"Cough... Cough, cough, cough!!"
Ye Hanjun took a deep breath, slowly recovering from his state of exhaustion.
He looked at Tu Long, who had a scruffy beard, a half-burned face, and blood leaking from the other half, and smiled lightly.
"The Ice Spirit Flower is a precious ice-attribute spiritual material, this isn't hard to comprehend."
"As for the Crape Myrtle Grass, it's an even rarer spiritual material. On the surface, it has no attributes, but in fact, it can integrate with a few elements like ice, wind, lightning, and fire to amplify their effects."
"Of course, the main reason is that I observed that the item being forged contained Black Gleam Crystal."
"This metal, upon contact with the Crape Myrtle Grass, generates another reaction. This is the key to why the violent collision of the ice and fire elements did not provoke a more intense furnace explosion reaction."
"So that's how it is... So that's how it is..."
Tu Long seemed like a mad scholar, both joyful and surprised, murmuring to himself.
He danced with joy for a while, and then suddenly lay hands on Ye Hanjun's shoulders, asking hastily:
"Are you saying that the biggest problem of my failed smithing was using too much Rust Flower?"
"But that shouldn't be the case. I reserved the space for fusion, just waiting for the final extreme sublimation."
"I felt that the problem emerged earlier. Even before the addition of Rust Flower, everything started to get out of control, and despite how I adjusted control, I couldn't reverse the process..."
"I didn't see what happened earlier, so I can't confirm."
Ye Hanjun shook his head, "But I can confirm that if you had used less Rust Flower, you would still have had a chance to salvage the smithing. It would not have destroyed the balance of the object being forged instantly."
"So you mean I still have a chance of succeeding if I start over? Is that it? Is that it?"
Tu Long suddenly let go of Ye Hanjun, ecstatically saying:
"Before long, should I be able to get the real Blue Gold?!"
"As long as I get Blue Gold, the weapons I forge guarantee an increase in strength by at least 5%. Though the enhancement might seem insignificant, the actual difference is tremendous!"
"I'll earn more Spirit Stones, build a bigger smithing room, and challenge more unique smithing techniques! Hahaha, life is all about smithing. How delightful! How delightful!"
Tu Long was spinning around on the spot like a madman, his actions from head to toe personifying his enthusiasm.
The Contracted Spirit Fond Spirit 'Rocket Frog' gave a soft leap, jumped to his back, and nudged his spine with its tongue as if reminding him of something.
"Oh, right! I have to clean up! I have to clean up!"
Tu Long suddenly stopped spinning, his eyes sharp and alert again, surveyed the surroundings and finally fixed his gaze back on Ye Hanjun.
"Your skills in refining are amazing; I'm curious to know who your master is. Would you be interested in becoming my assistant?"
"Whatever you want, be it Spirit Stones, or beautiful women, or cultivation resources, you just name it, and I will try to get it for you!"
Tu Long pounded his chest, swearing earnestly.
Suddenly, he seemed to remember something else, scratched his burned eyebrow, and asked suspiciously:
"Wait, I haven't asked yet."
"Young man, how did you get into my smithy? I usually refuse visits from outsiders…"
Ye Hanjun was speechless.
This man's single-minded devotion to smithing was such that nothing else mattered to him.
"Master Tu..." Sikong Wei still had an astonished look on his face. He hesitated, then hesitantly began to explain:
"Last time, you criticized our lack of skill and asked Director Jiang for new assistants."
"This is the new assistant Director Jiang has arranged for you. He just reported to you..."
"Hmm? Is Old Jiang being so good to me that he has actually arranged for a new assistant?"
Tu Long widened his eyes in disbelief, his hand stroking his beard trembled.
"But Master Tu... he's only 20 years old, and he's no different from a regular student of Canghai Pavilion..."
"And he's only at the 1st stage, doesn't even have a Contracted Spirit Fond Spirit yet. Is he really suitable to be your assistant? People might talk..."
Sikong Wei said awkwardly, thinking of the miracle he had just witnessed, his voice getting lower and lower.
"All of that's irrelevant."
Tu Long seemed completely unaffected, with a cheerful smile appearing on his fierce face:
"With such knowledge and courage, even as a mortal, one can be considered a master."
"Don't let social conventions bind you. Whoever is capable should lead, whoever is able should teach. Do I really need to teach you this simple truth?"
"Yes, Master Tu..."
Sikong Wei and Da Mu'er both hung their heads, not daring to say more.
If it were usual, maybe they could argue.
But now, having witnessed Ye Hanjun overcome the odds and use a mix of herbal medicine to stop the explosion while casually discussing smithing with Master Tu.
This was the most powerful counter-argument, all the so-called doubts and contempt melted away in an instant.
"Wait a minute!"
Ye Hanjun did not risk his life to stop the furnace explosion just to prove these things.
He slowly straightened up, staring into Tu Long's eyes, and said earnestly:
"Perhaps I'm being presumptuous, but I feel obligated to clarify one thing."
"I came to this academy to teach with the aim of promoting my career more efficiently."
