Chapter 480: Rising Calamity

Longquanzhen, though called a town, was in fact no different from a county seat.

The reason for this was.

Because once, a great master of sword forging had emerged here.

This master not only possessed peerless skill in forging swords, but also loved taking disciples; gradually, his disciples spread throughout Longquanzhen, their reputations growing ever larger—not just in Jiangzhou, but even among people from distant provinces.

Every year, countless seekers came to request swords.

Many even came from the capital, and no few were from Wu State.

Because of this master's presence, swordsmiths gathered in ever greater numbers until Longquanzhen became a world-renowned sacred site of weapon forging.

"Huh, lively place."

As Li Rui and his two companions entered Longquanzhen, they were met with a bustling crowd.

The thick, towering city walls, the neat and clean streets—this was no town; it rivaled Anning Prefecture in every way.

Unlike ordinary towns,

Longquanzhen was filled everywhere with martial cultivators carrying swords and blades.

And every household in the city was ablaze with the clanging of hammering iron.

It was a sight to marvel at.

Fan Wen's face wore a look of pride.

"Jiangzhou's only flaw is the crowds—too noisy."

As he spoke,

he led Li Rui and Nie Nie Siming to the tallest building in the city.

It had nine stories.

Named Zhaixing Tower.

"General Fan, you've come!"

An elderly white-haired man greeted Fan Wen warmly, clearly well acquainted with him.

Li Rui and Nie Nie Siming both exchanged glances of surprise.

It seemed Fan Wen had not been boasting.

He truly was well known here.

Fan Wen laughed heartily: "Is Master Situ here?"

The white-haired man bowed respectfully: "Fortuitous—he returned just yesterday. I'll take you up right away."

Just as he moved to lead them, Fan Wen waved him off: "No need—I know the way. I'll go up myself."

Saying this, he strode toward the upper floors with Li Rui and Nie Nie Siming.

As they climbed, he said:

"You two don't know—Master Situ is a peculiar fellow. Once, he hid here as an ordinary blacksmith. It was only when Senior Gu Gu Changsheng brought me here that I learned an old immortal lived among us."

"You two young brothers don't know—this Master Situ is quite a character. He used to live in Longquanzhen as an ordinary blacksmith. It was only when Magistrate Gu Gu Changsheng brought me here that I learned an old immortal lived here."

a strange feeling stirring in his chest.

This was strikingly similar to Tie Kuang's debut.

'Do all weapon-forging masters enjoy blending with the common folk?'

"Do blacksmiths all enjoy mingling with the common folk?"

the three reached the ninth floor.

The top floor was small—just one room, its door slightly ajar.

Fan Wen's booming voice rang out: "Master Situ, I'm back!"

A frail, aged voice answered from within: "Ah, it's little Fan."

Fan Wen pushed open the door.

Inside sat a white-haired elder in a loose robe, cross-legged on the floor.

He saw an old man with white hair, clad in a loose robe, sitting cross-legged in the room.

before him floated a small tower, being refined by spiritual flame.

A weapon alchemist!

Without doubt, this old man was the famed Master Situ.

What surprised Li Rui and Nie Nie Siming even more was that this Master Situ spoke while forging: "Little Fan, why bring friends?"

Fan Wen chuckled: "These two are my friends—from the Li Xunshan Bureau in the capital. They came specially to seek you out."

Upon hearing "Li Xunshan Bureau,"

Master Situ's expression didn't change—he still smiled genially: "Then you must know little Gu?"

"Little Gu" was, of course, Gu Gu Changsheng.

This time, Fan Wen turned to Li Rui with a questioning look.

He had heard of Li Rui's connection to Gu Gu Changsheng, but it wasn't his place to mention it.

Li Rui bowed respectfully: "Master Situ, my Lord's steward specifically told me: when I come to Jiangzhou, I must pay my respects to you."

Master Situ's eyes lit up: "Lord's steward?"

"I am a guest advisor of Wenxian Tower."

"Good, good, good—little Gu has thought of me."

Li Rui silently observed Master Situ's forging technique.

Weapon alchemy differed greatly from ordinary weapon casting.

Tie Kuang was a weapon caster—he forged weapons. Master Situ was a weapon alchemist, practicing one of the six arts of cultivation: forging magic treasures.

While martial and immortal paths held no inherent hierarchy,

in this side art, weapon alchemy far surpassed ordinary weapon casting.

Magic treasures could transform endlessly, their marvels beyond measure.

Their uses far exceeded those of mere weapons—indeed, weapon casting was merely a subset of weapon alchemy.

Merely watching Master Situ's technique, Li Rui knew it was vastly more profound than any ordinary casting.

This wasn't his own opinion.

It was what a great weapon caster in the capital had said himself.

