The blacksmith forge that Zenki had prepared for Lianhua was a masterpiece of craftsmanship, designed to cater to the unique needs of a Spiritual Blacksmith. The forge was made from the finest materials available in the kingdom, with a sturdy frame of reinforced iron and a roof of high-quality ceramic tiles. The walls were made from fire-resistant bricks, and the floor was lined with a special kind of ceramic tile that could withstand extreme heat without cracking.
It took at least a week for the forge to be completed, with the craftsmen working tirelessly to ensure that every detail was perfect. The interior of the forge was spacious, with enough room for Lianhua to move around freely and work on her projects. The forge was equipped with a state-of-the-art bellows system that could provide a steady flow of oxygen to the fire, allowing Lianhua to achieve the precise temperatures that she needed for her work.
The forge also had a special area for quenching and tempering metals, with a large tank filled with oil and water. There were several anvils of various sizes, each with its own set of tools, including hammers, chisels, tongs, and files. The walls were lined with shelves stocked with all kinds of metals, from iron to gold, and there were drawers filled with precious gems, each waiting to be turned into a beautiful weapon or piece of armor.
Overall, the forge was a testament to Zenki's dedication to Lianhua's craft and his commitment to supporting her journey as a Spiritual Blacksmith. With this forge at her disposal, Lianhua would be able to push the limits of her abilities and create masterpieces that would be the envy of all who saw them.
During the week that the forge was under construction, Lianhua seized the opportunity to get to know her new companions better. She asked them about their preferred weapons so that she could plan their construction and prepare the list of materials required for the individual weapons she would create for each of them.
Due to her limited skills as a one-star-ranked blacksmith, Lianhua opted to use uncommon materials that were easier to manage and suited her skill level for the weapons she would forge for her new companions.
Chen Jing breathed a sigh of relief as he was handed his lost spatial ring, which had been recovered by the soldiers tasked with gathering the assassins' belongings after their battle. Within the ring lay his most prized possession - the spear he called "Ice Queen." While Lianhua was an expert blacksmith, having honed her skills over many years, her one-star ranking as a spiritual blacksmith meant she was unable to upgrade Chen Jing's weapon at present. Nonetheless, she vowed to continue studying and mastering her craft, hoping to one day be able to enhance even the most powerful of weapons.
With the completion of the forge, Lianhua finally began crafting their weapons, taking her time to create each one with care and precision. She started with Zhen Yi's sword, as it was his request to have a weapon that could enhance his lightning elemental powers in combat.
Since Lianhua was only a one-star-ranked blacksmith, she had to work with what she had and rely on her creativity to enhance the sword's lightning properties. She went through her inventory of materials and selected a few uncommon items, including a rare type of iron ore that she had obtained during her travels and some silver dust that she had received as a gift from a fellow blacksmith.
Lianhua carefully heated the iron ore in the forge until it reached the perfect temperature and began hammering it into shape. She then added the silver dust to the mix to further enhance the sword's conductivity and lightning properties.
As she worked on the sword, she poured her heart and soul into every swing of the hammer, focusing her energy and intent on imbuing the weapon with the power of lightning. After several hours of intense labor, she finally emerged from the forge, sweat dripping from her brow and her hands shaking with exhaustion.
Zhen Yi eagerly took the sword from her hands and tested its weight and balance. As he swung it through the air, he felt a surge of electricity course through his body, filling him with newfound power and strength. The sword glowed with a bright blue light, crackling with energy as it sliced through the air.
Impressed with Lianhua's work, Zhen Yi named the sword "Thunderbolt," in honor of its lightning properties. Lianhua beamed with pride as she watched Zhen Yi test his new weapon, knowing that she had succeeded in creating something truly special despite her limited resources.
With Thunderbolt in hand, Zhen Yi felt unstoppable. He knew that with Lianhua's help, he could reach new heights of power and become a formidable warrior on the battlefield.
Since Yu Mei was just starting her cultivation journey, she did not require a spiritual weapon at the moment. Spiritual weapons were typically only necessary for cultivators at the Core Formation stage or higher, as that was when their elemental properties became more defined and could be infused into a weapon for added power.
Lianhua focused on forging a staff for Mingliang, taking into account his affinity for water cultivation. She had been researching different materials that could amplify water powers and found a set of uncommon materials that might do the trick.
She started by using a sturdy oak branch as the base for the staff, carving it into a smooth and straight shape. Then she coated it with a mixture of powdered pearl and crystal, which would amplify the water energy that flowed through it.
Lianhua then added a small sapphire at the top of the staff, which would serve as a focal point for Mingliang's water cultivation. She carefully etched intricate patterns along the length of the staff, which would help channel and control the water energy.
As Lianhua worked, she could feel the staff's energy growing stronger and stronger. She poured her own spiritual energy into it, infusing it with her own power and imbuing it with the essence of water.
Finally, after several long hours of intense work, Lianhua stepped back to admire her creation. She had forged a beautiful staff that glimmered with an icy blue light, radiating a powerful water energy that could be felt even from a distance.
She decided to call the staff "Wavecaller," a name that embodied its power and purpose. She couldn't wait to see the look on Mingliang's face when he saw the staff she had created for him.
