Forty Millenniums of Cultivation, page 157
Li Yao nodded. These things were common sense. He quickly skimmed past them.
"Whoosh!"
Behind the cultivation assistant appeared eight translucent block diagrams, each representing eight sections.
The world of magical equipment was immensely vast. In theory, all non-living entities powered by spiritual energy that could emit spiritual power were all magical equipment.
Such a vast world could not be completely mastered by a single refiner even if they exhausted their entire life. A vast majority of refiners could only master one or few aspects of this immeasurably vast world.
In the Star Glory Federation, the magical equipment is divided into eight ranks by their size.
First rank, mustard-level, also known as nanoscale, means holding Mount Sumeru within a mustard or accommodating the entire universe in a grain of rice.
A single nanoscale magical equipment is even smaller than a cell but once thousands and thousands of units combine together, they could display inconceivable abilities.
The Star Glory Federation has a powerful combat suit called "Nano Suit", it is crafted using nano-scale magical equipment and weighs very little. It flows like a liquid but has the strongest defense. If it is worn together with a crystal suit, it can form a two-tier combat system.
If a cultivator wore a crystal suit over a nano suit, he could simply kill a god if a god blocked the way, kill Buddha if Buddha blocked the way. He would be invincible and ever victorious.
Second rank, the super small-scale magical equipment.
Super small-scale magical equipment have the size of flies, mosquitoes, or similar sizes. Once they gathered into a group, they could also become terrifying killing weapons.
Third rank, small-scale magical equipment, or also known as individual-type magical equipment.
This level is comprised of most widely used magical equipment. Flying swords, crystal suits, firearms, puppet warbeasts, are all small-scale magical equipment.
There were many refiners who studied small-scale magical equipment. Li Yao, too, was a specialist in this domain.
Fourth rank, middle-scale magical equipment.
The magical equipment of this rank has a length varying from seven-eight meters to twenty-thirty meters and can weigh dozens of tons to hundreds of tons. Crystal tanks commonly used by the military, as well as the flying shuttles that can carry dozens of people, are all middle-scale magical equipment.
Fifth rank, large-scale magical equipment.
Army carriers, patrol crafts, destroyers, are all large-scale magical equipment. When they open fire, their destructive force is comparable to that of a Golden Dan Stage.
Sixth rank, super large-scale magical equipment.
The main force of the army, battleships, flagships, aerial fortresses, are all super large-scale magical equipment. The federation army's eternal flagship, the Distant Expanse that Li Yao had seen above the Far East Ocean, perfectly represents a super large-scale magical equipment!
Seventh rank, giant-scale magical equipment!
Once the magical equipment reached this rank, they tended to become complex, integrated systems that could cover the entire city, such as "Anti-demon beast defense system".
The eighth rank is also the technical force of the Star Glory Federation and can touch the highest rank, the planetary-level! The planetary-level magical equipment's ability can cover the entire mainland.
The "super-fast crystal train system" that ran through the entire Star Glory Federation was an out-and-out planetary-level magical equipment!
This type of magical equipment couldn't be manufactured overnight. Even the super-fast crystal train system was still expanding, new rails were being built, connecting many more cities. Perhaps, it would take centuries to completely finish it.
As for the above planetary-level magical equipment, rumor had it that during the Star Sea Empire, cultivators could craft "star-level magical equipment" that could radiate the entire solar system.
However, in the "Armageddon Rebellion", this technology was lost.
'It's truly regrettable.'
Li Yao heaved a sigh and entered the small-scale magical equipment section.
The background of this section was tens of thousands of classical magical equipment blueprints shining brightly in the pitch black night sky, like countless brilliant stars.
Rows after rows of information once again cascaded down in front of Li Yao. However, this time the information was more targeted, all of which was related to small-scale magical equipment.
A majority of the information was about some cultivator willing to spend a truckload of money to buy a small-scale magical equipment.
It also included specific requirements, such as speed, weight, attributes and so on.
Li Yao browsed for a bit. Much to his surprise, the highest bidder was willing to spend billions to buy a small-scale magical equipment.
Li Yao smacked his lips; no wonder it was said that the refining profession was one of the best careers in the world of cultivation.
So long as the refiner could craft three to five pieces of such magical equipment every year, he could have everything: money, contacts, and resources!
However, the cultivators who were willing to spend billions would naturally seek the best refiners. Li Yao assessed the request for a moment, and realized that he could not achieve the requested performance parameters; he could not even think of achieving them!
In addition, there were recruitment notices posted by major sects, universities, and registered refiner firms.
With Li Yao's phenomenal performance in the Refiners' Registration Examination, he could now be considered as a small rookie with some reputation in the refiners' circle. It would be easy for him to find a good job be good future prospects.
However, Li Yao had already contacted his teacher.
And when Yuan Manqiu came to know that he had successfully become a registered refiner, she was extremely happy. Even when Dean Xiong Baili received this happy news, he was completely satisfied with his performance. He faintly revealed that after he graduated, if he stayed at the institute, he would enjoy the same treatment as Ding Lingdang.
