She had already begun feeding the first batch of raw materials into the furnace.
Flames licked the metal, their temperature rising precisely under the control of her Spiritual Power.
Yang Wanqing crouched beside the furnace, controlling the flames with one hand while sorting through the remaining materials on the rack with the other. She was already planning the second stage.
Her hands moved swiftly and steadily. Every motion had an instinctive fluidity... she worked by feel, not by thought.
She was like an old blacksmith with thirty years of experience, capable of forging a fine blade with his eyes closed.
Yet she was only twenty, a college freshman. She had been learning Artifact Refining for less than a month.
Sometimes talent simply defied reason.
The first batch of raw materials had already melted in the furnace.
Yang Wanqing picked up the tongs and poured the molten metal into a mold. At the same time, her right hand had already picked up the Engraving Knife...
Before the molten metal could solidify, she carved the first Spiritual Power pattern directly into it.
The blade sank into the material. The margin of error was a fraction of a millimeter.
Smoke rose. A thin sheen of sweat formed on her forehead, but her hand never trembled.
The second cut. The third. The fourth.
Four Spiritual Power patterns spread out like a fan, radiating from the artifact's central axis.
"That should do it."
She set down the Engraving Knife and began working on the second layer.
Meanwhile, in Xiao Yuanfeng's room.
He had finally finished choosing his materials and was ready to light the furnace.
He placed his hand on the furnace and channeled his Spiritual Power into it.
The flames surged... too fiercely.
He hurriedly cut his Spiritual Power output in half. The flames