Dao Heart?”

“Still not it.” Master Mao sighed, “Comprehension and Dao Heart are necessary, but there is one thing more important than them.”

This left Chen Xu struggling for an answer.

No… actually, there’s one more answer.

Recalling Master Mao’s act of giving him armor and puppets, Chen Xu began to feel the answer becoming clearer.

He was about to speak but caught Master Mao’s proud and expecting gaze looking at him.

Suddenly, Chen Xu was struck with enlightenment.

He decided to avoid the answer and appear as an “ignorant” disciple, giving his master a chance to expound.

So, Chen Xu feigned deep thought while shaking his head with a wry smile:

“Master, I truly can’t think of what could be more important on the path of cultivation than comprehension and the Dao Heart.

Please forgive your disciple’s dullness and enlighten me.”

He cupped his fists and bowed deeply.

Master Mao laughed heartily, quickly raising Chen Xu’s hand and looking at him kindly, saying:

“It’s living!

My disciple, the most important thing for a true genius is staying alive.

You must know, a dead genius is no longer a genius.

Without being alive, how can there be a future?

If there’s no future, what’s the point of a genius’s potential?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep