The fairy-like wisp stammered when she didn't sense any Spirit Root in his body. She flew around him like a curious bee to double check, and hovering right in front of his face then pulled away the moment she saw through his soul.
"A mortal boy?!"
Huo Jin stood up, brushing the dust from his plants.
"Sorry to disappoint you. But I am indeed a mortal. Dare I ask, are you the one who saved me?"
The fairy flame wisp backed away. 'His soul is very old, older than this continent itself, but why is he trapped in a mortal body? Who is he!"
Huo Jin tilted his head. "Miss fairy? Is there something troubling you?"
The flame wisp shuddered, fluctuating a little bit. She protested right away. "I am not a fairy. My name is Lingxu, the very Guardian Spirit of this sacred Heavenly Forge Hall. And you, mortal, what are you doing in the Flame Valley? The place is not for a mortal like you."
"You haven't answered me." Huo Jin reciprocated quickly.
'This brat is cunning." Lingxu muttered inwardly.
"Yes, I did save you from the Infernal Python."
"Why?"
"Because… You are in danger?" Lingxu tried to hide her true motive but failed miserably before Huo Jin. She was in desperation, it's been ages since the forge last ignited. Her existence was teetering on a thin thread. If she couldn't find the successor of the forge, she would be erased completely by heaven.
Huo Jin scrutinized the flame wisp closely, he didn't believe in plain altruism. Though he couldn't explain it, he's always very keen to detect underlying lies.
"Really?"
"Yes."
Regardless, Huo Jin was not an ungrateful person.
"I am very grateful and will forever be indebted for your kindness. I will repay it in the near future." Huo Jin bowed and turned away. There's no use probing into her personal motive right now. "Lady Lingxu, would you be so kind as to show me the exit?"
"Sure. Though I must warn you, the Fire Qi is very volatile at the moment thanks to your sudden appearance."
Huo Jin halted his steps, he finally understood why the Infernal Python could find him right away even though he didn't make any sound. Just like the air, Qi was everywhere, and Flame Valley's Fire Qi was so dense, the creatures in this desolated place could detect each other by sensing Qi Fluctuation, including humans. There was no chance for him to survive those Infernal Beast without the ability to sense Fire Qi's flow in the air.
He promptly changed his mind, sitting next to the forge.
"You still have common sense, huh? And here I thought you were just a reckless boy."
"I am just being reckless, but not stupid."
"Pray tell, why do you want to seek wealth in Flame Valley? Is the mortal world not big enough for you?"
"It's the closest source and also the fastest way." Huo Jin looked at his palm and rounded it into fist. "Mortals only live for several decades at most. Therefore, I need to make my own fortune as soon as possible so I wouldn't have to bow down to anyone!"
"Such ambitious goals. And how would you achieve it?" Lingxu flew closer, hovering beside him.
"Build a forge and make a groundbreaking weapon that would change the course of history in the mortal world." Huo Jin stood up, stretching his legs. "Too bad, I am now trapped in here."
"Making a new groundbreaking weapon? Interesting. Tell me more about it. And perhaps, I may allow you to use the Heavenly Forge Hall."
Huo Jin was wary that his knowledge would probably get stolen. Or worse, he might get killed because of it. He couldn't just trust an entity whose origins were unknown to him.
"With all due respect, Lady Lingxu. But we just met a moment ago, how could I share my knowledge with a higher sentient being like you?"
"I understand that you are wary, youngling." Lingxu immediately quipped. "I won't ask you to trust me either. But, you can trust my Dao. As the Guardian Spirit of this place, if I deliberately kill you this very second, I will definitely suffer from karmic backlash, my Dao of Forging Flame will crumble and I will cease to exist."
Huo Jin pondered for a moment, taking his time to think thoroughly. "Is that so? Hmm, alright then. I, Huo Jin, shall accept your offer then. What is your price for this alliance?"
"Your knowledge is enough…" Lingxu replied decisively. She had a feeling that the young boy had a peculiar intelligence that she could use to alter her fate.
Even the torches' flames were flickering enthusiastically as Huo Jin's voice filled the space as if the Heavenly Forge Hall itself acknowledged Huo Jin as the next successor.
Afterward, Huo Jin laid out the principle of modern metallurgy, advanced forging technique, and all sorts of engineering marvels that brought humanity of his homeworld from stone age to the Interstellar Expansion.
"Basically, I need to forge a barrel from which I could shoot a projectile by combusting the propellant. But… I'd need to forge the tools first, however."
"Ahh… I get it. That is a very profound idea indeed. How fast can the projectile fly upon leaving the barrel?"
"It depends on the barrel's strength and the propellant's gas pressure. It's not limited to the law of physics when Dao and Cultivation Technique is introduced during the process, obviously. But, even the simplest flintlock pistol will propel the bullet faster than any Low-grade Flying Sword or Spiritual Tool, and without qi trace, no less."
"A weapon that could shoot a projectile faster than any Flying Sword or Spirit Tool without a qi trace?! That would be very terrifying."
"Yes. It might be ineffective against high-level cultivators or those old devils though. However, given enough time, mortal kingdoms and empires would eventually be independent from Immortal Sects and protect themselves from Beast Tide or other natural disasters in just 1,000 years, approximately."
"Your knowledge is indeed very dangerous, boy. Be mindful of who you speak to regarding this matter."
"Yes, I am aware, Lady Lingxu." Huo Jin nodded. "Aren't you going to ask where I got this knowledge?"
"I couldn't care less. As long as I could forge a weapon, my reason to exist will remain intact, and heaven would still allow me to cultivate my Dao of Forging Flame. This must be fate. Enough said, when should we begin?"
"Right now." Huo Jin smirked from ear to ear.
Without further ado, he began to explore the Forge Hall to gather every scrap metal that he could find. From this quick scavenging task, he has gathered around 250 kilograms of scrap metals, around 200 kilograms of coals. Not much, but enough to make his first flintlock pistol prototype.
"Will this be enough?" Lingxu inquired, a bit skeptical.
"I suppose so…" Huo Jin wiped his sweat. "Mind if I stuff your fancy forge with this trash?"
"Not at all! Let us begin!"