Mingliang was amazed when he saw the staff and felt its power. He took it in his hands, feeling the cool energy flow through his body. He knew that with this staff, his water cultivation would become even stronger, and he would be able to unleash devastating attacks on his enemies.
Lianhua smiled at Mingliang's reaction, knowing that she had done her best to create a powerful weapon that would help her friend in his cultivation journey. She looked forward to the next challenge, where she could continue to hone her skills and forge even more powerful weapons for her companions.
Lianhua met Liu Wei a bit later as he had gone to the castle town on the day Liu Yong arrived and missed the opportunity to meet her earlier. She treated Liu Wei like a younger sibling and felt a familial bond with him since she regarded Liu Yong as a grandparent figure.
Lianhua began to work on Liu Wei's shield, with a determination to make it a powerful tool to amplify his Earth powers. She carefully selected uncommon materials, some of which were found in the nearby mountains, and others from rare plants that only grow in specific areas. With these materials, she started to shape the shield, imbuing it with her spiritual energy to enhance its properties.
Lianhua knew that Liu Wei was a protective person, always looking out for others. She hoped that the shield would not only amplify his Earth powers, but also offer protection for himself and those he cared about. As she worked on the shield, she focused on imbuing it with her own energy, hoping that it would provide a sense of security and comfort to Liu Wei.
After days of intense labor, the shield was finally completed. Lianhua named it "Guardian's Embrace," as she felt it represented Liu Wei's protective nature and desire to keep those around him safe. The shield had a unique design, with intricate patterns etched into the metal and a green gemstone embedded in the center. Lianhua could feel the power emanating from it, and she knew that Liu Wei would be pleased with the results.
When she presented the shield to Liu Wei, he was amazed by its beauty and impressed by its power. Lianhua explained to him how it would amplify his Earth powers and provide protection in battle. Liu Wei was grateful for the shield and thanked Lianhua for her hard work and dedication.
From that day on, Liu Wei carried the shield with him everywhere he went, feeling a sense of comfort and security knowing that he had a powerful tool to protect himself and those he loved. Lianhua was pleased with the results of her work and felt proud to have contributed to Liu Wei's journey as a cultivator.
After completing the shield for Liu Wei, Lianhua turned her attention to Zhang Yitian. She knew that as Liu Yong's eldest disciple and one of the strongest cultivators in their group, he needed a weapon that could complement his lightning-based cultivation.
Lianhua decided to forge a spear for him, a weapon that was perfect for long-range attacks and could channel lightning energy effectively. She gathered all the uncommon materials she had at her disposal and began her work.
As she worked, she infused the spear with her own spiritual energy, carefully controlling the flow of energy to ensure that the weapon would amplify Zhang Yitian's powers in battle. She used a rare metal she had acquired from a distant mine, known for its ability to conduct electricity, to forge the spear's head.
After several days of intense work, Lianhua finally completed the weapon. She held it up to admire her handiwork and smiled with satisfaction. The spear gleamed with a bright, electric blue light, crackling with energy.
She named the weapon "Thunderbolt Spear," a fitting name for a weapon that could amplify lightning-based cultivation and strike with the power of thunder. She presented it to Zhang Yitian, who was pleased with the result.
"Thank you, Lianhua," he said, admiring the weapon. "I can feel the power flowing through it. This will be a great help in our battles to come."
Lianhua's hands were calloused and sore from her continuous work at the forge, but she refused to take a break until she finished forging the last weapon for her new companions. This time, she was crafting a two-handed saber for Zenki, the emperor of the kingdom of Avaloria.
Lianhua carefully selected the materials for the saber, choosing a rare type of metal that was said to have been tempered by fire itself. She combined it with a unique type of wood, which was known to enhance the wielder's focus and control over their elemental powers.
As she began hammering and shaping the metal, Lianhua infused it with her own spiritual energy, carefully imbuing it with the power of fire. With each strike of her hammer, she could feel the power of the saber growing stronger, resonating with the fiery spirit of Zenki.
Finally, after several days of non-stop work, Lianhua completed the weapon and held it up for inspection. The saber gleamed in the light, its blade curved like the flames of a roaring fire. She gave it a name, "Blaze Saber," for it was said that whoever wielded it would be engulfed in the flames of their own power.
Lianhua presented the saber to Zenki, who marveled at its beauty and power. He unsheathed it and felt the heat emanating from the blade, a sign that it was already attuned to his fire elemental powers. With a grateful nod to Lianhua, Zenki strode off to join his companions, eager to test out his new weapon in battle.
Following the completion of their weapons, word of a newly discovered tomb belonging to a Martial Initiation Cultivator spread throughout castletown. Upon learning of this, Liu Yong deemed it an opportunity for his disciples to gain some experience and perhaps come across fortunate discoveries. After receiving permission from Zenki to join the exploration, Zhen Yi, Yu Mei, Mingliang, Mengting, Chen Jing, Liu Wei, and Zhang Yitian all agreed to go together in pursuit of experience and potential treasures. Accompanying them on the journey were Liu Yong and Lian Yaoshi, who would act as their master, bodyguard, and healer, respectively. Lian Yaoshi would also be able to identify any items that the group came across and provide insight on their usage.
Meanwhile, although Zenki would have liked to join in the exploration, he was currently occupied with recruiting talents for the establishment of the Internal Affairs Bureau for the Kingdom of Avaloria.