Pay-to-Win Cultivation: I Get 10,000x Returns

Chapter 266: Ancestor, Wait, I Haven’t Finished Plucking Yet

Hearing Su Yunmiao’s praise, Zhang Xian waved his hand dismissively, acting as if it were nothing. “Not worth mentioning, not worth mentioning.”

[Ding! Success. Triggered Return: Heavenly Grade Technique Comprehension x3000.] [Heavenly Grade Technique Comprehension: Host can use this to comprehend lower-grade techniques, potentially elevating them to Heavenly Grade.]

As the system prompt chimed in his mind, Zhang Xian secretly gloated. This isn’t even the main event yet.

He pointed at the severed metal arm on the table. “Ancestor, let’s get back to this. The material of this arm is extraordinary—unlike anything I know. If we refine it back into raw materials, could we forge stronger puppets?”

Su Yunmiao, whose mind had already drifted to the three Heavenly Grade manuals, responded somewhat absentmindedly.

“Mhm. Yes. This is [Star Marrow Iron], a unique divine material.”

“However,” she continued, “it is extremely difficult to refine. It requires repeated tempering with pure Fire, Wind, and Thunder Spiritual Qi. Only then is there a sliver of hope to melt it down.”

She shook her head. “Besides, this is just one arm. The quantity is far from enough for a complete battle puppet. But it could make one or two decent Spirit Treasures.”

Zhang Xian’s eyes lit up. “Wind, Fire, Thunder? I’m familiar with those! I have a ready-made Top Grade Wind Spirit Root prisoner in the brig—perfect to serve as your laborer. I’ll also dispatch two puppets with Fire and Thunder power to assist you. I’ll leave this matter to you, Ancestor.”

Su Yunmiao, still in a good mood from receiving the manuals, agreed without hesitation. “Very well. Refining this doesn’t require high cultivation, just pure Spirit Roots. With the captive and your puppets… plus Zhiyin’s help… we should be done in a few years.”

She accepted the severed arm.

[Ding! Gifted Puppet Severed Arm successfully. Triggered Return: Disassembled Raw Material Star Marrow Iron x6,000 jin.] [Star Marrow Iron: Epic-level rare material. Used for forging battle puppets, spirit treasures, etc. Exceptionally high value.]

Zhang Xian’s mouth split into a wide grin. I didn’t get a full Su Clan Battle Puppet, but 6,000 jin of raw material? That’s a massive profit!

Seeing his barely concealed glee, Su Yunmiao paused. A strange feeling bubbled up in her chest. I’m the one who got the treasure, so why does it feel like he profited even more?

Then, she watched Zhang Xian leisurely produce another Storage Ring and hand it to her.

“Ancestor, is this the [Star Marrow Iron] you mentioned?”

“This Junior happens to have some extra stock. Could I trouble you to help me forge it into puppets?”

As he spoke, spiritual light flickered in his hand. Almost instantly, he inscribed a fresh jade slip and placed it on the table.

On it were scrawled several slightly messy characters: [Zhang’s Introduction to Puppet Making].

“Oh, and this. I have a puppet-making technique too. We can cross-reference.”

Su Yunmiao took the ring and the slip, puzzled. But the moment her Divine Sense swept inside the Storage Ring, she jolted. She had just sat down, but now she stood up again, her chair scraping loudly.

“You… where did you get so much of this?! And this manual… this…”

Her voice cracked with shock.

It was no wonder. She had just claimed this material was exceptionally rare. And now, Zhang Xian had dumped several large crates of it in front of her.

The purity was frighteningly high—even better than the secret reserves of her clan back home.

And that knock-off manual, [Zhang’s Introduction to Puppet Making]… the spiritual ink wasn’t even dry. There were typos! He had clearly just written it.

Yet, the content inside was so profound it completely obliterated her own [Su Clan Introduction to Puppet Making]. It wasn’t even a contest.

How is this possible?!

Zhang Xian looked at her calmly. “Ancestor, don’t be so shocked. You’re making this Junior feel apprehensive.”

Su Yunmiao realized she had lost her composure. She sat down and drank several gulps of tea to calm her racing heart.

She stared at him, gritting her teeth. “Where did you get these materials? And this manual… did you write it just now while talking to me?”

Zhang Xian stretched lazily, a teasing glint in his eye. “Ancestor, trying to figure out my background so soon?”

“If I told you I have a professional team serving me from behind the scenes, or a personal fairy guiding me… would you believe it?”

Su Yunmiao’s eyes flickered. If Lele hadn’t told me about his mortal origins, I’d suspect he was the scion of some ancient, hidden clan traveling the realms.

She shook her head. No. Even hidden clans don’t have this kind of extravagance. Zhang Xian is hiding a shocking secret. Fortunately… he is on our side.

She stopped probing. “Your insight into puppetry is profound. Why don’t you forge them yourself?”

“Even with the blueprints and Star Marrow Iron,” she added, “Zhiyin and I have limited cultivation. The result will likely be only ten percent as strong as the original Su Clan Battle Puppets. It seems like a waste.”

I’m only responsible for the upgrades, Zhang Xian thought. I don’t even understand the formulas I just wrote down.

Out loud, he replied, “Ancestor, you can see I’m busy. I have no time for crafting. I have to trouble you and Inspector Zhiyin. As for ‘waste’… that word doesn’t exist in my vocabulary.”

“My current puppets have hit a bottleneck. They’re limited by materials and single Spirit Roots. They need an update.”

Su Yunmiao forced down her astonishment. “Very well. Zhang Xian, may I use your quiet room? I wish to contemplate the [Twelve Turns Jade Condensation Sutra] immediately.” She was getting impatient.

Zhang Xian waved his hands frantically. “Ah, Ancestor, wait! I haven’t finished plucking yet—I mean, I haven’t finished speaking!”

Rustle.

He dumped several more Spirit Treasures onto the tea table, covering it completely.

“Always troubling you makes me uneasy. Please, take these Spirit Treasures as a small token of my regard.”

Su Yunmiao was momentarily dazzled by the treasure light, but after consecutive shocks, she had built up some immunity.

“I still don’t know your Spirit Roots, Ancestor,” Zhang Xian said smoothly. “But these treasures are balanced across the Five Elements. Please don’t refuse.”

“I have Wood and Water dual Spirit Roots,” she replied instinctively.

“Oh! What a coincidence!” Zhang Xian grinned like a fox. “This disciple also has Wood and Water Spirit Roots.”