If it had been when he first entered the Artifact Sect, he would have continued to study until he found a solution, until he found a way to progress further.
But now, he chose to accept reality.
There was nothing he could do, the materials were limited. Even if he wanted to continue studying, he could only do so theoretically.
He saved all the materials on his computer. The process of his refining was also recorded on video on the computer. He brought up the video and started adding annotations.
These were very precious notes, which he could later send back to the Artifact Sect for his junior brothers and sisters to consult. They would provide a direction for them, whether they studied according to his notes or used his notes as negative examples to argue against. They were all invaluable resources.
And in secret, a pair of eyes had been silently watching him, observing all his recent actions.
"A heaven-sent talent..."
...
"Jingjing, I need to return to Shu land for a while." Zhuge Lan said to Dongfang Jingjing in a very gentle tone at the airport in Modu.
"Mhm, I understand, Brother Lan."
Dongfang Jingjing nodded quickly. She knew that as the heir of the Zhuge family, Zhuge Lan had many things to do. He had been away for too long and it was time for him to go back.
"I'll come find you after I've dealt with those matters." Zhuge Lan's gaze towards Dongfang Jingjing was now very different from before.
Perhaps in the past, in his eyes, Dongfang Jingjing was a confidante, a sister, someone he could talk to about anything.
But now... he felt something more.
"Okay..."
Not far away, Wang Qiran pouted. "These two, are they really that... indirect? Calling each other Jingjing and Brother Lan, but they haven't clarified their relationship until now."
He said this while taking a sip of coke.
"Clarify what relationship?" Xiao Yan tilted his head. He was holding a giant hamburger, and with one bite, half of it was gone. On the table, there were also the wrappers of three other hamburgers.
"Clarify... Forget it, you wouldn't understand even if I told you." Wang Qiran couldn't help but roll his eyes. He realized that among the four of them, he was the only one who had experienced the harsh realities of society.
How had the other three been with him for so long yet remained so innocent and pure?
"Oh."
After saying that, Xiao Yan finished his fourth hamburger. He wiped his mouth. "I'm full."
"I feel full just looking at it."
Wang Qiran looked at the wrappers of the four hamburgers. He stared at Xiao Yan's stomach, but couldn't see anything unusual. Did Xiao Yan have multiple stomachs? He could eat that much?
As he was speaking, Wang Qiran seemed to notice a chill. He turned his head and saw Zhuge Lan staring at him.
He quickly put on a smile and said, "Farewell, Master!"
His voice wasn't loud, but he believed Zhuge Lan could recognize his lips moving.
"These two will likely trouble you for a while, Jingjing." Zhuge Lan withdrew his gaze.
"Don't worry, Brother Lan. In my Dongfang family's territory, they won't be bullied." Dongfang Jingjing thought Zhuge Lan was worried that Wang Qiran and Xiao Yan might be bullied, and she said so.
"Being bullied is unlikely. Although Wang Qiran doesn't have much talent, he's been by my side for so long and has learned a few things."