Natural Born Weaponsmith

Weaponsmiths, aside from their cultivation, also needed to dedicate time to gain insights into the divine imprints required for crafting divine weapons. Most weaponsmiths followed the approach of someone like Francis, accepting forging requests in exchange for wealth. They didn't pour all their efforts into crafting each individual divine weapon. Instead, they followed Francis's method: using metallic liquid mixed according to a golden ratio, filling the embryo molds, and then inscribing divine imprints onto them.

Following Francis's instructions, Qin Wentian poured the metallic liquid into the molds, allowing it to cool and take the shape of the weapons. Francis handed Qin Wentian a small refining furnace and instructed, "Go to the Materials Hall and get 0.5kg of bronze, 0.25kg of silver sand, 0.5kg of bloodstones, and a few kilograms of starsteel and aluminum."

"These materials are for forging a sword – not just any sword, but an extremely light and nimble one." After obtaining the forging memory fragment, Qin Wentian had access to information about various materials. He understood the purpose of each material: bronze as the main material, silver sand for shine, and the other materials to refine sharpness, lighten the sword's weight, and strengthen its body. Bloodstones and starsteel were considered expensive and valuable metals.

"Grandmaster Francis, is this the sword you intend to create for Lin Yue?" Qin Wentian inquired.

Francis glanced at Qin Wentian and replied coldly, "Not bad, you have some knowledge. These materials are indeed for forging a nimble sword. Lin Yue's father and I share a deep friendship, and she's a cultivation genius, so I will put more effort into crafting this weapon for her. It seems you intentionally offended her to get her attention, but let me tell you, it's a futile endeavor. If you're willing to be my apprentice for three years, I'll generously teach you some basic-level divine imprints for your insights."

"Three years of apprenticeship for basic-level divine imprints?" Qin Wentian mused. He knew that weaponsmiths placed great emphasis on divine imprints.

"What? Three years seems too long for you? Do you know how much I had to pay to obtain these divine imprints from the Star River Association?" Francis snorted. "Now, go collect the materials I mentioned."

Qin Wentian nodded and retrieved the materials from the materials hall, returning the furnace to Francis when he came back. Francis poured the materials into the large smelting furnace, melting them into metallic liquid.

"The earthfire used for refining and crafting weapons is provided by the Star River Association. Without their assistance, many weaponsmiths wouldn't be able to melt materials. Becoming a weaponsmith is indeed a tough path," Qin Wentian sighed inwardly. The melting point of materials like starsteel was so high that ordinary fires couldn't melt them. For top-grade divine weapons, the materials became even tougher to work with as their grade increased.

For a weaponsmith, the most challenging and crucial step in crafting a divine weapon was the knowledge and skill required to inscribe the necessary divine imprints.

Once the metallic liquid had been poured into the individual embryonic casts, Francis patiently waited until cracks formed on their surfaces. Then, he instructed Qin Wentian to place the sword-form embryonic cast onto a stoneforge. With a single tap of his finger, Francis shattered the cast, revealing a fiery red embryonic sword still radiating heat from the earthfire.

"This moment, before the sword has fully cooled, is the ideal time to inscribe divine imprints," Francis explained, his tone matter-of-fact. He focused his concentration, and suddenly, there was a subtle shift in astral pressure. He raised his index finger, which began to emit a resplendent glow, enveloped in Astral Qi, and transformed into the shape of an astral carving knife.

"That's his Astral Soul," Qin Wentian thought, "a carving knife form. It may not be a typical forging-type Astral Soul, but for inscribing divine imprints, it's more than capable." Francis then skillfully used the astral carving knife to inscribe divine imprints onto the sword's surface, making no effort to conceal his actions from Qin Wentian. Crafting even the simplest divine imprints was an immensely intricate task. The runic lines interweaved in complex patterns, akin to the intricate energy channels within the human body, and were nearly impossible to decipher with the naked eye.

However, what Francis didn't anticipate was that each of his movements was keenly observed, and the purpose behind his actions was clearly grasped by Qin Wentian, who stood by his side.

However, to Francis's surprise, every nuanced motion he made was under the watchful eye of Qin Wentian, who stood at the sidelines.

