Longevity Martial Arts: I have a Mysterious Water Snake Avatar

Verdant green hills, and the sun rose in the east.

After the moon bath, Phoenix Fire Peak became lively once again.

The official disciples hurried along the main road to sign in at Blue Stone Square, while Hong Yuan walked leisurely, calmly heading to A06 workshop.

At this time, the personnel of A06 workshop were not yet complete, and none of the forges were lit; it was still quite deserted.

When Hong Yuan arrived, only Lin Qi, Qian San, and Wang Dali, these three veteran first-order forging masters, were present.

These three veteran first-order forging masters were chatting leisurely, discussing the recent internal strife at Qinglu Taoist Temple, the conflict between the Qing State Army and Yong State Army, and their campaigns.

Lin Qi said, "I heard that the Black Wolf Corps has taken over Nanyang Government in Qing State and is urgently recruiting all kinds of talents. Are you interested in going down the mountain to make a big score?"

Wang Dali said, "Go down the mountain... It's still too dangerous out there."

"Dangerous? As first-order forging masters, we'd definitely be in the far rear. Crafting weapons on the frontline, we'd surely command a team of blacksmiths," Qian San immediately retorted.

As they spoke, Qian San suddenly became excited and clenched his fist firmly. "Not to mention, the share from weapon forging could greatly increase, and even reaching the level of a second-order forging master wouldn't be a problem!"

Hong Yuan grew interested listening to their conversation about matters beyond the Sect, pulled up a small stool, and moved closer. Seeing Hong Yuan's arrival, the three had no objections to him.

Hong Yuan and they were all first-order forging masters. Furthermore, Hong Yuan was Zhu Wushang's junior brother, and he was also a decent person. The three veteran first-order forging masters had a good impression of Hong Yuan.

It wasn't until Zhu Wushang began to preside over the central area that this small meeting started to disperse, and Hong Yuan also began to light his forge.

Through his conversation with the three, Hong Yuan sensed the signs of an impending storm.

Because Qinglu Taoist Temple had already split into two factions, its control over Qing State had obviously decreased significantly. The overlord sects of various states were mobilizing, joining forces to carve up Qing State.

Just last week, Phoenix Creek Sect had relied on its sheer strength to forcibly seize a fertile territory like Nanyang Government!

However, this didn't concern Hong Yuan much, as he had already resolved to stay low-key in Phoenix Creek Sect until he achieved Martial Saint status. Phoenix Creek Sect, an overlord sect, was fully capable of nurturing several Martial Saints. Hong Yuan was determined not to leave as long as Phoenix Creek Sect survived.

If he ever got bored, he would just manipulate the Mysterious Water Snake to explore the outside world.

BANG, BANG, BANG!

The sound of hammering iron echoed through A06 workshop, with all the disciples working hard.

Despite it being late autumn, the disciples of the Refining Equipment Hall were still bare-chested, revealing solid muscles as hard as stone.

The male hormones were off the charts!

Hong Yuan, too, was bare-chested. After calling over an official disciple to work the bellows, he began forging a first-order weapon.

The heavy iron hammer was swung wildly by Hong Yuan with astonishing momentum.

The first-order Cold Iron was rapidly forged, and the black impurities were removed at an unbelievably fast speed.

The three first-order forging masters who were starting their fires were all drawn by the commotion Hong Yuan was making, their attention turning towards him.

They watched as the embryonic form of the Miao Blade appeared, watched as Hong Yuan continued to hammer the first-order Cold Iron with high intensity…

GULP. Lin Qi secretly swallowed, involuntarily looking towards the other two first-order forging masters, Wang Dali and Qian San.

But at this moment, Wang Dali and Qian San also looked astonished.

"A second-order forging master?!" Wang Dali hesitated.

"No, it can't be... Hong Yuan's rate of progress is too outrageous!" Qian San bit his lip lightly.

The commotion in the first-order forging masters' area startled Zhao Gonghe.

Following their gaze, Zhao Gonghe looked over and realized they were all focusing on Hong Yuan.

When Zhao Gonghe saw that Hong Yuan had just started work but had already shaped the initial form of a first-order Miao Blade, his heart sank involuntarily. A chill ran down his spine.

