Chapter 78

The disheveled old man consoled him, “It’s just a small mistake . Just be more careful in the future . Don’t be discouraged . ”

Su Zimo nodded .

No matter the end result, his trip today was not wasted .

Even though forging looked to be a simple step, there were many factors to consider when shaping a spirit weapon so as to unleash its full potential .

Fourth step, tempering .

The forged flying sword hovered within the Weapon Tripod as Su Zimo reignited a new ball of Level 3 Spirit Fire to heat it up .

Temperature control was crucial for this step .

Too high and the flying sword would melt .

Too low and the desired effect of tempering would not be achieved .

It was crucial to have the spirit weapon burn at a scarlet, transparent color .

Through the past month, Su Zimo had failed countless times at just the tempering step .

After a brief moment, the flying sword in the Weapon Tripod began to turn red . Under the continued burning of the flames, the sword’s body gleamed with a bright red .

Su Zimo maintained his control and placed the flying sword at the bottom of the tripod before conjuring a hammer using spirit qi to start the tempering process .

Cling! Clang!

Tempering can not only eliminate even more impurities, it can strengthen the sturdiness of the sword as well .

Out of all six steps, this step was where technique was most important and every Weapon Refinement Master had their own way of doing things .

Su Zimo went about it with pure brute strength as he knocked at the sword .

The disheveled old man who was watching him frowned – Su Zimo was way too rough in his technique and was no different from blacksmiths of the mortal world .

At the same time, Feng Haoyu had begun tempering his flying sword as well .

Unlike Su Zimo, Feng Haoyu was much cleaner in his tempering skills .

Feng Haoyu had a wind spirit root and because of that, the element of wind spirit qi was present in the hammer he conjured to strike at the flying sword . Because of that, the tempered sword would be more agile and swifter .

While hammering, the sharpness of the sword was gradually revealed too .

It was clear that Feng Haoyu was experienced through his technique and faster . Before long, he was almost caught up to Su Zimo .

After five minutes, Su Zimo heaved out a sigh of relief .

He was done with tempering!

For a pseudo spirit weapon, the final step would be to just throw the scarlet flying sword into cold water for the quenching step .

However, Su Zimo had an idea .

Since this flying sword had a hilt and was imperfect to begin with, he could attempt spirit gathering with it!

For the past month, Su Zimo had already destroyed tens of flying swords without a single success on spirit gathering .

Based on what the inner sect disciples mentioned, there was no technique required for spirit gathering and it was more of a luck thing – the luckier one was, the higher the chances of success .

But of course, that was on the pretext that there were no major issues with the four previous steps .

After tempering, Su Zimo did not shift the flying sword out of the Weapon Tripod and instead glared at the spirit qi within it keenly .

“Is he thinking of spirit gathering?”

“If he manages to succeed, that’ll be amazing!”

“Hmph, I think he’s thinking too highly of himself trying to attempt spirit gathering after a single month into weapon refinement!”

A series of discussions filled with shock and ridicule broke out around them .

Casting away all distractions, Su Zimo calmed his mind – this was a step that required absolute focus from the Weapon Refinement Master without any bit of distractions!

Taking in a deep breath of air, he controlled the spirit qi within the tripod and willed it towards the scarlet flying sword .

Through the pressure, a pattern appeared vaguely on the sword . It was faint and barely formed .

“Look, a spirit pattern!”

“It’s really a spirit pattern! But it has yet to take shape . ”

“Could he really manage to create an inferior-grade flying sword?”

Right then, Feng Haoyu was just done with his tempering step as well . When he heard the discussions, his heart skipped a beat as he turned towards Su Zimo .

If Su Zimo had managed to create an inferior-grade spirit weapon, he would have to take the gambit and attempt spirit gathering too .

However, Feng Haoyu had no confidence about it . After all, spirit gathering was way too difficult and he had yet to succeed at it too .

