Business is Booming

"What's going on over there? Why is there such a huge crowd?"

"Oh... it seems a new forging workshop opened. They're making quite a scene..."

"Just a forging workshop? What's so special about that?"

"This one is different. I heard they're trading artifacts for beast corpses. And apparently, they do custom orders..."

"Really? I have to go take a look then."

Inside Demon-Slaying City.

Xu Xian had been open for less than an hour when he landed his first piece of business.

It was a scholar from Shanhai Academy in the Central Plains.

The first order was secured for the price of six fifth-grade beast corpses.

The scholar pulled out a design for a folding fan and handed it to Xu Xian.

If he could forge it, the scholar was willing to pay one additional beast corpse.

As everyone knew, crafting a weapon like a fan was much more complex than the usual sabers, spears, swords, or halberds. There was certainly a challenge involved.

But for Xu Xian, it wasn't difficult at all.

Forging a low-tier earth weapon was as easy as breathing for him; he accepted without a second thought.

Seeing the youth accept the commission with such confidence, the crowd didn't disperse. Instead, more people gathered.

Someone was stepping up to test if this was real or not, so naturally, they wouldn't miss the chance to watch the show.

No matter how eloquently Xu Xian had spoken earlier or how much he had piqued their interest, being interested was one thing—actually parting with money was another.

They really wanted to see the true strength of this sixth-rank spirit forger, the Little Grand-Uncle of the Wendao Sword Sect...

Xu Xian didn't mind. If they wanted to watch, he'd let them. No advertisement was more effective than a live demonstration.

To increase efficiency, he took out a piece of pre-prepared synthetic immortal gold and his Star-Forging Hammer, then stretched his limbs slightly.

"Everyone!"

"Keep your eyes peeled."

"It’s time to show you my real skills."

Amidst the crowd’s cheering and anticipation, Xu Xian ignited the furnace and began hammering.

In an instant, the deafening roar of forging rang out, and the surrounding noise grew even louder.

Amateurs watch the spectacle, while experts watch the technique.

Quite a few peers from the industry squeezed into the crowd. With just one look, they knew whether he had the skills.

"What incredible strength."

"Such stable hammer work."

"This kid is a master!"

Xu Xian focused on the forging while the number of spectators grew. Some stood far off, while others squatted in the trees to watch.

Naturally, disciples of the Wendao Sword Sect also arrived after hearing the news.

"Hiss... isn't that Little Martial Uncle?"

"Why did Little Martial Uncle come to Demon-Slaying City?"

Someone heard them and followed up with a question: "Is that really Xu Xian?"

"You call him Xu Xian? That's our Little Grand-Uncle! You should call him Senior!"

"Don't talk nonsense. How's your Little Grand-Uncle's forging level?"

The Wendao Sword Sect disciple didn't hesitate, blurting out immediately, "I can only tell you it's top-tier!! All the rumors are true."

After all, word in the sect was that the Little Grand-Uncle was a once-in-ten-thousand-years forging genius. He was Master Ruan's personal disciple and had even forged a piece of synthetic immortal gold in front of the entire sect.

His forging skills were naturally beyond reproach.

With confirmation from the Wendao Sword Sect disciples, Xu Xian's credibility naturally increased a few more notches.

The Wendao Sword Sect brand was highly reputable.

If the Little Grand-Uncle of the Wendao Sword Sect set up a sign claiming to be the number one forging workshop in Demon-Slaying City, then that was exactly what it was. No one could say otherwise.

Xu Xian spent a full hour hammering that fan, sweating profusely.

Demon-Slaying City wasn't large.

The news of the Little Grand-Uncle coming to the city to sell weapons quickly spread everywhere, becoming known to all.

More and more people arrived after hearing the wind. Demon-Slaying City had never been as lively as it was today.

Wen Qingxue had to draw her sword and stand before the door, forcing the crowd back ten meters.

She wanted to prevent anyone from getting ideas that might endanger Xu Xian.

Before long, the hammering stopped. A fan was successfully infused with spirit and quenched into its final shape. Xu Xian held the folding fan, the corner of his mouth curling up.

