https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-491-Is-He-the-True-Array-Genius-/12936269/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-493-The-Intricacies-and-Face-of-the-Rothean-Sect/12936271/
Chapter 492: Master of Illusion, Visitors from Falling Cloud Sect
Chapter 492: Master of Illusion, Visitors from Falling Cloud Sect
"Mystic Flame Sword, a mass-produced Inferior Rank Artifact Flying Sword, with a damaged Array Pattern and internal cracks... Five thousand Spirit Stones, come back in three days to collect it."
In the serene reception hall, two Taoists, one old and one young, were examining a broad sword.
Upon hearing Hu Yanzhuo's quote, Luo Chen opened his mouth, then shook his head helplessly.
The Mystic Flame Sword was worth at most three to four thousand Spirit Stones, and it would cost five thousand to repair it!
It felt like buying a three to four thousand-dollar phone in his past life and having to pay eight to nine hundred for a screen replacement.
For someone with a slightly more comfortable financial situation, they might choose not to repair it and simply buy a new phone instead.
But with Magical Treasures, it wasn't that simple.
Luo Chen had invested a lot of time and energy into refining the Mystic Flame Sword, so it wasn't something he could just replace.
Oh well, time to repair it!
Luo Chen clicked his tongue and took out a round disc.
"Master, please take a look at this Magical Treasure. Can it be repaired?"
Hu Yanzhuo's gaze fell on the disc, "Activate One or Two."
"Hmm."
Luo Chen nodded, infusing it with Mana, and the disc immediately made a clicking sound. Several crescent-shaped flying wheels flew out, their sharpness seemingly capable of cutting through the void.
"The refinement is quite good!"
Hu Yanzhuo praised casually, then picked up a few small flying wheels.
"You've fought against Tier 3 Monster Beasts, right?"
"Hmm."
"There are signs of Demon Energy Erosion... Oh, and it's been corroded by Muddy Fluid. It doesn't seem too severe, but if not handled properly, this Magical Treasure will be useless after two or three more uses."
Luo Chen was stunned, "Is it that serious? I already used an Antidote to remove the effects of the Muddy Fluid."
Hu Yanzhuo chuckled and tossed it aside.
A deep black disc landed on the ground, with shallow and deep marks on its surface, as if carved by a knife.
"Come!"
"Control this flying wheel with all your might and attack the Sword Testing Stone."
Luo Chen didn't hesitate and followed the instructions.
Under his Mana control, the flying wheel slashed at the testing stone.
Unexpectedly, the collision produced a burst of sparks.
After the sparks dissipated, only a white mark remained.
"It's a good Magical Treasure, even among Inferior Rank Artifacts. It's a high-quality piece, clearly crafted by a master."
Hu Yanzhuo praised, then said, "How did it feel when you controlled it with all your might?"
"I didn't feel much different, it was like before..." Luo Chen frowned, "But there was a slight strange sensation."
Hu Yanzhuo stroked his beard, picked up the teacup, and took a sip, savoring the tea.
"That's right, it's a set Artifact. Even if only one Sub-Wheel is uncomfortable, you have more than one damaged flying wheel. When controlling them all with full power, that feeling will be amplified."
"Tsk tsk, imagine if just a little bit of control goes wrong during battle, what would happen?"
"You'll see!"
Luo Chen's face changed.
At this moment, he realized that Jiang Yu's Rain-summoning Pennant seemed ordinary, but his methods were indeed extraordinary.
The raindrops in the pennant were composed of a large amount of Muddy Fluid.
In a short battle, the damage might not be apparent.
But the subsequent harm was immense!
If Hu Yanzhuo hadn't pointed it out, the Tianyue Purple Golden Wheel might have been rendered useless after two uses, but if he had mishandled it in battle and given his opponent a chance to strike him, that would have been disastrous!
"I wonder if Jiang Yu is aware of this danger. If he isn't, it's fine. But if he is and still conceals it..."
Luo Chen's heart sank.
Hu Yanzhuo's voice reached his ears, "Do you want to repair it?"
"Can it be repaired?"
"Hehe, it's simple. Give me five days, it's an easy task."
"What about the price?"
"That won't be cheap."
Hu Yanzhuo held up three fingers.
Luo Chen's eyes widened, "Thirty thousand? That's enough to buy an entry-level Magical Treasure!"
Hu Yanzhuo smiled but didn't haggle with Luo Chen, leaving the decision to him.
Luo Chen hesitated, but ultimately chose to have it repaired.
There might be battles in the future.
It was best to settle the weapon issue early for peace of mind.
It was just a matter of a few thousand Spirit Stones, which he could easily afford without hesitation.
His hesitation stemmed from his habit of frugality.
