Incredible Sect Simulator
Chapter 69 Gathering Flowing Sand

Chapter 69: Chapter 69 Gathering Flowing Sand

Seeing that the trade team had reached its destination, Hanzhou City, and was about to enter the city to finish this business venture, continuing to follow them was meaningless.

Leaving the Datong Trade Team, should I follow another trade team?

Or simply wander along the Hu Lu Trade Route, perhaps encountering a sandstorm beast?

Song Minghui knew in her heart that such actions were too time-consuming.

Moreover, traveling the Hu Lu Trade Route with only four people was too difficult, as resources and water were scarce, unlike the convenience of following a trade team.

"This method, I once saw it in a collection of books from a Foundation Establishment clan while doing business in Qi Kingdom. According to the records, there is a spiritual artifact called Gathering Flowing Sand that can deal with sandstorm beasts."

"This Gathering Flowing Sand is a Tier One Lower Grade Spiritual Artifact, and its main refining material is precisely the beast bone from the sandstorm beast."

"As long as Gathering Flowing Sand is refined, the aura it emits can attract nearby sandstorm beasts."

"Once a sandstorm beast obtains Gathering Flowing Sand, it will take it back to its nest. Gathering Flowing Sand has a catalytic effect on young sandstorm beasts, enabling them to grow rapidly and advance to become Tier One Demon Beasts."

Everyone knew that the reason sandstorm beasts were so tricky and hadn’t been completely eradicated was not due to their strength.

Before Lu Ping discovered this doorway affair, many cultivators and trade teams had specifically cleared sandstorm beasts on the eastern border of the Yanhuang Desert, achieving considerable success.

The true reason sandstorm beasts continue to reappear repeatedly is their strong reproductive ability, and their nests are extremely hidden.

This is much like cockroaches; merely wiping out dozens or hundreds of them is futile, you must eliminate them at their source.

"The idea of using Gathering Flowing Sand to find sandstorm beast nests sounds like a good method. I wonder how to refine this Gathering Flowing Sand, would Brother Zhang be willing to share?"

Since Zhang Sihong mentioned Gathering Flowing Sand, Zhang Nianchuan guessed he might know the method for refining such a spiritual artifact, or else he wouldn’t have brought it up.

Indeed, Zhang Sihong’s next words confirmed Zhang Nianchuan’s guess.

"Naturally, I know the method for refining Gathering Flowing Sand. Even after all these years, I still remember it clearly."

Zhang Sihong smiled slightly: "Although this Gathering Flowing Sand is a valuable experience summarized by that Foundation Establishment clan to counter sandstorm beasts, according to the rules of the Cultivation Realm, it’s not easily passed on."

"But since they were willing to let me observe it, it seems they hoped that during my business travels, I could spread Gathering Flowing Sand, so fellow cultivators could more effectively clear sandstorm beasts and protect one area."

After speaking a few sentences, Zhang Sihong took out pen and paper, immediately writing down the method for refining Gathering Flowing Sand from memory.

"In the world outside, you rely on friends. Since I’ve had such pleasant conversations with you all, I’ll gift you this refining formula. I learned it myself."

"Is there anyone among you who knows artifact refining? To refine Gathering Flowing Sand, you need a Tier One Middle Grade Artifact Refiner."

Zhang Sihong generously handed over the Gathering Flowing Sand formula.

"Thank you, Brother Zhang."

Seeing Zhang Sihong being so straightforward, Song Minghui decided not to speculate anymore.

She reached out to accept the Gathering Flowing Sand formula, then exchanged glances with Lin Han, Zhang Nianchuan, and Chu Qin.

Obviously, none of them knew artifact refining.

Seeing this, Zhang Sihong also guessed the outcome and could only shake his head, saying, "To be honest, there is no artifact refiner in our team either."

"Fellow cultivators, if you wish to commission someone to refine this Gathering Flowing Sand, you might try seeking help from your Sect."

"Within a thousand miles, there is no resident artifact refiner, making it quite troublesome to find one. Moreover, due to resource scarcity in this area and high prices, the cost of artifact refining would far exceed normal prices; it’s better to seek help from your Sect."

Zhang Sihong’s words directly offered a very good suggestion.

Indeed, due to the desert environment, the population of people living nearby is much smaller than in other fertile areas.

There are even fewer resident cultivators here.

