Creating a paradise in an ant nest

Chapter 33 Underground Spirit Artifact Cave

Two days later.

Liu He went to the blacksmith's shop to pick up the magical artifact that Hong Jianxiong had made, only to find out that it would be delayed for another five days.

This puzzled him.

The agreed-upon five-day period has been delayed by another five days.

Another five days passed.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Wanqi Peak, Kewen Hall.

Chen Tongyue examined the newly forged spiritual weapon sword blank in front of him with a slightly disdainful look in his eyes.

"There are still flaws in the details, here, and here... You need to practice more."

"Also, the sword blade is a bit small. I've said it many times, and everyone knows that I prefer large magical artifacts, the bigger the better!"

"Great talents can carve more patterns on their vessels; the more patterns, the greater their power."

"I won't carve this spirit sword for you; you should find someone else."

The one who was belittled by Chen Tongyue was Hong Jianxiong.

Hong Jianxiong was only making some spirit stones for Liu He by forging magical artifacts on his own; this was his real business.

"I'm sorry, Senior Brother Chen, it's my fault for not being skilled enough."

He looked apologetic.

"Come find me again when you've reached the seventh level of Qi Refining."

"Yes, Senior Brother Chen."

Hong Jianxiong was helpless; with his abilities, he was still a bit short of being able to forge a high-quality spiritual weapon.

He can only consistently produce high-quality, mid-grade spiritual artifacts at present.

Since a top-grade engraver couldn't be found to engrave the patterns on this sword blank, a mid-grade engraver had to be hired.

It's a pity that the Crimson Copper was added.

When he left the Engraving Hall and returned to the Forging Hall, he saw Liu He waiting for him.

Liu He came to retrieve his magical artifact. He heard from others that Hong Jianxiong had gone to the Engraving Hall on business, so he waited here.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. I had to go out for a while. Your magical artifact was finished yesterday. Come with me."

"Senior Brother Hong, I just arrived a little while ago, I haven't been waiting long."

Liu He said politely, and followed Hong Jianxiong to the door of the forging room.

He saw Hong Jianxiong enter the room and then come out, holding a square, gray-black box in his palm.

"Here you are, your custom-made magical artifact. I have good news and bad news. Which would you like to hear first?"

Hong Jianxiong kept Liu He in suspense, not telling him directly about the second-tier spiritual weapon, and joked with him instead.

Good news and bad news?

"Senior Brother Hong, stop teasing me. What happened?"

Liu He was puzzled. Could there have been a problem with his spirit weapon forging process?

"The bad news is, you owe me ten spirit stones."

"what?"

Didn't you already give me the ten spirit stones for forging magical artifacts? Why do I still owe you?

Is Hung Kin-hsiung trying to extort him?

"Haha, don't worry, you can give me the ten spirit stones later when you have more money."

"It's fine if you don't give it to me, after all, we agreed on ten spirit stones beforehand, and I didn't even see that it was material for a second-tier spirit weapon."

Second-tier spiritual weapon?

Liu He was even more confused.

"The broken sword you bought earlier was a second-tier low-grade spiritual weapon, containing second-tier material Spirit Concealing Zinc."

I found it difficult to forge, so I asked the foreman. After looking at it, he confirmed that it contained spirit zinc, so the broken sword should be a second-tier low-grade item.

The material of the magical artifact is infused with Spirit Concealing Zinc. After being refined, the artifact can conceal its aura and become extremely difficult to detect.

Therefore, it is often used to make small flying swords or hidden weapons.

"Think about it, Foundation Establishment cultivators can project their divine sense outwards. If they can't conceal their aura, spiritual artifacts activated by spiritual power are easily detected."

With the addition of Spirit Concealing Zinc and its small size, wouldn't it be incredibly effective for killing enemies from a kilometer away by flying swords?

Hong Jianxiong explained in detail the effects of Lingyin Zinc.

Liu He learned the whole story.