"Done!"

The scholar, who had been waiting for a long time, looked on with great anticipation. The surrounding crowd craned their necks to see.

It only took an hour.

To successfully forge it in such a short time meant that even the cultivators who knew nothing of forging understood the youth before them was formidable.

Of course, that was provided the fan in his hand was indeed a low-tier earth weapon.

Under the gaze of ten thousand eyes, Xu Xian paced over to the scholar and smiled. "The fan you wanted. Take it."

The scholar took it with both hands. Upon seeing it, his body trembled. He looked up at Xu Xian in a daze and stuttered, "A middle-tier earth weapon?"

Hearing those four words—middle-tier earth weapon—the surrounding crowd broke into a commotion.

Didn't they agree on a low-tier earth weapon?

How did he forge a middle-tier one?

Xu Xian intentionally responded loudly, "That's right, it's a middle-tier earth weapon. You're my first customer, so I won't charge you for the extra tier. Consider it a gift from me! Hahaha!"

Hearing this, the scholar was overjoyed and hurriedly bowed with his hands clasped around the fan.

"Thank you, Master Xu!"

Xu Xian narrowed his eyes and asked, knowing the answer, "Are you satisfied?"

"Satisfied, satisfied! I'm beyond satisfied! Master Xu truly lives up to being a sixth-rank spirit forger. Your craftsmanship is impeccable."

He was satisfied.

Xu Xian was satisfied too.

But the crowd of onlookers went completely wild.

In one hour, he forged an earth weapon on the spot.

This strength, this level, this technique—you couldn't find it anywhere else even if you searched with a lantern.

Moreover, the price was fair. This was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The people who were originally hesitating all began to show a burning desire to buy.

"Master Xu, I want to forge a spear..."

"I was here first! I want to forge a heavy sword..."

"Little Grand-Uncle, I'm from Falling Cloud Peak! We're on the same side, can I cut the line?"

The crowd suddenly became terrifyingly enthusiastic. Xu Xian laughed heartily. "Everyone, don't worry. My business isn't just for a day or two; it's long-term. I can forge for all of you. But I'll say it again: this is a small business, no credit allowed..."

"Master Xu, would the corpse of a sixth-grade beast king work?"

"Master Xu, I don't have a corpse. Can I give you spirit stones instead?"

Xu Xian's attitude was firm. "Barter only, no sales. I only want the corpses of fifth-grade beasts, and they must be intact. Anything else is off the table."

He still had to inspect the goods first before forging on-site.

Some were just there for the spectacle. Not everyone kept fifth-grade beast corpses on hand; most people sold them as soon as they hunted them.

Furthermore, not just anyone could hunt a fifth-grade sapient beast.

Others happened to have them, originally planning to wait for the price to rise in winter before selling. Now, they could just trade them for an earth weapon.

Some people were bitter because they couldn't afford it, while others said this was a fantastic deal—an opportunity not to be missed.

Xu Xian retreated behind the scenes and pushed Yao Xiaoxiao to the front.

"Xiaoxiao."

"I'm here, Little Grand-Uncle."

"Register them. Those who want to trade can stay, and tell the rest to clear out."

Yao Xiaoxiao gave a sweet smile and stood before the crowd.

"Everyone, if you want to trade, come register with me. If not, please disperse."

Someone asked, "Little girl, may I ask when your Grand-Uncle is leaving? If we go hunt beasts now, will we make it in time?"

Yao Xiaoxiao said with an air of maturity beyond her years, "My Grand-Uncle said that for fifth-grade beasts, he'll take as many as you have."

"Got it!"

"Brothers, let's go! Time to hunt!"

"This is a real opportunity!"

"Sigh... forget it. I'm just a measly core formation stage cultivator. I don't even dare get close to a fifth-grade beast. No hope for me."

"You're in the core formation stage with no background and no strength, and you still want an earth weapon? You're joking."

"Even though you're telling the truth, I don't like hearing it. Please don't say it next time, thanks!"

"..."