Star River Association

In the discussion hall of the Qin Residence, the members of the Qin Clan were gathered, their expressions grim.

"What's the situation now?" Qin Chuan asked, his eyes scanning the room.

"Clan Leader, as the year-end approaches, many who left the city for cultivation have returned, but they're only allowed to enter, not exit. Although our Qin Clan's troops have somewhat balanced the threat from the Silver Feather Legion and the Chu Dragon Guards, our people are still being bullied and humiliated, and rumors are spreading that this time our Qin Clan won't overcome this danger," one member reported.

"What about news from the Royal Capital, and the Emperor Star Academy?" Qin Chuan inquired. The Qin Clan had its own network of spies in the Royal Capital.

"As for news from the Royal Capital..." the speaker hesitated, "It appears the Royal Capital is unaware of what's happening in Sky Harmony City, and information is tightly sealed. Ye WuQue, on the other hand, recently reached the 9th level of the Arterial Circulation Realm, with hints of an impending breakthrough to the Yuanfu Realm. This has garnered attention and favor from individuals of high status. The Emperor Star Academy is under strong pressure from the Royal Clan, and there's no positive news regarding the Young Master."

Qin Chuan clenched his fist at the news, a sharp glint in his eyes.

"It seems that Wentian's previous display didn't gain enough attention. Ye WuQue's talent, coupled with the Royal Clan's pressure, has overshadowed Qin Wentian's abilities," Qin Chuan muttered, "Wentian, grow faster and show them your talent."

"Spread the word: reduce the number of Qin Clan members leaving the city. Also, retrieve all the remaining Yuan Meteor Stones from our storage and send them to Wentian," Qin Chuan ordered, causing the crowd to shudder. Despite the circumstances, Qin Chuan was determined to nurture Qin Wentian. In the face of possible misfortune, they clung to a glimmer of hope.

Qin Wentian received the three Yuan Meteor Stones sent by Qin Chuan. Their number left a slight unease in his heart. He knew that the Qin Clan had been declining in recent years. Their income couldn't cover expenses, resources were depleting, and finances were dire.

However, this only fueled Qin Wentian's determination to grow stronger.

Leaving the Qin Residence through a side gate, he encountered the Silver Feather Legion stationed outside the main entrance, facing the Qin Clan's troops. The situation appeared calm on the surface, but Qin Wentian sensed the hidden undercurrents in this high-stakes game.

Ignoring the standoff, he made his way to the central district of the Sky Harmony City, where the Star River Association was located.

The Star River Association had numerous branches across the country of Chu, with its headquarters in the Chu Capital. The Sky Harmony City branch was just one of them. Although the association usually stayed out of worldly affairs, it wielded unquestionable authority, and its true strength was a mystery. To Qin Wentian, the branch in the Royal Capital might not even be the true headquarters of this enigmatic organization.

The Star River Association's unique status drew Qin Wentian there today. His objectives were twofold: to gain knowledge in weapon forging and to ensure his and his clan's safety. By joining the association, he aimed to attain a certain status that would make even assassin groups in the Royal Capital think twice before crossing him.

"The Star River Association is divided into four divisions: Weaponsmith, Pill Concoction, Martial Fate, and Heavenly River. My foster father said that the association's influence and power might surpass even that of the Royal Clan," Qin Wentian thought as he gazed at the grand building before him.

"Qin Wentian." A voice interrupted his thoughts, and he turned to find Lin Yue, one of the four beauties of Sky Harmony City. She had recently been invited to join the Divine Wind Academy and sought Grandmaster Francis at the Star River Association to craft a top-tier divine weapon for her.

"Your Qin Clan is on the brink of extinction, and you still have time to prepare for entering the Royal Capital?" Lin Yue sneered as she looked at Qin Wentian.

Qin Wentian frowned. Lin Yue's first words were already condemning the Qin Clan, irritating him greatly. "Even if your Lin Clan were annihilated, my Qin Clan would still survive just fine," he retorted.

Lin Yue's expression changed slightly. She had grown up receiving constant love and doting, rarely encountering anyone who dared to contradict her. She sneered, "I almost forgot, the Qin Wentian of today is different from the one in the past. No wonder you have such a foul mouth."

"Foul mouth?" Qin Wentian was taken aback. Lin Yue seemed to suffer from princess syndrome. He couldn't hide his disgust as he turned away from her.

"You..." Lin Yue sensed his contempt, and her expression darkened.

Lin Yue, one of the four great beauties, was also a genius and a dazzling presence in Sky Harmony City. However, ever since Autumn Snow had condensed her Astral Soul from the 3rd Heavenly Layer, many considered her inferior to Autumn Snow. During the recruitment by representatives from the Royal Capital, Lin Yue had hoped for an invitation to either the Royal Academy or the Emperor Star Academy based on her talent, but it didn't happen. Both Autumn Snow and Qin Wentian secured invitations effortlessly, stealing the spotlight from her. She despised this feeling and resented the contempt she had seen in Qin Wentian's eyes. In her heart, she was jealous of him.

In the Grand Hall of the Star River Association, Qin Wentian joined the crowd. The hall's design made the reception counter immediately visible upon entering.

He approached a beautiful receptionist in the association's uniform. She wore it well, accentuating her curves, and greeted him with a slight bow.

