Zheng Hong asked, "Xiao Wei, what happened at home last night? We seemed to have heard fighting."
Sure enough, the commotion in the night had already spread.
Hearing Zheng Hong's question, Song Anning felt a little nervous.
If the Zheng family knew he had been approached by strangers again yesterday, they would definitely suspect if the formation disk had truly been stolen, and they would try to get close again.
Coupled with this family's loose lips, this matter could very well reach Hu Ping's ears, which would likely cause even more trouble.
Previously, there had been three waves of people who targeted Song Anning because of the mysterious formation disk: the Zheng family, Hu Ping, and that group of intruders.
However, Song Anning could tell that the Zheng family didn't understand much about this formation disk; it was likely limited to them knowing it was a treasure. Hu Ping also hadn't pestered him incessantly, and his desire for the formation disk didn't seem strong.
But those strangers were different; they clearly understood the formation disk very well, which was why they pursued him so relentlessly.
Song Anning didn't know what the Zheng family had heard last night, but he was certain he wouldn't admit to anything.
So, feigning a bit of embarrassment, he said, "Did I disturb you last night, Sister Hong? I'm truly sorry. I couldn't sleep well at night, so I was experimenting with a spirit talisman I made. I won't do it again."
As he spoke, he produced a Rank 1 Mid-grade Golden Sword Talisman in his hand.
Zheng Hong was only at the Late Qi Refining Stage, so upon sensing the talisman's dangerous spiritual energy fluctuations, she involuntarily took a step back and said, "Xiao Wei, you've actually become a Talisman Master? I didn't dare believe it when I heard others mention it before. You're truly successful! Heh heh."
"Yes, aren't my grandmother and father both Talisman Masters? I picked up some of it from being around them since I was young."
After a few brief exchanges with her, Song Anning returned home.
He believed this family wouldn't dare to act recklessly in the market town, so he didn't consider them a real problem.
However, after returning home, Zheng Hong specifically described the Golden Sword Talisman, and the entire Zheng family was astonished by his status as a Rank 1 Mid-grade Talisman Master.
"The talisman crafting inheritance left by the Qin family is at least Tier 1 High-grade," Zheng Kaitai muttered, his dark, beady eyes darting around!
Over the next ten days or so, Song Anning successively burned the eleven buried skeletons at home, reaping substantial rewards.
He not only obtained the artifact refiner inheritance as he wished but also became a Tier 1 High-grade artifact refiner, on the same level as Hu Ping.
His spells also became richer. Although he only learned some common low-grade spells, the "Vine Bind Technique," "Azure Light Shield," and "Wind Breaking Arrow" were all at the third layer, which did add to his strength.
Spells were divided into four grades: Low, Mid, High, and Extreme. The most common low-grade spells could only be cultivated to the third layer, while mid-grade spells had six layers, and high-grade and extreme-grade spells had nine and twelve layers, respectively.
So, Song Anning was somewhat disappointed with the Zheng family. Despite producing so many cultivators, not a single one knew a mid-grade spell!
After burning about twenty corpses in total, he had also accumulated some experience.
Clearly, the remains of cultivators with higher realms were more useful. Those at the Early Qi Refining stage, like Li Mao, or those at the Mid Qi Refining stage without much foundation, basically couldn't provide much help.
Therefore, it seemed unnecessary to burn the corpses of low-level cultivators in the future.
For the next three months, Song Anning didn't spend time researching artifact refining. He already possessed a Tier 1 High-grade Magical Artifact Inner Armor and felt no immediate need to increase his equipment. Thus, he focused his energy on cultivation.
Contrary to his expectations, his home was not visited by strangers again, and life remained peaceful without any other bothersome incidents.
First, regarding Guan Zhanpeng, the old man neither sent people to attack him again nor demanded an explanation for Li Mao's death, as if all the grievances between them had vanished.
Secondly, regarding his digging up of Hu Ping's family graveyard, although the other party discovered the graveyard in disarray the very next morning with the bones missing, he had covered his tracks cleanly, so the Hu family did not suspect him.
The group that had infiltrated the Qin family's courtyard twice also seemed to have vanished.
Song Anning even suspected that there were only two of them, and since both were now dead, he hadn't been targeted in the past three months.
Simultaneously, during this period, he smoothly entered the Qi Cultivation Layer 3 thanks to his thorough understanding of the "Pure Essence Formula," the Tier 1 High-grade pills purchased from Immortal Fate Pavilion, and the Tier 1 Low-grade Spirit Gathering Formation at home!
As a cultivation waste with five-element spirit roots, a breakthrough in realm was naturally a joyous occasion.
Therefore, he decided to go buy some artifact refining materials to craft equipment for himself as a celebration.
Although Song Anning had already been a Tier 1 High-grade artifact refiner two months prior, capable of earning at least a dozen spirit stones by crafting a low-grade magic artifact, he had not revealed this identity.
Hu Ping, like Guan Zhanpeng, was also prone to jealousy. He felt that if the other party discovered his artifact refining skills, he might be attacked!
Therefore, he decided to keep a low profile and would only quietly craft artifacts for himself until he reached the Late Qi Refining Stage.
With the plan in mind, he acted immediately!
Song Anning first went to Immortal Fate Pavilion to exchange spirit talismans for some spirit stones. He then spent a large sum of money to buy a good artifact refining furnace and some basic artifact refining materials.
Afterward, he planned to visit the market again to discreetly purchase some powerful artifact refining materials.
This was because if he procured everything from Immortal Fate Pavilion, it would arouse suspicion from those with ulterior motives regarding his artifact refining skills and purchasing intentions.
Just as he was about to leave Immortal Fate Pavilion, he coincidentally ran into Guān Yíróng, whom he hadn't seen in a while.
Upon hearing that Song Anning had bought an artifact refining furnace, she was quite perplexed and asked, "Xiao Wei, you're doing so well as a Talisman Master, why are you suddenly researching artifact refining?"
Through their interactions over the past few months, the two had gradually become familiar with each other.
Furthermore, Guān Yíróng had high expectations for Song Anning's talisman crafting skills, so she continued to speak bluntly, "Xiao Wei, if I remember correctly, you should have pseudo spirit roots of the five elements, right? Sister feels that since your cultivation is already slower than others, you should focus on talisman crafting. This way, you can also dedicate your remaining time to your own cultivation and strive for a longer lifespan."
Song Anning knew she meant well. Given his cultivation talent, let alone Foundation Establishment, he might not even reach the Late Qi Refining Stage. Therefore, Second Miss Guan's concern was very reasonable and entirely out of goodwill.
However, he couldn't explain much, so he replied with a smile, "I recently acquired an artifact refining book, so I wanted to try it out to see how difficult it is. Don't worry, Sister Rong, I don't plan to spend too much time on it."
Since accepting a Tier 1 High-grade Magical Artifact Inner Armor from her, he had started calling her "Sister Rong," while Guān Yíróng consistently called him "Xiao Wei." They had indeed become somewhat like siblings.
However, this was also entirely because she was unaware of his actual age. Otherwise, she would not only not behave so intimately but would even deliberately keep her distance.
Song Anning estimated that in a few more years, once he grew a bit taller, he wouldn't receive this kind of treatment anymore.