Chapter 1773 — Very Disappointed

Those two lines of annotation made Wei Zhao frown. He had originally planned to begin cultivating the second layer of the Xuanyuan Yulong Art as soon as he obtained it, but after reading the note below, he could only abandon the idea.

As the saying went, haste made waste. But where was the body-tempering formula? Could it be one of the two remaining silk scrolls?

With that thought, Wei Zhao temporarily set aside the mental cultivation method for the second layer. He took out the second silk scroll from the little box, where it lay beside the first, carefully opened it, and began to read.

The four large characters "Body-Tempering Formula" immediately leaped into Wei Zhao's eyes. Sure enough, it was a medicinal prescription. With his profound knowledge of medicine, Wei Zhao could tell at a glance what it was. Fortunately, it was a prescription rather than a pill formula. If it had been a pill formula, Wei Zhao truly would have had no idea where to begin.

A medicinal prescription required no refinement with pill fire. Once the ingredients were properly mixed, it could be used directly, and that happened to be Wei Zhao's specialty. Only now did he finally understand what Jiao Yazi had meant earlier. Before using the body-tempering formula, he absolutely could not cultivate the second layer of the Xuanyuan Yulong Art to completion.

And where could Wei Zhao have prepared the body-tempering medicine inside the mountain cave? Without it, he could not even cultivate the second layer. For all he knew, he might have had to wait five years in that cave before seeing daylight again. The thought sent a cold sweat spilling down his back, and he silently thanked his lucky stars.

Beneath the words "Body-Tempering Formula" were four more large characters: "Jade Pendant Refinement."

When Wei Zhao saw those four words, he could no longer bring himself to study the body-tempering formula first. His entire attention was focused on "Jade Pendant Refinement." He remembered Jiao Yazi saying that the space within the jade pendant would receive corresponding benefits after the second stone gate was opened. However, his memories had not been fully restored at the time, so he did not remember the details clearly and had said little about it.

Could this, then, be the method for transforming the space within the jade pendant?

Wei Zhao continued reading. Beneath the words "Jade Pendant Refinement" was a line of smaller text: "Second-Level Refinement: Storage Space."

At this point, Wei Zhao could not help feeling puzzled. Could there have been a first-level refinement as well? Otherwise, why did this begin directly with the second level? With that thought, Wei Zhao asked in confusion, "Old Jiao, did I miss something behind the first stone gate? Why does this explain the second-level refinement of the jade pendant instead of the first?"

"You did not miss anything. The first level was completed for you by someone else. Your jade pendant originally had no storage space, and with the strength you possessed when you first opened the stone gate, you could not have refined it yourself. So the person who created the jade pendant did the work on your behalf. As for the second level, you will have to find a way to do it yourself." Jiao Yazi's memories seemed to have recovered considerably, allowing him to answer Wei Zhao's question.

"I see!" Wei Zhao nodded and continued reading. Compared with the medicinal prescription, he was far more interested in refining the jade pendant.

However, as soon as Wei Zhao read on, an extremely strange expression appeared on his face. Some of the materials mentioned here were completely unfamiliar to him. He had never even heard of them, much less seen them.

Blue crystal powder, pure yellow jade, and color steel. There were not many materials, but Wei Zhao did not know what blue crystal powder or pure yellow jade were. He had heard of color steel, though he had no idea whether it was the same color steel he knew of.

As far as Wei Zhao knew, color steel was merely steel sheeting coated with colored paint. But surely this was not something so ordinary?

"Old Jiao? What are blue crystal powder, pure yellow jade, and color steel?" Wei Zhao had no idea, so he could only turn to Jiao Yazi for help.

"Are you planning to refine the jade pendant first?" The moment Jiao Yazi heard the question, he understood Wei Zhao's intention. "There is a prerequisite for refining the jade pendant. You must first achieve complete mastery of the second layer of the mental cultivation method before you can use its energy for refinement. What use is there in knowing all this so early?"

"That..." Wei Zhao paused. He had only looked at the materials required above and had not yet read the actual method of refining the jade pendant. Still, after hearing Jiao Yazi's words, he said, "Even if I cannot refine it yet, I can at least start gathering the materials, can't I?"

"That is true." Jiao Yazi nodded. "Blue crystal powder is simply powder made from blue crystals. Pure yellow jade is yellow jade without the slightest impurity. As for color steel, it is quite rare. It is a naturally formed metal displaying a multitude of colors."

"Where am I supposed to find those things?" Wei Zhao wore a bitter smile after hearing Jiao Yazi's explanation. Blue crystals could probably be found in the jewelry markets. Pure yellow jade, however, would be difficult. Much of it was something one could name a price for but could not buy. Yellow jade itself was available, but jade without even the slightest impurity was hard to find. As for multicolored steel, Wei Zhao had never even heard of it.

"The hidden clans, ancient sects, and various ancient ruins..." Jiao Yazi said. "I cannot tell you exactly where to look, but color steel is one of the auxiliary materials needed to forge weapons. Those ancient sects may know something about it."

"Forge weapons? Why have I never seen them use any?" Wei Zhao had never seen Bingtang or Xiaoqing carrying a weapon, let alone using one.

"Would a Heaven Rank expert need a weapon to deal with an Earth Rank or even a Profound Rank expert?" Jiao Yazi countered.

Wei Zhao's expression froze, then instantly turned into a bitter smile. Jiao Yazi was right. What kind of might did a Heaven Rank expert possess? Even now that Wei Zhao had reached the Earth Rank, he had not the slightest confidence of defeating one when faced with such overwhelming power. And what chance would anyone else have?

Therefore, weapons were probably used only in battles between Heaven Rank experts.

Not only had Bingtang never used a weapon against him, she had not even used a martial technique. Thinking of this, a cold sweat broke out across Wei Zhao's back. If Bingtang had not been so desperate to keep Feng Xiaoxiao in the Ice Palace back then, she certainly would not have shown him any mercy.

It seemed that Bingtang had merely chosen not to hold him to account.

"Does that mean that if I cannot gather these things, I will be unable to refine the jade pendant? And I will not be able to store anything at all in the space inside it?" Wei Zhao said, somewhat dejectedly. "What kind of benefit is that? I thought opening the second stone gate would grant me these abilities outright!"

"That is not correct. Can the jade pendant not store true energy? So it is not as if it cannot store anything at all!" Jiao Yazi said. "In fact, it can already store certain things. The space is simply incomplete."

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