Modern World's Martial Dao Human Immortal

So close, yet so far away!?

Hong Yan's pupils shrank dramatically!

Close at hand!?

He stared suddenly at Alkaid before him, opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he trembled and squeezed out a difficult smile, "Alkaid... Alkaid Sect Leader... don't... don't joke around... Where... exactly is that person?"

"There has never been a mysterious Artifact Sage; the real Artifact Sage has always been just one person."

Alkaid smiled and said, "Me."

Hong Yan couldn't help but step forward.

But he had only taken one step when he involuntarily stopped.

Following that, his gaze continually assessed Alkaid, taking about ten breaths' time before he slightly regained his composure. Yet in his heart, he still found it hard to believe this fact laid before his eyes: "How could it be possible... Your ability to achieve Shattered Void and ascend to the top ten of the Dao Lord candidates list within a mere century marks you as a peerless talent. In the history of the Northern Sea Star, there have been virtually no peers comparable to your excellence in cultivation. Having achieved such resplendent accomplishments in cultivation, how could you possibly have had enough time to also..."

"Also research to this extent in Artifact Refining?"

Alkaid continued for him.

With a slight smile, he said, "Is it not possible, that once one principle is understood, all principles are comprehended? When one's talent reaches a certain level, couldn't they also learn everything else at a swift pace?"

While speaking, he casually waved his hand.

The You Long Sword, transformed into a Superior Dao Artifact, and the Two Realms Ruler and Heaven-Sealing Stele, already refined into Superior Dao Artifacts, appeared beside him simultaneously.

Seeing the Dao Artifacts summoned by Alkaid, Hong Yan's gaze was entirely captivated.

Action speaks louder than words.

No matter how extravagant the talk, with solid evidence, he, Hong Yan...

"Superior Dao Artifacts! All three are Superior Dao Artifacts!"

Hong Yan approached, took up the You Long Sword, while also examining the Two Realms Ruler and Heaven-Sealing Stele, feeling a slight tremor throughout his being.

The Void Force within these Superior Dao Artifacts matched that of Alkaid before him perfectly...

One artifact could be made by an Artifact Refiner customizing it to his Lifebound Daoist Art, but three Dao Artifacts that fully matched one's own...

Could only be one's own handiwork.

It had to be oneself, for only oneself knew what Dao Techniques one had practiced and what kind of Dao Artifacts to refine.

"Is it true!?"

After examining these Dao Artifacts for a good while, Hong Yan, shocked, looked up at Alkaid: "These Superior Dao Artifacts... were they really all refined by you? Are you truly that mysterious Artifact Sage who possesses the qualifications to challenge the refinement of top-tier Dao Artifacts?"

"I believe these three Superior Dao Artifacts should serve as evidence."

Alkaid said.

Hong Yan looked at these Dao Artifacts...

Another ten breaths later, the Artifact Sage finally calmed down completely.

He suddenly inquired, "May I ask how Sect Leader Alkaid refined these Dao Artifacts?"

Alkaid smiled slightly, knowing the Artifact Sage desired to deduce his Artifact Refining expertise through the method of his crafting.

Without hesitation, he directly described some of the techniques that could be shared from his process of refining these Dao Artifacts.

Upon this narration, Hong Yan, the Artifact Sage, was quickly invigorated, occasionally sharing his own Artifact Refining philosophy.

The two exchanged ideas, starting primarily with the refining of Superior Dao Artifacts.

Although Hong Yan was merely an ordinary Artifact Sage who had never refined a single Superior Dao Artifact, he always had his own thoughts about the refining of Superior Dao Artifacts. No matter what his ideas were, Alkaid could easily keep up.

Sect Leader of the Taiyi Immortal Sect cultivated the Stellar Path, Streaming Light Dao, and Lihuo Path.

Hong Yan, the Artifact Sage, had his Lifebound Daoist Art derived from the Stellar Path and had also cultivated a Dao Technique of the Lihuo Path as a secondary practice.

Of course, the Great Void Path was considered mainstream in any Sect, and this Artifact Sage Hong Yan also had a deep understanding, his Dao Techniques just weren't as perfected as the Stellar Path.

At first, the exchange between Hong Yan, the Artifact Sage, and Alkaid was mainly focused on the Void Path. But as they spoke, the subject shifted to the Lihuo Path, and after a while, it even turned to the Stellar Path.

Alkaid, rooted in his Starlight Glazed Body, shared his approach to refining Superior Dao Artifacts of the Stellar Path, quickly engrossing the Artifact Sage Hong Yan completely.

Eventually, the communication between the two became almost entirely one-sided, with Alkaid narrating and Hong Yan listening.

At most, Hong Yan would occasionally voice some questions that arose in his heart.

To the uninformed observer arriving at this scene, it may appear as a student seeking guidance from a teacher on educational matters.

This kind of near instructive discourse from one side to another lasted for three days and gradually drew to a close.

Hong Yan's eyes were filled with a sudden enlightenment, and his heart filled with unspeakable joy.

A sense of fulfillment surged through him as if learning the Dao in the morning and dying in the evening would leave no regrets.

However, as he gradually emerged from this state of satisfaction and assimilated the knowledge exchanged over the past few days, he suddenly realized something.

He couldn't help but feel overwhelmed with emotion: "In this world... there really exists someone like Sect Leader Alkaid, almost omniscient and omnipotent..."

Then he stood up, solemnly facing Alkaid, and bowed deeply: "Thank you, Sect Leader Alkaid, for the teachings of the past three days. I am utterly convinced by your mastery in Artifact Refining and harbor no more doubts."

Hearing this, Alkaid nodded slightly.

His resolve was not in vain as he spent three days communicating with him, facing the risk of revealing himself.

