Chapter 233: Clear Heart Jade Pendant, Advancement

After sending Chen Xiaorong off, Zhao Zuo began to refine the Upper Grade Magical Artifact, Suwen. Only then did he realize that despite its rank, its spirituality rivaled that of a Magical Treasure. It was even slightly stronger than an ordinary Lower Grade Magical Treasure.

‘Is this the effect of a Sword Cultivator nurturing their Lifebound Sword? No wonder the strongest Spirit Treasure-level longswords in the Great Yue Country are all wielded by Sword Cultivators. A Sword Cultivator’s very purpose is to nurture their sword.’

Zhao Zuo gripped the longsword Suwen, carefully controlling his strength as he swung it a few times.

The next second, a transparent panel materialized before his eyes.

[Grade: Upper Grade Magical Artifact · Suwen] (Damaged)

[Experience: 1/20000]

[Status: Not Upgradeable]

“I’d better hurry and get this fixed within a month,” Zhao Zuo murmured. Since he had accepted twenty thousand Spirit Stones, he naturally had to do an impeccable job.

But before that, Zhao Zuo planned to upgrade his Clear Heart Jade Pendant first.

Zhao Zuo took out the Spirit Jade Barrier and activated it. A pale red barrier expanded to envelop the area. Because he had infused it with Fire Attribute Mana, a faint, scorching heat could be felt radiating from the flowing barrier.

Next, he took two jade vials from his Storage Bag. The vials themselves were carved from Clear Heart Jade and Gathering Spirit Jade, respectively. Only these two materials, being of the same origin, could ensure the two types of Spirit Marrow Liquid would not lose their internal Energy through evaporation.

Zhao Zuo didn’t open the vials. Instead, he directly selected “Upgrade.”

The ample experience points he had saved up instantly dropped to zero. A dense, gray light then spread out, forming an oval shape that resembled the egg of some Demon Beast. The light was so thick it displaced all the air inside, leaving only the two jade vials and the Clear Heart Jade Pendant.

First, the Clear Heart Jade Pendant began to change form, transforming from a simple pendant into something resembling the Heirloom Seal of the Realm. A magnificent Qilin sat regally on top. Its posture was majestic, its head covered in sharp ridges and fine, azure scales. Its prominent brow horns were full and etched with delicate spiral patterns.

The Qilin’s forehead was covered in complex and minuscule patterns that twinkled like stars, exuding a mysterious and solemn aura.

Its eyes were lively and bright, as if it were no longer a stiff, lifeless carving but possessed a life of its own, radiating a gentle yet wise aura.

Zhao Zuo felt as if he could feel the gaze of the Seventh Grade creature, a tranquil and peaceful aura washing over him. Each scale seemed to magnify before his eyes, and he now saw that every single one was covered in patterns.

The Qilin opened its mouth and inhaled, drawing both the Heart-Clearing Jade Spirit Marrow and the Gathering Spirit Jade Spirit Marrow into its mouth. Immediately, all the scales on its body began to glow, emitting a profound aura.

Beneath the Qilin, the cube-shaped, azure jade base now floated silently in the air. Like a deep ocean, it continuously absorbed the purest Heaven and Earth Spiritual Power from the outside world through the gray light.

Before long, Zhao Zuo felt the concentration of ambient Spiritual Power begin to drop. He quickly took out several Spirit Stones, cutting them open to let the Spiritual Power within diffuse into the air.

In an instant, the power was absorbed by the azure Spirit Jade. From within the jade, wisps of pure, flawless Heaven and Earth Spiritual Power continuously supplied the Qilin above. The jade’s own form began to subtly change, taking on a brilliant luster.

Its surface became as smooth as calm water and so crystal-clear it seemed one could see right through it. A faint, emerald green emerged from within the azure, like the verdant hue of new buds caressed by the Spring Breeze.

Finally, after about half an hour, the Qilin sculpture atop the square, azure jade completely absorbed the Spirit Marrow. Its entire body began to sublimate and advance in grade.

Its colors became more subtle and reserved. Its body was wreathed in dense Heaven and Earth Spiritual Power. As the light it emitted swept over Zhao Zuo, he felt his mind become unprecedentedly tranquil.

Finally, it was time for the Creation Points to play their part. The Golden Light detached from Zhao Zuo’s forehead and surged into the Qilin’s body. It started from the single horn on its head, spreading to the scales on its skull and the mane on its neck. The black hairs of the mane were gradually tinged with gold.

The Qilin’s entire body became more harmonious and slender, its curves fluid yet powerful. It was now cloaked in a layer of golden scales, making it look exceptionally sacred and exuding an aura of peace and tranquility.

The upgrading process gradually subsided. The Clear Heart Jade Pendant had undergone a tremendous transformation, inside and out. Perhaps it was no longer accurate to call it the Clear Heart Jade Pendant.

It should be called… the Qilin Seal.

The Golden Light transformed into dense, complex patterns that settled deep inside the Qilin. Its eyes gradually reverted to their ink-green color, and the peaceful, tranquil aura around its body quickly receded.

Finally, the gray light dissipated, and a Jade Seal landed in Zhao Zuo’s hand.

[Upgrade Description: Spiritual Power Gathering effect has evolved. Divine Thought protection ability has evolved. Nourishing Meridians and Body Protection ability has evolved.]

These changes were all within his expectations. He quickly lowered his gaze, finally finding the new Spirit Seal effect created by the upgrade.

[Spirit Pattern: Focus. When activated, increases the owner’s comprehension, wisdom, focus, and resistance to Soul attacks for the next half hour. Grants immunity to some Divine Thought pressure. Cooldown: One day.]

This was a support-type Divine Skill, but it would also be of considerable help in battle. Zhao Zuo was extremely satisfied with this skill, so much so that he was eager to try it out right away.