"Yu Fan, I’m about to break through to the Foundation Establishment Realm. What do you think?" Liu Shuying mustered the courage to ask Yu Fan.
"Oh. And?"
"Oh? I am your master! How can you be so indifferent when your own master is reaching such a major milestone as the Foundation Establishment Realm?" Liu Shuying pointed at his nose, furious and demanding an explanation.
*So you're breaking through? Why tell me? How grand. What, do you want me to applaud, dance for you, and treat you to a feast? Ridiculous. As if that would ever happen!*
Liu Shuying’s face flushed red with indignation. It was Yu Fan who had previously claimed her breakthrough was flawed; now that she had proven she could succeed, he was completely indifferent. She had put in an incredible amount of effort to reach this point! How could he be like this?
*She still has quite a lot of impurities in her body. Should I give her a Marrow Cleansing Pill? But if I give it to her now, it might seem too deliberate. She’ll definitely think I’m up to something, given we’ve only known each other a few days.*
*Forget it. I won't give it to her for now; I don't want her to think I have ill intentions. I’ll wait for another opportunity.*
*Marrow Cleansing Pill? That’s a seven-star pill! Give it to me! I want it! I won't say a word about it,* Liu Shuying thought, feeling utterly stifled.
She had wanted to speak up countless times, but she dared not. She was terrified he would find out she could hear his inner thoughts.
If it truly was a Marrow Cleansing Pill, it would certainly help her purge those impurities. It was a seven-star pill, after all; she didn't want to miss this chance. She would have to keep working on him.
"Hey, Yu Fan! Your master is about to reach the Foundation Establishment Realm, and you have nothing to say? Maybe you have a gift for me?" Liu Shuying prompted him again.
"Good luck!"
"Good luck? That's it? Nothing else?" Liu Shuying felt like crying. It seemed the Marrow Cleansing Pill was a lost cause for now; she would have to find another way later!
She decided she would have to find a way to get her hands on his treasures. He had seven-star pills, so he was definitely a goldmine. She had to hold onto him tight and make sure no one else snatched him away. She was so wise—she had almost lost him!
"Master, I am only at the 3rd Layer of Qi Condensation. Something as profound as your breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment Realm is beyond my current understanding, so I’m afraid I have no advice to offer you," Yu Fan said, adopting a naive, innocent look and a sweet tone.
Liu Shuying thought, *Just keep pretending. My storage bag isn't even half as good at holding things as you are at holding that act. If I didn’t know your true strength, I’d almost be fooled by your harmless appearance. You really are a master of deception, Yu Fan!*
"By the way, Master, how much longer until we arrive?" Yu Fan asked, looking puzzled.
They had left after lunch, and now it was nearly nightfall, yet the carriage kept moving.
"We’re going to Yunhe City first. I need to get my certification as a Two-Star Artifact Refiner," Liu Shuying replied.
"A Two-Star Artifact Refiner? Master, haven't you not yet reached the Foundation Establishment Realm? Can you really pass the certification?" Yu Fan was confused.
Every star level for an Artifact Refiner corresponded to a major realm. A Two-Star Artifact Refiner usually required at least the 5th Layer of the Foundation Establishment Realm; even those at the 9th Layer of Foundation Establishment couldn't guarantee the creation of a Spirit Artifact.
Liu Shuying was only at the 9th Layer of Qi Condensation, yet she wanted to attempt a Two-Star certification.
*If what she says is true, her talent must be quite exceptional. It is possible for someone at the 9th Layer of Qi Condensation to forge a two-star Spirit Artifact if they possess a high-level understanding of metal and sufficient spiritual energy reserves.*
Seeing the surprise on Yu Fan’s face, Liu Shuying felt a surge of pride. She had never seen him look surprised before, and it was quite an accomplishment. Finally, she felt a sense of presence!
About fifteen minutes later, the sky had turned completely dark, but the night market in Yunhe City was just coming to life. The streets were brightly lit and bustling.
The sounds of children playing and vendors calling out filled the air. Yunhe City at night was vibrant, and the flow of pedestrians was constant. In this regard alone, Yunhe City was far more prosperous than Qingshan City. The trip was well worth it.
Yunhe City offered so much more than Qingshan City: authoritative certification centers for alchemists and artifact refiners, auction houses, taverns, and even a mysterious black market. None of these existed in Qingshan City. The city itself occupied a much larger area as well.
Coming home was effortless for Liu Shuying. The guards at the city gate recognized her and greeted her with wide, friendly smiles, making no attempt to stop them.
"Well, disciple, would you say Yunhe City is a bit more prosperous than your Qingshan City?" Liu Shuying asked.
Yu Fan nodded slightly. "It is indeed much more prosperous and lively. I really wish I could bring my parents here to see it; they have never been anywhere else."
It felt to Yu Fan like moving from a small town to a major metropolis.
"Coachman, take us to the Artifact Refiner certification center," Liu Shuying instructed.
"Understood! Please hold on tight."
They wove through the crowds and traversed the streets until the carriage finally stopped in front of the center.
The imposing structure exuded an intimidating majesty. The characters on the plaque, "Artifact Refiner Certification Center," were written with powerful, sweeping strokes. Judging by its exterior alone, it was luxurious; in Yunhe City, the certification centers for alchemists and artifact refiners were among the most prestigious buildings in existence.
"This place is quite high-end."
"This is only the center for Yunhe City. The one at Bihai Academy is truly high-end; the highest rank one can certify here is a Three-Star Artifact Refiner," Liu Shuying explained.
Just as the two stepped out of the carriage, another carriage pulled up right beside theirs.
"Shuying, we truly are fated to meet, even late at night! With such a coincidence, perhaps even the heavens favor us as a pair," a crisp, refined voice called out from inside the vehicle.
The carriage driver stepped down and immediately knelt on the ground. A man reached out from the carriage, stepping on the driver's back to descend.
Yu Fan felt a wave of disgust at the ostentatious display.
*What is this? Who is this arrogant creature? Does that driver not have human rights? How could he let someone step on his back like that?*
The man clearly didn't treat others as human beings. He was obviously wealthy, but were all rich people this unrefined, thinking they could trample on human dignity at will? It seemed he even knew Liu Shuying. A young man emerged, waving a folding fan with a practiced grace; he looked like a refined, dashing young nobleman. But despite his handsome appearance, he was lacking in character.
Appearances were indeed deceptive.