Though merely a phantom, this humanoid form managed to manifest flesh imbued with explosive power, and even more astonishing was the pressure emanating from the apparition!

The moment Duan Fengbu'er saw the phantom, the power of his bloodline surged violently within him. The fighting spirit of the Jiangmo Qizhan flooded his entire body, his clenched jaw grating audibly as he resisted the pressure bearing down from the phantom.

"This is the Douhun," Fabredis stood tall and proud. "Qian Jin, Douqi is not merely a tool for combat; it possesses its own life. This may be too advanced for you, but since you encountered it last time, withholding the information would only lead to incessant thought and speculation, hindering your progress as a warrior." He looked up at the twenty-foot-tall Douhun: "Wolf King. Douhun is divided into several stages. I won't detail them all here, but I want you to witness the power of a Douhun."

Fabredis slashed the air with his palm, and the red-skinned, wolf-headed Douhun enveloping him moved! Without any conscious direction, the Blazing Wolf King Douhun clenched its fists and threw its head back towards the sky, as if letting out a ferocious howl. Its arms, thick as battering rams, created a piercing sound of compressed air shattering as it smashed a fist heavily onto the earth beneath Fabredis’s feet.

Rumble! Amidst the earth's roar, dirt and soil flew everywhere. Qian Jin felt the ground beneath him shake violently, as if an earthquake had struck, or perhaps hundreds of heavy cavalry had charged forward simultaneously. The grass underfoot trembled with the ground's vibration.

Dust, weeds, and rubble rained down like pellets. A vast circular pit, five meters in radius centered on Fabredis, was formed. The once level ground looked as if it had been carved away by a knife; the pit was a full meter deep!

Fabredis stood motionless, calm. The Blazing Wolf King loomed behind him like a demonic god, and the air was thick with a dry scent.

Qian Jin observed Fabredis and the gigantic, god-like Blazing Wolf King carefully. This was the Douhun? This was the destructive power of the Douhun? Even the peak of the Jiangmo Jiuzhan, combined with a full-force strike from the Jidu Zhanmadao, could not generate such devastation.

"This is the first stage of the Douhun." Fabredis waved his hand lightly, and the massive image of the Blazing Wolf King rapidly contracted back into his body. Qian Jin sensed that Fabredis’s strength had not weakened; instead, as the Douhun vanished, he became even stronger! Furthermore, it seemed like his power had more than doubled..."

"Releasing the Douhun is easy; reclaiming it is difficult," Fabredis raised his right hand and suddenly clenched his fist tightly. Hot, red Douqi erupted violently between his fingers. "This was my state when fighting at Clear Spring Mountain."

Qian Jin watched Fabredis’s every move in silence. How could such a powerful warrior serve as a mere City Guardian in a small city like Oakland? "If the Douhun could advance one step further," Fabredis sighed toward the sky, "it could enter the Saint level! The Saint level that ordinary warriors can never reach!"

Saint level? Qian Jin’s eyes lit up. He had read about this in the Qian family books. Even warriors who awakened their bloodline power were not guaranteed to reach the Saint level; those with only a primary awakening had absolutely no chance.

There were countless bloodline warriors in the Zhence Dynasty, yet only the so-called Ten Great Bloodline Warriors existed. This was not just because their families were prosperous, but because their bloodline powers awakened more easily, and they were more likely to produce Saint-level experts.

"If only I could..." Fabredis dispersed the Douhun surrounding him with a sigh. "It’s so hard... so hard... finding a Soul Weapon is too difficult..."

"Soul Weapon?" Qian Jin watched Fabredis approach. "What is that?"

"A Soul Weapon..." Fabredis gave a wry smile. "How to explain it? You know what a Dou Weapon is, right?"

Qian Jin shrugged. His apprenticeship with Uncle Black in forging hadn't been in vain. Dou Weapons were existences that completely surpassed ordinary weapons, capable of better channeling Douqi and possessing superior hardness. Ordinary people thought all Dou Weapons were the same, but in reality, they were graded based on Douqi conduction efficiency, strength, and other factors, divided into nine tiers.

The Tianlu Sword in Fabredis's hand was a Rank Seven Dou Weapon, considered high-grade even among Dou Weapons, surpassed only by Rank Eight and Rank Nine.

"A Soul Weapon is a weapon above the Dou Weapon," Fabredis grinned. "It not only conducts Douqi more smoothly and possesses superior strength, but most importantly, it can coordinate and assist the Douhun, resulting in a combat power that is definitely not simply one plus one equals two." He continued, "Legend says that the fifty Sacred Artifacts of the Zhence Dynasty are, in a sense, also Soul Weapons." Fabredis sat down on the grass and patted the ground beside him, signaling the others to sit. "Or perhaps, they are the ultimate Soul Weapons."

"Soul Weapon..." Qian Jin quietly noted it down, resolving to consult Uncle Black about Soul Weapons the next time he entered the Endless World.

"Uncle Fabredis," Duan Fengbu'er moved closer to Qian Jin. "What does reaching Saint level have to do with Soul Weapons? Why do you talk about Soul Weapons when you mention entering the Saint level? A weapon is still just an external force, right?"

"A Soul Weapon is not an external force." Fen Tu Kuangge's voice captured everyone's attention.

Fabredis smiled encouragingly at Fen Tu Kuangge. "Child of the Fen Tu family, you explain."

Feeling Fabredis's gaze, Fen Tu Kuangge straightened his back rigidly. This was encouragement from an expert who possessed a Douhun. His grandfather and father had mentioned the name Fabredis more than once. To be recognized by his grandfather—this formidable man—was truly remarkable...

