He knew about the existence of magical artifacts. Second Uncle had once mentioned that when Great Feng won the battle at Shanhai Pass, the cannons had played a crucial role.
Half of the cannons’ power came from gunpowder, while the other half came from formations.
Magical artifacts were unique weapons of the Great Feng Dynasty and the source of their confidence in claiming to be the rightful rulers of the world.
At this moment, Li Qi’an suddenly realized that magical artifacts must have an intricate connection with the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.
Song Qing hesitated for a moment, but adhering to the principle of knowledge sharing, he answered Li Qi’an’s question: “It’s not a secret. Do you know what a Fourth-Rank Cultivator is called?”
I don’t even know what the Seventh Rank in my own martial arts system is called… Li Qi’an shook his head.
“Formation Master!” Song Qing said. “The items created by Alchemists are ordinary objects. When Formation Masters inscribe formations on them, they become magical artifacts.”
Based on his understanding of the Cultivator system and the information recently revealed by A-beauty Chu Caiwei, Li Qi’an suddenly thought of many things.
Ninth-Rank Herbalists in the Cultivator system lay the foundation for Eighth-Rank Aura Readers, who in turn prepare for Seventh-Rank Feng Shui Masters. But Feng Shui Masters have no relation to the next rank, Sixth-Rank Alchemists… So Alchemists complement Fourth-Rank Formation Masters.
Alchemists create powerful weapons, and Formation Masters process them into magical artifacts… This Cultivator system has something to it.
No wonder the Guardian’s status in the Great Feng Dynasty is so exalted.
I must win Chu Caiwei’s heart. Not for any particular purpose, just to find true love in this cold society.
Li Qi’an silently made up his mind.
“The second item is the Heart-Protecting Mirror. It’s also a magical artifact. The material is ordinary, but what’s truly precious is the formation inscribed on it. It can withstand a full-force attack from a Qi Condensation Realm expert six times, a Spirit Refinement Realm expert three times, and a Copper Skin Iron Bone Realm expert once.”
So Copper Skin Iron Bone Realm is the Sixth Rank in the martial arts system? Li Qi’an finally learned what the Sixth Rank in his system was called.
“The last one is called Bone-Corroding Heart-Burning. If you apply it to arrow tips, it can take the life of a Spirit Refinement Realm expert. It’s ineffective against Copper Skin Iron Bone Realm because the arrows can’t penetrate their skin.”
Li Qi’an nodded, “I like all three of these items.”
After a pause, he said, “That alchemical technique is called grafting!”
Drawing from his memories, Li Qi’an explained the grafting technique to Song Qing, though not in great detail. He wasn’t specific about the process, but he elaborated on its advantages, such as improving plants’ cold resistance, drought resistance, and pest resistance.
As well as enhancing fruit flavor.
Just like the money-making experiment in his diary, his theoretical knowledge was quite rich, but his practical skills were severely lacking.
But it didn’t matter, since he wouldn’t be the one practicing it anyway.
If Song Qing failed, it would be due to his lack of ability. If he succeeded, all the credit would go to Li Qi’an.
After listening, Song Qing was ecstatic, dancing with excitement, eager for spring to arrive so he could attempt this great alchemical feat.
“It’s a divine book! That’s simply a divine book! To think such an alchemical ancient text exists in the world, and I didn’t know about it!” Song Qing shouted excitedly.
…
“Thump, thump, thump…”
Li Qi’an walked briskly down the stairs of the Star-Observing Tower, carrying three magical artifacts that were beyond monetary value.
“I could trade one of these artifacts at the black market for the reward of opening the Heavenly Gate… But they’re all so useful, I’m reluctant to part with them… Indeed, getting things for free is humanity’s eternal source of joy… Tomorrow, I’ll go listen to music at the brothel.”
He hadn’t asked for a single copper coin from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, but what he had gained, if converted to silver, would instantly make his aunt submit and bow her head, never daring to mock him again.
If he exchanged it all for silver notes and then slapped his aunt’s pretty face with them… Thinking of this, Li Qi’an grew even happier.
“I stand in the roaring wind, wishing I could sweep away this lingering heartache. Looking up at the vast sky, clouds moving in all directions, with a sword in hand, I ask who in the world is a hero…” With no one around, he sang a song from his past life with passionate enthusiasm.
Turning a corner, he encountered a group of strangers, and they came face to face.
…How embarrassing! Li Qi’an’s song came to an abrupt halt, and he stepped aside with an expressionless face.
