Hundred Forging - Easy to Learn

"Fang Lin, come with me."

Zhen Hua called out, leading Fang Lin out of the small cafeteria.

They passed through the office and arrived at his private forging studio.

Zhen Hua stood before a large workbench, his expression turning serious.

He explained in detail to Fang Lin, "The path of forging is divided into Hundred-Refined, Thousand-Forging, Spirit Forging, Soul Forging, and Heavenly Forging."

"These correspond respectively to first-rank through ninth-rank blacksmiths."

Fang Lin nodded, remaining silent.

"We won't discuss anything else today; let's start by learning the most basic Hundred-Refined."

Zhen Hua first took out a piece of Black Iron Stone and placed it on the forging table.

He then brought out the forging hammer he carried with him.

"Hundred-Refined, as the name implies, requires over a hundred strikes to remove impurities from the metal and purify it."

"This is just a piece of the most ordinary Black Iron Stone. I will demonstrate it for you once, so watch closely."

Zhen Hua skillfully utilized the high-temperature furnace built into the forging table, heating the Black Iron Stone before him until it glowed red.

He raised the forging hammer, his wrist sank, and the hammer fell.

"Clang!"

A crisp, clear sound rang out, and sparks flew in every direction.

With just that one strike, the Black Iron Stone was covered in dense cracks, and then its surface peeled away in layers, revealing a smooth, mirror-like metallic surface beneath.

The once-rough Black Iron Stone had now become a regular piece of Hundred-Refined Black Iron, pitch-black and glossy, with all impurities removed.

One strike to set the tone, and the Hundred-Refined was complete.

"Did you see that clearly? It's quite simple, isn't it?"

Zhen Hua had just shown off in front of Fang Lin, completely oblivious to any impropriety.

Fang Lin stared at the piece of Hundred-Refined Black Iron, his gaze calm. He remained silent for two seconds, then nodded earnestly.

"Alright, you give it a try." Zhen Hua handed over the forging hammer.

Fang Lin took the forging hammer and walked to the forging table.

Mimicking Zhen Hua, he placed a piece of Black Iron Stone into the furnace to heat.

As the furnace flames flickered, the Black Iron Stone gradually turned red, and a wave of heat rushed toward his face.

Fang Lin did not rush to act.

He stared at the iron stone, replaying Zhen Hua's strike in his mind over and over.

How the force was applied, how the point of impact was gauged, and at what temperature he should strike.

Once the Black Iron Stone was heated through, he raised the forging hammer.

"Clang!"

A hammer strike rang out, and sparks flew.

Under the heavy blow, the Black Iron Stone vibrated violently, its dull surface seemingly shattered by the strike, quickly fading away to reveal the smooth metallic texture beneath.

It was done in one go.

Fang Lin put away the forging hammer and looked at the piece of Hundred-Refined Black Iron before him, slightly stunned.

Seeing this, Zhen Hua was also stunned.

The studio was quiet for a moment.

Zhen Hua slowly walked to the workbench, picked up the piece of Hundred-Refined Black Iron that Fang Lin had forged, turned it over twice, and held it up to his eyes to examine it carefully.

The expression on his face shifted from surprise to complexity, and then to an indescribable emotion.

"You kid..."

Zhen Hua set down the Hundred-Refined Black Iron and stared at Fang Lin, taking a long time to squeeze out a sentence, "Have you really never studied forging before?"

"Never."

Fang Lin shook his head, his tone sincere.

Zhen Hua took a deep breath and slowly let it out.

He had originally intended to demonstrate it once, letting Fang Lin understand the principles and the final effect of Hundred-Refined, before teaching him step-by-step, starting with how to hold the hammer, control the temperature, and apply force.

Yet this kid, after watching just once, had come up and finished it with a single strike.

The key was that he had actually succeeded.

"Fine."

Zhen Hua set the forging hammer on the workbench and crossed his arms. "Then strike another one for me to see."

