Chapter 29: Returning Shadow Disc

“You were chosen by the family from among many members. Your sole purpose is to be trained as artificers.”

Wang Yaoxi’s gaze swept over Wang Changsheng and the other four, as he spoke solemnly.

Wang Mingmei frowned slightly, asking in confusion, “Seventh Uncle, training an artificer isn’t a small expense in spirit stones. Given the family’s current situation, can we really train five artificers at once? Did I mishear, or did you misspeak?”

“I didn’t misspeak, and you didn’t mishear. The family does intend to train artificers, but not five. From among you, we will select the two most talented for intensive training. Starting today, you will live here and study the knowledge of artificing with me. Lessons will begin at *maoshi* and conclude at *haishi* every day. I will impart everything I have learned throughout my life to you. Meals will be provided by dedicated staff; you only need to focus on your studies. Remember, every spirit stone spent on your training is earned by the sweat and toil of other family members. You must cherish this opportunity. The family has high expectations for all five of you.”

Hearing this, the expressions of Wang Changsheng and the other four became serious.

Wang Mingmei hesitated briefly, then asked, “Seventh Uncle, you still haven’t answered me: where does the family get so many spirit stones?”

“Changsheng unexpectedly discovered a profound gold ore vein in Qingshi Town, Ping’an County. That’s why we now have the financial resources to train artificers. This matter is a family secret and must not be divulged. Alright, no more idle talk. Follow me inside; I’ll begin your lessons.”

After Wang Yaoxi finished speaking, he turned and entered the house, with Wang Mingmei and the other four quickly following.

The main hall contained six wooden tables and six wooden chairs. On each table lay a brand-new blue booklet.

Wang Yaoxi walked to the foremost table, sat down, and motioned for Wang Changsheng and the others to also take a seat.

“These are my compiled artificing insights and knowledge, which I organized overnight and had several copies made. Turn to the first page. Artificing is quite similar to alchemy; both require schematics and involve sequentially placing various materials into a furnace. The difference is that the most crucial step in alchemy is the formation of the pill, while in artificing, it is the inscription of spirit runes. Spirit runes include…”

Wang Yaoxi taught with exceptional seriousness. After explaining a concept, he would allow the five to ask questions, address their doubts, and only then proceed to the next topic.

Wang Changsheng and the others listened intently, all cherishing this hard-won opportunity.

Wang Yaoxi first explained the basic principles of artificing, then introduced specific artificing knowledge, making them memorize it thoroughly.

Two months passed. Wang Changsheng and the other four never left the courtyard, and no one came to disturb them. Meals were respectfully delivered by dedicated personnel.

They spent their days studying artificing knowledge and their nights cultivating, leading fulfilling lives.

After two months of study, Wang Changsheng and the others had gained a considerable understanding of the art of artificing, with basic knowledge memorized perfectly.

It was *zi shi*, late at night, and all was quiet.

In the study, Wang Mingyuan was conversing with Wang Yaoxi.

“Mingyuan, it’s been so long. Hasn’t Mingzhi returned yet? I’ve taught theoretical knowledge for two months; it’s time to start practical artificing. Even if the theory is solid, it’s useless without hands-on practice! They’ve already memorized the basic artificing knowledge by heart. I need to teach them how to forge.”

Wang Yaoxi’s brows were tightly furrowed as he urged.

“Seventh Uncle, please wait a little longer. Eldest Brother has been away for two months; he should be back soon. Please teach them something else for now. As soon as Eldest Brother returns, I’ll immediately send the artificing materials over.”

Wang Yaoxi sighed lightly and nodded, saying, “Alright...”

Before he could finish, rapid footsteps sounded, followed by a voice filled with joy: “Third Brother, Third Brother, I’m back!”

A burly man entered. He had well-defined features and a few bristly whiskers on his cheeks.

Upon seeing the man, Wang Mingyuan was overjoyed and eagerly asked, “Eldest Brother, you’re finally back! Was the journey smooth?”

The man was Wang Mingzhi, Wang Mingyuan’s elder brother and Wang Changxue’s father.

Wang Mingzhi, fifty-five years old this year, possessed an eighth-level Qi Condensation cultivation. Having passed the optimal age for Foundation Establishment, he was responsible for escorting goods.

This time, he had led fifteen family members to escort two hundred *jin* of profound gold to the Grand Market, to exchange it for low-grade Tier 1 artificing materials.

“Thanks to our ancestors’ blessings, everything went smoothly, Third Brother. As you instructed, eighty percent of the spirit stones were used to purchase low-grade Tier 1 artificing materials. Here are the artificing materials you requested and the remaining spirit stones. The cargo manifest is also ready.”

