Quest Maker: 404

Title: Refinement 101

A stairway of 999 steps leads to the Central Plaza in the middle of the Island, called: The Stairway to Heaven—Ja Sun warps past such ‘attractions,’ landing inside the spacious blue-gold hall as he stares at the gigantic trident etched in the very foundation of the structure. The Golden Trident’s base has an empty spot for a gem. But Ja Sun knows the truth by now. It’s been two weeks since his settlement, and life is good.

Ja Sun threw himself to work, but one-half of him is always around his son no matter what. The other half is working or doing things that don’t befit Ja Liang’s presence. He also had Bi Ji start making rounds in the seven cities with others, spreading his good name by healing a few crippled civilians or Spirit Masters. Aside from that, Ja Sun is ready to start with one of his central tasks—refinement.

Ja Sun has too many artifacts. But he isn’t a swordsman or a canon buster. He intends to refine all the divine artifacts in his holding into his Gauntlets, creating Divine Artifacts true to himself. But there are a few issues with this.

He cannot even wield the true might of complete Divine Artifacts, so refining them is a distant possibility. He needs Immortal Qi to achieve that.

But what about artifacts close to becoming Divine or the ones that fell from the class?

He has two such items—Di Tian’s Sword of Darkness and Poseidon’s Damaged Trident in the front!

Ja Sun damaged the Trident by destroying the core when battling against Di Tian’s divine technique as a Titled Douluo! It was outlandish, but Ja Sun would do it all over again. He can refine these two items into gauntlets that strengthen his body and receive similar feedback. Of course, Ja Sun cannot bolster his body since he hit the upper limit of his existence for a while and would need to ‘expel’ something from within to grow further—a privilege saved for his seven additional martial souls.

“You truly want to consume it all,” A gloomy voice fills the spacious halls as Ja Sun looks away from the Trident, letting his gaze settle on the blue-haired priest whose silver-blue hair cascades past her ankles, beyond the edges of her sleek red dress that accentuates her body. But Ja Sun feels something more.

He met with Bo Saixi almost daily for the past two weeks, mostly annoying her for the sake of it. While the Seven Guardians are more stuck-up, Bo Saixi and Xiao Bai present themselves differently. The former feels conflicted to this day, questioning her decisions before sleeping and affirming her beliefs the coming morning. The latter is Ja Sun’s source of information about the Spirit Beast territories aside from the Five Overlords Bibi Dong put under her rule, who settled not too far from the Island despite their desire to stay near the former Sea God Island.

“It would be wrong to expect anything else,” Ja Sun smirks at her, adding, “But don’t misunderstand. I’m not doing this to spite you or Poseidon. You should understand that, right?”

“It’s the victor’s choice,” Bo Saixi whispers as she lowers her head. She is already Rank 19, her speed of cultivation a step shorter than Qian Daoliu, who reached Rank 20 this morning and awakened his Second Modified Spirit Ring.

“But I won’t say I don’t have a selfish interest in this Trident. I suppose it’s the last thing holding you back in any manner, right?” Ja Sun closes the distance between the Trident as Bo Saixi’s gaze flickers. It’s the truth. She spent her time praying for Poseidon in this hall through his Trident! Her connection with the Trident is somewhat pious, so she feels worse whenever she looks at the Divine Weapon.

“So? Should I feel grateful?” Bo Saixi grumbles as Ja Sun nods, speaking confidently, “Naturally. Who else do you see refining a Divine Artifact?”

“It’s not like you need me,” She frowns, “Your Emerald Swan is doing a good enough job in slowly replacing my position as the Priestess in the denizen’s eyes.”

“I cannot wait for you to make a decision, right? I need to keep the faith flowing. I even plan a series of attacks on the Island and save them in the nick of time,” He snickers, not hiding a thing. Learning about Faith and farming said energy became a passion project for Ja Sun aside from the Time Dilation Space. The Law energy farmed from his fourth core—Beyond Evil mixed with a supremely enhanced comprehension of his own, and Faith’s boost should see him stepping into the realm of a Grandmaster in various other Laws in a matter of few years. Maybe quicker if his resonance works once he fuses with Gu Yuena and the rest of the volunteering Spirit Beasts.

“You might lose their faith if you meddle too much,” She advises.

