Chapter 334: Bad news from the artisan circle

From the Chaos Era to the present, for so many years, artisans' techniques and concepts have advanced with the times. Likewise, there is often a bit of dross.

Just as engineers like to burn incense and offer pig heads in server rooms to pray for server safety, various metaphysical rituals without any basis or evidence have become prevalent among artisans, which can be considered a way to entrust beautiful wishes.

Bathing and fasting are still common, and wearing red underwear to ward off evil and increase success rates also has some logic... However, if Ji Jue's matter were to spread, I'm afraid another epic chapter would be added to the dross of embers and the wisdom of the world.

After all, there are really not many tough guys who use themselves to 'consecrate' a new furnace as soon as they get it!

Not to mention the evil methods in Sin-Tainted Alchemy, there is indeed a secret method and technique of sword-artisan furnace-martyrdom in the Ye family inheritance, but it was just stuck at the progress of Chunjun; Ji Jue didn't need to stew himself in an iron pot.

Alas, he had no choice...

There is no such thing as a free lunch in the world, and even less so in the embers.

All the classes skipped would eventually have to be made up.

All the shortcuts taken on evil paths would eventually have long roads waiting ahead when returning to the right path.

When he found his experience progress bar stuck at 99% of the fifth stage, he knew the problem had arrived...

It was the same problem as the Furnace Blood; the completion of the Undying Firewood was too fast!

From start to finish, counting fully, it was less than two months. Even if the Desert Rally part was ignored, it would be even faster.

Relying on the revitalization of the Coastal Automobile Factory, the spread of fluid-shaping steel, and the massive spending of funds behind it, he finished in a little over a month what took others five or six years.

So much so that the blessing arrived, but his metamorphosis progress didn't keep up, dragging his feet...

One must know that large workpieces coming out of steel-making furnaces still need to be left on flat ground to be exposed to wind and sun for three to five years to eliminate internal stress.

Let alone the balance involving matrices, body, soul, and blessings.

According to the normal process—when the Undying Firewood of the embers ignites and rises within the Furnace Blood, it clears obstacles, connects the soul and body, and subtly produces metamorphosis during the flow between each other.

The entire process involves the four essences of alchemy: ascension, purification, extraction, and integration.

His body and soul should have gradually become one during the metamorphosis period, becoming a precisely integrated whole. As a result, the blessing of the Undying Firewood was completed too quickly, breaking the balance...

It's like a game character's level going up, but the training is completely insufficient.

The progress of physical improvement is far behind the soul.

It looks like flowers on brocade and oil on fire, but in reality, if left alone to continue charging forward, there will definitely be endless future troubles.

But if you talk about problems, there are no problems.

If the training is not enough, just add training. If time is not enough, just wait it out. Metamorphosis is a process of grinding and subtle influence. Just leave it alone and lie down and wait. If one month doesn't work, three or five months will definitely have an effect. After one or two years, it will definitely be completed.

But the problem is... Ji Jue simply doesn't have that kind of time.

Lie flat for a year or two without doing anything?

That would be too sinful, right?!

Big brother, taking a break occasionally is fine, but even if you don't want to be a scroll-dog, you can't fall to the level of a salted fish.

In this regard, Ji Jue chose to floor the accelerator.

Since he pursues excitement, he will carry it through to the end.

Accelerate!

After a month of repeated calculations and attempts, Ji Jue really found a solution—if the metamorphosis progress is insufficient, then catalyze the metamorphosis!

Then I ask you, then I ask you! If you can't train muscles, why not use the Nine Dragons Pulling the Coffin?!

Anyway, the three-piece set of ember metamorphosis—Furnace Blood, Undying Firewood, and Heaven-Given Spirit—is essentially the process of taking the artisan as a creation, gradually receiving the refining and creation of the embers, and finally transcending the mortal.

Since the embers have already started, why can't I help out on the side?

You artisans only know how to lie flat and wait for the Ember-brother to move himself, while I, feeling sorry for my brother, only know how to jump up and kick!

Since the problem is that the body cannot keep up with the progress of soul metamorphosis, then I will use the effect of the Undying Firewood to directly add some fierce ingredients and pull the progress up, right?