Qin Wentian's expression remained impassive, his thoughts hidden beneath a tranquil surface. He had keenly observed Francis's every move. "This is a fundamental sword-form divine inscription. It augments the sword's sharpness and bolsters the user's offensive capabilities. Yet, Francis's rendition of the divine inscription appears amateurish, akin to a child's scribble." Qin Wentian's inner thoughts remained as unclouded as a polished mirror. He had no intention of revealing his astute observations. Francis, lacking a forging-type Astral Soul, had to laboriously carve the divine inscription by hand. His talent in the art of weaponsmithing was, at best, ordinary, which explained the unrefined nature of the inscription.

Francis himself was well aware that his Astral Soul, which manifested as a carving knife, offered no advantages on his path of cultivation. Thus, he had committed himself wholeheartedly to becoming a master weaponsmith. In the realm of weaponsmithing, he had achieved modest success. Little did he expect to be looked down upon by a fledgling like Qin Wentian.

With a hint of pride and a subtle, mocking tone, Francis declared, "If you can grasp the essence of these divine inscriptions from me, I can guarantee that you'll live a life of unparalleled comfort." He cast a sidelong glance at Qin Wentian while meticulously engraving the divine inscriptions onto the nascent divine weapons. He patiently awaited their cooling before proceeding to refine the weapons, honing their edges, and adding essential components such as scabbards.

The divine inscriptions added during the post-embryonic casting phase were imperceptible. They seemed to have seamlessly melded with the weapons, becoming the very "energy channels" of these divine artifacts.

"Give it a try yourself," Francis said, handing over a freshly crafted divine weapon to Qin Wentian.

Qin Wentian gripped the sword, channeling his astral energy into it. In that moment, he experienced an inexplicable connection, as if the bond between him and the weapon ran as deep as blood ties. It was a sensation that defied description. His own blood vessels, meridians, and energy channels seemed to intertwine with the sword as astral energy flowed from him into the divine weapon.

"How intriguing," Qin Wentian mused, having only begun his journey into cultivation a few days ago. Divine weapons were an entirely new world to him, and the power of divine imprints left him awestruck.

Francis, the master blacksmith, turned to Qin Wentian with a proposal. "Today, you've had a glimpse of the forging process. If you plan to be my long-term apprentice, I'll focus on carving divine imprints in the future, while you handle the rest of the forging. What do you say?"

Qin Wentian considered for a moment before replying with a determined look. "Grandmaster Francis, I won't be a frequent visitor, but when I have the time, I'd be more than willing to assist with the tasks you mentioned earlier. I don't need any compensation." He had already learned the methods of forging divine weapons from his memory fragments, but personal experience was invaluable for deeper understanding.

In the art of crafting divine weapons, the divine imprint inscriptions were the crux. Other aspects, such as the materials for different weapon types, blade sharpening techniques, and the right refining flames, were relatively straightforward, especially within the Star River Association.

The association provided ready-made materials, allowing Francis to easily produce a batch of low-grade 1st level divine weapons. Though they were considered treasures to those in the Body Refinement Realm, they were still basic by divine weapon standards.

"You don't know what's best for you," Francis grumbled. "I'll take a break now. Dispose of the remaining waste material for me."

As Francis left, Qin Wentian couldn't help but acknowledge the man's cunning. He knew that Francis could create a batch of low-grade divine weapons in a day but deliberately asked customers to return in three days, implying the intricate nature of the crafting process.

True, crafting a divine weapon did require significant time, especially due to the delicate inscriptions of the divine imprints. One mistake could ruin the entire process.

With Francis gone, Qin Wentian selected another embryonic sword-shaped mold. He poured the metallic liquid, carefully mixed according to the golden ratio, into it, ready to try his hand.

According to his memory fragments, divine inscriptions and divine weapons had ten levels. A 1st level divine weapon required a 1st level divine inscription, and so on. Higher-level divine inscriptions were derived from basic-level divine imprints. The higher the level, the more challenging it was to comprehend. Qin Wentian couldn't even fathom the 3rd level divine imprints stored in his memories.