“And? Faith is fascinating but not crucial,” Ja Sun hums as he touches the Trident’s shaft, which promptly shudders with hidden rage. “I’m still a Sage. I suppose others on the Island are already feeling the benefit of my existence. Or did you think your cultivation is naturally so quick after losing it all? My, and your Martial Soul by existence increase the cultivation of the masters and beasts in your surroundings by 50% and raises their comprehension by 20%.”

“I noticed,” Bo Saixi works her jaw. “And my comprehension of the Domain of Sea is better.”

“Hah! I’ll accept a 100000-year-old bone as your offering of gratitude.”

“I don’t have any except my left-arm bone,” Bo Saixi narrows her eyes. “Would you like me to cut my arm off?”

“Nah, I’ll accept a flash or two readily,” Ja Sun smiles gently, releasing a calming aura. The more he learns about the Law of Control, the more amazed he gets! He can control his Law’s presence to mimic Daoliu’s comfort and Saixi’s dignity. It’s not a complete copy, but his Law of Control has too many auxiliary benefits—one of the primary reasons his Liang can piss while standing despite his young age—something he fully lords over Oscar and Xie Xan even when Xan’s youngest daughter, Liena, isn’t supposed to piss while standing. To which Ja Sun only has to say—It sounds like a parenting skill issue.

“Flash?” Bo Saixi frowns, “What’s that?”

Ja Sun breaks into a guffaw. His free-flowing tunic disappears into his flesh, surprising Saixi as he points at his chest, “This is flashing. I wouldn’t mind a swift slip of your top~!”

The corner of Saixi’s lips twitches before she shakes her head, “My body is worthless.”

“Don’t you have Spirit Bones in your body? Don’t beat yourself up. You have some worth.”

“Why did I expect to hear something comforting from you?” She scoffs before raising an eyebrow, “But I can’t contend against you if you force yourself on me, right, Beast Sage God? Sage God? Beast Sage? There are too many of the same names.”

Ja Sun snickers at her words. Too many names are good! It means others may forget one, but the other can continue!

“Do you think I’m a Sissy in a blood-red stripper’s wear?” He questions with a snort. “Besides, Xiao Bai is more responsive. I’m easily more interested in her.”

His words rub Saixi the wrong way for some reason as Ja Sun sits cross-legged in front of the Trident.

“Now, if you don’t mind, I have some refinement to do.” He ends the conversation with a smile. “A great piece of work will greet your gaze the next time you enter this hall.”

---

“Why should we stop? We were going at such a great pace!” Ja Yin calls out anxiously. The sound of crashing waves surrounds the group’s immediate area. Others look a little tense due to a new arrival observing the rest while lounging on a low chair, but they live their routine nonetheless.

Xiao Wu and Bei are busy cultivating near the coast as Daoliu celebrates his breakthrough alone since others don’t want to eat a couple of torched weedles. Ah-Yin is with Hu Lana as they hold their babies in their arms. Xie Yue trains the basic movement with his father while Oscar cooks for the rest of the group.

They stopped living in the spatial artifact since Ja Sun finished their new home.

“It’s alright to rest once in a while, right? That’s what master taught us,” Violet smiles, brushing her purple claws through Ja Sun’s pitch-black hair. That’s right, Ja Sun earned his Lamia Lap within the past few days. Others don’t bat an eyelash at his actions of ‘lounging’ ON Violet since they are used to it.

“But!” Ja Yin clenches her fists. “We are too close!”

“I can only refine the Gauntlets in their original pieces within my body, so I can’t accompany you guys any further since my other clones will be mindless. I tried using the Law of Control to change things with the clone, but just being a Master isn’t enough for that.”

“Are you eager to complete the array or mate and have children?” A voice questions as Ja Yin looks past Ja Sun to snort at Gu Yuena.

“Shove it! Don’t act so casually with me after planning to feed me like a pig to be slaughtered!”

“A Pig with the attribute of Destiny,” Gu Yuena corrects with a breezy smile as Ja Yin clamps her jaw, grunting.

“Don’t you want to enjoy?” Ja Sun questions Bibi Dong, not far from Yuena, who hums while basking in the sun, “I AM enjoying. I just don’t have a lot to do for now.”

Others are cultivating seriously, but the Ja Sun, Bibi Dong, Ah-Yin, and the rest cannot help but feel a little lacking due to a lack of immediate conflict. But it also gives them a chance to truly relax without considering their successive action every time.

