Chapter 50

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

You can buy coins here to unlock advanced chapters: https://gravitytales.com/coins-purchase-page/

Chapter 50: Weapon Forging Competition

The news that an unknown youngster wanted to compete against Xu Baichuan, Tianrang City’s fourth-grade skilled weapon maker, in forging weapons spread rapidly through the entire Tianrang City and naturally drew a massive crowd.

Seeing the throng outside his shop, Xu Baichuan was almost overjoyed in his heart. This was exactly the result he desired; the more people came, the better.

To display his generosity to the crowd, Xu Baichuan specifically declared that he would personally provide all materials Lou Yun needed for crafting a common weapon. Facing such advantageous terms, Lou Yun naturally nodded in agreement.

Later, as the crowd of spectators grew truly overwhelming, Xu Baichuan proposed that the two simply move beyond the city walls to find an open area for the contest. Lou Yun indifferently nodded.

Consequently, a procession of nearly a thousand people, with Lou Yun and Xu Baichuan leading the way, marched out of the city.

Outside the walls, the two found a suitable spot, while the onlookers automatically formed a large circle, surrounding them both. Among this crowd were Qin Wufeng and his two companions, biding their time to attack Lou Yun, as well as Old Man Feng, secretly following for protection.

Though Qin Wufeng’s face was grim, it held a trace of excitement. The grimness arose because he hadn’t expected Xia Zhilan to accompany Lou Yun; the excitement naturally sprang from his belief that Lou Yun was bound to lose to Xu Baichuan.

Xu Baichuan beamed at Lou Yun. "What materials do you need?"

Lou Yun thought it over. "Since we’re crafting primary common weapons, the materials needn’t be too fine. However, to enhance the quality of the common weapon, spiritual crystals and beast souls are indispensable. Therefore, I need a sedimentation stone, one wood attribute beast soul, and one first-grade spiritual crystal!"

Although these three items weren’t particularly valuable, Xu Baichuan’s heart still twinged slightly with reluctance. Grinding his teeth, he said, "No problem."

With a wave of his hand, the materials Lou Yun needed appeared immediately before him.

Lou Yun noticed a storage ring on Xu Baichuan’s finger; these materials clearly came from within it.

Xu Baichuan continued, "To ensure fairness, I’ll use exactly the same materials as you."

Lou Yun shrugged indifferently. "One more thing, don’t we need a referee? I must declare upfront, forget Senior Luo as a third-grade skilled weapon maker; I don’t trust his discernment."

Senior Luo was originally the most suitable referee. Lou Yun’s blatant exclusion of him stripped him of all pride, leaving him no recourse but to gnash his teeth and glare at Lou Yun.

Xu Baichuan spread his hands. "Seems you won’t trust anyone I suggest. Do you have a suitable candidate in mind?"

Just then, a voice suddenly rang out from the crowd. "I’ll be the referee. I wonder if either of you objects?"

Looking toward the sound, a white-haired but youthfully-faced, slender elder emerged from the crowd.

Lou Yun had certainly never met this person and naturally didn’t know who he was. Xu Baichuan also wore a blank expression; clearly, this elder wasn’t a resident of Tianrang City.

But Old Man Feng, shrinking among the crowd, flinched at the sight of him. He quickly swigged a mouthful of alcohol, wiped his lips, and muttered to himself, "Why would this old fellow be here? What’s his purpose?"

Though Xu Baichuan didn’t know the volunteer referee’s identity, he dared not underestimate him given his bearing and attire. Cupping his hands in salute, he inquired, "How should I address you, friend?"

The elder smiled lightly. Suddenly, he waved something before Xu Baichuan’s face; a faint light flashed instantly and vanished. Xu Baichuan’s expression immediately transformed. He hastily bowed deeply and spoke with utmost deference. "Could you actually be…"

The elder waved a hand, cutting him short. "Who I am, you knowing suffices. No need to voice it. I simply ask: do you object to me being the referee?"

