Hanging by a Thread

The news of Spirit Forging spread throughout Heaven Dou in just a few short days, and even Star Luo, thousands of miles away, caught wind of it.

Heaven Dou City, second floor of Yang's Treasure Appraisal Pavilion.

Yang Fan stood before a sand table, his fingertips tapping lightly against the desk.

Although the name of Spirit Forging had been established, turning this momentum into a tangible power base solely through his own efforts was nothing more than a pipe dream.

Only the deeply rooted Upper Three Sects and the Imperial Family, who controlled the empire's resources, possessed the capacity to systematically cultivate talent in treasure appraisal, commerce, and even forging.

After planning for several days with Lan Yin, Yang Fan spent consecutive days visiting Tang Yuehua at the Moon Pavilion under the guise of nourishing his meridians. By further strengthening their connection, he began to leverage her network to set things in motion.

Following that, Yang Fan used the Spirit Forging technique as bait to extend an olive branch to the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect and the Heaven Dou Imperial Family.

Because Yang Fan had a good relationship with both the Heaven Dou Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe, and Ning Rongrong of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect, and because he generously conceded a significant portion of the profits, everything went quite smoothly.

Yielding small profits is the only way to achieve great success.

To Yang Fan, Gold Soul Coins were merely numbers; the resources and connections brought about by expanding his influence were what he truly valued.

Douluo Continent was vast, and there were still many treasures hidden away that were never mentioned in the original work, such as the Golden Dragon King's reverse scale. Relying on a single Treasure Appraisal Pavilion was clearly insufficient.

In just a few short months, the Heaven Dou Empire underwent earth-shaking changes.

Treasure Moon Pavilions sprang up in large cities, while Silver Moon Pavilions stood tall in smaller ones.

The Treasure Moon Pavilions were operated by the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect and the Imperial Family, responsible for treasure appraisal, Spirit Forging, and the cultivation of related talent. The Silver Moon Pavilions were managed personally by Yang Fan and Tang Yuehua, shouldering the vital functions of collecting rare metals, transporting resources, and opening up lower-tier markets.

A dark, windy night is the perfect time for murder and arson.

Although Yang Fan encountered neither murder nor arson, he was kidnapped.

Just as he was finishing the daily reports and preparing to return to his secret chamber for cultivation, he was suddenly snatched away by a figure shrouded in a wide, black robe.

Brother, if you want money, I'll give it to you, but if you want my body, that's a no-go. I'm just a plain, ordinary merchant.

Yang Fan recognized that the black-robed figure seemed to be heading toward the Spirit Hall in Heaven Dou City, which kept him relatively calm. If Spirit Hall had wanted to make a move, they would have done so half a year ago; there would have been no need to plant A Wu and Ye Rou by his side.

It was hard for Yang Fan to judge Spirit Hall. But at the very least, in the original work, even if their position leaned toward that of villains, it was never explicitly written that Spirit Hall committed many heinous acts.

Of course.

That was all assuming the woman Bibi Dong didn't go insane.

"Behave yourself."

A low, deep voice came from beneath the black robe, carrying a hint of condescending indifference.

What kind of judgment did the Young Master have? Aside from forging, this kid seemed completely unremarkable. In the eyes of Ci Xue's unparalleled wisdom, the boy had simply stumbled upon some good fortune and obtained a forging legacy from somewhere.

Forging required physical strength, Whale Glue could improve one's physical constitution, and then there were the Blood Sacrifice and Spirit Forging techniques—it all lined up perfectly!

The black-robed figure moved quickly, and Yang Fan vaguely felt they had arrived at their destination.

"When the Young Master asks, you answer. Do you understand?"

As the black-robed figure spoke, he gave a light flick of his sleeve.

"Bang!"

An invisible wave of soul power rippled outward, shattering a massive boulder in the small courtyard.

Lu Yan narrowed his eyes and shouted, "Who exactly are you people? What do you want!"

When it came to acting, who didn't know how?

"Pavilion Master Yang, are you willing to join our Spirit Hall?"

Against the moonlight, Yang Fan looked toward the sound and vaguely saw a stunning figure walking slowly toward him.

The visitor had golden hair draped over her shoulders, and a golden dress outlined a perfect physique. The moonlight spilled over her, as if plating her in a layer of holy radiance, making her look like an angel descended to the mortal realm.

Qian Renxue?

Combining the time, location, and appearance, Yang Fan quickly deduced the identity of the visitor.

"I am willing!"

Willing or not, at a time like this, he could only be willing.

The person kidnapped by Qian Renxue herself, with a black-robed figure by her side who was likely a Titled Douluo—was there any possibility of him refusing?

