Chapter 713
Promotion, Iron Plaque! 2nd Floor, Separate
Zhang Lingshan and Song Yi could not learn Qi Shuyan's weapon-refining techniques, but they could pass on his experience to the two of them.
Moreover, he can offer guidance at any time.
In addition, because his skill level was already high enough, and his speed in refining jade copper steel was getting faster and faster, he could receive more Immortal Elixir rewards than Zhang Lingshan every day.
In less than three months, under his guidance, Zhang Lingshan and Wei Sheng finally refined the jade copper steel to a purity of 99%.
"So close, are we really going to succeed?"
Wei Sheng said in a trembling voice, somewhat excited.
Zhang Lingshan said, "Of course we must succeed, otherwise all our efforts these past few days would have been in vain."
Wei Sheng said, "Thank you both for your great help. I can eat Immortal Elixir every day and my strength can be improved. Therefore, I was able to refine the Jade Copper Steel to 99%. I can never repay your great kindness."
"No need to be so polite, let's get started on the refining process. We've already wasted so much time, we must succeed today."
Zhang Lingshan said.
Wei Sheng nodded emphatically: "I'm just one step away. Even if I have to cough up three liters of blood, I will succeed today!"
After he began refining, Zhang Lingshan and Qi Shuyan also began their own refining processes.
Qi Shuyan had long been confident in his abilities, and after three months of refining, he was extremely skilled at it. In less than half an hour, he easily refined 100% pure jade copper steel.
Swish.
He sent the molten copper-steel to the transfer slot on his right.
As the molten liquid disappeared, a metal plate landed heavily in the teleportation slot on the left with a snap.
Qi Shuyan took out the iron plaque and then placed the wooden identity plaque on top of it.
Just like Song Yi before, the identity information on the wooden identity plaque was immediately imprinted on the iron plaque, and at the same time the wooden plaque instantly disintegrated.
"He's only been here a short time, and he's already succeeded."
"This is genius."
"Sigh, we can't compare ourselves to others; it's just a recipe for misery."
Immediately, voices of admiration rose from all around. Compared to Song Yi's previous achievements, which he had risked his life for, Qi Shuyan's achievements were clearly more astonishing.
"He's already a certified member, why isn't he leaving?"
Half a day passed.
Seeing that Qi Shuyan was standing still, some people couldn't help but ask in confusion.
"It seems he's waiting for his partner."
Another person said.
Did he really know his partner would succeed?
Some people couldn't help but question it.
As they were talking, they saw that after Zhang Lingshan sent the solution into the teleportation slot, an iron plate was also teleported over with a snap.
"It really worked?!"
Everyone was astonished.
It's unbelievable that two people were promoted to Iron rank in just one day.
They had been here for so long and had never seen anything like it before.
"I remember they came together, and now they've both been promoted to Iron Rank. Is there some special method that allows them to succeed together? If we learn this method, wouldn't we be able to succeed too?"
Someone couldn't help but shout.
Upon hearing this, the crowd immediately became agitated.
Yes.
If they obtain the methods of these two, they will surely succeed and be able to advance to the Iron Rank.
Considering they've spent so many years here, how could they be less experienced than these two newcomers?
"The two of you."
A middle-aged man immediately stepped forward, cupped his hands, and said, "Could you two teach us your refining methods? It is fate that we are all serving as fire servants in the same hall. If we can get your help, we will definitely follow your lead and serve as your fire servants to help you refine weapons when we are promoted to Iron Rank."
"Yes, gentlemen, let's form a good connection. You only need to teach us the methods that are no longer useful to you, and you will receive our gratitude. Why not?"
"When you're out and about, having more friends means having more options. If you two can teach us that kind of method, you'll be our best friends. We'll be there for you whenever you need us."
Everyone spoke with anticipation or excitement on their faces, as if they wanted to rush up and grab Qi Shuyan and Zhang Lingshan.
but.
Many others watched coldly or sneered.
Others quietly refine their skills, oblivious to everything around them.
"Everyone, please don't get agitated. My brother here is still refining his technique. If it affects his advancement to the Iron Rank, then we'll never be friends again."
Zhang Lingshan said.
Everyone immediately fell silent and turned to look at Wei Sheng.
Compared to Zhang Lingshan and Qi Shuyan, they were obviously more familiar with Wei Sheng. At this moment, they couldn't help but wonder, could this lazy guy Wei Sheng actually succeed?
