The True Essence

Emerald Forest, inside the artifact-making room of the Purple Heart Treehouse.

Fenoya and Bernd were carefully appraising a longsword. Chen Rui had just forged it without spending much time. Its design looked simple, as though any ordinary blacksmith could have made it, yet both artifact-making grandmasters wore exceedingly serious expressions.

"This sword is quite good. It appears clumsy, yet hides ingenious principles within, grasping the true essentials of artifact-making. Though it is merely outstanding-grade, its craftsmanship has already surpassed the master level." Unconcealed admiration shone in Fenoya's eyes. "So Lord Richard is a quasi-grandmaster in both magic arrays and artifact-making. Truly remarkable."

"I have made a fool of myself before two grandmasters." What Chen Rui wanted to hear was not this sort of praise, but genuinely useful advice—even criticism. "Please guide me."

Bernd took a swig of wine. "Don't be hasty, lad. Fenoya has a bad habit—he first says pleasant things until you're floating on air, then kicks you off a cliff with merciless criticism."

Chen Rui smiled and nodded. "That is exactly what I'm hoping for."

Sure enough, Fenoya's expression turned solemn. "As far as artifact-making is concerned, your techniques, applications, and every other aspect are quite outstanding. You even possess a certain understanding of artistic conception, and have reached the quasi-grandmaster level capable of forging quasi-divine artifacts. However, in a grandmaster's eyes, you have made the most fundamental mistake. Thus, this sword is highly inadequate—like a corpse that has already died, utterly worthless."

A corpse? Chen Rui finally understood Bernd's earlier metaphor. This elven grandmaster truly was caustic and cutting when criticizing others, giving no face whatsoever. Yet Chen Rui was not discouraged in the slightest; instead, his eyes brightened. "I would be grateful to hear the details."

Fenoya nodded inwardly and said, "When we were learning artifact-making,