Chapter Sixty-Two: All Weapons, Magical Instruments, and Treasures

In the depths of night.

Qingyuan sat amidst the mountains.

He had handed those four blueprints to Yan Wang, and by tomorrow, there would be results. At first, his heart was troubled, but after sitting quietly for a while, he felt much calmer.

His worries here had no bearing on whether Elder Yan could deduce the answer or not. Since that was the case, why worry at all?

Thinking thus, his mood lightened considerably. He recalled Master Yun Jing’s words from days past, who had great confidence in Elder Yan, once saying that as long as there was a clue, there was an eighty percent chance of success.

A man of Yun Jing’s caliber would never speak carelessly; his conduct was always modest, and his words left room for uncertainty. On the surface, he claimed eighty percent, but in truth, Elder Yan held full confidence in his heart.

After sitting in meditation for a while, he rose and looked toward Gu Cang not far away.

Gu Cang was draped in a black robe, his fur equally dark, blending into the night so completely that, were it not for keen eyesight, his form would be invisible. He carried the Ancient Immortal Bag on his back, and the spear obtained from the young general of the White-Clad Army was already stowed within.

At this moment, the mountain demon was clutching his long blade, deeply lamenting its fate.

He remembered seeing the old monk’s hand reaching out behind the master; fearing for the master’s safety, he had thrown the blade. The old monk was indeed affected by this strike, withdrawing his hand and, in passing, tapping the blade.

He had not expected that casual gesture to leave a crack in this steel blade, forged through countless refinements.

“You…” Qingyuan approached, seeing this, could not help but laugh quietly. “This blade belonged to General Ge Zhan of Shu. Though it’s a standard issue, it is exceptional, forged through many processes and quite remarkable. But in the end, it is a mundane item, not a magical artifact or treasure. As your cultivation grows, you won’t be able to use it for long.”

“Magical artifact? Treasure?” Gu Cang touched the top of his head, greatly surprised.

Qingyuan had always taught him much about the Dao, but had never mentioned treasures, not wanting Gu Cang distracted. Now, it seemed the time had come to impart these basics.

“Weapons in this world are of many types, their materials and craftsmanship divided into grades,” Qingyuan began slowly. “Ordinary blades and swords are far inferior to your damaged long blade, or the spear from the White-Clad Army. If truth be told, your blade would be considered a divine weapon in the mortal martial world. But so-called divine weapons are still mortal arms.”

Gu Cang looked down at his blade, having always believed it to be formidable.

“Mortal weapons are graded; yours is of the highest tier, suitable even for cultivators of the Third Heaven or grandmasters equal to that realm,” Qingyuan explained. “But for cultivators beyond the Third Heaven, mortal weapons cannot channel spiritual power.”

Gu Cang asked, “Why is that?”

“When spiritual power grows too profound and strong, ordinary materials cannot withstand it and will shatter,” Qingyuan said. “If you attain the Fourth Heaven and try to use this blade, it will limit you, unable to unleash your full abilities. If you push it too far, as just happened, the weapon will break. In fact, it’s not even as effective as casually performed Daoist arts.”

Gu Cang replied, “So magical artifacts and treasures don’t have this problem?”

Qingyuan nodded. “Cultivators above the Third Heaven, those who transcend mortal limits, are called ‘Masters’. They wield magical artifacts, which are divided into three grades, corresponding to the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Heavens.”

“Cultivators above the Sixth Heaven are called ‘True Men’. They use treasures, also roughly divided into three grades: Seventh, Eighth, and Ninth Heaven.”

He paused, then added, “Of course, even within the same grade, there are differences in quality. Material, craftsmanship, skill in forging, and timing—all matter greatly.”

Gu Cang now understood, saying, “It’s like the master and that demon—both Second Heaven, but the master killed him, so he’s stronger. Likewise, treasures of the same grade aren’t equally powerful?”

Qingyuan was pleased, laughing. “Though you flatter me, your reasoning is sound.”

Gu Cang thought for a moment and asked, “What’s the difference between magical artifacts and treasures?”

Qingyuan frowned. He knew the distinction, but his knowledge was accumulated over years, bit by bit from discussions with Senior Qingyang and others. To organize it and explain in detail to Gu Cang was no simple task.

He pondered for a while, then said, “Spiritual power is like water. Magical artifacts are like pots and bowls; treasures are like rivers and lakes.”

“For example, you have Fifth Heaven spiritual power—like a bucket of water.”

“But your artifact is only Fourth Heaven, like a bowl.”

“When you pour your power into it, it’s as though you pour water into the bowl.”

“Even if you have a bucket of water, the bowl can only hold so much; the rest spills over.”

“That’s why low-grade artifacts cannot fully use your spiritual power, and may even be less effective than your own Daoist arts.”

“If your power is too strong, it may even shatter the artifact.”

“Do you understand this point?” Qingyuan asked.

Gu Cang nodded, saying, “Even if I have much power, the artifact can only use part of it; even if I try harder, it overflows like water from a bowl. If my power is too fierce, it might break the bowl.”

Qingyuan nodded, very satisfied with the mountain demon’s comprehension, praised him, and continued, “If your artifact is Fifth Heaven grade, like a bucket, then you can pour all your power into it and use it fully.”

“But if you wield a treasure, it’s like a pond. Your bucket of water will never overflow.”

“The pond is wide enough that no matter what you do, it can display all your power, even enhance it.”

Qingyuan said, “Low-grade artifacts are insufficient for those with profound cultivation. But high-grade treasures are rare and invaluable for anyone, able to fully channel your power and even augment it.”

He thought for a moment, then offered an example: “If two cultivators are equal in skill, but one has a superior treasure, then in battle, the one with the better treasure holds the advantage.”

Gu Cang looked a bit puzzled, thought deeply, then said, “I think I understand.”

Qingyuan laughed, “That’s good.”

He glanced at the Ancient Immortal Bag.

Gu Cang preferred the spear, but his skill with the blade was already refined. Unfortunately, there were no blades in the Ancient Immortal Bag.

As for the young general’s spear from the White-Clad Army…

“This spear’s material and craftsmanship are excellent.”

“But the runes engraved on it merely gather the army’s spiritual intent, nothing too advanced.”

“This spear is a divine weapon among mortal arms, but still mortal, not yet an artifact.”

Qingyuan looked at Gu Cang and said, “For now, it should suffice.”

Gu Cang gripped the spear and acknowledged.

Qingyuan smiled, “In the future, as your cultivation grows, you’ll have magical artifacts or even treasures. If nothing else, I know a bit myself; with enough cultivation, I might even forge them for you.”

Gu Cang scratched his furry cheek, looked up, and grinned widely, utterly delighted.