"However, due to my position, I must dedicate most of my time and energy to nurturing Fond Spirits, and I simply cannot spend every day in the smithing room forging weapons with you."
This...
Is Lord Han overstepping his bounds?!
Da Mu'er didn't voice it, but his eyes expressed exactly this sentiment.
What a joke, even if he has some achievements in weapon forging, he, a mere newly appointed Patron, dare to negotiate terms with Master Tu?
It's like being cocky after gaining a little weight.
Does he view Canghai Pavilion as unattended, or treats it like a private estate, giving no consideration to its rules and regulations?
"Hmm...this is a difficult issue...I do need assistances... "
What was surprising was that Tu Long, who usually has a fiery temper and intolerant of the slightest fault, was now just clutching his beard, showing a troubled and conflicted look, without really losing his temper.
Ye Hanjun once again confirmed his judgment. Since the first time he met him, he had noticed Tu Long's fanatic dedication to weapons.
People with such characteristics can be recognized and respected by him as long as they demonstrate adequate value in the corresponding field.
"I can promise you that I will be around to assist you when you need it the most, helping you with the smithing of metals and the crafting of weapons."
"Of course, when it's your turn to teach students, I will also attend and integrate into the life of a teacher, which is one of my top priorities."
"That should not be a problem then!"
Tu Long immediately clapped his hands, cheerfully agreeing:
"Creating Blue Gold in the short term would be more than satisfactory for me!"
"Give me half a month, I need to rebuild the smithing platform!"
"I will notify you in advance at that time. You will play the supporting role, and together we will forge the metal!"
"Alright." Ye Hanjun responded. He pointed at the smithing room that was filled with cracks everywhere, naturally saying:
"I suggest that instead of using circular formation patterns here, we should change to interlocking ones, which will increase the solidity by thirty percent."
"Besides, unless we find a particularly skilled Runesmith, there is no need to repair this smithing platform. You need to spend a lot of money to get a new one to ensure the basic smithing environment is error-free."
"If that's the case, the budget is completely insufficient…"
Tu Long held his chin, deep in thought.
The onlookers, Sikong Wie and Da Mu'er, felt that the two were speaking on equal grounds, with no gap between senior and junior. They didn't dare to interject again as their eyes twitched involuntarily.
"Borrowing money is the only solution."
"Over the next few days, I'm going to coax a few old fellows and pry some Spirit Stones out of them!"
After a moment, Tu Long made a decision.
Ye Hanjun nodded lightly. Whether it's weapon forging or smelting anything else, it's indeed a very money-consuming business, and he understood that.
"This is 'Ice Skin Jade Dew', a medicinal liquor. Take it back, dilute it in water and soak yourself in it, it can help regulate your body."
After rummaging through the cluttered cabinet for a while, Tu Long found three small bottles, tossed them to Ye Hanjun, Sikong Wei, and Da Mu'er one after the other.
Ye Hanjun opened the cap and sniffed it, a fragrant aroma hit his nose, the liquor contained quite a bit of Spiritual Material.
It seems like the extra injuries he sustained this time should be able to heal, and the surplus might even further strengthen his weakened body.
"Thank you, Master Tu!"
Sikong Wei and Da Mu'er, clearly having heard of this medicinal liquor, showed fleeting expressions of surprise on their faces.
But their surprise was swiftly replaced by astonishment.
They saw Tu Long clap his hands, and, as if they shared a telepathic bond, the Rocket Frog immediately used its tongue to push open a sealed stone door.
When the gleaming eyes of the Flash Frog silently fixed on Ye Hanjun's face, Tu Long, with a tone of 70% casualness and 30% pride, warmly invited him:
"The smithing platform didn't completely explode, that was a big help regardless."
"This is my pride and joy, the weapon collection room, containing my carefully crafted works as well as unique equipment purchased from outside."
"Lord Han, you can choose one to take with you as a token of my appreciation, don't be shy."
"Gulp..." Upon hearing Sikong Wei's audible swallowing and seeing Da Mu'er's shocked and envious expression, Ye Hanjun knew just how significant this invitation was.
After some thought, he didn't reject the offer, and dragging his injured body, he entered the collection room to take a look.
"This is the White Fang Stick, made from the tail's vertebrae of a 'Man-faced Crocodile' of Jade Infant Fetus level, which was smelted for 49 days, and is one of my proudest creations."
"Hmm… Your strength is insufficient and your physique is too weak, so this weapon is not suitable for you right now... "
"Take a look at this one, this is the Poison Snake Sword, made from a 'Rotten Snake' of Rainbow Light Fetus level."
"Anyone who is scratched by it, specifically a Common Clay Body of the Small Achievement, cannot withstand the rotting poison, and will die within three breaths."
"By the way, it also contains the skill 'Deadly Poisonous Gas', though it can only be used once, it is capable of threatening a true Rainbow Light Fetus and could work wonders for self-defense."
Tu Long was enthusiastic and highly recommended:
"The Poison Snake Sword does not have many restrictions on use. In my opinion, this is the weapon that suits your current situation best."
"This is my great masterpiece made thirty years ago... Don't just look, weapons need to be held in the hand and waved a few times, how can you not try its weight!"