Cultivation: I can solidify equipment attributes

After delivering the supplies, Li Yuan did not rush to leave the outpost.

Using the excuse of waiting for a confirmation document, he lingered outside the outpost for an extra half hour. His Golden Core stage divine sense was quietly released, covering the entire area of ​​the outpost.

The outpost had expanded considerably since our last visit. The newly added barracks stretched along the eastern cliff face, all of them standard Tianyue Sect tents. Yuanyang Sect's own facilities, on the other hand, were relegated to the western corner, occupying less than 30% of the total area.

Li Yuan's attention was focused underground.

Divine sense penetrated the ground, like an extremely fine blade scanning horizontally through the rock strata. Beneath the foundation of the outpost, in addition to the original defensive formations of the Yuan Yang Sect, three unfamiliar spiritual energy nodes had appeared.

Three communication arrays.

The array's structure was extremely ingenious, with its core components embedded in the gaps of the foundation stone slabs, and its outer layer covered with shielding array patterns, making it completely imperceptible from the surface. If it weren't for the absolute precision of Dark Fiend's Insight at the Golden Core stage, these three arrays would most likely have been overlooked by everyone.

Li Yuan analyzed the transmission direction of the formation based on his third-order beginner level of formation skills.

The signal transmitters of all three arrays point eastward, extending along the geological veins of the Luoxia Corridor, heading directly towards the border of Jingzhou.

They bypassed the Yuanyang Sect's communication network.

The Tianyue Sect established a completely independent communication system beneath the Yuanyang Sect's outpost, with all information directly transmitted to the sect, leaving the Yuanyang Sect unaware of it.

Li Yuan memorized the coordinates and structural details of the three formations and withdrew his divine sense.

When the receipt for the supplies was handed over, the Yuan Yang Sect steward in charge of the handover casually remarked something.

"The Xuanpu Master from Tianyue Sect will arrive in three days. At that time, the arrangements for the outpost will probably have to be changed again."

Late stage of Golden Core, arriving in three days.

Li Yuan carefully put away the documents, his expression remaining unchanged, and asked, "How are things at the front lines lately?"

The deacon shook his head, his tone tinged with confusion.

"Things seem to have calmed down considerably. Neither side has launched any offensives in the past two weeks, and there have even been fewer probing clashes. The monks on duty at several forward outposts are saying that life is unbelievably leisurely."

The Demonic Sect and the Primordial Yang Sect reduced the intensity of their confrontation.

Li Yuan thanked them and turned to leave the outpost.

After leaving the outpost's perimeter, Li Yuan did not return to the market town, but instead headed northeast.

The target is the first transit point marked on the northern supply route map, located on the northeastern outskirts of Ghost Mist Forest.

He stopped in a secluded mountain valley, using his illusionary disguise to adjust the range of changes and completely reshape his appearance and aura.

His features became even more sinister, with high cheekbones, narrow eyes, and a slightly downturned mouth, exuding a malevolent aura unique to demonic cultivators. His skin was bluish-gray, his fingers had large knuckles, and the edges of his nails were faintly blackened.

The frequency of the demonic energy was also being adjusted, perfectly matching the harmonic signature commonly used in the internal communications of the Dark Abyss Guild.

All preparations are complete.

Li Yuan used the Earth Escape Technique to sneak along the branch of the earth vein towards the first transfer station on the northeastern outskirts.

With my current level of cultivation, as long as I don't actively step into a deadly situation, I can protect myself more than enough.

The transit station was located in an underground cave deep within a dense forest. The entrance was at the base of a dead tree with a diameter of over ten feet. After the soil beneath the tree was dug up, a narrow, sloping path was revealed. A demonic energy sensing array was set up at the entrance of the path, and the alarm would only be deactivated when a cultivator carrying a specific demonic energy frequency approached.

Li Yuan stopped two zhang outside the narrow passage and actively released demonic energy fluctuations that were consistent with the communication frequency of the Dark Abyss Society.

The array patterns of the sensing array glowed slightly, then went out.

Alert lifted.

He walked down the narrow path, and after turning two corners, a simple door made of ironwood came into view. A demonic talisman was pasted on the door, and the pattern of the talisman was the standard style of the Dark Abyss Society.

Li Yuan raised his hand and knocked on the door three times, in a rhythm of two short knocks followed by one long knock.

A hoarse voice came from behind the door.

"The mountain is high."

