The Strength of a Titled Douluo, Blacksmith Level 3

The hall was simple yet imposing, and seated in the main chair was a refined, elegant middle-aged man with a face as smooth as polished jade.

This was none other than the master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi.

Standing beside him was an old man with hair and beard as white as snow, dressed in robes of the same color, cradling a long sword.

His entire presence was like a drawn blade, sharp and piercing—Sword Douluo, Chen Xin.

Ning Fengzhi watched as Ji Feng was "delivered" by the Bone Prison.

Beside him stood Gu Rong, looking as if he had just "completed a mission."

Ning Fengzhi couldn't help but rub his brow, offering a helpless smile: "Uncle Gu, I didn't ask you to 'invite' this young brother to the sect as a guest. Why did you..."

"Invite? Too much trouble!" Gu Rong curled his lip and sat down bluntly to the side. "This kid showed off some decent forging skills at the auction house, and aren't you interested, Sect Master? Isn't it easier to just bring him back and ask?"

Hearing this, the expression beneath Ji Feng's black robe darkened.

He steadied his breathing and bowed to Ning Fengzhi, neither servile nor overbearing: "So it is Sect Master Ning of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect and the two titled冕下."

"I wonder, what is the purpose of 'inviting' me in this manner? If this is about the cooperation at the auction house, I believe that a conversation built on coercion is unlikely to be sincere."

A flash of surprise crossed Ning Fengzhi's eyes.

The youth appeared to be only twelve or thirteen, yet he remained calm under the pressure of two Titled Douluo and the abruptness of this "invitation," responding with clear logic. Such composure was far from simple.

"Do not take offense, young brother. Uncle Gu is a bit hot-headed; I apologize on his behalf."

Ning Fengzhi's tone was gentle as he took an object from his sleeve and placed it on the table beside him. "Inviting you this way was indeed rash. I mainly wanted to ask you to cast an eye over this item."

It was an exquisitely crafted metal sleeve arrow, pitch-black and streamlined—the very Silent Sleeve Arrow made by Tang San.

Ji Feng glanced at it, and his heart understood.

He walked over, picked up the sleeve arrow, and lightly brushed his fingertips over the key trigger mechanisms.

He then held it up to the light to examine the shadows of its internal structure.

A moment later, he set the sleeve arrow down, his tone indifferent: "The structure is ingenious, and the design of the firing mechanism shows considerable cleverness."

"Especially the parts for silent activation and continuous loading; it counts as a decent low-level Soul Tool."

"Or rather... a hidden weapon."

"The craftsmanship is slightly immature, and the material is merely ordinary refined iron, limiting its strength."

"It might catch someone off guard if they are below a Soul Elder, but against a Soul Ancestor with decent defenses, its effectiveness would be greatly diminished."

Ning Fengzhi and Chen Xin exchanged a look, both seeing the surprise in the other's eyes. Ji Feng's assessment was spot on, even pointing out subtle flaws they hadn't paid much attention to.

"Hmph, talking a big game—who knows if you're just guessing!" Gu Rong snorted from the side; he had always been dismissive of blacksmithing.

Ji Feng turned to look at Gu Rong. His expression was hidden by his black robe, but his voice turned colder: "This senior Bone Douluo, you kidnapped me first."

"And now you question me? Is this the hospitality of the wealthiest Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect in the world? Or does being a Titled Douluo mean one can look down on others so easily?"

"You brat!" Gu Rong's eyes widened, and the aura of a Titled Douluo began to erupt. As the dignified Bone Douluo, when had he ever been talked back to by a mere Soul Elder?

"Uncle Gu!" Ning Fengzhi raised his voice, his tone carrying a hint of reproach.

Gu Rong saw Ning Fengzhi's serious expression and caught Chen Xin shaking his head slightly.

He had no choice but to swallow his anger, turning his head away with a huff and grumbling, "...Fine, fine. This old man... this old man was a bit rough earlier. Kid, my apologies!"

The words were extremely forced, but coming from the mouth of Bone Douluo, it was a rare occurrence.

Ning Fengzhi looked at Ji Feng again, his apology deepening: "Young brother, I am truly sorry. Uncle Gu... he meant no harm."

"My Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect sincerely invites you, with no intention of coercion."

"I heard that you have a deep understanding of minerals and forging. My sect happens to have a top-tier forging workshop and a stock of various ores. If you don't mind, you are welcome to use them at any time."

Ji Feng's heart stirred.

He had been worrying about how to quickly raise his blacksmith level.

The resources of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect were undoubtedly a shortcut.

However, he remained calm on the surface, pondering: "Sect Master Ning is too kind; this junior would be honored."

"However, I do require some rare ores for forging practice."

"If the Sect Master can provide such convenience, I would be most grateful. As for this sleeve arrow, if you require a superior replacement, perhaps... I could attempt it."

He didn't make a full promise, but the word "attempt," combined with the expertise he had shown at the auction house, was enough to pique Ning Fengzhi's anticipation.

"Good! It's a deal!" Ning Fengzhi clapped his hands and laughed, giving orders immediately.

Soon, Ji Feng was brought to a top-tier forging workshop within the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, reserved for core members.

The geothermal fire here was stable, the facilities were complete, and the warehouse next door was piled high with various ores collected from all over.

From ordinary black iron and refined iron to rare cold iron, mithril, and even a small amount of profound iron—everything was in stock.

Ji Feng did not waste time and immediately threw himself into the work.

He first practiced with ordinary iron to adapt to the geothermal fire and the tools here.

The blacksmithing knowledge bestowed by the system flowed through his mind as he swung the hammer in his hand.

From initial clumsiness to later mastery, the rhythm, force, and angle of each hammer strike contained a unique cadence.

He was not merely forging iron; he was "grinding" his proficiency.

Every time a qualified rough casting was completed, the experience bar behind "Blacksmith (Intermediate)" on the King Equipment System panel would twitch ever so slightly.

Combined with the inexhaustible supply of practice materials here, his proficiency grew at an astonishing speed.

One day and one night, without sleep or rest.

When dawn arrived once more, the final piece of Hundred-Refined Iron in the hands of Ji Feng finished quenching, emitting a clear, resonant ring. At the same time, a soft "ding" sounded in his mind.

Blacksmith (Advanced)!

Finally, a breakthrough!

An Advanced Blacksmith corresponds to the Soul Grand Master realm and is capable of Hundred-Refined purification.

He could now begin attempting to craft low-level Soul Tool or attribute-based equipment.

More importantly, he had reached the threshold requirement for the King Equipment System—he could now forge Tier 2 equipment!

Ji Feng suppressed the urge to start forging immediately and tidied up his slightly weary but highly excited state.

He walked out of the workshop.

He took his leave of Ning Fengzhi, stating that he needed to return and digest what he had gained, promising to send over some "experimental" results in the future.

Ning Fengzhi readily agreed and personally escorted him to the sect exit.

Watching the retreating back of Ji Feng, Gu Rong could not help but mutter again: "Sect Master, do you really believe this kid can make something of himself? Can forging iron really bloom into something extraordinary?"