He didn't care about the price; he only cared about value.
He could pay over a million Spirit Stones for a cave residence without batting an eye.
But if a pill worth five hundred Spirit Stones was sold to him for seven hundred, he would feel cheated.
It was clear!
Hu Yanzhuo was raising the price, and he wasn't considering the sky as the limit.
It's up to you whether you want to accept being cheated or not!
Luo Chen had no choice but to agree to the price to maintain his strength.
After Luo Chen paid the deposit, Hu Yanzhuo revealed a smile and spoke more.
"Fellow Daoist, don't be stingy. This amount is nothing to a Tier 3 Alchemist like you."
"Moreover, these two Magical Treasures are only Inferior Rank. If they were Intermediate Rank or our fellow cultivators' signature Magical Treasures, the price would be even higher."
"Like recently, your esteemed Flame Alliance's Jiang Yu spent a great price to repair his signature Magical Treasure."
These words seemed to improve Luo Chen's mood, but only slightly.
After handing over the Mystic Flame Sword and the Tianyue Purple Golden Wheel to Hu Yanzhuo and agreeing on a pickup time, Luo Chen couldn't wait to leave the third-floor reception hall and bid farewell.
On the first floor, Luo Chen's gaze paused at the bustling scene.
This place was not for forging or repairing Magical Treasures.
It was the new Ten Thousand Treasure Tower branch store in Moonbreaker Immortal City, established by Celestial Sail City. The store was massive, primarily for selling new weapons, taking custom orders, and accepting weapon repair commissions.
Despite its size, the store was packed with bustling cultivators.
From time to time, the cultivators' complaints filled the air.
"This is way too expensive!"
"It's just a broken sword tip, can't you just fix it with some materials? Why are you charging me nine hundred Spirit Stones?"
"Look closely, this is a superior-grade Magical Tool. It was only three thousand five hundred Spirit Stones when I bought it, and now you're asking for a thousand to repair it!"
"Even the Flame Alliance didn't charge such exorbitant prices when they repaired Magical Tools!"
The disciple from Celestial Sail City smiled at the complaining customer, but his stance remained firm, rarely giving in.
He used similar words to refute the customer's complaints.
"You get what you pay for! It's not that expensive."
"You only see the repair of a sword tip, but in reality, it involves deconstructing and rearranging the Array, which is why nine hundred is a friendly price. You should know that most experts in the Penetrating Armor Array are Array Masters. Nine hundred Spirit Stones is a bargain to have an Array Master at your service!"
"Fellow Daoist, don't lose sight of the bigger picture over a small amount. We're in the Expansion War Era, and opportunities abound. Instead of haggling over a thousand Spirit Stones here, it's better to get it fixed quickly and seize the time to earn thousands more!"
"The Flame Alliance? They're a thing of the past. Now, only our Celestial Sail City can repair superior-grade Magical Tools in Moonbreaker Immortal City."
"It's not expensive at all. We've been charging the same price for many years. Don't talk nonsense; our Celestial Sail City's Artificers also find it challenging to repair Magical Tools. If you can't accept the price, just buy a new one!"
"Why don't you take a look at this superior-grade Magical Tool, the Green Sword. Although it's just a superior-grade Magical Tool, its power is no less than a superior-grade one..."
...
Luo Chen stepped out of the noisy Ten Thousand Treasure Tower and shook his head vigorously.
It was as if he had shaken off all the commotion from his ears.
He glanced back at the Ten Thousand Treasure Tower, which belonged to Celestial Sail City, and his mouth twitched, his eyes almost turning red.
How much Spirit Stones do they earn every day!
Magical Tools and Artifacts are different from other consumables.
They require a great deal of effort from cultivators to refine and use them effectively.
Even if slightly damaged, nine out of ten people wouldn't replace them directly but would choose to repair them instead.
Even if someone offered a new Mystic Flame Sword in exchange for his old one, he definitely wouldn't trade it.
It was clear that Celestial Sail City was taking advantage of this mindset, which was why they dared to set such audacious prices.
If there were competitors, at least the prices could be driven down.
It was evident that on the Howling Moon Mountains, aside from Celestial Sail City, there were hardly any decent Artificer Sects.
If the Flame Alliance were still around, they would have taken over a significant portion of the business, and the profits...
Wait a minute!
Not just a significant portion!
One must also consider the price increase due to the monopoly.
"It seems that Celestial Sail City's meticulous efforts to deal with the Flame Alliance were indeed justified!"
"No wonder when Broken Moon Immortal City was being built, that True Person Tianyezi personally helped out."
"Forget it, there's no point in envying their business."
"The branch store that our Rothean Alliance set up in Radiant Market is doing okay, at least we're getting some soup from the leftovers."
