Chapter 170: Star luo association

Qin Wen's daily routine was a pretty hectic one and kept him busy all the time. It all started with him beings supplied with a task that falls within the limits of his capabilities (according to his forging grade). Qin Wentian ordered him to begin with a single task a day, and then continue to increase the number as his capabilities grew.

The process of forging a weapon was quite complex. The first step was to go through the task and get an initial idea about the weapon or artifact to be built. After the idea is clear enough, it's time to first imagine a rough figure of the artifact and then shape it. The next step involved two parts.

The first part was to start designing the structure of the artifact while the other involved enlisting all the resources required to create it. A rough list is finalized and approved by the requestor.

The next step involved acquiring the required resource (generally exceeding the rough limit). After the resource was acquired, it had to be grouped into primary, secondary, and additives parts. Each individual group had a different set of steps to go through before being integrated into the artifact.

The next stage was refining. It was one of the two most labor-intensive tasks in the forging process because of the need to perform it in a single attempt. Be couldn't batch the process. It was followed by melting the material while the preparation of additives was done. Temperatures vary for each material and hence a strong flame is required for forging.

Once the melted material was obtained, the additives were mixed and the mixture was poured into a mold, it is allowed to rest and solidify. The solidified material is then taken to the forgery where the final forge of equipment is done.

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The forging included shaping, flattening, grinding, and sharpening among other things. It required a tremendous amount of strength to complete, and the final product should be within the required quality and design of the customers. The palace had some indigenous tasks for the disciple too.

It gave the disciple the chance to forge along with elders of the palace. Once the final forge was complete, the second phase f operation took place.

It included the embedding of formations into the weapons. The process was called augmentation and each formation drawn instills a unique property into the weapon. The customers specified the required properties. Some weapons were for strength enhancement, while others included an elemental augmentation, or boosting the Qi output.

The costliest among all types were defense equipment. The reason behind this situation is the fact that defense equipment was considered to be of a particular grade only when it was able to withstand continuous attacks of weapons of the same level. While it was easy to build an offensive weapon, building a defensive weapon that can sustain an attack from it was incredibly complex.

The reason behind it was the fact that along with the weapon's inherent destructive capabilities, a huge portion of the attack's effectiveness lied on the attacker.

If an enemy of extreme capabilities while being in the same stage of cultivation were to face off against the equipment, it should be able to parry the attack and protect the user. 

These reasons made defense equipment the hardest to forge and at the same time the best way to examine a forger's ability to craft artifacts.

The basic requirement for getting a grade badge in forging was to make defensive equipment according to the guidelines of the same grade.

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Qin Wentian's instructions were quite simple. He asked Qin Wen to concentrate on individual tasks first. The first period of training included refinement of materials. Qin Wen was forced to work day and night without rest until he finally managed to achieve the required grade as per Qin Wentian's demands. 

After that, he was paired along with multiple teachers, and sometimes Qin Wentian himself directed Qi Wen's progress in forging by having him work as his forge assistant. 

"You need to persist through this process and accommodate your body with this continuous set of heavy-duty tasks. Only then will you be able to walk the path of a weapon master. After you manage to complete 3 weapons forging with me and hit the mark which I set for you, you will officially be recognized as a weapon craft practitioner and given a newbie rank by the palace."

"After you get the badge, you will be allowed to start independent forging, which would hereby be constituting a third of your time. Another third of the time should be dedicated to your cultivation. You need to enhance your strength continues to grow yourself as a weapon master. Weapon masters are the strongest in terms of physical strength and body control among all types of martial artists."

"The last part of your time will be invested in assisting me or the grand elders while we forge weapons."

A continuous and cumulative process started soon, and Qin Wen was soon able to begin forging on his own. Due to his superior talent and cultivation level, he soon overcame the hurdles and advanced in the grade of weapon masters. Qin Wentian was shocked to see the progress of his disciple.

The very fact that his cultivation grew faster than his forging abilities which he invested most of his time on was surprising. "You should invest more resources in his Qi training. His speed in weapon forging is quite shocking as it is."

"That is the thing which worries me the most. Except for the materials, he never approaches me for resources required in Qi cultivation. It is almost as if he has an endless supply of resources. Have you seen his fire control?"

"I have experienced the drastic speed with which his ability to control fire increased. Even when I see the strikes he makes, gives me an ethereal feeling. I have a premonition for a long time, which he needs to confirm."

"Is it something important?"

"When I gave him the hammer, I didn't expect him to be able to use it until he reaches the Qi King class at the very least. Even if he manages to use it after reaching my cultivation level, would be surprising enough."

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Qin Wentian's expressions suddenly changed. It was true that he hadn't noticed the pair of hammers being used by his disciple. When he finally got a view, he was taken back. "how can this be?"

"You must be aware of the basic requirements before being capable of using that hammer, but he already managed to use it when he entered the Qi general stage."

"I have a premonition regarding an alternate path that would allow him to use the hammer. I just need his confirmation. Mark my words, if my premonition is correct, and he confirms it, the being in front of us is a monster."

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Qin Wen was underway of creating a defensive gear for Qi master practitioners. Once complete he could formally start forging level 3 weapons (Qi general). The continuous banging of his hammer was heard throughout the hall. The rhythm would push any weapon master into a momentary daze.

As time progressed, the strikes became increasingly faster and more violent, until the final bang was heard and Qin Wen pushed the artifact into a cooling pool.

He then set to polish it and started the second part, which was drawing formation. Due to the recent training in the crimson Lord world, his soul strength was incredibly high, he became a third rank formation master. (evident from the concealing and energy-absorbing formations he set near the pit.)

The final product was soon complete. Qi Wen didn't waste time and rushed towards Qin Wentian's forgery to show him his product. Shocking he discovered that the elder from the weapon hall was also present.

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"You can finally start creating third level weapons. You have performed quite well and will be rewarded for your hard efforts." Both the elders said after they inspected the weapon forged by Qin Wen.

The elder from the weapon hall asked: "what is your current cultivation level?"

"I am at the first stage of Qi general, elder."

"What about the other path?"

"Which one is elder referring to?"

"The body cultivation path?". Qin Wen was hesitating, but the elder came forward and inspected Qin Wen's body by himself. After the inspection ended, his eyes almost bulged out of shock.

"You opened all the meridians in your body.". Upon hearing the statement Qin Wentian was thrown into shock too. His disciple already opened all the meridians in his body. 

An awkward silence permeated throughout the hall.

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"It's time for him to know about that.". Qin Wentian nodded. He instructed Qin Wen to take a seat.

"Since you are quite near to becoming a third rank weapon master, it's time you set out to take the next step in the path of weapon forging. I want you to train like hell and concentrate on forging for the next few months."

"Once you are capable of making two defensive equipments without taking rest, we will leave for the Star Luo Association."

"What is the Star Luo association master?"

"It is the sovereign governing body of all weapon masters of 3rd rank and above. It issues your batch after you undertake and pass their exams and is also the prime location for your future weapon master training. Once you qualify for their special exams, you officially become a member of the association and perform tasks given by them. It is also the holy land of all knowledge related to Weapon Forging."

"It is going to be your next stop."