Borrowing Wine to Steal Talent

The night was deep, and within the main hall of the Wang Clan's Martial Academy, candlelight flickered.

Wang Yue sat at the table, repeatedly rubbing the silver Cloud-Piercing Armor in his hand. The armor plates gleamed with a cold luster under the candlelight, their surface patterns resembling flowing clouds, exquisite and resilient.

He took a deep breath, his gaze falling on the extraction button for the [Fortitude] talent on his status panel. He silently thought, "Extract Tier 1 talent [Fortitude]."

As soon as the words left his mouth, the Cloud-Piercing Armor in his hand suddenly grew warm. An invisible energy surged into his body through his palm, instantly spreading to every limb and bone.

Wang Yue could clearly feel his body as if immersed in warm water, faintly heating up. The muscles and bones beneath his skin trembled slightly, as if undergoing a gentle tempering.

He closed his eyes, carefully sensing the changes within him. After a moment, he opened them, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "The effect is indeed quite good."

He extended his hand and gently squeezed the skin on his arm. He could clearly feel that the toughness of his skin had significantly increased. This change was almost the same as the body refinement effect he experienced when he condensed his tenth stream of Qi and Blood.

Of course, he wasn't crazy enough to test his defense with a sharp weapon. With his strength, what flesh and blood could withstand his own strikes? Merely relying on a martial artist's perception of their body, he could confirm that the improvement brought by the [Fortitude] talent meant that ordinary punches and kicks could offset a considerable amount of force.

At this moment, a line of text suddenly appeared on his status panel: [Talent extraction on cooldown, remaining time: 5 days].

"Cooldown for five days?" Wang Yue pondered for a moment, then his eyes lit up. He immediately circulated his Qi and Blood, two streams of potent Qi and Blood surging through his meridians towards his palm, injecting into the status panel.

As expected, with the injection of Qi and Blood, the cooldown time on the panel rapidly decreased. In just a few breaths, "5 days" turned into "0".

"Extract Tier 1 talent [Swiftness]!" Wang Yue commanded without hesitation.

This time, the energy surging into his body was no longer gentle but carried a slight sting, as if countless fine needles were combing through his meridians. Wang Yue gritted his teeth and endured, clearly feeling as if a heavy restraint had been lifted from his body, making him much lighter. Even his breathing felt smoother.

He suddenly stood up and dashed towards the open space outside the small hut. His footsteps landed almost silently, and his speed was about a tenth faster than before!

"All martial arts in the world are invincible with speed!" Wang Yue was overjoyed. This seemingly insignificant increase in speed was a huge advantage in actual combat, useful for dodging attacks, seizing opportunities, or escaping.

"You brat, it's so late and you're still messing around?" A familiar voice called out. Wang Shuo, dressed in a gray long gown, came down from upstairs. He looked at Wang Yue, who was running in the open space, with a hint of helplessness in his eyes.

"The quality of that inner armor is indeed good, but it shouldn't make you research it day and night, should it?"

Wang Yue stopped running and walked up to Wang Shuo. Without looking up at him, he continued to rub the Cloud-Piercing Armor in his hand and slowly said, "I want to systematically learn weapon forging from Master Liu Haibing. I can only research the inner armor he forged more, ponder his techniques, but I still don't know how to build a good relationship with him."

Upon hearing this, Wang Shuo suddenly laughed heartily and patted Wang Yue's shoulder. "You brat, you're not old, but you're quite thoughtful! Don't worry, leave this to me. Come, let's lend a hand, father and son."

Wang Yue raised his eyebrows, unsure of what trick Wang Shuo was up to, but he still extended his hand as instructed and firmly grasped Wang Shuo's arm.

The next second, the internal energy within Wang Shuo erupted. A wisp of refined internal energy flowed slowly into Wang Yue's body through his arm, the hallmark power of a martial artist in the Energy Refining Realm.

In the past, Wang Yue would have instinctively driven away this wisp of internal energy. But this time, he didn't. Instead, he circulated the ten streams of Qi and Blood within his body, letting them surge like a tide towards the wisp of internal energy, biting and colliding fiercely.

Although the internal energy was strong, under the impact of Wang Yue's robust Qi and Blood, it quickly dissipated in his meridians like melting ice and snow.

Wang Yue's expression remained unchanged throughout the process, as if he had merely done something trivial.

Wang Shuo released his hand, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes. He smiled slightly and said, "That Liu Haibing, he looks rough, but he's actually quite simple-minded.

He has a hobby; he likes to drink, but he can't drink. He gets drunk as soon as he drinks, and when he's drunk, he likes to talk nonsense. Isn't that funny?"

"Likes to drink but can't drink?" Wang Yue's eyes lit up instantly, and he immediately understood Wang Shuo's meaning. He was suggesting he use alcohol to win over Liu Haibing!

"Master, do you have any good wine here?" Wang Yue quickly asked.

Wang Shuo smacked his lips, turned, and walked upstairs. A moment later, he came down carrying a dark red gourd. The words "Hundred Year Drunk" were carved on the gourd. Even before opening it, a faint aroma of wine could be smelled.

