Xu Yuanxuan, who stood before them, was not only the head of the Xu Clan but also the lord of Dongyang City, holding an extremely high position throughout the city.
Xu Yuanxuan, however, seemed unusually easygoing. "Ah, Haoyang. Are you planning to bring your son along to learn forging? I heard this child doesn't like studying and only likes cultivating. That won't do. The children of our Xu Clan still need to become Soul Engineers."
Xu Haoyang hurriedly replied, "Clan Head, Zhengyang recently made up his mind to learn how to make Soul Tools from me, so I brought him here specifically to have a look first."
Xu Yuanxuan turned toward Xu Zhengyang and could not help nodding. "Good. I've long heard that Zhengyang has a strong ability to learn, and his strength is quite impressive among his peers. Learning to make Soul Tools will indeed give him better prospects."
"Carry on, then. I only came to see whether there were any problems with the factory."
Just as he was about to turn and leave, Xu Haoyang hurriedly spoke up.
"Clan Head, there's something I would like to ask your advice on. Could I take up a moment of your time?"
Xu Yuanxuan looked puzzled. "Haoyang, I trust your skill in making Soul Tools. Teaching a child shouldn't be a problem. Is there something you need my help with?"
Xu Haoyang said, "Clan Head, Zhengyang's Martial Soul is rather unusual. I haven't been able to work out exactly what's going on with it. As a Class 6 Soul Engineer, could you offer us some guidance?"
Xu Yuanxuan glanced at Xu Zhengyang. "Show me your Martial Soul."
When Xu Yuanxuan saw Xu Zhengyang reveal his Martial Soul, a trace of shock appeared in his eyes, but it soon turned to puzzlement.
With a wave of Xu Yuanxuan's hand, the gleaming Tiger-Head Zhan Gold Spear appeared in his grasp. Clearly, he soon felt its weight, and a trace of puzzlement appeared in his eyes.
Just then, Soul Power flickered over Xu Yuanxuan's hand, and a sun immediately appeared in his palm. Its scorching heat instantly spread throughout the Tiger-Head Zhan Gold Spear.
Yet even as the temperature gradually rose, the Tiger-Head Zhan Gold Spear showed no reaction or sign of melting. Even the rust on its surface remained unchanged.
Xu Yuanxuan clicked his tongue in wonder. "Interesting. It seems this Martial Soul is no ordinary thing-or rather, the metal of this Martial Soul is no ordinary thing."
As his words fell, the sun's temperature rose again. Even Xu Zhengyang could feel the scorching sensation gradually spreading throughout his body. After all, his Martial Soul was being subjected to an extremely high temperature.
The longer Xu Yuanxuan looked, the more amazed and delighted he became, and he began examining its details closely instead. Only after a full ten minutes did he withdraw his Martial Soul. By then, Xu Zhengyang's head was drenched in sweat.
"Not bad, Haoyang. Your son's spear truly is extraordinary. It's just a bit of a pity."
Xu Haoyang hurriedly said, "Please enlighten us, Clan Head."
Xu Yuanxuan waved his hand. "We're all family. There's no need to be so formal."
"Your son's Martial Soul isn't an ordinary iron rod, but a spear. Its shaft was cast from Yang Flame Iron, while its head was forged from Extraterrestrial Meteoric Copper. Both are superb casting materials, as well as materials used to make top-grade Soul Tools. It's perfectly normal that you've never seen them."
Shock crossed Xu Haoyang's face. He had only heard of these two metals. Not only were they extremely valuable, but they were also exceptionally rare. There probably weren't any of either metal in all of Dongyang City. Only those top Soul Engineers in Mingdu would use them.
Xu Yuanxuan continued, "Your son's Martial Soul probably hasn't fully awakened, or perhaps it mutated during its awakening, resulting in this condition. Otherwise, it would definitely be a top-grade Tool Martial Soul. Judging by its appearance, he probably inherited his mother's Martial Soul."
Xu Haoyang hurriedly asked, "Clan Head, given Zhengyang's current condition, is there any way to awaken his Martial Soul again, or make it change for the better?"
Xu Yuanxuan shook his head. "You're fairly knowledgeable yourself. You should understand that once a Martial Soul has awakened, making it evolve again is extremely difficult, unless one can absorb some truly top-grade and highly suitable Soul Rings."
"However, I once read about a method in an ancient book in Mingdu that might allow a Tool Martial Soul to evolve."
Both Xu Zhengyang's and Xu Haoyang's eyes lit up. "Clan Head, what method is that?"
Xu Yuanxuan fell silent for a moment before speaking. "Forging. Relentless forging, and even adding rarer and more precious metals."
"Zhengyang's Martial Soul is a spear. Judging by its appearance, it looks somewhat like a half-forged spear that has yet to take shape. If your son can endure extreme pain and possesses tremendous perseverance, he might be able to slowly shape it by forging his Martial Soul. But this process will be extremely difficult and grueling, and his life could even be in danger at any moment."
"Furthermore, if he encounters an opportunity and manages to find metals even more precious and rarer than Yang Flame Iron and Extraterrestrial Meteoric Copper, incorporating them into his Martial Soul and crafting it as though it were a Soul Tool might allow it to evolve."
"However, I've only seen that book once. It should only be in the library of the Imperial Royal Soul Engineer Academy. If I remember correctly, it should be in the Illustrious Virtue Hall."
"As for successfully forging Zhengyang's Martial Soul, that would only be possible with Thousand Refinements at the very least. It might even require the higher realm of Fusion Forging. You should understand the hardships involved."
While Xu Haoyang was reeling in shock, Xu Zhengyang actually began to grow a little excited.
He had been studying his Martial Soul all along, always thinking about giving it a second awakening, yet he had never considered one important question: his Martial Soul was an iron implement, and it could be forged. During the forging process, he could even strengthen his body and make his meridians flow more freely at the same time.
In fact, the moment Xu Yuanxuan said it, Xu Zhengyang immediately thought of something: if he added Gold of Life to his Martial Soul, might it be possible to evolve it to a higher, stronger realm?
After Xu Yuanxuan and the others left, Xu Zhengyang remained immersed in his plans to grow stronger through forging. He knew where the very finest metals were and where opportunities lay.
Xu Haoyang said, "Zhengyang, although this method is feasible, the process is far too grueling, and your life could be in danger at any moment. If your fire control isn't good enough and the flames slip out of your control, they could destroy your Martial Soul outright, or even destroy your body."
Xu Zhengyang hurriedly said, "Father, I've decided. I'm going to cultivate using this method. I will definitely forge the Tiger-Head Zhan Gold Spear into the strongest Martial Soul in the world, and even the strongest Soul Tool."
Seeing how determined his son was, Xu Haoyang did not hesitate either. He began personally teaching Xu Zhengyang the steps of casting, including material purification, shaping, quenching, and polishing. He also found the relevant tools for Xu Zhengyang, including bellows, a furnace, a forging hammer, and an anvil.
Too much was at stake in this matter. Xu Haoyang intended to personally teach his son forging, and especially fire control.