CHAPTER 52: CHAPTER 50: GONGSUN YING’S FIRST SOUND TALISMAN

Lin Qianxuan moved the game time forward, bringing it back to the hour of Chen.

At this moment, the game character once again triggered the shared talent [Endless Divine Sea] from Gongsun Ying.

Then his Purple Mansion was filled with divine energy equivalent to seven or eight months of arduous cultivation.

Lin Qianxuan instructed him to feel whether the Purple Mansion was full.

The game character’s feedback was, less than one-tenth filled.

Divine energy and spiritual energy are obviously different, and the Purple Mansion and Zhong Ting are also very distinct.

According to the game character’s description, under normal circumstances, it would take him at least twenty to thirty years of cultivation to fill the Purple Mansion with divine energy.

Come to think of it, without a Spirit Crystal, it would also take decades to fill the Qi Sea at Zhong Ting with spiritual energy.

However, in Refining God Cultivation, although the amount of divine energy is important, it is not the only thing.

Refiners mainly nurture their Primordial Spirit through divine energy, strengthening themselves.

Others may cultivate for decades, using divine energy to temper themselves until they are invincible, and even if there is not much divine energy in the Purple Mansion, they can easily punch away someone with abundant divine energy who has just started refining.

Once divine energy is refined, how to better convert and use it is the key.

Purely storing it inside the body, it is merely a special kind of energy.

When the game character arrived at the workshop punctually, he found that Gongsun Yue was already waiting there.

[Gongsun Yue (nodding): Young master, you’re very punctual!]

[Lin Qianxuan: Since I’m here to seek knowledge, it’s necessary, but Miss Yue, you arrived even earlier than me, which makes me a bit embarrassed.]

[Gongsun Yue (shaking her head slightly): I usually live in the workshop. There’s not much else I can help my sister with, so I can only assist everyone by repairing Divine Machines.]

[Lin Qianxuan: Miss Yue, you’re too modest.]

Lin Qianxuan didn’t expect Gongsun Yue to seem a bit self-conscious.

Throughout his travels, he had mostly seen Gongsun Yue’s brilliance.

Making decisions, healing warriors, repairing Divine Machines.

In contrast, Gongsun Ying showed less, and her attitude towards Gongsun Yue was always one of admiration and praise for her wisdom.

He had thought Gongsun Yue was the true mastermind behind the scenes.

But from their conversation now, she seemed somewhat lacking in confidence.

Such a situation could only be because Gongsun Ying was too outstanding.

Lin Qianxuan keenly sensed there was a story to dig into here, so he noted it down, planning to inquire with Gongsun Ying later.

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Gongsun Yue began teaching the game character the Divine Machine Art.

Aside from some foundational knowledge like mechanical structures and material integration, the most important part was a divine energy skill known as the "Divine Machine Nurturing Art".

With this technique, one can inject divine energy into artifacts in a specific way, nurturing them towards a desired direction.

The learning of this technique mainly depends on talent.

Perception abilities are especially crucial.

Different materials lead to varying degrees of divine energy that the artifacts can bear.

The intensity and pace of inputting divine energy are very important.

Some artifacts can withstand a lot of divine energy, allowing them to absorb it extensively and vigorously.

But for some fragile artifacts, divine energy must be infused gently and accurately for nurturing.

This way, it can avoid damaging the artifact’s core while gradually transforming its material and bringing forth "Spiritual Essence."

Spiritual Essence, also known as the inherent spiritual life force of the artifact.

All living beings have Spiritual Essences.

Nurturing Divine Machines involves artificially endowing them with Spiritual Essence, bringing them to life as real beings.

After becoming a living entity, a Divine Machine naturally possesses various traits, and when the Spiritual Essence reaches a certain level, it can manifest into physical form like a Divine Manifestation Realm cultivator.

In general, the path of a martial artist is quite similar.

Refining Divine Martial Artists seek power within themselves.

The Divine Machine Art seeks power from Divine Machines.

The difference lies in that anyone can use a Divine Machine, while the martial artist’s power belongs solely to themselves.

The two are not superior or inferior and are often combined.

A powerful Divine Martial Artist with a suitable Divine Machine can easily exert combat power far beyond their own limit.

Of course, divine energy isn’t just for combat.

Many skills derived from it are used to improve living conditions.

For example, Memory Ball, the healing gourd [Rebirth], or Gongsun Ying’s Divine Strategy Limbs. Some people even use divine energy skills for farming, construction, and more.

Returning to the main topic, the game character’s learning process of the "Divine Machine Nurturing Art" went smoothly.

His spirit was strong, and his perception was extraordinary, allowing him to master this skill effortlessly.

In front of the screen, Lin Qianxuan had essentially grasped it too, but without divine energy, he couldn’t perform it.

Then Gongsun Yue taught the game character some basic Divine Machine Art skills, including the previously mentioned "Adhesive Technique", as well as the "Decomposition Technique" for breaking down materials and the "Shaping Technique" for forming items, among others.

After mastering these divine energy skills, the rest was to memorize the texts.

The "Hundred Mines Chronicles", "Five Elements Material Theory", "Myriad Gold Scripture", "Celestial Secret Myriad Principles"...

These books document various mineral materials, as well as various special materials currently discovered and manufactured, including theories on the five elements’ mutual interactions, and some basic physical knowledge.

It’s truly thanks to Lin Qianxuan’s current extraordinary memory; if it were the past, he’d probably be on the verge of tears at this step.

Learning is a time-consuming process, and even though Lin Qianxuan could read quickly and remember instantly, it was no different.