"Shui Yuan." Li Yuan's voice was deep, with the heavy, husky tone characteristic of demonic cultivators.

The door was pushed open from the inside.

A sallow-faced demonic cultivator stood behind the door, possessing the cultivation level of the early Foundation Establishment stage, and held a short blade in his hand. He sized Li Yuan up and down.

He carefully examined Li Yuan's face, then sensed the frequency of demonic energy emanating from Li Yuan, before nodding slightly and stepping aside.

"Come in. You're from the north?"

"Hmm." Li Yuan turned and walked into the cave.

The cave was small, about four zhang (approximately 10 meters) square. Several wooden boxes were piled in the corner, their surfaces sealed with tape. Two array stones for illumination were embedded in the stone wall, emitting a dim yellow light.

The sallow-faced demonic cultivator on duty walked back to a stone table and sat down. On the table were a list of supplies and several fragments of jade slips used for communication.

"There was no notification from above that anyone was coming," he said casually, his tone not particularly wary, more like a routine confirmation.

"It was added at the last minute." Li Yuan sat down on another stone bench, took out a small bag of spirit stones from his storage bag, and placed it on the table. "We've been traveling for three days, so we'll rest a bit before continuing."

"It was added at the last minute." Li Yuan sat down on another stone bench, took out a small bag of spirit stones from his storage bag, and placed it on the table. "We've been traveling for three days, so we'll rest a bit before continuing."

The sallow-faced man glanced at the spirit stone, didn't touch it, and nodded.

"The checks outside are tight lately, so don't take that old route. The Yuan Yang Sect's scouts have been patrolling the east these past few days."

"Understood." Li Yuan leaned against the stone wall, looking exhausted, his eyes half-closed. "Any changes on the northern route recently?"

The sallow-faced man scoffed.

"A Golden Core Elder is coming from above soon."

Li Yuan slightly lifted his eyelids; the demonic cultivators seemed to have little to hide regarding information.

It could also be due to excessive reliance on demonic energy communication and frequencies.

With a sallow face, he lowered his voice, a hint of schadenfreude on his face.

"It is said that they came from another branch altar and are related to the Mo Zhou Secret Cave, which is the Mo Zhou where five people died that time."

"It seems like he was carrying related items."

The deep abyss and secret cave.

Li Yuan didn't press further and continued the conversation along the lines.

"I've been out there for months, and I've lost all contact with anyone. Is the underground passage still passable?"

"Yes. All three are in use." The sallow-faced man held up three fingers.

"The western passage was only completed two months ago, but the southeast and mine directions have been open all along. The higher-ups' idea is to open up all the passages first, so that the main force won't have to charge through the surface anymore."

There are three secret passages. One of them is the one at the Mystic Stone Mine, which he has already explored.

As for the other two phrases, "m waxy yellow face," although no precise coordinates were given, the general direction is clear.

The sallow-faced man flipped through the list on the table.

"The next batch of supplies will arrive in seven days. It will take the northern route, transiting through the third transfer station. Since you're already here, remember to help escort it."

"However, the second transit station is about to be withdrawn. The higher-ups think that the location is too risky to be exposed. It will be dismantled after this batch of supplies is delivered."

The second transfer station is about to be demolished.

His sallow complexion was probably due to the boredom of being on duty all year round. It was rare to have someone to chat with, so he started talking more and more.

"The situation in this world is strange. When my master was alive, he always said that the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is getting thinner year by year, and cultivation is getting more and more difficult. I used to hear about powerful cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage, but now? Which sect can produce even one?"

Li Yuan then asked, "Are there any cultivators still at the Nascent Soul stage?"

The sallow-faced man pursed his lips.

"Who do I think I am? How would I know such things? But my master said that there really are no Nascent Soul sects left, not a single one. The spiritual energy of heaven and earth is too thin; even Nascent Soul cultivators have a hard time emerging, let alone Nascent Soul cultivators."

"It is said that only when a Nascent Soul cultivator ascends to immortality can they open the channel of spiritual energy between heaven and earth and attract the support of the upper realm. However, that is just hearsay; who knows whether the upper realm will actually provide such support?"

There are no sects that have reached the Nascent Soul stage. The spiritual energy of heaven and earth is declining.

Li Yuan had never heard of this level of information in the rogue cultivator circle. It wasn't that rogue cultivators couldn't access it, but rather that such matters were too distant for them; no one cared or discussed them.

