Chapter 579: Chapter 520: Beginner - Artifact Refining Prodigy (6/6)
Zhang Yu had long been anticipating Yu Xinghan’s Level 3 Dao Seed.
After all, every bit of strength his companions gained could become nourishment for his further progress.
With Yu Xinghan’s Three-Eyed Divine Power reaching this third level, after some testing, Zhang Yu gradually understood some of the changes within it.
The previous Three-Eyed Divine Power primarily had the abilities of copying others’ movements, observing the flow of spiritual mechanism, seeing through the buildup of moves, having a 360-degree field of view, and conducting a microscopic observation of the human body.
Now, the upgraded Three-Eyed Divine Power provided an eidetic memory effect on all kinds of martial arts techniques.
It could be said that any boxing techniques, swordsmanship, or blade techniques once seen by the Three-Eyed Divine Power would be firmly remembered.
At the same time, if the mana circulation routes of related martial arts could be known, there would be an effect of instant cultivation upon watching.
That is to say, with the blessing of the Three-Eyed Divine Power, even without much self-cultivation, just watching others perform martial arts would naturally increase one’s martial arts level.
Upon understanding this, the first thing that came to Zhang Yu’s mind was the combination of the Three-Eyed Divine Power and Yu Shu.
"Watching others practice, could it increase the cultivation times of Yu Shu? If it could..."
However, after some attempts, Zhang Yu quickly discovered it was not possible.
"Sigh, can’t the Three-Eyed Divine Power influence the cultivation progress of Yu Shu?"
Zhang Yu thought to himself, "Indeed, no matter how many cultivation technique supplements I read, or how much guidance I receive from teachers... These theoretically skill-improving activities still cannot push Yu Shu’s cultivation progress."
"The cultivation of Yu Shu’s techniques requires solid and continuous practice, step by step."
Although slightly disappointed that the Three-Eyed Divine Power couldn’t affect Yu Shu, Zhang Yu quickly discovered the real enhancement the upgraded Three-Eyed Divine Power provided him.
"The effect of microscopic observation has further increased, and the perception of mana flow and spiritual mechanism flow has also strengthened."
Zhang Yu thought to himself, "If used to aid in artifact refining, it enhances my ability to handle the mana circuits of magic treasures, improving the efficiency and success rate of rune carving."
Zhang Yu slightly nodded, thinking to himself, "If there are issues with the mana circuits of magic treasures during artifact refining, I can temporarily switch the Green Lotus Sword Embryo (Spirit Root) to the Three-Eyed Divine Power (Spirit Root) to address some issues on the mana circuits."
As for normally hanging the Three-Eyed Divine Power to watch martial arts practice, the efficiency is too low for Zhang Yu; it would be better to hang the Green Lotus Sword Embryo more often to enhance this divine spirit root’s adaptability.
On the other side, after understanding the functions of the Three-Eyed Divine Power, Yu Xinghan became excited.
"Instant cultivation just by watching?"
Yu Xinghan quickly brought up technique videos in his eye remains and started watching. With each viewing, he felt a deeper understanding and mastery of the technique, as if he had practiced it a few times himself.
"Good, good, good." Yu Xinghan thought to himself, "In the future, I can work while watching videos, isn’t that equivalent to practicing martial arts every moment?"
Watching Yu Xinghan’s Level 3 Dao Seed, Zhang Yu thought to himself, "With a Level 3 Dao Seed capable of practicing martial arts by observing, if it continues to upgrade, could it really reach a point where just one viewing allows one to learn others’ techniques?"
But at the same time, a trace of concern arose in his heart: "If it reaches such an effect, it might not be a good thing. If techniques like the Extreme Emotion Sword Dao can be learned by a single viewing... that would be problematic."
"Moreover, if it truly reaches this level, could the Three-Eyed Divine Power also become a divine spirit root?"
"If Yu Xinghan is discovered to have grown a divine spirit root..."
Thinking of this, Zhang Yu slightly frowned and remembered Le Mulan.
Whether it was the potential of Yu Xinghan’s Three-Eyed Divine Power growing into a divine spirit root or Le Mulan’s Life Extension from the Deep Cold Magic Veins, he sensed a hint of danger.
Glancing at Yu Xinghan again, Zhang Yu thought to himself, "To upgrade to Level 4 Three-Eyed Divine Power next, 8000 mana is needed, which corresponds to the Golden Core Stage."
"There’s still time."
"But regardless, I must become wealthier and stronger to safely level up the Dao Seed."
...
In late May
On this day, Zhang Yu originally planned to rent a laboratory with Senior Sister Ye Xingli, but instead found out that she had her own artifact refining laboratory now.
Walking into her laboratory and looking at the equipment on the experimental table, Zhang Yu admired, "Senior Sister, how much did this laboratory cost you?"
Zhang Yu knew that for an artifact refining cultivator, having a personal laboratory marked a huge difference, essentially two completely different classes.
Owning a laboratory not only saved a substantial amount of rental fees but also spared the troubles of queuing for lab time and fighting for experimental equipment, allowing more time and energy to be concentrated on artifact refining.
Going even further, like the Magnetic Pole True Monarch, one could own a production line capable of mass-producing magic treasures and magic remains.
Ye Xingli smiled indifferently and said, "It didn’t cost me much, it was mostly invested by the Ten Thousand Dao Craftsman Sect."
"They hired me to improve certain products."
Hearing this, Zhang Yu felt even more envious, thinking to himself, "My Senior Sister is truly talented in artifact refining, no wonder she secured a top-five spot among hundreds of schools in the design competition."
Zhang Yu was aware that each magic treasure created had great room for improvement.
