Chapter Seventy-Three: Forging a Storage Magical Artifact

Lin Yi accompanied Yang Junqi for a while before leaving the hospital.

Passing through the lobby, he no longer saw the figures of Cai Qing and Cai Mo—they must have gone in for surgery already. Since Cai Qing hadn’t called him, it appeared she still had little faith in his medical skills.

Lin Yi didn’t mind. After all, when it comes to family safety, Cai Qing’s choice of the hospital was only natural.

Moreover, when Lin Yi spoke to Cai Mo earlier, he had already transferred a trace of genuine energy. Even if it couldn’t completely restore her, it would greatly ease her condition.

Back home, Lin Yi asked Angel to bring over another batch of precious jade.

Soon, Angel arrived, lugging several large suitcases.

“Mr. Lin, here are the jade stones you requested. This time, I’ve collected about two thousand pieces,” Angel said, setting down the suitcases grandly.

“Excellent,” Lin Yi nodded. He planned to use these jades to forge one or two storage artifacts.

Angel continued, “Mr. Lin, there’s more good news.”

“What is it?” Lin Yi looked at her.

“The beauty pill you gave me—the research department has found substitute ingredients. Although the effects aren’t nearly as potent as the original, they still surpass all cosmetics currently available.” Angel’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she spoke about her work, full of energy.

“So quickly?” Lin Yi was slightly surprised.

He had thought a month would be impressive, but they’d achieved results in just a few days. Modern technology truly couldn’t be underestimated.

“Mr. Lin, we also discovered that any cosmetic, even diluted a millionfold with the beauty pill, produces extraordinary results,” Angel said, her eyes shining.

“Not bad. By the way, help me see if such stones can be found in Jiang Province.” Lin Yi praised her, then took out a spirit stone.

Without its spiritual energy, the stone’s surface had grown dull.

“Mr. Lin, what is this?” Angel asked curiously, knowing it must be a treasure—Lin Yi’s discerning eye had never lingered on ordinary things.

“This is a spirit stone. If you find one, I’ll give you a bottle of Qi and Blood Pills.” Lin Yi enticed her with a reward.

A bottle contained ten pills, enough for Angel to use continuously for a month.

At his words, Angel was instantly motivated.

“Don’t worry, Mr. Lin. I’ll immediately arrange a thorough search across Jiang Province,” she promised, patting her chest.

“Good.” Lin Yi liked her straightforward efficiency. He only needed to mention things once—Angel always handled them meticulously.

Seeing her about to leave, Lin Yi said, “Don’t rush off this time. I’ll give you an artifact.”

“Ah!” Angel was delighted—she hadn’t expected Lin Yi to gift her another artifact. Last time at Phoenix Mountain, he’d given her a Heart-Protecting Mirror; she wondered what it would be this time.

“What a pity, Mr. Lin’s resolve is so unwavering,” Angel murmured, licking her lips. She knew Lin Yi’s kindness was not for her beauty, but for her capability. To truly win his heart, she’d have to work even harder.

Lin Yi sat cross-legged, melting all two thousand jade stones into liquid, then added the scrapped spirit stone and melted it as well.

“Condense!” His eyes flashed gold, and his hands quickly formed one rune after another. With each rune’s integration, the liquid shrank further.

Ten minutes later, two tiny jade rings floated in midair, each etched with countless intricate runes, exuding an aura of mystery.

He kept one ring for himself and handed the other to Angel. “This is a storage ring—there’s fifty cubic meters inside. With it, collecting resources will be much easier for you.”

Angel hurriedly took the ring, having long dreamed of owning a storage artifact. These were priceless and almost impossible to find, and Lin Yi was willing to give her one.

“Mr. Lin, is this really for me?” Angel was slightly dazed.

Storage artifacts—treasures even masters lacked. Now, she held one in her hand.

“Yes. Also, I’ve engraved an attack formation on this ring—it’s powerful enough to kill a master,” Lin Yi said calmly.

Angel was momentarily speechless. A storage artifact was impressive enough, but it also came with a formation capable of killing a master.

Mr. Lin, my heart isn't strong enough for such shocks.

A master was of immense importance in any province or city, and now she possessed a means to kill one. Angel felt as if she were dreaming.

Lin Yi saw her stunned and shook his head. “You overestimate it. The ring’s attack can only be used once a day, after which it needs to be recharged.”

Angel snapped back, smiling. “That’s still wonderful. Mr. Lin, how do I use it?”

“As before, just drip a drop of blood,” Lin Yi replied.

Upon hearing this, Angel immediately cut her fingertip and dripped blood onto the ring.

...

Jiang Province, Seven Stars Society.

After taking the remaining Life Pills, Hong Wu’s lost right arm regrew.

“Master, who is this Lin Yi really? Such formidable strength, and he even has miraculous pills,” Miao Yunhe said jealously. Though Lin Yi was only slightly older, their powers were worlds apart—even his master had been sent flying with one punch.

Hong Wu paused, then said, “I don’t know, but the boy definitely has his secrets.”

He vaguely suspected Lin Yi was more than just a martial artist.

There existed practitioners of the arcane arts and Dao cultivators in this world. Martial artists formed the mainstream system—the simplest path. With talent and resources, six out of ten martial artists could reach the innate realm.

Cultivating the arcane or Dao was much harder, requiring not just resources but greater talent. Though arduous, those who succeeded could easily defeat martial artists of the same stage.

