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Sea God Pavilion.
After hearing from Xu Yuan about the creation of the Underworld and the current situation, Ya Li's eyes flickered with a myriad of emotions.
Looking at the ten Heaven-Forged Sacred Light Source Crystals that Xu Yuan had brought out, she...
"Xiao Yuan, you've worked hard."
"Teacher's wife, even for soul masters who use four-word battle armor, it typically requires the combination of various types of Heaven-Forged alloys to achieve different interconnected effects. The ten Sacred Light Source Crystals I've prepared for you are all made from five rare metals with light attributes. They guide the evolution of light elements into sacred properties, making them the most suitable materials for you while meeting all requirements for battle armor attributes."
Ya Li smiled and nodded. "This is already the best material for my battle armor. Strictly speaking, as a healing-type soul master, even if my battle armor doesn't enhance combat capabilities, it won't significantly affect me. Having this entire four-word battle armor crafted from the Sacred Light Source Crystals you designed will likely help my Angel of Hope advance further in healing."
Ya Li was well aware of Xu Yuan's intentions.
It wasn't wrong for auxiliary-type soul masters to use battle armor to enrich and improve their abilities, granting them self-defense capabilities.
But what if specialization could take them further?
Take Ya Li, for instance. Her martial soul, the Angel of Hope (Wish Angel, Prayer Angel), already possessed a hint of sacred/holy attributes, making it one of the top-tier healing-type martial souls. Combined with her martial soul's unique mechanism, it allowed her to become the continent's first Limit-level healer.
However, her martial soul's mechanism had already reached its limit—it was difficult to progress further.
Following Xu Yuan's line of thought, using the sacred properties of the Sacred Light Source Crystals to compensate for her martial soul's relatively weak sacred attributes would gradually induce her martial soul to grow toward true sacredness. The results would undoubtedly be extraordinary.
The Angel of Hope's application of sacred attributes lay in healing.
The Holy Angels of Yue Zhengyu's family also possessed sacred attributes, but their properties leaned more toward offensive power, developing holy fire.
The Sacred Light Source Crystals developed by Xu Yuan emphasized light, and the sacred attributes they induced were most compatible with Ya Li's martial soul, allowing her martial soul's sacred attributes to be further developed.
Battle armor, in the world of armor masters, had always been an extension of the martial soul. When battle armor reached its final form, it fused with the martial soul, nurtured by the soul master from start to finish. By aligning with the martial soul's direction, it was upgraded and completed, ultimately achieving a fusion no less powerful than spirit fusion techniques.
This was the fundamental reason for the strength of armor masters.
Similarly, the constant fusion between the martial soul and battle armor mutually induced their growth.
The path to godhood proposed by Xu Yuan used the martial soul as a medium, and Yun Ming had successfully walked this path, verifying his theory.
And within just a month of this verification, Xu Yuan had already begun pioneering along this path—for example, the Sacred Light Source Crystals he was now customizing for Ya Li.
Using battle armor to enhance a soul master's cultivation efficiency of their martial soul could better facilitate ascension to godhood.
This further elevated the status of divine craftsmen.
In the future, divine craftsmen would no longer represent the pinnacle of the soul master world. After all, once soul masters reached the god level, the impact of four-word battle armor on combat strength would no longer be the greatest.
However, Xu Yuan's actions had once again elevated the status of divine craftsmen.
In reality, the position of Limit Douluos in the soul master world was unquestionable. They were the strongest group below the god level, capable of handling ninety percent of issues in the soul master realm. And if fate favored them, achieving godhood would elevate them to an even higher plane.
Moreover, the enhancement provided by four-word battle armor to Limit Douluos naturally facilitated their ascension to godhood.
Experiencing higher realms allowed one to better seek opportunities at greater heights.
This was the original significance of four-word battle armor.
Even after the path to godhood was established, this significance still remained.
Although its importance had diminished, it still existed.
However, divine craftsmen were ultimately no longer needed by god-level soul masters.
But what if divine craftsmen could still be useful to god-level soul masters?
Godhood was essentially nourishing the martial soul. Cultivation and progress beyond godhood were all about enhancing the martial soul, weren't they?
Divine craftsmen could arm martial souls in the form of battle armor, inducing their growth. This meant that divine craftsmen retained significance for god-level soul masters.
Not only that, but with the emergence of true god-level soul masters, wouldn't divine craftsmen potentially have a higher ceiling?
"Teacher's wife, I've forged ten Sacred Light Source Crystals so far. There's just one more left—or, if you need additional battle armor weapons, then two more."
"Battle armor weapons?"
Ya Li thought carefully.
She had never created battle armor weapons before.
Now that Xu Yuan mentioned it, she realized it was indeed necessary.
Xu Yuan suggesting this meant he believed she had such a need.
If her entire battle armor was crafted from Sacred Light Source Crystals, it wouldn't be aimed at compensating for her strength, which would leave her defenseless once again.
Of course, being defenseless was relative among peers.