The person who first invented the flying sword was brilliant, but the technology embedded in the first flying sword was definitely inferior to any expert-level flying sword available in the market today.
As companies compete, they must continually innovate and enhance their products. Often, besides having their cultivators conduct research and development, they also hire outstanding faculty and students from universities for collaborative development.
The Ye Xingli in front of him is clearly a student favored by the company.
Ye Xingli continued, "There are six experiment stations here; I usually only use five."
"If you want, I can rent you a station. As for the laboratory equipment, just keep an eye on my experiment schedule. You can use it when I don’t need it, and the rent will be the cheapest."
In Zhang Yu’s eyes, Ye Xingli is a prodigy with a Dao seed and talent.
And in Ye Xingli’s eyes, isn’t Zhang Yu also a prodigy with a gift for artifact refining, the attention of the Magnetic Pole True Monarch, and opportunities with Divinity Transformation Remains?
Especially in the past two months, Zhang Yu has received many magic treasure orders from Ye Xingli, allowing her to know that Zhang Yu has mastered several artifact refining techniques, making her increasingly value this junior apprentice.
While the two were talking, Zi Yunzhen, wearing a Magic Remains badge, had already entered Ye Xingli’s laboratory with two other students.
Zhang Yu privately messaged: Senior Sister, are these your assistants?
Zhang Yu knew that many artifact refining cultivators would hire assistants to improve their refining efficiency.
After all, in the process of artifact refining, besides solving deep problems, there are many troublesome tasks.
For instance, cleaning and refining materials, extracting certain elements, organizing some documents... many repetitive and tedious tasks are both time-consuming and labor-intensive.
If these tasks could be given to an assistant, the artifact refining cultivator would naturally have more time and energy to focus on more important things.
And many students from the Artifact Refining Department are willing to be assistants.
After all, in this process, one doesn’t have to rent a laboratory, nor purchase materials, and can practice refining techniques with the guidance of seniors.
Ye Xingli nodded and privately messaged: The magic treasure I want to improve this time is related to Evil Qi.
Ye Xingli: You know how troublesome Earth Evil Qi is.
Ye Xingli: Poor people handle Evil Qi by themselves, wealthier cultivators buy specialized magic treasures, but I must tell you, when handling Evil Qi, no magic treasure compares to an assistant.
Ye Xingli winked at Zhang Yu and smiled, privately messaging: Against the pervasive Evil Qi pollution, only an assistant is the best protective magic treasure.
Ye Xingli asked again: I heard from Master that you don’t plan to enter the design competition and instead want to directly create a prototype of the Heavenly Sun Divine.
Zhang Yu replied: Yes, that’s my plan. I’ve been studying the design diagrams recently.
Ye Xingli advised: Aren’t you aiming a bit high? Actually, participating in the design competition, finding a way to obtain a military-level technique, would naturally lead to future military-level magic treasure crafting.
Ye Xingli: Trying to directly manufacture a military-level magic treasure prototype right from the start would require much more effort.
In Ye Xingli’s view, even if Zhang Yu is extraordinarily talented, mastering so many necessary techniques for a military-level magic treasure prototype, without the support of a military-level technique, could take several years to succeed. It requires accumulating bit by bit, and there are no shortcuts.
With a military-level technique, many steps can be skipped, allowing one to achieve more in less time.
As for the design competition, there are quite a few tricks and shortcuts.
Zhang Yu replied: Don’t worry, Senior Sister, I know what I’m doing.
Ye Xingli shook her head inwardly and didn’t intend to persuade further.
She herself once had similar thoughts, believing that her talents could achieve what others couldn’t, but after half a month of trying, she gave up.
The current Zhang Yu is similarly overconfident, but he will understand when he meets obstacles.
Ye Xingli turned to Zi Yunzhen and the other two, saying, "I’ve already told you about the work assignments, right?"
"Your work today is simple: prepare for my experiments tomorrow, clean and sort all the materials..."
Zi Yunzhen curiously asked, "Senior Sister, is Zhang Yu here to be an assistant too?"
Ye Xingli said blandly, "Zhang Yu is here to borrow a station and some laboratory equipment; you don’t need to worry about his side."
In the following time, Zhang Yu frequently came to Ye Xingli’s side to practice artifact refining techniques.
In the blink of an eye, by the end of May, he successfully completed the sixth artifact refining technique of the Artifact Refining Genius.
Beginner - Artifact Refining Genius (6/6): The practice effect of artifact manufacturing techniques is doubled.
Seeing the effect of Artifact Refining Genius, Zhang Yu’s eyes sharpened, and he thought quietly, "Good."
Zhang Yu knew that this so-called artifact manufacturing technique is different from artifact refining techniques that enhance refining ability like the "Fire Control Divine Manual," but refers to techniques for manufacturing various magic treasures according to design diagrams.
Things like Qingqing Sand and Taiyi Golden Liquid Pill belong to artifact manufacturing techniques.
The so-called doubling of practice effect means that when Zhang Yu practices the manufacturing techniques on a magic treasure diagram, each practice progress is counted as twice in the Yu Shu.
"Excellent, while the Sacred Body at university can only improve cultivation technique cultivation efficiency, this Artifact Refining Genius can enhance the effectiveness of learning diagrams."
"With doubling, practicing to produce Level 20 magic treasures not only saves half the time, but the key is that only half the magic treasures need to be produced during practice, effectively saving half the magic treasures."
"However, with the Taiqing Realm, I also only need to simulate the learning process of diagrams in the Spirit Realm, without material costs."
"But regardless, reducing the time by half is substantive."
Seeing such effects from the first tier of Artifact Refining Genius, Zhang Yu became increasingly confident about mastering the manufacturing of the prototype of the Heavenly Sun Divine in the future.