Therefore, Li Yao's gaze did not stay on the recruitment notices for too long and jumped to the rank assessment.
The registered refiners were divided into ten ranks, from one-star to nine-star.
The refiners from one-star to three-star were "elite refiners".
A vast majority of registered refiner will stop at that level for their lifetime.
The refiners from four-star to six-star were "expert refiners".
Refiners of this rank were experts and authorities of a domain. Their words carried irrefutable weight.
Li Yao's teacher Yuan Manqiu, as well Supernova Jiang Shen, were expert refiners.
It was also the limit of ordinary refiners.
The refiners from seven-star to nine-star were "grandmaster refiners". Not only did they have authority over a domain, they could completely establish new domain and sect. The super magical equipment they refined could also be called national treasures. Only they could be awarded such honors.
Even in the entire Star Glory Federation, grandmaster refiners could be counted on one's fingers. Each one of them was in a prominent position; they were great figures whose names resounded throughout the federation!
"I wonder when I will become a grandmaster refiner!" Li Yao let his fallacy run wild.
He was neither an elite nor an expert, let alone a grandmaster. He was nothing but a whiteboard, "starless", the lowest class.
"I want to elevate my rank as soon as possible. At least become an elite! Being a whiteboard is simply shameful!"
Only when he improved his rank could he participate in higher-ranked refining projects, only then could he purchase more heaven and earth treasures from the refining association, only then could he have the qualifications to discuss and compete with higher-level experts, only then could he have the qualifications to contend with Deep Sea University.
The method to improve one's rank was also very simple.
Major universities, sects, loose cultivators, and armies posted many missions at the refining association.
And the association in accordance with the difficulty of the task assess them into different ranks.
As long as one could finish a "one-star refining mission", he or she would automatically have his or her rank upgraded to one-star refiner.
"Soon it will be summer vacation."
Li Yao pondered aloud, "In the summer vacation, on one hand, I can complete some tasks and improve my rank, and also earn some money, while I am it, to buy some heaven and earth treasures and refining tools. On another hand, I can only also temper my skills.
"After all, next semester, teacher will restart Project Mystic Skeleton. I also want to participate in it and contribute.
"A crystal suit is magical equipment with more intricate magical equipment built within; it is very difficult to craft. My current skills are probably insufficient to play any crucial role.
"Train, I must train madly. I must leave the 'Fiend Star' name on the Mystic Skeleton Battlesuit!"
...
When the crystal train slipped into the Wild Waves City train station, it was already late night.
Li Yao didn't return to the Refining Department but went to the faculty area with an excited look covering his entire face.
He went looking for Ding Lingdang. He wanted to tell her the great news.
He didn't know why but after he became a registered refiner, the first person that appeared in his mind with whom he wanted to share this happiness was not Professor Yuan Manqiu but Ding Lingdang.
However, he resisted this urge.
It was meaningless to share such great news via the spiritual crane messenger. Of course, it must be face to face. While at it, he wanted to look the stunned expression on Ding Lingdang's face and then listen to her compliments!
While thinking of Ding Lingdang, Li Yao's corners of lips rose into a smile. Even he himself wasn't aware that his eyes were radiating a wily radiance.
He knew Ding Lingdang would not be asleep.
She was a cultivation maniac. As long as it wasn't between two and three in the middle of the night, she would not be asleep.
At the base of the small mountain, amid the sea of bamboos, Li Yao's gait was like he was walking in his own garden as he greeted the parrot and small snake.
Immediately, he raised his eyebrows as the smile on his face stiffened.
As he raised his nose, he got a whiff of a faint intoxicating smell before his pupils constricted suddenly.
"It's the smell of intoxicating immortal vine!"
Chapter 225: Ding Lingdang's Secret |
Intoxicating Immortal Vine was a demonized plant species and contained special neurotoxins which had extreme anesthetic effects. In the Star Glory Federation, it was one of the main raw ingredients for manufacturing narcotic agents.
For cultivators, the Intoxicating Immortal Vine had another use.
Ordinary liquors could hardly get cultivators intoxicated because of their sturdy body and firm spirit.
But even the cultivators had seven emotions and six desires, they too have the time when they want to get drunk and forget their sorrows or get good and drunk.
At that moment, cultivators would mix the powder of Intoxicating Immortal Vine into their wines and get drunk.
However, Li Yao had never seen Ding Lingdang do so.
She was a pure martial arts maniac. She would absolutely not let anything numb her body or spirit. Usually, she wouldn't even take a drop of alcohol, so how would she mix an intoxicating substance as intense as powdered Intoxicating Immortal Vine in her drinks?
"Is someone drugging her?"
Once this thought crossed his mind, Li Yao could not help but break into laughter.
Not to mention Ding Lingdang herself was a ferocious dragon in human skin, this was the faculty area of the Grand Desolate War Institution and had many Combat Department professors leaving all around. All of them were ruthless characters in or above Foundation Building Stage.