The disheveled old man glared at the flying sword within the tripod fixedly, sweat forming on his palms – he was even more nervous than Su Zimo .

Piak!

Right then, a crisp sound rang out from Su Zimo’s Weapon Tripod .

It was over!

Su Zimo lamented internally .

What followed was a booming sound as the flying sword exploded with its shards striking at the interiors of the Weapon Tripod .

He had failed!

However, it was to be expected .

Su Zimo shook his head and chuckled in exasperation .

The disheveled old man sighed gently .

At the side, Xue Yi looked on with pity .

At that, Feng Haoyu was finally relieved .

Because Su Zimo’s flying sword had exploded, Feng Haoyu had no intention to attempt spirit gathering as well . Instead, he took out the pseudo spirit weapon from his tripod and dipped it in cold water .

Clack!

A thick, white smoke billowed out from the water basin .

The flying sword was successfully created with a sharp gleam and a suffocating aura!

Feng Haoyu placed the flying sword at the front desk and awaited the evaluation results .

Right as Su Zimo kept his Weapon Tripod, a loud voice boomed out in the hall .

“The level of one’s spirit fire isn’t listed as one of the six steps of weapon refinement . Don’t think that you’ll become a Weapon Refinement Master just because you can cultivate a Level 3 Spirit Fire . ”

Su Zimo turned to the voice and met with Feng Haoyu’s cold, sneering gaze .

With a fake smile, Feng Haoyu continued, “Junior Brother Su, one has to be tread steadily . If one were to attempt flying before they can even walk, they might end up falling twice as heavily . ”

Su Zimo furrowed his brows slightly .

The both of them had only met a couple of times before and had never spoken nor crossed one another’s paths . Yet, for some unknown reason, Feng Haoyu had a strong enmity towards him!

It was particularly so today .

“Well said, Junior Brother Feng!”

“Fufu, some people are way over their heads because they have a Level 3 Spirit Fire . Know your place!”

The disciples who spoke were not from Weapon Peak; they were Spirit Peak disciples who had come to take the test . There was naturally no way they would give up on a chance to take sides with Feng Haoyu by mocking Su Zimo at such a juncture .

“Stop with all that salty talk! How about talking again after any of you can get a Level 3 Spirit Fire!” Xue Yi could not help but stand up and scoff coldly .

Many of the Spirit Peak disciples found themselves speechless as they looked awful .

No matter what, even if Su Zimo had failed in spirit gathering, it was a fact that he had managed to cultivate a Level 3 Spirit Fire . No one from the five peaks could match that!

Feng Haoyu continued, “Junior Brother Su, don’t take this loss to heart . We’ve still got the five peaks face-off at the end of the year . I hope that you’ll be able to win me by then . ”

Su Zimo looked at Feng Haoyu indifferently without replying .

The disheveled old man stood at the side watching without saying anything . At the end of the day, he was a senior and was naturally not bothered with the verbal squabbles between disciples .

After awhile, the disciple hosting the test declared, “Even though all of you crafted a pseudo spirit weapon, Feng Haoyu’s flying sword has a better quality and he was faster . As such, he is the first place for this test . ”

Many Spirit Peak disciples began cheering .

Feng Haoyu grinned as he looked past Su Zimo to the disheveled old man . Bowing slightly, he spoke, “Peak master, please take me to observe the projections of weapon refinement left behind by seniors of the sect . ”

“Mmm . ”

The disheveled old man nodded nonchalantly . “You’re naturally qualified since you took first place . ”

Thereafter, he yanked Su Zimo by the arm and commented casually, “Come on, lad . You’ll go have a look too . ”

Su Zimo froze for a moment .

Feng Haoyu frowned and said gruffly, “Su Zimo doesn’t even have a ranking place in this test because he failed to create a weapon . So, he isn’t qualified to watch it . Are you sure what you’re doing is appropriate, peak master?”

“Indeed, it’s inappropriate . ”

The disheveled old man nodded in agreement before grinning . “But, I don’t care . ”