Chapter 100

One month later.

In a stone chamber resembling a storage room, Wang Yu held an open book, crouched before a pile of metal ingots of various colors, occasionally picking up one to examine it against the book.

In another smelting chamber several rooms away.

Xiao Wei stood before a furnace blazing with fierce flames, continuing to inscribe the third silver rune onto the massive blade with her golden inscription knife; faint sweat beads glistened on her forehead, revealing the immense pressure.

“Sizzle.”

The first two runes on the massive blade flashed simultaneously, causing the short-haired woman’s wrist to sink, throwing off the alignment of the rune she was carving.

The woman’s face darkened instantly.

In another smelting chamber nearby.

A pale-faced youth strained as he swung his iron hammer; several differently colored metal ingots on the anvil were faintly merging into one, emitting a weak white glow.

Suddenly, the surface of the metal ingots blazed with brilliant white light—the youth struck them with his hammer, his face paled, and the hammer bounced violently from his grip, flying away.

The metal ingots, already fused together, shattered once more into separate pieces.

The youth’s face filled with utter dejection.

That night, in the earth-fire chamber, Xiao Wei handed a white jade box to the gray-robed elder across from her and spoke respectfully.

Master Sun took the jade box, opened it, glanced inside, then nodded with satisfaction, tossing her a thin booklet from his robe.

…

One and a half months later, afternoon.

At a wooden table in the smelting chamber, Wang Yu poured colorful powders into a wooden bowl, then added a fragrant crimson liquid from a small vial beside it.

A miraculous sight appeared.

The powders dissolved rapidly; the liquid’s color shifted swiftly from crimson to pale silver.

Wang Yu watched this, his expression turning satisfied.

That night, in the smelting chamber, Wang Yu’s eyes glimmered faintly; one hand gripped a wooden stick, the other held a common iron needle resembling an inscription tool, and he focused intently as he carved with the needle dipped in silver liquid, his hands as steady as mountains.

Moments later, rows of tiny silver characters, like ants, appeared on the wooden stick—neat as machine-printed, without a single flaw.

At the same moment, in a bedroom at the end of the stone cave.

The short-haired woman sat cross-legged on her bed, hands forming seals; faint spiritual light shimmered over her body, a pale blue spiritual rune flickered faintly on her forehead, her gaze growing colder still.

In another bedroom, the youth slept soundly on his bed, a gourd emitting strong alcohol fumes tossed beside him.

…

One day, two months later.

In the earth-fire chamber, a red light spiraled through the air, then vanished in a flash, scattering countless sparks everywhere; the sparks coalesced inward, forming a short sword glowing with red radiance.

Below, the black-robed elder waved his hand, and the sword floated gently into his grasp; with a sweep of his other hand, seven spiritual runes appeared and flickered along its blade.

“Congratulations, Master Sun! The artifact is complete!”

Wang Yu and the other two below bowed in unison to congratulate the elder.

“Hah! Just made it in time before the deadline—finally forged the Fire Dragon Sword. With this success, next time I craft similar blades, it won’t be nearly so difficult.” Master Sun stroked the sword, his expression satisfied.

“Among all magical artifacts, blades are among the hardest to forge. Once word spreads that you’ve forged a classed blade, your standing in the sect will surely rise dramatically.” The youth flattered.

"Heh, what little skill do I have? There are at least a handful of artisans in our sect superior to me—I’m barely mid-to-lower tier. Well, since the artifact is done, as agreed, each of you will receive one hundred spirit stones, minus material losses from this period. Collect your share at the General Affairs Hall later." Master Sun modestly dismissed himself, then turned serious as he addressed the three.

Wang Yu and the youth had no objections, but Xiao Wei, the inner-disciple, bowed deeply to the elder and said:

“Master Sun, if I recall correctly, you once posted a notice in the General Affairs Hall seeking an apprentice to inherit your forging arts—has that notice still not been withdrawn?”

Ning Yuan’s face changed slightly.

Wang Yu, however, froze in surprise.

“Correct, I never retracted it—it still stands. So, you wish to become my apprentice?” Master Sun asked calmly, as if expecting this.

“Yes. Since childhood, I’ve loved forging, and I believe I have some talent for it. I humbly beg Master Sun to grant me this chance. I will forfeit my hundred spirit stones—only ask for the opportunity.” The short-haired woman bowed deeply before the black-robed elder.

Seeing this, the youth Ning Yuan, though striving to keep his expression calm, could not hide a flicker of envy in his eyes.

Wang Yu’s gaze flickered slightly.

“So you took this task solely to seek me as your master. Heh. Since you’ve shown such sincerity—and even purchased a secret technique from me—I’d be heartless not to give you a chance.”

“Here’s the deal: as stated in my notice, if you can, within one day, choose any artifact blank from here and inscribe three runes upon it, I will accept you as my apprentice.”

“You two as well—if you’re willing to forfeit your hundred spirit stones, I’ll offer you the same chance.” Master Sun smiled, speaking calmly to all.

The short-haired woman beamed and accepted immediately.

The youth Ning Yuan’s face shifted repeatedly, but finally settled into a bitter smile—he said nothing.

“If such an opportunity exists, then I’ll give it a try as well,” Wang Yu said after a swift thought, smiling.

This surprised Xiao Wei; she glanced at him again, intrigued.

“Good. The two of you, follow me. You may leave,” the black-robed elder nodded, dismissing the outer-disciple youth without ceremony.

He then led the woman and Wang Yu out of the earth-fire chamber.

Moments later, a weary sigh echoed from within the chamber.

…

Inside a stone chamber where Master Sun had just dispelled the sealing spell, two long wooden racks stood filled with artifact blanks of varying sizes: a massive axe nearly a zhang tall, tiny beads no bigger than eggs, neatly arranged in vibrant colors—over thirty in total.

“These are ordinary artifact blanks I’ve collected over years at the Four Symbols Sect. Not fine pieces, but sufficient for your practice. Choose one each.”

“I choose this one.”

Xiao Wei immediately took down a massive blade from the rack—its size and shape nearly identical to the one she’d practiced inscribing runes on before.

“Acceptable.”

The black-robed elder watched silently, nodding without expression, then turned to Wang Yu.

At that moment, Wang Yu’s gaze was drawn to a uniquely shaped artifact blank on the rack.