As the elder of the Huang family finished speaking, everyone turned their gaze towards Zhang Wei, their eyes filled with undisguised curiosity. Those who had accompanied Zhang Wei on the Yunnan Insect Valley expedition, like Lin Gushi, knew that if Zhang Wei claimed second place for contributions, no one would dare claim first. Given his performance, even if Zhang Wei had asked for two镇国级法器 (zhen guo ji fa qi - national-level artifacts), the Huang family would have likely sold everything they owned to procure them.
Huang Xiaodan, understanding this, grinned and said, "Captain Zhang Wei, what kind of gift do you want? A 镇国级法器? If you want one, you can ask my ancestor for two. Our Huang family might even give them to you."
Upon hearing this, the head of the Huang family chuckled at his son's outward-leaning behavior, showing no displeasure. Compared to the elder Huang family member's recovery, what were 镇国级法器 when the family had been protected for hundreds and thousands of years?
The head of the Huang family continued, "What this brat Xiaodan said is right. Although our Huang family isn't interested in artifacts and only has one in our treasury, if you truly want two, Zhang Wei, I can order someone to fetch one for you. As for the other, I will invite the best blacksmith to forge it for you."
As he spoke, the head of the Huang family seemed to recall something and added, "I remember you already have a 镇国级法器, Zhang Wei. If you don't want another 镇国级法器, we can also provide you with materials to enhance your existing 镇国级法器 and help you further increase its power."
Hearing this, Lin Gushi and the others looked on with envy. "Captain Zhang Wei, that's a good suggestion! Your artifact, if I recall, is ranked in the top thirty globally. With the Huang family's strength, it's not impossible to boost it up by ten or more places, even into the top ten."
As the words fell, the elder Huang family spoke, stroking his white beard. "If you want to refine and enhance your artifact, Zhang Wei, I'm very willing to help. Although it sounds strange, we Northeast families are not only capable of communicating with household spirits, but we are also brimming with treasures. I believe my own hair should be able to help you elevate your artifact's refining level."
"Of course," he continued, "I can also help you ask some of my old friends for their hair or teeth. They are also full of treasures."
The elder Huang family said this with a cheerful smile.
Everyone was stunned, looking at the elder Huang family in disbelief, feeling their breaths grow hot, their throats like they were holding burning coals. Even the head of the Huang family widened his eyes, not expecting the elder to say such a thing, even willing to lower himself to ask his old friends.
At this moment, even Huang Xiaodan and Hu Shiliu understood that the old friends the elder Huang family referred to as "brimming with treasures" could only be those few – the elders of the other five Northeast families! These were the elders of the five Northeast families! Each of them was an old monster who had lived for thousands of years. Even a single strand of hair from such an ancient being was a supreme treasure. And the hair and teeth the elder Huang family would obtain from them could only be extraordinary. To refine a 镇国级法器 with such materials…
Thinking of this, everyone's breathing grew more rapid, with only one thought in their minds… a global top ten artifact! No! Top five, even top three! If Zhang Wei used these to refine his 镇国级法器 fan, his artifact would undoubtedly reach the top three globally. Even if the refining failed, the artifact would still firmly hold a spot in the global top ten.
"Amitabha, Zhang Wei, I believe the suggestion from Elder Huang family donor is not impossible," Wu Nian said softly, clasping his hands together towards Zhang Wei. He seemed somewhat moved and, fearing Zhang Wei might refuse, quickly offered a reminder to his good brother.
In response, Zhang Wei pondered, glancing at the head of the Huang family and then at the elder Huang family. "Elder Huang, your suggestion is good, and I don't think it's impossible. However, regarding artifacts, I can actually refine them myself. I believe that with a little more research, I should be able to reach the top ten in the global artifact rankings on my own."
"Damn, is this the confidence of someone who refined a 镇国级法器 at twenty? Captain Zhang Wei, no, Brother Zhang Wei, this is a great opportunity." Huang Xiaodan looked at Zhang Wei with a mixture of amusement and exasperation, surprised that Zhang Wei would refuse.
However, Hu Shiliu interrupted him, saying leisurely, "I think Brother Zhang Wei might be able to refine an artifact in the global top ten on his own. I believe he can do it."
"Ah? Shiliu, you don't have to blow smoke, do you? It's just that Zhang Wei guided you on refining in the plane, and you're already praising him like this…" Huang Xiaodan looked at Hu Shiliu in surprise. He knew why Hu Shiliu thought so highly of Zhang Wei. On the way back, when Hu Shiliu saw that the itinerary was ending, he went up to discuss artifact refining with Zhang Wei again. This time, Zhang Wei didn't brush him off or refuse. With the artifact refining knowledge provided by the system, Zhang Wei was already a master refiner.
Then, in response to Huang Xiaodan's words, Hu Shiliu interrupted him and simply replied leisurely, "After we return this time, I think I'll be able to refine a mid-tier sect-protecting artifact. The key points Brother Zhang Wei guided me on have benefited me immensely. I'm confident I can refine it, with a success rate of about sixty percent."
A deathly silence fell. Huang Xiaodan and everyone present looked on in astonishment. Even the elder Huang family turned their attention.
"Is that true?" Huang Xiaodan couldn't help but question.
Hu Shiliu nodded solemnly and said earnestly, "I'm not lying. Brother Zhang Wei's views on artifact refining are truly amazing, far better than the artifact refining masters my great-grandfather and father found for me. There are many explanations that those artifact refining masters didn't know, but Brother Zhang Wei explained them to me, and I understood them immediately."
"That's why I believe Brother Zhang Wei. Without your help, he can collect materials himself and succeed. The time he refined a 镇国级法器 was definitely not a coincidence; it was due to his skill."
In his words, Hu Shiliu was like a little fan girl, just like Lu Lianfeng back then, with undisguised admiration in his eyes.
Zhang Wei smiled. "Shiliu, you're exaggerating. I just have a few insights. However, if the Huang family is willing to provide me with refining materials, I don't think it's impossible. It's just that instead of helping me collect materials, I'd prefer to ask for other rewards from you."
"What reward? Just say it, Zhang Wei," the elder Huang family stated directly.
Zhang Wei didn't hesitate and replied, "I want the Huang family to help a girl named Qiu Xiaolin become a 镇国级, or at least a half-step 镇国级, as quickly as possible."
Lu Lianxue and Qiu Xiaolin were among the most important people to Zhang Wei besides his parents. However, Lu Lianxue was naturally gifted and backed by Longhu Mountain, while Wu Nian and Zhang Chao were in similar situations. Only Qiu Xiaolin was different. Even though she had her own Wei Dao Si (Guard Department) points, given her talent and late start, becoming a Ghost King level might be her limit. But Zhang Wei didn't want that. He wanted Qiu Xiaolin to be powerful too, and with the Huang family's capabilities, they could help Qiu Xiaolin become strong.