730 Sael, the Expert Blacksmith

Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation

Crown of the Ocean, the realm of the underground lizardmen.

In a workshop.

The apprentice blacksmith Sael was completely focused on the red-hot sword blank on the anvil in front of him. His muscular right hand tightly gripped the hammer.

The hammer collided with the sword blank time and again, sparking bursts of orange-red flames. As the hammer fell repeatedly, shaping, purifying impurities, refining materials, the sword blank finally took on a rough shape.

Sael didn’t dare to stop, tirelessly swinging the hammer, the sound of his strikes continuous like a melody echoing through the workshop.

Seeing his intense dedication, the other apprentice blacksmiths nearby couldn’t help but show expressions of envy and admiration.

Sael was the fastest progressing among them, with the best forging skills. Whether it was lizardmen forging techniques or dwarven craftsmanship, he always managed to grasp the essence and techniques at the fastest speed.

Even the legendary dwarven blacksmith, Thotmudo, had a considerable appreciation for him. Specifically, Thotmudo often cursed at them, calling them a bunch of stupid pigs, but when it came to cursing at Sael, it was calling him a dumb donkey.

Well, a dumb donkey was at least better than a stupid pig.

Seeing Sael complete this sword blank, and immediately bring out another piece of fine iron, they hesitated for a moment and whispered.

“Sael, take a break, you’ve been at it all morning.”

Sael laughed heartily and shook his head. “I’m not tired. If I forge one more sword, then we can sell one more, and that means extra income for Lord Ji Chen. ”

In contrast to the foreign merchants and indigenous people, the residents of the Crown of the Ocean preferred to address their respected lord as “Lord” rather than “Your Highness”. This title had been used since the very beginning of the territory, when there was nothing, symbolizing their love and respect for Lord Ji Chen and this land.

Without the shelter of Lord Ji Chen, they would all be homeless refugees, like weeds, with no place to call home, let alone the comfortable and warm houses they lived in now. They wouldn’t have to worry about food and clothing, be able to raise children, and even have the luxury of any nobleman’s estate, all of which would have been impossible before.

Such a wonderful life, something they couldn’t even dream of before!

Now those demons were wiping their claws, trying to seize this pristine land that belonged to them. Not a single resident of the Crown of the Ocean would agree to that.

For Sael, being able to help the territory earn more gold to act as military expenses against the demons, while doing the forging work he loved, there couldn’t be a better day for him.

Taking this finely refined and impurity-free top-grade iron block, Sael welded it together with an iron rod, placing it flat on the anvil. As he recalled the techniques and methods mentioned by Thotmudo, his other hand firmly grasped the iron hammer and fell heavily.

*Ding—*

♦Thud—*

Gradually, the entire world seemed to fade away, leaving only the iron block in front of him, accompanied by the dull yet crisp sound of his strikes echoing in his ears.

Unaware, Sael entered a mystical state, feeling both his body and soul incredibly comfortable.

Like a finely nurtured seed breaking through the soil, pushing aside the pressure of the earth and stones, the sprout struggled to grow upwards.

It was as if it had gone through arduous growth, yet also as if it were a natural progression.

The sprout finally broke through the soil, taking its first breath of the freshest air, basking in the warm sunlight.

“…Sael… Sael, wake up!”

The urgent and astonished call snapped him out of this state, and Sael looked around dazedly at his companions, who were staring at him in shock.

“What’s wrong?”

The companions glanced at each other, one of them swallowing nervously before pointing at the anvil. “You might… have just ascended to become a hero.” Sael looked down and was immediately taken aback.

The sword blank he had just begun to forge was now completely formed, its shape perfect, without a single hammer mark or indentation, as if the iron had always been this way.

He stared at his hands in confusion and excitement, feeling like there was something extra about his body now as if he were stronger, and he had the feeling that he could easily replicate this sword blank if he wanted to.

He, ascended to become a hero?

♦Ding- Your subject: Sael has unlocked his life potential, successfully transforming into a Craftsman Hero (Purple-Rare Tier).*

♦Ding- Your subject: Sael, due to his promotion to a hero unit, has experienced a breakthrough in his profession and promoted to Expert-Tier Blacksmith.*

Standing on the castle walls, overlooking the construction of the seaside fortifications, Ji Chen suddenly heard this system prompt.

Another hero craftsman?

With the completion of the Hero Fountain, the significant increase in the probability of hero unit births due to long-term high morale, coupled with the support of territorial policies, the Crown of the Ocean now had a much higher chance of producing hero units, resulting in the birth of more than ten heroes during this period.

