Wine Young Master Huang Yi, Weapon Forging Breaks Limits with God Forging Hammer

Mastering the blade's intent, and having honed his Body Tempering to the Tiger Tendon stage, Zhou Qiming's strength finally ascended another step.

He was unrivaled among those in the Tendon Transformation realm. Even when facing veteran Viscera Refining martial artists who were slightly weaker, he was completely unfazed.

Just as Zhou Qiming was about to head home after breaking through his limits, he noticed a commotion outside the Weapon Forging Workshop. He went over to see what was happening.

Standing at the entrance was a young master exuding nobility, clad in fine silk and jade. He appeared respectful, while his servants kept a distance by the carriage.

Zhou Qiming immediately recognized that this brocade-clad young master's Body Tempering realm was no lower than Bai Hao's. His temples bulged, and a sharp glint flickered in his eyes – signs of successful Internal Energy Cultivation. His combat power was likely even stronger than Bai Hao's.

"It's Young Master Huang Yi, one of the Four Young Masters. Why is he here again?"

"Sigh, still not giving up. Workshop Master Mo already said he's not taking disciples."

"Keep your voices down. The Huang family is the family of the County Governor. They have immense power. Don't look if you don't want to die."

The craftsmen murmured amongst themselves, all turning back to bury their heads in their work.

This Huang Yi, known as the Wine Young Master, had appeared on the Human Ranking even earlier than Bai Hao. His strength and background were not to be underestimated; the Weapon Forging Workshop couldn't afford to offend him.

Huang Yi clearly wasn't willing to leave just like that. This was the tenth time he had come to seek apprenticeship in the past six months, determined not to give up until he achieved his goal.

"Young Master Huang, why go through all this trouble? You are the County Governor's son. Why insist on learning blacksmithing at the Weapon Forging Workshop instead of something else?"

Seeing the Huang family members lingering, Steward Mo Bing stepped out at the opportune moment, attempting to usher them away.

The Huang family's sudden interest in the Weapon Forging Workshop was either the County Governor's attempt at annexation or Young Master Huang's hidden agenda. Either way, it was troublesome.

The Weapon Forging Workshop had always focused on its craft, staying out of Luoshan County's power struggles and maintaining neutrality. This was how they had survived intact all these years.

Huang Yi waved his hand, signaling his subordinates to bring out several plates of gold. He cupped his fists towards Mo Bing and said:

"I have been infatuated with weapon forging for a long time. I hope Steward Mo can accommodate me. As long as I can learn from Workshop Master Mo, the Huang family is willing to pay any price."

"This isn't a matter of money. You are not suited for blacksmithing. Moreover, with the County Governor's means, what cultivation technique can't he obtain? Why would he covet the Weapon Forging Workshop's signature martial arts?"

Mo Bing shook his head, showing no deference to the other party, and directly exposed the Huang family's intentions.

The fact that this Wine Young Master, ranked above Bai Hao on the Human Ranking, would humble himself and beg clearly indicated that it wasn't the blacksmithing skill he desired, but the legendary family heirloom martial arts.

Workshop Master Mo was so strict that he had to repeatedly screen even his own children before willing to pass down his techniques. How could he possibly give his Internal Energy Cultivation to outsiders like the Huang family, who were as ravenous as wolves?

"Outrageous! I have repeatedly lowered myself, yet Workshop Master Mo refuses to even see me. You will change your minds sooner or later. We're leaving!"

With that, his eyes filled with malice and ruthlessness, he got into his carriage and returned home with his servants.

"Young Master, don't be angry. His Excellency the County Governor has plenty of ways to deal with that old turtle Mo Yu," the old servant comforted him.

"It seems the Weapon Forging Workshop's signature martial art, the Crimson Sun Art, is real. If I can get my hands on it, I can dispel the poison of that Demoness from the All Beings Cult, and advance further on the Human Ranking!"

Huang Yi clenched his fists, determined to obtain the Crimson Sun Art. Even the Poison Young Master, one of the Four Young Masters, was helpless against this poison. The Crimson Sun Art was a fire-attribute Internal Energy Cultivation technique, and he hoped it would be effective.

Watching the Huang family's convoy depart, Steward Mo couldn't help but shake his head, his face filled with worry. "An innocent man is guilty when he possesses wealth." The Weapon Forging Workshop's days would likely not be peaceful.

He didn't know who had leaked the information, attracting the covetous gaze of a wolf like the Huang family towards their cultivation techniques. Now that the other party had dropped all pretense, conflict and bloodshed were inevitable.

