Chapter 483 - 481: Discussion, and a Dao Artifact

Chapter 483: Chapter 481: Discussion, and a Dao Artifact

"Taichu has returned."

So spoke the Life God.

At that, Su Qing and the others were instantly ejected from the Taichu Hub.

’Without my own Dao Artifact, I’m completely powerless to resist such force,’ Su Qing thought, the moment he was thrown back.

With Taichu’s return, the Taichu Daoist Palace was repaired in a near instant.

As long as the Taichu Hub within it wasn’t destroyed, the Taichu Daoist Palace was just that easy to restore.

’It’s just a bit pathetic compared to my own Palm of Time, that’s all.’

’The Taichu Daoist Palace is probably just a Tier Twelve Dao Artifact.’

’Much more pathetic than mine, and they even set up a Taichu Hub to control everything.’

’It makes things much more convenient, sure,’

’but it also creates a fatal flaw.’

Su Qing had been flung onto the Taichu Plaza.

His Profound Immortal Sword had also returned to his Immortal Domain Dao Foundation to recuperate.

"It’s finally over."

Su Qing breathed a sigh of relief.

’The struggles of the Thirteenth Realm are always like this.’

’But sometimes, they’re different.’

Su Qing was just about to turn and leave.

But then a woman appeared before him—one who seemed incomparably beautiful, yet whose true features were impossible to discern.

Though he had never met her,

Su Qing had a good guess as to her identity.

"Greetings, Lord Taichu."

"May I ask what business Lord Taichu has with me?"

This was Su Qing’s first time seeing Taichu, but it was a shame he couldn’t see her true form.

He really couldn’t make out Taichu’s appearance.

"A Tier Thirteen Dao Artifact. I wish to trade with you for one."

Su Qing shook his head. ’Absolutely not,’ he thought.

"Within the Taichu Daoist Palace, I know everything. That includes the fact that you can craft Tier Thirteen Dao Artifacts."

"Though I don’t know what method you use to create them."

Hearing this, Su Qing’s pupils widened. ’Thankfully, my Synthesizer can’t be exposed.’

’But Taichu might know some of the details,’

’she just hasn’t pointed it out yet.’

"This Seed of the Taichu—I am willing to trade it for a Tier Thirteen Dao Artifact."

"Tier Thirteen Dao Artifacts are incredibly difficult to forge. This Seed of the Taichu contains all of my cultivation experiences, my epiphanies, and even the Power of the Taichu that I have mastered."

"I also hope the Dao Artifact you forge will be compatible with the powers I wield."

This was an exchange of a legacy for a Tier Thirteen Dao Artifact.

At this very moment, however, the Flame Mark on Su Qing’s brow began to burn hot.

"Black Abyss?"

"Do you have an opinion?"

"Why don’t you show yourself and speak with me?"

Taichu’s voice was rather cold; she had discovered traces of Black Abyss.

Black Abyss did not appear.

Instead, a voice sounded out.

"A Seed of the Taichu is not enough to trade for a Tier Thirteen Dao Artifact."

"My little one here likes naturally-born seeds. You must offer a good one."

It had practically become a conversation between two Thirteenth Realm powerhouses.

Su Qing stood to the side, saying nothing.

Instead, he was weighing the repercussions of crafting a Tier Thirteen Dao Artifact.

This was no small matter.

Su Qing had to weigh many things.

He had to consider the consequences.

"Alright, I can craft the Dao Artifact," Su Qing finally said. "But this is no small undertaking for me, so you must agree to one condition."

"And that is: no outsiders can know how you obtained your Dao Artifact."

Taichu nodded lightly. "No problem. I will not speak of this matter either."

It wasn’t in her own best interest, after all.

Why would Taichu expose the fact that Su Qing could forge a Tier Thirteen Dao Artifact?

Black Abyss didn’t say anything more either.

She could have kept interfering, but that would only risk earning Su Qing’s annoyance. It was better to just help out at the beginning.

"If the Seed of the Taichu isn’t enough, then I will add something more: three motes of Ash-Burning Dust."

As she spoke, Taichu showed the items to Su Qing.

In a way, Taichu knew Su Qing was different in many respects.