“If that’s so, it’s no wonder Lin Yi has such terrifying power at a young age,” Hong Wu mused.

Yet no matter how formidable Lin Yi was at the half-master level, he was but an ant before Grandmaster Qiao.

The terror of a grandmaster was beyond ordinary comprehension.

Hong Wu dismissed his thoughts and called Qiao Weiliang. “Grandmaster Qiao, the spirit stone was stolen.”

“Who?” Qiao Weiliang’s voice was icy. Recently, he’d been defeated by a young man, and it had hit him hard. The spirit stone was key to regaining his strength, and now it was gone. Though his tone betrayed no emotion, he was seething inside.

“Grandmaster Qiao, just a young brat, but quite strong,” Hong Wu replied, deliberately withholding some information. He doubted Qiao Weiliang would know Lin Yi anyway.

“Alright, I understand. I’ll see who dares to take my things,” Qiao Weiliang said before hanging up.

Hong Wu felt a surge of joy at the busy tone.

Miao Yunhe, eager, asked, “Master, what did Grandmaster Qiao say?”

“He’ll be here soon,” Hong Wu replied.

A ruthless glint flashed in Miao Yunhe’s eyes—now Lin Yi would face his doom.

Soon, Qiao Weiliang arrived at Seven Stars Society by private jet.

Hong Wu greeted him with utmost respect. “Grandmaster Qiao.”

“So this is Grandmaster Qiao—what a powerful presence,” Miao Yunhe thought, awed. He sensed that Qiao Weiliang’s mere aura could crush him.

Miao Yunhe quickly lowered his head. “Grandmaster Qiao.”

“Mm,” Qiao Weiliang nodded, then asked, “Where is the one who stole my spirit stone?”

“In Lan City.”

“Lan City?” Qiao Weiliang frowned, recalling the young man who had defeated him—he seemed to be from Lan City as well.

Hong Wu assumed Qiao Weiliang was unfamiliar with Lan City.

Indeed, Lan City was a small city of five million, so it was reasonable for Qiao Weiliang not to know it.

Hong Wu briefly explained Lan City to him.

Before he could finish, Qiao Weiliang impatiently interrupted, “Let’s go—straight to Lan City.”

“Oh.” Hong Wu dared not object and turned to Miao Yunhe. “You stay here and practice the boxing techniques I taught you.”

“Yes,” Miao Yunhe nodded, though disappointed not to witness Lin Yi’s punishment firsthand.

Half an hour later.

A Land Rover pulled into Lan City, stopping at the entrance of a residential complex.

“Grandmaster Qiao, the thief lives here,” Hong Wu said.

“Let’s go.”

The two exited the car and entered the complex. Hong Wu had clearly investigated Lin Yi thoroughly—without any delay, they reached Lin Yi’s floor.

“Lin Yi, come out!” Hong Wu called loudly.

At the sound of Lin Yi’s name, Qiao Weiliang’s brows knit together.

Lin Yi?

He remembered the young man who had beaten him was also called Lin Yi.

It must be a coincidence.

Click.

The door opened, and a figure stepped out. Though his face was ordinary, Qiao Weiliang felt as if struck by lightning, frozen in place.

“Lin... Lin Yi...”

Qiao Weiliang’s eyes widened.

Hong Wu, oblivious to Qiao Weiliang’s reaction, addressed Lin Yi, “Lin Yi, if you know what’s good for you, hand over the spirit stone.”

Lin Yi glanced at Qiao Weiliang with a half-smile, then turned to Hong Wu. “What if I refuse?”

With Grandmaster Qiao backing him, Hong Wu spoke boldly, “Do you recognize him? Qiao Weiliang, Grandmaster Qiao. To be honest, this spirit stone—”

He hadn’t finished before Qiao Weiliang kicked him, sending him flying to the end of the corridor, crashing into the wall and leaving a human-shaped crater.

Hong Wu, embedded in the wall, was dazed. He couldn’t understand why Qiao Weiliang attacked him out of nowhere.

The next moment, he understood.

Qiao Weiliang looked at Lin Yi with utmost respect. “Mr. Lin.”

“Oh? You want the spirit stone too?” Lin Yi asked with a faint smile.

Qiao Weiliang quickly shook his head. “No, Mr. Lin. I came to bring you a gift.”

“A gift?” Lin Yi’s gaze was steady.

Qiao Weiliang, heart aching, produced a spirit stone from his pocket—only the size of a fingernail.

Lin Yi was surprised; Qiao Weiliang’s wealth was impressive. However, this was merely a low-grade spirit stone, far inferior to the previous medium-grade one.

“Mr. Lin, I offer this spirit stone to you,” Qiao Weiliang said, pained, wishing he could flay Hong Wu for his blunder. Not only had he lost the spirit stone, he’d now suffered further loss.

“Then I’ll accept it,” Lin Yi said, pocketing the stone.

Spirit stones were highly useful—not only for cultivation, but even scrapped ones could be used for forging artifacts. Spirit stones, after years of spiritual energy washing, were extremely tough and ideal for crafting.

“By the way, where did you obtain this spirit stone?” Lin Yi asked, curious. He hadn’t encountered one in decades—though perhaps because he’d stayed in one place for so long.

“Mr. Lin, in Sichuan Province, the Martial Arts Association exchanges spirit stones, but at a steep price. I don’t know about other regions,” Qiao Weiliang answered.

Lin Yi’s eyes lit up—such an unexpected gain.