It had become darker, more antiquated and understated, and its surface had gained a layer of fine, dense markings like ocean waves. The markings even seemed alive, giving off a faint blue glow.
Was this Thousand Refined metal after a blood sacrifice?
It really was miraculous!
The tungsten steel hammers in his hands were also Thousand Refined. If the difficulty of Thousand Refining tungsten steel was one, and that of Thousand Refining Deep Silver was five to eight, then Heavy Silver was even harder, ranging from six to nine.
Of course, Deep Silver and Heavy Silver actually shared many similarities. After all, both came from the deep seabed. The difference, however, was that Deep Silver was an excellent conductor of Soul Power, and high-quality pieces could even amplify Soul Power by five to ten percent while conducting it.
Although Heavy Silver also had some ability to conduct Soul Power, what stood out instead was its hardness and weight.
In hardness and density, it surpassed Deep Silver by almost thirty percent. Naturally, the corresponding forging difficulty also increased greatly. If not for Xu Qing's somewhat outrageous strength, Mang Tian would not have let him choose Heavy Silver. In fact, Mang Tian had originally intended for both of them to use Deep Silver. At first, he had only wanted to let him try, never expecting him to actually succeed.
Since the heat in the Heavy Silver had yet to dissipate completely, Xu Qing did not touch it.
Beside him, Tang Wulin also examined the Thousand Refined Deep Silver with great curiosity.
"To be honest, I didn't expect you to succeed on your first attempt. I never imagined you would really give me a surprise."
Having calmed down somewhat, Mang Tian asked, "How did your first Thousand Refinement feel?"
Xu Qing nodded. "Aside from being a little tired, it felt great. Also, while forging, I felt as though I'd formed a very strange connection with the Heavy Silver. When I breathed, it breathed too. Each hammer blow felt like I was giving someone a massage, and the Heavy Silver seemed to send back a feeling of incredible comfort."
After listening to Xu Qing's description, Mang Tian nodded in satisfaction.
"You're right! Hundred Refinement purifies, removing only impurities. Thousand Refinement, on the other hand, grants metal life. That's what it means to say Thousand Refinement gives metal a spirit."
"For every blacksmith, a Thousand Refined work is a life they've created."
Xu Qing and Tang Wulin both listened very attentively.
"All right, I'll give you a day off. You don't need to come tomorrow. Get a good day's rest."
Xu Qing nodded.
"Oh, right, Teacher, this piece of Heavy Silver..."
His eyes gleaming, Xu Qing stared at Mang Tian like a money-grubber.
"It's yours!"
After leaving those words behind, Mang Tian walked away without looking back. He needed some time to recover.
Once Mang Tian left, Xu Qing had no intention of staying at the workshop either.
After putting away the Thousand Refined Heavy Silver, Xu Qing said goodbye to Tang Wulin. As for Tang Wulin, he had yet to finish today's assignment, so he still had to complete it.
Stepping out of Mang Tian's Workshop, Xu Qing felt a breeze carrying a faint chill brush his face, instantly leaving him feeling wonderfully refreshed.
After he stretched, his previously taut muscles relaxed considerably.
As for the wound on Xu Qing's palm, it had vanished without a trace thanks to his extraordinary recovery ability.
Before I knew it, I've already spent eight years in this world. I wonder how Mom and Dad are doing in that other world.
I wonder if I'll ever have a chance to see them again.
Xu Qing sighed and quickened his pace toward home.
When he returned home, the house was actually empty. Gu Yuena wasn't home?
Still, Xu Qing did not take it to heart. With Gu Yuena's strength, nothing in a mere little town like Aolai could possibly threaten her.
His mother had probably gone out shopping.
He gulped down several mouthfuls of water and immediately felt immensely refreshed. After all, whether in his previous life or now, what could feel better than gulping down some cool water after a heavy sweat?
Afterward, Xu Qing headed straight to the backyard.
Patches of Blue Silver Grass grew freely in the backyard, lush and verdant, layer upon layer.
Warm sunlight spilled among the stems and leaves, filtering through the dense blades of grass into tiny, scattered patches of light.
The entire patch of Blue Silver Grass was wreathed in a faint, deep-blue glow. The fresh fragrance of vegetation filled the air, brimming with vitality and refreshing the heart.
Xu Qing swept his gaze over the luxuriant Blue Silver Grass, then walked slowly into its depths. Reaching the slightly cool stone slab in the center, he sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, focused his mind, and gradually entered a meditative state.
As his mind sank inward, wisps of pale-green and light-blue motes slowly drifted through the surrounding world, circling his body with incomparable gentleness.
The motes flowed endlessly, slowly entering his body through his pores and gently nourishing his limbs and bones.
The fatigue and aching muscles brought on by the previous three hours of intensive Thousand Refinement were soothed and dispelled bit by bit under the nourishment of this vitality.
The Soul Power within him circulated slowly, and the Spiritual Power in his Sea of Consciousness also gradually recovered.
After Xu Qing entered his meditative state, a wondrous sensation unlike anything before quietly enveloped his whole body.
He was no longer an independent individual. It was as though he had become a blade of Blue Silver Grass, merging with the entire patch.
Having become one among the countless blades of grass, he breathed along with the Blue Silver Grass. The primordial Qi of the world also followed the Blue Silver Grass's breathing, nourishing it.
After an unknown length of time, Xu Qing slowly withdrew from this state and gradually opened his eyes.
It was that feeling again. Yes, this was no longer the first time Xu Qing had entered such a state.
Xu Qing got up from the stone slab, briefly moved his limbs, then walked out of the Blue Silver Grass and returned inside.
"Nana, you're back!"
As soon as Xu Qing returned inside, he saw Gu Yuena eating watermelon.
Gu Yuena smiled. "Xu Qing, have you finished cultivating? Auntie cut some watermelon. Come and have some!"
Xu Qing nodded, walked over to the sliced watermelon, picked up a piece, and began eating too.
"Xu Qing!"
Gu Yuena called his name.
"Huh?" Xu Qing answered somewhat indistinctly, his mouth still stuffed with watermelon.
"Come to my room after you finish your watermelon!"
"What?! Cough, cough!"
Xu Qing seemed to have taken that the wrong way. He immediately coughed twice, his face bright red.
Gu Yuena rolled her eyes at him. "What are you thinking? I have something to give you."
Only then did Xu Qing understand, so embarrassed that he wanted to find a crack in the floor to crawl into.
Still, he nodded.
After finishing the watermelon in his hand and washing up, Xu Qing went with Gu Yuena to her bedroom.
There was a faint, fresh fragrance in the room, not the scent of perfume.
Xu Qing rubbed his nose and followed Gu Yuena into the room.
After entering, Gu Yuena closed the door, then held out her slender right hand. Her five fingers were delicate, and an antiquated ring had appeared on her index finger.