She believed he could discern their value. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ

[Seed of the Taichu: Contains the source of all of Taichu’s power, all of a Thirteenth Realm being’s epiphanies, and the method by which the Power of the Taichu is born.]

[Ash-Burning Dust: Dust that remained after the flames of creation purified all things at the dawn of the Star Sea. It is incomparably durable and contains a trace of the Power of the ’Eternal’ Rule.]

...

The Seed of the Taichu couldn’t be synthesized, but the Ash-Burning Dust could.

Moreover, this was another item Su Qing had encountered that contained the Power of Rules.

To say he wasn’t excited would be a lie.

"Very well. We have a deal."

Su Qing nodded.

He withdrew his gaze, trying his best not to stare at the Ash-Burning Dust.

The Ash-Burning Dust was simply too incredible.

Besides, the ’Eternal’ Rule was definitely much stronger than the Power of Rules he had synthesized himself. The word "Eternal" alone sounded incredibly high-end.

If he tried to create it with his Synthesizer...

...he probably couldn’t produce this Rule-based Ability even after a hundred years of trying.

Achieving Standardization always came down to luck.

"When can I get the Tier Thirteen Dao Artifact?"

"That depends. Do you want a more generic Dao Artifact, or one that is tailored to you?"

"For one tailored to you, I would first need to absorb this Seed of the Taichu."

"Only then can I consider how to forge the Dao Artifact."

"Also, tell me your requirements for the Dao Artifact, like its color or appearance."

Su Qing was now acting as a craftsman. Forging a Dao Artifact was not a huge problem for him.

"A weapon. Make it a long spear."

"No problem."

"A weapon that best suits my power."

"Here is the payment, in advance." As Taichu spoke, she handed the four items in her hand to Su Qing.

Without a word, Su Qing took them all.

All of it was good stuff.

Especially the Seed of the Taichu.

That was a treasure.

And the Ash-Burning Dust was an even greater treasure.

After accepting them,

Su Qing said, "Come find me in three Taichu Eras."

Taichu’s eyes narrowed. Three Taichu Eras.

This Su Qing was truly mysterious. First, he’d been targeted by Instant Fate, and now he had caught the eye of Black Abyss—both were extraordinarily mystical.

And now he was telling Taichu he could forge a Tier Thirteen Dao Artifact in just three Taichu Eras.

If word of this got out, those old monsters from the Forbidden Lands would surely flatten the Taichu Daoist Palace to abduct Su Qing.

One of those old monsters in a certain Forbidden Land had poured his heart and soul into forging a single Tier Thirteen Dao Artifact, and it had still taken him dozens of Star Sea Eras to succeed.

And Su Qing?

Three Taichu Eras.

The reality might be even more absurd.

In the end, Taichu left.

Figures of living beings began to appear in the surrounding plaza of the Taichu Daoist Palace.

Su Qing left as well, returning to his own world.

But the moment he returned to his world,

Su Qing felt someone clinging to his back.

She wasn’t heavy.

Black Abyss had her arms wrapped around Su Qing’s neck, clinging to him affectionately.

Her face drew close to the side of Su Qing’s head.

So close they were touching.

"You’re forging a Dao Artifact for Taichu, so where’s mine?"

"I helped you out a lot, you know."

Su Qing felt helpless.

"Alright, I’ll forge one for you too. What kind of Dao Artifact do you want?"

"A Dao Artifact in the shape of an oil lamp."

"Mm," Su Qing nodded.

Both of these Thirteenth Realm magnates knew Su Qing was extraordinary. Taichu knew because Su Qing had revealed much within the Taichu Daoist Palace, but the latter, Black Abyss, was completely different.

She seemed to understand Su Qing well, yet her understanding was also one-sided.

She seemed to have a very strong attachment to Su Qing himself.

Su Qing couldn’t understand why Black Abyss was like this at all.

But regardless,

Black Abyss had indeed helped him.

Like just now.

Otherwise, he never would have obtained the Ash-Burning Dust.

Su Qing didn’t know what reason he could use to refuse someone who had been good to him.

Most importantly, this woman truly seemed to have known him before.

That feeling couldn’t be faked.

’It’s just a Tier Thirteen Dao Artifact, after all.’

Su Qing didn’t mind.

’As long as I don’t expose the fact that I’m the one who made it, it’s fine.’

...