"You should know that I am a cultivator of the Great Void Path, and the strife among the Daoists of the Void is extremely intense. To prevent this intensity from escalating, many Void Dao Lords take action against those who have the potential to reach the Unity Realm Stage of the Shattered Void. As for the Artifact Sages in the Shattered Void Realm... there is no need to mention how every power desires to have an Artifact Sage level existence to craft Dao Artifacts for themselves,"

Alkaid explained, "If these two abilities and talents were combined in one person, it would undoubtedly cause a sensation across the entire Northern Sea Star. Those Void Dao Lords who are still observing would almost certainly take action. Under such circumstances, the threats I would face would not stop with just one Void Dao Lord; it would almost certainly lead to certain death. For the sake of safety, I had to conceal my identity as an Artifact Sage, hoping that Hong Yan, the Artifact Sage, would understand."

"I understand, I fully comprehend the difficulties you, Sect Leader Alkaid, are facing. Concealing the news of your mastery in Artifact Refining is indeed a cautious move. It was we who were too presumptuous,"

Hong Yan said, immediately asking, "Do you feel confident in refining a top-tier Dao Artifact for Penglai Dao Lord this time? If you need help, just ask, and I will do my utmost to assist."

"There is some confidence for sure, but it's uncertain how much time it will take. Moreover, having more materials at hand in case of emergency would naturally increase the chances of successfully crafting this top-tier Dao Artifact,"

said Alkaid.

If it had been three days before, Hong Yan, the Artifact Sage, would have scoffed at such words from Alkaid.

But, during these three days of exchange, he deeply understood Alkaid's mastery in Artifact Refining.

With the Artifact Refining Technology Alkaid possessed, given sufficiently high-grade materials, he absolutely had the potential to craft a top-tier Dao Artifact.

If he could also catch up in cultivation prowess and successfully Integrate Dao...

Immortal Artifacts might be out of the question, but Semi-Immortal Artifacts were certainly within reach.

Therefore, the Artifact Sage did not hesitate to say, "Our Taiyi Immortal Sect has already brought the materials for Immortal Artifacts; I will have the Sect Leader send them over."

"Thank you very much. With two sets of materials, even if there are some flaws in the first crafting attempt, the second attempt is bound to succeed,"

Alkaid immediately said with a smile.

"I'm going to have the Sect Leader send the materials right now,"

said Hong Yan.

Alkaid nodded slightly, "I will get the finances ready. As I do not have enough Pure Yang Great Pills and Void Dao Elixirs on hand, how about using a Dao Artifact as the transaction capital?"

Hong Yan, upon hearing this, didn't respond immediately but pondered for a moment before saying, "Actually, before coming here, we discussed three plans with our Sect Leader... I won't mention the first two, but the third one... if I can confirm that Sect Leader Alkaid truly has the capability to refine top-tier Dao Artifacts, we are willing to provide these materials as payment for Sect Leader Alkaid to refine a top-tier Dao Artifact for us..."

"Agreed,"

said Alkaid. "There are many Shattered Void cultivators in Taiyi who practice the Stellar Path and, if I recall correctly, several have cultivated the Starlight Glazed Body. I'll use this Daoist Art as the basis to craft a top-tier Dao Artifact, how about that?"

As he spoke, he added, "Actually, at the level of top-tier Dao Artifacts, the restrictions of Daoist Arts are no longer so significant."

After all, top-tier Dao Artifacts were like a projection of the Great Dao, amplifying an entire category of Daoist Arts, unlike ordinary or Superior Grade Dao Artifacts, which required a specific type of Dao Technique.

Hong Yan, after hearing this, nodded and smiled, "That would be more than satisfactory."

"To exchange for a top-tier Dao Artifact... I am still gaining an advantage. The market price for Immortal Artifact materials is around a hundred billion, and under normal circumstances, it is exceedingly difficult to purchase Immortal Artifact materials at a price of a hundred billion,"

"You are too modest, Sect Leader Alkaid; this top-tier Dao Artifact we're getting is practically made to order,"

said Hong Yan, seemingly reminded of something, "When Sect Leader Alkaid attempts to reach the Unity Realm Stage, will there be a need for other Protectors? If necessary, I believe that Emperor Hui Dao Lord from our Taiyi Immortal Sect would be willing to help."

Being in the Shattered Void Realm, he naturally did not have the authority to make decisions for a Dao Lord.

But...

For someone like Alkaid who, in less than two hundred years, had made it to the list of Dao Lord candidates and possessed the craft to refine top-tier Dao Artifacts...

anyone would know the tremendous prospects that awaited him once he advanced into the Unity Realm Stage.

To build a good relationship in advance was certainly not a bad thing.

Of course...

there were risks involved.

If Alkaid's attempt to reach the Unity Realm Stage failed, all these investments would be as good as thrown away.

But then again, what investment is guaranteed? Compared to the final returns this investment could yield, those risks were well within acceptable limits.

"If needed, I will seek help from Emperor Hui Dao Lord,"

Alkaid politely replied.

For now...

his only Protector was Penglai Dao Lord.

The rest, including Jun Tian Dao Lord, were not even within his consideration.

Even though he was the Sect Leader of Heavenly Dao Sect, there wasn't much of a trust base between them.

Hong Yan nodded.

Then, the two left Nine Cauldrons Peak and headed straight for the resplendent Heavenly Hall.

Inside the hall, Zhen Xuanyuan was casually talking with Taiyuan True Monarch.

Upon seeing the two return to the main hall, Taiyuan True Monarch stood up immediately, his gaze turning to Hong Yan, the Artifact Sage.

And the Artifact Sage nodded, smiling and saying, "Sect Leader, please hand over the 'Starry Abyss Realm' to Sect Leader Alkaid."