“The path of the immortal Dao is always a Dao of choices.”

Qai was not surprised by the outcome of the war.

In his mind, he had already expected such a scenario. What he was more occupied at the moment was what to do with his eventual haul.

At any rate, right hearing a few more reports, Qai instructed Ji Wuheng to notify the Saints Hall's Teahouse about the completion of the mission and to actually return the reward to the Stonecrest villagers.

However, during the time he was in discussion, he felt the sudden arrival of the Queen Ant back into his shadows.

Qai smiled and mentally said hello to his contracted Spirit Beast.

Thereafter he went to Old Ye Mo, in order to request the old cultivator to appraise one of the smaller stones he acquired—and of course, to find out if there would be a way to materialize his ‘ideas.’

Apparently, the reason why there was a change of scenery back where the Hundred Graves was located near the Stonecrest village, was not necessarily that the entrance to the pocket dimension was forcefully shut after Qai refined the stone Artefact. That was because, in the first place, the entrance to the said pocket dimension was not permanently fixed in the said area.

So basically, from the moment Qai refined the stone Artefact, the entrance would no longer exist near the Stonecrest village.

In truth, the stone Artefact was the heart of the pocket dimension. And so by taking it with him, Qai was now practically carrying the pocket dimension—or more exactly, the entrance to a pocket dimension.

In short, anyone in possession of the Artefact was in possession of the Hundred Graves.

However, he would not be able to open it whimsically without first arranging the stones back somewhere.

And Qai was actually considering setting them up in his mountain peak so that its entrance would now be placed within the confines of the Saints Hall.

However, he was still thinking twice since he first wanted to proceed with the ‘matter at hand.’

What he really wanted to happen was to get rid of the toxic mist inside the said dimension—so he wanted to find a way to clear the mist so that it could become holy ground for cultivation.

After all, the pocket dimension possessed dense spiritual Qi energy. Only that it had turned into an obnoxious mist.

Naturally, it would be a waste if anyone who entered it would end up dead.

When Qai met Old Ye Mo, he found out that his initial assessment was wrong.

Originally, he thought that the 6 small stones around the boulder-sized one served as amplifiers to strengthen the hallucination effects of the pocket dimension.

However, upon careful inspection, the old tool refinement master had a different thought.

“Young master, I am 90% certain that this stone had the ability to produce soul attacks. If you refine this on your weapon, your attacks will have the additional attacks on the soul.”

Qai was stunned.

In his mind, if it were true that the smaller stone was actually a direct source of a soul attack then it could also mean that the small stones were the true source of the hallucinating effects.

And that idea would ultimately imply that the boulder-sized stone had another purpose.

And therefore, if Qai set the Artefact up somewhere in the mountain peak without including the smaller stones, it could probably give the result that he wanted—a pocket dimension devoid of the toxic mist.

While Qai was having his such thoughts, Old Ye Mo, on the other hand, was still sharing his own ideas about refinement.

“It may not be the same as an ability from a cultivation arts, but it's definitely an upgrade. As you can see, young master, once this stone is refined on a weapon, its true value would be reduced.”

“What kind of soul attack can this stone produce?”

Apparently, Qai did not mention about its hallucinating effects.

“That remains to be seen, young master. Probably just a direct soul attack.”

Qai paused for a moment.

Had the old tool refinement master said that it could make a hallucinating effect then such small stone could really be powerful.

Qai sighed but still inquired about the idea.

“What about if this stone is refined on my Guandao.”

“With this stone, a direct soul attack could probably just have some stun effects.”

‘Stun!? Should be because its real ability is that of hallucination.’

“What if you refine 6 stones?”

“Y.. young master, you have 6 of these stones? Did these stones come as a set.”

Qai was surprised.

Old Ye Mo seemed to be really knowledgeable about precious refining materials.

“That is indeed the case. But their real ability when I collected them was hallucination so I don’t plan to arrange them according to their original design because it could be harmful even to our own people in the Saints Hall. Now that you mention that it’s possible to refine them on weapons, I am now inclined to do just that.”

The old tool refinement master nodded in agreement.

“Young master, should we refine all 6 of them to your Guandao, then there is a great possibility that your weapon would turn into an Artefact. Still, I am of the opinion that the effects would remain of the same breath as that of stun.”

Qai felt thrilled.

“However, I might have a better idea. To maximize the stones’ ability. Then you could just refine them into formation Flags. That way, the hallucination effects may be utilized.”

“Old Ye Mo, you opened my eyes. You are indeed a master in your own right because you really do know your craft. I have been proud of my own attainments in Array formation but such an idea never came to my mind. I feel glad that you're on my side.”

“Young Master, you praise me too much. But still, the choice is yours to make.”

Qai nodded then thought for a moment.

While formation Flags could give him the most potential from the stones, he still wouldn't pass on the chance to have his own treasure Artefact.

“How certain are you that you can modify my Guandao into an Artefact?”

“Young master, to be honest. It will be my ‘first’ time attempting such an undertaking but it would be an honor to take this task as it would help me achieve enlightenment and, perhaps, a breakthrough.”

“Then I will have to trouble you.”

Right there and then, Qai pulled out his Guandao and 5 more stones from his storage pouch and handed them all to the old cultivator.

Thereafter, Qai summoned several Ant Workers and instructed them to erect another arch, but this time, at the end of the wide thoroughfare from the back of the main hall.

Below said arch, he planned to set up the boulder-sized stone Artefact.

While the giant Ants were busy in their construction work, the Crag Brothers came to him.

Apparently, during his year of absence, the city lord visited twice and had asked the Saints Hall to host the Rising Sun City’s traditional tournament held every 5 years.

And as host, the Saints Hall would be given the freedom to make the system and rules in the said competition.

It would be participated by chosen cultivators from among the families and clans and was open to rogue cultivators as long as they could meet the qualifications.

But as the host, the Saints Hall would also be shouldering all the rewards.

“Young master, the city lord also said he’ll be waiting for your answer.”

Qai did not know whether to laugh or cry.

He clearly understood that the city lord was trying to get back at him by at least squeezing some resources from him.

However, Qai was not the least offended.

“Our city lord is trying to be stingy. But that's all right. We will agree to his request. Send him a message that in 2 days I’ll come up with a plan.”