In his previous life, Zhang Ruochen had seen a rare treasure called the Sumeru Origin Bag. Though it appeared to be just a palm-sized pouch, it could contain an entire mountain. The Sumeru Origin Bag was an incredibly valuable artifact, with fewer than ten existing in the entire Kunlun Realm. It was said to have originated from the Middle Ages, crafted by a saint.
Many artifact refiners had tried to replicate the Sumeru Origin Bag, but all attempts ended in failure.
As the son of the Bright Emperor, Zhang Ruochen had seen and learned a great deal, so he was aware of the existence of such treasures. Otherwise, he would never have known about the Sumeru Origin Bag.
"Opening up an independent space within a ring is almost identical to the Sumeru Origin Bag," Zhang Ruochen remarked, feeling a bit surprised.
The black cat explained, "The Sumeru Origin Bag was crafted by the Sumeru Saint Monk. By this era, even if spatial treasures still remain, their numbers must be extremely limited, making each one exceedingly valuable."
"If it was crafted by the Sumeru Saint Monk, it all makes sense," Zhang Ruochen mused. "I will try to create a spatial treasure myself!"
Excitement surged through him. If he could indeed craft such a treasure, he could sell it for an astronomical price.
Zhang Ruochen held the inscribing pen, channeling his Qi into it. The pen glowed with white light as a thread of white extended from its tip and entered the interior of the jade ring.
He carefully controlled the pen, inscribing basic spatial runes inside the jade ring. Inscribing runes was a meticulous task that consumed a significant amount of spiritual energy.
"Whoosh!"
The first rune was successfully inscribed!
Zhang Ruochen continued, inscribing the second rune, and soon, he had successfully inscribed the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth runes.
When all six runes were completed, a faint light appeared on the jade ring's surface, with white lines flowing across it. After a moment, the light dissipated, and the lines sunk into the ring.
"Is it successful?"
Zhang Ruochen immediately infused the jade ring with a strand of Qi. The surface of the ring glowed again, and runes reappeared. When he reached out, it felt as if his entire hand was inside the ring.
"It's truly a success! The space inside the jade ring is about one cubic meter. This spatial ring contains six runes, making it a third-rank True Martial Artifact." Zhang Ruochen was overjoyed.
To achieve this on his first attempt was truly impressive.
The black cat chimed in, "Don't be too quick to celebrate. You've only mastered six basic spatial runes; you can't yet control the size of the space you open. Once you master the expansion and contraction runes, the space you create will be far larger than just one cubic meter."
"Moreover, you've merely inscribed the runes on the jade ring. They aren't stable yet; a slight impact could make them disappear. You must use a refining method with fire to solidify the runes, making the spatial ring more stable. If you fail to control the fire properly, the ring might be destroyed."
Zhang Ruochen nodded. "I'll head to the Inscription Guild and borrow Zorn's refining furnace to complete the spatial ring."
"Wait, I want to go out too," the black cat exclaimed.
The black cat leapt out of the spatial realm within the Time-Space Crystal, landing gracefully on the floor.
Zhang Ruochen glanced at the black cat, furrowing his brows slightly. He considered sealing it back into the Heaven and Earth Divine Wood Painting.
Sensing Zhang Ruochen's intentions, the cunning cat immediately lay on the ground, pleading, "Young lad, I've been imprisoned for a hundred thousand years. Even if I committed grave mistakes, I've atoned for them. I'm just a cat. I yearn for freedom and a new life. Meow! Think about it. Without my guidance, would you have unlocked the Cycle Meridian? Would you have successfully crafted a spatial ring?"
Zhang Ruochen pondered for a moment and then said, "Fine, I won't seal you back for now, but you must stay by my side at all times."
"Of course!" The black cat was so excited that it rolled around on the floor.
Just then, footsteps approached from outside.
"Ninth Brother, are you still training?" It was the voice of Ninth Princess Zhang Yuxi.
Zhang Ruochen opened the door and saw his sister standing outside. "Ninth Sister, is something the matter?"
Today, the Ninth Princess was dressed beautifully in a white, silver-embroidered dress. Her long, black hair was tied up, and her slender waist was cinched by a green belt. She held an emerald-green sword in her hand.
Seeing Zhang Ruochen, she beamed. "I heard you've advanced to the mid-level of the Yellow Extreme Realm, so I wanted to spar with you."
It had been less than two months since the year-end examination, and she had no idea that Zhang Ruochen had not only reached the mid-level but had also broken through to the high-level of the Yellow Extreme Realm.
