Put Away Your Divine Techniques Now! Chapter 1161 - 346: [Miracles Through Sheer Strength] (Part 3)

"What?"

"Artifact Spirit." The Golden Blade Master stated coldly. "In the typical process of weapon forging, simultaneously incorporating two material attributes to ensure they harmonize instead of conflicting is already exceptionally uncommon.

However, to accommodate five attributes, or even more, at once necessitates the weapon having already activated an Artifact Spirit from its inception.

An Artifact Spirit, possessing self-awareness, can undergo self-evolution. Provided the owner diligently nurtures it and its intellect is sufficiently advanced, it can manage the fluctuations of the Five Elements' power, preventing clashes and amplifying their synergy."

It was understood then that an Artifact Spirit functioned as an integrated automatic control system, akin to an autonomous AI embedded within the weapon, assisting the owner in automatically calculating and arranging the combination of Five Elements' power during its deployment.

Chen Yan immediately nodded in comprehension and remarked, "In that case..."

He promptly retrieved the flying sword and placed it gently upon the table.

Chen Yan inquired slowly, "Although this sword has not yet manifested an Artifact Spirit, it already possesses a nascent consciousness. I wonder if it can be utilized?"

The Golden Blade Master narrowed his eyes, mused for a moment, and his brow furrowed as he responded, "It can be utilized, and yet, it cannot."

This time, he refrained from allowing his apprentice to interject, likely deeming the question exceptionally profound. The Golden Blade Master gazed directly into Chen Yan’s eyes: "A consciousness still in its incubation phase presents both advantages and disadvantages in the absence of a fully formed Artifact Spirit.

The advantage lies in the fact that the Artifact Spirit has yet to be born; it's akin to a fetal stage where its attributes remain undecided. At this juncture, it absorbs whatever it is taught. Since its characteristics are not yet solidified, there is greater flexibility, making the diversification from its embryonic state more feasible.

However, the downside is... it brings us back to that old saying: biting off more than one can chew. The incubation of an Artifact Spirit is inherently a formidable undertaking.

From the emergence of consciousness to the birth of an Artifact Spirit, if the sole pursuit is one of the Five Elements, then this consciousness merely needs to be guided along a single path.

Yet, attempting to nurture all five simultaneously means the owner must invest five times the resources and energy, and the difficulty escalates by more than tenfold.

Furthermore, the probability of successfully incubating an Artifact Spirit diminishes significantly.

The esteemed guest should be aware that cultivating an Artifact Spirit is no simple feat! To attempt to have the Artifact Spirit cultivate all five elements concurrently during this process would likely render the difficulty and required investment insurmountable..."

Chen Yan experienced a moment of internal turmoil.

He fully grasped the Golden Blade Master’s meaning.

Logically, the sensible course of action would be to honestly select one of the Five Elements, perhaps two at most.

Then, with the expertise of this preeminent Artifact Refining Master of the Ghost Race, forging a weapon that would meet his satisfaction would likely not be a difficult task.

But at this precise moment, an inexplicable impulse surged within him, as if a faint whisper from the depths of his being was urging him forward.

To cultivate all of them!

The Five Elements, every single one!

Children settle for choices; adults, I desire it all!

"Guest, the consumption of Primordial Qi during the cultivation process is one consideration. However, the expenditure of Five Elements materials is not as straightforward as you might envision!

Despite the abundance of Five Elements materials, not all are suitable for incorporation into weapon forging. Moreover, to ensure the weapon attains a higher grade, utilizing superior quality materials from the outset is imperative!

But if the materials employed during the initial forging are of high caliber, then one cannot introduce lower-grade materials in the subsequent nurturing of the Artifact Spirit!

If the Artifact Spirit starts with the finest, it will be loath to accept anything less later on."

The Golden Blade Master continued his earnest attempt to dissuade Chen Yan.

Nevertheless, Chen Yan suddenly let out a sigh, his voice not particularly loud but his tone imbued with unwavering resolve: "I have made my decision. I want it all! All the attributes of the Five Elements, I desire them collectively!"

The Golden Blade Master was momentarily stunned by this declaration.

Chen Yan perceived a flicker of displeasure in the master’s eyes. He offered a slight smile and proactively inclined his head in a respectful gesture with clasped hands: "As cultivators, having embarked upon this path, we must possess the fortitude and audacity to press onward despite formidable obstacles!

Though this journey is arduous, should I manage to traverse it, the attainments will undoubtedly surpass those of others by an immense margin!

To harbor no aspiration of reaching the zenith, content with mediocrity—such is not my ambition!

I implore you to grant my request, Golden Blade Master!"

The Golden Blade Master regarded Chen Yan with a complex expression, ultimately granting a slow nod. He retrieved the flying sword from the table, which had already begun to incubate a sliver of consciousness: "I shall take this sword back to my abode for a comprehensive study. What you desire... I shall endeavor to fulfill to the best of my ability.

Let it be known, the raw material for this sword, in its current state, isn't quite Upper Grade. I shall retrieve it for further quenching and remolding with superior substances, gradually 'purifying' the original while preserving that faint spark of consciousness already present. This task will prove quite demanding.

Chen Yan retreated a step, offering a profound bow. "Then I shall entrust it entirely to your skilled hands, master!"

The Golden Blade Master uttered no further words. He retrieved the flying sword and casually deposited it into his storage bag.

Nonetheless, his two disciples regarded Chen Yan with looks typically reserved for the utterly deranged. Yet, out of deference, they merely bit their tongues rather than voicing their astonishment.

Chen Yan then produced the fractured Substitute Puppet from his personal stores.

"Can this be mended?"

The Golden Blade Master cast a brief glance at the artifact, displaying a hint of disdain. "An object of this nature is quite straightforward. There’s no necessity for me to personally intervene; my apprentices are fully capable of repairing this Substitute Puppet for you."

A wave of relief washed over Chen Yan. Ever since obtaining this Substitute Puppet, his constant desire had been to restore it, intending to keep it as a crucial life-saving trump card. However, his own proficiency in Artifact Creation had always been inadequate, coupled with a perpetual scarcity of suitable materials, preventing him from ever fully repairing the puppet.

Now, in the presence of this esteemed Golden Blade Master, its restoration was apparently a mere trifle, easily resolved.

Chen Yan’s spirits soared. He meticulously placed the Substitute Puppet upon the workbench.