Most of them are ordinary and elite-tier, with only one being outstanding.

And now, unexpectedly, a rare-tier hero has been born, and it even comes with a promotion to expert-tier in the profession.

This truly surprised him.

Transitioning from the expert tier to the legendary tier, where Thotmudo resided, there was only a distinction between the grandmaster and master tiers. In most factions, these tiers were esteemed like VIPs.

More importantly, this hero unit was cultivated and born within the Crown of the Ocean, rather than being summoned from outside, which held significant meaning.

Without hesitation, Ji Chen immediately ordered the summoning of this newly ascended hero.

He was an ordinary-looking middle-aged man, but his muscular physique resembled that of a blacksmith.

This rare-tier craftsman hero obviously hadn’t fully adapted to his changes yet, but his entire demeanor had quietly undergone a transformation.

This was the change brought about by unlocking life potential and ascending to a unit with greater potential like a hero.

As soon as Sael saw Ji Chen, he quickly saluted.

“My lord.”

Ji Chen nodded slightly, showing a gentle smile, gesturing to the long table beside him.

“Sael, right? Sit down and speak.”

Sael looked pleasantly surprised. “How dare I sit with you…”

“It’s fine.”

Watching Lord Ji Chen sit at the head of the table, Sael summoned the courage from somewhere, gritting his teeth as he sat on the chair, only occupying half of it, with his hands placed obediently on his knees, sitting up straight like a well-behaved child.

“Do you know you’ve ascended to become a hero? How does it feel?”

“Fili and the others told me… urn, Fili is one of the apprentices with me, guided by Sir Thotmudo… I feel like I have endless strength in my body now.”

Ji Chen looked at the nervous Sael and couldn’t help but smile.

Ascending to hero status means your life potential has been unlocked, and various aspects of your physical qualities will be enhanced. Do you feel a deeper understanding of forging and ironworking now?”

Sael’s eyes brightened as he nodded eagerly. “Yes, absolutely. I feel like I can easily craft high-quality weapons now, and all the forging difficulties and problems I couldn’t understand before suddenly became clear!”

“Sir Thotmudo taught us the dwarven forging techniques, and now I suddenly understand. If I were to do it now, I’m confident I could completely use the dwarven forging techniques to craft a good sword…”

I believe you…” Ji Chen interrupted the increasingly excited Sael, “In that case, you can go help Sir Thotmudo now. I heard he’s currently forging a powerful weapon and might need assistance.”

“Sir Thotmudo…” A hint of awkwardness flashed across Sael’s face, indicating that Thotmudo’s teaching methods had left a lasting impression on him.

Ji Chen smiled. “Although Sir Thotmudo may appear fierce, he’s actually quite easy to get along with if you earn his approval.”

After hesitating for a moment, Sael said, “Alright, I’ll go see Sir Thotmudo now.”

In the underground world, Thotmudo’s private workshop.

Sael nervously knocked on the workshop door, “Sir Thotmudo, Lord Ji Chen sent me to assist you…”

“Didn’t I say not to let anyone disturb me!?” Thotmudo’s grumbling voice instantly echoed from the workshop, “With your level, you think you can help me? Just staying out of trouble would be good enough!”

The workshop door was forcefully pushed open, revealing Thotmudo’s angry figure.

He looked at the timid Sael, about to continue scolding, but after a closer look, he squinted slightly, “Rare-tier hero? Expert tier?”

“Yes, Sir Thotmudo, I unexpectedly ascended today…”

“Hmph, an expert tier might just about be able to assist me.” Thotmudo’s expression softened slightly, “Come in then. Since that kid sent you, I’ll give you a chance. If you can’t handle it, then get lost!”

Sael nodded eagerly and followed Thotmudo into the workshop. Despite being a muscular man standing at 1.8 meters tall, he seemed like a child in front of the 1.3-meter-tall dwarf.

Thotmudo stepped aside to let him into the workshop, casually closing the door behind them, then walked to the center of the workshop with his hands behind his back. “This weapon is intended for that lad. The demons are preparing to strike, and he’ll need a decent weapon.”

“From now until it’s finished, don’t make a sound. Do exactly as I tell you. How much you learn depends on your insight.”

Sael nodded vigorously, sealing his lips tightly shut, but his eyes widened with excitement.

His heart was filled with delight.

To be able to witness the forging process of a legendary blacksmith up close, what a precious opportunity this was!