Regardless, an auxiliary-type soul master without battle armor to make up for combat deficiencies would always be at risk.
Thus, Xu Yuan gave her the option of a battle armor weapon.
"Will it also be made from these Sacred Light Source Crystals?" Ya Li asked.
Xu Yuan nodded.
"The same configuration, but I can use different forging techniques for the Sacred Light Source Crystal used in the battle armor weapon. This will induce its sacred attributes to possess more varied properties, thereby enhancing its combat effectiveness," Xu Yuan explained.
Since it wasn't part of the main body, he could try something different.
"Oh? Then design another battle armor weapon," Ya Li said upon hearing Xu Yuan's suggestion, sensing that he had already outlined the basic concept.
"Alright, then I'll perform Heaven-Forging here in the Sea God Pavilion."
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The Next Day.
Sea God Pavilion.
Feng Wuyu had already arrived early, ready to observe Xu Yuan's Heaven-Forging process.
Two divine craftsmen could learn from each other.
Xu Yuan set up the forging platform and began forging.
This time, he didn't forge the way he did atop the Heaven-Forging Peak. Instead, he took out five rare metals with light attributes.
He individually forged each of the five light metals.
Among them, he paired each metal with one of the five elements during the forging process.
After laying the foundation, Xu Yuan proceeded with fusion forging.
Watching Xu Yuan's fusion forging, Feng Wuyu couldn't help but exclaim.
"This fusion forging technique is absolutely the pinnacle of forging on the continent!"
Xu Yuan's fusion forging technique surpassed all other blacksmiths. The near-perfect fusion of different metals complemented each other to form new metals.
Such sentient alloys were simply the most perfect metals.
After fusion forging came spirit forging and soul forging.
Everything proceeded according to normal procedures. As soul forging was completed, a resounding echo reverberated through the skies above Sea God Island, drawing in various elemental forces.
Light elements occupied half of the share, while the remaining half was evenly divided among the five elemental attributes.
The five elemental forces merged into the light elements, guided by Xu Yuan into his forging process.
Xu Yuan's greatest achievement was in the five elements—whether in manipulating external five-element forces or understanding the human body's five elements, he was unmatched on the continent. This was why he could develop the Sacred Light Source Crystals. The five light metals could be seen as representing the five elemental metals, and only through this could Xu Yuan achieve nearly perfect five-in-one fusion forging, integrating the light elements and inducing sacred attributes.
During this forging session, he once again induced sacred attributes, though they were slightly different this time.
Within a halo of interchanging colors, sacred fluctuations continuously radiated outward.
From the inside to the outside.
The five elements infused into the light properties by Xu Yuan now manifested externally, becoming carriers of the sacred attributes.
"Incredible skill." Feng Wuyu was utterly captivated.
Forging wasn't just about forging—it was about interpreting cosmic laws.
At this moment, Xu Yuan had truly given him a lesson.
"A blacksmith's personal cultivation remains crucial. Only when one's insights are clear can more techniques be integrated into the forging process."
In the past, reaching Heaven-Forging was considered the end of the road for blacksmiths, but the future of forging would not be so limited.
Boom!
This time, six elemental forces triggered a six-colored lightning tribulation.
As the six-colored lightning descended, Xu Yuan still chose not to integrate the Sacred Light Source Crystal into himself.
Bang!
With a shattering sound, the five-element sacred halo in the air finally broke apart.
Then, the Sacred Light Source Crystal disappeared amidst the lightning tribulation.
It had failed.
Xu Yuan sighed.
He was still lacking in some areas.
Feng Wuyu wrung his hands in frustration, feeling that Xu Yuan was behaving like a madman.
Such a perfect piece of Heaven-Forged metal, having undergone the baptism of six elements and nearly flawless five-in-one fusion forging, had perished under the lightning tribulation simply because no blacksmith had helped it survive.
"Elder Feng, relying on a blacksmith's assistance for a Heaven-Forged metal to survive lightning tribulations will always leave flaws. Further advancements in Heaven-Forging go without saying. Until we can refine Heaven-Forging techniques to the point where metals can withstand lightning tribulations on their own, even if there are directions for further advancement, the Heaven-Forged metal won't be able to endure."
Feng Wuyu paused.
He was merely lamenting the loss of that metal.
However, Xu Yuan's words quickly caught his attention.
What comes after Heaven-Forging?
Is the pinnacle of blacksmithing truly just Heaven-Forging?
After achieving the title of divine craftsman, Feng Wuyu had indeed pondered similar questions, but he lacked the vision to innovate.
Yet Xu Yuan had just answered him.
Even with a direction, it still required the foundation of more mature Heaven-Forging techniques.
Current Heaven-Forged metals still relied on soul masters to shoulder most of the lightning tribulations, and the success rate was extremely low.
Such a Heaven-Forging technique was undoubtedly immature and incomplete.
In fact, Xu Yuan forging ten Sacred Light Source Crystals atop the Heaven-Forging Peak had already achieved his goal, truly verifying the feasibility of metals resisting lightning tribulations on their own.
