Page 98: Visiting the Smelting Dome

The has not reached its peak yet so Long Bai and company decided to look around for a while. After the encounter outside the city walls, they head straight inside the city. Because of such event, they were able to learn a lot of things about the city. The brother and sister were kind enough to tell them things that are not supposedly to be known by outsiders. Of course, it must have been because Long Bai helped the brother properly align the bone in his back that allowed him to walk from being a bed ridden.

Among the information they received were information about hot spots which they can visit to satisfy their cravings, they meant the best food stalls and restaurants. Right now, the four were heading to a three storey restaurant that was strongly suggested by the siblings. The streets where the establishment was located was bustling with people. There were a lot of locals but the most striking are the visitors coming from other islands. Since the biggest event on the entire union islands would take place here, it is obvious to see these many people. Clothes of different colors and weapons carried on their backs and waists, these things just made the place even more festive.

As they reached the entrance of the large restaurant, they were greeted by a hostess. Wearing a thick make -up, red lips, long colored dress and hair tightly fixed at the back, she could be labeled as an attraction for the business.

"Honored guests, welcome to the our Purple Iron palace. Please choose a floor by depositing the amount listed on these booths."

The hostess pointed three booths inside. Each booth were corresponding the floor in which one would like to dine. On the sign of each booth, the amount they need to deposit per person was indicated.

"first floor : 10 red shards

second floor: 50 red shards

third floor: 100 red shards"

Ah Mu who was behind Long Bai gave out a surprised sound.

"What? 100 red shards for dining at the third floor? Why is that?"

The hostess who was behind everyone explained to them patiently about the custom of the restaurant. The name of the restaurant implies that they will be using purple iron utensils and the quality of food transcends those dishes at the lower floor.

"What's the problem brother Ah Mu? Are you afraid you'll become poor after eating here? Yue playfully asked. She said that to Ah Mu with the joke that if he will eat a lot those expensive dishes, he'll go broke.

"Sister Yue, when it comes to food, this brother of yours will never back down. Alright! Let's go!"

"Oh my! Are you saying you'll pay for our meals too? Hehe"

Yue's remarks made Ah Mu halt on his steps and turn around to her. With a pleading face, he was silently asking her to take back what she said. The three laughed at Ah Mu's acting skills and happily walked to the third boot to get their floor stub. However, just before they can reach the front of the booth, a group of youths came asking them to move.

"Whoever tries to reserve a table at the third floor, stop yourself. This young master have come to reserve the entire floor to celebrate my meeting with my brothers here who came from another Island."

[Tang Gen

Age: 15

Cultivation: Body tempering- bone refining layer (2nd level)

Core grade: High

State: healthy ]

Long Bai saw his info and concluded that the person must be a pampered one, maybe even rich. Comparing with Ling Tian's prowess who just started cultivating a year ago, this Tang Gen person was slower in his progress. Although Tang Gen is stronger but if Ling Tian would reach the same age, he would definitely be leaving this guy out of bounds.

Ah Mu who was already in front of the boot reacted at the person's loud declaration. Instead of getting pissed off, he remembered that young masters like him are supposed to be loaded.

"Eh? Brother, you must be rich! We came from another island too. Can you treat us too?"

That easy- going air of Ah Mu got Tang Gen's interest. He scanned the four youngsters and when his sight landed on Yue, his eyes sparkled. He walked forward and pointed at Yue.

"You, if you join my table, I'll let your brothers eat whatever they want. Sound's good right?"

Ah Mu and company quickly realized that the man pointing at Yue was not someone they can agree with. The smiling face that Ah Mu was showing changed immediately to sarcastic one.

"Ah? Don't bother then. Since we came here first, we'll just pay our own food. Four stubs for the third floor please."

Ah Mu paid the third floor stubs and showed the four stubs to Tang Gen.

"It's first come, first serve boi! Who do you think you are? Just because you are a son of someone influential, you can do everything you wanted? Ha! You classic stud!"

"What did you say? You are asking for a beating!" A man behind Tang Gen yelled back at Ah Mu.

Before something could break out, a man with huge physique, twice larger than Ah Mu and with a height of two meters came. A logo of the the restaurant is imprinted on the white clothing the man was wearing. It was the owner of the place.

"Youngsters, if you want to fight do it outside. This place is for eating. If you have a problem with that, then better find another place." His voice was deep and forceful. Just his appearance, anyone would tell that he can take out anyone with his large fist.

[Jia Shan

Age: 52

Cultivation: Soul tempering stage- ethereal manifestation layer (4th level)

Core grade: Ordinary

State: healthy ]

This was the first time Long Bai was able to meet someone with this level of cultivation considering his core grade. He might be the best example yet of hard work he encountered. For such prowess, Long Bai was in awe. He can't help but to be amazed with such hard work.

