Chapter 178

Chapter 178: Want Just This Thing

Short Winter Melon knew that Fan Ruobing opening his mouth at this time was definitely helping him, so he certainly had no objection. Even if Lou Yun had objections, he couldn’t bring them up at this moment, as doing so would be seen as showing weakness. So he lightly smiled, neither confirming nor denying, as he looked at Fan Ruobing.

Fan Ruobing saw that neither of them spoke, so he said, "Since neither of you has objections, I will explain the rules now. But before that, I must ask: young man, what rank of common weapon can you forge?"

"Mystery rank!" Lou Yun actually wanted to say high rank, but after thinking, he still said mystery rank, because he felt very confident!

Many people were shocked: a novice without even a rank dared to claim he could forge a mystery rank common weapon! That was unheard of—only a fourth-grade skilled weapon maker could forge mystery rank common weapons!

Fan Ruobing showed no reaction and nodded. "Good, mystery rank. For fairness, we’ll use mystery rank common weapons as the standard. I recently obtained a material by chance; this material is extremely sturdy and absolutely good for forging weapons. Today, I’ll contribute it so both of you can use it to forge common weapons. As for the rules, it’s simple: whoever forges it first, and the forged common weapon must be mystery rank—whose minor rank is higher wins!"

As Fan Ruobing’s voice fell, Beichen Ming’s brows furrowed. He hesitated slightly, his lips moving a few times but making no sound. However, Dai Rong, who was beside Lou Yun, heard it clearly, so he coughed lightly and said, "Master Fan, may I ask what material you obtained?"

Fan Ruobing lightly smiled. "Nine-section Stone!"

As soon as these three words were spoken, Beichen Ming’s expression changed drastically, filling with anger. But he still restrained himself and didn’t rush out. His lips moved a few times again, and then Dai Rong’s voice immediately sounded, "Nine-section Stone? Could it be the legendary Nine-temperature Assimilation Stone that requires nine different temperatures simultaneously to melt?"

Fan Ruobing looked up and laughed loudly. "Haha, Manager Dai is indeed knowledgeable and learned! Yes, the Nine-section Stone is exactly the Nine-temperature Assimilation Stone!"

Though many had never heard of the Nine-temperature Assimilation Stone, Dai Rong had explained it clearly, so everyone exchanged stunned glances, deeply shocked that such strangely characteristic stones existed!

Requiring nine different temperatures simultaneously to melt it was not easy for any skilled weapon maker. Even Short Winter Melon’s face revealed surprise and anger, as he also lacked confidence in dividing his flame into nine different temperatures.

Short Winter Melon now even suspected that Fan Ruobing might be scheming against both of them!

In contrast, Lou Yun remained calm and lightly smiled as he asked, "This Nine-section Stone is so hard to melt—if neither of us can melt it, how will the result be decided?"

Fan Ruobing laughed loudly. "That’s not right; you can’t imagine that Short Brother Ai couldn’t do it! Based on my understanding of him, his control over flames is quite remarkable, isn’t that so, Short Brother Ai?"

Short Winter Melon was utterly baffled and didn’t grasp Fan Ruobing’s intentions at all. How could he be unaware of his own flame control ability? It wasn’t as extraordinary as Fan Ruobing implied, let alone capable of converting flames into nine different temperatures simultaneously!

But asked by Fan Ruobing, Short Winter Melon could only brace himself, forced a laugh, and echoed, "Master Fan truly understands me. What’s so great about Nine-temperature Assimilation Stone? I should still be able to melt it!"

With Short Winter Melon’s response, Fan Ruobing turned back to Lou Yun. "See, Short Brother Ai admits he can do it. Since you can’t, perhaps there’s no need for this challenge!"

Honestly, Lou Yun couldn’t confirm whether he could do it or not; he had never tried dividing his flame into nine temperatures.

But faced with such a blatant provocation from Fan Ruobing—though he knew it was a deliberate trick—Lou Yun decided to try, because he couldn’t believe that Short Winter Melon was so confident while he himself was uncertain!

"If Short Winter Melon really can do it and I can’t, then I lose! But how would I know without giving it a try?"

"Good. Then I’ll give each of you a piece of Nine-section Stone. Get ready and you can start forging!"

As Fan Ruobing spoke, two fist-sized stones appeared in his hands, and he offered them to Lou Yun. "You pick one first!"

He pretended to be fair, letting Lou Yun choose so Lou Yun couldn’t make excuses if he lost.

Lou Yun believed that since Fan Ruobing was being so generous, both stones were identical. He didn’t dare cheat under everyone’s watchful eyes. So Lou Yun stayed silent and randomly took one.