"This Sacred Light Source Crystal is damaged. I'll continue forging."
Xu Yuan's tone was calm, showing no concern over the failure.
"But don't you need some direction?" Feng Wuyu hesitantly asked.
He wasn't sure if Xu Yuan had new ideas for advancing Heaven-Forging.
"Elder Feng, didn't you just see it?" Xu Yuan smiled.
"I saw it?" Feng Wuyu recalled the entire forging process, feeling as though he had grasped something.
"It's insight—using a soul master's own understanding of life to further stimulate the vitality of the metal," Xu Yuan said calmly.
A good blacksmith must first have a sufficient understanding of life.
Since Heaven-Forging aimed to create life, the next step in advancing Heaven-Forging naturally lay in life itself.
"So that's it. You're forging with the meaning of the five elements in life, integrating your understanding of the five elements into the forging process to awaken more vitality in the metal. Since I specialize in fire, perhaps I can try enhancing the metal's life flame?"
What about other blacksmiths?
All roads lead to the same destination.
The existence of life is inherently diverse and colorful.
A living entity isn't supported solely by life attributes; it's also shaped by the five elements and the interplay of yin and yang.
In theory, any direction a blacksmith specializes in can serve as a means to understand life.
It all depends on the blacksmith's depth of understanding in that direction.
After resting for three hours, Xu Yuan attempted forging again.
This time, as the six-colored lightning descended, Xu Yuan stood on Sea God Island, watching the Sacred Light Source Crystal perform in midair.
The Sacred Light Source Crystal emitted sacred energy, and the five-element halo blossomed from within, forming a protective barrier around the metal to withstand the repeated lightning strikes.
When the fifth bolt of lightning struck, cracks appeared in the five-element halo.
Nevertheless, it still held on.
The sixth bolt of lightning, the final one, descended.
Sacred energy infused into the five-element halo, causing the five-element sacred halo to shine brilliantly under the baptism of lightning. Yet even so, it couldn't stop the destructive process of the tribulation.
The five-element halo began to disintegrate. Amidst its collapse, the light within grew increasingly dazzling, as if burning through the very essence of the Sacred Light Source Crystal.
"What is this?" Feng Wuyu stared in disbelief.
It had emerged.
He widened his eyes, determined not to miss any detail.
The Sacred Light Source Crystal radiated an unprecedented brilliance.
This was the life essence of the newly born Heaven-Forged metal. Now, the metal burned, splitting into the five elements before fusing back together to form sacred attributes.
The intertwining of the five elements and sacred attributes seemed to produce a unique property exclusive to this metal.
The six-colored lightning tribulation, composed of six elements, seemed to become nourishment for the Sacred Light Source Crystal as its life essence transformed into this interwoven attribute.
The sacred light grew even more radiant.
Boom!
The thunder dissipated.
A resounding boom echoed.
This sound reverberated in everyone's minds, akin to the creation of heaven and earth.
"Teacher's wife!"
After a brief moment of shock, Xu Yuan hurriedly alerted Ya Li.
He didn't know what special mechanism this forging had triggered, but this Sacred Light Source Crystal had undoubtedly undergone an extraordinary transformation.
No, perhaps this wasn't a mutation.
Perhaps this was the manifestation of Heaven-Forging taken a step further.
However, despite alerting Ya Li, it was already slightly too late.
In the air, the Sacred Light Source Crystal shimmered with sacred light, with five-element forces swirling around it.
Though it appeared to be five-element forces, they exuded an undeniable sacred aura.
Sacred metal, sacred wood, sacred water, sacred fire, sacred earth—the five attributes seemed to merge entirely with sacred elements, intertwining with one another to form a unified five-element force.
Sacred five-element energy spread, diffusing outward.
"Domain!"
This newly born Sacred Light Source Crystal had spontaneously awakened a domain—a powerful domain derived from its impressive attributes.
The Heaven-Forged metal had gained sentience.
At this moment, the Sacred Light Source Crystal dancing in midair was already a true living entity.
Its power spread, seemingly sensing something, constantly flying as if searching for a target.
It seemed not to hear Xu Yuan's voice.
It finally locked onto its target.
Ya Li!
Ya Li hadn't reacted in time and hadn't yet understood Xu Yuan's meaning when she saw the Sacred Light Source Crystal, having endured the six-colored lightning tribulation, flying toward her.
In a flash of light, the Sacred Light Source Crystal merged into her body.
Xu Yuan and Feng Wuyu quickly approached Ya Li, observing her changes.
They didn't know what the Sacred Light Source Crystal intended to do after merging into Ya Li's body.
Ya Li raised her hand to stop them, signaling that she was fine.
With her eyes closed, Ya Li felt the changes within her body. Gradually, a look of joy spread across her face.
Aside from the change in expression, Xu Yuan noticed that Ya Li's aura was also changing. Her originally serene and holy presence now carried a profound sense of sacredness.
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