"This is Hundred Year Drunk Fenjiu from the Hundred Year Winery in the Spirit Seeking Prefecture. It's been aged for a full hundred years. It's smooth on the entrance but has a strong aftereffect. It's a rare fine wine."

Wang Shuo handed the gourd to Wang Yue. "Take it. Give this wine to him, and I guarantee he'll look at you with new eyes."

Wang Yue took the gourd with both hands. It felt heavy, and his heart filled with excitement. He quickly cupped his fists in thanks. "Thank you, Master!"

Master Wang Shuo looked at his disciple and muttered to himself, how could he have grown so fast? How long had he been stuck in the Blood Condensation realm? Eight years or ten?

Wang Yue's mind was now filled with the thought of building a good relationship with Liu Haibing and learning weapon forging. He had no intention of sleeping. He simply put away the Cloud-Piercing Armor, picked up the wine gourd, and turned towards the Essence Chamber in the patriarch's mansion. Since he couldn't sleep, he might as well use this opportunity to cultivate the Blood Dragon Secret Method in the chamber and strive to break through the fourth form as soon as possible.

In the darkness, Wang Yue's figure was as light as a civet cat, quickly disappearing at the end of the alley.

In the Essence Chamber, mist-like essence still drifted. Wang Yue pushed open the door of the compartment, sat down cross-legged, and immediately began circulating the Blood Dragon Secret Method. As the technique unfolded, the surrounding essence was continuously absorbed into his body, converted into Qi and Blood, replenishing the consumption from cultivation. Fists winds once again echoed in the chamber, intermingling with the subtle sounds of essence flowing.

The next morning, as dawn broke, Wang Yue emerged from the Essence Chamber, still carrying the lingering aura of essence. Although there was a trace of fatigue in his eyes, it could not hide the vibrant spirit of his abundant Qi and Blood.

After a night of intermittent cultivation, the meridians of the fourth form of the Blood Dragon Secret Method became clearer and clearer, and he was not far from mastering it.

As soon as he reached the courtyard of the patriarch's mansion, he sensed a gaze upon him. Looking up, he saw Wang He sitting by the window on the second floor, holding a cup of hot tea. His gaze swept over him indifferently, without speaking, but Wang Yue could discern a hint of approval in his eyes.

"This kid, he's truly unafraid of the distracting thoughts within the essence." Wang He thought to himself. Wang Yue spent every day cultivating in the chamber, yet his progress was remarkable day by day. This mindset and talent were unparalleled among the younger generation of the Wang Clan.

A thought suddenly popped into his mind: if he could keep Wang Yue within the clan and prevent him from going to the Dragon Transformation Sect, perhaps the Wang Clan could advance further in the future, even breaking free from their dependence on the Dragon Transformation Sect.

But as soon as this thought arose, he forcefully suppressed it himself. Wang He gave a self-deprecating smile, "Staying in the Wang Clan, what's the difference from going to the Dragon Transformation Sect?

Without the benefits and resources of a Dragon Transformation Sect disciple, yet having to work for the Dragon Transformation Sect, it would instead hinder his future."

The Wang Clan was now a subordinate force of the Dragon Transformation Sect. Even if Wang Yue stayed within the clan, he would ultimately have to serve the sect. Rather than that, it would be better to let him go to the sect, where he could at least receive better training.

Wang Yue did not notice Wang He's thoughts. He cupped his hands towards the second floor, then moved with light, swift steps towards the forging workshop in the west courtyard. The wine gourd in his hand was carefully protected in his embrace, lest even a single drop spill.

"Clang!" The wooden door of the forging workshop was pushed open. Liu Haibing was squatting by the furnace, adding coal. Seeing Wang Yue enter, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. "You're quite early. You're much more diligent than that Wang Daoling kid."

He recalled Wang Yue's performance yesterday and tried to recall the tone of the elders in the sect praising their disciples. He said with a stern face, "A promising youth."

Wang Yue suppressed a chuckle in his heart but showed a sincere smile on his face. He quickly walked forward, took out the dark red wine gourd from his embrace, and shook it. The mellow aroma of wine instantly spread. "Master Liu, thank you for your guidance yesterday. I specifically brought a small gift and wanted to invite you to try it."

Liu Haibing's gaze was instantly drawn to the wine gourd, and his Adam's apple involuntarily bobbed. He said stiffly, "I still have disciples to teach weapon forging to. It's not appropriate to drink and delay matters."

"Just a small drink or two won't take long," Wang Yue feigned shyness, placing the wine gourd on the table, and smiling, said, "With Master Liu's tolerance for alcohol, these two drinks should be no problem. Are you afraid of getting drunk?"

"Afraid of getting drunk? When has Liu Haibing ever been afraid?" Liu Haibing's eyes sharpened with provocation, and he shouted, "Bring me a cup! I'll drink a couple with you today!"

Wang Yue's heart leaped with joy. He pulled out two pre-prepared celadon wine cups from his robes, having even prepared the cups in advance.