It seems that ever since this guy started hanging around these two, he's changed his attitude and become more diligent.
Could it be that these two people passed on that method to Wei Sheng?
Everyone couldn't help but feel secretly excited.
These two were able to pass on that method to Wei Sheng, that lazy good-for-nothing; in what way are they inferior to Wei Sheng?
If Wei Sheng can do it, then they certainly can too.
So everyone watched quietly, waiting for Wei Sheng to refine it and see if he could succeed.
If it succeeds, it will prove that the method is indeed effective.
Secondly, they did not affect Wei Sheng, and according to the big guy, they could be friends.
If that's the case, what's wrong with letting them teach this method to their friends?
If they refused to teach, everyone would stop them!
Anyway, now that they've seen this method, they must get their hands on it; otherwise, with their abilities, they probably won't be able to advance to the Iron Rank in this lifetime.
In other words, this method is their lifeline to leave this level; they must grasp it and never let go.
Time flows slowly by.
Wei Sheng's face grew increasingly grim. Although the difference between 99% and 100% was only 1%, this was the final step in a qualitative change caused by quantitative change.
Wei Sheng's strength was inferior to Zhang Lingshan's, and his skills were inferior to Qi Shuyan's, which made things extremely difficult for him.
at last.
He gritted his teeth, spat out a mouthful of blood, his face turned deathly pale, and a few strands of his hair turned gray.
Like Song Yi, he chose to burn through his lifespan, just for this final gamble.
汩。
Suddenly, a small bubble appeared in the molten jade copper steel and floated out. As the bubble disappeared, the color of the jade copper steel immediately changed, becoming a pure white jade color without any impurities.
"It's done!"
Everyone was immediately overjoyed and couldn't help but congratulate Wei Sheng.
Wei Sheng's face lit up with joy, and he quickly sent the solution into the teleportation slot. *Snap!*
The iron plaque was then transmitted.
"Amazing! Absolutely incredible!"
"Two master craftsmen, please quickly teach us this method. We would be eternally grateful."
"Once we receive this teaching, we will all become the direct disciples of the two masters, and we will swear to serve them to the death."
As people shouted, they all gathered around.
Wei Sheng had just received the iron token and hadn't even had time to imprint it onto the wooden identity plaque when he saw everyone rushing towards him. He immediately exclaimed in surprise, "What are you all trying to do?!"
One of them said, "You have received the teachings from the two masters, so you can't keep them all to yourself. Everyone who sees them should share."
"We also want to learn the Dharma from these two masters."
"We beg the two masters to grant us merit, and we will regard them as our second parents."
“Masters, you can’t go back on your word. You promised to teach us.”
"hehe."
Zhang Lingshan smiled faintly: "Who said I would teach you? You think you're worthy? Shut up, all of you. We are esteemed Iron-Rank Masters. How dare you stop us or disrespect us?"
Everyone immediately froze. Although they all looked indignant and muttered or cursed under their breath, they ultimately dared not stop them any longer.
One of them said, "We are only asking the two masters to pass on their skills; we have no intention of obstructing them."
“Masters, please have pity on us since we are all tending the fire at the same time and teach us this method.”
"Yes, masters, you are both kind-hearted people. You must not be able to bear to see us continue to suffer."
The group changed their strategy, each putting on a pitiful face and pleading for mercy.
"Get out of the way."
With a push of his right hand, Zhang Lingshan sent one person flying several feet away, and the people behind him also fell to the ground, all of them looking horrified.
They hadn't expected this person to be so strong; with a casual push, he exerted immense force, leaving them no chance to resist.
"I wonder if the iron plate can kill the wooden plate. I'm really feeling stifled here."
Zhang Lingshan coldly scanned the surroundings.
Upon seeing this, everyone looked fearful and hurriedly made way for them.
Even a fool could see that this person was not joking.
After all, those who can come here are the strongest among the strong in the lower realm, and each of them has countless dead souls under their command.
It was only because of the refining process in the dark and the numbness of life here that everyone forgot their past identities and only knew that they were pitiful fire-starting boys.
But at this moment, everyone seemed to remember their past, and a frustrated expression appeared on their faces. They no longer had the idea of blocking the way.
