The Tool Refiner’s Gambit

At this hour, the market town was not particularly crowded. From the outer edges, Han Li counted no more than twenty or thirty cultivators in sight. It was a desolate scene in truth.

Could everyone have gone to the Star Dust Pavilion in the center? Han Li wondered to himself.

Still, he had no immediate intention of heading there.

That tool-refining shop—its claims were simply too bold. (The talisman shop, at least, only promised a refund of material-cost for failures.) It had piqued his curiosity greatly. So after completing his circuit of the town, Han Li found himself walking inside almost involuntarily.

The shop was not large. It appeared to have only three rooms and a back courtyard.

When Han Li entered the front hall, a middle-aged man dressed like a Confucian scholar was already inside, speaking with a white-haired old man whose face was ruddy and full of life. Standing nearby was a dark-skinned, respectful-looking strongman.

The middle-aged man and the old man were deep in conversation. They noticed Han Li enter but paid him no heed, continuing their long talk. It was the strongman who stepped forward dutifully and asked politely:

“Esteemed guest, have you come to purchase a magical tool, or would you like to commission one?”

“I’ll first see what tools you have in stock, then decide whether to commission one,” Han Li said calmly.

“Very good. Would the guest like to see mid-grade tools, or high-grade tools?” the strongman asked, visibly brightening at the prospect of real business.

“Top-grade tools. And I mean the finest among top-grade tools.”

Han Li’s voice was not loud, but those words stunned the strongman speechless. The two men who had been chatting animatedly also fell silent at once, turning to stare at Han Li with astonishment.

“The guest wishes to see top-grade tools—and the finest at that?” the strongman said, recovering his wits and checking if he had misheard.

Top-grade tools were not something ordinary people could afford. They often cost several hundred low-grade spirit stones. Most cultivators could go their entire lives saving and never buy a single one. And Han Li was asking for the cream of the crop. No wonder the strongman was so disconcerted.

“Xiao Hei, stand back! Do not be rude to this senior!” The white-haired elder finally discerned Han Li’s Foundation Establishment status. His expression shifted, and he hurried over, ordering the strongman away.

“This old man is the proprietor of this shop. Whatever matter the senior has, please feel free to instruct.”

The elder and the Confucian scholar were both only Qi Condensation cultivators. Suddenly faced with a Foundation Establishment ‘expert’ visiting their humble shop, they could not help but grow nervous.

“Nothing special. I was just seeing if you have any quality magical tools for sale. If there’s something suitable, I might buy one or two,” Han Li said.

Hearing this, the elder let out a breath of relief, but still wore an embarrassed expression as he spoke:

“I’m afraid the senior will be disappointed. This shop does have two or three top-grade tools, but they are only for show, not true masterpieces.”

Facing a Foundation Establishment cultivator, the elder dared not lie and could only speak the truth.

Han Li was disappointed. He silently scolded himself for being foolish. No matter how bold the shop’s sign outside, it was just a way to attract customers. Why had he taken it seriously?

Han Li shook his head and turned to leave. But as he neared the door, he paused and looked back, speaking with some displeasure:

“Then those words on the sign—claiming you can refine top-grade tools—are just empty boasts after all.”

“No! Senior misunderstands. This shop operates on integrity. Every word on that sign is true, without a hint of falsehood! If the right materials are provided, this old man can indeed refine top-grade tools,” the white-haired elder said quickly, defending his shop’s reputation.

“You can refine top-grade tools?” Han Li was genuinely surprised. A trace of skepticism flickered in his eyes, his tone full of doubt.

He had assumed the refiner was someone else, not this old man.

No wonder Han Li did not believe it. Refining a top-grade tool was nothing like crafting low or mid-grade ones. Ordinary worldly fire was insufficient. Like refining a Foundation Establishment Pill, it required either innate true fire or earthly fire to succeed.

But this elder was merely a Qi Condensation cultivator. He would not have innate true fire, and this place did not appear to have access to earthly fire. So how could he possibly refine top-grade tools?

