From Family Fisherman to Water Virtue Immortal

Artifact Refining Hall. 

Li Quanqing walked through the outermost area of the Fire Hall, where the air was still scorching hot, but the usual clanging of hammers was absent. 

He entered the forging hall, where fifty or sixty young men and women stood nervously his classmates. 

Three months ago, they had all completed the Yellow-level apprenticeship assessments and advanced to the Mystic level, beginning to forge mortal weapons with their own hands. 

Today was the day of the assessment. 

Those who failed would have to continue their studies in the Fire Hall, possibly being scolded by the mortal refining masters. 

Li Quanqing glanced around and spotted a dozen older students in the corner who had been "held back" for two or three years. 

He found his forging station and stood there, with Li Quanshu beside him, looking slightly nervous. 

While checking his forging tools, Li Quanqing asked with concern, "Senior Sister, any news about those Moonlight Clam spawn?" 

"You! Asking about this in such a serious setting? Do you think talent gives you the right to do whatever you want?" 

Li Quanshu gritted her teeth, her usually gentle demeanor showing a hint of anger. "What if you fail the assessment?" 

"Then I'll just wait another six months. I haven't been in the hall for long. Failing is normal." 

Li Quanqing shrugged, appearing completely unfazed. 

The Fire Hall's assessment required students to forge replicas of the Green Carp Sword and Green Scale Shield, scaled down to mortal weapon standards. 

The difficulty was significantly reduced. 

With a cultivator's intelligence and comprehension, anyone with a bit of talent could pass after a few months of study. 

Li Quanshu, however, wasn't buying it. 

During the last Yellow-level assessment, this guy had also acted nonchalant, reportedly feeding his fish the night before the exam without any review. 

Then he effortlessly took first place in the class. 

The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. 

Li Quanqing watched as the young woman's expression shifted, feeling a bit puzzled. "Don't you want the refining experience left by my ancestors?" 

Looking at his handsome, smiling face, Li Quanshu resisted the urge to punch him and spat out a single word through gritted teeth. "Yes!" 

"Then I'll wait for your news!" 

Li Quanqing nodded in satisfaction. He was quite interested in these Moonlight Clams that could produce pearls. 

Dong!! 

A jade chime was struck, its clear, melodious sound echoing through the hall. All the students immediately straightened up, no longer daring to whisper. 

The examiner entered the hall it was Li Quanlin, the refined and scholarly man who had once introduced Li Quanqing to the Third Elder. 

"Good day, Senior Brother!" 

Li Quanlin accepted the students' greetings with dignity, his authoritative gaze sweeping over everyone. "Each of you will receive two sets of materials. There is no time limit for the assessment. Anyone caught cheating or attempting to deceive will be expelled from the hall!" 

Li Quanqing also stood solemnly, reviewing the refining steps for the two artifacts in his mind. 

Fortunately, he did have considerable talent in artifact refining, and with the previous light sphere rewards... 

The advantage was his! 

Dong! Dong! Dong! 

Mortal servants bustled about, orderly and efficient, delivering various refining materials to the students. 

Some of the iron ores, though no larger than a palm, were incredibly heavy, thudding loudly as they were placed on the stone platforms. 

Li Quanqing touched each one, his eyes suddenly lighting up. 

[First-grade mid-tier Yangming Gold: Appears yin but is yang. Formed when Li Fire Yang Gold is tainted by Profound Yin Malice. Highly effective for the growth of Ironbone Crabs.] 

Li Quanqing had figured out the golden finger's material identification function. 

It only displayed information about materials that were beneficial to the spirit beasts he raised. 

"Yangming Gold, good stuff. But it's not needed for forging the Green Carp Sword or Green Scale Shield. Seems like it's here to trick people!" 

Li Quanqing chuckled inwardly. 

While the assessment tested forging skills, it also included material identification, a foundational skill they had learned earlier. 

He quickly selected the Seaheart Copper for forging the Green Carp Sword and then pulled out a fishbone with green patterns from the materials. 

According to orthodox refining techniques, one should use spiritual fire to forge a sword embryo from Seaheart Copper and the spine of a Azure Jade Carp, then fuse the fish scales into the blade. 

