To enter the barren city secret realm, one must complete the test set on the stone gate.
More than a hundred years ago, Xu Yi could already answer all the questions, and after years of training and study, these questions were even more effortless.
After standing outside the gate for the time it takes half a cup of tea to steep, the stone gate opened on its own, and she stepped into the stone cave.
Beyond the stone cave was the same spacious stone chamber. She walked directly to the door and pushed it open. Standing outside the door was a man in a dark blue short robe, exactly the same situation as when Xu Yi last entered the secret realm.
However, a look of astonishment appeared on Xu Yi's face.
No, some things were still different.
For example, the puppet that greeted Xu Yi outside the gate, although its appearance showed no flaws, lacked any vital aura and had a stiff expression, making it easy to spot.
But the man before her was indistinguishable from an ordinary cultivator from head to toe, even emanating the spiritual energy fluctuations unique to cultivators. Even Xu Yi couldn't help but hesitate.
"You've arrived."
Just as Xu Yi was scrutinizing the puppet with suspicion, the puppet suddenly spoke. Xu Yi's eyes widened instantly.
This puppet could actually speak!
Xu Yi immediately recalled the puppet that had impersonated cultivators and handled business for the ancestor of the Zhang family.
She had previously considered that there were many flaws in the puppet. If it truly interacted with people often, it wouldn't have gone undiscovered. But it wasn't until Zhang Tianbao spoke up that the people of the barren city learned the truth. The puppet at the time was as lifelike as the one before her, which allowed it to deceive everyone.
Xu Yi pondered for a moment, cupped her fists, and said, "I am Xu Yi. May I ask your honorable name?"
Xu Yi's words contained a subtle probe.
As expected, the puppet cupped its fists in return and smiled, "Daoist friend Xu is too kind. You may call me Gongshu Yi."
Gongshu Yi.
Xu Yi found the name somewhat peculiar, but before she could think further, Gongshu Yi spoke again, "Daoist friend Xu's return suggests you have mastered all that you learned last time?"
Gongshu Yi's lips curved slightly, the fine lines on his cheeks clearly visible, like human skin.
Gongshu Yi showed no signs of aggression, yet for some reason, Xu Yi felt an inexplicable sense of wariness towards him. She carefully considered his question before answering.
"I dare not be presumptuous before you, Senior. I believe I have mastered over eighty percent."
Gongshu Yi smiled even more heartily, "Mastering eighty percent is quite good. Please follow me."
As he spoke, he extended his hand in an inviting gesture and took the lead for Xu Yi.
Gongshu Yi led Xu Yi through the courtyard, and the two walked in silence.
Xu Yi had intended to inquire about some news from Gongshu Yi, but she then realized that it was not a good time to speak. Therefore, she remained silent, subtly observing the surroundings.
Xu Yi had followed puppets to the refining room and the mine before, but the path Gongshu Yi took her on was none she had ever traveled.
After dozens of breaths, passing through a moon gate, Gongshu Yi stopped and announced loudly, "Daoist friend Xu, please look."
Xu Yi had been guessing where Gongshu Yi would take her all along. When she reached her destination, she realized her imagination was still too limited.
In front of the moon gate stood a refining platform, five zhang high and three zhang wide.
The refining platform was entirely scorched black, with irregular scratches and signs of hammering.
Behind the refining platform were more than ten stone mountains, ten zhang high. More accurately, they were mounds of various metal ores and refining materials.
This place was simply a treasure trove that all artifact refiners in the Nine Provinces Continent dreamed of.
Xu Yi's fingers trembled instinctively; her hands were itching to start.
"This is..."
"This is where my master refines artifacts, and also where I was born."
Gongshu Yi did not believe his identity needed to be concealed and proudly introduced everything around him to Xu Yi.
"This refining platform is made from the heart of the Southern Sea Copper Mother. My master spent several hundred years collecting so much of it."
Xu Yi's eyes grew eager upon hearing this. The Southern Sea Copper Mother was a peculiar ore found at the bottom of the Southern Sea.
Its excellent water attribute allowed it to resist flame erosion while easily transmitting heat, making it a highly favored material for refining platforms among artifact refiners.
However, due to the numerous and treacherous sea monsters in the Southern Sea, whose powers were vast, the Southern Sea Copper Mother buried at the bottom of the sea was extremely difficult to obtain.
And the heart of the Southern Sea Copper Mother, the rarest essence within the Southern Sea Copper Mother, was even more precious.
Xu Yi had never imagined that anyone would be so extravagant as to use the heart of the Southern Sea Copper Mother to forge such a large refining platform.
The unconcealed envy in Xu Yi's eyes pleased Gongshu Yi greatly.
"Those behind are the refining materials the master has accumulated over the years," Gongshu Yi said with a reserved smile. "In addition, the master has more than ten mining veins. I believe you witnessed them last time."
Mining veins?
The images of Long Haotian and the other two sweating profusely flashed in Xu Yi's mind. She suppressed a smile and nodded.
It seemed that every move she made last time had been under Gongshu Yi's surveillance, and sending the three of them to mine was likely also Gongshu Yi's arrangement.
Although Xu Yi did not outwardly display her emotions, Gongshu Yi somehow saw through her thoughts and said in a calm tone, "Your three friends are completely clueless about artifact refining and were never destined to enter this place. Sending them to mine can be considered a training opportunity for them."
Xu Yi noticed that Gongshu Yi's attitude towards her was completely different from his attitude when discussing Long Haotian and the other two.
She surmised that he was influenced by his master, loving what his master loved. He was gentle towards those skilled in artifact refining and indifferent in his words to those who were not.
"Xu Yi understands. After leaving the secret realm, my three friends have indeed made considerable progress," Xu Yi said with a smile.
A thousand miles away, Long Haotian, who was recuperating, suddenly felt a heat in his ears.
The Sect Master of Qinglian mistakenly believed his condition had relapsed and extended his recovery period again, causing Long Haotian immense suffering.
Back in the secret realm, Gongshu Yi had changed the topic.
"Daoist friend Xu, would you like to use the refining materials and refining platform here to forge a magical treasure that suits your heart's desire?"
Xu Yi was startled, then replied resolutely, "Yes!"
After saying that, she immediately added, "Every artifact refiner would answer without hesitation."
Xu Yi had been tempted from the very beginning. She could not refuse such a near-perfect refining location.
Xu Yi's frank confession made Gongshu Yi beam with joy. "Daoist friend Xu, I like your honesty.
Since that is the case, I will give you an opportunity. You can use these refining materials to your heart's content and forge one artifact that satisfies you the most."
Even though she had anticipated it, Xu Yi's heart couldn't help but race.
However, this time she did not immediately agree. "Is this also a test?"
"You could consider it that way."
Gongshu Yi seemed to have answered Xu Yi's question, but it was not a direct reply.
Xu Yi muttered to herself, is this Gongshu Yi truly a puppet?
Why did she feel that his cunning was no less than hers?
Despite her doubts, Xu Yi agreed.
No artifact refiner could refuse this offer.
And she certainly wouldn't.