They were all top-tier experts in the lower realms, the heads of sects and the rulers of nations. They were always the ones being begged for help, never the ones pleading for mercy like they were today.
This was the behavior of the pathetic creatures they used to despise the most.
Unexpectedly, after only a few years of tending the fire here, they have become such pitiful creatures.
Watching Zhang Lingshan and the other two leave, everyone's emotions remained unsettled for a long time.
However, no matter how unsettled they were, the thought that they hadn't finished their refining tasks for the day made them all dejected again, and they began their respective refining processes.
When you're under a low eave, you have no choice but to bow your head.
All of that was just their effort to grasp at the last straw. Although they failed, it was never wrong to try.
However, the thought of becoming the kind of person they used to despise most inevitably evoked a sense of melancholy in everyone's hearts. On this night, countless people's hearts would be stirred once again.
but.
This has nothing to do with Zhang Lingshan and the other two anymore.
They had now reached the top of the stairs.
"what."
Manager Hu, the middle-aged man with the mustache who had brought Zhang Lingshan and Qi Shuyan to the main hall, couldn't help but let out a soft exclamation when he saw the three of them come out together. He said, "You two actually advanced together. Not bad, I knew you two were no ordinary people long ago. Keep up the good work."
"Thank you for your guidance, Manager Hu. We have always kept it in mind and worked hard to refine it. Today we have finally succeeded."
Zhang Lingshan cupped his hands in greeting.
Manager Hu waved his hand slightly and said, "I was just saying it casually. It's all thanks to your own efforts. Alright, from here onwards, once you reach the second floor, other managers will naturally take care of your work thereafter. Our connection ends here."
He still acted like it was all business.
Zhang Lingshan and the other two bowed to each other, then stepped onto the stairs and walked step by step to the second floor.
There was a rare coolness on the stairs, sweeping away the sweltering heat from the first-floor refining hall.
Wei Sheng had just coughed up blood and burned his lifespan, so he wasn't in good condition. But now, as he was refreshed by the coolness, he felt extremely comfortable and couldn't help but say, "If I could stay on these stairs and rest for a day, I feel that all the hard work these past few days would have been worth it."
"Haha."
Zhang Lingshan chuckled, intending to joke, "Look at your pathetic self," but then he thought that he was no different from him, both being iron-plated fire-tending boys with little ambition, so he stopped talking and just walked away with his head down.
Upgrading from a wooden plaque to an iron plaque is just the first step, and a negligible one at that.
There will be many more challenges ahead, so don't get complacent because of this small success.
The second floor.
At the same stairwell, in the same spot as Manager Hu on the first floor, stood a thin, tall middle-aged man.
This person has large eyelids and looks like they haven't woken up yet.
He wasn't surprised to see Zhang Lingshan and the other two come up. He figured that if three people could come, they must have passed the test and been issued iron tokens. He was only responsible for managing the people on the second floor, and other matters had nothing to do with him, Qian Puzhi.
"Two weapon refiners and one fire-tending boy."
Qian Puzhi glanced at the three of them and said, "The fire boy comes with me first, you two wait here."
Qi Shu said, "Sir, he is my fire-tending boy, and he has always followed me in refining weapons."
Qian Puzhi snorted: "How you forge weapons is your business. How you allocate people is my business. Here, there's no 'yours' or 'mine,' only 'the Weapon Forging Pavilion.' Everything is up to the Weapon Forging Pavilion's allocation. You have a problem with that?"
"I don't."
Qi Shuyan immediately lowered his head.
Wei Sheng added, "It's a misunderstanding, Steward. We have no objection."
"Humph."
Qian Puzhi didn't mind, snorted again, and then left with Zhang Lingshan, turning left and right, until they arrived at a large hall.
crunch.
Push open the lobby door.
Zhang Lingshan felt a wave of helplessness.
It's not much different from the first floor.
If I had to point out a difference, it would be that this lobby is larger, but there are relatively fewer people.
In other words, it's more spacious and comfortable than the first floor for an individual, offering a certain amount of personal space.
Qian Pu said, “You are free to move around in this hall, but you can only mark one furnace; you cannot change them randomly. As for the rules, they are all marked on the walls; look for them yourself. Finally, just like on the first floor, you cannot leave the hall; those who violate this rule will die. Unless I summon you, or you are promoted. Do you understand?” (End of Chapter)