The broken sword he bought cheaply turned out to be a second-tier spiritual weapon.

"Is Lingyin zinc expensive?"

"Whether it's expensive or not, it's still a second-tier material. That broken sword, as a material for a spiritual weapon, could easily sell for a hundred spirit stones. You've really hit the jackpot."

Even for a blacksmith at the sixth level of Qi Refining, it would take Hong Jianxiong several months to earn 100 spirit stones.

"Brother Hong, thank you. Actually, I didn't know you had switched the beams and pillars."

Liu He thought to himself that he owed Hong Jianxiong a huge favor.

Hong Jianxiong had helped him a lot from the beginning, so he owed him a favor.

He also understood why Hong Jianxiong said he still owed ten spirit stones.

The materials used to forge first-tier and second-tier spiritual weapons are definitely more difficult to obtain, which is why it takes five more days.

"Haha, I'm just that honest and trustworthy. If you ever need any work, feel free to contact me. I guarantee I'll treat everyone fairly and honestly, without any deception."

Hung Chien-hsiung laughed heartily, making no attempt to be modest or evasive, showing no need to hide anything, he was very genuine.

"That's right, I trust Senior Brother Hong's character. If anyone else orders spiritual artifacts, I will definitely recommend them to you."

Liu He had previously only thought that Hong Jianxiong treated him, a menial disciple, well, but now he truly trusted Hong Jianxiong.

He had at least a hundred spirit stones in his hands, yet he didn't covet them; he has excellent character.

"I don't have any spirit stones on hand. Can I pay you back the ten spirit stones I owe you later?"

He definitely has to repay those ten spirit stones.

Hong Jianxiong waved his hand dismissively and patted Liu He's shoulder lightly: "I'm grateful that you remembered it. You can pay me back when you have enough money."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Having just spent all twenty spirit stones, he now owes a debt of ten spirit stones.

Liu He is even more desperate for spirit stones.

He wasn't disappointed at all; on the contrary, he was very excited.

Back in his room on Qixia Peak, he couldn't wait to examine the square-shaped magical artifact he had commissioned.

"Is this made of second-tier spiritual weapon material?"

"The effects of Lingyin Zinc seem to be very helpful for me."

His magical artifact was to be placed in the ant nest.

According to Hong Jianxiong, those who have completed the Foundation Establishment stage can project their divine senses and sense spiritual artifacts.

If his magical artifact is not easily discovered, it will be more concealed and secure.

"Let's refine it first."

He decided to refine the spiritual artifact first.

Once a magical artifact has been refined, it becomes the master of the user; others who discover it cannot take it away or use it.

He used the method of refining spiritual artifacts for three days and successfully refined the square box spiritual artifact, generating a spiritual artifact sensation.

"Unfortunately, it lacks any decorative patterns and has no function whatsoever."

The magical artifacts refined by others each have their own magical effects, and even the worst ones have destructive power.

His box can only be used as a brick to hit people; it has no other function.

"Once I have spirit stones later, I can add engravings to the artifact, which will enhance its magical effects."

This is Liu He's intention in choosing materials that can be "engraved with patterns".

Artifact patterns are not only used in combat; many auxiliary artifact patterns have magical effects.

"We're short on spirit stones."

These are things he will consider later.

Waishan Forest Farm.

In Liu He's forest area, he put down his magical artifact box.

"Put it in, and it won't be taken out again unless something happens."

He had to place the magic artifact box in the ant nest to pass through.

"Be careful, residents, evacuate this area."

"Earth Shattering Technique"

He made hand seals and cast an earth-based spell.

The ground next to the ant nest spread out to both sides like flowing water, revealing a deep trench.

He gently placed the magic artifact box flat.

"combine!"

The ground closed up as before.

The magical artifact box has been buried more than a meter underground.

The ants couldn't move such a large box, so Liu He had to put it into the ant nest himself.

Next, the ants began their work, digging tunnels from their nest to connect to the underground artifact.