“Senior, this is your first time visiting Brother Old Xu’s shop, so it’s natural to be unfamiliar,” the middle-aged Confucian scholar, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke up to explain on the elder’s behalf. “Brother Xu’s family has been expert in artifact refinement for generations. His skill is in no way inferior to the refiners of the great sects. Moreover, the Xu family has kept a second-tier early-stage Fire Crow for hundreds of years. The demonic flame it spews is even more potent than innate true fire. It is more than sufficient for refining top-grade tools.”

“Demonic fire?” Han Li frowned, still having trouble believing it. “I have only ever heard of true fire and earthly fire being used for refining tools and pills. I’ve never heard of demonic fire being used.”

“Heh heh, senior may not know this,” the elder took over, “using demonic fire to refine tools—or even pills—requires special techniques. It is not officially recognized by the major immortal sects. It is considered a minor, heterodox path, and has never been widely taught. If my family had not chanced upon this Fire Crow, we would never have specialized in studying this art.”

“I see,” Han Li said. Though he had heard the explanation, he had never witnessed it himself, and remained somewhat doubtful.

“Is the senior perhaps interested in commissioning a top-grade tool?” the elder asked, noticing Han Li lost in thought.

“If I gave you sufficient materials to refine a top-grade tool, what are your chances of success?” Han Li looked up and asked noncommittally.

“That depends on the quality of the materials and the senior’s requirements for the tool. If the materials are ordinary and the requirements simple, I have about a one-in-three chance. However, if the refinement of a top-grade tool fails, the shop cannot compensate for the materials. The failure rate is simply too high. The double-compensation policy applies only to mid-grade and high-grade tools. Otherwise, this old man would have gone broke long ago.”

The elder’s heart leapt with joy at Han Li’s question. He suppressed his excitement and answered solemnly.

For a refiner like him, the greatest lack was high-grade materials to practice on. The process of refining top-grade tools would greatly improve his skill.

And this visitor, though his voice sounded young, was a Foundation Establishment cultivator! Whatever he could offer would certainly not be ordinary goods. The elder was filled with anticipation.

“I do have some materials you can attempt to refine. But while you are working, I must watch from the side. Rest assured, I will not interfere. If the refinement succeeds, I will give you a portion of the raw materials as payment. You won’t be working for nothing,” Han Li said after a long silence, finally making up his mind.

For Han Li, rather than exchanging his precious Ink Flood Dragon materials for spirit stones, it was more practical to have them forged directly into suitable magical tools.

After all, while his current collection of top-grade tools was generous by Qi Condensation standards, compared to other Foundation Establishment cultivators, he had no idea how he stacked up. And it was likely others would not be lacking.

“Of course! Does the senior wish to begin now? This old man can start at any time!” the elder said, growing excited at the prospect of actually refining a top-grade tool. He readily agreed to Han Li’s terms.

“I still have some things to buy. Once I am done, I will come back to begin,” Han Li said, shaking his head.

“Very well! This junior will await the senior’s return!” Though disappointed that Han Li would not start immediately, the elder quickly recovered his composure and spoke respectfully.

Having settled everything, Han Li had no desire to linger. After a brief farewell, he turned and left the shop.

But before he had taken more than a few paces outside, a voice came from behind him—the Confucian scholar.

“Senior, please wait a moment!”

Han Li paused, hesitated, then stopped. He turned to see the scholar hurrying after him, a broad smile on his face.

“Is something the matter?” Han Li asked with a slight frown, his voice cool.

He did not particularly like being accosted by strangers without reason.

“This junior would like to ask the senior what he has come to the market to buy. I am Wang Ziling, a regular resident of this market. Perhaps I can be of some assistance and save the senior much time.”

Hearing this, Han Li gave the scholar an appraising look. Then he let out a light laugh and said:

“You’re a Wind Informant, aren’t you?”

Though Han Li’s face was hidden by his hood, the scholar could clearly hear the amusement in his voice. Relieved, he quickly replied:

“Senior has guessed correctly. This junior only takes such jobs occasionally, and I am not permanently employed by any shop. So senior can rest assured.”

Han Li gave an indifferent nod, then said flatly:

“I don’t really care whether you work for a shop or not. But this time, I’m looking to buy things like formation flags and formation plates. The only proper place for that is the Star Dust Pavilion. I don’t think I need any help.”