After Xu Zhengyang opened the Zhengyang Blacksmith Shop, aside from buying some ore from outside to light the fire, he did not forge a single iron implement. Every day, he shut himself away and hammered his Martial Soul.
Even the five workers he had hired for the blacksmith shop mainly helped Xu Zhengyang tend the fire and work the bellows, while also handling minor matters outside.
Xu Zhengyang could clearly feel that, as he hammered his Martial Soul with all his strength each day, the Tiger-Head Zhan Gold Spear had shrunk slightly after countless rounds of hammering. Even so, its diameter was still close to eight centimeters.
In particular, under those countless blows, the originally pitch-black shaft gradually began to give off a metallic gleam. The spearhead also gradually took shape, beginning to look as though it had an edge.
But Xu Zhengyang knew very well that the tempering of the Tiger-Head Zhan Gold Spear was still far from complete. If he truly hammered it into its original shape, the shaft's Yang flame iron would gradually turn from pitch-black to pale red. Even the spearhead would gradually become crimson, and its blade would be incomparably sharp.
Moreover, after countless rounds of hammering, the Tiger-Head Zhan Gold Spear would reveal its inherent might. Like other top-tier Tool Martial Souls, it would exert absolute suppression over ordinary Martial Souls, a domineering presence that other Martial Souls would struggle to match.
Xu Zhengyang even vaguely sensed that, on the day the Tiger-Head Zhan Gold Spear was fully refined, the tiger shape at its head would take complete form and possess the imposing presence of the king of beasts. It would even be just as Xu Zhengyang had anticipated: an existence of utmost hardness, ferocity, and Yang, capable of restraining all evil under heaven and suppressing all things icy and cold through its ultimate Yang attribute.
Aside from smithing and meditating each day, Xu Zhengyang took a medicinal bath every evening. After getting up each morning, he practiced with his spear in the blacksmith shop's backyard. Only when every basic movement of his spearmanship was fully polished and entirely natural did he gradually begin studying higher-level spear techniques.
For instance, the spear moves Xu Zhengyang had used before, Overlord's Furious Charge and Tiger Roars in the Mountains and Forests, were both moves he had created from the basic spearmanship he had learned, his study of various books on spear techniques, and his own understanding of Soul Skills.
Such moves counted as self-created Soul Skills. They consumed less Soul Power when facing an enemy, yet their power was not weak, and they were more practical in combat.
That evening, after his medicinal bath, Xu Zhengyang did not begin meditating as usual. Instead, he left the blacksmith shop and headed straight for the very center of Gengxin City.
When Xu Zhengyang arrived, an exceptionally tall and imposing signboard appeared before him: Blacksmith Association.
The Blacksmith Association had been jointly established by all the blacksmiths across the Douluo Continent. It did not belong to any official organization and was purely an organization for exchanging smithing techniques.
The Blacksmith Association held one major exchange gathering each year and one small exchange gathering each month.
At every major gathering, many renowned blacksmiths from across the Douluo Continent came here to exchange knowledge, and the association bestowed the title of Divine Craftsman on some exceptionally outstanding blacksmiths.
The small gatherings mainly allowed blacksmiths from around Gengxin City to exchange knowledge, including their recent research into forging and displays of outstanding works.
The entire Blacksmith Association was jointly overseen by one president, three vice presidents, and several highly respected blacksmith elders. Its purpose was to promote exchanges among blacksmiths and safeguard the rights and interests of their trade.
As early as a week before, Xu Zhengyang had registered with the Blacksmith Association and, through his forging skills, become one of its members.
After Xu Zhengyang entered the Blacksmith Association using his membership, nearly a hundred people had already gathered in the hall. These people looked immensely built, and every one of them was brawny and rugged. Their skin, in particular, was generally bronze or dark, a result of prolonged exposure to flames while forging.
It was clear that these blacksmiths were all very confident in their forging skills and had their own unique insights. Their prolonged physical labor left them poor at socializing, yet they also seemed very plainhearted and forthright.
These blacksmiths had also gathered in small groups of three to five to exchange knowledge. They seemed very familiar with one another, and many even showed an air of mutual admiration.
This was Xu Zhengyang's first time attending such a gathering, and he also squeezed into a small circle to exchange knowledge with the others. This sort of exchange was far better than researching alone.
At the very center of the Blacksmith Association sat four people: its president and three vice presidents, all renowned Divine Craftsmen of the age.
President Lou Li looked like an old man of fifty, with graying hair, but he stood over two meters tall, and his muscles were exceptionally exaggerated. It was clear that everyone held this president in great esteem, and people even went up from time to time to ask for his guidance.
In particular, Lou Li exuded a powerful presence. He was said to be a Soul Sage-level strength-type Soul Master, as well as the sea-calming pillar of the Blacksmith Association.
Throughout the hall, people occasionally displayed weapons they had newly forged, while others discussed forging methods and even fine details.
Although Xu Zhengyang had already studied forging for several years, he could not help admiring these blacksmiths. They truly lived up to their years spent working at the forge. Not only were their forging skills exceptionally practiced, but they also had unique insights into methods of hammering and tempering.
The gathering lasted a full three hours. It had truly broadened Xu Zhengyang's horizons, and he gradually began to understand his shortcomings in forging. In particular, his control over details was far behind that of these veteran blacksmiths.
Only after everyone had left did Xu Zhengyang walk toward President Lou Li, who sat upright in the center.
"President Lou Li, this junior is Long Aotian. There is something I would like to ask your guidance on."
Lou Li was puzzled as well. "Young blacksmith, the fact that you could come to the Blacksmith Association shows that you have achieved a certain level in forging. We established the Blacksmith Association precisely to exchange knowledge. If there is anything you wish to ask, speak freely."
Xu Zhengyang did not hesitate. "President, may I ask how Yang flame iron and extraterrestrial meteoric copper can truly be fully forged? I have been researching these two metals lately."
Surprise crossed Lou Li's face. "Yang flame iron and extraterrestrial meteoric copper? Those are both precious metals that are exceedingly rare to see, and they are extremely difficult to forge. I have forged Yang flame iron once, but I have never even seen extraterrestrial meteoric copper."
"Young friend, do you have these two metals? Could you let me take a look?"
Xu Zhengyang shook his head. "I do not have these two metals. It is just that my Martial Soul is composed of them. I want to know whether I can forge my Martial Soul into shape, turning it into a sharper and more powerful weapon."
Lou Li looked even more surprised. "Forge a Martial Soul? Very few people in the Soul Master world do that. It is not that no one has thought of this method, but rather that a Martial Soul is part of the body. Hammering your Martial Soul is equivalent to hammering your body. An ordinary person's body simply cannot withstand that kind of impact."
"Moreover, during the forging process, the scorching heat of your Martial Soul will also transfer to your body. At best, it will burn your body; at worst, it will sever all your meridians. In particular, if you use too much force, you might even destroy your Martial Soul outright and be left completely crippled."