Chapter 329
The sect leader, however, seemed genuinely pleased with their performance.
Zheng Fa was indeed not very angry.
It wasn’t because of some cliché about failure being the mother of success; rather, he believed that in a first experiment, failure was the most likely outcome, while success felt more like a stroke of luck.
Objectively speaking, Jiushan Sect lacked sufficient experience, and these disciples had their limitations... If external alchemy were that simple, it wouldn’t be called a secret technique.
Zheng Fa picked up the previous experiment records from Senior Sister Zhang and addressed the group, “Just now, Senior Sister and I discovered some issues that might have caused the cauldron to shatter. Come over and take a look together.”
The disciples exchanged glances, visibly more at ease, and gathered around to discuss the gains and losses of the recent experiment.
Zheng Fa spoke little but listened intently. Over time, the disciples grew bolder and managed to summarize several issues.
Senior Sister Zhang and Uncle Pang exchanged a glance, a hint of relief appearing on their faces—though Zheng Fa hadn’t said much, the morale of the disciples had changed dramatically.
...
With the disciples from the refining group discussing among themselves, Zheng Fa walked over to Senior Sister Zhang and looked at Senior Sister Yuan, who was meditating.
Senior Sister Yuan slowly opened her eyes and heard Zheng Fa ask, “How are you, Senior Sister?”
“Tired!”
Senior Sister Yuan blinked, pouting as she exclaimed, then tilted her head back, looking at Zheng Fa with wide eyes.
Zheng Fa gently shook his head, extending his hand to pat her round little head.
Senior Sister Yuan couldn’t help but squint her eyes, breaking into a silly smile.
Senior Sister Zhang interjected, “Is what Xiao Yuying said reliable?”
Zheng Fa pondered for a moment and replied, “I don’t have much faith in Xiao Xianzi’s social skills, but I trust her judgment…”
Upon hearing this, Senior Sister Zhang thought for a while and nodded lightly.
Xiao Yuying’s poor interpersonal relationships stemmed partly from her lofty standards—this made it clear that the people she recommended must have some merit.
“But she mentioned that hiring this person won’t come cheap…”
Senior Sister Zhang added, frowning. As the head of the Affairs Hall, she understood the economic situation of Jiushan Realm better than anyone else.
The “Golden Dan Project” had indeed been budgeted…
Uncle Pang spoke up, “Hiring a master craftsman isn’t just about money; it’s about whether you can even get them. My Five Dragon Heavenly Palace waited for years before someone finally had time to train me.”
Zheng Fa also said, “Senior Sister, if we can use a certain amount of money to exchange for knowledge and time, I think it’s worth it.”
Senior Sister Zhang nodded gently.
Then Zheng Fa pointed to the group of disciples and said, “For us, it’s not just about the technical support needed for the ‘Golden Dan Project’; these people also need a teacher to answer their questions.”
A look of realization crossed Senior Sister Zhang’s face. She understood that what Zheng Fa valued most was the cultivation of talent in Jiushan Realm.
Zheng Shidi wanted to invite a master craftsman, but what he aimed to shape was not just a cauldron.
It was also this group of disciples.
...
Since they had to wait for Xiao Yuying, Zheng Fa and the others were not in a hurry.
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye before Xiao Yuying finally arrived with someone.
Zheng Fa was somewhat surprised upon seeing the newcomer:
The person was a woman, or rather, a beautiful lady.
She had a purple-gold hairpin in her hair, wore a bright red silk dress, and adorned her wrists with two gold and jade bangles.
As she walked, the sound of jingling filled the air, her aura dazzling and vibrant.
She appeared even more affluent than Xiao Yuying.
Most importantly… her skin was flawless like beautiful jade, and her figure was curvaceous like a gourd, completely unlike the image of a master craftsman that Zheng Fa had in mind.
In Zheng Fa’s impression, crafting was a technical job, akin to blacksmithing.
Now, suddenly seeing such a stunning blacksmith was truly… an eye-opener.
But Uncle Pang seemed to recognize this lady and stepped forward to greet her, “Are you the esteemed Madam Xuanhua?”
The lady nodded gently, seemingly unfazed by being recognized.
She glanced back at Xiao Yuying, who pointed towards Zheng Fa.
“Zheng Zhangmen, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Madam Xuanhua smiled at Zheng Fa and spoke.
“Madam is too kind.”
Seeing Uncle Pang’s reaction, Zheng Fa realized this person likely had some background.
“I heard you want to practice external alchemy?” Madam Xuanhua, appearing decisive, immediately asked, “Do you have the methods for external alchemy?”
“Yes.”