The Weapon Forging Workshop was merely a gathering of blacksmiths. In the end, they would either resign themselves to submission or hand over their cultivation techniques to the powerful factions in the Prefecture City for protection. Neither outcome would end well.

"What a turbulent time," Mo Bing sighed and returned inside.

Zhou Qiming, hidden in a corner, silently observed the scene. He had just become a Second-Class Weapon Forger, and Mo Yu was already encountering trouble.

He just wanted to quietly improve his skills and martial arts. Why did these young masters from the county town have to disrupt his peace?

Zhou Qiming took a deep breath. Breaking through the Evergreen Skill was more important right now. Let these grasshoppers jump around for a while longer. Besides, if the sky were to fall, Mo Yu was still above him; it wasn't his turn to act yet.

Returning home, Zhou Qiming immediately started a fire, continuing to consume Silver Kiss King Snake meat to replenish his Root Bone, then began circulating the Evergreen Skill through its heavenly cycle.

Evergreen Skill progress +1, +1!

At the current rate of cultivation, the Evergreen Skill would be Great Accomplishment in another month.

Late at night, good news also arrived from the Chasing Wind Tower. Xu Fei brought 1,800 taels of reward money, a jar of Dragon Blood, a list of the Human Ranking, and some information on suitable missions.

Zhou Qiming cupped his hands in thanks and accepted everything. This reward was more generous than what Li Shou had provided. It seemed Tian Liang's death was widely celebrated, as he had too many romantic entanglements that led to his demise.

"There are no missions I wish to take among these Blade Catcher tasks for now," Zhou Qiming scanned the intelligence and shook his head, saying they could discuss it next time.

He currently had just over ten thousand taels of silver saved. He needed to go all out to break through the Evergreen Skill. There was no need to rush for missions and waste precious cultivation time.

"Alright, Yan Sanniang is very satisfied with your strength and has reduced your information service fee to one-tenth of the reward," Xu Fei understood and quickly departed.

Zhou Qiming glanced at the Human Ranking, then continued to immerse himself in circulating the Evergreen Skill's heavenly cycle.

This was the transformation brought about by strength and status. He, who once frantically chopped wood and made fires for a few taels of silver each month, now effortlessly acquired countless riches and exotic meats.

Another month passed in the blink of an eye. Zhou Qiming's weapon forging skills had also reached perfection, and the Evergreen Skill had achieved Great Accomplishment. His internal energy was now so profound that he could kill a Savage Elephant with his bare hands.

[Name: Zhou Qiming]
[Level: Great Accomplishment of Tendon Transformation (Dragon Tendons)]
[Root Bone: 19/22!]
[Weapon Forging: Perfection+]
[Evergreen Skill: Great Accomplishment 10%!]

His Root Bone Cap had increased by another two points, and his Body Tempering realm had also improved.

"The Evergreen Skill is almost complete. I'll save my Root Bone points for Internal Energy Cultivation and won't upgrade the Iron Cloth Skill for now."

Zhou Qiming glanced at his martial arts panel, eagerly anticipating the breakthrough for his Internal Energy Cultivation.

Over the past month, the Dragon Blood and Tendon Transformation Pills he had were almost used up, and the 15 jin of exotic meat had long since run out.

To refine the Tendon Transformation Realm to the ultimate Dragon Tendon level, he needed to purchase and collect better quality Flying Dragon Blood and Dragon Tendon Pills. It was time to take on the County Yamen's Blade Catcher missions.

He also needed to secure the monopolized Flying Dragon Blood for the yamen's treasury. Zhou Qiming planned to visit the County Lieutenant during his days off.

"I can also add some points to my Weapon Forging skill and try breaking through once to see the effect."

Zhou Qiming suddenly had this idea and consciously tried to stimulate the Weapon Forging section.

His Cooking skill could have also broken through before, but his Root Bone attribute points were not enough to upgrade various martial arts, so he naturally wouldn't waste them on life skills.

However, the benefits of Weapon Forging were different. After breaking through, he might truly be able to forge demonic or divine weapons. Most importantly, he now had much more Root Bone available than before.

With his Root Bone Cap increasing to an astonishing 22 points, he had more options for breakthroughs, giving Zhou Qiming room to improve his life skills.

[Root Bone: 14/22!]

[Weapon Forging Breakthrough - First Level + (Trait: God Forging Hammer)]