Chapter 4

“The longer my life is, the more demonic and terrifying I become… Going on like this, what level can I reach in the future?”

Su Changkong’s heart was also filled with fervor, understanding what this meant. As long as he continued to extend his lifespan, he would become increasingly demonic, perhaps even the most extraordinary existence in all of history.

“I need to persist in practicing the Five Animal Frolics to increase my lifespan.”

Su Changkong took a deep breath and calmed down. He was still very weak and needed to continuously consolidate his strength and strive hard.

Knowing the function of his special ability, Su Changkong practiced the Five Animal Frolics with even greater earnestness and effort.

The proficiency of the Five Animal Frolics also rose slowly and steadily!

When the Five Animal Frolics reached the Beginner’s Path level, every bit of progress in training became more difficult. However, Su Changkong’s potential value increased to 3 points. His efficiency in practicing the Five Animal Frolics was three times faster than before, and he felt that if he broke through in the Five Animal Frolics again, it would take even less time than it had to advance from the basics to the Beginner’s Path.

Time ticked away, and before he knew it, more than two months had passed.

In the early hours of the morning, within the residential courtyard of Black Iron Manor, Su Changkong was focused on practicing the Five Animal Frolics.

Ascending Tiger, Double-Arm Ape, Shaking Tree Bear, Retracting Deer, Level Flight Crane…

One by one, the routines and variations of the Five Animal Frolics, Su Changkong could perform them smoothly and fluently. His Five Animal Frolics had a certain beauty of combining movement and stillness, as if he really transformed into various beasts and birds, capturing their essence perfectly!

“Crack crack crack!”

As he reached the depth of his practice, Su Changkong felt a flow of qi moving under his feet, passing through his entire body, making his bones and meridians emit soft, humming sounds, spreading a feeling of comfort throughout his body!

“The Five Animal Frolics have broken through!”

Su Changkong’s eyes lit up, his potential had improved, and the breakthrough this time was faster than ever. In just over two months and less than three, his cultivation in the Five Animal Frolics had ascended to another tier.

Name: Su Changkong (12 years old)

Lifespan: 45 years

Potential Points: 4

Mastered Martial Arts: Five Animal Frolics (2nd tier, Entry-Level Mastery 1%)

Upon opening the attribute panel, indeed, the Five Animal Frolics had broken through from the Beginner’s Path to the Entry-Level Mastery stage. Additionally, his lifespan had increased by 3 years.

“This time, the increase in lifespan is even larger, but the potential gained is less, just an increase of one point…” Su Changkong thought to himself, realizing that the growth of his potential was less than before.

It seemed his potential was linked to his lifespan, but as time went on, it became more difficult to increase each point of potential.

4 potential points were four times the initial amount, which was actually quite an exaggerated improvement!

“Additionally, the quality of my physical body has also greatly improved.” Having reached the Entry-Level Mastery of the Five Animal Frolics, Su Changkong’s physical condition wasn’t quite rebirth, but it was indescribably much better than before!

His senses were sharper, his energy more abundant!

This set of Health-preserving Fist was indeed quite mystical!

“Dang dang dang!”

Within Black Iron Manor, the bell chimed, signaling the start of a new day’s work. Su Changkong ceased his training to head for the assembly.

“Su Changkong, wait a moment.” As the roll call ended, the man in a scholar’s robe, Director Liu, who was in charge of managing members of Black Iron Manor, called out to Su Changkong.

“Director Liu, is there something you need?” Su Changkong asked, puzzled.

Director Liu, with a smile, said, “You have been with our Black Iron Manor for over half a year and have always been diligent and eager to learn. The Manor Lord has arranged for you to start helping Master Yang Chao as an apprentice from today, and he will instruct you in the forging of weapons and tools.”

Upon hearing this, Su Changkong’s face lit up with joy; this meant he was being allowed to formally start learning forging at Black Iron Manor!

In Black Iron Manor, the highest status was held by the highly skilled Forging Masters, whose reward wasn’t on the same level as others’!

Learning a skill meant never worrying about food and clothing in the future.

Su Changkong had been at Black Iron Manor for over half a year and had worked hard and diligently. Combined with his youth and malleability, Manor Lord Mo Tie decided to have him learn forging skills from the experienced Master Yang Chao.

Soon, in the workshop of Black Iron Manor, Su Changkong found Yang Chao, a man in his thirties or forties, not tall but very sturdy.

Upon seeing Su Changkong, Yang Chao directly said, “The Manor Lord has already informed me. I will give you my full guidance; how much you learn will depend on your talent!”

“Thank you, Mr. Yang!” Su Changkong thanked him gratefully.

By the side of a furnace, Yang Chao swung his hammer, beating on a glowing hot piece of iron, while explaining, “The forging of swords primarily consists of several main processes: forging, filing, quenching, and polishing.”

“Among these, forging is the most important. A piece of steel must be hammered tens of thousands of times, folded and forged dozens of times to remove impurities before it can be material for forging swords. Otherwise, it’s just a fragile piece of iron!”

Yang Chao’s strong arms swung the hammer, repeatedly striking the red-hot iron, producing a continuous and crisp ringing sound.

Su Changkong nodded slightly on the side; having been a general dogsbody in Black Iron Manor for over half a year, he was already clear about some basic knowledge of sword forging.

“Talking won’t help; you must try it yourself.”

Yang Chao allowed Su Changkong to try his hand at it.