"Since you're little Gu's friend, tell me what you need forged."

Master Situ spoke like a kind elder.

Li Rui didn't hesitate—he drew his Zhanjiao blade from his waist.

"Master, this blade has accompanied me many years. It's grown inadequate—I'd like to strengthen it."

As Zhanjiao was unsheathed,

Master Situ studied it with interest: "Interesting. The original caster wasn't skilled enough to forge a third-rank weapon—but he was clever, forging and nurturing it simultaneously. A fine young man."

Situ Chi Lian gazed at Zhanjiao, his expression intrigued: "Interesting. The blacksmith who forged this blade wasn't skilled enough to craft a third-rank weapon, yet he was clever—half-forging, half-nurturing it. A fine young man."

'No wonder he's a great weapon alchemist.'

He'd seen through Zhanjiao's secrets at a glance.

Master Situ continued: "The spirit within this blade is extraordinary. Destroying it would be a waste. Let me think of a way."

Hearing this, Li Rui knew he'd found the right person.

In truth, his journey to Jiangzhou

had always targeted Master Situ—that's why he'd agreed so readily to Nie Nie Siming's proposal.

Zhanjiao might, with nurturing, reach second rank—but Li Rui's cultivation had advanced too swiftly, leaving the blade far behind. Yet he didn't wish to abandon it, so he came to seek Master Situ.

Zhanjiao might reach second rank with nurturing, but his power grew too fast—Zhanjiao simply couldn't keep up. Yet he didn't want to abandon it, so he came to seek out Master Situ Chi Lian.

they weren't entirely fabricated. Though Gu hadn't mentioned it before departure, he had indeed said something similar before.

It wasn't entirely made up; although Gu Gu Changsheng hadn't said so before departure, he had indeed said something similar before.

Seizing the moment,

Nie Nie Siming voiced his own request.

Master Situ, remarkably patient, agreed to them all.

Unusually smooth.

Naturally, this was because Master Situ honored Gu Gu Changsheng's favor.

Seeing matters proceed so well, Fan Wen was delighted.

Though Gu Gu Changsheng's influence dominated, he still had the role of intermediary, didn't he?

Just as Fan Wen prepared to speak some polite words and leave Master Situ to his work,

Master Situ suddenly spoke: "Young Li, if you know the weapon caster who forged this blade, bring him to Longquanzhen. I can't promise to teach him, but sharing insights would be a fine thing."

Suddenly, Situ Chi Lian spoke: "Young Li, if you know the blacksmith who forged this blade, have him come to Longquanzhen. I can't claim to teach him, but exchanging insights would be a fine thing."

He knew perfectly well—Master Situ wanted to take Tie Kuang as a disciple.

Master Situ was a second-rank great weapon alchemist; becoming his disciple would be an immense fortune.

Li Rui decided to speak for Old Tie: "I'll remember your words, Master. I'll bring him here."

He didn't ask if he could also bring his own disciple, Liu Liu Tiezhu.

Liu Liu Tiezhu was his disciple—he would teach him himself. No one else had the right to teach him.

Liu Liu Tiezhu is his disciple; if anyone is to teach, it must be him, not someone else teaching for him.

Tie Kuang did so of his own free will.

But for him to ask Simu Chi Lian directly was against protocol.

And if Tie Kuang learned it, it would be as if Liu Liu Tiezhu had learned it.

Though he never mentioned Liu Liu Tiezhu by name, he had already decided to bring Liu Liu Tiezhu to Longquanzhen to assist Tie Kuang.

Thus.

His five disciples now each had their own future.

No longer chicks sheltered under his wings.

"If I stay any longer, I won't want to return to Jingcheng. Better to leave something for next time."

Outside Jiangzhou City.

Fan Wen saw him off again and again, when Li Rui spoke up.

"Good, leave something for next time. Then I'll follow Li younger brother's advice—if you come to Jiangnan again and don't come drink with your old brother…"

"I won't forget you, old brother."

Li Rui patted his chest.

The group exchanged more pleasantries.

Then Li Rui summoned his small boat and took everyone back to Jingcheng.

High above.

Nie Nie Siming was in high spirits: he had successfully slain a Below Tongxuan demon cultivator, earned a great merit, and even persuaded a great alchemist to help reinforce his weapons.

Double blessings.

"Old brother Li, don't you think this trip was a bit too smooth?"

"How did the demon cultivator fall for it so easily?"

"Could it be that fate had destined him for this tribulation?"

Nie Nie Siming said.

Li Rui merely smiled faintly, saying nothing.

Not long after Li Rui's party departed,

a figure slowly emerged from the woods outside Jiangzhou City.

Su Xuan Yu looked up at the tiny boat in the sky.

His eyes flashed with cold light.

(End of Chapter)