Tang Zifeng continued explaining this “difficulty.” In the art of artifact refining, his mind was like a precisely operating artifact, instantly listing a large amount of data once relevant instructions were given.

“Besides using blood, another method is to directly connect the artifact with your consciousness or soul. This method…” Tang Zifeng made eye contact with Qin Ruqing and intentionally paused.

“—This method is absolutely not an option for me,” Qin Ruqing said with a smirk, naturally completing the sentence.

“Yes, you would never allow yourself to be exposed to a cold artifact that anyone can manipulate. I would never allow you to do that either,” Tang Zifeng said with a serious expression, almost as if swearing.

Not knowing what amused Qin Ruqing, she suddenly burst into laughter, eventually collapsing on the reef.

Tang Zifeng pursed his lips, looking somewhat hurt as he watched Qin Ruqing.

He then saw her clutching her stomach, saying, “Little Tang, your serious face is so funny~”

Like a fresh breeze, the fog that had been clouding Tang Zifeng’s mind seemed to disperse.

He nodded, “So, there’s only the final method left. You should select a trustworthy artifact master with good refining skills to act as an intermediary. Describe your sensations to him, and he can translate everything into the language of artifact refining.”

Qin Ruqing seemed to think of something, her eyes flickering. “That feeling—being able to sense the Sixth Domain—can it be described just through words?”

Tang Zifeng replied, “Typically, it can’t. Ideally, it would involve a mental connection…” He suddenly faltered because Qin Ruqing was looking at him with a fiery, peculiar gaze.

Tang Zifeng seemed to realize—perhaps not just then—that the only person who could both gain Qin Ruqing’s full trust and possess sufficient level of mastery in crafting was almost certainly him.

“I didn’t mean that..” Tang Zifeng stammered.

Qin Ruqing let out a long “Oh,” seeming indifferent to the nuances—whether it was an unconscious remark by Little Tang or a deliberate suggestion—what mattered to her was the result.

Qin Ruqing cheerfully said, “I can do it!”

“I trust you enough, and your crafting skills are sufficient… Oh my, Little Tang, you’re just the person I need!” Qin Ruqing’s eyes sparkled. “What a coincidence, the person I need is right before my eyes!”

There was almost no way to deny it—at that moment, Tang Zifeng’s heart started to beat wildly.

He opened his mouth, as if wanting to say something to hide his embarrassment or perhaps his unease, but he didn’t have the chance.

Qin Ruqing was already in action.

She was incredibly efficient, especially in such matters… so much so that Little Tang was astonished.

She pressed her forehead to Tang Zifeng’s and then closed her eyes, initiating a brief mental exchange.

In that fleeting moment… Tang Zifeng’s normally composed face showed an unusual dazed expression.

It lasted only for a breath, and when Qin Ruqing pulled back, she eagerly asked, “How was it? Was the sensation clear?”

Was it clear?

It was very clear.

So clear that Tang Zifeng felt as if he had experienced an intimate embrace with Qin Ruqing.

Her mental energy was active, assertive, and soft as it connected with him, letting him feel the sunlight.

Even though the sun had already set, Tang Zifeng still felt a fiery warmth.

It was scorching and magnificent.

Tang Zifeng swallowed hard and said, “I felt it… very hot, very radiant… indisputable, unmatched.” He used several seemingly unrelated terms, barely capturing the essence.

Yet Qin Ruqing completely understood. She smiled and said, “That’s the sun~”

Tang Zifeng didn’t respond this time.

He knew—this was the sun in Qin Ruqing’s eyes.

She had shown him what it was like.

“How about this method? If I can figure out how to find the Sixth Domain, I can use this method to tell you. Will you be able to craft a similar effect?” Seeing Tang Zifeng’s silence, Qin Ruqing continued.

“Yes. If… using this method, the biggest challenge would be resolved.” Tang Zifeng responded, as if a beat behind.

Qin Ruqing looked relieved, as if she had resolved a major issue in her mind. “That’s good. If that’s the case, I know how to handle those old folks.”

Qin Ruqing was relaxed, but Tang Zifeng was far from it.

His mind was filled with countless questions and impulses.

“This method is not commonly used. Why… why did you…” Tang Zifeng couldn’t help but ask a question that troubled him the most.

Qin Ruqing was taken aback. She hadn’t considered this question before.

Tang Zifeng had previously mentioned that someone trustworthy with sufficient crafting skills was the obvious answer—Little Tang himself.

So she hadn’t thought deeply about why she dared to perform such an intimate act so decisively.

The core of Little Tang’s question seemed to be that it was too intimate for most people.

But intimacy… weren’t they intimate?