Coincidentally, our Fluid Alchemy is best at driving the external form by enhancing the internal spirit—once the spirituality is up, the physical properties will naturally rise with the tide under close integration.

The same theory applies to the relationship between soul and body.

The theory is possible, and highly possible, so what are you waiting for?

Waiting for bad news from the artisan circle?

Practice it!

After gritting his teeth and spending the largest sum of money in his life, Ji Jue finally walked into the Xihe furnace, preparing to welcome the subsequent low-temperature slow-roast BBQ.

Under external pressure, through the theory of Fluid Alchemy and the blessing of the Undying Firewood, he forcibly catalyzed the combination and improvement of his body and soul, thereby accelerating the completion of the qualitative leap.

"Let's begin, Isis."

Accompanied by his words, spiritual quality circuits emerged from the darkness, spreading in all directions like a thousand threads. Invisible gravity pulled him, slowly rising from the massive furnace.

Then, countless spiritual quality circuits converged and suddenly penetrated Ji Jue's body.

As he had envisioned, it operated smoothly, connecting to the Non-Attack Matrix that gradually lit up and spread on Ji Jue's hands. From then on, internal and external were one.

Leave the external refining and creation to Isis, and leave the internal maintenance and catalysis to himself.

The external Xihe furnace and the internal Non-Attack Matrix worked together, through close cooperation, balancing pressure, controlling heat, and maintaining the pressure at the perfect critical point.

Just like refining and tempering.

As long as this state can be maintained, the metamorphosis speed of the Undying Firewood can reach hundreds or thousands of times the normal state.

In an instant, it felt like falling into hell.

The moment faint flames emerged from the void, violent high heat erupted from the Furnace Blood. The external high temperature and the high temperature of the blood converged without distinction, while Ji Jue's perception seemed to expand from within his body, spreading throughout the entire furnace along the connection of the matrix and spiritual quality circuits.

For the first time, he fell into the furnace as a creation.

It felt so novel.

But unexpectedly, there was no fear or anxiety; instead, it was like returning to his hometown, overflowing with unprecedented peace and tranquility.

"Are you there, Isis?"

"I am here."

From the perception of the soul, countless light spots rose and flowed, like a galaxy, surrounding him, brilliant and shining, so gorgeous.

Like an embrace.

Cautious, so gentle.

"I am here, sir."

She said: "I am right by your side."

"Then come on." Ji Jue laughed, "Let me see your limit!"

"As you wish, sir."

Amidst the surging and spreading flames, Isis's voice remained gentle: "However, even so, I still need to remind you one thing..."

"What?" Ji Jue was puzzled.

At that moment, amidst countless star-like brilliant flashes, an undisguised chill and cruelty emerged, just like a beauty restraining her smile, looking coldly:

"... This is what you asked for!"

BOOM!!!

Amidst the dull thunder of the furnace running at full power, the rippling flames suddenly erupted and exploded!

In the gradually rising high temperature, a sharp and slender spiritual quality jet appeared from the void, and under the operation of the workshop spirit, like a sharp blade, it penetrated Ji Jue's body!

Following the connection of the spiritual quality circuits and the matrix, it broke through the barrier between body and soul, forcibly penetrating the two that were not yet fused. Then the second, the third, the fourth...

Countless spiritual quality jets, like scalpels and long needles, tore through flesh, ravaged bones, and without causing irreparable damage, wandered through the flesh, slowly and cruelly starting the catalysis.

Like slow slicing.

Letting Ji Jue roar, wail, cry, and groan.

From beginning to end, it never wavered!

It was as if Ji Jue had never said stop from beginning to end...

In an hour that felt as long as eternity, the furnace temperature cycled repeatedly, testing Ji Jue's limits through repeated experiments, driving the operation of the Furnace Blood.

The faint light of the Undying Firewood flickered, flowing between flesh and soul, from slow to swift, and in the end, like thousands of tiny rivers, it faintly outlined a complex cycle, connecting the two as one.

Until the firelight dissipated, and the furnace door opened slowly.

In the darkness, low footsteps came, as if stumbling, staggering forward, one step, another step, seeing the light of day again...

