Totosai's gaze swept over the three children, finally landing on the short blade at Inuyasha's waist.
"Half-demon..."
He muttered the words, then turned and walked into the cave.
"Come in."
The three children exchanged a look, then followed him inside.
The cave was far deeper than it looked from the outside.
There were also several hidden doors.
After passing through them, they walked dozens of steps farther in, and the tunnel began to widen. The air also grew hotter and hotter.
By the time their view suddenly opened up, all three children froze.
Deep inside the cave stood a massive furnace.
The furnace was more than thirty feet tall, and the flames inside its chamber were white. Heat surged toward them, scorching their faces until they hurt.
All kinds of materials were piled beside the furnace.
There were metal blocks gleaming with cold light, ores glowing faintly, and other things none of them could name, all heaped together in a disorderly mess.
Totosai walked up to the furnace, turned around, and looked at the three children.
"Did you bring the Dragon Scale Powder?"
Inuyasha froze when he heard that.
Then he took the cloth pouch from inside his clothes and handed it over.
Totosai accepted the pouch, opened it, glanced inside, and nodded.
"Mm. Good quality. This is indeed top-grade Dragon Scale Powder."
He set the pouch aside, then raised one finger.
"However, Dragon Scale Powder alone is not enough."
Inuyasha's brows drew together.
"Father said these materials were enough to forge three weapons."
"The materials are enough."
Totosai nodded.
"But forging a weapon requires more than just materials."
His gaze swept across the three children's faces, turning somewhat profound.
"A good weapon needs a soul."
"And a weapon's soul comes from the one who wields it."
"You need to