Zeno was weak to fire, but the dragon embryo plate could withstand the high temperatures of dragon flame crystals.
Even magic iron ingots could not withstand the intense heat of dragon flame crystals.
By combining the dragon embryo plate with refined fire-resistant iron, he would synthesize a greater magic grade armor.
Its fire resistance should be exceptional, making it perfect for Zeno.
Dalun Li tossed two Medium Pieces of Earth Vein Essence toward the two sets of materials and began creating the magical artifacts.
The dragon embryo plate and refined fire-resistant iron began to merge, extending into the form of armor.
To prevent the armor from being too heavy, Dalun Li constantly compressed it until it was thin, while also imbuing the materials with plant-like flexibility.
To achieve this trait, Dalun Li added some leaves from the substitution magic tree.
This would allow the armor to become soft and flexible, making it easier for a plant-based creature like Zeno to adapt to it.
Meanwhile, under Dalun Li's manipulation, the Forbidden Cinder began to shift into the shape of a bow.
It looked like flowing lava being stretched and pulled until it extended into a bow shape, at which point the lava stopped flowing and slowly solidified.
High heat gathered at both ends of the bow, extending into lines of fire that connected to form a red bowstring.
Soon, the Earth Vein Essence was completely consumed.
A set of dark silver metal armor, as thin and light as fabric and tailored to fit the body, floated before Dalun Li.
The chest, shoulders, and back were thicker, resembling traditional plate armor.
The lower half was a metal skirt.
If draped with a cloak, it would look like one was only wearing leather armor, with no trace of the metal beneath.
The other longbow looked like a congealed mass of heavy lava, with no visible string.
However, as long as mana was injected, a fiery bowstring would condense and connect at both ends of the bow.
[Fire-Extinguishing Light Armor] greater magic grade, a fireproof magic armor capable of resisting flames.
[Special Effects] 1. Fireproofing: Resists and weakens all fire attacks; immune to high-temperature environmental damage.
Fire Contact: Allows the wearer to touch, contact, and block formless flames.
The primary abilities of the Fire-Extinguishing Light Armor were focused on fire resistance, mainly to allow the wielder to overcome fire-related weaknesses.
[Forbidden Fire Longbow] greater magic grade, capable of firing arrows with destructive power; contains the might of the Forbidden Fire.
[Special Effects] 1. Fire String: Pulling the bowstring automatically condenses a fire arrow.
Lava Bow: Relying on the Forbidden Fire Longbow allows the user to manipulate the surrounding lava.
Forbidden Fire Arrow: If the wielder possesses the Forbidden Fire Blessing, all abilities of the Forbidden Fire Longbow are enhanced.
Forbidden Fire Container: The longbow can serve as a vessel to hold the Forbidden Fire.
The Forbidden Fire Longbow was synthesized using materials dropped by the Cinderguards.
Its abilities were standard and perhaps a bit mediocre, but in a lava environment, the strength of the Forbidden Fire Longbow was simply overpowered.
Dalun Li planned to use the Forbidden Fire Longbow as a specialized weapon for the Lava Stratum.
With the completion of these two greater magic grade magical artifacts, Dalun Li now possessed three greater magic grade magical artifacts.
Greater magic grade magical artifacts naturally could not compare to the status of a masterpiece grade.
However, their value, rarity, and power were far beyond anything a lesser magic grade could hope to achieve.
Possessing three such items gave Dalun Li a thin foundation of strength.
The Well of Eternal Imprisonment no longer needed to maintain a hollow front.
He could puff out his flat chest and say he still had some capital.
After arranging his newly crafted magical artifacts together, Dalun Li rested for a moment and looked at the piles of junk and treasures.
He thought about what materials would pair well with that Large Chunk of Earth Vein Essence.
He did not want to synthesize a mediocre masterpiece grade magical artifact because the materials were too poor.
He was even worried that if the materials were insufficient, it might only result in a greater magic grade item instead of a masterpiece grade.
While Dalun Li was agonizing over material combinations, Zeno sent a request for an audience.
"Just in time. The little red flower is ready."
Dalun Li granted Zeno's request with a hint of pride.
"My Lord, I have an important matter to report."
"What is it?"
Dalun Li floated up from his pedestal, looking at Zeno as she approached.
"It is about a purple-skinned blacksmith on the eleventh floor."
"Purple Hammer?"
Dalun Li had noticed Purple Hammer long ago but had not interfered.
"Yes, my Lord."
"That purple-skinned blacksmith is somewhat special. It is likely because you granted him a name that he developed such a unique independent will, leading him to seek out the Forbidden Fire."
Zeno's words caught Dalun Li by surprise.
Was Purple Hammer's uniqueness due to him personally giving him a name?
Could giving a monster a name cause such a change?
He had not consumed any power during the naming process, so logically, no special change should have occurred.
Was it about the essence?
Although the naming process did not grant the monster power, it elevated the monster's essence, allowing for a fundamental improvement.
But to seek out the Forbidden Fire...
Well, even his own people believed it.
Speaking of which...
He seemed to have never told his subordinates the truth about the Forbidden Fire.
So, everyone believed it!
In all the world, I am now the only one who knows the Forbidden Fire is just a story I made up!
How could he explain this to Zeno? Should he just say the Forbidden Fire was fake and he had lied about everything?
No, that would be too embarrassing!
...From now on, the Forbidden Fire had to be real!
"If he has the ability to take the Forbidden Fire, let him."
Dalun Li spoke casually.
It was as if the sealed Forbidden Fire was of no importance to him.
"Yes, my Lord."
Zeno would never question any word from her Lord.
"Is there anything else?"
Zeno lowered her head and shook it.
"Nothing else. Everything within the dungeon is normal, with no unusual movements."
Zeno always remembered her duty as a guardian.
"This is what I promised you before. Take it."
Dalun Li took out the Fire-Extinguishing Light Armor and handed it to Zeno.
Looking at the armor before her, Zeno's long ears twitched.
My Lord's reward.
My Lord's reward.
My Lord's reward.
This single thought filled Zeno's mind, and she was so happy she felt like she might shed a flurry of leaves.
"My Lord, this is my honor."
Looking at the obedient Zeno, Dalun Li felt very satisfied.
She is so well-behaved.
Even though she liked to twist people into noodles and eat them in one bite, she was still a kind-hearted, good girl at heart.
Zeno left, feeling incredibly happy.
Dalun Li settled back onto his pedestal and noticed Tongmu.
Tongmu was also watching him carefully. Although Tongmu's intelligence was not high, the large eyeball revealed a wealth of emotion.
Nothing for me?
I want one too.
But the materials were all used up.
"Work hard, and I will reward you next time."
He decided to save the Large Chunk of Earth Vein Essence for now. The fifteenth floor was almost ready to be opened, and he would consider crafting a masterpiece grade magical artifact after that.
The flame power provided by the lava sea on the fourteenth floor was extremely potent.
Dalun Li had also acquired the knowledge of a fifth-rank mage.
This knowledge, combined with the flame power provided by the four floors, gave him the ability to create another guardian.
Zeno was wanted and could no longer move freely outside.
He needed a new guardian to handle external affairs.
A guardian whose power was specialized not toward control like Zeno, but entirely toward destructive output.
Rate on N.U.