There were always poor cultivators who couldn't afford the high prices for Magical Tool repairs.
For this reason, they would rather bypass Broken Moon Immortal City and go to the rear to find someone to repair their weapons.
This was the business that Duan Feng and the others were currently engaged in.
They were making a living off the scraps that slipped through Celestial Sail City's fingers.
Even with these scraps, they were earning much more than during peacetime!
In life, one must learn to be content!
Luo Chen turned and headed for the Rothean Alliance's eighth shop.
Upon learning of his arrival, Xu Zhenxuan, who was in charge, personally received him and reported the shop's recent earnings.
This shop was in a prime location.
Currently, the Rothean Sect's main business involved Monster Beasts.
They sold various materials from Monster Beasts, Monster Beast meat, and even live young beasts.
Overall, the profits were average.
Luo Chen didn't have a better solution for this.
Although the shop's location was excellent, and it was a great money-making opportunity, this shop was jointly operated by the three major powers of the Rothean Alliance.
As a result, the variety of goods was extensive.
During peacetime, it might have attracted many potential customers.
But in the current war era, cultivators preferred specialized stores and didn't favor their "general store" approach.
Occasionally, some people would come to browse and look for bargains.
Luo Chen also inquired about the businesses of Fengyu Mountain Villa and the Cen family, learning that they frequently sent people to the frontline to collect resources, which they then sold. This gave him a better understanding of the situation.
Currently, the Rothean Alliance had temporarily stabilized.
Everyone was trying to make a fortune!
"Recently, many Golden Core Cultivators from major Sects have been inquiring about the eighth shop, asking if we have any intention to transfer it. Supreme Elder, you see..."
Luo Chen waved his hand, "Refuse them all! Although the shop's current earnings seem low, its potential is immense. After the situation stabilizes, I'll have Gu Caiyi take over and adjust the business strategy."
"Okay, I understand." Xu Zhenxuan nodded.
Before leaving, Luo Chen took a Tier 2 Demon Wolf that was still alive from the shop.
In the next few days, he planned to cultivate in the Immortal City while waiting for his Artifact to be repaired.
He couldn't afford to waste this time.
He needed a living creature as a target for his Mirror Flower Water Moon spell, which was just one step away from the Master Level.
...
"Finally, I've reached the Master Level!"
In the Tier 3 Cave Mansion of the Immortal City, Luo Chen looked at his attribute panel and heaved a sigh of relief.
Indeed, among the Tier 3 Spells, the Water-type Illusion Spell, Mirror Flower Water Moon, was the most advanced.
Cultivation was incredibly challenging!
He had already perfected the prerequisite spells, Water Mirror Spell, Flower Fairy, and Confusion Spell, long ago.
One could say his foundation was as solid as it could be!
Even with such a solid foundation, it still took him half a year to barely brush the perfect-level Mirror Flower Water Moon up to the Master Level.
To achieve this, he had driven countless Tier 1 and Tier 2 Monster Beasts crazy.
Fortunately, it was the Expansion War Era, and Monster Beasts were easy to find.
Otherwise, who knows how long it would have taken to increase his proficiency.
Through this experience, Luo Chen deeply understood that for Spells, Cultivation Techniques, Alchemy, and Body Techniques, the higher the level, the more proficiency was needed to improve even a small level.
Looking at the displayed cap on the panel, it still read 100/200/300/500/1000. However, the reality was different.
During the Qi Casting Stage, casting a single Fireball Spell would increase his proficiency by one.
But after reaching the Golden Core Stage, he had to cast Mirror Flower Water Moon four or five times to increase his proficiency by one.
"Actually, I should have noticed this long ago."
"Back when I was at the Foundation Establishment Stage, it took twenty repetitions to increase my proficiency by one in the Ethereal Wood Medicine King Scripture, and even more repetitions were needed for the Clear Origin Marvel Pill Art!"
"No wonder long-lived high-level cultivators, when dabbling in other skills they aren't talented in, often only scratch the surface."
"They can't see the specific progress like I can, so they feel like their efforts are like pouring water into a bottomless pit, without seeing any noticeable improvement. Or even if they do see some improvement, it's still a huge loss compared to their investment, so they only scratch the surface."
After a moment of reflection, Luo Chen no longer dwelled on this matter.
Being able to see the actual rewards of his efforts was his happiness.
Even though he was used to this happiness, each time he experienced it, it still made him very happy.
His attention now shifted to the Master-level Mirror Flower Water Moon.
"I wonder what the effect will be after reaching the Master level?"
He stared at the two-zhang-tall Tier 2 Wolf Demon in the cage, baring its teeth at him.
