Zhang Deming was aware of this. In recent years, with the shifting trends in cultivation, Cultivators rarely used Magical Artifacts of the same Tier, mostly relying on their own Techniques and cultivation.
'Hmm... this refers to the traditional use of Artifacts, the old way of doing things. The traditional path, where a Cultivator would venture out for Magical Combat carrying a pile of Magical Artifacts and treasures, is rarely seen anymore.'
The exception is the non-traditional, new-style Artifact Cultivators. These aren't the ancient kind—the Iron Forgers who perform Artifact Refining for others. Instead, they are like Sword Cultivators who bond with and cultivate a Sword Artifact as part of their very being. This new school of thought has developed to a staggering degree.
In fact, many cultivation paths have started to incorporate minor elements of it.
