Chapter 387
In reality, she was far from the Phoenix Empress of her past life. The master of the Gui Palace was still caught between reality and dreams, and Li Mo's physical form was already stronger than hers, making it impossible for her to pin him down.
"Why overthink it?"
"We haven't lost yet."
Two days later.
The Qingyuan Mountain Range had warmed slightly, as if heralding the approach of spring. The geothermal fires of the Divine Weapon Peak began to stir, the first to melt away the lingering ice and snow.
After a whole winter of silence, the mountain once again echoed with the rhythmic clang of hammers striking metal.
Taking advantage of this day, Li Mo made his way to the Divine Weapon Peak.
The forging courtyard at the summit was bustling with activity.
Though the ice and snow had not completely melted, a group of muscular men stood before the furnace, swinging their forging hammers, sending sparks flying as they struck the iron blocks.
To his surprise, the three heroes of Hengyun were among them.
"Li brother, you’re here!"
"What are you guys doing as craftsmen?" Li Mo asked, puzzled. Aren't swordsmen supposed to embody elegance and grace? This seemed far removed from the image of a blacksmith.
"It was the master's order," Wu Chushu replied, a pained expression on his face.
"Master Zeng said that a true swordsman must not only understand their own sword," Bai Jinghong added, his demeanor less arrogant and more composed.
Cao Mu chimed in, "But also understand all kinds of weapons."
"Master Zeng can forge as well?"
Li Mo was taken aback and glanced deeper into the forging courtyard.
There, he spotted two elderly men with graying hair, both bare-chested, their muscles bulging and seemingly more robust than the strongest of men.
Elder Hanhe and Elder Zeng were hammering away, occasionally exchanging glances and sharing knowing smiles.
This scene was indeed quite lively.
"Master and Elder Hanhe are old friends; they occasionally exchange insights on the art of forging," Wu Chushu explained.
"Little Mo has arrived."
Elder Hanhe smiled broadly, beckoning Li Mo over, then said, "You might not know, but his hammer is extraordinary."
"I know! How could I not?" Elder Zeng quickly nodded, his expression tinged with a hint of resentment.
Of course, he knew! The unique stones of Hengyun Sword City had already been transformed into the shape of that hammer.
How could he not know?
""
Elder Hanhe was momentarily interrupted in his boasting, pausing for a moment.
"Ahem, if he can fully master the Panjie Meteor Hammer, he could very well become a divine craftsman in the future! Hehe, if you don’t believe me—"
"I believe!"
Elder Zeng's gaze was resolute, his tone firm.
Have you ever seen the birth of a hammer technique?
I have!
"????"
Elder Hanhe felt a lump in his throat.
When it comes to showing off, the usual approach is to build up before the climax. Why was Elder Zeng, who often questioned him, not giving him a chance to retort today?
""
Li Mo sighed silently.
Though the hammer was impressive, why did his talent have to be so limited?
---
Chapter 427: The Divine Being Deep Within the Fire Veins
The blazing heat twisted the sky.
Deep within the forging courtyard, the heat waves made it feel as if one’s insides were being scorched with every breath.
"Li Mo's talent for hammer techniques is beyond doubt."
"Indeed."
For the first time, Elder Hanhe and Elder Zeng, who often bickered, reached a swift consensus on a matter.
Every inner disciple who ascended to the Divine Weapon Peak had to first undergo training in hammer techniques before they could enter the forging courtyard and learn the art of forging.
The little tyrant of the divine hammer skipped this step entirely.
"Outstanding craftsmen usually have excellent hammer techniques," Elder Zeng said, stroking his beard with a smile. "But just having good hammer techniques doesn’t guarantee one can become a great craftsman; extraordinary patience is also required."
Forging is not just about hammering iron.
There are many complex techniques involved, and one must endure high temperatures year-round while working with the fire veins.
"Li Mo, I heard you once refined pills with Old Xue?"
Elder Hanhe set down his hammer, curiosity evident in his voice.
Every time he met with Xue Jing, as soon as they talked about Li Mo, it wouldn’t be long before he heard the familiar refrain.
"I was foolish; why didn’t I let him learn alchemy with me back then?"
Elder Hanhe wholeheartedly agreed.
