Elder Firecloud basked in the disciples' shocked, worshipful gazes with satisfaction. His eyes swept over Xu Yang, and a thought struck him. "Xu Yang, come here."
Instantly, everyone's eyes fell on Xu Yang.
"Greetings, Master!" He dared not delay and hurried forward to salute with cupped hands.
Elder Firecloud nodded. "You've been on the peak for some time now. You should have started practicing the Thousand-Forging Art, yes?"
Xu Yang nodded. "Yes, Master. I began practicing the Thousand-Forging Art at the Weapon-Forge Pavilion over twenty days ago."
"How has your practice been going?" Elder Firecloud asked with a smile.
"It's difficult!" Xu Yang kept his answer brief.
In truth, he had no idea whether it was difficult. Since practicing the Thousand-Forging Art often ruined the black iron, he had wanted to avoid wasting money.
Whenever he went to the Weapon-Forge Pavilion to practice the Thousand-Forging Art, he was mostly putting on a show, letting others see him supposedly practicing. His actual method of cultivation was still to improve it through the panel.
"Give it a try now. Let me see what talent you have for Weapon Forging," Elder Firecloud said.
Today's lesson had mainly been for Xu Yang's sake. He wanted to see whether this new disciple had any talent for weapon forging. If he did, he would focus on nurturing him. If not, he would naturally stop paying him much attention and simply let him concentrate on martial cultivation.
He treated practically every disciple who entered his tutelage this way.
"Yes!"
Xu Yang turned, pulled a heated piece of black iron from the furnace with tongs, and began the first fold and forging.
Clang, clang...
Dull impacts rang out as strands of astral qi seeped into the black iron with each strike.
One forging!
Two forgings!
No one spoke.