It was as if a corpse had walked out of hell.

Carrying flames that burned incessantly.

Under the shroud of flames, it was pitch black, making it difficult to distinguish Ji Jue's appearance. Beneath the broken skin, Furnace Blood seeped out slowly, fueling the firewood.

And in the opening and closing eyes, flames rose.

That appearance was even thinner than before entering, like withered bones, a completely different person.

At this moment, lifting his shriveled hands, staring and overlooking, clenching silently, the sound of metal friction came from between his ten fingers.

Immediately after, all flames extinguished, and the grayish-black color peeled off rapidly from the skin, as if molting, revealing large areas of burns and broken traces.

But soon, the traces of burns began to recede rapidly.

The cracks healed, leaving only a trace of bloodstains.

Beside the furnace, the little Niu Ma sleeping on the ground tilted its head in confusion, carefully examining his appearance, as if sniffing, and soon, it stuck out its tongue and licked Ji Jue's face.

Hmm, burnt and crispy, with a taste of human scum, it was definitely its master.

It withdrew its gaze and lay back down.

"How do you feel, sir?" Isis asked.

"Hmm, refreshing, like streaking."

Ji Jue moved his body, reaching out to peel off the carbonized skin bit by bit, revealing the color of the flesh beneath. The flesh squirmed slightly, as if growing, gradually recovering at a slow but visible speed.

Then, before he could continue speaking, he couldn't help but bend over and open his mouth.

"Ugh—"

A large amount of residual oil and undecomposed iron sand clots were vomited out along with blood and gastric juice, looking very miserable. But Ji Jue took a look and nodded with satisfaction: "It's okay, digested seven or eight out of ten. The ratio of the next portion can be adjusted again."

"It seems the condition is normal."

Isis asked: "What was the harvest?"

"As expected."

Ji Jue laughed, lifted his hands, and collided them together. Immediately, the sound of metal collision became clearer, high-pitched, and buzzing incessantly!

After such a fierce addition of ingredients and catalysis, the speed of flesh metamorphosis was greatly improved, and under Ji Jue's deployment and promotion, the progress in some places was already nearing completion.

Dispelling the negligible dizziness and fatigue, after chugging down the pre-prepared healing potions, the stinging pain in his body gradually dissipated.

After all, catalysis is not incineration; the subtle control of heat and progress is the key, and under the cooperation of Ji Jue and Isis, it was naturally accomplished.

Crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, medium-rare!

It was just the right time for it to be fresh and juicy.

After catching his breath, Ji Jue couldn't wait to feel the effects. Although fatigue and stinging pain remained, his body was incredibly light, and his reaction speed and balance had also made a qualitative leap.

A simple drill, even without the control assistance of the Mechanical God, easily reproduced the many stances he had learned from his Master through being beaten.

It was already looking the part.

And with every gesture, he easily burst out with the sound of breaking the air...

And if he really wanted to test the progress, he would have to add some fierce ingredients.

He waved at the mechanical arm, signaling Isis to bring it on, and then, holding his breath, he spread his arms, exposing his vital points on his chest.

"..."

People often laugh when they are extremely speechless, but unfortunately, Isis didn't want to laugh at all.

Instead, she controlled the mercury mechanical arm to lift and aim.

The revolver trigger was pulled.

Without mercy, she emptied six bullets at Ji Jue's throat, heart, liver, and other vital points. Amidst the roar, sparks flew, and bullet heads were embedded in the suddenly appearing iron-gray skin.

Blocked!

Although not completely blocked.

Ji Jue staggered back two steps under the impact of the bullets, lowered his head, looked at the bullets embedded in his skin and stuck in the outer layer, and reached out to pull out the deformed, scorching bullet heads.

Revealing the hardened skin beneath.

Faintly, one could see a trace of metallic luster; that was the metal component integrated into Ji Jue's body—under the hasty physical reinforcement, the soft skin hardened into a structure like ceramic bulletproof plates.

The effect was remarkable.

Of course, if he could have prepared in advance, the effect would be even better.