"Sir, are you here to forge a weapon or require assistance with pill concoction?" she asked with a smile, her eyes on Qin Wentian. Most visitors came to the Star River Association for either weapon forging or pill concoction.

"I want to become a weaponsmith apprentice," Qin Wentian replied.

"If that's the case, you're in luck today. Grandmaster Francis is here, and I can put in a recommendation for you to become his apprentice. However, there's no guarantee that he'll accept apprentices. Please wait over there," the female receptionist said to Qin Wentian. It was a common sight for people to seek apprenticeships in either weapon forging or pill concoction.

"Apprenticeship? Wishful thinking," Lin Yue, who had entered the building with Qin Wentian, sneered. Becoming a weaponsmith was no easy task, and most weaponsmiths didn't pass down their divine imprints to apprentices.

"Miss Lin Yue, Grandmaster Francis already knows of your visit and will attend to you personally shortly," the receptionist said with a smile. Many in the crowd turned their attention to Lin Yue, one of the city's four great beauties, who was about to join the Divine Wind Academy.

"Please convey my thanks to Grandmaster Francis," Lin Yue replied, a proud smile on her face.

"Master Francis and Old Master Lin are good friends; naturally, he will take special care of you," the receptionist added.

"That's right, Lin Yue, your dad and I are old acquaintances. You don't need to call me Grandmaster Francis; just Uncle will do," a clear voice chimed in. Francis, dressed in the Star River Association's robe, approached with a radiant smile.

"Uncle Francis, I'll trouble you this time," Lin Yue said, her smile filled with satisfaction as she glanced at Qin Wentian.

"No trouble at all. Since you've been accepted into the Divine Wind Academy, tell me what kind of weapon you need, and if you have any special requests, I'll craft a divine weapon tailored for you," Francis assured her.

"Uncle Francis, my Astral Soul is a rabbit, agile and nimble. I want a 3-foot sword, ideally suited for swift swordplay techniques," Lin Yue requested.

"Very well, I'll inscribe the divine imprint of feathered wings on it, making the sword lightweight and enhancing your speed and agility," Francis agreed.

Lin Yue smiled with satisfaction, and the receptionist approached them again, informing Francis that there were others who wanted divine weapons crafted. She also mentioned that someone wanted to become his apprentice.

"For those who've made requests, record what they want and the compensation they're offering. Pass the list to me, and I'll select a few to return in three days. As for the person who wants to become an apprentice, who is it?" Francis inquired, and Lin Yue pointed to Qin Wentian, referring to him as the one with the "filthy mouth."

Qin Wentian furrowed his brows. He had a filthy mouth? It was clear that Lin Yue was the one with a foul mouth. She was notorious for her princess-like behavior.

"Did he offend you?" Francis asked.

"Yes," Lin Yue replied with a nod.

"I'll handle him. Lin Yue, come back in three days to collect your divine weapon."

"As for the apprentice candidate, follow me," Francis directed, and Qin Wentian hesitated for a moment before following him.

Francis bid farewell to Lin Yue, accepted the record paper from the receptionist, and led Qin Wentian to a massive door in the left section of the grand hall. Beyond that door was the weaponsmith division of the Star River Association.

As a first-level weaponsmith of the Star River Association, Francis had his own weapon forging hall. Qin Wentian followed him into the hall, immediately feeling the intense heat. Sweat formed on his forehead as he entered.

"Come with me," Francis beckoned, and Qin Wentian followed. The hall contained several rooms. Francis led him to a room with a large smelting furnace that sank into the ground, surrounded by blazing embers.

"You can look around first," Francis suggested, and Qin Wentian explored the room. He sensed Francis's pride. First-level weaponsmiths held high regard in the Chu Country, and they were given the title of master forger.

"These are the materials for forging weapons," Qin Wentian said as he examined the entrance to a side chamber.

He then moved to another side chamber and saw weapon molds for sabres, spears, swords, halberds, shields, gloves, and more.

"What? They're empty!" Qin Wentian frowned, noticing that the weapon molds were all empty.

"These are special embryos for weapons, molded into the shape of divine weapons. When the metallic liquid from the smelting furnace is poured into the mold, it hardens into the embryonic form of the divine weapon. Now, bring all these special embryos to the space next to the smelting furnace. I want to start creating the divine weapons," Francis explained.

Qin Wentian furrowed his brows in confusion. He understood that different weapons required different materials and ratios. A sword needed to be sharp, while a shield needed to be thick and heavy. How could the process be so simple, as Francis described?

"Do you know that the metallic liquid in the smelting furnace is mixed according to the golden ratio? It's sufficient to forge divine weapons of any shape. Once the shape is formed, different divine imprints can be inscribed to achieve various effects. The most crucial aspect of forging a divine weapon is inscribing the divine imprints. Do you understand now?" Francis explained impatiently, seemingly irritated by Qin Wentian's questioning gaze.

"I understand," Qin Wentian replied calmly, secretly amused by Francis's laziness in not putting in the effort to truly forge a weapon. All the divine weapons were created using the same material ratio, with divine imprints added later, repackaged as "divine weapons," and exchanged for compensation. It was no wonder weaponsmiths were incredibly wealthy.