Chapter 104: The Blacksmith's Special Little Pill!
"Since you're saying that, Old Han, then I guess this kid really is fated to be with me. Don't fight me over him," Hu Lei said casually, seeing how Han Yu kept insisting Jiang Lin had something to do with him. He decided to go with the flow and lock Jiang Lin in as his own student.
Han Yu simply snorted in displeasure. "I'm not that petty. This kid's forging style is way too wild—better suited for you. He wouldn't learn much from me anyway."
Although Han Yu also greatly admired Jiang Lin's forging talent, he was self-aware—his own style was traditional and rigid, not suitable for someone as unconventional as Jiang Lin. With Hu Lei, Jiang Lin would likely benefit more.
In this era of declining blacksmiths, one more Tier-6 Blacksmith was always welcome. Who knew—if heaven and earth returned to former conditions, wouldn't the Heavenly Craft Pavilion, packed with Tier-6 Blacksmiths, finally have the chance to rise again?
"Guildmasters, please, have a seat." Yuan Bao, who had been completely ignored, somehow managed to bring over a few chairs and a tea table. He bustled around boiling water and preparing tea for the two guildmasters.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Inside, Jiang Lin's barehanded forging continued. Outside, Hu Lei and Han Yu discussed his performance in real-time:
"His patience and endurance are excellent. That level of combat power at his rank must be formidable."
"Forget that—why don't you focus on when you'll break through to Dou Emperor and get your face back from Fa Ma? You're both Tier-5, yet you lost. You embarrassed the whole guild."
"...It's that old guy's fault! He's already a Dou Emperor and still just a Tier-5 Alchemist! How was I supposed to fight that?!"
"I don't care. I can beat any Tier-6 Alchemist from the Alchemist Guild with one hand."
"...Gu He's only a Dou King, and I still beat him! I'm a Tier-5 Blacksmith and crushed his Tier-6 alchemist ass!"
"If you're weak, practice more. Quit making excuses. Look—he's shaping the weapon now. That's a perfect state. I bet by the time we finish this pot of tea, the Intent-Focused Gauntlets will be almost done."
"Hmm? This kid's actually touched the threshold of the Profound level... He modified the Dou Qi inscription lines on the gauntlets. Having that kind of awareness means he's already reached the pinnacle of the Yellow-grade Blacksmith stage. Once he learns Profound-level soul forging techniques, he'll definitely become a Profound-grade Blacksmith. And the kid's just a Dou Fighter! A Dou Fighter-level Profound-grade Blacksmith—that's something. Also... his Dou Qi color is beautiful!"
"Of course it's beautiful. It's a theoretically perfect fire-metal attribute blend. The Heavenly Craft Pavilion defines the optimal ratio as 7:3—seven parts fire, three parts metal. That's what produces that kind of vibrant Dou Qi color. Of course, it's not exact—it can be further refined. The closer you get to that ideal ratio, the more beautiful the Dou Qi becomes. This kid's pretty close," Hu Lei said with a laugh, watching Jiang Lin's crimson-gold Dou Qi in the courtyard.
"A normal blacksmith has a 9:1 fire-metal ratio—just a trace of metal, mostly red. Alchemists are fire-wood, deep red. This kid's Dou Qi is perfect for forging. For alchemy? Not impossible, but... the side effects are a little extreme."
"What kind of side effects?" Han Yu and Yuan Bao asked curiously. Most Tier-6 Blacksmiths had a secondary trade. Hu Lei's was alchemy—he was a certified Tier-4 Alchemist by the Pill Tower.
Inside, Jiang Lin was already etching the Dou Qi inscription lines into the Intent-Focused Gauntlets. Hu Lei looked at the Crimson Dragon Cauldron, leaned back in his chair with his teacup in hand, and smiled:
"Everyone knows the standard for an alchemist is to have a trace of wood element in their fire-type Dou Qi. It's said wood element activates the life force in herbs. I used to believe that too—until I went to the headquarters of the Blacksmith Guild in Central Plains and learned something new."
"Requirements are usually for ordinary people. For geniuses—even without fire-type Dou Qi, they can still refine pills."
Han Yu was surprised. "Really? I've never heard that before."
Fire-wood for alchemists was like minimum entry requirements for a job. But some people? They just walk in through special recruitment.
"The world is full of mysteries. If Heavenly Flames can germinate seeds, why can't blacksmiths use Dou Weapons to refine pills?" Hu Lei said with a chuckle. Having spent time in the Heavenly Craft Pavilion, he knew it was both paradise and hell.
In the Central Plains, when in danger, you're advised not to use a Heavenly Craft Pavilion communication jade. Your cry for help might be interpreted as "fire on my position."
Why?
Because the one chasing you might just be a deputy from the Pavilion.
"It's just... compared to traditional alchemists, when a blacksmith uses a specialized forging cauldron to refine pills, the quality may be fine, but the taste... let's just say it has character."
As he spoke, Hu Lei pulled out two bottles of Tier-1 Qi Recovery Pills and flicked one pill each to the two men. "Try it. See how it tastes."
They didn't hesitate—each popped one in.
The pill melted instantly, leaving a sweet aftertaste.
"It's sweet! And it smells good too!" Yuan Bao quickly responded. Han Yu nodded in agreement.
"Now try this. The one you just had was made by a little princess. She didn't believe I could refine pills, so we made a bet—and I won all her pills. This one's mine." Hu Lei handed them each a pill from another bottle. His own Qi Recovery Pill was tinged slightly purple—clearly different from traditional ones.
"You really bullied a little girl for pills? Have you no shame?" Han Yu stared at the purple pill in his hand with a hesitant expression.
Thankfully, young Yuan Bao didn't hesitate—he popped the pill into his mouth without a second thought!
Hiss!
The moment the purple pill entered his mouth, Yuan Bao didn't say a word about sweetness or flavor—his entire body trembled, and he shivered repeatedly!
"My tongue—" Yuan Bao pointed at his tongue in agony. His face twisted in pain as he finally managed to speak, "Master... this pill… it felt like a spring thunder exploded on the tip of my tongue!! S-So numb!!"
"Well, that's still mild. Just tongue numbness," Hu Lei said with a satisfied grin. "Jiang Lin's got real talent. When he makes you a pill infused with pure metal energy, the flavor will be even more unforgettable."
Hu Lei recalled his first time trying a Royal Pole Pill crafted by a master blacksmith from the Heavenly Craft Pavilion. He knew it was probably a trap, but he couldn't help himself.
The moment it touched his mouth, it was like thousands of blades exploded down his throat.
He clutched his neck as if poisoned and collapsed to the ground, gasping for a long time before finally spitting out two words:
"So damn intense!!!"
(END CHAPTER)
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