Modern World's Martial Dao Human Immortal

"This secret technique... no, it's a Divine Skill!"

Alkaid was startled to realize the might of this Divine Skill.

With this Divine Skill at his disposal, especially when managing other Artifact Refiners, he was essentially able to run a "factory" single-handedly.

The efficiency of one person operating a factory versus a group maintaining a factory was simply not on the same level.

When applied to group combat, the augmenting effect was equally conspicuous.

It could definitely allow him to leap across a whole rank.

A whole rank!

You must know, in today's world, the nine that possess Golden Cores...

Or rather, including the Nine Cauldrons Sect among other seven with Sunburst Golden Cores, once their Supreme Elders detonated their Golden Cores, it would trigger a supernova-like blast of destructive power capable of decimating continents.

Under this cataclysmic deterrent, the top battles within the Immortal Sects took place almost exclusively among the Great Cultivators.

Among Great Cultivators, Sword Cultivators stood out as the best at breaching and raiding.

The disparity of a whole rank could mean a casualty ratio of 1:10.

The increase in deterrent power for a Sect was incalculable.

It's no exaggeration to say that if the overall strength of all Great Cultivators of the Nine Cauldrons Sect were to increase by one rank, the ever-chaotic East Sea Archipelago would visibly calm down in no time.

Xuanming Sect, the Great Yue Dynasty, Ancient Immortal Sect, Star Sea Sect, each would withdraw from the Eastern Sea at the earliest opportunity.

Even the Great Sun Sword Sect, a large Sect, would become respectful and friendly.

"Huff!"

It took a while for Alkaid to pull his thoughts back from the Divine Skill.

To resonate with other Cultivators' Divine Sense and Divine Consciousness, including those inclined towards battle effects like Divine Intent, was essential.

His own Divine Sense wasn't strong, and the total amount of Divine Sense he could lead and manage was quite limited.

"I must hasten to advance my Body Refinement Cultivation to the Eighth Layer and then enhance my Divine Refinement to the Seventh Layer. Once reaching the Seventh Layer, I'll barely be able to congeal the Primordial Spirit. Although it consumes much and has a small range, managing the Purple Cloud Courtyard should be within reach."

Contemplating, he started operating the workbench before him.

As an almost Master Level Artifact Refiner skilled in every aspect of Artifact Refining, he improved the efficiency of the "Immortal Shadow 60" quite rapidly.

Especially since he had the Heart of Artifact Refining and the Soul of Artifact Refining traits, he knew how to arrange Flying Swords in a more stable fashion and how to refine them more effectively.

In just one morning, he had enhanced the overall quality of this Flying Sword by 27%, bringing it to the world's leading standard.

"A few more days of optimization and it should match the performance of equivalent rank Flying Swords from forces like the Great Sun Sword Sect, the Limitless Star Palace, the Immortal Alliance, and others."

Alkaid pondered.

With such performance and adding the Nine Cauldrons Sect's unique brand, it was foreseeable...

For the near future, the Immortal Shadow 60 would certainly become the hottest civilian-use Flying Sword on the market.

"Civilian use... and for daily use at that, this market is ultimately too saturated. The external large Sects' Artifact Refining Courts have already optimized these Flying Swords to perfection; even I wouldn't hold too much of an advantage, as Artifact Refining also involves inscribing Formation Patterns, which I'm far from mastering."

While Alkaid pondered, he had no intention of delving deeper into the study of Formations: "This business can only be considered as a side income. In the future, the focus should still be on the market for Lifebound Flying Swords. Securing a position in that market would allow one to earn plenty without much effort."

The Immortal Shadow series of Flying Swords were considered mid to low-end products.

Only the Purple Cloud series of Lifebound Flying Swords could truly be called custom-made luxury items.

The profit was far greater than the Immortal Shadow, wasn't it?

Of course, that's under the condition that you can sell them.

...

