Chapter 328: The Beginning of Chaos, The Origin of the Human Race

Bei Ming took Xiao Fan to the top of Bailian Peak.

The Peak was vast, covering dozens of miles, with countless tall, majestic buildings exuding an air of dignity, and dozens of Disciples in purple robes busily moving about.

Upon seeing Bei Ming, these Disciples bowed in unison, while also stealing glances at Xiao Fan behind him, curious about his identity.

The sounds of "bang," "bang," "bang" echoed continuously from all around…

The rhythmic sound of iron being struck reached Xiao Fan's ears.

Xiao Fan's first reaction was that this was Artifact Refining.

Xiao Fan didn't know much about the Dao of Artifact Refining; in his mind, it seemed to be the same concept as a mundane blacksmith shop.

Bei Ming was full of joy; ignoring the bowing Disciples, he led Xiao Fan straight into the Inner Hall at the Peak.

"Have a seat."

Bei Ming, face beaming with smiles, sat in the main seat at the top; his personality was very straightforward and bold.

"Thank you, Elder."

Xiao Fan gave a salute and then sat in a guest seat below.

"Hahaha… Kid, you've come to find me. Have you decided to join my Bailian Peak?"

The smile on Bei Ming's face stretched from ear to ear, showing just how happy he was.

Xiao Fan gave a bitter smile…

"No, I've just come to ask the Elder for some basic knowledge regarding Artifact Refining…"

Xiao Fan was very frank; he didn't want to join Bailian Peak in a muddled state.

A look of disappointment instantly crossed Bei Ming's face, and he said unwillingly, "Kid, what's wrong with my Bailian Peak? As long as you join, just tell me what you want, and this old man will satisfy you."

"And I will also pass on all my skills to you. Is that still not enough?"

"…Senior, this Junior is not considering joining any Peak for the time being, mainly because I want to focus on increasing my strength first…"

Xiao Fan was speechless… and gave a brief explanation.

He couldn't remember how many times he had used this excuse lately.

"Sigh… Fine, fine. If you're willing to join later, just come find me."

Bei Ming waved his hand and asked again, "Alright, kid, what questions do you have for me? Ask away."

Hearing this, Xiao Fan perked up.

This concerned the fourth stage of the star chart; if Xiao Fan's guess was correct, the opening of the fourth stage might be related to Artifact Refining…

"Elder Bei, may I ask where Artifact Refining originated?"

Xiao Fan thought for a moment and asked.

He was a complete novice at Artifact Refining… knowing nothing and not even knowing what to ask.

"The origin of Artifact Refining?"

Bei Ming was stunned, clearly not expecting Xiao Fan to ask such a basic question.

If it were anyone else, he probably would have kicked them out…

But since it was Xiao Fan, it was a different story.

Bei Ming explained very seriously, "The Dao of Artifact Refining originated at the beginning of Chaos. Even before the Human Race developed intelligence, they began crafting various stone and wooden tools as weapons. Logically speaking, that is the root of the Artifact Refining Lineage."

"Later, when the Human Race's intelligence first awakened but there was still no cultivation system, the weak humans began to work hard at creating various weapons to survive. That was the origin of crafting weapons from iron and steel."

"Later, great experts of the Human Race received the providence of heaven and earth and discovered that humans could strengthen themselves by absorbing the spiritual energy of the world. After that, Cultivators appeared…"

"Once Cultivators appeared, they also fought amongst themselves and against powerful foreign races… Humans are naturally weak, so even if they can Cultivate, their physical strength is still inferior to some powerful Yao Beasts…"

"Therefore, Cultivators began crafting Magical Artifacts, which gradually evolved into the Artifact Refining Lineage of today…"

Bei Ming spoke very seriously.

Xiao Fan listened just as seriously.

This was a Rank Five Artifact Refiner, one of the most Peak Artifact Refiners in the entire Wuhuang Province, giving a personal lecture…

"So Artifact Refining has existed since the beginning of Chaos…"

Xiao Fan murmured, realizing he had underestimated the Artifact Refining Lineage.

"Exactly."

Bei Ming's expression was somewhat proud as he said, "The Artifact Refining Lineage has existed since ancient times. There are many rumors outside, with some believing the Alchemy lineage was the first to appear, but they don't realize that the Artifact Refining Lineage is even older."

Xiao Fan nodded slowly. Hearing what Bei Ming said allowed him to instantly understand many things he hadn't before.

Indeed, when the Human Race's intelligence had not yet awakened, there couldn't have been humans who understood pharmacology or Alchemy.

And even in the primordial and ancient eras, the most primitive humans must have needed to create weapons to hunt in order to survive.

That was the beginning of the Artifact Refining Lineage…

The sapling atop the Enlightenment Seed in Xiao Fan's Dantian swayed slightly…

An invisible clear stream appeared…

Making Xiao Fan's mind even clearer…

In an instant… he thought of another question.

"At the beginning of Chaos, the Human Race already existed… but how did they survive when there was no cultivation system…"

Xiao Fan murmured softly; from his conversation with Bei Ming just now, he had thought of a question on another level.

Bei Ming, who was beside him, was instantly stunned.