Chapter 173

Chapter 173: Forging Conference (4)

Lei Nu’s sudden shout naturally provoked uproarious laughter throughout the hall. People thought he was a bit strange, but Lou Yun did not laugh. Instead, his heart was filled with deep emotion, because he was the master Lei Nu spoke of. Lei Nu’s words held no pretense or affectation; it was purely a disciple expressing his heartfelt longing for his master.

If there weren’t so many people around, Lou Yun truly wished he could walk straight up to Lei Nu right then!

Next came the advancement tests for fourth-tier and fifth-tier skilled weapon makers. Lou Yun finally felt a flicker of interest, as skilled weapon makers at this level possessed considerable forging skills, naturally making their work worth observing.

Finally, the advancement tests for the skilled weapon makers concluded successfully. Most people were very satisfied with the final results, and even Beichen Ming was no exception.

Now, it was the turn of newcomers like Lou Yun, who had never participated in the forging conference and held no rank or title, to take the stage!

This was considered the highlight of the forging conference. Nearly every skilled weapon maker paid attention to the newcomers’ tests, because among them were often exceptionally promising seedlings. Such newcomers became highly sought-after by most high-level skilled weapon makers—some wanted apprentices, others aimed to recruit them to strengthen their own factions. In short, compared to the somewhat dull advancement tests just concluded, the newcomers’ tests promised to be much more interesting.

Since the newcomers were all gathered in one area, no separate registration was needed. Each newcomer was simply given a number indicating the order for taking the test.

There were over a hundred newcomers this time. Lou Yun’s number placed him among the last few participants. He wasn’t in a hurry anyway, so this was a perfect chance to observe the newcomers’ forging skills and familiarize himself with the specific procedures.

The newcomers’ test didn’t involve forging weapons right away. Instead, they first had to undergo two specialized tests before being scheduled for the actual forging.

Back when Chang Xiang first explained the knowledge of forging weapons to Lou Yun, he had told him that becoming a skilled weapon maker required two indispensable conditions!

First, extraordinary innate senses, with spiritual sense being particularly crucial; Second, powerful spiritual energy, because one must be able to expertly control the flame.

The two tests the forging conference now administered to the newcomers were precisely related to these two conditions!

The first test assessed spiritual sense; the second test assessed spiritual energy!

However, the specific content of the tests changed each time to prevent cheating. If the content remained the same every time, it would be easy to prepare in advance.

The specific content of the first test at this forging conference was this: within a sealed container lay a pile of stones. The participant had to pick out the lightest stone while keeping their eyes closed. Each participant had three chances. If they failed to find it after three attempts, they were immediately eliminated and not permitted to take the next test.

Ten people formed a group to go up for testing. Although Lou Yun had never participated in such a test, his spiritual sense was inherently superbly powerful. Moreover, during the forging process, he had long since become adept at using his spiritual sense to monitor the materials within the cauldron. Therefore, this test was incredibly easy for him!

While others were being tested, Lou Yun also activated his spiritual sense. He could basically identify the lightest stone instantly, even though he was positioned about fifty or sixty meters away from them.

The testing for the first nine groups concluded quickly. Some could find the stone swiftly, while others made three consecutive wrong choices. In the end, the elimination rate hovered around fifty percent.

Finally, it was the turn of Lou Yun’s group of ten to take the stage. Lou Yun wasn’t nervous at all. However, he knew that as soon as he stepped onto the stage, he would definitely be recognized by Lei Nu, Beichen Ming, Liu Ruyan, and others. He wondered what their reactions would be upon seeing him!

Lou Yun deliberately kept his head down as he followed the other nine people onto the stage.

The instant his foot touched the stage, he immediately felt several pairs of intensely focused eyes lock onto him. He couldn’t help but inwardly sigh with a bitter smile; he had indeed been recognized.

It was true. When Lou Yun first stood up, most hadn’t recognized him. After all, aside from Xu Yangteng, neither Beichen Ming nor Liu Ruyan—nor anyone else—would have imagined that Lou Yun would appear at the forging conference, let alone hidden silently among the newcomers.

It wasn’t until Lou Yun was halfway across that someone recognized him. The first to do so was Liu Ruyan!

Though Liu Ruyan projected an image of extreme coldness and pride, deep down, she too possessed her own emotions. Especially towards Lou Yun, she harbored an indescribable sentiment—a mix of slight fondness, a touch of aversion, and a hint of envy. This complex tangle of feelings was entirely tied to her upbringing.

From the moment Liu Ruyan was born, she, like Lou Yun, was crowned with the title of genius!