Fang Lin did not refuse; he took another piece of Black Iron Stone and placed it into the furnace.

This time, he performed with even more composure than before.

Heating, observing, raising the hammer, and striking—every step was clean and crisp, without a hint of hesitation.

When the second strike landed, the impurities were stripped away even more thoroughly than the first time, leaving the iron so pure it almost gleamed.

Zhen Hua watched in silence for a long time.

The only sound in the studio was the faint crackle of the furnace fire.

He looked at Fang Lin, his gaze deep and complex, as if he were staring at an unpolished jade that was already radiating light.

Zhen Hua had been a Divine Craftsman for many years and had seen many talented blacksmiths, but he had never seen anyone like this.

To be precise, he had never seen someone touch a hammer for the first time and complete a Hundred Forging to this degree.

This couldn't be explained by mere talent; it was simply monstrous!

A moment later, Zhen Hua spoke: "My disciple Fang Lin has the potential of a Divine Craftsman!"

"Uh..."

Hearing this, Fang Lin was slightly stunned, not knowing how to respond.

This was the second time he had heard the same evaluation.

The last person to say this was his teacher Han Tianyi, and this time it was his master, the Divine Craftsman Zhen Hua.

"Come, take this."

As he spoke, Zhen Hua took out a storage ring and handed it to Fang Lin.

"Master?"

Fang Lin took the ring, feeling somewhat puzzled.

"Inside are some metals for your forging practice; the quality is quite good."

Zhen Hua waved his hand, his tone casual. "Tungsten Steel, Refined Iron, Deep Silver, Blue Pregnancy Copper, and Sky Star Iron are all in there. It should last you a while."

"When you run out, just come back and ask me for more. Don't stand on ceremony with your master."

"Understood, Master."

Fang Lin said, carefully putting the storage ring away.

"Right, take this notebook too."

Zhen Hua took a thick notebook from his own storage ring and handed it to Fang Lin.

Fang Lin took it; there was no title on the cover.

"These are my forging notes."

Zhen Hua's tone was casual, yet it carried a sense of seriousness. "You don't need to keep running over here all the time from now on."

"Just come by when you have free time, or come find me if there's something you don't understand."

"The notes cover everything from the basics of Hundred Forging and Thousand Forging to Spirit Forging, Soul Forging, and Heavenly Forging. I've written down various secret recipes and forging techniques in quite some detail."

"Take it back and study it well."

"Understood, Master."

Fang Lin nodded solemnly, holding the notebook with both hands as if it were a priceless treasure.

The forging experience of a ninth-rank Divine Craftsman.

This notebook contained who knew how many years of Zhen Hua's hard work.

To any blacksmith, this was an invaluable treasure.

"Master, thank you."

He looked at Zhen Hua earnestly, his eyes growing slightly warm.

"Alright, alright, enough with the formalities."

Zhen Hua waved his hand, laughing and scolding, "Just make sure you cultivate well and forge well in the future. Don't embarrass me, that's all."

"If the disciple of the Divine Craftsman Zhen Hua can't hold his own, where would I put this old face of mine?"

"Yes."

Hearing this, Fang Lin nodded heavily.

"Let's go back." Zhen Hua turned and walked out of the forging studio.

Fang Lin followed behind, and the two passed through the office and returned to the small dining hall.

"Old Han, I've brought him back for you."

Zhen Hua pushed the door open and said to Han Tianyi, who was drinking tea.

"Mm."

Han Tianyi nodded slightly, set down his teacup, and stood up. "Thank you for your hospitality. It's getting late, so we'll be heading off now."

"Very well."

Zhen Hua and Mu Ye nodded in unison.

Zhen Hua turned his head to look at Fang Lin again, "Go back and practice diligently. If there is anything you don't understand, come find me at any time."

"I will remember that, Master."

Fang Lin bowed respectfully to Zhen Hua, then nodded in greeting to Mu Ye.

Immediately after, Han Tianyi led Fang Lin and Na'er away from the Blacksmith Association.