Although he felt Qian Renxue was relatively kind-hearted and had befriended him under the guise of Xue Qinghe, it didn't necessarily mean refusing would lead to disaster.

"However, I will absolutely never betray my best brother, Xue Qinghe, or the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect behind his teacher. Otherwise, I would rather die!"

Living in this world is all about acting.

As Yang Fan had predicted, Qian Renxue was not angry after hearing this; instead, she looked quite gratified.

"In my life, I, Qian Renxue, have always admired those who are loyal and righteous. I accept your condition."

Yang Fan wanted to laugh as he watched Qian Renxue putting on an act, but he had undergone professional training, so no matter how funny it was, he wouldn't laugh.

"Many thanks, Lady Qian Renxue. May I ask what business the Young Master has with me?"

Upon hearing the title "Young Master," Qian Renxue felt that this man was truly thick-skinned. I haven't even started, and you're already acknowledging me as your master? I still have many tactics I learned from the storybooks you gave to Aunt Yue that I haven't even used yet.

Did he fall for my honey trap?

A trace of suspicion involuntarily flickered through Qian Renxue's slightly slender phoenix eyes.

Qian Renxue suddenly realized that the guy in front of her seemed to be a scumbag.

He had only been in Heaven Dou City for a year, yet he had already hooked up with Tang Yuehua, the mistress of the Moon Pavilion, and Ning Rongrong, the little witch of the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect; it even seemed he hadn't spared Xue Ke, the younger sister of her original identity.

Right, ever since his coming-of-age ceremony, this guy had also loved chatting up Dugu Yan. Who knew if he was after the combat power of the Poison Douluo or the girl's beauty? It was said that Dugu Yan's best friend, Ye Lingling, was also quite the beauty.

As her thoughts spiraled deeper, the way Qian Renxue looked at Yang Fan became increasingly strange, her gaze filled with a sense of disgust as if she were looking at a pervert.

"Copy the Spirit Forging method and the Blood Sacrifice method for me."

Qian Renxue said coldly, then clapped her hands, and the black-robed figure tossed paper and a brush toward Yang Fan.

"There are tables and chairs in the pavilion; hurry up and write, kid."

The black-robed figure's voice was icy, seemingly warning him not to harbor any ideas about their Young Master.

"Fine, fine, fine."

Yang Fan felt that women were truly incomprehensible.

Her expression had changed for no reason at all.

You already obtained the secret techniques through your identity as Xue Qinghe, so why go through all this today?

After speaking, he obediently ran to the pavilion in the courtyard and began to copy them. Yang Fan didn't play any tricks; on one hand, there was already a version given to Xue Qinghe for comparison, and on the other, Spirit Forging was merely an appetizer in the craft of forging.

He hadn't even brought out the higher-tier Soul Forging and Heaven Forging yet.

Except for the Child of Destiny, an era usually only produces one Divine Craftsman capable of Heaven Forging. In this era, who else but him?

If Heaven had not birthed me, Yang Fan, the path of the craftsman would be as dark as the eternal night!

After finishing the transcription, Yang Fan was sent back by the black-robed figure.

"What a mess..."

It had been so long that Yang Fan had assumed Qian Renxue wouldn't take action personally, but he hadn't expected her to lose her patience after all.

Is my charm really that great?

On the other side, at the Spirit Hall station.

She Long watched his good brother Ci Xue escorting Yang Fan away and asked in confusion, "Young Master, why not feed him poison to control him? This kid looks like a glib-tongued, treacherous brat at first glance!"

Qian Renxue shook her head, gazing at the moon in the sky.

If she resorted to such unscrupulous means, how would she be any different from that madwoman?

Her grandfather had once told her that the Angel Clan must have its own pride.

For the benefit of the many, perhaps a few must be sacrificed—even oneself—but in daily life, one must strictly adhere to their original heart; otherwise, one would be trapped before the limit and never have the chance to reach the pinnacle.

Whatever she, Qian Renxue, wanted, she would take openly and honestly. Besides, she wasn't taking it for nothing; without her help, Yang Fan's life would never have been this peaceful.

Faced with a secret technique like Spirit Forging, would the Upper Three Sects really be that restrained? Don't make the Upper Three Sects laugh.

Her occupying the magpie's nest was mostly to avoid and reduce unnecessary sacrifices. With the true combat power of Spirit Hall, if they really wanted a nation, why go through so much trouble?

Qian Renxue simply didn't know how to face a mother she deeply loved, who was also the murderer of her father whom she hated to the core, so she had found an excuse to come out and clear her mind.

Facing Bibi Dong every day, her grandfather had also feared she might develop psychological defects, so he had gone along with her wishes; otherwise, for a genius with a God-given level twenty spirit power, the path to cultivation and godhood should have been the only priority.