NOVEL WEB Chapter 45: The Predestined Craftsman
The stormy clang of metal resonated through the Golden Geng Smithy, capturing the curiosity of both the youthful apprentices and the seasoned craftsmen within the shop.
When the last mighty crash, powerful enough to shatter rooftops and pierce the heavens, faded, its echo lingering in their ears, a short, sturdy elder with snow-white hair stepped forward to the forge. With a steady hand, he reached towards the still-scorching, sable blade.
Soul energy surged forth as a gleaming silver gauntlet enveloped his arm, shielding his hand and forearm from the searing heat.
With a flick of his left finger, a glimmer of silver-gray soul power wrapped around it, tapping against the blade's dark surface in his right hand.
“Ding—!”
The melodious chime beckoned those nearby to instinctively close their eyes, slipping into a state of rapture.
Here, none were mere novice blacksmiths; they were seasoned artisans, both senior and experienced intermediates, with an innate sense of a masterpiece's quality.
Just from hearing that sound, all present were certain—it was a magnificent blade, an exquisite creation none among them could produce!
Unlike the others, who basked in the auditory allure, the elder's eyes sparkled with intensity. His right hand, still wrapped in the brilliant white gauntlet, held the blade horizontally, as his left hand was sheathed in a protective sheen of soul power, safeguarding his fingers from the residual heat as they gently caressed the blade's length and spine, inch by inch.
As the elder's fingers glided over the blade, under the silver-gray glow of his soul energy, the onlookers finally noticed that the ebony surface of the sword was adorned with intricate patterns resembling clouds!
Five whole minutes passed before the stout elder finished examining every inch of the dark warblade meticulously. He then placed down the blade, which had cooled considerably, and turned towards the figure standing serenely before the forge. Although his hair and beard were white, his face continued to shine with a healthy glow, beaming with joy as he burst into laughter, "Good! Good! Good!—"
"Hahaha—wonderful! The sound is like jade, the texture akin to clouds, all perfectly crafted! Xiao Yi, you've done exceptionally well! Extremely well—!!! Hahahaha—!!!"
Despite the old master's praise, Ling Yi remained humble, maintaining a modest demeanor with a gentle smile on his lips. He clasped his fists in respect towards the elder, speaking softly, "As long as I haven’t disappointed you, Master—"
"You—"
Witnessing Ling Yi's calm and composed manner, Master Jin felt even more satisfied. Still, he shook his head, "You lack the zest of youth, even more than an old man like me who's half buried in the ground—"
As he spoke, he continued, "Disappointed? How could I be disappointed?!"
"A five-hundred-fold forged warblade!" Master Jin lifted the dark warblade in his hand, his eyes gleaming with pride. "Even in ‘Gengxin City,’ how many could forge such a perfect five-hundred-fold weapon at the age of ten?"
Within the Xingluo Empire, inside the domain of the Haotian Sect, within the settlement of the Li Clan.
Inside a smithy, the young clan leader of the Li Clan, now in his thirties, Titan, was earnestly instructing a young boy as he hammered a gigantic iron block in front of him.
The young boy wielded a hammer with a head resembling a cylinder in his right hand. His body spun elegantly, as the massive hammer danced through the air, appearing as weightless as a feather. In a very short time, the colossal iron block was pounded into a smaller, reshaped form.
Time ticked away, and finally, when the iron block was no more, it was replaced by a long-handled, wide-bladed machete.
The boy gazed at the machete, nodding in quiet approval. He gestured with his chin to Titan, who stood nearby.
Titan stepped forward, his hands enveloped in soul power. After picking up the sword and examining it closely, he respectfully addressed the boy, "Young Master, the sword's blade is dense and uniform, with perfect proportions. With your talent and the advantage of the 'Clear Sky Hammer', I believe it won't be long before you master forging weapons above five hundred temperings!"
"Five hundred temperings?" The young master's face held a trace of dissatisfaction as he heard Titan's words, "And how much longer until I achieve a thousand temperings to become a master blacksmith?"
"That's enough~" The young master waved his hand, interrupting Titan, "We'll leave it at that. At most, I have a year. I must reach the fortieth level and become a Soul Sovereign. Do you think by then I can achieve the level required for a thousand temperings?"
"A year?!" Titan's eyes widened with a mix of surprise and happiness. "Young Master, you're only fourteen now, and to become a Soul Sovereign within a year... that... that... a fifteen-year-old Soul Sovereign..."
——————
Meanwhile, on the other side of the continent, as Titan marveled at his Young Master's talent.
In the capital of the 'Shuimu Principality', within the city of 'Mu Zhi City', at the 'Jin Geng Blacksmith Shop'.
“Xiao Yi~” Old Master Jin looked at Ling Yi with a gratified expression, his face brimming with joy as he said, "I heard your soul power has already reached level ten?"
"Yes, Master~" Ling Yi nodded, returning the smile, as he replied.
"Good!" Old Master Jin's eyes sparkled with pleasure, and he laughed heartily, "Rest assured, Xiao Yi. I may have some influence in this 'Woodland City'. I'll definitely find you some capable allies to help you hunt a soul beast that's over a hundred years old and matches your attributes!"
"Thank you for your concern, Master~" Ling Yi first expressed his gratitude, then shook his head, saying, "But there's no need. I have already made arrangements on my side..."
"Hmm?" Old Master Jin raised an eyebrow at this, looking at Ling Yi, he asked, "Made arrangements? You're not planning to wait for your academy's organized soul hunt, are you?"
Hearing this, the old master's brows furrowed, his voice turning grave, "Listen to my advice, it’s best not to place your first soul ring's hopes on the academy teachers' organized hunt..."
"Logically, with your clever mind, after three years at the academy, you should know better, no? Almost all primary soul master academies' organized hunts get students soul rings that are of less than a hundred years, mere white rings. The benefits such rings provide to a soul master can be said to be minimal..."
"Those from ordinary families may not understand, but you, boy, should know better!"
Saying that, a puzzled look surfaced on Old Master Jin's face. He scrutinized Ling Yi up and down, who maintained a serene and composed demeanor throughout, always smiling gently.
“No worries, Master,” Ling Yi assured, shaking his head slightly in response to the old master's puzzled gaze. "My first soul ring absolutely has to be over a century old. Otherwise, given my innate soul power is only half a level, I'm afraid I'll be stuck below the rank of Grandmaster forever."
"Only with the boost from a century-old soul ring would I have some hope of gazing upon the landscapes beyond the levels of a Grandmaster."
But why didn't the various factions in 'Muzhi City' pay much attention to Ling Yi, despite his unusually fast cultivation speed?
The reason was quite simple.
Firstly, the weakness of the 'Bluesilver Grass' martial soul itself. It is rooted at the very bottom of the myriad martial souls in the Douluo Continent, even inferior to trash martial souls like the 'Kilo Ant' or 'Hoe.'
Secondly, Ling Yi's innate soul power was merely half a level. His future potential seemed practically locked, and no matter how smart he was or how great his talent in forging was, in their eyes, there was no chance for him to break through to the rank of Soul Elder.
How useful would intelligence and extraordinary forging talent be for someone who couldn’t even reach the level of Soul Elder, and whose combat power wasn’t strong?
At best, he would be just another blacksmith. With Master Jin being advanced in age, this youngster named Ling Yi could become another craftsman to take up the mantle in the 'Waterwood Principality’s' triumvirate of great craftsmen.
(End of Chapter)