Zhang Ruochen asked, "It seems you've also made progress, Ninth Sister. Have you reached the high-level Yellow Extreme Realm?"
The Ninth Princess shook her head. "Reaching the high-level Yellow Extreme Realm is not that easy. I'm currently at the peak of the mid-level, but I've cultivated my sword intent to the stage of 'sword following the heart.' Even though I haven't reached the high-level yet, I can already defeat martial artists of that level."
Zhang Ruochen nodded. To achieve the Sword Follows the Heart level at such a young age was indeed impressive.
Of course, the Ninth Princess and Lin Ningshan were only at the initial stage of Sword Follows the Heart, while Zhang Ruochen had already reached the advanced stage. There was simply no comparison. He could defeat them effortlessly with a single move.
Zhang Ruochen said, "But I don't have time for a spar right now. I need to head to the Inscription Guild."
"That's fine! I'll go with you. We can take my Cloud Rabbit Moon Carriage," the Ninth Princess said, blinking her bright eyes. It was clear she didn't just want to spar but rather wanted to spend time with him.
As she spoke, she took Zhang Ruochen's arm affectionately, without the slightest hesitation, displaying a close bond between them.
Although Zhang Ruochen felt a bit awkward, he reminded himself that they were siblings—half-siblings, sharing the same father. This thought made the situation less uncomfortable.
"Meow!"
A black, chubby cat strolled out of the room, its size now much smaller—only slightly bigger than an average cat.
"Ninth Brother, you have a cat? It's so adorable! What's its name?" the Ninth Princess asked as she picked up the black cat, petting its fur.
"Meow!" The black cat put on a cute act, its round eyes rolling as it licked her fingers with its tongue.
Zhang Ruochen glanced at the black cat and shook his head. "Let's call it 'Little Black.'"
"Little Black!"
The Ninth Princess pressed her finger gently on the cat's head, not realizing that the cat's current mood was one of pure fury. I am the Emperor who slays gods and conquers heavens. How dare you call me 'Little Black'?
Humiliation! Absolute humiliation!
The cat thought, But I must endure it. When a cat is under the eaves, it has no choice but to bow its head.
With the Ninth Princess's carriage, Zhang Ruochen arrived at the Inscription Guild once again. He borrowed Zorn's refining furnace to temper the spatial ring.
The refining process went remarkably smoothly, and soon, the spatial ring was completed—a third-rank True Martial Artifact.
Throughout the process, Zorn stood by, clicking his tongue in admiration. "Ninth Prince, you truly are a natural-born artifact refiner. To be able to control flames so precisely on your first try is nothing short of impressive."
Zhang Ruochen remained humble and asked, "Based on my flame control, what level of an artifact refiner would you say I am?"
"At the pinnacle of a first-rank refiner," Zorn replied. "With your talent, I'm certain you'll reach the level of a second-rank refiner soon."
In the Yunwu Commandery, a second-rank refiner already held a significant status. By joining a sect or a noble family, one could receive the treatment of a senior elder, if not higher.
Zorn sighed, "My spiritual power has reached the level of a third-rank refiner, but my flame control still lags behind. Thus, I remain a second-rank refiner."
The spiritual power levels for refiners generally corresponded as follows:
First-rank refiners: 15th to 20th level of spiritual power.Second-rank refiners: 20th to 25th level of spiritual power.Third-rank refiners: 25th to 30th level of spiritual power.Fourth-rank refiners: 30th to 35th level of spiritual power.
The top refiner in the Yunwu Commandery, Kong Tong, was a fourth-rank refiner with a spiritual power level of 34. She was regarded as the foremost spiritual power master in the commandery.
Kong Tong's status was so prestigious that even the Yunwu Commandery King had to visit her personally if he needed something. She wasn't just a fourth-rank refiner; she was also the president of the Inscription Guild, making her an influential figure.
Zorn curiously asked, "Ninth Prince, what exactly is the artifact you've crafted? Is it a defensive True Martial Artifact?"
Zhang Ruochen smiled, "That's a secret for now!"
With that, Zhang Ruochen left the refining room, contemplating whether he should buy his own refining furnace.
However, the best refining furnace in the royal capital could only be found at the Qingxuan Pavilion. Visiting the pavilion would mean encountering that seductive and captivating proprietress, Qin Ya.
She was too enchanting, too bewitching, and too tempting. She actively flirted and seduced him, attempting to lead him astray. Just thinking about it gave Zhang Ruochen a headache.
How could any man resist a temptress like her?
"If I bring the Ninth Princess along, perhaps she will behave," Zhang Ruochen thought, nodding to himself.