Yi Tianxing inwardly admired Zhao Li's decision—it was indeed a wise choice. If he had to choose, he would have made the same selection. The Ghost Refining Furnace, while capable of refining Wuji Ghost Pills, required vast numbers of ghost souls to operate. As a ghost officer, mass hunting of spirits would attract massive trouble.
Weighing the pros and cons, it was clear that the other two rare treasures offered greater long-term benefit.
"Very well. In that case, I'll add an additional 300,000 Eternal Coins. What do you think?" Yi Tianxing put away the Ghost Refining Furnace as he spoke.
The value of the Tai Sui Flesh was not to be underestimated. Although he didn't have to add compensation, Zhao Li's identity made it worthwhile to cultivate goodwill. Eternal Coins, once spent, would circulate and eventually return. Circulation was key.
"Three hundred thousand Eternal Coins? Well, I won't refuse that."Zhao Li beamed with joy and accepted without hesitation.
He was so broke he was practically ready to pawn his underwear. Seeing that much money fall into his lap, how could he resist? For him, Eternal Coins were real treasure.
Clink clink clink!
A cascade of coins poured onto the table, their golden luster dazzling. The melodic clinks of coins colliding were like music to Zhao Li's ears—mesmerizing and intoxicating.
Without hesitation, he pulled out a storage pouch and swept the Eternal Coins inside. Even as he gathered them, a wide grin spread across his face.
"By the way, eating the Tai Sui Flesh requires extreme caution—it's got a sinister aura," Zhao Li warned after the deal was completed.
"I understand. I'll be careful."Yi Tianxing nodded.
"And one more thing. According to some sources, the Eternal World is about to face a cataclysmic disaster—an upheaval marking the end of the old and the dawn of the new. It will be the darkest time before the light. I hope you make preparations. No one will be spared."
Zhao Li dropped another bombshell.
"A disaster? Do you know what kind?"
"No idea. Just that it's a massive calamity. Better to be prepared. I hope we meet again in the future." Zhao Li shook his head. That was all he knew—what exactly was coming, not even he could predict. Anything could happen.
With those parting words, Zhao Li quickly turned and left. Clearly, he didn't want to linger with Yi Tianxing's group.
As he walked away, he mumbled to himself: "Don't blame me later. It was a fair trade—money for goods. If it turns out to be trash, it's not my fault. Honestly, I got screwed too. Holding onto that thing nearly cost me everything—including my pants."
A subtle sense of relief crept over his face. Like he'd just thrown off a tremendous burden. His entire demeanor lightened.
After he left, Shehou glanced at Yi Tianxing and said, "Why do I get the feeling he was trying to get away from you? Could that trade have been rigged? Is the Tai Sui Flesh even real?"
"It's real. Both it and the magical cube are genuine. But... they may have some quirks."Yi Tianxing replied calmly. With a thought, he stored the Tai Sui Flesh inside his Life Aperture.
As soon as it entered, it appeared beneath the Ruo Tree, in a small pool filled with Life Water—condensed by the Kunlun Sacred Tree.
Bathed in the water, the Taixu Flesh radiated powerful vitality, and even seemed to emit a sense of joy—clearly pleased with its new surroundings.
At the same time, a mystical force emanated from it and fused with the Kunlun Sacred Tree, instantly causing the tree to grow significantly. It was a natural synergy between spiritual medicines and divine flora.
Yi Tianxing had no intention of eating the whole thing. Even if he did consume it, he'd only cut off a small piece.
"As for this cube… it can synthesize various items. It's undoubtedly heaven-defying, infused with creation essence. Let's call it the Cube of Creation. I hope it will bring me and the Great Yi Dynasty unmatched fortune."
He then drew several Runic War Arrows, golden and designed to pierce armor.
Holding the Cube of Creation, he willed it to activate. Instantly, he felt a connection—within the cube were numerous internal compartments, each corresponding to a face of the three-tier cube.
"Let's try it."
Without hesitation, he placed three identical golden armor-piercing runic arrows into the cube.
"Synthesize!"
With a mental command, the cube shimmered with dark golden light. A mystical force surged through it. The cube's faces began to shift as though manipulated by invisible hands.
Moments later—just a few breaths—the process finished.
Flash!
Light burst from the cube.
And what appeared was… a pile of powder.
"Failure."Yi Tianxing frowned slightly.
The synthesis had completely failed—the original arrows were destroyed, reduced to dust. Not even fragments remained.
Failure meant total loss.
Clearly, the cube's synthesis was not without risk.
"No wonder Zhao Li ran off so quickly," Shehou remarked, watching closely. "This thing doesn't guarantee success."
"There's always risk in everything. Creation is no different. The key is to determine the success rate," Yi Tianxing replied without surprise.
If it guaranteed 100% success, it wouldn't have been traded for a mere exotic treasure. Zhao Li would have clung to it.
Without pause, he tried again with another set of arrows.
Failure.
Then another.
Failure.
…
By the tenth attempt, he still hadn't succeeded. A subtle shadow passed through Yi Tianxing's heart.
"This success rate is abysmal."
Even he felt a headache brewing. If this held true, the cube was essentially a gambler's tool—and a costly one.
Yet he didn't stop. He continued experimenting.
On the fifteenth attempt—
Success.
A flash of light emerged from the cube. This time, a single golden runic arrow appeared—not just any arrow, but a significantly enhanced armor-piercing arrow.
"The same arrow, but its power has multiplied tenfold. It's almost as powerful as the Bone Arrows, maybe even stronger."
Yi Tianxing sensed its incredible destructive force—it would be lethal to any cultivator below the Dharma Realm. The arrow was sharper, more deadly, more vicious.
"It really can synthesize better gear. But what if I try different items? Different types of arrows?"
Ideas flew through his mind.
He continued testing.
But his face began to darken with each try.
"Only 3% success rate… Three successes out of a hundred tries."
The number struck like a hammer.
That rate was too low. If the materials were rare or sacred, a single failed synthesis could be catastrophic.
"No wonder Zhao Li bailed," Shehou said, her tone wry.
"Looks like Zhao Li got screwed by this thing too. Probably explains why he's broke." Yi Tianxing sighed with a bitter smile.
"Is there any way to increase the success rate?"
"If we can upgrade the Cube, maybe. Right now, it's only a Yellow Grade, first rank artifact. Improving its grade could raise the odds," Yi Tianxing replied after some thought.
What materials or methods were needed for this upgrade, he wasn't sure.
But he wasn't worried.
For others, it might be a daunting task.
For Yi Tianxing, it was only a matter of time.