Wang Mingzhi took a green storage bag from his robes and handed it to Wang Mingyuan.

Wang Mingyuan took the storage bag, scanned it with his divine sense, and was ecstatic.

“Excellent, Seventh Uncle! I’ll reconcile the accounts first. I’ll send the artificing materials to you tomorrow morning. It’s quite late now, so please return and rest!”

Wang Yaoxi nodded, saying, “Alright. Don’t stay up too late yourself; try to get to bed early. Mingzhi is also tired; he should go back and rest well too!”

“Seventh Uncle, I’m not tired. I have other matters to report to Third Brother. Please go back and rest first!”

After Wang Yaoxi had left, Wang Mingyuan poured Wang Mingzhi a cup of tea and eagerly asked, “Eldest Brother, please tell me in detail about the transport of the goods.”

Wang Mingzhi drained the tea in his cup, cleared his throat, and said, “After we left Green Lotus Mountain...”

It was the end of *yin shi*, and dawn had not yet broken.

Wang Changsheng and the other four woke up promptly. After washing, they began their breakfast.

Breakfast was simple: a large basin of spirit date porridge and ten large steamed buns.

The spirit date porridge was simmered from low-grade Tier 1 spirit grain and spirit dates, with the spirit dates ripening every two years and comparable to mid-grade Tier 1 spirit grain in quality. The steamed buns were made from low-grade Tier 1 spirit grain, containing less spiritual energy than the porridge.

While a few spirit dates floated on the surface of the porridge, the bowls of Wang Changsheng and the other four contained only plain white porridge.

“I’ve eaten my fill. You two, Changhuan and Changsheng, please finish the porridge. Don’t waste any. Eldest Sister-in-law and the others prepared this breakfast for us early this morning; not a single bit should be wasted.”

Wang Mingmei put down her utensils and said earnestly.

“I’m full too. Changsheng, Changhuan, it’s all up to you now.”

Wang Mingdong also set down his utensils and instructed.

Wang Mingcan put down his utensils, picked up two buns, and walked towards the inner room, saying, “You two take your time eating. I’m going to review what Seventh Uncle taught yesterday.”

Wang Changsheng and Wang Changhuan exchanged glances, both seeing the emotion in the other’s eyes.

At every meal, Wang Mingmei and the other two would leave the more spiritually potent food for Wang Changsheng and Wang Changhuan. They explained that because the two were at their optimal cultivation age, they should consume more spiritual items for their benefit. Of course, Wang Mingmei and the others always ate enough and were never left hungry.

The elders’ concern deeply moved Wang Changsheng and Wang Changhuan. When Wang Yaoxi gave his lessons, they listened with exceptional diligence. Every day, they would wake up half an hour earlier than usual, and after breakfast, they would review what they had learned the previous day.

“Ninth Brother, eat quickly! After you finish, review what Great-Seventh Uncle taught yesterday.”

“Okay, Eighth Brother, let’s split the spirit dates evenly!”

After breakfast, Wang Changsheng and Wang Changhuan went inside to review what they had learned the previous day.

On each person’s table was a moonlight stone. They remained silent, each holding a scroll, reading with extreme concentration.

Not long after, Wang Yaoxi walked in.

“Seventh Uncle (Great-Seventh Uncle),” Wang Mingmei and the four others greeted Wang Yaoxi in unison.

Wang Yaoxi nodded, smiling as he said, “I’ve taught you theoretical knowledge for two months; it’s about time you started practical artificing.”

Wang Mingmei’s eyes brightened, and she exclaimed joyfully, “Seventh Uncle, can we actually start forging artifacts now?”

“To be precise, you will observe how our ancestors forged artifacts to gain experience. It would be strange if one could succeed at artificing simply by reading a few texts and then trying their hand at it. If reading a few artificing texts were enough to become an artificer, they would be commonplace by now.”

Wang Yaoxi flipped his left palm, and a palm-sized silver disk appeared in his hand. With a hand seal from his right hand, a magical art struck the silver disk.

A dazzling silver glow immediately illuminated the room, and numerous silver spirit runes instantly emerged.

“Condense.”

A silver light shot forth from the disk. After blurring for a moment, it transformed into a silver mirror approximately ten feet in size. Clearly visible within the mirror was a kind-faced elderly man in a green robe. Before him, a green bronze furnace, roughly ten feet tall, stood. The furnace was three feet high, perfectly rounded, with four legs and two handles, and a lotus flower carved on its surface.

“Reverberation Disk!”

A flicker of surprise crossed Wang Mingdong’s eyes as he exclaimed.