CHAPTER 219: CHAPTER 172: BREAKING THROUGH TO LATE-STAGE FOUNDATION ESTABLISHMENT (3)

Gazing at the lush Hundred Bamboo Wood in front of him, nearly five zhàng tall, Xu Ping couldn’t help but feel a surge of emotions.

"The challenge now is, should I refine thirty-six magical swords for the time being, or go all the way and refine seventy-two flying swords directly?"

Xu Ping stroked his chin, lost in deep thought.

If he were to only refine thirty-six flying swords, once he achieves Core Formation, the increased demands will inevitably require him to refine them again, which would be both time-consuming and troublesome.

Moreover, the Geng Metal he obtained from Old Man Tianhuang is a rare treasure capable of elevating the level of a magical artifact.

If the amount of Geng Metal is sufficient, he has the opportunity to refine all seventy-two magical swords into artifact embryos.

After achieving Core Formation, he could directly refine these artifact embryos into truly powerful magical artifacts.

This would indeed save a lot of trouble down the road.

However, the ideals are plentiful, but reality is quite barren!

Currently, he is faced with two thorny problems.

The first problem is that his current level of artifact refining technique is far from sufficient.

The artifact refining technique heritage given by Gong Yang only reaches Second-stage Upper Grade at most, whereas artifact embryos are at the Quasi-Tier Three level.

To refine artifact embryos, he would need to acquire a Quasi-Tier Three set of artifact refining techniques.

But Quasi-Tier Three artifact refining techniques are incredibly rare; even at mysterious underground auctions, it’s uncertain if you’d find them.

As for the second problem, it’s even more difficult.

The piece of Geng Metal he got from Old Man Tianhuang could barely meet the demand for refining thirty-six magical swords.

But if he wants to refine seventy-two magical swords, this piece of Geng Metal is far from enough.

At the very least, he would need to acquire another piece of Geng Metal of the same size as the current one.

But Geng Metal is already an extremely rare and precious material; once it appears, it will inevitably spark fierce competition among Fake Pill and Golden Core cultivators.

Given his current strength, even if he encounters Geng Metal, it would be very difficult to acquire it smoothly.

After a long period of weighing and contemplation, Xu Ping finally made up his mind to refine seventy-two magical swords.

After all, he has a long lifespan and enough time to slowly seek out the necessary resources.

Furthermore, he currently possesses Tier Three talismans, so his demand for a sword array isn’t that urgent.

"The Hundred Bamboo Wood personally cared for by the master is indeed extraordinary, a world apart from ordinary Hundred Bamboo Wood."

Seeing Xu Ping lost in thought while gazing at the Hundred Bamboo Wood, the Water Lake Mouse quickly seized the opportunity to flatter him.

Xu Ping snapped out of his contemplation and his gaze slowly fell on the Water Lake Mouse.

"No, I’ve almost overlooked a key issue."

Xu Ping suddenly realized that if he were to only refine top-grade magical swords, the current extent of the Water Lake Mouse’s Demon Fire could just barely meet the requirement.

But if he wants to refine artifact embryos, the Water Lake Mouse’s current Demon Fire falls far short; it’s still lacking by a long shot.

The Water Lake Mouse would at least need to break through to Second-stage Middle Grade for its Demon Fire to meet the requirement for refining artifact embryos.

However, it’s known that for demon beasts, both the accumulation of demonic power and realm breakthroughs are much more difficult and lengthier than those for cultivators.

Under natural growth conditions, one cannot hope for a breakthrough without several decades.

"Mas... Master, what’s the matter?"

The Water Lake Mouse was so unnerved by Xu Ping’s gaze that it forced a fawning smile on its face while asking anxiously.

"Honestly, have you been slacking off in your cultivation lately?"

Xu Ping’s tone turned somewhat harsh, "You’ve been a Second-stage Demon Beast for years, yet your progress has been negligible; it’s quite disgraceful."

"Master, no!"

The Water Lake Mouse said with a face full of grievance, "I train hard every day, but the accumulation for us demon beasts is inherently slow, and with my bloodline mutation, the time required is even longer."

In truth, there was another reason it dared not mention.

Every day it has to take care of the Spirit Wood, shoo away cultivators seeking talismans, and occasionally fend off invading evil spirits, leaving very little time for cultivation.

"I’ll give you fifteen years to break through to Second-stage Middle Grade, or I definitely won’t spare you!" Xu Ping’s lips curled into a cold smile.

"What? Breakthrough to Second-stage Middle Grade in fifteen years!"

"This..." The Water Lake Mouse was utterly shocked upon hearing this demand, and just as it was about to blurt out how impossible it seemed, Xu Ping’s gaze turned increasingly dangerous, forcing it to quickly change its tone.

"This... since it’s the master’s command, I’ll do my best to complete the task," the Water Lake Mouse said, looking mournful.

"Good, that’s more like it!" Xu Ping nodded in satisfaction.

"Go, and cultivate well."

He reached out to gently pat the Water Lake Mouse’s head, speaking in a gentle tone, "If you don’t reach Second-stage Middle Grade in fifteen years, I’ll stew you."

’Stew... stew me!’

The Water Lake Mouse was so frightened its mouse eyes went wide, lamenting inwardly, ’Is this life even tolerable for a mouse!’

It kept lamenting in its heart but dared not show anything on its face, instead forcing a smile even more bitter than tears: "Master, rest assured, I’ll definitely complete the task."

...

...

After intimidating the Water Lake Mouse, Xu Ping turned and returned to the cultivation chamber.

"Now that I’ve finally broken through to Late-Stage Foundation Establishment, my divine sense has increased significantly, and I can finally attempt to draw the Golden Armor-Breaking Talisman," Xu Ping contemplated secretly.

Over the past year, to avoid unnecessarily wasting precious Tier Three talisman materials, he had refrained from rashly attempting to draw the Golden Armor-Breaking Talisman.

Now, having succeeded in the breakthrough to Late-Stage Foundation Establishment, he was naturally eager to give it a try.

However, considering he had only just broken through, and his cultivation was still somewhat unstable, Xu Ping did not blindly attempt it.

The difficulty of drawing the Golden Armor-Breaking Talisman is immense, so naturally, he must wait until everything is at its peak before attempting.

Seven days passed by in a flash.

Suddenly, Xu Ping opened his eyes during cultivation, a warm and gentle azure light flashing across his eyes.

"Phew!"

He exhaled a deep breath, and at this point, his cultivation was completely stabilized, his aura restrained, and he exuded a steady and powerful presence.

"It’s time to start drawing the talisman!"

Xu Ping stood up, walked to the stone table, lightly waved his sleeve, and a stack of brand-new Tier Three talisman papers, a talisman brush, and a bottle of spirit ink instantly appeared neatly on the stone table.

Then, he spread out a sheet of Tier Three talisman paper, held the talisman brush steadily, his expression focused and solemn as he formally began drawing the Golden Armor-Breaking Talisman.