The Science of Cultivation [Xianxia]

Chapter 178: A Visit

Li Lang and his friends eventually calmed down after the unexpected completion of an artifact. So too did all the experts at the auction, who had noticed the slight disturbance. The main auction resumed its operations without any further delays.

Even at the restaurant where Li Lang was, all the onlookers had returned to their own matters.

The creation of an artifact was rare, but it wasn’t enough to distract them for long. This was especially so when the artifact involved was only at the Mortal-grade. Perhaps due to the name, many cultivators considered Mortal-grade to be mundane items that were beneath them, like mortals.

An awkward silence befell Li Lang’s table as his companions received no response to their questions. The man in question was too busy analyzing his work. If there weren’t so many people there, he would’ve even begun testing to see if it could produce talismans as intended. However, even with his voracity for research, he knew it wasn’t the time to be exposing his cards.

Like that, this little incident was soon forgotten—or so Li Lang had hoped.

The auction proceeded without issue, as numerous people watched on with amusement, where colossal organizations bid against each other for treasures and properties.

“The newly discovered crystal mine in Azure Mist goes to participant number five for two hundred yellow crystals!”

“The villa on Sword Saint Isle goes to our esteemed guest with the number seventy-five for sixty green crystals!”

The event only heated up as time passed. After all, it was held over several days. To cultivators at the level that could participate in the grand auction, a few days was nothing to them. They would go into closed-door cultivation for years at a time.

In a blink of an eye, the first day ended.

“Hey! Li Lang! It’s time to leave!” Long Yi tried to awaken his friend. It took some serious shaking for him to succeed.

“What? It’s over?”

“Like you care!” Sima Xue yelled. “You weren’t even watching!”

“I was—for some of it. Maybe I’ll skip out for the remainder of it. You guys can continue watching and tell me about it later.”

Before any of his friends could retort, a few gasps from the guests on the other tables drew their attention. They all turned around to find Jian Beiyun leading a few old men towards them. Everyone could tell this new group wasn’t to be trifled with.

“Senior Brother, you’re back! How was the event?” Sima Xue immediately rushed over and inquired.

“Didn’t you see from The Grand Cloud Mirror Art? The entire place was so filled with powerful elders that I could only find myself lacking. Speaking of, let me introduce you to two such elders here. This is Elder An of the Eroding March Pavilion and Elder Ji from the Drenched Earth Sect.”

Sima Xue swiftly bowed and clasped her fist toward the two old men. Her demeanor seamlessly changed from mischievous to that of a role model disciple.

“Greetings, Elder An, Elder Ji.”

They both smiled amiably at the young princess.

“No need to stand on ceremony, Young Lady Sima,” Elder An replied. “We’re just a bunch of old fossils.”

Seeing how quickly his junior charmed his acquaintances, Jian Beiyun sighed at the scene.

“Don’t spoil her, Elders. She’s the reason we have the saying, ‘Give them an inch, and they’ll take a mile.’”

“Ha, very well. We have come for business, anyway. Why don’t we have a chat somewhere more private?” the elder said as he meaningfully looked at the person behind Nightmoon Valley’s young princess.

Li Lang exchanged a quick glance with his companions and looked behind him to check if there was anyone there. When he found no one, he grimaced.

“Us?” he asked as he pointed at himself.

Both elders nodded and Jian Beiyun quickly stepped between the two parties while shaking his head.

“Li Lang,” he said. “The two elders here would like to speak with you. Please come along.”

They didn’t move far. The restaurant staff had overheard the entire conversation, so a private room was quickly prepared. Even though the entire establishment was full to the brim, it didn’t stop the staff from catering to the eminent experts to the best of their abilities.

“So,” Li Lang said before everyone could even get seated. “Why did two esteemed elders come to see me?”

Elder Ji smiled as he stroked his chin. He gave Li Lang a look over before replying.

“We are here on behalf of the Artificer Guild. We wanted to take a look at the junior who succeeded in taking a crucial step on the path of artificing. If you don’t mind, could we verify your work?”