“Good.” Madam Xuanhua continued, “I’m here because of Yuying, but my price is non-negotiable—simply put, either you prepare three sets of all the materials, or you convert it into the equivalent amount of spirit stones.”
Zheng Fa raised an eyebrow; Xiao Yuying had mentioned that this person was expensive.
He hadn’t expected the fees to be so high, equivalent to three times the cost…
As if anticipating Zheng Fa’s silence, Madam Xuanhua chuckled softly and said, “This is my standard price. You can think it over; I’ll wait for you for a day.”
With that, she gestured to the crowd, and the jade bangle on her right hand shimmered. A small courtyard with five sections appeared in the air, complete with mountains and water. More importantly, it seemed to have a spiritual vein, increasing the surrounding spiritual energy density.
Uncle Pang couldn’t help but feel a twinge of inferiority.
Madam Xuanhua flew into the courtyard, which settled on the mountainside, clearly giving them time to discuss.
...
“Madam Xuanhua…” Uncle Pang began, “If it’s her, she has indeed always charged this price. Moreover, she’s hard to hire.”
Zheng Fa nodded, glancing at Xiao Yuying standing nearby, realizing that Madam Xuanhua’s visit was likely due to her influence.
“Xiao Xianzi, may I ask what your relationship with Madam Xuanhua is?”
“I obtained treasures or materials from the secret realm and need someone to handle them…”
Understood.
High emotional intelligence: friends.
Low emotional intelligence: accomplices.
One digs for gold, the other sells it…
“Uncle Pang, what’s her background?” Zheng Fa asked Uncle Pang.
“This woman is likely a master craftsman of the Nascent Soul stage, renowned for over a thousand years. Though her fees are steep, her crafting skills are exceptional… I once discussed her with the Grand Elder of the Chongxuan Sect, and he even expressed feelings of inadequacy.”
Hearing this, Zheng Fa gained a rough understanding of Madam Xuanhua’s capabilities.
Chongxuan Sect is one of the nine major sects of the Hundred Immortals Alliance, specializing in crafting, and its Grand Elder is also a Nascent Soul master craftsman.
If Madam Xuanhua could make such a cultivator feel inferior, her skills were evidently remarkable.
Or rather, she was probably the best craftsman Zheng Fa and the others could hire.
Xiao Yuying spoke up again, “The reason I introduced her is actually another…”
“Hmm?”
“She only accepts spirit stones.”
Zheng Fa was taken aback, and Xiao Yuying explained, “I’ve been collaborating with her for several years. No matter what secret realm I visit or what materials and treasures I obtain, she has never pried or spoken out of turn.”
“Your confidentiality agreement may be strict, but…”
Xiao Yuying’s words trailed off.
But Zheng Fa understood her implication.
There are countless powerful beings in the Xuanwei Realm, and with myriad secret techniques, no one can guarantee that a confidentiality agreement is foolproof.
Those with professional ethics are a bit more reliable.
“Thank you, Xiao Xianzi.”
Xiao Yuying likely considered the special nature of the “Golden Dan Project,” which is why she recommended such a person.
To be honest, the foundation of the “Golden Dan Project” still lies in modernity…
But Xiao Yuying had indeed put in a lot of effort, and Zheng Fa felt quite grateful.
On the other hand, he was also hesitating: after all, this price exceeded the budget.
“Also, once she receives the spirit stones, she’s very easy to deal with…” Xiao Yuying added, “She’s almost guaranteed to fulfill any request.”
Zheng Fa was taken aback, suddenly realizing why Madam Xuanhua was so expensive and why her business was so good.
Professional skills, work ethics, service awareness… she was practically the complete package.
“Agree to her terms!”
Zheng Fa glanced at the group of refining disciples, no longer hesitating, and spoke directly.
...
After Zheng Fa accepted Madam Xuanhua’s terms, her attitude indeed changed dramatically.
“Your refining environment is inadequate! The spiritual energy is insufficient, and the specifications are not standardized.”
She pointed at the pit, instructing how to make modifications.
“The materials are also wrong; some lack spiritual energy, and others lack purity. You’ll need to buy more.”
“The Qingluan Spirit Fire is decent, but you need to pay attention to the heat…”
Zheng Fa listened attentively, taking notes.
After she finished her lengthy explanation, she nodded at him and said, “Once you replace the materials and gather everything, I can start refining the external elixir in three days.”
Zheng Fa felt a sense of admiration.
What she pointed out were minor issues, but often, a skill is honed in the details.
Their failure might have stemmed from a few, or even just one, small problem.
One could even say that the difference between a master and an ordinary person likely lies in these details.
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