Who would dare come here to drug someone? They would have to be tired of living.
Besides, although the Intoxicating Immortal Vine had intense anesthetic effects, its smell was also strong and unique, which was hard to conceal no matter what methods were used.
Even if someone was drugging someone else, they wouldn't be so stupid as to use Intoxicating Immortal Vine.
"Does she want to get drunk?
"This is weird!"
Li Yao's curiosity was piqued immensely. Having walked around the villa twice, he found an open window.
All around the villa, defensive array glyphs were installed. Even if the door was open, outsiders could forget about ever sneaking inside.
However, Li Yao had frequently entered Ding Lingdang's house, and occasionally when Ding Lingdang wasn't home, but he alone would go to Billowing Star Sea to train.
Ding Lingdang was a careless girl and had long given him the authority so that the defense array glyphs would treat him as one of their own people.
Li Yao stuck his ear to window sea. The room was quiet but a faint crying could be heard coming from far away.
"She- she is crying? Impossible!"
Li Yao was so surprised that the fine body hair that grew on the back of his neck was now all standing on their ends as a scene appeared in his mind: a dozen meter long T-rex with the gap between its fangs still laden with blood was very sad and dejected as it broke into tears, it was simply...
Unimaginable!
Li Yao swallowed a mouthful of saliva before turning his head to look and discovered the parrot and small snake gazing at him with bright and shiny eyes.
"You must act as my witness, I am only going in because I think that something happened to Ding Lingdang!"
He could not resist anymore as he lightly pushed opened the window and rolled inside.
The parrot and small snake took a glance at each other before they too followed him furtively and went in to see the status of their mistress.
The living room was empty but the smell of alcohol and Intoxicating Immortal Vine was even more intense. Under the dim moonlight, Li Yao discovered a dozen bottles randomly lying around on the table and on the ground as well.
He grabbed a bottle to check and it was the most alcoholic Baijiu[1], and some residue of Intoxicating Immortal Vine was still stuck on the inner wall of the bottle.
He grabbed another bottle and it was same for it too.
"She drank so much!"
An inexplicable fire aroused in his heart; even he could not understand why he would be so angry.
Holding his breath, he listened attentively and the intermittent weeping became clearer and clearer in the dark.
And the cries were filled with sadness, grief, and some fear as well, which for Li Yao felt as though a car had lightly scratched his heart.
"What the hell!?"
Li Yao followed the sound and slowly he drew closer and closer to the source. Finally, he came to the back of the stairs, at the entrance of the underground basement.
"Is it here?"
Li Yao hesitated.
Ding Lingdang had given complete access to him, he was even free to enter and exit her bedroom, except the basement whose entrance was always locked with a huge rusty iron lock; it had seemingly never been opened.
Everyone had their own secrets, and perhaps the underground basement was the secret of Ding Lingdang.
At this moment, the door of this secret was completely open.
Through which, flickering mottled lights could be seen, and in addition to the sobbing, voices of a man and a woman laughing and talking intermixed with bell-like laughter could be heard coming.
"Are there other people inside?"
Inexplicable feelings arose in Li Yao's heart as he hastened his footsteps and went down the stairs.
The basement was not too big. There was a faint musty smell in the air. Various bits and bobs were randomly lying around, there were also some children toys as well.
At the center of the basement, there was a hologram projector which was projecting a 3-dimensional image of a middle-aged couple along with a very cute little girl.
Apparently, the voices that Li Yao had heard a moment ago were coming from the hologram projector.
"So it was a video."
Li Yao heaved a sigh of relief. He gazed around and discovered Ding Lingdang huddled in a corner, embracing her knees. A tattered blanket covered her body. She seemed to be in trance, her eyes were blurred as she shivered while she choked with sobs.
Li Yao was stupefied. His heart was like it had been ruthlessly scratched by invisible claws; his eyes twitched with pain.
He had never seen Ding Lingdang in such a weak and helpless position.
She was the very Ding Lingdang, who could smash a demon beast to death with just a punch, who could finish entire five legs of lamb in one sitting. This was the very Ding Lingdang who was the former president of the Iron Fist Club, who had routed countless hulks who were no different than T-rexes in human forms!
"Are...you okay?"
Li Yao gingerly walked over to Ding Lingdang.
Ding Lingdang was already dead drunk. She was completely immersed in her own world and took a long time to distinguish the source of the sound.
When she found that someone had rushed into the basement, a panicked look appeared on her face.
It was as though a ten-year-old girl was facing a cruel demon beast.
However, in the next second, she seemed to have recognized Li Yao before the panic and fragile look in her eye turned into a dazzling aura in the blink of an eye.
It was like a drowning man had discovered a floating piece of wood. Li Yao had turned into her entire hope.
Ding Lingdang immediately rushed up to him!
Although she was dead drunk, at the end of the day, she was still a Foundation Building Stage expert. Li Yao was caught off guard and didn't know how to dodge. She pushed him down on the ground and tightly held him like an octopus.
