Learning the Hammer, the Third Gift Pack

The next day, Bibi Han went to the Blacksmith Association headquarters and requested an audience with Divine Craftsman Lou Gao.

A man walked over. His name seemed to be Si Long. He looked at Bibi Han and the others with a complicated expression before saying, "Honored guests, please follow me."

After walking for some time, they came upon a large door blocking the stairway. Bibi Han could not tell what material it was made from, but under the Eye of Truth, he saw metals of different colors emitting different lusters.

Si Long walked up to the alloy door and lightly knocked on it. His knocks followed a rhythm. Bibi Han noticed that every spot Si Long tapped with his fingers was different, as was the force he used. Faint mechanical sounds came from within the metal door.

A path leading upstairs appeared. After walking a while longer and opening another door, they saw a short, stout old man. He was only about 1.6 meters tall, but his waistline was probably just as wide. He had protruding ears, small eyes, and a messy head of short hair that looked as though it had not been washed in days. He wore a loose robe, and his chubby face was still smeared with something like metal powder.

He was holding a huge iron hammer, his expression serious as he continuously struck it, forging some object.

This kindly looking old man was none other than Lou Gao, the strongest blacksmith on the continent.

The old man continued forging without the slightest intention of acknowledging anyone else.

Some of Bibi Han's subordinates could no longer hold back. Even a Divine Craftsman was, at his core, still a blacksmith, while Bibi Han was very likely to become the future Saint Son of Spirit Hall.

Just as they were about to rebuke him, Bibi Han stopped them.

"Wait. The spirit of a craftsman deserves respect."

Though his subordinates did not understand, they said nothing.

Bibi Han then activated the Eye of Truth and carefully observed Lou Gao's every movement. His calves exerted force, his waist served as the axis, and his heart pounded rapidly in his chest. The power traveled upward, into his thighs, through his waist, back, and arms, before finally being released. Perfect. Coordinated. Not a trace of excess power leaked out. That was Bibi Han's most direct impression.

After watching a few more times, he said, "Senior Si Long, come outside with me for a moment."

Si Long stood there somewhat dazed, clearly shaken by Bibi Han calling him Senior. But after recovering, he followed, wondering what Bibi Han intended to do.

Outside the door, Bibi Han used his Blue Silver God Martial Soul to form a small hammer, then created a tree stump.

Bibi Han extended his left leg forward, exerted force through his calf, used his waist as an axis, and fiercely struck the tree stump with the hammer.

"How was that?" he asked Si Long.

Si Long was dumbfounded. "Did you really come here to practice hammering?"

Si Long asked himself whether even he could have controlled that amount of force any better.

"Yes. This is my first time using a hammer like this."

"How did you do it?" Si Long asked in disbelief.

"It was nothing. I just watched Senior Lou Gao forge for a bit, and I learned it."

Si Long's eyes widened. His expression plainly said, Are you fucking kidding me?

The others beside Bibi Han were also somewhat astonished, but if they understood how difficult it was to master such things, they would likely have been terrified.

Bibi Han then switched hands and did it several more times.

Lou Gao inside was drawn by the sound and looked over, equally dumbfounded.

He stopped forging and called Bibi Han over.

As for the others, he shut the door and made them wait outside.

"Senior Lou Gao, you're not forging anymore?"

Lou Gao looked Bibi Han up and down, seemingly unsure what he was doing.

"No matter how I look at you, you don't seem like someone suited for blacksmithing. Yet your ability to learn is so strong. Do you truly want to learn Chaotic Wind from me?"

"Of course. Other than the Clear Sky Sect, only you know a few of its techniques."

"Hmph, don't think that just because you dealt with those scum, our Blacksmith Association will forgive you. Want me to teach you hammering? No chance."

Bibi Han smiled. "Then why did you keep only me behind?"

Then Bibi Han said seriously, "Senior Lou Gao, I ask you to teach me Chaotic Wind. Spirit Hall can offer equivalent compensation."

"Hmph, I'm not interested in money."

"I understand, I understand. Senior Lou Gao is a forging fanatic. The treasures you forge must require many rare metals. I can have people prepare them for you."

Lou Gao chuckled. "Nearly all the most precious metals in the world are transported to the City of Metal. Do I need you to prepare them?"

"Hehe, metals from all over the world are indeed sent to the City of Metal. But Senior Lou Gao, you cannot tell which ones are rare metals. I can tell you that I possess a technique that can identify treasures, metals included. I can help you find the second-tier rare metals for free. However much there is, I'll give it all to you." Bibi Han said with his arms folded, brimming with confidence.

"Is what you say true!?" Lou Gao was overjoyed.

"Yes. I came here to learn from you, so you are half a teacher to me. Deceiving one's teacher is not something one should do."

"Fine. As long as you gather a certain amount of rare metals for me, I'll teach you Chaotic Wind and every hammer technique I know."

"It's a deal."

Just as Bibi Han was about to turn and leave, Lou Gao spoke again. "Wait. There's something else I want to ask. You should know the status of blacksmiths in this world, so why is your attitude...?"

When he heard that Bibi Han wanted to learn hammering from him, Lou Gao had initially refused outright. It made no difference that Bibi Han had punished those people from the Martial Soul Main Hall. But at that moment, a blacksmith had spoken up for Bibi Han—the uncle who had questioned Bibi Han on the road—and after hearing about his attitude, Lou Gao decided to observe him.

Only after seeing Bibi Han stop the Spirit Hall subordinates, witnessing his astounding learning ability, and hearing him call Si Long Senior did Lou Gao decide to accept him.

"Blacksmiths do not earn money through improper means. To me, there is no distinction of high or low, noble or humble among professions. Being a blacksmith is merely a way to make a living. In terms of history, blacksmiths have existed even longer than Spirit Hall."

After hearing Bibi Han's words, Lou Gao let out the kindly laughter of an old man.

Bibi Han went up to the second floor, activated the Eye of Truth, and bought every piece of glowing metal.

Just then, a voice appeared in Bibi Han's mind. "Your third gift pack has arrived. Distributing rewards."

A bead appeared in Bibi Han's hand: the Dragon Soul Pill, refined from the essence blood of the Ancient Divine Dragon. After consuming it, it could greatly strengthen the body and make female dragons (beast clans) unconsciously develop favorable feelings toward him.

The physical enhancement was pretty good, but what the hell were female dragons? How many Mother Dragons were there in the world, let alone among the beast clans?

Whatever. After finishing the looting, Bibi Han found a quiet room and consumed it.

At once, Bibi Han felt as though his entire body were on fire. Half an hour later, the medicine's effects ended, and Bibi Han's physical strength had increased by thirty percent.

That's right, you didn't hear wrong—just thirty percent. A pill made from the blood of the mighty Ancient Divine Dragon had only improved him by thirty percent.

Bibi Han fucking wanted to curse. What kind of pill had the system given him? How much dragon blood was even in it?

Truly the worst Golden Finger in history, without question.