However, unlike Lou Yun, she had always been a genius in cultivation. She had consistently stayed ahead of others, an object of their admiration and respect. This fostered her haughty temperament; she looked down on everyone. Though breathtakingly beautiful, within the Spirit Weapon Sect, no male dared confess his feelings to her. Female peers kept their distance, unwilling to have such an overwhelmingly superior friend. This isolation caused her to become increasingly aloof and cold!

Liu Ruyan even believed that there wasn’t a single man on the entire Spirit Weapon Star capable of stirring her heart. Yet, this belief wavered slightly when she saw Lou Yun.

Especially after learning of Lou Yun’s deeds, she found it hard to believe. A person considered useless from age six to fifteen had achieved such remarkable feats in cultivation within a single year—achievements that, by her calculation, far surpassed her own. Thus, Lou Yun earned her distinct regard.

Later, she saw Lou Yun again at the Ancient Weapon Academy. By then, Lou Yun had grown frighteningly strong, particularly during his fight with Qian Ruming, which truly opened her eyes. She even felt she might not be his match. This feeling was unacceptable to her stubborn and fiercely competitive nature, so she redoubled her cultivation efforts, striving to either close the gap with Lou Yun or widen it.

However, when a woman who has always considered herself the strongest encounters a man demonstrably superior to her, she is easily captivated. Liu Ruyan was such a case. By that time, her heart held a faint, complex mixture of fondness and envy towards Lou Yun.

Then there was the time she thought Lou Yun had suffered a Qi deviation. She disregarded her own safety to try and treat him. Though ultimately unable to help, upon returning, even she was surprised at herself—risking her life for a man still relatively unfamiliar to her!

Finally, she was assigned to escort Wan Huier alongside Lou Yun. When Han Tianxiao told them that Lou Yun had kidnapped the Princess, she absolutely refused to believe it!

But clever as she was, she didn’t voice her disbelief then. After returning to the Ancient Weapon Academy, she immediately reported the matter to her family. In her report, she subtly hinted that she hoped her grandfather, Liu Feifan, would protect Lou Yun.

This clearly showed that this icy beauty was, in fact, deeply attentive to and cared about Lou Yun, which is why she recognized him instantly.

Truthfully, the reason Liu Ruyan came to this forging conference was sheer boredom at home. So when Liu Feifan received Beichen Ming’s invitation, he brought her along. Beichen Ming’s reason for inviting Liu Feifan as a distinguished guest was also somewhat related to Lou Yun. After all, the Spirit Weapon Sect, which Liu Feifan represented, had proactively stepped forward to protect Lou Yun. Beichen Ming was essentially paving the way for Lou Yun’s future development.

Liu Ruyan had absolutely no interest in such a forging conference. Having already endured two days and two nights, she was bored out of her mind. If not for the need to maintain her own image and the dignity of the Spirit Weapon Sect, she would have left long ago!

Just moments ago, hearing the tenth group of newcomers was called, she had merely glanced over casually. Yet, that one glance revealed a familiar figure among the ten!

For a split second, she thought her eyes were playing tricks. But upon closer look, she was certain—it was indeed Lou Yun!

The moment she recognized Lou Yun, Liu Ruyan’s heartbeat suddenly accelerated. Her body trembled slightly, uncontrollably. Over two years had passed. She had worried about Lou Yun, missed Lou Yun. Now, finally seeing him again, her heart felt as if it had recovered something precious it had lost!

If she hadn’t been desperately restraining herself, Liu Ruyan feared she might have acted like those women she despised the most—rushing to Lou Yun and throwing herself into his arms. Even so, unbeknownst to her, her eyes reddened slightly, and her gaze locked firmly onto Lou Yun, unwilling to leave him for a moment.

When Lou Yun stood on the stage and lifted his head, seeing that familiar face again, especially Lou Yun’s characteristic lightly curved smile, caused Liu Ruyan’s frantic heartbeat to suddenly, gradually calm down.

Yes, it was this familiar smile. A smile that conveyed fearlessness and unwavering conviction within it. Similarly, it brought peace of mind.

On Liu Ruyan’s face, perpetually cold as a thousand-year ice, a faint, shallow smile slowly surfaced at this moment—a smile she herself hadn’t even noticed.

This faint smile left the numerous skilled weapon makers who had been constantly watching Liu Ruyan, yearning for her favor, utterly spellbound.

At this very moment, Lou Yun also happened to look up. His gaze instantly caught Liu Ruyan’s smile. He couldn’t help but freeze momentarily, though he quickly regained his composure. A cold sneer echoed within his heart: Liu Ruyan, seeing that I’m not dead, you must be quite pleased!

After learning the Liu family was one of the Nine Clans, coupled with the shock of the Han Tianxiao incident, Lou Yun had developed a biased mindset. Naturally, this hatred extended to include Liu Ruyan.