Could this stove be some kind of magical artifact

"How could I not have heard! I passed by just yesterday. I heard the master inside is incredibly skilled, not only can he repair damaged magical artifacts, but he can also enhance them, boosting their power significantly!"

Another cultivator chimed in, his tone carrying a hint of envy.

It's just that he heard the prices were quite steep, otherwise he would have enhanced his own life-bound spiritual treasure. After all, ordinary cultivators, especially rogue ones, are usually quite poor. Most spend whatever spirit stones they have on pills to gulp down. Without backing from a faction, saving up spirit stones is nearly impossible.

"Yesterday, I heard from a friend in the Profound Moon Sect that Elder Xuanye's Star-Shattering Sword, which had been broken for years, was repaired by that master, and its power was enhanced by thirty percent! Now Elder Xuanye is borrowing money from anyone he meets, wanting to improve it further!"

Another cultivator lowered his voice.

"Really? That Star-Shattering Sword is a top-tier artifact! So many forging masters were helpless back then, and that master can actually repair and enhance it? That's too amazing!"

"Absolutely true! My friend saw the repaired Star-Shattering Sword with his own eyes! And I also heard that the City Lord seems to have learned about this and is very interested in that forging master. He might even pay a personal visit soon!"

"Even the City Lord is going to visit personally? That master's status must be extraordinary! If I could get that master to enhance my artifact, my strength within the sect would definitely soar!"

"If you have the money."

"The key is I don't. I only have about a thousand spirit stones on hand. Is that enough?"

“Without money, just honestly absorb some spiritual energy to improve your strength. Those things have nothing to do with us ordinary cultivators.”

Ye Chuan listened to the two men's conversation from a distance, his face expressionless, but a flicker of surprise stirred in his heart.

The City Lord?

Ye Chuan wasn't clear on what level of existence the City Lord of Profound Crystal City was, nor did he know if he was wealthy, but the speed at which yesterday's incident had spread far exceeded his expectations.

Good news.

Popularity means money can be made.

If that City Lord is a high-level cultivator, this is a great opportunity to land a big fish.

He glanced at Hu Li beside him, who was still focused on eating breakfast, propped his chin on his hand, and watched her. "Finish up, and we'll head back to the shop. We might have some 'water fish' visiting today."

"What does 'water fish' mean?" Hu Li asked curiously, licking the congee from her lips. "A type of demon beast?"

"No, it means esteemed guests."

"Oh, so 'water fish' means esteemed guests?"

...

After having a simple meal with Hu Li, Ye Chuan returned with her to the shop. After re-hanging the banner, Ye Chuan sat on the sofa, legs crossed, waiting for customers.

Meanwhile, Hu Li behind him used her soft little hands to massage Ye Chuan's shoulders, putting in a lot of effort.

But judging from Hu Li's perpetually smiling expression, she seemed very happy to do this for Ye Chuan.

It seemed like she would fulfill any request Ye Chuan made.

Of course, Ye Chuan wasn't first and foremost...

As Ye Chuan enjoyed the little fox's massage, resting with his eyes closed, his spiritual sense seemed to detect something. He opened his eyes and looked toward the shop entrance—

Three or four cultivators came bustling in. Judging by their attire, they seemed to be from the same sect as that Zhang Yue Feng, the Profound Moon Sect?

"Master!" The leading female disciple immediately clasped her fists toward Ye Chuan upon entering. "Are you busy?"

"Busy? Not really?" Ye Chuan looked up at Hu Li behind him, and she immediately got off her little stool to make tea for the guests.

"You all..." Ye Chuan inquired about their purpose.

"My name is Xu Qian, one of the core disciples of the Profound Moon Sect. I heard of the master's exceptional skills, that you can even enhance the power of weapons, so I came to pay a visit," the female disciple said, clasping her fists.

"Today, I've brought some spirit stones."

"Easy, easy." Hearing about the money, Ye Chuan's face instantly became kind and gentle. "Come, take out your weapon."

Xu Qian immediately retrieved a magical artifact from her storage pouch. It was a massive cauldron, nearly half a person's height, but Ye Chuan could tell at a glance it was merely a quasi-high-grade spiritual treasure.

"This is my Zhenyuan Cauldron," Xu Qian said. "May I ask how many spirit stones it costs to enhance its power?"

"Since you've heard the rumors about my place, my rule is: the higher the quality, the higher the price; the higher the enhancement level, the higher the price," Ye Chuan glanced at Xu Qian's cauldron and simply stated,

"Three thousand low-grade spirit stones for the first time, and the cost doubles for each subsequent enhancement."

"Three thousand? I understand." Xu Qian took out her storage pouch. "There are a hundred thousand low-grade spirit stones here. May we begin?"

"Hmm?" Ye Chuan was momentarily stunned. "You core disciples are quite wealthy."

Xu Qian just said, "My family has money, that's all."

"You're quite honest."

Ye Chuan waved his hand and pointed to the large furnace behind him. "Put it in."

Upon hearing this, Xu Qian hesitated, "Just place it on there?"

"Yes, just put it in."

Xu Qian then placed the cauldron on it. Soon, the furnace engulfed the cauldron. Amidst a blaze of firelight, the cauldron was pushed back out, now covered in a faint white glow.

"This..."

"It's successful." After glancing at the Zhenyuan Cauldron marked +1, Ye Chuan said, "Take a look."

Seeing it happen so quickly, Xu Qian initially doubted if she had been deceived. But after sensing it slightly, she seemed utterly stunned. "How miraculous!"

This obscure little shop could truly enhance the power of magical artifacts!

"If you want to enhance further, just keep putting it in. But I must remind you, the higher the level, the higher the failure rate. And if it fails, the enhancement level will drop," Ye Chuan explained once, then thought for a moment.

Perhaps he should make a sign to clearly state the rules.

"Understood, Master. May I continue?" Xu Qian asked, after all, she had paid a hundred thousand upfront.

"Mhm, you can put it in yourself," Ye Chuan said.

"This... alright."

Xu Qian placed the Zhenyuan Cauldron in again and again, and each time the furnace made a sound, clearly indicating success.

The increasingly powerful aura emanating from the artifact left the observing disciples feeling astonished.

Could it be that this furnace is some sort of ancient magical artifact?

Possessing the ability to enhance other artifacts?

Xu Qian enhanced it four times in one go. The cost for the fifth time was forty-eight thousand low-grade spirit stones, which would be her last attempt.

But what if it failed?

And what if it succeeded?

Swallowing hard, Xu Qian finally placed her Zhenyuan Cauldron in again. "Please, it must succeed!"

When the familiar sound rang out, Xu Qian exclaimed excitedly,

"It succeeded!"

Seeing this, the other disciples began to grow restless.

They were also core disciples of the Profound Moon Sect. How could they just sit back and watch someone else increase their power?