Chương 45: Chapter 45: Reserved Master Smith

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Clang—! Clang—!! Clang—!!!...

A tempest of metallic sounds erupted within the Jingeng Blacksmith Shop, drawing the attention of the young apprentices and master blacksmiths.

As the final, thunderous clang seemed to pierce the roof and soar into the clouds, the echo lingered, resonating in everyone's ears. An elderly, short, and sturdy old man with white hair and beard stepped forward, approaching a forging station. He extended his right hand towards the still scorching jet-black battle knife.

Spiritual Power surged, and a silver-white gauntlet appeared, covering his hand and arm up to the elbow, shielding him from the intense heat.

Then, the old man flicked his left index finger, a silver-gray Spiritual Power enveloping it. The finger tapped the blade of the jet-black battle knife held in his right hand.

Ding—!

A melodious sound rang out, causing the surrounding people to instinctively squint their eyes, their faces showing a look of enchantment.

Everyone present was either a senior blacksmith or a mid-level blacksmith with years of experience. Their ability to judge the quality of a work was ingrained in their bones.

Just by the sound alone, everyone knew this was a good knife, a knife that none of them could forge!

Without sharing the same entranced expression as the others, the short and sturdy old man's eyes were sharp. His right hand, still covered by the silver-white gauntlet, held the battle knife horizontally. His left hand, enveloped in silver-gray Spiritual Power, protected his fingers from the residual heat of the battle knife, as he gently caressed the blade and the back of the knife inch by inch.

As the old man's hand moved, the silver-gray Spiritual Power revealed that the jet-black battle knife had intricate patterns resembling cloud swirls!

After a full five minutes, the short and sturdy old man carefully examined every inch of the jet-black battle knife. Once the temperature had dropped significantly, he placed the knife down and turned to look at the figure standing quietly before the forging station. His face, though white-haired and bearded, was flushed with joy as he laughed heartily, "Good! Good! Good!—"

"Hahaha—Good! The sound is like a jade chime, the patterns like clouds, a masterpiece, Little Yi, you've done well! Very well—!!! Hahaha—!!!"

Faced with the old master's praise, Ling Yi did not become arrogant. He maintained his humble demeanor, a gentle smile on his lips, and bowed respectfully, saying, "I'm glad I haven't disappointed you, Master—"

"You—"

Seeing Ling Yi's composed and unbothered demeanor, Old Master Jin was even more satisfied, though he shook his head and said, "You lack the vigor of a young man, acting more like an old man than I, who's half buried in the ground—"

Saying this, he continued, "Disappointed? How could I be disappointed?!"

"500 Forging battle knife!" Old Master Jin raised the jet-black battle knife in his hand, his eyes filled with pride. "Even in Gengxin City, how many can forge such a perfect 500 Forging weapon at the age of ten?"

---

Within the Star Luo Empire, at the Heavenly Sky Sect, the Clan of Strength's base.

In a blacksmith shop, the Clan of Strength's young chieftain, Titan, now in his thirties, was seriously instructing a young boy hammering a massive iron block.

The young boy held a hammer with a nearly cylindrical head, his body moving gracefully. The large hammer seemed weightless in his hands, and in a short time, the massive iron block was deformed and reduced in size.

Time ticked by, and eventually, the iron block was no more, replaced by a long-handled, broad-bladed great cleaver.

The young boy looked at the great cleaver, nodded approvingly, and gestured to Titan.

Titan stepped forward, his Spiritual Power enveloping his hand as he picked up the cleaver and examined it carefully before addressing the young boy respectfully, "Young Master, the blade is dense and uniform, with excellent proportions. With your talent and the advantages of the Heavenly Hammer, it won't be long before you can forge weapons at the 500 Forging level!"

"500 Forging?" The young boy's face showed a hint of dissatisfaction. "How long until I can reach the 1000 Forging level of a Master Blacksmith?"

"Young Master~" Titan bent slightly, his tone still respectful and patient. "You've only been learning forging for a little over two years, and you mainly focus on cultivation. The time spent on forging is even shorter, so there's no need to rush..."

"Enough~" The young master waved his hand, interrupting Titan. "Let's leave it at that. In a year, I will have cultivated to level 40. When I become a Soul Master, do you think I will be able to reach the 1000 Forging level?"

"A year?!" Titan's eyes widened, a mix of surprise and joy. "Young Master, you're only fourteen years old. In a year... this... this... a fifteen-year-old Soul Master..."

---

As Titan was amazed by his young master's talent on one side of the continent, In the capital of the Waterwood Principality, Wood Plant City, at the Jingeng Blacksmith Shop.

"Little Yi~" Old Master Jin looked at Ling Yi with satisfaction, chuckling, "I heard your Spiritual Power has already reached level ten?"

"Yes, Master~" Ling Yi nodded, returning the smile.

"Good!" Old Master Jin's face lit up with joy. "Little Yi, you can rest assured. I still have some influence in Wood Plant City, and I will definitely find you a few strong helpers to hunt a Soul Beast that is over a hundred years old and has suitable attributes—!"

"Thank you, Master~" Ling Yi thanked him first, then shook his head. "But it's not necessary. I've already made arrangements..."

"Hmm?" Old Master Jin raised an eyebrow, looking at Ling Yi. "Made arrangements? You're not planning to wait for the unified soul hunting organized by your academy, are you?"

At this, the old master's brows furrowed, and he said sternly, "Listen to your master's advice. It's best not to rely on the unified soul hunting led by the academy teachers..."

"Logically, with your smart brain, after spending three years at your academy, you should know this, right?

Almost all the unified soul hunts organized by beginner Soul Master academies result in students obtaining Soul Rings that are less than a hundred years old, which offer minimal benefits to Soul Masters..."

"Those kids from ordinary families may not understand, but you shouldn't, right?"

As he spoke, Old Master Jin's face showed a hint of puzzlement as he sized up Ling Yi, who had been smiling calmly throughout.

"Master, don't worry~" Facing the old master's confused gaze, Ling Yi shook his head. "My first Soul Ring will definitely be over a hundred years old. Otherwise, with my half-level innate Spiritual Power, I might be stuck below the Great Soul Master level—"

"And only a Soul Ring over a hundred years old can give me a chance to glimpse the scenery beyond the Great Soul Master level—"

Why, despite knowing that Ling Yi's cultivation speed was unusually fast, did the various factions in Wood Plant City still not pay much attention to him?

The reason is simple.

First, the Blue Silver Grass soul power is inherently weak, ranking among the lowest of the myriad soul powers in the Douluo Continent, even inferior to trash soul powers like the Thousand-jun Ant and the Hoe.

Second, Ling Yi's innate Spiritual Power is only half a level, effectively locking his future potential. No matter how much he strives, in their view, he cannot possibly break through to the Soul Venerable level.

So, what's the point of a guy who can't even reach the Soul Venerable level and has weak combat abilities, no matter how smart he is? What's the point of having an extremely strong forging talent?

At most, he would just be another Master Blacksmith. Master Jin is getting old, and this young man named Ling Yi can take over his position, becoming one of the 'Three Great Craftsmen' of the Waterwood Principality...

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(End of Chapter)