Whether or not Li Mo had talent for alchemy was beside the point; it was certainly better than being with that troublemaker, Shang Wu.
Li Mo thought for a moment and replied, "To be precise, I was the one being refined."
Elder Hanhe: "?"
Elder Zeng: "?"
Why did this kid always say things that sounded so beautifully incomprehensible?
"Follow me; I want to see how well you can endure high temperatures."
With that, Elder Hanhe opened the back door of the forging courtyard, revealing a downward passage.
"I'll come too," Elder Zeng said, following suit.
Li Mo trailed behind the two elders. As soon as he entered the passage, a wave of scorching heat hit him, distorting the air, and the stone walls appeared dark red.
Was this the fire vein where the hammer treasure was once placed?
The deeper they went, the hotter it became.
The sounds of metal forging echoed through the passage, growing sparser the further they went.
"To become a craftsman, the first step is naturally to learn to smelt iron. The higher the temperature, the better the quality of the materials produced."
Elder Hanhe spoke as they walked.
Elder Zeng added, "If you can’t handle it, just say so. Don’t push yourself; if your meridians or organs get burned, it’s no small matter."
The two exchanged glances.
After walking a bit further, Elder Hanhe thought, 'Is Little Mo doing okay?'
He let out a heavy breath, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
'It should be about time.'
'When I first came here, I only went a hundred feet into the fire vein.'
Elder Zeng thought to himself, glancing back.
The two old men were on the same wavelength, sharing a look before turning back.
Then they saw Li Mo strolling leisurely, looking around with a relaxed expression.
Seeing them stop, he curiously asked, "Why aren’t we moving?"
"Haha, I thought you couldn’t take it anymore. Let’s go."
"Kid, I’m curious just how far you can go."
So Li Mo followed the two elders deeper into the earth.
Ten minutes later.
Li Mo was now leading the way.
Elder Hanhe behind him was drenched in sweat, his body slightly trembling.
Elder Zeng’s eyes were vacant, as if he had aged a few years. Taking advantage of Li Mo’s distraction, he pulled out a bottle of Hanquan Dan (Cold Spring Pill).
"Elder Zeng, give me one."
"This is Hanquan Dan! I only take it when forging Xuanbing (Mystic Weapons). Are you really going to ask for one?"
"Just give me one!"
The two old men were whispering and fidgeting.
Li Mo sensed the commotion and turned back, puzzled.
"Two elders, why are you moving so slowly? If it’s too hot, you must tell me."
He was impervious to heat.
The two old men immediately grunted.
"Haha, just a little leg pain."
"This temperature is nothing for a master craftsman like me; I’m just feeling excited."
"Alright."
Li Mo found it a bit strange but didn’t think much of it.
After all, when he took out the hammer treasure, he had seen a forging platform deep within the fire vein.
He assumed it was used by Elder Hanhe.
The elder must have some special means to endure high temperatures.
In truth, it was used by the founder of the Divine Weapon Peak.
After walking a bit longer, they could see flames ahead.
"Something’s off; this kid is not normal."
Elder Hanhe’s vision darkened, his voice hoarse like a worn-out bellows.
"Cough, cough! Water, water!"
Elder Zeng seemed to shrink, his whole body trembling.
But when Li Mo turned back in confusion, the two old men straightened up, hands clasped behind their backs, appearing calm and unhurried.
"Elders, do you want some barbecue?"
Li Mo had just taken advantage of the heat from the earth vein to roast some lamb skewers.
"Haha, it seems like it’s mealtime."
"Yes, I love lamb skewers; they smell so good."
As he handed over the skewers, the two elders exchanged glances, their throats dry and constricted.
If they didn’t eat!
Wouldn’t that make them seem timid, even less than a junior?
How could they ever show their faces again, claiming to be great craftsmen?
What face would they have to attend the forging competition?
The two men, who had always been competitive, steeled themselves and bit into the spicy lamb skewers.
"Cough, did I put too much chili? It’s a bit hot here."
"Hiss, it’s not spicy."
"Phew, it’s not hot."
""
Watching the two elders turn as red as copper ore, Li Mo finally sensed something was off.
The two old men now resembled two fragile cookies, as if they would crumble at a touch.
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