Chapter 2

Qi Miao knew that Cangwu Sect was not renowned for its artifice.

Yet, as she explored this world, only the cultivation path of an artificer evoked a sense of familiarity within her.

The way of artifice adhered to the doctrine of creation and destruction.

Qi Miao did not understand cultivation, but the philosophy of creation and destruction had suffused her entire career as a mechanist.

Countless times, she had trembled at the notion of manipulating the life force of machinery.

Thus, when she contemplated her own path of cultivation, the first profession to occur to her was that of an artificer.

Now, hearing Jiang Ran’s words, Qi Miao blinked, her voice gentle: “I’d like to try first.”

Jiang Ran arched a brow but said nothing more. She quietly directed the white crane to turn toward the Artificers’ Workshop, then spoke to Qi Miao.

“Usually, we test talents in the Spirit Testing Hall, but since today isn’t the day for accepting disciples, the hall is closed. If you wish to test your talent, you must go to the appropriate training ground.”

The Artificers’ Workshop was where artificers cultivated and forged.

Moments later, the white crane folded its wings and descended gently before the workshop.

Qi Miao followed Jiang Ran. As soon as she stepped inside, a clear, sweet voice rang overhead: “Welcome, esteemed guests, to the Artificers’ Workshop~”

“!”

Qi Miao looked up swiftly, searching for the source of the voice.

She scanned the room but found nothing. Turning to Jiang Ran, about to inquire, she saw a swarm of disciples in indigo forging robes tumble out from some hidden corner, rushing forward like bees.

“Ah~ isn’t that Senior Sister Jiang from the Beast Taming Valley? What an honored guest! Have you come for something special today, Senior Sister Jiang?”

“It’s been so long, Senior Sister Jiang. Anything I can do for you?”

“Senior Sister Jiang, I crafted a batch of fine beast cages the other day; would you care to have a look?”

Jiang Ran waved her spiritual energy to hold back the group, interrupting their chatter. She raised her voice: “I’m here today to bring a new junior sister for talent testing.”

At her words, and seeing the unfamiliar mortal girl behind Jiang Ran, the artificer disciples’ enthusiasm waned by half. They each found an excuse to leave; the transformation from their eager rush to dispersal took less than two minutes, perfectly illustrating the art of changing faces.

Qi Miao watched, bewildered. Jiang Ran walked ahead, noticed Qi Miao hadn’t followed, and called her back: “What are you daydreaming about?”

Qi Miao cast a complicated glance at the now deserted path, whispering to Jiang Ran, “Are artificers always… so practical?”

Jiang Ran laughed, mimicking Qi Miao’s hush: “There’s a reason for their excitement. Usually, we use spirit tablets to transact with artificers for spiritual tools. Only for major business do people come here in person.”

Qi Miao knew spirit tablets were this world’s communication devices.

She wiped nonexistent sweat from her brow, relieved. “You scared me. I was afraid being an artificer at Cangwu meant you couldn’t even put food on the table.”

“Junior sister, best not speak ill of us in our presence.”

A voice sounded beside her.

“…” Qi Miao turned, seeing a short, round-faced youth with hands tucked in his sleeves, eyeing her from five meters away.

She’d spoken so quietly—could he still hear?

Her expression was easy to read. Jiang Ran couldn’t help but chuckle: “Cultivators’ senses are sharper than ordinary folk.”

Qi Miao cast a meaningful look at Jiang Ran, who had just mimicked her quiet speech. “…”

She suspected this senior sister was sly.

Jiang Ran clearly knew the youth. She said, “Fang Xiaoyu, Junior Sister Qi is new to cultivation; her words were unintentional.”

Then she turned to Qi Miao for a simple introduction: “His name is Fang Xiaoyu, first disciple of Master Yi Jun.”

Qi Miao had heard of Yi Jun on the road—he was the most formidable artificer in Cangwu Sect.

Her gaze toward Fang Xiaoyu changed instantly.

Fang Xiaoyu, under her awestruck stare, coughed awkwardly and explained his purpose: “The workshop was reorganized half a month ago, and the talent testing area has moved. I happen to be heading to the Artificers’ House and can guide you there.”

Jiang Ran gladly accepted, and Qi Miao followed with thanks.

After winding through several turns, they arrived at the Artificers’ House.

Guarding the house was a middle-aged man. Fang Xiaoyu greeted him respectfully: “Elder Mu, I’m here for the register.”

Elder Mu, stern and reticent, handed Fang Xiaoyu a booklet, then glanced at Qi Miao and Jiang Ran. “Who are you?”

Jiang Ran smiled warmly: “Elder Mu, I’ve brought Junior Sister Qi for talent testing.”

Elder Mu looked at Qi Miao, noting her mortal status with some confusion, but asked nothing, merely nodded for her to approach.

Qi Miao stepped forward, following Elder Mu’s direction, picking up a black stone.

The stone lay quietly in her palm, emitting a faint glow. As Qi Miao curiously observed, Elder Mu’s cold verdict sounded overhead.

“Elemental affinity: thirty.”

Fang Xiaoyu, seeing Qi Miao’s puzzled face, explained succinctly: “An affinity of thirty is just enough to meet the entry threshold for artificers.”

Then, all three in the room witnessed disbelief flicker across Qi Miao’s face.

Jiang Ran was about to offer comfort, but Qi Miao’s excited voice spoke first: “Really? I have an affinity of thirty?”

“…”

Even Elder Mu’s usually impassive gaze wavered.

Why was this child so happy?

