CH-34: Refining Insights?

"I see everyone has gathered." 

Instructor Blazing Forgeheart swept his gaze across the auditorium. 

"We have few remaining, it seems."

'Of course, not everyone would've continued with the refining course. They must be doing whatever missions they can at the moment.'

"As we are down in number, it is more fitting to relocate to a more suitable location. Follow me," he said, drawing out a toy boat from within his sleeve. The toy boat enlarged, and soon was big enough to keep the hundreds of people onboard without an issue. 

'Did he make this himself? Such intricate propulsion and navigation systems.' 

The toy boat resembled a Louchuan, and was made of a wood I couldn't recognise. All I could make out was it was some kind of pinewood. Thankfully, the Instructor explained in the next second.

"This is one of my greatest works; The Coral Galerider. The base was made with around 3000 jin (1.5 tons) Nightshade Pinewood, a rare type of tree from the Western Continent. The weaponry and the rows were made from Dragon Crystal Corals, found in the depths of the Ocean between the Central Continent and the Eastern Continent, where the Flood Dragon nests and the Giant Sharkwhales are a dime a dozen. The total refinement of the ship took 18 months and 18 days, of which were still yet to receive any formations.

"I have collected most of the materials myself, which took close to three years. You could say this ship treasure is my magnum opus."

-"Woah!"

Many exclaimed in fascination; when would they in their lives get to ride something as majestic as this? It is worth noting that many of the people taking this course were commoners who mostly travelled on foot or boarded a carriage to arrive, setting out months before their admittance. Some had come as early as a year in advance and stayed in the Rising Central City. 

"We will be taking a small trip to a city in the northeast, Cast Iron City, where the best mortal blacksmiths are found, excluding the vassals of the prominent Lin Clan."

I glanced at Cerys when the instructor spoke, but she didn't react, so I decided to explore the ship instead. It was remarkable to see the craftsmanship up close, and I felt it was important to absorb as much as I could, especially since that sentimental old man referred to this as his magnum opus. What better chance to do so, right? 

Seeing me doing so, Cerys also started to analyse the craftsmanship. There was one thing I was curious about, and that was how he had kept the Yin Qi of the pinewoods from spoiling the rest of the ship. I wasn't familiar with the material, but from the name Nightshade it could be determined it at least had some Yin Qi. With the Dragon Crystal Corals, which would have the rich Yang Qi of dragons, and the obvious Water Qi would be very volatile to work with. Not to mention there were still other small but important details such as the formations, which work in tandem with the rest of the systems on the ship. Not to mention that this ship's speed far surpassed that of my Aunt's. It also had weapons installed for a small attack power as well. 

'Probably only the ancestors in seclusion have something better, not recruiting Blazing Forgeheart was a huge loss indeed.'

I didn't know how many Ancestors of mine were in seclusion, who were probably all in the Peak Birth of Self since there hasn't been a Divine Ascension Saint for a long time. The Instructor's words took me out of my stupor the next moment.

"This time, I have received permission from the Principal to leave early. You can count yourselves lucky to get out so fast this time. We will arrive in the Cast Iron City in an hour, so in the meantime you will be learning about these materials," he said and brought out a few materials, each floating in the air.

"The first material is Cold Iron. It's a relatively common rare material, which boasts of incredible durability for its rank. The flying swords made from this metal are the most adequate for newcomer cultivators. The second is the Gleeful Brass, mixed from Green Copper and Smiling Zinc. Green Copper is a mysterious metal with a high Qi conductivity, almost as durable as Cold Iron, but that is to be expected since it's a Rank 2 metal. 

"Smiling Zinc, on the other hand, is a Rank 3 metal which you find as a crystal with a smiling face on it. Rather creepy, if you ask me. The third material is Scurry Oakwood, famed with its uncatchable acorns. It's light and swift. Can you tell me what can be done with these materials?"

'The obvious answer would be a flying sword. A sword billet made from Gleeful Brass to have good Qi conductivity and blade cast over would be Cold Iron. Finally, fitting everything together would be a Scurry Oakwood and Gleeful Brass framed handle. But…'

-"Is it a Flying Sword? Billet made from Gleeful Brass, Cold Iron as Blade and Scurry Oakwood as the handle."

"A flying sword is indeed a good artefact to make with. But what you described seems to be not the best you can do with these materials."

'It's weaker than if you had used Cold Iron as the sole billet and the blade. I would avoid making the handle from Scurry Oakwood, which would just from the name screams it will slip away. The best way to make this Flying Sword would be…'

""Making the whole sword out of Cold Iron and the handle from Gleeful Brass.""

"Hah! As expected from the two of you. But it's still missing the Scurry Oakwood, no?"

Cerys and I had blurted out the answer, coincidentally at the same time. This time, however, she answered first.

"If we were to make a scabbard out of Scurry Oakwood, it would alleviate the flaw with making the sword wholly from Cold Iron. Cold Iron is as heavy as it is durable, so despite being a top class metal it is used sparingly and only alloyed with other metals when making a flying sword. A scabbard made from Scurry Oakwood would nurture the sword and pass on its lightness and swiftness with enough nurturing."

"Very good, but I still think it can be better?" This time it was my turn to shine.

"Keeping Gleeful Brass only in the handle jeopardises the safety of the user. Cold Iron is not great at conducting Qi, and after effortlessly passing through the Gleeful Brass, it could bounce back and hurt the wielder. Opening veins on the blade and engraving those with Gleeful Brass could alleviate this problem, while also allowing us to freely incorporate Runes to the sword, theoretically bringing its performance to a Supreme Rank 2 Artefact. However, this also raises the problem that they are prone to being damaged, which increases the cost of maintenance. Unless you are a Refiner who can refine Rank 3 Upper Grade Artefacts, I wouldn't even suggest you attempt forging such a sword. It would be a waste of ingredients."

"Hah."

"Hah."

"Puhahahaha." The Instructor was in a laughing fit after I finished talking. 

'It feels embarrassing if you keep laughing like this, you know?' Thankfully, the Instructor calmed down not much later.

"What do they make you read in the Lin Clan? What am I even supposed to teach you?"

"These are just theory, if knowing these had made refiners, Supreme Grade Artefacts would be as common as grass. I still have much to learn from the Instructor."

"Tch, such a glib tongue. You nobles are all the same. Anyway, what you have said is true. This time, we are going over to Cast Iron City to observe how mortal blacksmiths make their swords."

"Instructor, wouldn't this many people watching them disturb the smiths?"

"Very good, you know not to disturb a master during his craft! Also, who said we will be the only ones watching them? During this time in the Cast Iron city, there is an event held every 15 years. Many mortal blacksmiths from the area gather and make their best works. Many accomplished refiners choose disciples among them. The crafts made by these smiths were then pawned at the end of the event. Many vagrant cultivators gather here to find a steal, boosting the City's economy. We will be watching the event's smithing part."

'Instructor had already said we would focus on mortal blacksmithing first, so this is what he meant. With many master smiths here, even if we had never touched the hammer before, it would be inevitable to gain some insights. Surprisingly, I'm the first to go outside of the Institute. Eat that, Iyana!'

"Axel and Cerys," the Instructor called us both. "Making this sword will be your end exam for my course. So work hard."

'What sentimental old man? This old fart is the devil incarnate! What do you mean you want us to forge a Supreme Grade Rank 2 Artefact in 5 years?'