After all, they had spent over a hundred years together in the illusion of the Ruins…

As her thoughts reached this point, Qin Ruqing also became momentarily stuck.

Oh no!

She forgot that the Tang Zifeng in the illusion and the real Tang Zifeng were not the same person!

She had just been too natural…

But if they’re not the same person, why do they both do the same things?

For example, both collect her belongings in their storage bags.

The one time she had actively asked for Tang Zifeng’s storage bag was to verify this.

To her surprise, he had indeed collected many of her immortal jade slips! And some other small items.

This was almost identical to the Tang Zifeng in the illusion!

At that moment, Qin Ruqing was thrown into confusion.

She couldn’t answer Tang Zifeng’s question at all.

Was she supposed to say: “Ha, actually, we were very close in the illusion; you were my betrothed, and we were Dao Companion for over a hundred years, so I unconsciously developed this habit”?

This truth must be kept a secret!

Qin Ruqing finally turned her face and said calmly, “I didn’t think too much about it, and besides, what’s wrong with trusting you?”

Qin Ruqing did answer, but it didn’t seem to be the answer Tang Zifeng was looking for.

He blinked and said, “Oh.”

Qin Ruqing quickly moved past the topic. “So, Little Tang, at the next family assembly, they will definitely mention refining artifacts. I’ll put your name forward then.”

“You need to take the lead in this action. It’s important not only for me but also for you!”

“You have such talent that you should shine and be in the spotlight.”

“What do you think, Tang Zifeng? If you agree, I’ll mention it later.”

Tang Zifeng responded with a deep look at Qin Ruqing and said, “Dare not obey?”

Dare not obey.

Qin Ruqing noticed Tang Zifeng’s humor in certain situations.

She laughed even louder than before.

This time, Tang Zifeng just watched her laugh.

---

With this conversation, Qin Ruqing smoothly brought up Tang Zifeng’s name at the next family assembly.

“If we are to name someone who can be trusted with this task and is skilled in artifact refining, it would be Tang Zifeng,” she said.

“Tang Zifeng?” Of course, the figures in the illusion were familiar with this name.

It was hard not to know him, partly because Tang Zifeng was almost always seen with Qin Ruqing, and those who paid attention to Qin Ruqing naturally also noticed Tang Zifeng.

On the other hand, Tang Zifeng’s own abilities were notable.

He was the only person who received the complete inheritance of the Ming Furnace Immortal Venerable in the Void Realm.

This meant that the future of the art of artifacts in the cultivation world was almost certainly to be shouldered by this young man.

Qin Ruqing’s brilliance was indisputable.

Tang Zifeng’s radiance was also significant.

Although Tang Zifeng’s mentor, Master Ming Hua, did not participate in this assembly, another grandmaster of the Artifact Society did attend.

He had also taught Tang Zifeng and now nodded in agreement, saying:

“Tang Zifeng is excellent. His innate talent in artifact refining is extraordinary, and he has received the complete ancient inheritance of artifact refining in the Void Ruins. Even without the mention of Elder Six, I would recommend him. He will play an irreplaceable role in this artifact refining endeavor.” This grandmaster generously praised Tang Zifeng.

Qin Ruqing was satisfied.

She thought, it seems that Little Tang is highly regarded in the Artifact Society.

Even though Master Ming Hua isn’t here, this grandmaster still supports Little Tang, clearly nurturing him as a successor to the society.

Otherwise, wouldn’t it be better to recommend one’s own people at this time?

“I don’t understand much about artifact refining, but as long as it’s related to me and requires my cooperation, I only trust Tang Zifeng,” Qin Ruqing concluded.

With this statement, everyone understood that Tang Zifeng was closely tied to Qin Ruqing.

Just as finding the Sixth Domain could not bypass Qin Ruqing, finding the Sixth Domain using artifact refining could not bypass Tang Zifeng.

Everyone, while clear about this, couldn’t help but feel a bit emotional.

Not only was Qin Ruqing’s own talent enviable, but she also had such an outstanding ally.

Such an ally did not detract from Qin Ruqing’s brilliance but rather made others see it as part of her aura.

In the cultivation world, having connections and friends to call upon was itself a resource.

Thus, the general plan for finding the Sixth Domain was set:

The Artifact Society, represented by Tang Zifeng, would take the lead, with the Grandmaster of the Formation and Inscription Society collaborating and providing resources to refine a semi-divine artifact or even a divine artifact that could at least probe one domain.

Once the artifact was complete, it would be used in conjunction with the elders of the two great treasures and other powerful figures from top families, along with Qin Ruqing, to mobilize the entire cultivation world’s strength to find the Sixth Domain!