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nChapter 77: Found a Treasure

nTranslator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

nUnknowingly, the disheveled old peak master of Weapon Peak had made his way to the Weapon Refinement Hall and appeared beside Su Zimo.

nThe disheveled old man eyed the Cold Moon Saber that Su Zimo kept and asked casually, “Lad, why are you always trying to stab others over every single disagreement?”

nWhen he was joining the sect at the top of the front peak, Su Zimo slashed out at Array Peak’s master right after he came forth from the illusion.

nNow, he nearly did the same to Weapon Peak’s master.

nWith an awkward expression, Su Zimo was ready to disperse his spirit fire and apologize to his master. However, the disheveled old man merely waved it off and shook his head. “It’s fine, continue with what you were doing. I’ll just be watching from the side, no pressure.”

n“Alright,” Su Zimo nodded his head.

nPausing for a moment, the disheveled old man patted Su Zimo on the shoulders and commented sincerely, “Lad, you don’t have to be strung up all day all night in Ethereal Sect. Relax, no one is going to hurt you. Don’t brandish your saber for every small reason.”

nIn reality, Su Zimo’s reaction was trained during his time in Cang Lang Mountain Range and had already become a habit.

nOutside the mountain range, every single beast was an enemy to Su Zimo.

nEven back in his cave, he had to be alert against the Spirit Monkey’s mischievous attacks; that was why he was so neurotic.

nHowever, it did not mean that Su Zimo would let his guard loose just because of what the disheveled old man said. He would merely pay more attention so that he would not brandish his saber casually.

nThe disheveled old man continued, “Besides, even if you want to brandish it, you’ve got to see your opponent first. One month into the sect and you’ve already pointed your saber at two peak masters. What’s going to happen the longer you stay?”

n“Cough, cough. I’ll take note of it,” Su Zimo chuckled embarrassedly.

nUsually, none of the peak masters would appear for a month end test as such, especially not the peak master of Weapon Peak who was known to be lazy by nature.

nYet, everyone present was clear why the disheveled old man was appearing now.

nIt was definitely not for Feng Haoyu, but Su Zimo.

nRight then, Feng Haoyu who was standing right at the front had a burning sensation on his face. However, because he was back facing everyone else, no one could tell of the coldness in his eyes.

nComposing his emotions, Feng Haoyu began to warm the tripod once more.

nAt the back of the hall, Su Zimo had already begun to insert the materials since his Level 3 Spirit Fire was not extinguished.

nWith all the materials inserted, he channeled a large amount of spirit qi and flames burnt furiously, enveloping the entire Weapon Tripod.

nThe temperature in the tripod continued to climb!

nThe process of smelting was to turn all the materials to liquid state using a high temperature before fusing them together once more, removing as much impurities from them as possible.

nIt was a step that had nothing to do with weapon refinement technique and was a clear indicator of the difference between different levels of spirit fire.

nEven if it was an Advanced Weapon Refinement Master wielding a Level 2 Spirit Fire, he would not be able to match an amateur with a Level 3 Spirit Fire during the smelting process.

nBefore long, the materials in the tripod had begun to melt before turning into a metal liquid that emanated spirit qi.

nThe Level 3 Spirit Fire continued burning.

nThe golden liquid burnt within the tripod, bubbling endlessly as the spirit qi inside thickened.

nAt that, the disheveled old man’s eyes flickered with a hint of satisfaction as he nodded.

nThe metal liquid glowed bright red as the quantity was condensed through the repeated scorching – that was due to impurities being purged away.

n15 minutes later, the metal liquid was no longer condensing.

nThat did not imply that it was free of impurities – it was merely the smelting limits of a Level 3 Spirit Fire.

nThe smelting process was over.

nRight then, the materials of the other disciples had merely only started to melt. Of them, Feng Haoyu’s speed was faster as a metal liquid was formed within his tripod.

nNot only was the Level 3 Spirit Fire better in purging impurities, it was faster as well as Su Zimo led the pack far ahead!

nThe next step, forging.

nSu Zimo dispersed his spirit fire and waited for the temperature within the tripod to dip. At the same time, he cultivated and rested at the side, replenishing the spirit qi he had expended.

nForging required channeling of spirit qi to create a pair of spirit hands which would be inserted into the Weapon Tripod. One would then have to forge the shape of the spirit weapon they wanted before the metal liquid solidified.

nIf one entered too early when the temperature was too high, notwithstanding the fact that the spirit hands may disperse easily, it would be difficult to forge the weapon since the metal liquid would not be completely cooled.

nHowever, if it was too late and the metal liquid was completely solidified, one would not be able to forge as well.

nThis step was a test of experience.

nAfter five minutes, Su Zimo suddenly bolted up and channeled his spirit qi fervently. A pair of hands appeared in midair that reached into the Weapon Tripod, grabbing hold of the metal liquid.

nThat was the perfect moment when the metal liquid was malleable without solidifying just yet!

nAt the side, the disheveled old man was getting more pleased as he watched the focused Su Zimo.

n“Bloody hell, I’ve really found a treasure this time round!”

nIf not for the fact that so many disciples were present, the disheveled old man could not wish for more than to hug Su Zimo tightly for a kiss right then.

nFor some reason, Su Zimo felt a gust of cold wind behind his ass and could not help but broke into a shudder.

nBefore long, a flying sword slowly took shape.

nThe blade was long without any edge yet – this was merely a rough shape.

nBy now, many of the disciples had given up on the test and were watching Su Zimo’s weapon refinement process instead.

nWhen they noticed the shape of the sword being crafted, a shushing sound spread out from the crowd.

nFeng Haoyu was done with his smelting at the moment and was waiting for the temperature in the Weapon Tripod to dip. As he sat where he was to rest, he could not help but turn around to check out the commotion.

nThe moment he saw the shape of the sword in Su Zimo’s Weapon Tripod, he scoffed with a look of mockery and turned back.

nAfter the forging was complete, Su Zimo could naturally sense the strange tension around him.

n“Master, have I made a mistake?” he could not help but ask.

nThe disheveled old man waved it off and replied nonchalantly, “It’s not really a huge mistake. You’ve grasped the forging timing really finely. It’s just that you’ve added an additional hilt to your sword.

n“An additional hilt?” Su Zimo froze for a moment, confused.

nThe disheveled old man asked, “Do you know why most of the flying swords cultivators use do not have a hilt?”

nSu Zimo shook his head.

n“A flying sword is the most common Dharma treasure for swords in the cultivation world. Its advantage is that its fast, agile, versatile and both ends are bladed. Unlike a normal sword, a flying sword does not have a hilt because the presence of it leads to greater air resistance and in turn, a lower speed and agility.”

nSuddenly, Su Zimo’s eyes lit up.

nIn the past, he did demonic cultivation and was always engaging in melee combat with others. Now, he was less than a month into immortality cultivation and did not have much practice with swords yet.

nAt the end of the day, immortal and demonic cultivation were different. Cultivators do not go against others by wielding flying swords with their hands. Instead, they channeled their spirit qi into a stream of energy so as to control flying swords from afar.

nDuring a fight, if a flying sword that struck the enemy has a hilt, the sword would not pass through their bodies.

nWithout a hilt, the flying sword would pierce their bodies with ease, allowing the cultivators to continue controlling it without being affected.

nIf the opponent had a body tempering technique which gave them an extremely robust physical body, a flying sword with a hilt may end up in their hands instead.

nWithout a hilt, the sword would be edged at every point and the opponent would not be able to catch it barehanded.

nFor a flying sword, a hilt was nothing more than a burden.

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