Chapter 327: No Such Thing as Useless Anomalies, Only Useless… (Part 1)

So, this smithing technique of yours that pierces straight through the heart of the earth—you learned it from me?!?!

After receiving a confirmed answer from Li Ang, the third-generation director felt a deafening roar explode inside his skull, as if a thousand bronze bells had been struck by massive hammers, their clanging, crashing, booming echoes reverberating from within to without, shaking his soul to its core.

My physical body has been dead for how many years, and yet someone still manages to ruin my reputation? If other smiths saw this technique of his, how could I possibly dare call myself the strongest smith?

No! This absolutely cannot stand!

Staring at the scroll that clearly sealed a powerful great demon but was useless except for translating names, the square-headed old man gritted his teeth, stomped his foot, and snatched up two more items, hurling them into the cauldron as his face flushed crimson with rage:

"Keep going! Follow my movements exactly! Do exactly what I do—not a single deviation!"

"Third-generation Director… maybe you could just skip the instruction?"

After glancing at the 【Beautiful Feet】 and 【Demon Name List】 in his hands, Li Ang truly didn't want to waste these precious materials any longer, and couldn't help but sincerely suggest:

"I probably just don't have the talent for smithing secrets. You've gathered all these materials over so long—it's too wasteful to keep giving them to me. Besides, I'm the one giving up, so you don't have to feel like you're breaking your promise…"

"Shut your mouth! Get to work!"

The square-headed old man stomped his foot, veins bulging as he roared:

"This isn't about any promise! Right now, the most important thing is my reputation!

Damn it! Even if I throw every last material into this pot, I'll teach you— Zhishaodebanijiaodebiyitouzhuqiang ！ Buranlaozizaiduanyejiedemingshengjiutamahuile ！"

"But…"

"No buts!"

The square-headed old man, face twisted in fury, waved his arms threateningly:

"If it weren't for the fact that everyone knows you're my student, I'd kill you right now! Get moving! Follow the steps I taught you! Not a single step out of place! If your wrist trembles even a hair's breadth, I'll fight you to the death!"

"But… in Third-Generation Golden Ox's memories, you once summarized that anomalies arise from the power of the mind, and the mind has no 'correct answer'—a good smith shouldn't obsess over technique or environment, only follow the guidance of the heart…"

"To hell with guidance!"

Directly rejecting the smithing philosophy he had upheld his entire life, the square-headed old man exploded in rage:

"That's for chasing the upper limit! First, stabilize your lower limit! Hurry up! While the Whispering Wolf's mane hasn't shattered yet, stir clockwise exactly fifty times! Not one more, not one less!"

"…"

Alright then…

Though he deeply grieved the wasted precious materials, seeing the third-generation director's face as if he wanted to swallow Li Ang whole, Li Ang abandoned any attempt to reason with him and began smithing methodically under the old man's shouted commands.

First, stir clockwise fifty times, then crush the white stone settled at the bottom of the pot with force, then stir counterclockwise fifty times—until the cauldron…

No! Until the ingredient pot glowed with a moonlike sheen, then pour his will into it, imagining a full moon falling into the pot, re-solidifying the shattered stones into a small vessel, drawing each strand of the gray wolf's hair swirling within into it…

…

【Name: Wolf Witch Elixir Vial (Witchcraft, Flesh）】

【Appearance: A palm-sized, moon-white vial that automatically fills itself when placed under moonlight during a full moon】

【Ability: Witch's Secret Incantation, Flesh Mutation】

【Cost: The elixir tastes terrible, like a wolf-dog's bathwater】

【Archive: The secret technique heir Li Ang Lyne combined two Cleaning Bureau secret techniques, using Moon River Fluorite and Whispering Wolf mane as materials, strictly following the procedures of the "Witchcraft Secret Scroll," and crafting this unique anomaly through a touch of imagination.】

【After drinking the elixir, the user's neck will sprout a thick ring of dense, dark-gray wolf fur, and their voice will become deep and charismatic】

【Evaluation: The most worthless witchcraft artifact in history—and by far】

【Contamination Level: 0. (Max Contamination: 32)】

"…"

"Maybe… we should stop for today?"

"Shut your mouth! Keep going! This time, I'll prepare the blank form for you—you just add the auxiliary materials!"

"Oh…"

【Name: Mirror of Noon (Memory, Reflection）】

【Appearance: A strange mirror whose surface is always veiled in a thin mist, its frame smeared with odd broth】

【Ability: Memory Reflection, Historical Image】

【Cost: May induce hunger after use】

【Archive: The secret technique heir Li Ang Lyne used a pre-polished "Mirror of the Afterlife" as a base, added a small amount of Sun-Blocking Mist collected near the solar orbit, and forged this unique anomaly while distracted by hunger.】

【When sitting before the mirror at lunchtime, the mist on its surface clears, revealing a reflection of the meal the user last ate at noon】

【Evaluation: The most worthless memory-type anomaly in history—and by far】

【Contamination Level: 0. (Max Contamination: 41)】

"…"

"Maybe…"

"Shut up! This time, I've done every step in advance—you just sign your name on it!"

"Damn it! If this still turns out to be garbage, then I give up!"

"Then I'll try…"

【Name: Li Ang Lyne's Food-Memory Secret Scroll (Knowledge, Memory）】

【Appearance: A stack of edible blank reed-paper scrolls, with a large living root system preserved at the end; when the paper is fully consumed, bury the root in soil and water it to regrow and replenish】

【Ability: Knowledge Infusion, Memory Recording】

【Cost: Due to abnormally coarse fibers, ingestion causes violent abdominal pain, indigestion, and rapid expulsion】

【Archive: The secret technique heir Li Ang Lyne slightly modified the already completed "Food-Memory Secret Scroll"'s title page using Golden Ox's technique and signed his name upon it, forging this unique anomaly.】

【After writing valuable knowledge on the scroll and eating it, the knowledge is directly etched into your memory, unforgettable until the scroll is naturally expelled】

【Evaluation: Although the resulting anomaly's effect still pales compared to the dead-swamp Soul-Scattering Demon Reed used as material, this is the most practically useful item Li Ang Lyne has ever forged to date】

【Contamination Level: 0. (Max Contamination: 51)】

"…"

"…"

"…"

In the deathly silent stillness, watching the square-headed old man clutch the 【Food-Memory Secret Scroll】, his body trembling slightly, Li Ang scratched the back of his head and muttered awkwardly:

"I think… I might've improved a little?"

"…"

"Get out! Take these garbage things and get out! Never let me see you again in this lifetime!!!!!!"