“Elders, unfortunately, I’m going to have to decline that request. This is my first time succeeding in creating an artifact, so it has a lot of sentimental value to me. It’s not for sale."

“Rest assured, we have no intentions of taking anything from you,” Elder Ji continued. “We just want to examine your work and discuss your experiences. We’ll only be able to certify you as an official artificer after we have verified the creation of an artifact.”

“I’m happy to hear that, but information about my creation isn’t something I plan to share. I do not mind forgoing the certification for now.”

“Junior, you can rest assured about our integrity. Old men like us would never spread your information around. We’ve lived for so long, and there’s not much we haven’t seen. There’s no need to be so secretive about a Mortal-grade artifact.”

“Now, now,” Jian Beiyun clapped his hands. “There’s no need to pressure a junior around like that. If he doesn’t want to talk, so let him be. If you’re curious, you should consult with the diviners in your organizations.”

“Ha, Young Master Jian, you jest. This isn’t a matter that needs their attention. Besides, as if diviners are ever able to find anything useful until it’s too late.” Elder Ji then turned to his fellow elder. “Speaking of them, Elder An, our Drenched Earth Sect would be more than happy to assist against those jealous of your pavilion. I know your organization isn’t used to the limelight, so we can assist with your security issues.”

“Thank you for the offer, but that’ll be something our Pavilion Master will have to decide. All I can do is bring it up to them.”

“That is fine. We’re here to help, so you can come find us at any time.”

“Anyway, if this junior isn’t willing to show us his new creation, then we should take our leave.”

Unable to refute Elder An’s suggestion, Elder Ji reluctantly nodded. The two then slowly walked out of the restaurant, accompanied by Jian Beiyun. Before the head disciple of Nightmoon Valley had left, he didn’t forget to wink meaningfully at his junior sister.

“Hmm, I’m not sure why you refused to get certified as an official Artificer, but that was interesting,” Sima Xue commented.

“I’m glad I served you well as entertainment, milady,” Li Lang sarcastically replied before gesturing to his companions to prepare to leave. “It’s getting late. We should head back.”

With the first day of the main auction over, there wasn’t a reason for staying any longer. Numerous people took to the streets, returning to their lodging or finding supper.

Just as they got to the first floor of the restaurant, they happened to run into someone calling out to them. As soon as everyone turned toward the voice, they all instantly recognized who it was. It was thanks to his unique characteristic of white hair but youthful skin.

“Liang Po, you’re finally here!” Sima Xue exclaimed. “What took you so long? The auction is over by now.”

“Hmm, you know. The usual.” He then turned to Li Lang. “I don’t want to delay you, as it is my fault for being late. We can finish our business tomorrow.”

Then, without looking back, Liang Po briskly walked out as well.

Li Lang barely registered his words as he practically ignored everyone during the entire trip back to his room. Once the door was shut, he didn’t hesitate to immediately materialize his new creation from his space ring.

He hadn’t thought he would succeed this quickly, so he cursed himself for being rash, crafting the printer artifact in public. Before he could dwell long on the incident, he started putting his new creation to the test.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

He placed a hand on the mimeograph machine and sent out a command for it to produce the sole talisman it was currently equipped to print.

The stencil wrapped around the ink-filled drum within the machine began to rotate by itself. It caused the ink to be pressed through the cut-out areas of the stencil, onto the sheets of talisman paper prepared.

As soon as Li Lang had invoked this process, he reflexively took a few steps back and watched his creation come to life by itself. He then pressed the red gem inside his hat against his forehead.

“Ruby, is this what a Mortal-grade artifact is supposed to be like? It can’t converse with me, but can work by itself?”

“Hmm, I think so. But the feeling I get from this new artifact is strange, Master.”

Li Lang sighed as he continued to watch his new creation work.

Is this really normal? Or is the unorthodox way I used to create it make the artifact spirit strange?

Either way, I guess I should come up with a name for it while I have it under observation. Hmm, but what should I call it?