But now, not only was the copper ore of inferior quality, but the fishbone was also from a green carp. 

It wasn't even close to the same level. 

But it would have to do. 

Li Quanqing focused his mind, heating the copper and fishbone before hammering them fiercely. 

Clang! Clang! Clang! 

The entire hall echoed with the sharp sounds of metal striking metal. 

Li Quanlin and the other two examiners occasionally walked around the hall, their eyes meeting in silent nods. 

... 

Sizzle! 

The red-hot sword embryo was plunged into the water for quenching, steam rising like a sea of clouds. 

Li Quanqing flicked his wrist, pulling out a gleaming sword forged from green scales. 

The blade was covered in fine serrations, humming without wind, its sharpness evident. When swung, it resembled a green dragon soaring through the mist. 

The extraordinary phenomenon was undeniable. 

Though it lacked spirit runes and couldn't even be considered a low-grade magical artifact, in the mortal world, it would be a peerless sword capable of cutting through iron-like mud. 

Li Quanqing was quite satisfied with his work. After swallowing two Fasting Pills and taking a short break, he began forging the Green Scale Shield. 

The shield, being much larger than the sword, was naturally more challenging to forge. 

The process required numerous ore materials and meticulous craftsmanship, with each fish scale needing to be embedded at a specific angle on the shield's surface. 

Not only was its defensive power impressive, but when spun, it could also function as a saw blade, capable of both offense and defense. 

After spending a full two days and one night, Li Quanqing finally completed the shield. 

The sword and shield stood side by side, their green light shimmering and complementing each other, filling him with an indescribable sense of accomplishment. 

Especially when he looked around and realized he was the first to complete the assessment. 

This sense of achievement instantly peaked. 

"You did well, kid!" 

Li Quanlin happened to pass by, picking up the two weapons and admiring them for a moment before whispering encouragement. "You passed the assessment. Keep up the good work, Junior Brother!" 

Li Quanqing's face lit up with joy, and he finally relaxed. 

What made him happiest, though, was that all the unused ore and materials now belonged to him. 

This was free loot! 

With nothing else to do and unable to leave, Li Quanqing began looking around. 

Beside him, Li Quanshu shot him a fierce glare. 

Her beautiful, watery eyes seemed to say"Don't bother me!" 

Li Quanqing flashed her a bright, innocent smile, then shifted his gaze, quickly finding his target. 

His cousin, Li Quanzhu. 

This chuunibyou teenager possessed a mid-grade fire spiritual root, making him well-suited for refining. He certainly had the right to be proud. 

At the moment, he had just finished forging the Green Carp Sword and was carefully working on the Green Scale Shield. 

Cultivators had keen senses, and Li Quanzhu quickly noticed someone watching him. 

He glanced up briefly, his eyes filled with disdain when he saw who it was. 

Li Quanqing smiled warmly, his sparkling white teeth radiating pure goodwill. 

Li Quanzhu initially tried to ignore him, but the feeling of being watched was unbearable. He couldn't help but glare back. 

One glance, two glances, three glances... 

Bang!! 

The Green Scale Shield embryo, unevenly heated, exploded under the force of the hammer, shattering into pieces. 

"This poor kid, his skills just aren't up to par. Is forging that hard?" 

Li Quanqing calmly averted his gaze. 

Mostly because he caught Li Quanlin's warning look. He had to respect his senior brother's authority! 

Bored out of his mind, Li Quanqing had a sudden idea why not try forging a Jade Armor? 

Named after the Li family's "Azure Jade," this spirit armor was a genuine top-grade magical artifact. 

Wearing it would make one nearly invincible at the Qi Refinement level! 

In fact, from the refining books he had read, Li Quanqing suspected that the Jade Armor's potential went beyond mere magical artifacts. 

With precious materials and a master refiner, it might even be possible to create a spirit tool-level "Jade Armor." 

Spirit tools, imbued with a trace of sentience, were the exclusive domain of Foundation Establishment cultivators, far surpassing top-grade magical artifacts in power. 

Thus, the structure of the Jade Armor was exceptionally complex. Even using these low-grade materials to create a mortal weapon-level replica was dauntingly difficult. 

But with nothing better to do, Li Quanqing picked up his hammer and got to work!