The Forging Competition

Autumn’s chill startled the emerald waters, and yellow clouds coalesced at dusk.

The wind grew cooler, and the nights grew longer.

In Xu Xian's hands, all ten pieces of deep sea meteoric iron had been ruined. He reached out to Ruan Hao once again.

Ten pieces, ten pieces, and ten more...

Eventually, the synthetic immortal gold project was temporarily shelved due to a lack of raw materials.

One day, Xu Xian found Ruan Hao.

"Master, trust me. Give me ten more pieces—just ten. I’m a hundred percent certain I can pull it off this time."

Ruan Hao said nothing, silently smoking his pipe as he exhaled clouds of white mist.

"Nine pieces!"

"Eight!"

"..."

"Even one would work!"

Ruan Hao sighed, speaking with earnest gravity. "Xiao Xian, it’s not that your master is stingy. I’m truly out. It’s only been two months, and you’ve already ruined over a hundred pieces. Even if I had a mine at home, I couldn’t afford this kind of chaos—and I don’t even have a mine!"

Xu Xian looked ashamed but still had the thick skin to test the waters. "Then give me something else. I’m not picky."

Ruan Hao remained silent. Among all the immortal gold materials, deep sea meteoric iron was already the cheapest.

"Listen to me. Stop this research for a bit. This isn't the way to go about it."

Xu Xian pulled a long face.

Ruan Hao pulled a book from his sleeve and held it out to Xu Xian, changing the subject. "I’ve been thinking. You’ve settled in enough over these past few days. It’s time you started forging swords."

Xu Xian took it reluctantly.

Compared to forging swords, he much preferred the idea of creating acquired immortal gold.

Curling his lip, he muttered under his breath, "Actually, I think I could settle in for a few more days."

As if he hadn't heard a word, Ruan Hao continued, "In there are the insights I’ve gathered on sword forging. Go back and study it well. In a few days, the Zhujian Peak’s annual Spirit Forger Certification Competition will take place. I’ve already signed you up. You’ll be participating."

Xu Xian’s eyes nearly bulged out of his head.

"Huh?"

Ruan Hao remained calm and composed. "My expectations for you aren't high. Just bring me back the title of a third-rank spirit forger."

Xu Xian felt numb. He shouted, "Wait, Master, are you joking? If I remember correctly, the competition is the day after tomorrow. You want someone who has never forged a sword to participate? Are you messing with me?"

Ruan Hao smiled. "That’s right, the day after tomorrow. I have great faith in you."

Speechless, Xu Xian complained, "If you don't want to give me immortal gold, you don't have to mess with me like this."

"How am I messing with you?"

"I’ve never forged a single sword!" Xu Xian repeated.

Ruan Hao used a bit of reverse psychology. "Didn’t you say it yourself? Forging is easy as long as you have hands? What’s the matter? Are your hands not working now?"

Xu Xian took a long breath, his brow relaxing as he shrugged lazily.

"Fine. Why not? If Master says I can, then I can!"

Ruan Hao squinted, looking gratified. "Good. I like that confidence of yours. Just like me, haha!"

"I’m off!"

"Where to?"

Without looking back, Xu Xian raised the manual high and said leisurely, "I’m going back to study your esteemed insights on sword forging."

Ruan Hao shook his head with a laugh.

"That brat!"

The Spirit Forger Certification Competition was called a competition, but it was essentially a professional certification exam for smiths above the ninth rank of mortal forging and below the fourth rank of spirit forging.

At that time, any Zhujian Peak disciple who met the criteria could participate.

Those who forged a low-grade spirit weapon would be promoted to a first-rank spirit forger.

Those who forged a mid-grade spirit weapon would become a second-rank spirit forger.

Those who forged a high-grade spirit weapon would become a third-rank spirit forger.

The most practical benefit of promotion was an increase in monthly base salary.

Disciples of Zhujian Peak below the level of spirit forging received a monthly stipend of 2,000 merit points.

If one reached the first rank of spirit forging, the base salary became 5,000. For the second rank, it was 8,000, and for the third rank, it was 10,000.