In less than a second, through vision and perception, he distinguished the position the muzzle was pointing at, and then applied the physical interference/hardness enhancement effect, until the bullet hit and the collision was completed.

The efficiency and speed of physical interference had improved by more than a little bit.

It was as if his own body was an excellent piece of material.

At this moment, on the cracked parts and the raised skin, one could faintly see fine, crystal-like flashes—the insights once obtained from Minerva were applied by Ji Jue to the catalysis of the body, enhancing physical properties and load-bearing.

This change, which exceeded the scope of biology and medicine, was exactly the transformation welcomed by the Chosen One at the metamorphosis stage.

However, there was still room for improvement, and more than just a little...

Not just the body, but also consciousness and his own techniques.

Ji Jue pondered, knocked on his skin, and immediately a piece of dead skin fell off again, bringing a burst of stinging pain.

He had 'overexerted' himself.

Following the Furnace Blood, the improvement and enhancement brought to alchemy by the blessing of the Undying Firewood made his physical interference operation far exceed the past. The act of handling things lightly in his consciousness set off huge waves in actual operation.

Not only the body but also Ji Jue's consciousness needed time to grind and adapt.

"Should we continue, sir?" Isis asked.

"Next week. Too much is as bad as too little. I still need a period of adaptation and observation."

Ji Jue waved his arms, turned his wrists, feeling the changes in his body: "After a few more times, it should be completed."

Spiritual quality flowed and operated in his body without any stagnation.

Flesh, nerves, bones, lymph, internal organs, fascia, and connective tissue, everything seemed brand new, different from the past.

More importantly, his own vital points.

They still existed, but they were no longer as crucial as in the past.

Even if his heart were damaged at this moment, Ji Jue could forcibly reconnect the crack through physical interference. The Non-Attack on his hands had already climbed from his upper arms and elbows to his shoulders, spreading along his spine and chest in a thousand threads. It was foreseeable that it would cover his entire body in the future.

Now, even if his head were cut off and he lost his body, his head could still linger for half an hour.

And after the improvement and enhancement of the Undying Firewood were gradually completed, and the body and soul were strengthened to the limit, the Heaven-Given Spirit would bring the final qualitative leap. By then, Ji Jue, who had entered the rebirth stage, would no longer have any vital points.

Look at Jianyuan in the distance, family.

—Even if the body is riddled with holes inside, long ago hollowed out by various damage and curses, he is still fine, putting on a layer of skin and continuing to act as usual.

Even if he couldn't reach that level, he wouldn't have to worry about being taken away by a burst of damage after being approached by a Great Crowd or Bai Lu of the same level.

Hmm, at least he could still struggle and resist twice.

"Congratulations, sir."

Isis rarely expressed congratulations: "However, there is one more thing I must remind you."

"Hmm?"

Ji Jue was shocked, subconsciously nervous: "Are you planning to harm me again?!"

"Please rest assured, not this time."

Isis comforted: "However, I wonder if you have noticed—from just now until now, you have been streaking for more than half an hour.

Indeed, I have captured many rare images and materials, but looking at it too much will inevitably hurt my eyes, so, can you please put on your clothes now."

The workshop spirit sighed: "Being a slave working endlessly is already hard enough; I really don't want to bear the infamy that my master is also a pervert."

"You didn't say so earlier!" Ji Jue finally reacted.

"You seemed to be enjoying it, so I wasn't sure if my reminder would be useful."

"So..."

Ji Jue covered his face and sighed, "Where did you throw my clothes!"

"Ah, sorry, it seems they were taken to be washed," Isis answered without any apology: "As your diligent servant, this is what I should do."

Ji Jue stared: "What about the others!"

"The others were also washed, all washed," Isis said regretfully: "Very unfortunately, today is cleaning day."

"How come I don't know there's any cleaning day!"

"Because this is what I just decided. Sorry, I didn't have time to notify you."

"..."

Ji Jue didn't want to talk anymore.

Silently putting his hands on his hips, staring at the starlight rising above the furnace before him, until a long time later, Isis finally couldn't stand his appearance and sighed:

"Alright, there are a few pieces that haven't been washed yet."