Unlike other Tier 2 wolves, this one had a slender build, but it had its own unique characteristics, and its intelligence was very high!
Among the countless wolves in the Immortal World, it was the most intelligent Golden Brilliance Wolf.
Its fur was as dazzling as if it were cast from gold.
The Golden Brilliance Wolf was also one of the most valuable types of wolves.
Due to its high intelligence, it was very suitable to be trained as a mount or a guardian spirit beast, and its fur, hide, bones, and blood all had their uses.
Even outside of the Expansion War Era, Monster Beast Hunters would often venture into the mountains to hunt Golden Brilliance Wolves.
This has led to the Golden Brilliance Wolf population becoming increasingly scarce.
The Rothean Sect had to spend a significant amount of Spirit Stones to purchase this wolf from someone else.
"What a pity, it will be wasted on me."
Luo Chen pursed his lips and cast Mirror Flower Water Moon on the wolf that was baring its teeth at him.
As he formed the hand seals, he faintly sensed something amiss.
"The 271 hand seals seem too complex. If I simplify one or two of them, can I increase my casting speed?"
Luo Chen intentionally simplified the hand seals.
In the end, he succeeded!
Looking at the Golden Brilliance Wolf crouching on the ground, its eyes filled with confusion, Luo Chen pondered.
"It's hard to say how much the power of the Master-level Mirror Flower Water Moon has increased, but in terms of casting speed alone, it has improved by three levels!"
"If I cast this technique using the simplified hand seals I just created, I feel that after becoming proficient, there's still room for improvement."
"Does this mean that when this technique reaches the Great Perfection level, there's a chance it can be cast instantly?"
Instant Illusion Spell!"
Just thinking about this possibility made Luo Chen's breath quicken!
If this were true, he would have an enormous advantage in battles against opponents of the same level!
First-strike advantage, sudden attack advantage, and the advantage of breaking through stalemates, even the decisive strike to determine the outcome of the battle!
After all, even late-stage Golden Core Cultivators, if they're not careful and get caught in an illusion, will show their flaws.
He would only need to follow up with a single strike.
And the "weak" bodies of cultivators...
Luo Chen shook his head vigorously and took a deep breath, suppressing this beautiful fantasy deep in his heart.
The road to mastery is long and arduous!
He didn't know how much effort and resources it had taken him to cultivate this technique to the Master level.
Great Perfection?
It was still a long way off!
"Let's see, my Magical Treasure should be repaired by now."
Luo Chen meditated and regulated his breath for a while, then released the Golden Brilliance Wolf from the illusion.
After the illusion was released, the wolf's aura weakened significantly, its ferocity greatly diminished, and it cowered in front of Luo Chen, trembling like a puppy.
"Has its Spirit Intelligence been damaged?"
"It seems that the Master-level Mirror Flower Water Moon not only enhances confusion but also has increased in power."
"After all, this illusion spell inherently has a slight soul-attacking effect. As one's cultivation deepens, the main effect also shifts towards soul attacks."
Luo Chen made a judgment, then picked up the Golden Brilliance Wolf and left the Cave Mansion.
He decided to return it to Xu Zhenxuan and see if he could still sell it for a high price.
At least it wouldn't go to waste.
Then, he turned and headed towards the nearby Ten Thousand Treasure Tower.
As expected!
In just ten days, Hu Yanzhuo had repaired two of his Magical Treasures.
In front of Hu Yanzhuo, Luo Chen tested the treasures, and indeed, the strange feeling was gone.
"Since they've been repaired, some materials have been replenished. You should refine them thoroughly after taking them back."
"Thank you for the reminder, Master."
Luo Chen happily collected the two Magical Treasures.
Without lingering, he flew towards the Rothean Alliance.
When his flying light appeared, it attracted the attention of some low-level cultivators, but only for a moment.
In the current Howling Moon Mountains, Golden Core Cultivators were no longer as mysterious as before, and most low-level cultivators had encountered them.
As soon as Luo Chen returned to the Rothean Alliance, Chu Kui actively sought him out.
"You're not in seclusion to remove the foreign Golden Core Cultivation energy from your body. What brings you here?"
Luo Chen asked with a smile.
With his Magical Treasures repaired, his mood was excellent!
So, he also inquired about his former comrade's situation.
The newly added Tier 3 Cave Mansion on Snow Wolf Plateau was being used by Chu Kui.
It was easy to imagine that once he completely eliminated the residual poison from his body, he would attempt to break through to the Golden Core Stage again.
Chu Kui was no longer young!
In response to Luo Chen's question, Chu Kui didn't answer directly but instead wore a solemn expression.
"The Falling Cloud Sect has arrived!"
The smile on Luo Chen's face vanished in an instant.
(End of Chapter)
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