154: Chapter 154 The Fifth Life, The Blazing Sun Illuminates the Martial Path (102)

I never expected that old geezer, my master, to actually be named Master Li Er. What a plain and unassuming name.

However, while this scenario is legendary enough, giving off the vibes of an old-school protagonist, why is it different from what I deduced?

Did I guess wrong? Is Peak Master Xue Qinghan from the Ice and Snow Holy Land not that old geezer's lover?

Just then, Elder Jin's voice continued. Chu Shi suppressed the doubts in his heart and listened quietly.

"Come to think of it, back in the day, he was just like you, thrown by me into this artifact-refining valley to stay for half a year."

Elder Jin laughed heartily at this point, sweeping away his previous melancholy.

"I originally wanted to pass on my mantle to him, but this kid was truly a blockhead."

"With a Pure Fire Constitution, he clashed with metal; he couldn't even refine the most basic Yellow-tier Magical Artifact and almost blew up my refining furnace."

"In the end, there was no choice but for him to take the path of a Dharma Cultivator."

He sighed and looked at Chu Shi, the eagerness in his eyes resurfacing: "Chu Shi, you..."

The words reached his lips but were swallowed back. The old man ultimately just shook his head, his expression dimming once more.

Chu Shi felt a warmth in his heart. He stood up and bowed respectfully to Elder Jin.

"Many thanks for your kindness, Elder. This disciple only wishes to pursue the Martial Path in this life, so I fear I must disappoint your good intentions." He looked up, his tone incomparably sincere.

"However, this disciple will never abandon the path of artifact refining."

"If I encounter anything I do not understand in the future, I will inevitably have to come and trouble you again, Elder. I hope you will not find this disciple troublesome."

Elder Jin was taken aback, then laughed out loud. The melancholy on his face was swept away, replaced by immense gratification and a smile.

"Good! Good! Good!" The old man hurriedly stood up and helped Chu Shi up.

"As long as you are willing to come, my doors will always be open to you! Come anytime, and I will teach you anytime!"

Afterward, he turned around and carefully retrieved two items from the wooden shelf beside him.

One was a yellowed, thread-bound booklet; the cover had been worn shiny, and the corners were slightly damaged.

The other was a palm-sized, ancient-looking copper furnace, forged entirely from red copper, with fine flame patterns engraved on it.

Elder Jin solemnly handed these two items to Chu Shi.

"This is a small token of my sincerity," Elder Jin said with a smile.

"This booklet contains some of my insights on artifact refining, from the refining methods of Yellow-tier Magical Artifacts up to High-grade Treasure Artifacts."

"It contains all my handwritten annotations, as well as the experience I have summarized over many years."

"Keep it; it is better than you fumbling around blindly on your own."

"This copper furnace is called the 'Crimson Flame Furnace' and is a High-grade Mysterious-tier refining furnace."

"It is what I used when I was young. It heats evenly and has excellent Qi-gathering effects. Since it is easy to use, I am giving it to you."

Chu Shi was greatly shocked, hurriedly took a step back, and waved his hands to decline:

"Elder, this is too valuable! This disciple absolutely cannot accept it!"

He was no longer a novice who understood nothing.

A High-grade Mysterious-tier Treasure Artifact was extremely rare, even in the hands of the various peak masters.

Not to mention a specialized refining furnace like this, the value of which was several times higher than other Treasure Artifacts of the same grade.

This booklet, which condensed Elder Jin's life's work, was even more of a priceless treasure.

"Why are you being polite with me?" Elder Jin shoved the items into Chu Shi's hands, blowing his beard and staring.

"That brat Master Li Er, hasn't he fleeced me enough?"

"Which piece of the equipment he wears from head to toe wasn't forged by my own hands?"

"Even those two High-grade Treasure Artifacts bestowed upon you at the Apprenticeship Ceremony were forged by me after I stayed up for three consecutive nights for him!"

"And your senior brothers and sisters, which one of them wasn't sent here by him to learn artifact refining, while incidentally swiping some things?"

"It's a pity that they were all rotten wood that could not be carved; none of them had your talent."

While the old man scolded, his face carried a doting smile.

"You being able to inherit my craft is better than letting that brat get the benefit."

"Take it!"

Hearing this, Chu Shi was somewhat dumbfounded.

As expected, this was something that old geezer would do.

Immediately, he ceased his refusals and solemnly tucked the booklet and the Crimson Flame Furnace into the deepest part of his storage bag with great care.

Afterward, the two chatted for a while longer, and seeing the sun had reached its zenith.

Elder Jin waved his hand and said: "Alright, it is getting late. You should go."

"The path of the Martial Dao is treacherous; take care of yourself."

"If you are wronged, come back to the valley and visit this old man."

Chu Shi nodded and bowed deeply to Elder Jin once again.

"This disciple takes his leave. Elder, please take care of your health."

After saying this, he turned and pushed the door open to leave.

Elder Jin sat on the prayer mat, watching Chu Shi's back gradually disappear at the doorway, picked up his teacup, and took a sip of the tea that had long since gone cold.

A look of gratification and satisfaction appeared on the old man's face.

Meanwhile, at the Outer Sect Disciple Canglan Courtyard.

Deacon Chu Feng looked at the respectful Shi Tie and the other two in front of him, then looked at the recommendation letter with the familiar handwriting on the table, the heavy Core Disciple token, and the storage bag that was bulging as if it were about to burst. The expression on his face was incredibly vivid.

Shock, ecstasy, disbelief, and a trace of pride in sharing that glory.

He had only just sent a batch of materials to Chu Shi two days ago; he didn't expect that after only a few days, Chu Shi would have actually refined a Treasure Artifact and was returning.

And he had taken in three followers all at once, asking him to help transfer them into Outer Sect Disciples.

The more outstanding Chu Shi was, the more stable the Chu family's status in the Great Sun Holy Land would be.

As his cousin-uncle, he also felt a sense of honor.

"Good! Good! Good! Good lad!" Deacon Chu Feng laughed heartily and excitedly slapped the table.

"The three of you, follow me. I will take you to get your identities processed right now!"

After speaking, he shouted outside, and a young disciple hurriedly ran in.

This was the disciple guarding the door of his office, and at the same time, he was a member of the Chu family.

"Go, pick three of the best Outer Sect Disciple cave dwellings for these three junior brothers, right below Tingyang Courtyard, close to Senior Brother Chu."

Deacon Chu Feng instructed, his tone brooking no doubt: "From now on, they are Senior Brother Chu's people. Whoever dares to neglect them, I will peel their skin off!"

"Yes!"

One week later, Tingyang Courtyard.

Chu Shi sat by the stone table in the courtyard, basking in the warm sunlight, listening to Shi Tie's report.

"Senior Brother, our identities have all been processed and are registered under your name as servants of a Core Disciple," Shi Tie said respectfully.

"The artifact-refining facilities and the first batch of materials have all been prepared and placed in the refining room in the backyard; you can use them at any time."

"Additionally, I discussed it with Deacon Chu Feng, and we rented a shop in the most prosperous area of Jinwu City at the foot of the mountain and opened an artifact-refining shop..."