By the time the game character had gone through all the relevant books, the real-world time had already reached the early hours of September 2nd.

While in the game, it was already noon.

Gongsun Yue had just finished his tasks and was now bringing some food to enjoy alongside the game character.

The food didn’t look remarkable, just two simple side dishes and a staple, neither varied nor abundant in quantity.

If even someone like Gongsun Yue, who belongs to the ruling class, eats so poorly, what about the other citizens?

He hadn’t even inquired about the situation in Zhang City yet.

[Gongsun Yue (handing the bowl and chopsticks to you): Nowadays, all things in heaven and earth are contaminated by polluted air, there’s not much to eat, I hope you won’t mind, sir.]

[Lin Qianxuan (taking the bowl and chopsticks, shaking his head slightly): As long as there’s something to eat, there’s nothing to complain about.]

[Gongsun Yue (nodding): It’s good that you don’t mind, sir.]

With that, the screen displayed the scene of Gongsun Yue and the game character having a meal.

[Lin Qianxuan: How many people in Zhang City have not been contaminated by polluted air?]

[Gongsun Yue (his movements paused slightly): About thirty thousand or so remain.]

Thirty thousand?

Lin Qianxuan thought for a moment and drew a comparison in his mind.

Based on the information he had seen in the study earlier, this world’s unique divine energy had brought about immense productivity by creating various divine machines. During Emperor Shenwu’s reign of prosperity, the entire nation had a population exceeding six hundred million. Any city with over fifty thousand residents was considered a lower-tier city, while only those with over two hundred thousand could be called large cities. Kyoto itself had a population exceeding several million.

Now, with just over thirty thousand people, Zhang City seemed quite diminished.

It’s possible that these people are the last normal human seeds in this world.

Having understood this, Lin Qianxuan had a new understanding of the state of the rebel army.

This was a group of warriors fighting tirelessly even though they knew there was no hope.

[Lin Qianxuan: Are there other places in the world unaffected by the polluted air?]

[Gongsun Yue (deliberating): Some people took a treasure ship overseas; perhaps they have not yet been affected by the polluted air. But as long as the eye of polluted air in Kyoto isn’t sealed, it’s only a matter of time before the entire world is fully contaminated.]

Lin Qianxuan suddenly understood; so there were those who fled.

Were they actually able to fly?

Quite an advanced technology tree!

With such capabilities, their strength shouldn’t be weak, right?

Could they be utilized somehow?

But how to find them, with the vast sea before them? Searching aimlessly is likely to yield no results, and even if found, these fugitives might not be willing to help...

Thoughts swirling in his mind, Lin Qianxuan continued to advance the story.

Gongsun Yue’s study of the Divine Machine Art was coming to an end.

The necessary knowledge had been mastered; all that remained was to refine it through practice.

From time to time, there were divine machines in need of repair at the workshop, so Lin Qianxuan had the game character repair them for two days.

During the process of repairing the divine machines, Gongsun Yue contributed some points of favorability.

The current connection level is 18%.

Still not as fast as with Gongsun Ying.

After some contemplation, Lin Qianxuan concluded that he needed to win over Gongsun Ying first.

In the game, through inquiry, Lin Qianxuan learned what Gongsun Ying was up to.

Since her return, apart from boosting morale, she had been practicing martial arts without respite.

When Lin Qianxuan brought the game character to the martial arts arena, he saw Gongsun Ying, surrounded by divine light, practicing her moves.

The scene maintained her punching posture, as a metal fist struck out, stirring a gust of wind.

[Gongsun Ying (wiping off sweat): Lin sir, what brings you here at such a free moment? Weren’t you learning the Divine Machine Art with Yue’er?]

[Lin Qianxuan: I’ve already learned the basics; what’s left are techniques that require honing over time.]

[Gongsun Ying (surprised): To learn it in such a short time, Lin sir, you have remarkable comprehension....]

[Gongsun Ying feels admiration for your learning ability.]

[Current connection level with Gongsun Ying: 28%.]

Seeing the connection level increase, Lin Qianxuan couldn’t help but sigh, "Indeed, it’s easier to win over the single-minded sister."

[Lin Qianxuan (turning to Gongsun Ying): Ying, what martial arts were you practicing just now?]

[Gongsun Ying: Just some basic martial arts.]

[Lin Qianxuan: Can you teach me? I’ve refined a lot of divine energy, but I have yet to master its use beyond the Divine Machine Art.]

[Gongsun Ying (hesitating): Lin sir, though you possess extraordinary talent, human energy is limited, as is the refined divine energy. It is best to choose either martial arts or the Divine Machine Art to pursue mastery.]

[Lin Qianxuan (serious): I believe I’m different; I can refine much more divine energy than you can imagine, and solely pursuing the Divine Machine Art won’t exhaust it.]

Upon finishing this line, Lin Qianxuan immediately input another command.

(Display your divine energy.)

In the game screen, the game character slightly closed his eyes, divine energy gathered from within, appearing around him, illuminating his whole being.

This was something possible only with an abundance of divine energy within.

Gongsun Ying was somewhat stunned as well.

[Gongsun Ying is shocked by the talent you displayed.]

[Current connection level with Gongsun Ying: 31%.]

[Hint: You have acquired a Sound Talisman [Responsibility].]

[Responsibility: The burden of responsibility makes divine energy thicker. (Divine energy refining level increased by 50%.)]

A special Sound Talisman floated out, merging into the red name of Gongsun Ying in the upper right corner.

Simultaneously, the background scene changed, and music began to play.