Immortal Refiner

Upon hearing Li Qing’s candid admission, a glimmer of intrigue flashed in Qian Hong’s beautiful eyes. She then asked with anticipation, ”Back then, Master Gu said you had mastered about seventy to eighty percent of his craft. It seems he was being modest. At that time, I truly thought you were just an ordinary blacksmith apprentice!”

”Now, I should address you as Great Master Li!”

Li Qing waved his hand modestly, ”It’s just a stroke of luck. Commander Qian, you’re giving me too much credit.”

Qian Hong, being straightforward by nature, didn’t bother to engage in further pleasantries or flattery with Li Qing.

”I’d like you to forge a sword for me. I’ve already prepared the materials myself. As for the fee, just name your price.”

Finally, it’s here!

To be honest, Li Qing wasn’t particularly interested in gold, silver, or treasures. Money was something that was enough as long as it sufficed. If it wasn’t enough, he could always find a way to get some from the World of Eternal Night.

What he really wanted from Qian Hong was something else, like special ores such as Ink Gold, which had always piqued his interest.

”Commander Qian, you must be aware that forging a Peerless Divine Weapon isn’t something that can be done at will. It requires my spirit, energy, and focus to be in an excellent state.”

”As for the gold and treasures you mentioned, I’m not someone who’s obsessed with wealth.”

Qian Hong had anticipated Li Qing’s response. She wasn’t disappointed, knowing that her initial offer simply hadn’t been enticing enough.

Not wanting money? That was perfectly normal. A blacksmith with such skills was destined never to be short of money!

”Great Master Li, it seems you have an interest in the Martial Path. I happen to possess a top-tier Martial Arts Manual, an Internal Energy Skill.”

Before Qian Hong could finish, Li Qing shook his head with a smile.

”I practice martial arts merely to strengthen my body. I don’t have a strong desire to pursue higher realms of the Martial Path.”

Martial Arts Manuals?

To be blunt, Li Qing’s time was already stretched thin. Between cultivating the Golden Body Technique, the Turtle Breathing Art, refining his Fierce Tiger True Intent Diagram, and practicing the Ancient Mystic Hammer Art, these skills already consumed all his energy.

Even the leg-training technique had been temporarily set aside, leaving him no extra time for further cultivation.

Qian Hong didn’t doubt him. She had clearly prepared thoroughly for this request to Li Qing.

”My family acquired a two-hundred-year-old Bitter Profound Ginseng in Quanshan City, Fengzhou. It’s highly beneficial for nourishing essence and cultivating energy, especially for martial artists!”

”Also, over the years, while collecting materials to forge my own Peerless Divine Weapon, I came across a rather peculiar ore. It’s said to have been left behind when an extraterrestrial meteorite fell. It’s called Extraterrestrial Meteorite Iron!”

At this, Li Qing couldn’t remain calm. He hadn’t expected to stumble upon such an unexpected treasure through Qian Hong.

However, her next words quickly tempered his excitement.

”Great Master Li, which would you prefer—the Extraterrestrial Meteorite Iron or the Bitter Profound Ginseng?” Qian Hong flashed a confident smile, certain that either of these would sway Li Qing.

Indeed, Li Qing was swayed. He began to ponder seriously.

Why did it have to be a choice? He had always struggled with decision-making!

”Commander Qian, may I ask how large the Extraterrestrial Meteorite Iron is?”

”It’s about the size of a person’s head. As long as you’re not forging large weapons like broadswords or greatswords, it should be just enough!” Qian Hong answered truthfully.

It was clear that while Qian Hong was eager to have Li Qing take action, she was no fool.

Whether it was the Extraterrestrial Meteorite Iron or a two-hundred-year-old Bitter Profound Ginseng, both were priceless treasures, and it was impossible to give both to Li Qing.

Seeing that Li Qing was still pondering, Qian Hong added, ”No matter which one Master Li chooses, I will owe you a favor. In the future, if there is anything I can help with, as long as it is within my power, I will certainly do it.”

As for favors, their value depends on how they are used, making them difficult to measure.

However, obtaining a promise from the other party was already a good deal for Li Qing.

After careful consideration, he finally made a decision that did not betray his identity as a blacksmith.

”I am quite curious about this Extraterrestrial Meteorite Iron, so I will choose it.”

Seeing that Li Qing had agreed, Qian Hong finally smiled.

”No problem, I will deliver the forging materials and the Extraterrestrial Meteorite Iron within three days.”

”Then I will await the good news!”

With these words, Qian Hong, dressed in a striking red dress, left the blacksmith’s shop.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye, and news from Qingzhou shook the entire martial world of Maple Country.

Sun Qi, coveted by many, was besieged by several Inner Strength masters that night, with swords and blades flashing in a perilous battle.

In the end, the Number One Sword of Qingzhou was severely injured and had no choice but to throw out the so-called Immortal Opportunity to save his life.

In front of everyone, Sun Qi used his Inner Strength to announce to the world, ”The so-called Immortal Opportunity is nothing but a useless token. You have all been fooled!”

Yet, despite this, countless people still fought over it, even to the point of shedding blood.

In addition, the severely injured Sun Qi, who had fled, still could not completely shake off his pursuers. In desperation, he chose to jump off a cliff in Qingzhou, and his fate remains unknown.

As for the token that Sun Qi had thrown out in the end, no one knows who ended up with it. In short, the situation that night was extremely chaotic, with masters from various factions fighting in a melee, and no one could tell who was who.

Some said the Nine Lotus Sect had seized it, others claimed the Maple Guard of the imperial court had taken the token, and yet others believed it had fallen into the hands of an unknown martial arts master.

After reading this information, Li Qing couldn’t help but sigh.

”The martial world is truly dangerous. For a token of unknown purpose, who knows how many people have died.”

In this world, human life is probably the least valuable thing.

As he sighed, Li Qing once again heard the soft footsteps outside the shop.

Who else could it be but Qian Hong!

”I didn’t expect Master Li to be so interested in the affairs of the martial world.”

Qian Hong walked in with a bright smile on her face, carrying a heavy package in her right hand that made dull clinking sounds as she moved.

Li Qing smiled in response, ”Who wouldn’t be curious about the so-called Immortal Opportunity, which has been described as so mysterious that it makes one wonder if there really are Immortals in this world.”

Bang!

Qian Hong placed the heavy package in front of Li Qing and began to unwrap it, saying, ”Matters of becoming an Immortal are too elusive. Let’s focus on the present, Master Li.”

As the cloth was pulled away, it revealed angular, ink-like stones inside.

In addition, there was a large chunk of snow-silver stone about the size of a human head. Just by touching it, one could feel how incredibly hard it was.

”Is this Ink Gold and Extraterrestrial Meteorite Iron?” Li Qing narrowed his eyes, continuously caressing the hard meteorite iron.

Qian Hong nodded and replied, ”That’s right. It seems Great Master Gu must have mentioned it to you. The Wu Li Army stationed at the border of Wangyuan City is there precisely for this strange and special ore.”

”Although the output is extremely limited, it is undoubtedly more valuable than an equivalent amount of gold!”

(End of the Chapter)

📚 Read [IR] on Patreon.com/AnubisTL – Up to c130. [+2]

☕ Support me and Read Ahead for just $5/mo.

🎯 Translated [2] Novels [745k+] Words and counting!