“Xie Yue is about to awaken his Martial Soul, right? We’ll have someone new to teach stuff,” Bibi Dong hums as she looks at the father-son duo practicing basic exercises in the distance.

Ja Yin sighs in resignation as her attempts to rouse Ja Sun to action fail, only for Lan Ruo to speak up, “If you want to feel productive, I have a few doubts about some runes. I would appreciate your help.”

“You know what? Sure,” Ja Yin mutters as she settles down peacefully.

*Thud*

*Bang*

If not for the distant crashes and blasts out in the open sea as a giant Abyss and Infernal Dragon King clash against each other!

Gu Yuena watches the distant clashes before looking back at Ja Sun. “Speaking of productive, I can help you refine the Trident into your gauntlets. I have experience in the creation of similar items, after all.”

Her voice is neither too loud nor soft, catching others by surprise.

She hasn’t taken any initiative to get along with the rest of the group aside from Xie Yue and maybe Xiao Wu, who usually likes to talk about the strangest things with the most bizarre individuals. But the rest are getting increasingly more curious about the Fallen Divinity.

Things like the condition of the Divine Realms, their cuisine, their lifestyles—all of it is starting to attract the rest, including Bibi Dong and Ah-Yin. But they are still relatively cold against Gu Yuena.

“It would do you well to show moderation in front of Mistress Bibi!” Feng Liu scoffs. Oh, yeah. She is beside Bibi Dong, reverently massaging the latter’s legs.

“Why?” Gu Yuena curiously questions. “She already deposited my heart into Ja Sun’s body. What is she planning on tearing out next, my brain? My livers?”

Bibi Dong hums, “Thanks for the compliment.”

Feng Liu thins her lips before looking at Ja Sun for help, not expecting such a weird response.

“Hey, you started it,” Ja Sun shrugs at his partner in ‘crime.’

“Ugh, fine,” Feng Liu rolls her eyes before staring at the Divine Beauty, “My Mistress can still tie you to his bed’s frame before—”

“I’m going to stop you right there,” Bibi Dong opens and narrows her eyes. “I’m not Ah-Yin.”

“Punish her~!” Ja Sun cheers.

“Yes~!” Feng Liu accepts her fate with a lewd smile.

“Hmm, alright. My Dear Husband, bring a plate of those appetizing, crunchy, and crusty insects that the Grandmaster is cooking before shoving it into Feng Liu’s mouth.”

Ja Sun’s and Feng Liu’s expressions stiffen while Violet breaks into soft giggles.

“Ignoring that tangent,” Gu Yuena sighs, feeling somewhat attracted to such a life of banters, she questions, “Do I assist you?”

“Sure,” Ja Sun shrugs. “You can go there yourself, right? I’m currently dealing with the remaining will of the Trident itself.”

“My Spear should quicken the process,” Gu Yuena nods and leaves.

“So?” Bibi Dong frowns at Feng Liu, “Start gulping charred insects, dear. It’s your punishment. You asked for it.”

Feng Liu glances at Bibi Dong pleadingly, “Please, I can accept hundreds of lashes on my ass—”

“Insects.”

***

Alternate Title: Ja Sun Accepts Nude Pics As Payment, Too; The Daily Life Of a Beast God; The Refinement of Weapons; The Priest’s Last Barrier of Conflict; Ja Sun: I Like Sharks. Xiao Bai: Why Do I Hear Boss Music?; The Awkward Period of Peace; The Rest; Anxious to Mate And Breed; Ja Yin’s Biological Clock Is Ticking Crazily; The Urge to Rut; Two Weeks; Earning The Sweet Lamia Lap!; Breeding Choices; Feng Liu’s Punishment; The Punishment Loving Partners in Crime!; Bibi Dong Making Daoliu Happy By Sending A Feeder His Way; Daoliu Surpassing Saixi’s Cultivation Speed Through Talents Alone; Daoliu: I’m Built Different; The Law of Control Makes Ja Liang The Winner of Pissing Contest; The Two Dragons Over the Sea; The New Home; Awkward Silver Dragon King; Gu Yuena After Planning Everyone’s Death: I See, It Can Be Socially Awkward; Xiao Wu and Xie Yue Aren’t Socially Awkward, They Are Awkwardly Social!; The Rabbit Mother and Daughter Cultivating Like Their Mating Rights Depend On IT!