772 Zhuo Yixian Is a Pet? (2/2)
The force repelling his attack—a good fifteen percent of the original attack—was a great boost to the artifact's offensive capabilities. That was the equivalent of augmenting his divine powers by an additional fifteen percent. The additional boost could decide one's fate in actual battle!
Wang Baole was extremely pleased with the results. Unfortunately, he soon encountered a problem during the next upgrade to the artifact's fourth level.
The next upgrade proved to be extremely challenging. Nevertheless, it was a difficulty that Wang Baole could overcome with his skill at artifact refinement. The problem was that this upgrade required a material called the Spirit Tempering Leaf. The Spirit Tempering Leaf's supply was controlled by the Divine Sovereign Justice Sect, and trying to buy it outside the sect was nearly impossible. The only way to get it was through purchase within the sect, and that was only if one had the necessary access rights.
Wang Baole currently only had the most basic of access rights and wasn't eligible to purchase the material. He scratched his head, then eyed the third level Heaven Shaking Divine Justice Shield. He had no choice but to end his seclusion and make his way towards Commander Fairy Ling You's residence.
Fairy Ling You's position as the commander of the Ice Phoenix Legion ensured that she was constantly busy. The fact that she was now preparing her army's advancement made her especially so. Therefore, she wasn't at all pleased with Wang Baole's abrupt appearance and didn't bother to conceal her mild annoyance when she summoned him to see her.
”Long Nanzi, what do you want?”
”Commander, I've refined the Heaven Shaking Divine Justice Shield. However, upgrading the artifact to higher levels requires me to acquire materials beyond my current purchasing rights. I'm here to request an upgrade of my access rights…” Wang Baole felt slightly sheepish. He had only refined the artifact to its third level, which was hardly anything spectacular. Regardless, he still pulled out the Heaven Shaking Divine Justice Shield he had refined for the commander's examination.
”You've successfully refined it?” Fairy Ling You froze when she heard what Wang Baole had just said. She briefly glanced at the artifact Wang Baole was showing her to ensure that it was indeed the Heaven Shaking Divine Justice Shield. She hadn't expected such progress from Wang Baole, but her surprise didn't last long. Wang Baole had specialized in artifact refinement, so it shouldn't be surprising that he would have a strong foundation in the area. It wasn't shocking at all that he could refine a first level Heaven Shaking Divine Justice Shield.
She still viewed cultivators from affiliated sects as persons beneath her. In her view, they were cultivators who only made use of unorthodox means and had tricks up their sleeves. Wang Baole might be able to refine the first level of Heaven Shaking Divine Justice Shield, but that was likely the best he could do. If he wanted to advance to the next level, he was going to need at least a few years.
Besides, the most important thing occupying her mind now was the advancement of her army. That was why she didn't pay much attention to minor details like Wang Baole's request and couldn't be bothered to examine his request in detail. She upgraded his access rights immediately and sent him on his way.
Wang Baole walked out of the halls, not particularly bothered by the commander's attitude. Personally, he thought that a third level Heaven Shaking Divine Justice Shield really wasn't something to be proud of. With his upgraded access rights, he immediately purchased the Spirit Tempering Leaf and returned to his residence, ready to retreat into seclusion again. Wang Baole marched across the Ice Phoenix Legion camp, his eyes sweeping past groups of female cultivators looking sharp and handsome as they too swiftly made their way across the camp. However, his mind was elsewhere, running through the Heaven Shaking Divine Justice Shield's upgrade to the fifth level.
The fourth level shouldn't be a problem. Now that I have the Spirit Tempering Leaf, it should only take me two hours to complete the upgrade. The complexity involved in reaching the fifth level is comparatively greater. It's like crossing the bridge between the Soul Conduit realm and the Spirit Immortal realm. I'll need to research this in greater detail. Wang Baole was deep in thought and about to reach his residence. It was then that he heard laughter ahead of him, followed by sounds of reprimanding and the sharp lashing of a whip.
Wang Baole raised his head in surprise. When he turned his eyes towards the direction of the commotion, he saw seven to eight female cultivators from the army. Amongst them was a tall woman who looked extremely strong and was at the perfected Soul Conduit realm. Her physical appearance and level of cultivation gave her a terrifying presence. She held four ropes in her hand…
Tied at the end of each rope was a creature. They were like pets being taken on a walk. The group approached Wang Baole, their laughter growing louder as they drew near!
The four pets looked different from each other. There was one that was clearly a plant-based humanoid, another that was a fearsome-looking, three-headed lizard, and one that was a python with the head of a woman. As for the last pet… Wang Baole's eyes widened with incredulity when they landed on the last creature!
Zhuo Yixian?