He picked up the wine gourd and carefully poured two full cups. The wine was amber-colored and crystal clear, emitting a rich aroma even before being tasted.

"For the first cup, I toast Master Liu on his arrival at the Wang Clan. I will rely on your guidance in the future!" Wang Yue raised his cup, his tone respectful. He then tilted his head and drank it down in one gulp. The spicy liquid slid down his throat, leaving a faint sweet aftertaste, while the potent kick quietly surged.

"Good! That's the spirit!" Seeing this, Liu Haibing also raised his cup and drank it down in one go, a look of satisfaction instantly appearing on his face. While this Hundred Year Drunk Fenjiu wasn't as good as the fine wines in the sect, it had its own unique flavor.

Wang Yue immediately poured another cup and raised it, saying, "This cup is to thank Master Liu for demonstrating the forging technique yesterday, which gave me a sudden enlightenment. I toast you again!"

After speaking, he drank it down in another gulp, his eyes subtly observing Liu Haibing's condition. The Fenjiu had a strong aftereffect, and he had to get the man drunk quickly. Otherwise, if other disciples arrived, or if Liu Haibing used his Qi and Blood to dispel the alcohol's effects, he would lose his chance to touch that Weapon Forging Hammer.

Liu Haibing felt extremely pleased and didn't refuse, raising his cup and drinking again.

"For this third cup, I toast Master Liu's superb teaching skills. Even Senior Brother Wang Daoling has been taught by you to a respectable level. I toast you again!" Without giving Liu Haibing a chance to react, Wang Yue poured another cup and drank it himself first.

Liu Haibing was flattered to the point of being a bit dazed. He wanted to stop Wang Yue from drinking so quickly, but the words got stuck in his throat, blocked by the phrase "superb skills." He could only helplessly pick up his cup and drink again.

Cup after cup, Wang Yue praised Liu Haibing in various ways while continuously pouring wine. By the fifth cup, only Liu Haibing was drinking. Each time, Wang Yue raised an empty cup, pretending to drink, but secretly pouring the wine into the charcoal ashes behind him.

Soon, the dark red wine gourd was nearly empty. Liu Haibing's cheeks were flushed, and his eyes had become somewhat unfocused. His speech was slurred, "Good... Good wine... Another... Another pot..."

Wang Yue's heart tightened. The time had come! He subtly reached out and gently picked up the golden Weapon Forging Hammer hanging from Liu Haibing's waist. It felt cool to the touch, and the patterns on the hammer seemed to possess a peculiar power.

Yesterday, while cultivating in the secret chamber, he had infused two streams of Qi and Blood beforehand, resetting the extraction cooldown time of the panel to zero. Holding the Weapon Forging Hammer now, he unhesitatingly chanted in his mind, "Extract Forging Tier 2 Talent [Hundred Forgings]!"

A golden light surged from the Weapon Forging Hammer into Wang Yue's body, instantly transforming into dense black shadows that flooded his mind. These shadows were Liu Haibing's decades of forging experience: from material selection and fire control to the force and rhythm of hammering, and finally to impurity removal, shaping, and quenching. Every detail was incredibly clear, as if he had experienced it himself.

Wang Yue's Comprehension talent was already extraordinary. Not only did he not suffer mental disorientation from these shadows, but he quickly digested and absorbed them, mastering the essence of the [Hundred Forgings] talent. He could even clearly recall every hammering detail Liu Haibing used when forging the Hundred Forgings fine iron.

Just then, Liu Haibing suddenly narrowed his eyes and glanced at Wang Yue, a subtle curve appearing at the corner of his mouth. This brat was indeed still coveting his Weapon Forging Hammer!

Although he appeared dazed, most of the alcohol's effects had been quietly neutralized by the Dragon Transformation Force within his body while he was drinking. His so-called "drunken state" was merely a pretense.

The sect's teachings emphasized, "Be cautious when outside." How could he get drunk so easily? It was just that he saw Wang Yue's pure intentions and his genuine desire to learn forging, so he deliberately loosened up, allowing him to have his wish.

When Wang Yue had finished playing with the Weapon Forging Hammer, Liu Haibing suddenly took a deep breath. The Dragon Transformation Force within him surged, and a condensed internal force flowed through his meridians, instantly encircling and eliminating the remaining alcohol. The alcoholic fumes dissipated from his pores, and his eyes instantly regained clarity, showing no trace of drunkenness.

Wang Yue was immersed in the joy of digesting the [Hundred Forgings] talent when he suddenly saw a hand extend towards him, palm up, clearly intending to retrieve the Weapon Forging Hammer. His heart panicked, and he gave an awkward smile, quickly handing the hammer back.

"Hmph!" Liu Haibing took the Weapon Forging Hammer, re-attached it to his waist, and his expression turned grim. He said coldly, "Come with me!"

He turned and walked towards the forging platform inside the workshop. "Today, you'll forge iron to your heart's content, or my name isn't Liu Haibing!"