Qi Miao’s delight came from the heart. As someone transmigrated, she felt any measurable talent was a stroke of luck.

After her joy, she sensed a subtle chill in the room and quietly asked, “Am I allowed to cultivate in artifice?”

Jiang Ran looked troubled. Normally, she would bluntly tell Qi Miao not to waste her time, that she would accomplish little in artifice.

But…

Jiang Ran recalled the elders’ warnings before she spoke to Qi Miao.

They said mortals were more fragile than imagined; she mustn’t provoke Qi Miao too harshly, lest she despair and take her own life, leaving Cangwu with a mess to clean up.

As Jiang Ran struggled to gently dampen Qi Miao’s hopes, Elder Mu produced a white stone and handed it to her: “There’s another test—spiritual sensitivity. If it’s below fifty, you’re unsuited for artifice.”

Qi Miao obediently took it, placing it in her palm, waiting expectantly.

Jiang Ran whispered to Fang Xiaoyu, “Why is there another test?”

He explained, “Talent testing for artificers has always had two parts. Elemental affinity measures compatibility with the artifice cultivation method; spiritual sensitivity measures one’s comprehension in the craft.”

Jiang Ran glanced at Elder Mu, who hadn’t answered Qi Miao directly, and asked thoughtfully, “So artificers value the latter more?”

Fang Xiaoyu nodded: “Elemental affinity only tells if you qualify, but true talent is determined by spiritual sensitivity. Generally, those with low affinity don’t possess high sensitivity…”

He broke off as the white stone in Qi Miao’s hand burst into dazzling light.

At that moment, a bluebird perched for centuries on the ancient tree above the workshop slowly opened its golden eyes.

In the next instant, the bluebird soared, its piercing, child-like cry echoing across the grounds.

Artificer disciples saw the bluebird circle overhead, feeling a sense of familiarity. As they watched it depart, someone finally recognized it.

“It’s the Joybird!” The disciple’s voice shook. “The Joybird has awakened!”

Instantly, everyone erupted in astonishment.

“Its cry is like silver bells, lingering long—no mistake, it’s the Joybird.”

“To witness the Joybird awaken in my lifetime!”

To awaken the Joybird was every artificer’s dream.

The Joybird dwelled upon the ancient willow of the workshop, only stirring when an artificer’s spiritual sensitivity reached one hundred—a prodigy capable of rousing it from slumber, to fly above and proclaim their arrival to the entire sect.

The last time the Joybird awakened was when Master Yi Jun was still young.

The disciples buzzed, speculating who had awakened the Joybird.

The sharper-minded rushed toward the Artificers’ House, only to be stopped by an invisible barrier and a powerful pressure.

Clearly, someone wished to prevent their interference.

Those stopping them were elders, also startled by the Joybird’s awakening.

Besides Elder Mu, there were three other elders at the workshop; now two arrived, crowding the small room.

Their intentions were clear.

Each coveted Qi Miao, hoping to claim her as their disciple.

“What is your name? Where do you live? Are you interested in cultivating artifice?” The man in black robes smiled kindly at Qi Miao, his voice gentle, as if afraid to startle her.

Beside him, the woman in red rolled her eyes elegantly, inwardly mocking Lan Xuejing for his affected demeanor.

Yet, when facing Qi Miao, she switched expressions in a heartbeat, mirroring Lan Xuejing’s friendliness.

“I am Elder Zhao of the Artificers’ Workshop,” Zhao Qiong said with a warm smile, quickly handing Qi Miao a token before she could answer Lan Xuejing. “Your talent in artifice is exceptional. It seems you haven’t begun cultivation yet. If you join the workshop, come to me with any questions you have.”

Qi Miao held the jade pendant, at a loss, about to explain her situation.

Elder Mu frowned: “Why are you two meddling?”

“Old Mu, what’s the harm? I simply cherish talent and wish to teach her,” Zhao Qiong insisted.

Lan Xuejing, equally mild, said, “Upon meeting her, I felt a destined connection—surely we have a fated student-teacher bond.”

Elder Mu’s face darkened. Fang Xiaoyu suddenly interjected: “With such talent, my master would surely want to take her as a personal disciple.”

Lan Xuejing and Zhao Qiong both turned to Fang Xiaoyu.

Fang Xiaoyu felt nervous under their scrutiny.

“Master Yi Jun is fortunate to have a fine pupil like you,” Zhao Qiong praised, then shifted sharply. “But even as Yi Jun’s first disciple, you can’t take apprentices on his behalf.”

Fang Xiaoyu faltered. Master Yi Jun was currently in seclusion, forging—unlikely to emerge soon.

The three elders resumed their competition. Qi Miao, at last finding an opening as Lan Xuejing asked her name again, answered:

“My name is Qi Miao. I became a disciple of the Artificers’ Sect today.”

Her words halted the elders’ chatter.

“Haha, this name sounds familiar—like the culprit who destroyed the Vermilion Bird Treasure Pavilion…” Zhao Qiong forced a laugh but stopped when she saw Qi Miao nod earnestly.

Qi Miao: “That was me.”

“…”

The three elders immediately dropped the subject of taking her as their disciple.

The destruction of the Vermilion Bird Treasure Pavilion was widely known. As elders, their information was more up-to-date—they knew the sect planned to spare the culprit’s life, to let her repay the debt slowly.

They also knew Qi Miao owed the sect an enormous sum of spirit stones.

Their desire to take her as a disciple vanished instantly.

Whoever became her master would be responsible for her debt should anything happen.

How could they dare?