Clang! Clang!
Within the underground cave, the relentless sound of pounding iron echoed throughout, chaotic yet rhythmically persistent.
Suddenly.
The hammering ceased, replaced by the muffled cries of alarm emanating from the gathered crowd. Leng Yun frowned deeply, his already grim mood descending further into irritation.
He pushed through the throng of people and found a blacksmith, bare-chested, collapsing to the ground with blood spurting from his mouth. The man's eyes were wide open, his body convulsing uncontrollably.
Relentless days and nights of toil, combined with consuming the potion meant to stimulate hidden potential.
The blacksmith had finally reached his limit.
Dying suddenly and on the spot!
The surrounding blacksmiths watched this scene unfold, their weary eyes tinged with sorrow. The death of one was a stark reminder that tomorrow, it could just as easily be one of them.
In truth.
This was not the first blacksmith to die suddenly.