The sound of clanging and ding-donging echoes from the direction of the fire.
Tsuwanen gripped the jade tightly, momentarily motionless.
Shang Taishou's gaze landed on me, but a glint appeared in his eyes.
"This little satchel carries a heavy burden that makes you tense at all times, but the rigorous training you have undergone is truly surprising. Is this the item you have prepared for me?"
"I am somewhat satisfied, though I still would like to see it for myself."
My pupils contracted. Shang Taishou's gaze was so sharp, he could discern the uniqueness of the bronze pestle at a glance? Yet, though it is not as remarkable as the Four Regulations Mirror, using it as payment to Shang Taishou is not advisable.
If a brand new Four Regulations Mirror were suddenly placed before me, allowing me to trade it for the bronze pestle, I would definitely do so without hesitation. However, it is not feasible at the moment.
"I'm sorry, we currently do not have suitable items to exchange with you. Please come back once we have prepared something suitable."
I responded with a single sentence, effectively blocking Shang Taishou's words.
His face darkened slightly, and his eyes showed even greater displeasure.
Tsuwanen also displayed an expression of apology, preparing to turn away.
Suddenly, Shang Taishou's tone grew colder, "If you leave today, old man I will seal myself away to refine copper, not opening the inner gate for three years. Then, you will have no chance to have me forge a weapon again."
My face also changed slightly, and a thin sweat appeared on my forehead.
The instructions from Mo San are still echoing in my ears.
Do I really have to offer up the bronze pestle!?
At this moment, Liang Yuxi stepped forward and opened the long rectangular wooden box in her hand first.
Instantly, Shang Taishou's gaze was attracted, giving a soft whistle and showing extreme astonishment.
"Copper Camel feather?!"
"I am with them. Is this item satisfactory to you, Shang Taishou?" Liang Yuxi spoke softly.
Tsuwanen glanced at me for a moment longer, pursing her lips slightly and pausing briefly.
The atmosphere suddenly grew tense.
Shang Taishou narrowed his eyes, and his gaze did not leave Liang Yuxi's wooden box.
After about one or two seconds, he said, "Of course, that is sufficient. Copper Camel producing feathers, that is likely what those gentlemen were referring to, a product of utmost peak refinement in energy, extremely useful. I am very satisfied."
Liang Yuxi took a step forward, and Shang Taishou reached out to take the wooden box.
His gaze finally landed on me and Tsuwanen, and for a moment, he seemed to be deep in thought. However, he did not say anything else. Instead, he said: "What kind of instrument do you want to create? What requirements do you have? Or do you have a plan or drawing?"
In fact, the fact that Tsuwanen and I were about to leave earlier signified our relationship with Liang Yuxi.
Shang Taishou clearly recognized items rather than people, and he did not mention what had just happened.
I have no guarantee of being able to produce something satisfactory to him in such a short amount of time.
Liang Yuxi displayed a slight sense of victory and glanced at me.
After a few seconds of silence, I exhaled a breath of stale air before taking out the Four Regulations Mirror.
Even if Liang Yuxi had sworn earlier that there was nothing sinister, this favor was still going to be accepted...
Even if Mo San had not advised me, and regardless of whether the Four Regulations Mirror must be restored, I would still go out and find another way...
Shang Taishou placed the wooden box on the table, took the Four Regulations Mirror, and suddenly narrowed his eyes, emitting a soft "hmm" before falling silent.
Quickly, Shang Taishou took out a pair of glasses from his chest pocket and put them on, examining the Four Regulations Mirror even more carefully.
Time slowly passed.
Tsuwanen was slightly tense.
To be honest, I also felt a bit nervous.
It is unclear how much time had passed when Shang Taishou put down the two halves of the Four Regulations Mirror and shook his head, saying: "The base made of lightning wood. I see the texture, it is not ZaoMu, nor LiMu, but rather the heart of the tree. At least it is the heart of a tree that is hundreds of years old. Such a year-old wood is already rare, and its chances of being struck by lightning are even smaller."
"As for the copper, it is surrounded by a strange and malevolent negative energy that corrodes it. Copper has already started to rust, and in general, copper rust usually indicates abandonment."
To reforge it, an extremely rare copper material must be used, one with potent exorcism properties. Additionally, it requires a heart of a lightning-struck tree with at least hundreds of years' worth of age. The type of tree used also has specific requirements."
"These things, I don't have. Do you?"
My face changed slightly.
My thoughts, however, were particularly agile.
I don't have the heart of the tree... But, the people from Bing Shou Di came looking for us, and they are supposed to give us the things. It's just that I don't want them.
As for the copper...
If... I dissolved the bronze pestle? And then use it to forge the Four Regulations Mirror again?
This... It's not an unprecedented idea.
My eyelids were jumping constantly, and my breath became increasingly heavy.
I remained silent for a moment.
Shang Taishou, however, did not hurry and simply stared at me.
"I will figure out a way to get the heart of the lightning-struck tree. This should not be too difficult." I finally made up my mind and croaked out in a voice.
After that, I opened my satchel and took out the bronze pestle inside.
The heavy artifact made my arm muscles bulge.
Liang Yuxi saw the bronze pestle and her face showed slight surprise and retreat.
Shang Taishou's face changed slightly, and his large hand promptly took the bronze pestle.
I held the heavy artifact with difficulty, but in his hands, it felt like a common stick, and did not make him feel weighted down.
"This copper... its aura... is not right, it's not a negative energy..."
"Are you sure you want to use it to make a mirror?"
"At least there are hundreds of magical symbols engraved on it, which are extremely difficult to distinguish with the naked eye. The purpose of each symbol, if there is no accident, is to drive away evil spirits, purify bad energy, and break demons."
"It has a stronger level than this mirror in its prime condition, hmm, it originated from Daoism and was handcrafted by a highly skilled Daoist priest. The craftsman who forged this artifact may have been even more powerful than me."
"Destroying it would be a loss," Shang Taishou continued to examine it closely.
"This..." Tsuwanen was momentarily speechless.
My face changed slightly again.
This bronze pestle... could it be stronger than the Four Regulations Mirror?
Could it backfire more severely!?
I didn't know what to say.
"Destroying an artisan's item like this is also an affront. Well, even though the copper camel feather is good, it would take too much effort for me to forge such a magical artifact as a mirror, and the compensation is not enough."
"This artifact, I will keep it in my hands and carefully study it, appreciate it."
"Please bring the corresponding copper, the heart of the lightning-struck tree, and most importantly, the method of making this artifact."
"Um, if not, then some details for me to study."
"As long as the thing can be obtained, I can create it and ensure that its effects are stronger than before."
Shang Taishou spoke with an even more careful caress of the bronze pestle, as if a money-loving person cherished it as if he were appreciating a beautiful woman, old Guan who was fond of women and respected them.
My face changed once again.
Copper and the heart of the lightning-struck tree are normal requirements, but the method of creating the Four Regulations Mirror... this is really asking for trouble.
Where should I go to obtain it?
Go find the True Mirror Immortal and tell him that I have destroyed the real Four Regulations Mirror, and ask him to show me the manual for making the Four Regulations Mirror?