Fan Ruobing then walked to Short Winter Melon and handed him the other Nine-section Stone. "Sorry, Short Brother Ai, no choice for you—here’s this one!"

Short Winter Melon smiled. "Any one is just the same."

He reached to take it, but as he gripped the stone, he suddenly felt a small bump on his palm; hidden beneath the Nine-section Stone was a rice grain-sized object. His heart stirred slightly, and he began to understand Fan Ruobing’s motive for challenging both him and Lou Yun to forge the stone.

Clearly, that grain-sized thing was the key to melting the Nine-section Stone!

After delivering both stones, Fan Ruobing clapped his hands loudly. "Alright, I’ve explained the rules and given you the materials. Now the rest is up to you! I’ll observe."

After saying this, Fan Ruobing turned and walked out, but simultaneously, a voice transmission reached Short Winter Melon’s ears: "Eat it!"

Short Winter Melon instantly understood: the object hidden under the Nine-section Stone was meant to be swallowed. And he recalled that some pills could temporarily boost spiritual energy!

More and stronger spiritual energy made it easier to control flame temperatures!

So Short Winter Melon pretended to examine the stone and subtly slipped the grain-sized pill into his mouth undetected.

Once the pill entered his stomach, Short Winter Melon immediately felt his spiritual energy explode inside him, doubling instantly. It delighted and surprised him; with so much spiritual energy, he should be able to control flames into nine different temperatures at once!

At that moment, Short Winter Melon heard a clear bell-like sound like a dragon’s cry, and golden light swirled before his eyes. He looked up urgently to see that Lou Yun had already brought out his Chaos Golden Cauldron!

Catching sight of the Chaos Golden Cauldron, avarice shone again in Short Winter Melon’s eyes. Then he had a thought and abruptly shouted, "Wait!"

Now, all eyes—even Fan Ruobing’s—were fixed on Lou Yun’s Chaos Golden Cauldron, since even the greenest novice could tell the cauldron was extraordinary!

Short Winter Melon’s sudden shout startled everyone back to focus; they reluctantly shifted their gaze to him, unsure why he had called for a pause.

Dai Rong frowned and asked, "Do you have something to say?"

Short Winter Melon chuckled. "I just remembered that the challenge at every forging conference has rewards or punishments, right?"

At this, everyone suddenly understood, including Lou Yun, who realized Short Winter Melon’s true aim.

Lou Yun sneered coldly. "Right, I almost forgot since you brought it up. Since I challenged you, if I win, I should get something from you as a prize. But I don’t recall that the challenged person can demand a prize if they win."

It was a fact; the rule awarding prizes to challengers who won encouraged mutual competition among skilled weapon makers to improve their abilities. But it wasn’t heard of for the challenged to extract rewards if they won, so Lou Yun was mocking Short Winter Melon deliberately.

However, Short Winter Melon only had eyes for the Chaos Golden Cauldron now; he ignored any mockery, pretending ignorance, "Since it’s a challenge, fairness matters—losers must pay up, or it’s not fun!"

"Haha!" Lou Yun laughed loudly. "I know—you’ve got your eye on my cauldron. Fine, I’ll grant your wish. If I don’t beat you, this cauldron is yours!"

Short Winter Melon’s eyes lit up instantly. He eagerly pressed, "Deal! With everyone as witnesses, no backing out!"

"Of course!" Lou Yun sneered. "But if you lose, what will you give me?"

Short Winter Melon was extremely stingy; prying anything from him was like taking his life. But with so many watching, he couldn’t refuse offering something. After pondering for a long time, he gritted his teeth and pulled something from his chest.

It was palm-sized, pitch-black, and seemingly ordinary, with no striking features.

Lou Yun frowned as he examined this black object. "What is this?"

"It’s definitely something valuable! I’ll tell you, it took tremendous effort for me to get it. If you win, I’ll give it to you!"

Short Winter Melon actually didn’t know what it was, but he truly had struggled to obtain it. Now that he needed to provide a prize, unable to part with any treasured possessions, he thought of this item and decided to offer it. Even if he lost, since he didn’t know its use, giving it to Lou Yun wouldn’t hurt much!

Naturally, Short Winter Melon’s words drew jeers from spectators nearby; all could see he was shamelessly bluffing.

"Valuable?" Lou Yun shook his head. "At least tell me what it is and why it’s good—otherwise I don’t want it!"

But as soon as Lou Yun finished speaking, Chang Xiang’s voice cut in urgently, "Want just this thing!"