Arriving at the door of Zhu Jiuyang's forging studio, Su Ming heard dull, heavy pounding sounds.
The layout on the fifth floor of the association hadn't changed. The former casting studios were still occupied by the previous Grandmaster-level iron smiths. Because of the rename to Blacksmith Association, Su Ming had changed the name from casting studio to forging studio.
Next to Zhu Jiuyang's forging studio was still Lou Gao's forging studio.
Su Ming looked over. Currently, there was no one guarding the door of Lou Gao's forging studio.
Previously, Lou Gao's four disciples, Si Long and the other three Grandmasters, would take turns guarding for Lou Gao. Now, they were all busy cultivating Spirit Power. Additionally, Lou Gao himself rarely stayed in the forging studio, also cultivating with full effort, so Su Ming didn't see anyone there at the moment.
Without Si Long present, he couldn't ask about his teacher's current situation.
Not wanting to disturb Zhu Jiuyang, he stood outside the door and waited.
The sounds coming from inside the forging studio were very deep and heavy, each strike powerful and forceful. Even through the door, Su Ming could feel the vibration of the metal.
"Teacher is attempting Spirit Refinement."
Su Ming could tell that each of Zhu Jiuyang's strikes was precise, the tempering of the metal very thorough. Most crucially, he was utilizing the characteristic of his forging hammer to its fullest extent.
That's right, Zhu Jiuyang's forging hammer characteristic was Stacking Hammer.
Thud!
Thud! Thud!
In the rhythmic strikes, Su Ming sensed a fluctuation of spirituality.
The Spirit Infusion had succeeded.
But there was still a long way to go before truly bestowing life upon the metal, making this spirituality fully come alive within it.
He didn't have to wait long. After about half an hour, Su Ming heard a bang, followed by Zhu Jiuyang cursing and grumbling as he came to open the door.
"This Spirit Refinement is too difficult. Damn it, I've never even raised a child myself, and now I'm supposed to nurture a piece of metal, nurturing it into life?"
Zhu Jiuyang had sensed Su Ming's arrival earlier. After opening the door, he returned to the forging table and began reflecting on his mistakes this time.
The point of failure was different each time. Because once he failed at a point, he corrected it and didn't make the same mistake again. This was due to his exceptional ability to act and the assurance brought by his formidable cultivation level.
But in a single forging session, aren't the potential points of failure numerous?
Every step could be critical, leaving little room for error for the blacksmith. Sometimes an unintentional strike might coincidentally harmonize, but the next time, if not paid attention to, it could become a fatal mistake.
Some people are suited to be teachers, others are not.
Because some people truly step on all the points of failure and correct them, or even if they haven't stepped in a pitfall, they can consider its existence and explain it directly when a student fails, rather than having their brain freeze when encountering situations outside their lesson preparation.
Su Ming was the suited one.
He analyzed the point of failure for Zhu Jiuyang and told him how to correct it.
"Marvelous!"
Zhu Jiuyang could feel that Su Ming not only addressed the point of failure but also provided a perfect solution, adding points to this step in the forging process, potentially enhancing the quality after successful forging.
"This master has a premonition that I will definitely break through to Spirit Refinement within this month," Zhu Jiuyang said.
He looked at Su Ming, his expression carrying a trace of hesitation.
"Xiao Ming, are you sure you want to expose yourself? Once I master Spirit Refinement, I can withstand the pressure for you externally."
Su Ming shook his head.
He had to be at the forefront.
To acquire more stable status and absorb more forging faith, he had to be the pioneer.
"Teacher, you breaking through to Spirit Refinement is the greatest protection for me. The pioneer of such a unique technique will face dangers, but as long as the technology isn't held by me alone, and a second person masters Spirit Refinement, my risk will be greatly reduced."
If only he alone mastered Spirit Refinement, those with ill intentions would certainly think of abducting him to work in secret, or interrogating him for the technique to monopolize the market. The benefits could easily outweigh the losses from facing retaliation from those behind Su Ming.
But if a second person masters Spirit Refinement, it becomes less worthwhile. Without the ability to monopolize, there would be significantly less profit. Considering Zhu Jiuyang behind Su Ming would then cause much more apprehension.
"Aside from the Spirit Main Hall, releasing ten pieces of Spirit Metal this time should cause some waves. During this period, you should stay with me and don't cultivate alone."
"Alright."
"Once the people from the Spirit Hall and the Star Luo Empire arrive, and we negotiate support and cooperation, your safety will be much more assured."
For the next three days, Su Ming stayed in Zhu Jiuyang's forging studio.
Master and disciple took turns attempting Spirit Refinement.
Su Ming's success rate wasn't high either, only twenty percent, so he succeeded only once in five attempts.
Thus, both he and Zhu Jiuyang experienced failure more often than not.
Zhu Jiuyang absorbed lessons from both his own and Su Ming's mistakes, improving at a rapid pace.
Spirit City.
Pope's Hall.
Bibi Dong was dressed in a brilliant golden gown from head to toe, the ceremonial dress shimmering with dazzling light, inlaid with over a hundred red, blue, and gold gems. On her head was the Nine-Bend Purple Gold Crown, and in her hand, she held a scepter about two meters long.
Her fair skin, nearly perfect features, and especially the noble, sacred aura she unconsciously emitted made one feel compelled to worship.
Bibi Dong looked at the letter from Miles in her hand, then glanced at the piece of Spirit Metal that had been delivered along with the letter.
She picked up the Spirit Metal and, as described in the letter, injected her Spirit Power into it.
As her Spirit Power received a response, sensing the feedback of spirituality within the Spirit Metal, her expression shifted slightly.
"Spirit Metal. Interesting." She looked towards Spirit Douluo Yueguan beside her and asked, "What does Elder Ju think?"
As she asked, she handed the Spirit Metal to Yueguan.
Yueguan held the Spirit Metal, closed his eyes, and concentrated.
Opening his eyes, he gave his assessment.
"It can change the landscape of the Spirit Master world, but it requires time."
In the short term, the impact of Spirit Metal on the Spirit Master world would be limited. But in the long run, Spirit Metal would inevitably become essential equipment material for Spirit Masters in their early stages.
"The Spirit Hall cannot give up on such a good thing," Yueguan added.
"But this Blacksmith Association is somewhat difficult to deal with." Bibi Dong rested her right hand on her forehead, rubbing her temples. "According to Miles's understanding, the one who likely masters this forging technology is Zhu Jiuyang."
Zhu Jiuyang?
Yueguan exchanged a glance with Gui Mei on Bibi Dong's other side.
Zhu Jiuyang was an old acquaintance to them, having nearly become the brother-in-law of the previous Pope.
"Your Holiness, since he chose to auction Spirit Metal, he must be prepared to communicate with the outside world. The Spirit Hall is a party he cannot refuse. Cooperation is still possible."
Bibi Dong did not deny Yueguan's words.
She frowned, pondering how exactly to cooperate with Zhu Jiuyang.
"Your Holiness, are you considering having someone from the Elder Hall make contact with Zhu Jiuyang?"
Seeing Bibi Dong's hesitation, Yueguan asked a question in return.
He knew the relationship between Bibi Dong and Zhu Jiuyang was awkward—one was the beloved disciple of Qian Xunji, the other was the brother whose sister had her engagement broken by Qian Xunji.
"If Your Holiness finds it inconvenient to appear in person, Yueguan can undertake the task."
...
Read 50 advance at patreon.com/CNBLUE
(Chapter End)