I know less information than a low-level demonic cultivator on duty.

Li Yuan chatted for a few more minutes about unimportant things, then got up to say goodbye.

He didn't try to stop her, his face ashen, and pointed to a backup route heading southwest.

"Taking that route is a longer and more circuitous way than the old one, but it's safer."

Li Yuan nodded and left the transfer station via the backup passage.

After leaving the transit station area, he reviewed all the information he had gathered along the way in his mind.

The Demonic Fiend Sect has dispatched another Golden Core cultivator, carrying items from the Abyss Cavern. Three secret passages exist beneath the Ghost Mist Forest. The next round of supplies will be transported in seven days. The second transit station is about to be dismantled. The Demonic Fiend Sect is contacting the Abyss Sect to counterbalance the Heavenly Peak Sect. The spiritual energy of heaven and earth is declining, leaving no sects capable of transforming into Divine Transformation Realms.

The harvest was enormous.

It was past noon when we returned to the market.

Li Yuan first went to Ji Huaiyuan's shop, but found that Ji Huaiyuan was not there, so he turned around and went to Mingyuan Chamber of Commerce.

Xu Zhang was settling accounts in the shop when he looked up and saw Li Yuan. He invited him to sit down.

"Fellow Daoist Xu, do you know any skilled weapon refiners?" Li Yuan asked directly, "Those at the second rank or above."

"Looking for a weapon refiner?" Xu Zhang shook his head after hearing the question.

"The Chamber of Commerce doesn't have any resources in this area within Liangzhou's network. They do have some in Jingzhou, but it's too far away, and bringing them over would be too costly and not worthwhile. What kind of project do you want to build?"

"No rush," Li Yuan said, without going into details.

His gaze swept across the shelves behind Xu Zhang, pausing for a moment on a worn-out booklet.

"What was that?"

Xu Zhang followed his gaze and reached out to take the booklet down.

"Weapon Forging Manual. A passing rogue cultivator pawned it here for spirit stones, but never came to redeem it, so I put it up for sale. It's a first-tier introductory manual, containing three methods for forging low-tier magic weapons."

Li Yuan took it and flipped through it.

Flame Blade, Flame Sword, Water Spirit Sword. The complete forging process for three first-tier magical artifacts is described in detail, from material selection, smelting, infusing spiritual power to the final form. Although it's only an introductory technique for first-tier artifacts, it's sufficient as a starting point.

He did a rough calculation in his mind. He was at the second-level perfection of array formation and the beginning of the third level, and at the beginning of the third level of alchemy. If he invested the same amount of time in weapon crafting, with the precision of his Golden Core stage spiritual sense and spiritual power, he wouldn't be slow to get started.

Moreover, every magical artifact you craft yourself will have a unique inscription.

This is the key point. Whether a purchased magical artifact has any special attributes is entirely up to luck, but if you craft it yourself, it will definitely have those attributes. The grade and effect are random, but having them is better than not having them.

The creation of the natal magic weapon will have to be postponed. That dark silver magic weapon embryo requires extremely high-quality materials and craftsmanship, far beyond the reach of first-order weapon crafting techniques.

"How much is this one?"

"I'll give you a discount, twenty spirit stones."

Li Yuan took out spirit stones to pay and put the weapon refining manual into his storage bag.

Xu Zhang accepted the spirit stones, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke up.

"I have something to tell you. The dissatisfaction within the Yuan Yang Sect with the Tian Yue Sect has been brewing for quite some time. The manpower at the outposts is being increasingly undermined, and several inner sect deacons are privately cursing."

Li Yuan glanced at him.

Xu Zhang continued, "It's not just the Yuan Yang Sect. The three sects of Jingzhou also have a lot of opinions about the Tian Yue Sect's behavior, but they can't turn against it because of the prestige of being a Nascent Soul sect. The Mingyuan Chamber of Commerce has been doing business in Jingzhou for so many years, and we can see the attitude of the three sects very clearly."

"Are you sure it's okay for you to tell me all this?"

Xu Zhang smiled and shrugged.

"This isn't a secret; it's out in the open. In Jingzhou, Tianyue Sect is the neighbor that nobody likes but nobody dares to mess with. This time, they came to Liangzhou to interfere, and the three sects of Jingzhou are hoping they'll be defeated outside."

Li Yuan was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"understood."

He brought the weapon-forging manual and the information he had gathered that day back to the stone house.