“All right.” Su Changkong agreed and, taking the hammer, began to forge, imitating Yang Chao’s technique against the iron block.

“The forging must be even and rhythmic; don’t use too much force.”

Yang Chao offered guidance from the side.

“Clang, clang, clang!”

Su Changkong concentrated deeply, continuously hammering the glowing red iron block in front of him.

“This boy… has surprising physical strength,” Yang Chao mused to himself in surprise. Su Changkong didn’t look particularly burly and he was very young, but his endurance was extraordinarily good. He managed to hammer away dozens of times without showing much sign of fatigue.

Forging, of course, requires tremendous physical strength, otherwise one could not even complete the hammering. Although Su Changkong was young, his training in the Five Animal Frolics during this time had significantly increased his physical endurance, which now proved to be very useful!

“Good, now fold the steel with a horizontal knife, then continue melting and hammering. Repeat this process several dozen times, then gradually forge it into shape.”

Yang Chao instructed from the side.

Several dozen folds and hammerings, totaling tens of thousands of swings of the hammer – this is what is meant by “honed a hundred times over.” The entire process is incredibly dull and tough! Most people spend a month or two to complete it!

“It hurts… it hurts…”

After a day, Su Changkong couldn’t help but grimace in pain. Although he took breaks along the way, his arms were still swollen and numb, his palms chafed and bloody.

Over a thousand swings of the hammer in one day nearly made Su Changkong feel as if his arms were going to give out!

“If you can’t endure this pain, how can you talk about becoming a powerful warrior?” However, Su Changkong’s fighting spirit soared even higher. To him, forging was also a form of training!

By evening, Su Changkong still persisted in practicing the Five Animal Frolics, and by nightfall, after taking a bath, he dragged his exhausted body to sleep.

The next morning, Su Changkong got up early to practice the Five Animal Frolics, had breakfast, and, full of vigor, went to the workshop to resume his unfinished work, continuing to hammer the steel material repeatedly.

It was only because of Su Changkong’s foundation in the Five Animal Frolics and strong recovery abilities that he could lift his arms the next morning at all.

Seeing Su Changkong’s determination, not complaining or showing tiredness, Yang Chao was quietly impressed.

“My appetite has increased…”

Su Changkong noticed that the physical exertion had significantly increased his appetite, and his strength was rising. With time, his once non-robust arms began to grow muscles and became stronger. With age, his body also rapidly developed and grew.

In terms of the Five Animal Frolics, he made quick and steady progress!

This repetitive day-to-day process was undoubtedly tedious and exhausting, but Su Changkong could clearly feel his own progress and was completely enjoying himself.

When nearly a month had passed, after fifteen folds and hammerings, with twenty to thirty thousand hammer swings, the surface of the steel material naturally began to show patterns.

“It’s almost ready. Normal blades require over fifteen folds and hammerings to pass muster. We at Black Iron Manor ensure quality, so we set higher standards. Next, we’ll start pouring steel, carburizing, planing, and filing.”

Yang Chao then taught Su Changkong the next steps.

Pouring steel involves clamping and wrapping a soft steel material between two pieces of folded and hammered steel, melt-welding them together at high temperature to forge a weapon that is both firm and flexible, less likely to break or shatter.

Carburizing is the process of infusing the steel with a material that enhances its performance, then extending the steel and forging it into the shape of a blade or sword. Repeatedly polishing, quenching, and buffing would result in a finished weapon.

Whether it is of acceptable quality or not depends on the materials used and the skill of the forger.

“Done…” After a month’s effort, Su Changkong gazed at the longsword radiating a cyan gleam before him, and a sincere smile graced his face, feeling a sense of achievement!

“Hmm… It’s still not up to the mark. The quenching process did not control the temperature well, and the edge is rather brittle. However, there is great room for improvement. Once you create a weapon of acceptable quality, you can become a regular worker, and your salary and treatment will improve,” said Yang Chao, holding the longsword, carefully inspecting it before smiling at the end.

For a first attempt at forging, Su Changkong’s result was rather good. All he needed to do was to practice repeatedly and perfect his skills, and sooner or later, he would be able to forge a qualified weapon!

Su Changkong began a diligent life, practicing the Five Animal Frolics in the morning and evening, and forging weapons during the day, enriching his life through his craft.

In the blink of an eye, four months passed, and Su Changkong was now thirteen years old!

Compared to a year ago, the current Su Changkong had undergone a great transformation. In just one year, he had sprouted up; even in stature and height, he was not inferior to an adult man. And thanks to his relentless cultivation and physical training, refined muscles had developed on his body, exuding a masculine energy.

It was winter now, and in the early morning, fine snowflakes fluttered down from the sky. In the courtyard, Su Changkong got up early and, rain or shine, engaged in his practice of the Five Animal Frolics. At first, it felt cold, but as he got into the rhythm, Su Changkong felt a warm current rising and circulating within him, not feeling the slightest bit cold amidst the wind and snow.

As he practiced over and over, Su Changkong’s movements became faster and faster, with the forms of the tiger, deer, bear, ape, and bird coming to life vividly.

“Crack, snap!”

A hot sensation of Qi circulated within him, and all of Su Changkong’s muscles and bones trembled in unison, as a familiar sense of relaxation and breakthrough enveloped him.

“I’ve broken through…”

Su Changkong sighed in satisfaction. Four months had passed since his last breakthrough, and with a potent potential value of 4 points, his Five Animal Frolics had finally achieved another breakthrough!