Xu Baichuan shook his head repeatedly. "No, I have no objection."

The elder then turned to Lou Yun, smiling faintly. "And you, young man? Any objection?"

Though equally unaware of the elder’s identity, Lou Yun saw how just showing that object had terrified the arrogant Xu Baichuan. He was certainly a person of formidable status. Moreover, his benign appearance suggested he wouldn’t call a deer a horse or favor Xu Baichuan. Thus, Lou Yun nodded. "No!"

"Good. Then you may begin!"

After speaking, the elder walked behind the two and stood motionless.

Wiping sweat from his brow, Xu Baichuan had lost his former arrogance. He asked Lou Yun, "Should we set a time limit?"

Lou Yun opened his mouth to speak but paused briefly before declaring, "One shichen!"

This statement provoked fresh murmurs and gasps from the onlookers. Even Xu Baichuan stared at Lou Yun in disbelief. "One shichen?" he repeated.

Even those unfamiliar with weapon forging knew it was absolutely impossible to forge even the most basic common weapon in a single hour!

Old Man Feng in the crowd was also startled. "Is that rascal crazy? Forging a common weapon in one hour—how is that possible?"

The presiding elder cleared his throat. "Then one hour it is. Any objections?"

Xu Baichuan mentally reviewed his forging process. Though an hour felt tight, objecting would be like admitting defeat before the match even began. Gritting his teeth, he declared, "One hour is fine!"

"May we begin now?"

"He can!"

As soon as the words fell, Xu Baichuan raised his hand. A cauldron, nearly half a meter tall, materialized in the air and landed with a thud. Immediately, he began rapidly yet meticulously placing materials inside, his expression grave.

Meanwhile, Lou Yun didn’t start forging immediately. Instead, he stared fixedly at Xu Baichuan’s cauldron, seemingly in a daze. In reality, he was listening to Chang Xiang’s explanation.

"This cauldron of his, though made from the most basic material—bronze—and possessing the simplest form of three legs and two ears, note this: the holes in the two ears connect through, used for venting smoke and fumes, while the three legs serve to gather the flame."

"But pay attention to the patterns etched onto this cauldron. They aren’t merely decorative! They form certain seals capable of activating the heavenly and earthly marks!"

"Whoever crafted this cauldron was truly remarkable, imprinting their own perceived insights of the world’s principles onto its body. That very fact grants this cauldron significant value. Although, it’s wasted on Xu Baichuan; he understands none of it."

Lou Yun couldn’t help but ask with curiosity, "How do you know he doesn’t know?"

"These patterns on the cauldron require activation by spiritual energy to unlock the heavenly and earthly marks. If used often, with spiritual energy circulating through the patterns over the years, the carved hollows would naturally appear incredibly smooth. Look closely—this cauldron is covered in verdigris! That means he’s never used it. He probably values it for this ‘ancient’ appearance and can’t bear to polish it off!"

Seeing Lou Yun spaced out, Lou Qian stamped her foot in anxiety. "Hey, Lou Yun! What are you doing? Hurry up! He’s already lit his fire, why are you just standing there daydreaming?"

Lou Yun turned to her with a slight smile. Raising his hand, the Fusang Fire ignited in his palm!

"Eh?"

The crowd couldn’t suppress another gasp of surprise. Why wasn’t this lad using a cauldron? Did he intend to forge the common weapon directly in his hand?

Even amidst his busy preparations, Xu Baichuan kept an eye on Lou Yun. Seeing the flame in his hand, realization struck him instantly—this kid didn’t possess a suitable cauldron!

Forging a common weapon directly in one’s hand offered no advantage. The intense heat during burning wasn’t contained by a seal, risking material vaporization at the slightest lapse in control.

Next, Lou Yun tossed the sedimentation stone into the Fusang Fire. In an instant, it liquefied into a mass of earthy yellow liquid. Of course, the temperature control was handled not by Lou Yun, but by Chang Xiang secretly assisting; otherwise, who knew how many sedimentation stones might have been wasted!