Three people were coming up the stairs. The one in the middle wore an indigo robe, with frost at his temples. He had an elegant demeanor, handsome features, and eyes like deep, dark pools, reflecting the vicissitudes of time.
He was the type of charming older man who could make young girls scream.
On the left was a taciturn young man, looking straight ahead, meticulous in his bearing.
On the right was a young man with a frivolous curve to his lips and a mischievous look in his eyes. His effeminate aura made Li Qi’an very uncomfortable.
However, in terms of looks, this effeminate young man was one of the rare beauties Li Qi’an had seen who could rival the Second Young Master of his family.
As the three passed by Li Qi’an, the effeminate young man snickered and glanced at him sideways.
In that instant, Li Qi’an felt as if something terrifying had gazed at him. He involuntarily held his breath, though his heart rate increased.
The three continued up the stairs until they disappeared around the corner. Only then did Li Qi’an feel relieved.
“That guy seemed to disdain me, mixed with hostility. Was my song too arrogant?”
Hmm, in the future, I need to be careful about some things, especially in public.
For instance: “I want this sky to no longer cover my eyes, this earth to no longer bury my heart, for all Buddhas to vanish like smoke and clouds.”
Or: “For the sacrifice of many ambitions, dare to make the sun and moon change to a new sky.”
…
On the seventh floor, Song Qing, having received his junior’s report, was waiting at the top of the stairs for the three people led by the man in the indigo robe.
Chu Caiwei was chewing on a piece of sugarcane, leaning against the wall, accompanying him casually.
As the three arrived on the seventh floor, Song Qing bowed: “Lord Wei.”
The middle-aged man with frosted temples nodded slightly.
“Lord Wei, my teacher has had too much to drink and is taking a nap. I’m afraid I must ask you to wait for a moment.”
The stern-faced young man remained expressionless, while the effeminate young man frowned slightly.
The elegant middle-aged man didn’t seem to mind and entered the tea room with Song Qing, casually saying, “While climbing the tower, we encountered an interesting young man. He doesn’t seem to be a disciple of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.”
Chu Caiwei was about to speak but was stopped by Song Qing’s glance. He smiled and said, “Just an insignificant person, though quite interesting.”
The Night Watchmen had a fierce reputation, viewed as tigers and wolves by civil and military officials. They didn’t need a reason to deal with people.
Song Qing wasn’t sure if Li Qi’an had inadvertently offended this eunuch with immense power.
“Interesting?” The elegant middle-aged man smiled gently. “In what way?”
Song Qing hesitated for a moment before evaluating, “A genius, an alchemical genius. If he hadn’t taken the wrong path of cultivation, if he had joined the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, his name would be in the history books.”
He didn’t say anything insincere while also hinting that the Imperial Astronomical Bureau valued Li Qi’an.
The effeminate young man sneered.
The elegant middle-aged man smiled and nodded slightly.
…
Li Mansion, inner courtyard.
Madam Li, along with several maids and servants, was cutting fabric, drawing lines, and stuffing cotton, preparing to make winter clothes for the family.
As the weather grew colder, Madam Li planned to make new winter clothes for her children and husband.
Lü’e finished the last stitch, biting off the fine thread with her small silver teeth. She looked satisfactorily at the exquisitely embroidered lotus flowers, imagining how beautiful Miss Ling Yin would look wearing them.
“Madam, yesterday when I went to see First Young Master, I found he had no winter clothes. He was still wearing autumn clothes,” Lü’e said in a soft voice.
Madam Li glanced at her maid and snorted coldly, “What are you trying to say?”
Lü’e lowered her head and said quietly, “Why don’t we make one for First Young Master too?”
“No way!” Madam Li snorted. “That little brat, he takes every chance to annoy me. Make clothes for him? Not a chance!”
The maids and servants silently continued their work, pretending not to hear.
“He comes to eat at home every day, but never thinks to contribute to the household expenses.”
“Doesn’t First Young Master give his salary to the household?” Lü’e mumbled.
“With his appetite, it’s barely enough for himself,” Madam Li rolled her beautiful eyes dramatically.
That unlucky nephew originally thought of improving their relationship since he saved the family’s lives, but the little brat takes every opportunity to provoke her, deliberately going against her.
The old saying goes, a wolf travels a thousand miles to eat meat, and a dog travels a thousand miles to eat shit. It’s not wrong at all.
The steward hurriedly ran over, stopping outside the courtyard, and called out, “Madam, the master has returned.”