Moreover, artifact refiners are considered scarce talents among cultivators, making them even harder to find. Even if a candidate is found, paying for refining is essential.

Rarity makes things valuable, and it requires extra fees.

Having someone else refine the artifact, Song Minghui was not entirely comfortable.

Regarding who might refine this in Cyan Mountain Sect, it would naturally be Elder Lu, Lu Zhiwei.

With her mastery in artifact refining, crafting Gathering Flowing Sand would pose no problem.

Asking Lu Zhiwei for assistance in refining this is a good idea, and Song Minghui also wants to bring the Gathering Flowing Sand formula back to be stored in the Sect’s collection.

After agreeing to Zhang Sihong’s suggestion, Zhang Sihong conveniently rendered another kindness.

"The main material for refining Gathering Flowing Sand is the sandstorm beast’s beast bone. It just so happens that there are a few sandstorm beasts on the cart. You can take the beast bones yourself, consider it a token of gratitude for your earlier rescue."

Understanding sacrifice and knowing when to advance or retreat, Zhang Sihong was well-received in his dealings.

Song Minghui did not stand on ceremony and selected three sets of beast bones. After saying a temporary goodbye, she and the three others parted ways with the trade team.

Watching the trade team enter the city and gradually disappear from view, hoping to meet again in the future, the four of them glanced at the darkening sky and discussed setting out the next morning.

They intended to bring the Gathering Flowing Sand formula back to the Sect and ask for Lu Zhiwei’s help in refining it.

The Cyan Mountain Sect was nearly six thousand miles away from this place, with mountains high and waters far; traveling together would provide some assurance. Otherwise, sending only one person back to the Sect would leave the other three somewhat uneasy.

The next morning, the four of them set out on their journey.

After nearly a month of traveling back, they finally arrived at the Cyan Mountain Sect without even taking time to rest.

Song Minghui immediately sought an audience with Lu Zhiwei and reported the matters concerning the sandstorm beasts and Gathering Flowing Sand.

After listening to Song Minghui’s report and understanding the whole story, upon being requested to refine Gathering Flowing Sand and remove the sandstorm beasts entirely, Lu Zhiwei’s cold face couldn’t help but reveal a hint of a smile.

"To start and finish their tasks, understanding the need to eradicate the sandstorm beast nests and eliminate the danger thoroughly, your intentions merit my effort."

"I will undertake the refining of Gathering Flowing Sand."

Agreeing to refine Gathering Flowing Sand, Lu Zhiwei went into secluded cultivation that same day.

Being a Tier One High-Grade Refiner, the difficulty of refining a Tier One Lower Grade item like Gathering Flowing Sand was certainly not great.

Upon receiving the Gathering Flowing Sand formula and refining materials, Lu Zhiwei didn’t rush into action. Instead, she pondered over it for half a day, and only after understanding the refining theory did she commence the process.

The reason Gathering Flowing Sand attracts sandstorm beasts lies in its beast bone.

This item can attract sandstorm beasts due to its ability to emit a same-tribe aura.

Sandstorm beasts are very sensitive to such same-tribe aura and can sense it within a hundred miles.

However, normally, the same-tribe aura within the beast bone cannot leak out at all; it is well-hidden, incapable of attracting sandstorm beasts.

Therefore, the key to refining Gathering Flowing Sand is to melt out the hidden same-tribe aura from the beast bone, combine it with other materials, and make it into a spiritual artifact.

When using this spiritual artifact, it enables the same-tribe aura to last long.

This theory behind Gathering Flowing Sand and its capability of attracting sandstorm beasts showcase the intelligence present in the Cultivation Realm.

Having understood this theory, Lu Zhiwei couldn’t help but admire it.

It should be known, once a cultivator slays sandstorm beasts, their value is not that high as they can’t form inner cores, usually only serving as food.

However, if Gathering Flowing Sand could be used as bait to attract sandstorm beasts to attack trade teams, Cultivation Clans, one’s enemies, or even to a county or city...

Stop, stop. Unless it’s to deal with enemies, the thought itself isn’t worthy of a righteous cultivator.

Recognizing the bounds of using such a method is important for eliminating demon beasts entirely.

With a newfound admiration after understanding the theory, Lu Zhiwei skillfully controlled the true fire inside her body, refining the materials, extracting and combining them to produce the spiritual artifact in a fluid process without error.

By the morning of the third day, she completed the refinement of Gathering Flowing Sand and emerged from seclusion.