"Tsk! Let's go to another place. Hey you!" He was pointing at Ah Mu. "I won't forget your face. Prepare yourself when we meet again in the future."

"Bring it on! I'll take you on anytime!" Ah Mu responded to the threat. With a smug face, he used his hand to signal them with "go away" as they were walking out of the establishment.

The lunch they have was sumptious and there were no disturbances. The four was able to enjoy the meal that was expensive hut based on their faces, it says that the cost was worth it. In addition, their table was located on the viewing platform which made the experience even better. Eating while in a view deck, they were also able to enjoy the scenery of the city.

After deciding that the three would once more roam the streets before going to the accommodation, Long Bai separated to look for the Smelting Dome that the owner of the restaurant introduced.

The smelting dome was just similar to the alchemist tower based from the info he got. This place is where all metals works in the city is being centralized. Apprentices and smelting masters bring their works here and sell them with a jaw dropping prices. Considering that the materials are expensive and at the same time, the process is taxing, it is not surprising that it would be sold in such prices.

After walking and following the directions written on the parchment the owner gave him, he was able to reach the place after 30 mins of looking casually. Just like what he expected, the place was really a dome that resembled some concert domes he saw back on earth. Right now, he walked straight to the commercial area of the dome. He learned that the dome was actually divided into two sections; the commercial box and the worker's den. Just like the name implies, the workers use the den for their metallurgy while they sell them at the commercial space.

At the entrance, two guards are wearing a complete lamellar armor while holding a long spear. Judging from their cultivation, the place must be rich for them to employ someone who's at the core tempering layer. Their reassuring presence just give the people a sense of safety while they enter the place.

Inside, the smell of metal is just too strong. Similarly with the alchemy tower, the smell of pills and medicinal herbs wafts in the area.

Long Bai walked past some booths that displayed their weapon selections. There were a lot to see ranging from short swords to long swords, blunt weapons to poles and spears, armors and so on. However, he noticed something peculiar. Of all the weapons, there's no rapier or weapons that are thin in structure. As he reached the last booth, a single weapon that was on display got his attention. It resembles a dagger but longer, like a sword but smaller and like a double edged rapier but shorter. This was the weapon he was looking for after he was able to obtain a rapier. If he would be able to obtain this, he can use a variety of attack patterns. He can single wield , double wield the rapier with the stilleto or attach the stilleto at the base of the rapier to make the hilt a second weapon. In this way, he can fight in a diverse way, depending on the type of weapon the enemy would use against him.

He approached the stall and saw a half dozed owner. He cleared his throat and asked about the weapon on the display board.

"Ahem, mister owner, how much for this? I noticed there's nothing written on the tag price."

The owner looked at him with lazy demeanor and stared for a while. When he fixed his posture a bit, he gestured his hand like he was asking for something.

"If you want this weapon, let me look at your weapon."

Those were the only words the man said. There was no even explanation why he was asking it. Long Bai's thought was running wild. 'Hm? Why would he ask for my weapon when we were talking about this stilleto here. Is there something this eccentric man wanted to do? Let's play along for a while.'

Long Bai took out the rapier from the cosmic pouch and handed it to the man. Long Bai noticed the slight movement of the man's eye brow and the sudden change in his atmosphere. A while ago, this man looks sleepy but now, there's no hint of it after handing the rapier.

"Boy, is this your main weapon? Why are you using such frail weapon? If people here sees that you use such weapon, they'll laugh at you and brand your taste as weak."

Long Bai was slightly taken aback by the question. 'Ho? so this is the reason why there's no rapier or daggers being displayed huh..'

"Yes, that is main weapon. It might look fragile but when used properly, it can even slice and cut a person cleanly. And in addition, I am not fond of some flashy large swords. The more handy it is, the better for me." Long Bai replied.

The man returned the rapier and asked him to swing the sword. Long Bai followed the instruction and made some couple of regular swings and stabs. People were talking about them but it seemed that the two didn't give a damn about it.

"Fine, you're the only person who thinks the same here. The people here prefer heavy weapons and they have a prejudice to weapons like yours. Since you met my requirements, I'll give you a discount. 500 shards, no lesser than this. If you can't afford it, go and earn some first."

Long Bai was happy that he can get the weapon. The only thing he needed to do now is to ask the man if he's willing to teach him how to refine weapons. Since the rapier he had lacks in quality, he planned to make a grade 4 rapier with the rock ore he bought from the siblings. Since he have five large purple iron ores, he might even be able to make weapon for the three.

"Owner, would it be possible to learn smithing from you?"