The pay raise was quite substantial.

Unfortunately, Xu Xian wasn't interested in that.

After all, as the Little Grand-Uncle, he was destined to never receive the sect’s basic merit point stipends anyway.

Think about it—in the entire Wendao Sect, aside from the Sect Master, whose title was greater than his as the Sword Ancestor’s eleventh direct disciple?

Even with a title like that, he didn't get a salary. He certainly wasn't going to get one from a title issued by the Zhujian Peak.

However, since Ruan Hao had asked, he might as well join the fun. Though he complained about never having forged a sword, Xu Xian had his own measure of things.

Whether it was forging a sword or refining ore, the essence was the same—it was all about striking iron. He could already forge mortal iron into spirit ore.

Forging spirit ore into a spirit weapon really was as simple as having hands.

Besides, he still had two days to prepare. It wasn't a big deal.

Leaving the forging workshop, Xu Xian first went to find Zhang Yang.

"Little Grand-Uncle, looking for Xiao Yang again?"

"Oh, Lao Er! I haven't seen you in a few days. You’ve gotten sturdier. Been eating well, haven't you?"

"The exam is coming up. I need to eat more to build up my strength."

"You’ve got a bright future. I have high hopes for you."

"Greetings, Little Grand-Uncle!"

"Xiao Han, you look haggard. Been staying up late striking iron again?"

"Yes, the exam is close. I thought I’d put in some extra effort..."

"Sigh, I shouldn't have to tell you this, but that won't do. Your health is your greatest asset. Take a leaf out of Lao Er’s book—eat more and conserve your energy. Otherwise, you won't even be able to swing your hammer. How will you pass then?"

"Thank you for your concern, Little Grand-Uncle! I’ll keep it in mind!"

"Go get some food!"

"Yo, yo, yo! Old Wang, how’d your hair get even thinner?"

The bald man called Old Wang rubbed the few remaining hairs on his head and said with a miserable face, "Don't even start. My master said that if I don't pass the first-rank spirit forger exam this year, he’ll twist my head off. If my head is gone, what use do these few hairs have?"

"That’s a bit extreme, isn't it?"

"You know I’ve been at Zhujian Peak for fifty years and still haven't become a spirit forger. The other disciples say I only stay here for the free food in the cafeteria. My heart is heavy, and I’m worried..."

"Tsk, tsk. Good luck!"

Xu Xian chatted with everyone he passed. During his time forging on Zhujian Peak, he had fully demonstrated his formidable social skills.

He had long since become one with the disciples of Zhujian Peak.

Arriving at the forging workshop, he found Zhang Yang. The man’s brow was furrowed as he stared intently at a ruined sword in his hand, examining it over and over.

He didn't even notice when Xu Xian came up behind him.

Xu Xian leaned in and said leisurely, "What are you looking at?"

Zhang Yang jumped in fright. "Brother Xian? What are you doing here?"

"Calling you for dinner."

Zhang Yang looked dejected, his voice weak. "I don't want to eat."

Zhang Yang not wanting to eat? That was like the sun rising in the west.

It wasn't just unusual; it was bizarre.

Xu Xian nudged him with an elbow and asked, "Who did what to you?"

Zhang Yang held the sword and sighed. "Sigh—it’s the exam. Look at this. It’s ruined again. I just can't figure out where it’s going wrong."

Xu Xian glanced at it and laughed. "Alright, let’s go eat. Your big brother here will give you some pointers."

"Stop joking, Brother Xian. You don't even know how to forge a sword. How are you going to point me in any direction?"

Xu Xian wasn't happy about that. He rolled up his sleeves. "Move aside."

"What are you doing?"

Xu Xian said with total confidence, "Open your eyes and watch closely. I’m going to show you that forging is easy as long as you have hands."

Xu Xian took some ore and started the furnace.

Zhang Yang was nervous. "Brother, that was my only piece of rare spirit ore..."

"If I break it, I’ll pay you back."

Zhang Yang was left speechless.