First Steps in Forging

Late at night, Jiang Yi returned to the dormitory.

Long Chen, lying on his bed, looked at him with some surprise.

"Coming back so late, What Are You Doing?" Long Chen asked curiously.

"I went to the library to exchange for a few things," Jiang Yi Said Directly.

Then he gathered a change of clothes and Was About To head into the bathroom for a shower.

"By the way, do you know of anywhere near the academy where someone Can Also practice forging?" Jiang Yi suddenly asked as he stood before the bathroom door.

Long Chen looked puzzled. "Aren't you a Mecha Designer?"

"A friend of mine just arrived in Mingdu and wants to practice forging," Jiang Yi casually made up an excuse.

"I see. I'm not a blacksmith either, but I heard there's a blacksmithing studio near our academy."

"If you go there, someone should teach forging knowledge," Long Chen answered after thinking for a moment.

"Thanks." Jiang Yi entered the bathroom after saying that.

After finishing everything, he lay on his bed. Rather than resting, he took out a book and began reading.

He Did Not turn on the lights, because even at night, he could Rely On his Spiritual Power to see the contents of the book clearly.

Just like that, the night passed quickly.

When the sky was barely light, Jiang Yi put away the book and got up. After washing up, he left the dormitory.

He then left the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy directly.

The entire Mingdu was like a Steel Forest, Skyscrapers rising one after another, each with its own distinctive features.

"Long Chen said it was nearby yesterday. It should be around the Commercial Street. I'll go take a look."

The Commercial Street was on the East Side of the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy. Jiang Yi had rarely visited such places before, simply because he had no money to spend.

He usually ate in the cafeteria, since students received discounts. As for anything else, he had never bought it.

After all, he had saved all his money back then, intending to buy a suitable Soul Spirit.

He headed toward the Commercial Street to the east. Amid the crowded throng, a Middle-aged Man spotted him, delight flashing through his eyes.

"This brat finally left the academy."

His figure abruptly vanished as he silently followed Jiang Yi.

Jiang Yi entered the Commercial Street. Although dawn had only just arrived, the place was already a Sea of People.

Most of them had come to work. Jiang Yi followed the Commercial Street, searching for the forging studio Long Chen had mentioned.

Not Long After, he stopped in front of a shop.

"Mingyun Forging Studio." Those words were written on the shop sign.

Its primary services were also listed there, including forging instruction.

After confirming that this forging studio taught forging techniques, Jiang Yi walked straight inside.

Forging was not something one could easily learn from words in books. It required personal practice.

The moment he entered, the Young Girl at the reception desk approached him.

"May I ask if you need to commission a blacksmith to forge something for you?" the Young Girl asked in a sweet voice.

Jiang Yi shook his head. "No, I'm here to learn forging."

Surprise flashed through the Young Girl's eyes, but she quickly said, "I see. Those who learn forging techniques at our studio can first attend a Trial Lesson."

"Here is a roster of blacksmiths. Guests can select one and sit in on a lesson first."

As she spoke, the Young Girl handed him a form containing several photographs and quite a bit of text.

Hearing that such a good opportunity existed, Jiang Yi accepted the introduction sheet from her.

Blacksmiths were divided into nine levels. Levels One and Two were craftsman rank, Levels Three and Four were Grandmaster rank, Levels Five and Six were Grand Artisan rank, Levels Seven and Eight were Saint Craftsman rank, while the highest, Level Nine, was Divine Craftsman rank.

This forging studio had been able to open on the Commercial Street beside the Sun Moon Imperial Ruby Academy, so it naturally had considerable strength.

On the introduction sheet, there was actually a Grand Artisan-ranked blacksmith who could already perform Fusion Forging.

Being able to perform Fusion Forging meant that the blacksmith had already reached Level Six.

Unfortunately, this Grand Artisan could not be selected for a Trial Lesson.

"I'll choose Blacksmith Lin Ming," Jiang Yi finally decided.

He was a Level Four blacksmith, meaning he had already mastered Thousand Refinement.

"Alright, please wait here for a moment," the Young Girl said with a smile.

She then turned and entered the Soul Guidance Elevator, heading directly to the Third Floor.

Jiang Yi found a seat on the First Floor and waited for the Young Girl's response.

About five minutes later, the Young Girl came down from the Second Floor.

"Guest, Blacksmith Lin Ming has time now. You can go up and attend a Trial Lesson."

"After reaching the Third Floor, the First room on the left is Blacksmith Lin Ming's Forge Room."

"Thank you." Jiang Yi stood up.

He took the Soul Guidance Elevator directly to the Third Floor and knocked on the door of the First room to the left.

"Come in." A voice sounded from inside.

Jiang Yi pushed open the door and entered. At once, the scent of metal rushed toward him.

The room was filled with all kinds of metals and Parts, looking somewhat disorderly.

A workbench stood in the middle, and beside it was a Middle-aged Man around forty years old.

He was currently swinging a Forging Hammer at a piece of metal.

Jiang Yi stood to one side, Gazing At the scene. Golden Light glimmered in his eyes as he carefully observed every subtle movement the man made with each strike.

After a while, Lin Ming stopped swinging his hammer.

"You're the one here for the Trial Lesson, right? Not many people your age start learning forging."

Setting down the hammer, Lin Ming glanced at Jiang Yi and Said Directly with some surprise.

Jiang Yi smiled. "If one has the determination, perhaps it isn't too late."

"Forging isn't something you can learn well through determination alone." Lin Ming shook his head.

"Come over here and test whether you have the talent to learn forging."

Jiang Yi walked over to Lin Ming, who handed him a pair of hammers.

"Take these hammers and strike this piece of metal one thousand times, five hundred with each hand."

Jiang Yi took the hammers and found them featherlight, with no weight to speak of.

"Change to another pair. These are too light," Jiang Yi Said Directly.

"Too light?" Lin Ming was somewhat surprised. Both hammers weighed Two Hundred Jin.

Though surprised, Jiang Yi was a Guest, so Lin Ming said nothing more and replaced them with another pair of Forging Hammers.

"These are Forging Hammers made of Deep Silver. Each one weighs Four Hundred Jin."

Jiang Yi took the Sinking Silver Forging Hammers. This time, he finally nodded.

He then calmed his mind and focused, Golden Light shining in his eyes as he Gazed At the piece of metal before him.

In his mind, he recalled Lin Ming's movements while forging earlier.

His hands began to swing the Forging Hammers, repeatedly striking the piece of metal.

As one hammer fell, the other chased after it like lightning.