As cracks formed on the mold's surface, he placed it on the stoneforge and applied pressure, causing it to break apart, revealing a fiery red sword. His Astral Energy converged, forming a sword-shaped divine imprint called 'Flying Sword.'

He then visualized a Heavenly Hammer and transferred the divine imprint made of Astral Energy onto its bottom side before branding it there.

Qin Wentian's arm rose, and he swung the hammer down with precision onto the sword. The divine imprint's mark began to merge seamlessly with the blade, transforming into the very lifeblood of the divine weapon.

"Hu..." Qin Wentian exhaled deeply, anticipation building as he contemplated the outcome of his experiment.

As he started to use the provided tools to refine and polish the weapon further, just before reaching the final step of sharpening the sword's edge, Francis returned. His face contorted with astonishment upon seeing Qin Wentian's actions. Furrowing his brows, he demanded, "What on earth are you doing?"

"Grandmaster Francis, I was trying out the polishing and grinding process," Qin Wentian replied candidly.

Francis erupted in anger, his voice thundering, "Do you take this place for a playground? Do you have any idea how much the embryonic cast and metallic liquid you just wasted could have been worth? Can you afford to compensate for that?" He stormed towards Qin Wentian, forcefully knocking aside his arms, causing the unsharpened blade in Qin Wentian's hands to clatter to the ground.

"Today, Grandmaster Murin is coming for an inspection. Consider yourself fortunate; I won't pursue this matter further. Get out immediately!"

Qin Wentian's face stiffened. This Francis, despite his average talent, was insufferably arrogant. With a cold snort, Qin Wentian departed without a word.

"That worthless fellow! I actually considered taking him as my apprentice," Francis muttered in frustration.

Meanwhile, Qin Wentian had left the room and encountered a group of individuals wearing the Star River Association's robes. The man at the center exuded an air of authority, accompanied by a lovely teenage girl and an elderly gentleman.

Murin, the Division Leader for the weaponsmith division of the Star River Branch in Sky Harmony City, had recently been transferred to the Royal Capital. His visit today was to assess the progress of the local weaponsmiths.

Qin Wentian and Murin briefly crossed paths. The teenage girl cast a fleeting glance at Qin Wentian, and even from that glance, he could sense the arrogance of a seasoned weaponsmith.

"Francis, why are you so agitated?" Murin inquired as they entered the forging hall.

"Grandmaster Murin, Division Leader," Francis greeted with a bow, his previous rage giving way to a warm smile.

"Indeed," Murin nodded and proceeded further into the hall. He expressed, "Let me assess the progress you've made."

As he spoke, his eyes fell upon the sword that had fallen to the ground near the stoneforge. He picked it up, understanding that sometimes, examining the failed creations could provide the most accurate gauge of a craftsman's true abilities.

As Francis was about to interject, Murin's expression suddenly lit up with radiant joy. He turned toward Francis, his surprise palpable as he exclaimed, "Francis, how did your forging technique improve so dramatically?"

Francis stood frozen, stunned by Murin's reaction. Murin handed the sword to him, and Francis couldn't resist infusing it with a bit of Astral Energy and Yuan Energy. His fascination grew as he examined the weapon closely.

"This can't be real," Francis muttered in disbelief.

"To craft this sword, you should have used pre-mixed metallic liquid. But the divine imprint inscription is nearly perfect, even putting me to shame, and I'm no slouch in the forging game. Although it's a 1st level divine imprint, achieving such perfection is a feat that not even 2nd level weaponsmith masters could accomplish," Murin explained, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "By the end of this year, I plan to take a skilled assistant with me to the Royal Capital. It seems I've already found my candidate. Francis, you forged this sword, didn't you?"

Francis hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth. He couldn't afford to let this opportunity slip through his fingers. "Of course."

"Good. I'll give you three more days. Put all your efforts into crafting a divine weapon that truly showcases your peak-level skill," Murin declared with a chuckle before turning to leave the hall.

Francis's heart raced, his face paling. He had taken credit without considering the consequences. How on earth could he craft a flawless divine imprint now? Greed had indeed led him astray.

"That young fellow from earlier... Right, I must find him!" Francis's heart pounded as he realized he needed to locate Qin Wentian, or his prospects would be grim.