The next morning, Little Yu Xin went to Flame City with his father. At his Qi Refining Level 9 cultivation, Yu Jin's movement technique was far swifter than any carriage—but the same couldn't be said for his son.
"Xin'er, you go ahead to the artifact refining workshop," Yu Jin said as they arrived near the city's outer district. "I'll pick you up in the evening, and then we'll find you a suitable mount."
Little Yu Xin couldn't hide his excitement.
"Okay!"
This time, they weren't headed toward the city center but to its quieter outskirts. Yu Jin stopped before a building that looked newly constructed—simple but clean, made of wood and brown brick. The only thing that stood out was its air of quiet order.
Inside, a mortal maid in a formal red daoist robe stood waiting with a ledger. She looked about twenty, poised and polite.
"Have you registered to join the Blazecore Artisan Hall?" she asked.
Yu Jin nodded.
"Yes. For Yu Xin, son of Yu Jin."
The maid scanned her list, then asked Little Yu Xin, "May I see your identity jade slip?"
He handed it over. After verifying his name, she nodded, and another attendant escorted him deeper into the building.
"I'll return at evening," Yu Jin called after him. "Do not leave on your own."
In the cultivation world, a Qi Refining Level 1 child was an easy target. Even with Old Mr. Feng, there had been some protection—the old man was Peak Qi Refining Level 3, and both spirit horses were first-rank middle-stage. But today, Yu Xin would not risk going alone.
Yu Xin nodded in understanding before following the attendant inside.
The woman said little—there wasn't much to say to a five-year-old. They turned down a corridor, took a right, and arrived before an open door.
Inside was a small classroom with six tables: one for the instructor, the other five meant to be shared by students. Two chairs sat at each station.
Four tables were already occupied by nine children, all much older than Yu Xin—around ten years old, and all at least at Peak Qi Refining Level 3 or Acquired Level 3, some even at Level 4. That was impressive progress for low-grade spiritual roots without wealthy backgrounds. Breaking through from low-grade to mid-grade required overcoming a bottleneck—time and resources many didn't have.
Yu Xin took the last vacant seat and waited quietly.
A few minutes later, another figure appeared in the doorway—not the instructor, but a small girl in a white daoist robe, looking about his age. She had twin ponytails that swayed as she walked, giving her the appearance of a delicate porcelain doll.
She reached Yu Xin's table and asked with an air that didn't truly expect refusal,
"Can I sit beside you?"
Yu Xin didn't mind.
"Yes, please."
She sat, studied him for a moment, seemed to decide he was cute enough for her standards, and announced importantly,
"My name is Zhao Qingqing."
"I'm Yu Xin."
After that, neither spoke further as they waited.
Murmurs came from the back of the room. Yu Xin listened in.
"Hey, do you know about our instructor?"
"Yeah, I heard he recently reached Foundation Establishment. Used to teach the enlightenment class at the city lord's manor."
"Seriously? Someone teaching basic knowledge… can he really be a skilled artifact refiner?"
"Shh! Don't speak so loud. His skills are supposed to be really good. He's just a loose cultivator—couldn't afford his own workshop before and didn't want to work under anyone else."
"They say he used to craft custom artifacts privately to earn resources. Taught the enlightenment class just to have the city lord's backing."
"No wonder. Now that he's Foundation Establishment, he can finally open his own hall…"
No way, Yu Xin thought. When he heard "enlightenment class instructor," a stern middle-aged face surfaced in his mind.
No wonder his father had acted so knowingly yesterday, saying, You'll find nothing's really changed.
Just then, footsteps echoed from the corridor. The room hushed.
Sure enough, a familiar figure appeared in the doorway—Instructor Yan. He still wore black robes, but now without the red official patterns. He was no longer a city employee, yet his presence seemed weightier than before.
His eyes swept the room, lingering briefly on Yu Xin, but he said nothing about it.
"You may address me as Instructor Yan or Mr. Yan," he began, voice measured. "Your parents have already spoken with me. I will teach you artifact refining up to first-rank, mid-grade artifacts. After that, you may choose to continue on your own or become my official disciple to learn my true craft."
He paused, letting the words settle.
"Let's discuss what gives artifacts their unique qualities. There are only two things you must pay attention to when refining."
He raised one finger.
"First: the material. The rank and grade of material sets the ceiling for what you can refine. A first-rank high-grade material can, under normal conditions, only yield a first-rank high-grade artifact. Of course, quantity and forging technique can bend this rule."
A second finger rose.
"Second: material quality alone does not make an artifact powerful. If you only refine high-quality material without further craft, the result is generally just a harder object—no special properties arise magically. So, does anyone know what must be done beyond refining the material?"
To Yu Xin's surprise, all eight of the older children raised their hands. Even Zhao Qingqing's small hand shot up, though she glanced at him with a faintly superior air.
Yu Xin's hand remained down. For a moment, a pang of inadequacy struck him.
All dreams look good on paper. When you try to accomplish them, you find countless people who know more, have better backgrounds, and work harder. That's hard to accept. Everyone wants to be the best at their craft.
But Yu Xin had already let go of competing with the world. He had the Sign-in System; he didn't need artifact refining to survive. He was here not to compete, but to fulfill his dream—to create.
People often grew disheartened when they compared themselves to others, worrying about wasted time or lack of talent. But benefits were never guaranteed. The only thing one could control was one's own action. Focus on the action, not the outcome, and you never truly fail.
Yu Xin settled his mind and listened calmly.
Instructor Yan's eyes swept over the raised hands and landed on Zhao Qingqing.
"Qingqing. You may answer."
A ripple of surprise went through the room. He knew her name—and his tone suggested familiarity.
She lifted her chin slightly.
"Artifacts are only truly forged when divine runes are carved onto them during shaping, or stitched into them during weaving."
Instructor Yan nodded, a slight smile touching his lips.
"Correct. Divine runes are essential to transform material into artifact. They may resemble formations or talismans on the surface, but they belong to an entirely different field of study."
His gaze swept the room.
"Divine runes can only be learned once you reach first-rank low-grade cultivation—Qi Refining Level 3 or Acquired Level 3. Those who meet that requirement may stand and line up outside the door."
Excitement buzzed as all the older children rose and filed out. Soon, only Yu Xin and Zhao Qingqing remained.
Instructor Yan approached their table. From his sleeve, he drew out a long, slender needle.
"For now," he said, placing it gently before them, "you two will learn to stitch."