PCJ – Chapter 725 Artifact Refining Technique

Meishan New Energy Vehicles added more fuel to the fire on its official website. A new statement appeared, giving further details about certain matters regarding their cars.

According to Meishan Group, during the thirty-year usage period of its new energy vehicles, the company will provide free repairs for any non-accident, non-violent faults. After thirty years, Meishan Group will assess the condition of the vehicle. If it is still usable, the company will appropriately extend the service life. After all, Meishan Group itself cannot yet precisely predict the lifespan of its cars.

Ordinary vehicles, after running seven or eight years, often begin to develop a variety of minor problems. Though they may seem small, fixing them at a repair shop costs a lot, and over the course of a year, these costs add up to no small sum.

Meishan Group’s thirty-year service life, combined with free repairs during that time—as long as there are no accidents or deliberate damage—saves car owners a huge amount of money each year.

Following the recent incident, sales of Meishan’s new energy vehicles surged, instantly wiping out the inventory at all 4S dealerships. Production capacity was suddenly stretched thin.

Fortunately, Phase II of Meishan Group’s factory had just been completed in record time. This round of full production ramped up much faster, and within a very short period the plant had entered normal operations. Phase III construction was already more than halfway finished and would soon be put into production as well.

Both Phase II and Phase III facilities were far larger than the original Phase I, which was essentially just a pilot industrial project with relatively small scale. The later phases were fully mature industrial systems, boosting output by at least fivefold compared to Phase I. Phase IV would be even larger. Once Phase IV reached full capacity, even if every car on China’s roads was from Meishan, the company could keep up.

But Zhang Jiaohua’s focus had long since moved away from new energy vehicles. Lately, aside from essential municipal work, he had been spending nearly all of his time in the lab. A new materials laboratory had been built under the Giant Sword Tower, specifically for studying an ancient sword.

“This sword’s rune array has mostly lost its power, yet its sharpness is still astonishing. Even the giant swords we forged with artifact-refining techniques cannot withstand its edge. In this sense, it truly is a priceless treasure,” said Kong Fangzhou, staring at one of his proudest creations—a magical weapon that had just been sliced in half by the ancient sword. He was both excited and disheartened.

“Do you think the key lies in the sword’s material?” Zhang Jiaohua asked.

“Not necessarily,” Kong Fangzhou shook his head. “It may also be the refining method. Whoever forged this sword was no ordinary person. After the forging was complete, the sword’s internal elements underwent fundamental changes. That is the essence of artifact refining—controlling materials, extracting their essence, and combining them into the most optimal spatial structure. Even atoms can exist in different forms. At the highest levels of refining, one can restructure the materials and atoms inside the weapon into powerful arrays. Unfortunately, even in our Artifact Refining Sect, many ancient techniques have long been lost. With my skill, even if I had the same materials, I doubt I could forge a weapon to rival this ancient sword.”

Zhang Jiaohua knew only the basics of artifact refining, having learned a little of everything from his inherited knowledge. Compared to Kong Fangzhou’s orthodox training, his own understanding was far inferior. So, Zhang began to study refining directly under Kong Fangzhou.

Since the Artifact Refining Sect had been absorbed as a branch hall of the Meishan Sect, Kong Fangzhou did not hold anything back. He brought out all of the sect’s manuals for Zhang to study.

Artifact refining generally involves processing raw materials with refining techniques so they can merge perfectly, forming new structures with excellent spiritual conductivity. This allows the wielder to channel spiritual power more easily through the weapon. Refining also includes engraving arrays on the weapon’s surface; once activated, these greatly amplify its power.

It took Zhang several months just to read through the refining manuals, and much of the content still required deep digestion. But Zhang was not in a hurry—cultivators had long lifespans, and time was on his side.

Unknowingly, time flew by, and Zhang’s title of “acting mayor” was officially removed. But word came that Wang Zongxian would be transferred to the Provincial Party Committee Standing Committee. His achievements in Bijiang had made him a political star. He had been the top official of Bijiang for many years, and it was long past time for his promotion.

However, Zhang worried that once Wang left, the new incoming Party Secretary might not align with him as well.

Though, given Zhang’s influence in Bijiang now, whoever succeeded Wang would hardly dare to oppose him. Under Zhang’s leadership, Bijiang had gone from being one of the nation’s most famous poor regions to reaching widespread prosperity. Not only the city dwellers but even many farmers were now driving new energy vehicles. Luckily, Zhang had foreseen this years ago and ensured the urban–rural infrastructure was planned far ahead of its time—proof now of his great vision.

“Secretary Wang, I should be happy about your promotion, but honestly, I’m worried. If the new top leader doesn’t get along with me, life could become difficult,” Zhang admitted. At some point, he and Wang had become close friends despite their age difference—one in his twenties, the other over fifty.

“That’s why you’ll likely need to take on an even greater responsibility. Secretary Su asked me for recommendations for Bijiang’s top position. I said you’re the best candidate,” Wang replied.

“Me? No, no way,” Zhang said quickly—he had never thought of rising further.

“It has to be you. Brother Zhang, though I’m decades older, my administrative ability is far below yours. What you lack now is experience. Governing a region is crucial training for your future. I know you’re not like us ordinary mortals—you’re a Qinghua PhD, a brilliant scientist. Maybe political office means little to you. But whether as a scientist making inventions or as an official improving people’s lives, you’re serving the people either way. I believe the millions in Bijiang will deeply appreciate it. And remember, as long as you manage the Party leadership team well, you can still be a scientist. The two don’t conflict,” Wang said earnestly.