Saying this, the mechanical arm operated, handing over two brand-new sets of clothes, still carrying the heat of drying.

Ji Jue finally got rid of the streaking state, sat in front of the dining table already filled with high-calorie food, and began to bury his head and eat painfully.

He felt this was simply the most useful episode of the Ancient One's Mouth thing.

After the catalysis was completed, although his condition was restored through healing potions, the residual internal injuries still needed time to repair. Likewise, the newly born tissues and the body that had completed metamorphosis also needed more nutrition and heat supplementation.

Moreover, after eating the bitterness, one must have something sweet to balance it out.

Ji Jue let go of his appetite without any scruples, began to storm in, and by the way, looked at the messages on his phone. Many trivial matters flashed by, but he did receive another notification from the Association.

The review of the fluid-shaping steel had ended, and the Association issued a notice—officially prohibiting the artisan Ji Jue from selling and circulating it through channels not specified by the Association. However, given that there had been no regulations before, and the alchemical content involved was not much, there was no order for recall or fines, just a warning.

This was also within Ji Jue's expectations.

Lifted high, put down gently.

But unexpectedly, it was put down too gently, without even a fine.

And it only prohibited circulation in the conventional market, not prohibiting it from being sold through the many channels of the Security Bureau, the Wild Market, or the Balance Chamber of Commerce. That is to say, it could still be applied on a large scale to artifacts including combat vehicles, tanks, or armor through qualified buyers like the Federation, the military, or the Sea Tide Group.

It just didn't allow Ji Jue to directly sell the results involved to ordinary people anymore.

A cup and a half of penalty wine, and the matter passed.

At the same time, there was also a congratulatory letter and another warning letter.

The former was good news.

Good news from the artisan circle...

Congratulations, the results uploaded by Ji Jue sold out.

Once again!

The paper he submitted a few months ago, "Blade of Twin Bodies: Ex-Wife and Stepmother, a Combination and Utilization of the Blessings of the Great Crowd and Bai Lu," was given a C-grade evaluation by the review board—improvement and innovation on existing technology, possessing certain highlights—and was passed.

After being officially listed in the Association's patent library, sales were hot. Just in the first week of uploading, it climbed to sixth place in the sales ranking of the patent range in recent years!

You must know this is a cumulative sales list for several consecutive years!

It sold a full 7,600 copies!

The reason it could sell so well is, on one hand, because Ji Jue's pricing was too cheap... only five contribution points. Any contribution points gifted from selling a few works through the Association's channels could accumulate to that.

On the other hand, it was the demand for this thing... it really existed.

And it wasn't small!

Ask yourself, who doesn't have a few enemies these days? And who doesn't want their enemies to die at the hands of an ex-wife and stepmother?

Just thinking about it is satisfying, right!

Moreover, there is really no great difficulty in making it. Once the blessings are gathered, just copy Ji Jue's paper; anyone with hands can do it, it's just that the effect is a bit worse.

There is absolutely no difficulty in making knock-offs.

And everyone is buying the name rather than the technology—if I don't buy it, without the Association's endorsement and recognition, how could the enemy on the opposite side admit that what they are holding is his ex-wife and stepmother?

Even, after Ji Jue took the lead, other artisans pushed through the old to bring forth the new in terms of creativity. New designs like "Godfather," "Biological Mother," "Mistress," and "Filial Son" began to emerge like snowflakes.

Then, there was no then.

Everyone hit head-on into the rectification movement just launched by Director Gustav, and not a single one could pass, instead suffering warnings, including Ji Jue.

Caught and made an example of.

Although the contribution points he earned from sales would not be deducted, in order to prevent bad trends from spreading among the Association and artisans, "Ex-Wife" and "Stepmother" had been banned from sale.

Before Ji Jue renames this piece of junk, it will absolutely not be listed again!

And what followed were countless private messages; almost all the buyers had sent pleas or warnings—don't you dare change the name!

Don't rename it!

If you rename it on this end, wouldn't the joy of everyone else taking revenge on the other end be reduced by more than half?!

Some artisans had even accepted orders, and the materials were paid for out of their own pockets. If you rename it, everyone won't buy it, so what should they do? Keep such a troublesome thing as an ex-wife and stepmother? Use it yourself!

