Chapter 536 — Forging Iron Before the Foe

The molten iron still burned, and in less than a breath it turned to ash.

"No wonder this place is called Li City. This fire is actually Li Fire!"

The Woodcutter Sage frowned again, and his junior's astonished voice broke the silence. "Not just Li Fire — there is demon fire too!"

The Black Tiger God could not help but warn him. "This place has been overrun by the demon race. Demon fire lurks within the Li Fire — the demon chiefs use it to ambush the unwary. Do not touch things carelessly, or you may be burned to death. But how did you know there is demon fire in the Li Fire?"

"Li Fire burns at a high temperature and is very effective for forging. It can easily melt black iron, but it will not burn black iron away to nothing."

Shen Mu explained, "Demon fire has a terrifying corrosive nature, but its temperature is not high. Just now, the black iron melting was the work of Li Fire; the black iron being burned away entirely was the work of demon fire."

His eyes suddenly blazed, giving the Black Tiger God a start. Excitedly he said, "Demon fire can also be used to smelt primordial weapons — and Li Fire is a divine fire for smelting primordial weapons! This trip was worth it. My sword core can advance another step!"

The Silent Artisan had taught him the mysteries of smelting, and he knew well the uses of every kind of flame. Seeing two flames now, he could not help but grow excited. He at once produced a great iron plate and a stand, along with a black iron hammer.

"Brother Tiger, you do not know — my sword core has already been refined to the point of softness around the finger. The next step is a sword like flowing water. All this time I have never found a superior flame, and now I have found one!"

Shen Mu produced his sword core and said to the dumbstruck Black Tiger God with a smile, "Demon fire can burn away black iron, but it cannot burn away the essence of dark gold. My sword is forged from the essence of dark gold, mixed with divine gold and other treasures. Tempering it in demon fire will instead refine away impurities."

The gods and demons around them stared blankly. Shen Mu swiftly assembled a smelting stand, produced a set of pitch-black felt aprons and tied one on, laid out flying swords one after another on the stand, then picked one up with tongs and thrust it into the flames.

Clang.

The sound of hammering shattered the solemn atmosphere of Li City. Shen Mu hammered away at his primordial weapon, utterly focused on every strike.

"Grain-thresher!"

Sang Hua said in a low voice, "How is it you know how to refine treasures too?"

Shen Mu did not lift his head. Modestly he said, "I studied it for over ten years. My attainment in it is somewhat higher than in the arts of calculation."

Sang Hua stuck out her tongue. Watching him hammer iron, her heart suddenly settled, and she was no longer flustered. Her father, seeing that she had actually come, frowned slightly. He opened his mouth, but held himself back.

Clang, clang, clang.

Shen Mu forged without pause. Though more than a dozen gods and demons stood here, the only sound was the ring of his hammer, driving the heart to agitation.

Suddenly, the demon god facing the Woodcutter Sage twisted his head, changing to another face. Amiably he said, "Furiluo has finally met the Heavenly Master of the false Heavenly Court of old. Truly, seeing you is better than hearing of you. This successor of yours is most amusing. Are you certain you want him to fight on your behalf?"

The Woodcutter Sage's face was calm. "Refining the heart is like forging iron. His heart was unsettled, so he uses the hammering to temper his own agitated spirit and settle his mind. It is a profound method of cultivating the mind. Furiluo, do you not understand?"

Clang, clang, clang.

Shen Mu was still swinging his great hammer, hammering without cease, showing not the slightest sign of refining his heart. On the contrary, it looked like good, honest blacksmithing.

The Woodcutter Sage's eye twitched. His face could hardly hold. He thought, "Why is he still hammering?"

Below, Shen Mu put away the finished sword, then took out another batch of flying swords and thrust them into the fire to temper.

A vein bulged on the Woodcutter Sage's forehead. Then he forcibly suppressed it.

Furiluo laughed heartily. "You cannot kill me, and I cannot kill you. Since that is so, let these juniors fight in our stead! Heavenly Master, if my side wins, you crawl back and sleep your great autumn dream. If your side wins, I will yield Li City to you!"

The Woodcutter Sage hesitated a moment. Then came the sound of clang, clang, clang — Shen Mu was still hammering away earnestly.

Behind him, the Lord of Mingyi City said in a low voice, "Rest assured, Heavenly Master. My Taihuang Heaven also has young talents — young men with the makings of true gods. They will not be weaker than Furiluo's disciples."

The Woodcutter Sage looked at Shen Mu. Shen Mu was still hammering iron. He could only nod.