Learning Blacksmithing.
"We declared war on the Shadow Carnage Sect because of the name they've taken. For thousands of years, the name Carnage was reserved by us, and no one dared to use it or anything similar. But now, in this time..." Old Chang's face contorted with rage, and his aura surged.
BOOOOOM!!!
"Agghgh!!!" Disciples bowed as the aura's pressure overwhelmed them.
Alex followed suit, thinking "(This guy seriously needs anger management)."
Realizing his mistake, Old Chang deactivated his aura. "Excuse me. Does anyone have questions?"
A disciple asked, "Grand Elder Chang, why do we have the name Carnage?"
Old Chang gazed at the disciple with slight disbelief. "It's in our history books. Haven't you read them?"
Shamefully, the disciple lowered their head, and others followed suit. The prospect of reading a thousand years of history wasn't appealing.
Old Chang grumbled, "In my time, people were expected to learn everything in three days and then questioned about it. Any mistake was met with significant punishment." He shook his head. Clearly, sect rules had relaxed over the years.
Disciples exchanged bewildered glances. Such rules seemed absurd to them.
"Let me tell you about our sect's history," Old Chang began. "Founded about 8000 years ago during the Era of Void, not much is known about that time. But what we do know is that cultivation civilization was at its lowest. Devils, real devils, roamed unchecked, terrorizing every sect and race. And then someone appeared."
Old Chang paused, looking at the disciples. "The Sword Devil Empress. She was... an absolute monster. A prodigy in cultivation, alchemy, arrays, everything. She was humanity's hope, a light that kept sects from succumbing. She had everything, but..."
His fists clenched. "She defected. She defected to the devils. No one knows why. She fought us. I remember reading how bloodthirsty she was, thousands of sects across the continents eradicated, innocent lives lost daily. That was it. The last light of humanity turned against us, defecting to our greatest enemy."
Old Chang's voice trembled with emotion. "But a hero emerged. The Devil Slayer CARNAGE! His talents surpassed the Sword Devil Empress'. He destroyed her and the devil race. He made sure her demise brought closure, imprisoning her consciousness to witness the utter destruction of the devil race."
His voice swelled with pride. "THAT is why we carry the name Carnage! It's our past, our ancestors' legacy! We must defend it at all costs, for our sect's only path is the path of destruction, the only way to honor our ancestor's name! Do you understand, young disciples?!"
Old Chang's resounding shout filled the air with power, charging the disciples with energy. They felt the weight of history and pride within his words. Even the disciples who hadn't yet experienced the world felt invigorated.
Alex, too, felt the energy surge within him, though not because of the story. He saw a way to break through his realm.
"ARE YOU READY TO COME WITH ME? HEAD TO THE BLACKSMITH MOUNTAIN HALL AND GET YOUR WEAPONS. THIS IS A SMALL SECT, SO FEW ELDERS WILL FOLLOW US. THERE'S A CHANCE YOU MIGHT DIE. NOW, GO OUT THERE AND DEFEND THE PRIDE OF OUR GLORIOUS SECT! WE LEAVE TOMORROW!!!" Old Chang bellowed and took to the sky.
"YES, ELDER CHANG!!!"
--
Accompanied by the others, Alex proceeded to the Blacksmith Mountain Hall to select his weapon. Thoughts of the sect's history continued to churn in his mind.
"Wow," Alex murmured, looking at the massive volcano that was the Blacksmith Mountain. It stood tall and imposing, requiring around 10,000 steps to reach its summit.
As disciples stared at the daunting climb, some of them balked.
"What's this nonsense, Elders?"
"Are they kidding us?"
"I'm out of here!"
Their frustration was palpable. Some even turned to leave.
"Stay close to me, Brother Chang," Alex advised Chang Li before starting the ascent.
"This is like military training, but ten times harder," Alex mused and braced himself.
--
After hours of climbing, About 3 Hours.
the numbers dwindled. Only 235 disciples remained,
Alex was not tied at all, he was just suprised of how and Chang Li was still pushing on.
--
5 Hours Later.
8767 Steps.
Only 185 Disciples were remaining.
Alex was getting tired now but he was shocked now. Chang Li was still there.
He was Still going up.
--
Time, with almost 10,000 steps behind them, only 125 disciples endured the sweltering heat. Remarkably, Chang Li continued his uphill journey.
"Are you okay?" Alex asked, concerned.
"Yeah... Yea... Yea... Yeah... I am..." Chang Li panted heavily.
"You don't have to push yourself. Rest, and I can get the weapon for you," Alex offered.
Chang Li shook his head. "No... No.... No... I won't fail... Big Brother Li, let's keep going."
Alex nodded in support.
--
After a grueling five hours, they reached the 10,000th step, and the intense heat finally abated.
"We made it, Senior Brother Li," Chang Li breathed, taking a step forward...
And collapsing.
Alex smiled, looking at Chang Li in a new light. He now saw a dedicated individual who possessed not only talent but also an incredible willpower.
Alex gently lifted Chang Li up. "Well done, Disciples!" Old Chang's joyful voice rang out.
Old Chang was surprised by the number of survivors. He had expected fewer than 30, but there were actually 100.
"This generation... I've underestimated them," he mused, leading them to their accommodations.
With Old Chang's excitement still lingering, he gave a speech. "Rest now, and we'll talk tomorrow."
--
In the heart of the volcano, the disciples received heat protection talismans and were led to a colossal gate.
BOOOOOOM!!!
As the gate opened, an astonishing sight met their eyes. A vast expanse of workshops, each with muscular blacksmiths working on intricate pieces next to lava walls that fed their forges.
"Welcome to Carnage Blacksmith Mountain. now go in and take a weapon, you can ask for a weapon that you want, you can also give blueprints of a weapon and they will create it for you, you will have to help if you do give a order for a original weapon " Elder Chang Looked at still dumfounded disciples, he smiled brightly and said "WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR!!! GO HAVE FUN!!!"
Disciples went in the mountain with colorful stars.
Alex was astounded, gazing at the bustling scene with admiration. He stood before the 33rd blacksmith stand and thought, "(I know exactly what I want)."
End Of Chapter.