CHAPTER 138: ARTIFACTS

Over the next two weeks, Yu Xuan followed his usual cultivation routine without undertaking anything else. His progress had been steady, he was now at the very peak of Qi Condensation, the twelfth layer, a perfection stage beyond the common ninth layer.

His body, too, had grown stronger, likely due to the reinforcement granted by his cultivation technique, now officially named [The Everchanging Ascension Technique].

The environment in which he cultivated was nothing short of divine. Even the richest spiritual lands of his home world paled in comparison to this abundance of natural energy.

Yet, amidst this blessing, he discovered a complication, his rate of energy absorption had begun to rise sharply.

It was beneficial for now; in such a rich environment, his body drank in spiritual energy like a starving man at a lavish banquet.

But this very also carried a hidden concern what would happen when he advanced to higher realms?

His unique affinity for all elements, while granting unmatched versatility, would also demand vastly greater resources as his cultivation deepened.

Still, that was a problem for the future and he also has a master now.

As for the two mysterious eggs, they remained unchanged, hanging silently from the locket he now wore at all times.

Only then did Yu Xuan remember the quest he had long forgotten, a repeatable one. With a thought, he willed the Quest tab to open. Since there was only a single quest available, it appeared instantly.

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[Normal Quest] (Repeatable)

You’ve stepped into a realm of endless wonder — where powerful beasts lurk in shadows and reclusive masters may walk disguised among the common folk, perhaps even as beggars driven by hidden desires.

The waters here run deep, while your cultivation remains shallow. Begin your journey as an explorer and uncover the secrets beneath the surface. Perhaps you will stumble upon something that can change the fate of many.

Objective: Explore the new realm.

Reward: 3726 SP (Shop Points) currently accumulated.

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The first time he completed this quest, it had rewarded him with a measly 1 SP. Now, that number had grown to 3726. He frowned, wondering just what he had encountered to rack up such an amount.

A hidden master disguised as a beggar? Definitely not, he would have remembered the beggar.

Deciding to use the points, he redeemed them and navigated to the System Shop.

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[System Shop] (Balance: 3727 SP)

Skills [Tap to expand]

Cultivation Techniques [Tap to expand]

Martial Techniques [Tap to expand]

Magic Arts [Tap to expand]

Artifacts [Tap to expand]

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Last time, the balance was only 1 SP now it has updated, and each category displayed a number like [10 Available]. Now, there was no number, perhaps the shop had expanded over time.

’So the system adds things as time passes...’ he mused. Still, its principles remained a mystery.

One day, he intended to uncover them and maybe even improve the system itself. Right now, it felt too arbitrary, operating without rules or clear guidance.

Curious, he tapped on [Artifacts].

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[Goblin Sword] – 1 SP

[Reusable Wooden Toothpick] – 1 SP

[Fancy Hand Fan] – 1 SP

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.

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[Qi Replenishing Potion] – 2 SP

[Marrow Cleansing Potion] – 2 SP

[Body Tampering Chocolate] – 2 SP

[Salty Protein Powder] – 2 SP

.

.

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[Shield made from Nuclear Pasta] – 100,000 SP

[Eye of Celestial] – 100,000 SP

[Body of Negativity] – 100,000 SP

[XCT-001 ver.01 Nano Machine] – 100,000 SP

[Limitless Potential Orb] – 100,000 SP

.

.

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[True God Slaying Spear: Kixaupnus] – 1 Million SP

[Pure Divine Essence] – 1 Million SP

[Ultimate Reincarnation Ticket] – 1 Million SP

[Seed of Peach Tree of Immortality] – 1 Million SP

[Broken Fragment of Isybaeil Dimension] – ??? SP

[Records of the Keepers] – ??? SP

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Yu Xuan reread at the first entry — Goblin Sword?

Was he supposed to... duel goblins? And Reusable Wooden Toothpick? What was he going to do poke enemies to death? Then there was Fancy Hand Fan... unless it could slice mountains, he wasn’t interested.

Scrolling further, he spotted Qi Replenishing Potion.

He’d heard of mana potions before, but this was clearly the system’s adaptation to this world.

But then came Body Tampering Chocolate and Salty Protein Powder. He wasn’t sure if the system wanted him to cultivate... or join a questionable gym.

But as the list climbed, his amusement faded.

As he reached the high priced items, he thought he was hallucinating and even slapped himself, only to confirm it was all very real.

God Slaying Spear. Pure Divine Essence. Ultimate Reincarnation Ticket. Seed of the Peach Tree of Immortality. And then... two items with no listed price at all.

From their names itself, he deduced their description. A spear to slay Gods and most important thing here, the peach tree of immortality.

From the myths he knew, even if a mortal were to eat it’s fruit they would become immortal.

And now the system was selling it’s seed like eager vegetable vendor.

And then there was the Isybaeil Dimension.

He had no idea what it was, but if even the Seed of the Peach Tree of Immortality couldn’t compare, then this so called fragment was truly something extraordinary.

And it wasn’t even whole; as the name suggested, it was merely the [Broken Fragment of Isybaeil Dimension].

But that wasn’t what troubled him most. He had other important Questions like:

Who are the Keepers? Where are the Keepers? Why are the keepers?

Just their records were listed at an unknown price. That alone spoke volumes.

Yu Xuan could almost smell the conspiracy behind it all. His sense of mystery and suspicion toward the system deepened.

How could it possibly acquire such items? And if it was showing him these... what greater things were still hidden from view?

One thing was certain, he needed far more strength, and far more wealth. Right now, he was embarrassingly poor, unable to even dream of affording the cheapest glimpse into that level of power.

With a shake of his head, he pushed aside thoughts of those mysterious, untouchable artifacts. For now, he would focus on exploring the other functions of the system.