During this time, Zhao Gonghe hadn't been indulging in pleasure-seeking. Instead, he had been earnestly studying forging. With strong innate talent and diligent effort, Zhao Gonghe had quickly progressed beyond forging ungraded fine blades, reaching the cusp of becoming a first-order forging master.

However, at this moment, Hong Yuan's speed in forging first-order weapons was not much inferior to Zhu Wushang's.

In other words, is Hong Yuan actually about to reach the level of a second-order forging master!?

Damn it, must I really resort to taking the unconventional path and curry favor with Lin Yiru? Zhao Gonghe thought resentfully.

「Two hours later.」

Hong Yuan, holding a newly forged first-order Miao Blade, went to seek out Zhu, intending to undergo the assessment from first-order to second-order.

"Zhu, I feel I've reached the realm of a second-order forging master," Hong Yuan said earnestly.

Zhu Wushang, who was sitting in a wicker chair, suddenly stood up upon hearing this, clearly shocked to the core.

"Yuan, what did you say?" Rеаdеr suppоrt аt М*VLЕМ*РYR mаdе this trаnslаtiоn pоssiblе.

"I feel I've reached the realm of a second-order forging master."

Zhu Wushang quickly stepped around the mahogany table and took the first-order fine blade that Hong Yuan had just forged into his hands.

He examined it over and over, tapped on it, and even swung it occasionally.

After a long while, Zhu Wushang put down this first-order fine blade, walked a big circle around Hong Yuan, and looked him up and down.

"Tsk tsk, I knew you had exceptional cultivation talent, Yuan, but I didn't expect your forging talent to be just as remarkable," Zhu Wushang praised Hong Yuan. "Your talent is completely on par with the Eldest Senior Brother!"

"Eldest Senior Brother?" Hong Yuan was puzzled.

"Yes, the Eldest Senior Brother. He is a towering figure, only a step away from successfully ascending to Martial Saint." Zhu Wushang then quickly changed the subject. "I had originally planned to wait until Gonghe also advanced to the first order, then I would take you both to our Master for instruction. I never imagined your progress would be so swift."

Hong Yuan's forging foundation was mostly solid. Moreover, Zhao Gonghe had recently sincerely repented, and his forging Skills and Arts had advanced significantly.

Zhu Wushang had thought Hong Yuan would need at least half a year before he would need to learn the more profound forging Skills and Arts.

But he hadn't expected Hong Yuan to advance so quickly!

"According to my judgment, you are already a second-order forging master," Zhu Wushang said, gratified. "But to be on the safe side, you still need to forge a second-order weapon independently."

Zhu Wushang led Hong Yuan to the second-order forging area.

The second-order forging area had only one workstation: the forge of Zhu Wushang, the head of A06 workshop.

As Hong Yuan took his position at the forge and Zhu Wushang operated the bellows for him, the entire spacious A06 workshop fell into an inexplicable silence for a moment.

Hong Yuan is about to attempt to become a second-order forging master!?

Lin Qi, Qian San, and Wang Dali, the three first-order forging masters, exchanged glances, their work slowing considerably.

Beside his roaring furnace, Zhao Gonghe's face turned pale, his hands trembled slightly, and the large iron hammer nearly slipped from his grasp.

A second-order forging master? Yuan is going to forge a second-order weapon!?

Impossible, it's absolutely impossible!

Zhao Gonghe screamed internally.

He knew there was a vast gap between him and Hong Yuan, but he couldn't believe the gap was as vast as that between heaven and earth.

If this continues, on what basis can I compete with Hong Yuan for Master Lin Daoyan's favor and for a greater share of resources?

Zhao Gonghe felt as though he lived in Hong Yuan's shadow.

Being of the same generation as Hong Yuan, will I forever be doomed to pick up only what Hong Yuan leaves behind?!

Lin Yiru, Lin Yiru… Zhao Gonghe silently chanted the name of Master Lin Daoyan's daughter in his heart.

The Road to Light was impassable for him; he could only take a circuitous, unconventional path.

Yet, why do I feel so unwilling?

Zhao Gonghe clenched his fists tightly.