In this regard, Ji Jue replied to each one with patience to persuade and comfort them.

Rest assured, a man's word is his bond. I won't sell this paper, and I absolutely won't rename it, all for the sake of you fans and family.

However, I have paid so much, my brother's latest results are listed, shouldn't you support it?

Then, he threw out another link.

Newly listed paper result, "A Brief Discussion on Six Methods for Handling Impurities and Pollution in the Spiritual Quality Purification Stage of Blood Sacrifice Weapons."

Pricing—5000!

Five thousand? Are you crazy poor? Kill me and see if I can scrape together five thousand!

The peers who received the message didn't even have time to curse, and were blinded by the golden rating at the very top of the page...

A-grade? A-grade! Damn A-grade, oh my god!!!

What the hell!

Is the review board crazy too? Or is it that the one who should be crazy is me?

According to the review board's evaluation rules within the Taiyi Ring—possessing major breakthroughs and innovations in existing technology or proposing brand-new directions and fields, making heavyweight pioneering achievements!

The brand-new blessing sequence proposed by Master Zhou Zhong last year only had an A+ rating. Although the directions of the two are completely different and cannot be generalized, a novice artisan who has not held an artisan license for more than four months has actually produced an A-grade result. Is it a bit sensational?

You must know that the last person to get an A-grade result evaluation before passing the artisan review period was... oh, it was his Master, Ye Xian.

Then it's fine.

This time, no one dared to complain about this price, which was no different from robbery.

For so many years, A-grade has always been this price, or even higher. If you can't afford it, think carefully about whether you have worked hard at alchemy, and whether it is your own problem.

While shocked and bewildered, some peers who were ambitious to sprint couldn't help but feel a chill in their hearts...

A-grade result evaluations don't even happen six or seven times a year. And regardless of the Association's practice, or looking at the reward for newcomers and external demonstration, there will definitely be one surnamed Ji among the ten Golden Ribbon qualifications at the end of this year!

And there is absolutely no possibility of accidents, unless ten different artisans propose ten different brand-new blessing sequences within this year...

Hehehe, if that really happens, Delong, who is about to retire, will probably wake up laughing in his dreams—Oh my god, under my watch, the Association has returned to the Golden Age!

This probability is not as good as hoping Ji Jue suddenly went crazy, got possessed, and defected to the Yousui.

Starting with a king bomb, it's too damn scary!

Just like this, after earning the first wave of attention and heat by relying on gimmicks, Ji Jue decisively released the dry goods, throwing the long-prepared dynamite package into the Association's fish pond.

It received unanimous praise from more than thirty masters of the Association's review board from a professional perspective!

Useful, love to use, like to use!

Give us more!

If heaven did not give birth to you, Ji Jue, the blood sacrifice would be like a long night for eternity!

The uniqueness of Fluid Alchemy in purification is not just a reputation. Even if it is just a peripheral application technique that does not involve essential theory, compared to other technologies in the same series, it still possesses extremely strong cost-effectiveness and convenience.

After all, although blood sacrifice is simple, the most troublesome thing is the residual resentment and backlash of ferocity. And Ji Jue was actually able to combine ancient alchemy, innovate from the perspective of displacement and precipitation methods, and once again fiercely raise the cost-effectiveness by a large margin, further lowering the precarious moral bottom line of artisans.

It is said that even people from Yousui have secretly climbed over the wall to learn the advanced experience of the embers...

Rumors aside, within the Association, from various masters to many apprentices, and so many factions, they rarely reached a consensus on this matter—Ji Jue, this dog-thing, has a hand in killing and arson!

As expected of the direct descendant of Chaosheng, blue out of blue!

Blue out of blue!

Stay away from him in the future...

In just a few short months, Ji Jue hid in Xinquan and didn't move. Besides cramming basic skills and various shortcomings, and fighting to the death with Chunjun, he was frantically brushing reputation within the Association.

Successfully scrolling to the point of being hated by people and dogs in the Association...

Facts prove that gold will always shine, and dog-things are annoying everywhere. ===== CHAPTER 335 =====