Alkaid was getting ready to leave, packing up his things, when Xiang Guangming knocked on the door.

"Come in,"

Alkaid uttered.

Xiang Guangming entered, and seeing Alkaid who had already shut down the workbench, he looked slightly surprised: "Chief, are you going out? I'll arrange a vehicle for you right away."

"Mhm, arrange a larger one for me, I need to move some things,"

Alkaid said, then asked, "Is the accommodation ready?"

"It has been cleaned and is ready for move-in at any time. If you need anything, I can go purchase it for you,"

Xiang Guangming said.

As the Chief Steward, he was in effect the factory's overseer.

Not only in charge of marketing and securing business, but he also took care of all the needs of the Artifact Refiners, including their food, clothing, accommodation, and transportation.

Of course, the actual tasks were handled by the stewards and servants.

"Mhm,"

Alkaid responded and then inquired, "Do you have something to report?"

"Several high-ranking Artifact Refiners residing within the Courtyard wish to see you,"

Xiang Guangming said.

These high-ranking Artifact Refiners were the production core of Purple Cloud Courtyard.

After completing the optimization of "Purple Cloud," Alkaid would need these Artifact Refiners for production as well.

"It's late today, let's do it tomorrow. I'll review the specific design of 'Purple Cloud' in the morning, and in the afternoon, you gather all the Artifact Refiners for a meeting,"

Alkaid planned and said.

"Understood, I will arrange it,"

Xiang Guangming agreed.

Alkaid stepped out of the main building to find a man in his forties waiting at the door with a hovering sedan.

The Purple Cloud Courtyard was located in the suburbs of Dragon Majestic City, shaped like a rectangle, covering an area of more than eight hundred thousand square meters.

It wasn't that the factory had a lot of people and needed that much space, but that enough vertical space was necessary for Flying Sword testing.

In such a big place, especially being in the suburbs, vehicles had to be ready at all times.

Since it was just past six in the evening, as soon as Alkaid entered the city, he encountered a traffic jam.

"This traffic..."

Alkaid couldn't help but feel speechless.

"The situation in the Eastern Sea has been unstable lately, causing many to come ashore and migrate to the Nine Heavens Domain and Dragon Majestic City. The population has significantly increased, which is why there's some congestion. Things will get better once the situation stabilizes,"

the driver said with a smile, explaining.

The Nine Heavens Domain is close to the East Sea Archipelago. Stay updated through empire

Excluding those small towns with populations of tens or hundreds of thousands, Dragon Majestic City is the first major city facing the Eastern Sea.

It is said that thirteen years ago, Nine Heavens City used the excuse of Dragon Majestic City being too close to the East Sea Archipelago, posing a threat to the security of the Energy Department, and thus relocated the department to the capital.

Otherwise, Dragon Majestic City would still be the largest city in the Nine Heavens Domain today. How could it have lost millions of residents in just over a decade, cutting its GDP in half?

Soon, the vehicle stopped at the Bai Lian Gate.

Since it was already evening, those disciples who paid to learn martial arts had gone home, making the place seem rather deserted.

However, the arrival of the rather upmarket hovercar at the entrance of Bai Lian Gate still caught the attention of many who stepped out to look.

Among them was Yang Kaitai.

Seeing Alkaid entering the gate, the high-rank body cultivator said with a semi-smile, "You've been going out early these past few days and only show up at night when it's time to rest. What's keeping you so busy?"

"I found a job,"

Alkaid replied and added, "Since Zong Lian, the Sect Leader, isn't here, I'll have to trouble you to pass on the message that I've been a bother during this period."

Yang Kaitai was momentarily taken aback.

Although he, Huang Yunqi, and the others were protective of Bai Lian Gate and didn't want Alkaid, a newcomer, to share in their bounty, if Alkaid left while the Sect Leader was away on combat readiness patrol, and the Sect Leader mistakenly thought they had driven him away...

They would surely face punishment.

