However, the Soul Blood Pursuing Soul Order at the center of Xu Guang's forehead began to become active again in this relatively "stable" environment, and the blood-red word "Soul" faintly heated up.

How exactly can this thing be resolved?

Fortunately, Miss Yan had the means to shield the aura of this mark.

...

More than ten days later.

Miss Yan wore a worried expression.

"The Sea of Illusions is about to close... It seems we won't be able to get out."

Upon hearing this, Xu Guang's expression turned grim, but he wasn't overly worried. Wasn't the same said about those who commented on Li Taizhou in the past?

Heaven never seals off all roads. As long as one can cultivate, that's all that matters.

Another two days passed.

"Seek advice on Artifact Refining? Are you seriously that bold?"

Miss Yan looked at Xu Guang with a peculiar expression, not expecting him to actually ask her for advice on Artifact Refining techniques.

She paused and glanced at the earth-made pill furnaces scattered on the island, rendered speechless.

This guy truly has a big heart. Even in this perilous place, he still has the leisure to practice alchemy and even goes so far as to ask her about Artifact Refining techniques.

"Fine, since we have time to spare, consider it a favor."

Xu Guang smiled, "Deal."

Miss Yan proved to be an excellent teacher. Her attainments in Artifact Refining exceeded Xu Guang's expectations, and with some auxiliary methods, she even possessed the ability to independently craft fourth-stage magic artifacts.

[Opportunity for Occupational Transition detected. Source Qi Refiner, transition?]

[Professional Talent (Human Furnace Illusory Imprint): You possess the body of a Human Furnace, with abundant inner essence. Each time you refine a magic artifact, an illusory imprint can be imprinted, gathering a trace of the magic artifact's essence, forming a weapon with a wave of your hand.]

Xu Guang only took one glance at the talent, and his expression became subtle.

This talent...

He recalled his Qi Refiner's talent—Human Furnace. This talent was potent, but his neglect of Qi Refining had prevented it from demonstrating its true power.

Due to the strong correlation between Artifact Refiners and cultivators, this talent also related to the Human Furnace.

'Interesting.'

This profession may be a plugin for Qi Refiner's future extraordinary promotion.

However...

Without his Qi Refiner's promotion, even if he elevated his Artifact Refiner level to 20, the refined experience points wouldn't be substantial. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Suddenly, he considered something—could this professional talent... exploit a bug? He gazed intensely at Miss Yan.

If he assisted Miss Yan and then imprinted the illusory imprint on the formed magic artifact...

Would he directly receive experience points for the fourth-stage magic artifact?

"Miss Yan, could I trouble you for a matter?"

Miss Yan furrowed her brows. Her gains in the Celestial Capital weren't small; indeed, she needed to refine some magic artifacts. However, Xu Guang's request... left her puzzled.

"Are you certain you want to be my assistant? Willing even to imprint your Martial Dao intent, but only need to touch them after they're successfully refined?"

Xu Guang was resolute, "Xu Mou is not one to forget his roots."

"Alright then, start with your Red Lotus Karmic Fire. I'll refine a Judgment and Punishment magic artifact."

Months later.

Miss Yan wasn't boasting; she indeed had the prowess to craft fourth-stage magic artifacts.

The magic artifact took shape.

It was a blood-red long sword refined through the Red Lotus Karmic Fire. Upon activation, it could generate the Red Lotus Karmic Fire, and its power was astonishing, even more formidable than Xu Guang's own display by several degrees.

At the final moment, Xu Guang reached out to touch and imprint the illusory imprint—he truly succeeded!

His involvement was substantial enough.

[Artifact Refiner Log: Cross-stage refinement of fourth-stage magic artifact, gained experience points: 13.2 billion!]

Xu Guang was overjoyed.

He found a way to exploit the "bug"!

At this moment, he felt like kicking over the pill furnace on the island. Refining a pill for a few tens of millions of experience points was no longer appealing!

In an instant, he looked at Miss Yan as if gazing at a gleaming gold mine.

"Continue!"

Miss Yan, immersed in the joy of refining magic artifacts, was taken aback by Xu Guang's words, "More?"

"Xu Mou may be unworthy, but I have two more Martial Dao intents!"

"You... you wouldn't have any untoward thoughts, would you?" Miss Yan eyed Xu Guang with increased wariness.

Xu Guang: ...

"Xu Mou is married."

Miss Yan grew even more cautious, though since he was refining magic artifacts for her, she remained unaware of Xu Guang's true motives, eventually agreeing.

"However, you must promise me something. Once your cultivation breaks through, you must imprint new Martial Dao intent on my Red Lotus Karmic Fire Sword. My magic artifact needs an upgrade, too."

"No problem!"

When the magic artifact is upgraded, he should gain experience too, right?

Xu Guang mused internally.

He tried finding a place, summoned the illusory imprint, and indeed, a somewhat illusory Red Lotus Karmic Fire Sword coalesced in the void. Perhaps because he hadn't fully crafted it, the sword appeared somewhat ethereal, and its power seemed less compared to the one in Miss Yan's hands.

Yet, Xu Guang was already quite satisfied.

This professional talent was remarkable!

Miss Yan highly regarded Xu Guang's Intent of Years, involving the concept of time in Martial Dao. Throughout her life, she had only witnessed this one from Xu Guang, investing all her savings, even borrowing from him to begin the refining process.

The refining process was, naturally, exceedingly arduous.

In the blink of an eye, a year passed by.

The Pearl of Years was complete!

Miss Yan was overjoyed. Despite her pallor, she was filled with excitement, immediately employing the magic artifact, enabling her to traverse instantly through any moment within thirty meters and twenty breaths of time in the past.

"Old Xu! Your intent is truly fierce!!"

Miss Yan, in her excitement, nearly went to hug Xu Guang.

Throughout this long period of refining and bonding, they barely became friends, loosened up in their conversations.

Xu Guang maintained a calm demeanor, but inwardly he was just as stirred.