This sight stunned everyone once more. Even the presiding elder and Xu Baichuan gaped, utterly disbelieving.

The bulk of weapon forging time is spent liquefying materials. That’s precisely why Xu Baichuan felt an hour was barely adequate. But Lou Yun possessed the Fusang Fire—a celestial blaze! Melting the materials for a mere primary common weapon? It was an instant task!

The impurity removal process, however, Lou Yun handled himself. Though a tiny fraction was wasted, it was marked improvement over his first attempt.

Next step—shaping!

Lou Yun completed this step even faster. And since he was forging yet another sword, it was practically routine.

At this point, something occurred to him. "By the way, Brother Chang, among the celestial flames, is there one that’s completely black?"

Chang Xiang almost blurted out immediately, "Yes! How did you know?"

"I saw it, heheh. What’s the black celestial flame called? Where does it rank?"

"Hellfire. Ranked fifteenth!"

"Oh."

"Where did you see it?"

Lou Yun briefly recounted his encounter with the black-robed man. When Chang Xiang learned Xiao Huo had swallowed the Hellfire as if it were food, he flew into a rage. "What?! Hellfire was eaten by it?! That little beast! I’ll skin it alive and make it spit it out!"

"What’s to spit out? It’s been over a month now. Long since digested!"

"Why didn’t you stop it then?! Don’t you know how precious celestial flames are? Especially Hellfire, ranked fifteenth!"

Lou Yun retorted with exasperation, "If Xiao Huo hadn’t swallowed the Hellfire and drawn that black-robed man away, I wouldn’t even be alive now!"

"Ai!" Chang Xiang let out a heavy sigh. "Though… you’re right. Your strength wouldn’t have allowed you to subdue Hellfire anyway. It might have even backfired and consumed you."

"That black-robed man’s cultivation level… who knows how high it truly is, to have subdued Hellfire. Oh, Brother Chang, his magical weapon… it was jet black. I’ve never seen anything like it!"

"What? A black magical weapon?"

"Mm-hmm. Also a sword. Entirely black, coiled with wisps of black vapor. And that vapor… it felt alive, somehow. It flowed onto my sword—incredibly heavy, almost crushed my arm!"

The events from that day remained vivid in Lou Yun’s memory, recalled as clearly as if he were reliving them.

After a moment of silence, Chang Xiang’s voice returned, low and grave. "A black magical weapon… That’s an evil weapon. I never imagined someone would dare take such immense risks to cultivate an evil weapon… and succeed in nurturing malice-imbued energy!"

"Evil weapon? Oh, I remember! I read about it in the archives as a child. But… is it truly real?"

"Absolutely real. But forget that for now. Just remember: if ever you encounter that man, or any wielder of an evil weapon again… flee. As far away as possible! Farther the better! Focus on your forging now!"

The subsequent steps—refining the spiritual crystal and beast soul, followed by extracting impurities—proceeded effortlessly with Chang Xiang’s aid, completed within minutes.

Gradually, a sword took form within the Fusang Fire. The final step was awakening the spirit. Lacking a physical body, Chang Xiang couldn’t assist; Lou Yun had to do this alone.

Following Chang Xiang’s unconscious month-long recovery period, he’d been too preoccupied to teach Lou Yun the remaining eight hand signs. But since this was just a primary common weapon, reciting the previous sequence—one Lou Yun remembered vividly—sufficed.

Lou Yun’s hands flew through the nine intricate seals. He whispered fiercely, "Seal the heavenly and earthly marks! Awaken the spirit of this common weapon!"

Under spiritual perception, a shaft of mist—twice as thick and far clearer than during his first forging—descended from the heavens, plunging straight into the sword. A flash of light gleamed across the blade.

Lou Yun’s common weapon was completed. Time consumed: half an hour!