Quickly, he said, "Why the sudden departure? Aren't you living well at Bai Lian Gate?"

After saying that, he called into the courtyard, "Senior Sister, Alkaid says he's leaving..."

"I got a job and they provided accommodation, so naturally, I have to move there,"

Alkaid said.

"A job? What kind of job? Lately, the Nine Cauldrons Sect has been accelerating their contact with the subordinate worlds below, encouraging them to rejoin, which has led to a large influx of outsiders. The arrival of these people has also given rise to those with ulterior motives, who deceive newcomers with the promise of finding work. You must be careful not to fall for that,"

Yang Kaitai hurriedly said.

"It's a position in the Artifact Refining Hall's Flying Sword Division of the Nine Cauldrons Sect."

Alkaid said.

Huang Yunqi, who had just come out from inside, felt a surge of joy upon hearing Alkaid's response.

Alkaid...

Finally, he was on the path to joining the Nine Cauldrons Sect.

He could no longer stay at Bai Lian Gate.

Right away, with a smile, she interjected, "The Nine Cauldrons Sect, huh? That is indeed one of the best options for you. At just twenty-one, you have become a high-rank body cultivator. If you push yourself in the Nine Cauldrons Sect, you might even become a Star Master."

Speaking, she showed a face full of regret, "In fact, the Sect Leader is very impressed with you and has always wanted to keep you at Bai Lian Gate under careful tutelage. But he also knows that, with your talent, you certainly wouldn't care for a small temple like Bai Lian Gate..."

This was like reaping the rewards and then playing coy.

Alkaid glanced at her, speaking indifferently, "How could I not care for it? I am quite satisfied with Bai Lian Gate. In a few decades' time, if your Senior Brother Zong Wuya successfully establishes his foundation, all well and good. But if he fails, Bai Lian Gate will ultimately need support. By then, I suppose I will also have achieved some success in my cultivation.

At that time, I'll have a proper chat with the Sect Leader."

Upon hearing this, Huang Yunqi frowned, feeling displeased.

It took her a while before she said faintly, "With our Senior Brother's talent, establishing his foundation will surely be no problem."

"Holy Master,"

at this moment, Kong Xuan walked out from inside.

"Pack up the stuff,"

Alkaid instructed.

Kong Xuan quickly went to his quarters and got busy packing.

The driver who came with Alkaid was also quick to lend a hand, catching the eye.

This scene surprised Huang Yunqi.

Why...

Did they arrange for personal assistance as soon as he joined the Purple Cloud Courtyard?

"Alkaid... are you... appointed as the Artifact Refiner of the Purple Cloud Courtyard?"

She seemed to remember Zong Yan mentioning that Alkaid's skills in Artifact Refining were not low.

"No,"

Alkaid replied, without going into details.

"Not?

If not a formal Artifact Refiner, how could an apprentice receive such treatment?

Could it be...

He's a Master Level Artifact Refiner!?

He's already exceptionally talented with Seventh Layer Body Refinement at twenty-one, and he's also reached Master Level as an Artifact Refiner!?

Impossible!

Meanwhile, watching Alkaid who seemed truly ready to leave, Yang Kaitai felt a bitter taste in his mouth.

He was relieved that Bai Lian Gate wouldn't fall into Alkaid's hands but also resented the loss of a genius who should have belonged to Bai Lian Gate, now being wooed by the Nine Cauldrons Sect.

Alkaid didn't have many belongings.

When he and Zhang Jianlin expressed their intention to join, he had mentioned this to Kong Xuan, who had prepared accordingly.

In less than half an hour, Kong Xuan and the driver had brought the luggage to the courtyard.

"Chief, all his things are here. Please check if there's anything else that needs to be moved over,"

the driver said.

"That's all, let's go,"

Alkaid said, turning to leave.

At this moment, Huang Yunqi, still pondering if Alkaid was really a Master Level Artifact Refiner, was staggered by the driver's address.

"Chief?"