"I heard that bloodline warriors, as their power awakens, can instinctively generate a Douhun from their Douqi, and through grueling practice and the special power within their bloodline, they can strive to reach the Saint level," Fen Tu Kuangge’s eyes grew distant in recollection. "But warriors without bloodline power cannot do this. Compared to bloodline warriors, the Douqi of ordinary warriors is not pure enough. They must first refine their Douqi until it is perfectly pure, and only then can they condense a Douhun. Even so, the resulting Douhun cannot match the quality of a bloodline warrior’s—this is why bloodline warriors always occupy the apex among warriors."

Fabredis repeatedly nodded. Descendants of the Fen Tu family not only possessed excellent martial strength but also placed great emphasis on knowledge and insight. They were indeed worthy of being called the 'God of War' family among ordinary warriors.

"So, I heard that the warriors of the War Hall conducted years of research and created a possibility for ordinary warriors to reach the Saint level." Fen Tu Kuangge’s eyes shone with fervor, his hands unconsciously clenching into fists. "The Soul Weapon! Combining the Douhun and the Soul Weapon, perfectly integrating them! If the quality of the Douhun is further enhanced, then there is a chance to reach the Saint level! Of course, this concept was inspired by the way bloodline warriors integrate their bloodline Douhuns with Sacred Artifacts."

"Soul Weapon..." Duan Fengbu'er bit on the half-smoked cigarette. "There are so few Dou Weapons; surely Soul Weapons are even rarer? Why don't we try to borrow a Sacred..."

"How could that be possible..." Fen Tu Kuangge shook his head with a bitter smile. "Once a Douhun fuses with a Sacred Artifact, that artifact can only be used by that warrior until death. Who would give away their family’s Sacred Artifact to someone else? As for Soul Weapons, it’s not that there are none available..."

Qian Jin raised a hand to cover Duan Fengbu'er’s mouth, signaling Fen Tu Kuangge to continue.

"Sacred Artifacts are Soul Weapons, but Soul Weapons are not Sacred Artifacts." Fen Tu Kuangge propped himself up with his hands on the grass behind him, looking up at the rising moon, letting out a sigh as if trying to expel the depression felt by ordinary warriors.

"A Sacred Artifact can fuse with any Douhun, but a Soul Weapon cannot," Fabredis interjected. "A Soul Weapon must possess the same inherent characteristics and mutual attraction before fusing with the Douhun for fusion to even be possible. Therefore, even if an ordinary warrior with a Douhun level is lucky enough to obtain a Soul Weapon, it doesn't guarantee that the Soul Weapon and the Douhun will attract each other..."

"Exactly..." Fen Tu Kuangge sighed. "Soul Weapons, legend says, can only be forged by Master Blacksmiths. How many Master Blacksmiths are there in this world? Even if one exists, the success rate of forging a Soul Weapon is incredibly low—forging a hundred times and succeeding once would be considered lucky. Moreover, merely gathering one set of suitable materials for a Soul Weapon is extremely difficult; who could gather enough materials for a hundred attempts?"

"Master Blacksmiths?" Qian Jin, whose body had begun to relax, instantly tensed up again. "Kuangge, what did you say? Master Blacksmiths can forge Soul Weapons?"

"Yes," Fen Tu Kuangge nodded. "My grandfather said so. He once sought the help of a Master Blacksmith and even gathered materials for one-third of a Soul Weapon."

"Three sets?" Fabredis subtly flicked his thumb. "As expected of the Fen Tu family, to gather three sets."

Fen Tu Kuangge shook his head and sighed. "What use are three sets? That Master Blacksmith ruined two sets of materials in half a year. When faced with the third set, the Master Blacksmith didn't even have the courage to lift the hammer and left the Fen Tu family in a state of profound dejection. My grandfather said that Master Blacksmith probably won't dare forge another Soul Weapon in his lifetime."

Fabredis nodded in deep agreement. Master Blacksmiths, whether in the Zhence Dynasty or the Lucifer Dynasty of the Demon Race, held positions of immense prestige; even Emperors would treat them with the highest courtesy. Over time, every Master Blacksmith developed immense pride and self-esteem. To be hired for a high price to forge a Soul Weapon only to ruin the materials twice would be a devastating blow. It would take considerable mental fortitude just to dare pick up a hammer again.

Can Master Blacksmiths forge Soul Weapons? Qian Jin rested his chin on his hand. If this were true, and if Uncle Black truly knew how to forge Soul Weapons, then I possess conditions superior to any Master Blacksmith.

The West Mountain! That resource-rich mountain in the Endless World—no matter what material was collected, upon returning after a period, it would be replenished.

Three sets of materials? Qian Jin’s lips curved into an involuntary, triumphant smile. As long as he knew what materials were needed for a Soul Weapon, not just three sets, but thirty or three hundred sets wouldn't be an issue!

Initial forging attempts would naturally lead to failure due to lack of experience. But! With enough materials and continuous forging, grasping the intricacies and learning to avoid errors through repeated practice, it would certainly be possible to forge one Soul Weapon per set of materials.

"Soul Weapons..." Fabredis sighed toward the heavens, his sense of regret infecting every warrior present. "I have reached the pinnacle of Douhun manifestation. If I had a suitable Soul Weapon, I would certainly become the first ordinary warrior to achieve the Saint level!"

"Um... Uncle," Qian Jin scratched his head, hesitating as he looked at Fabredis, drawing everyone's gaze and attention. "That... perhaps... if Uncle can gather the materials required for a Soul Weapon, then... I... I can pretty much forge a Soul Weapon for you."

"What!"

Fabredis stared blankly at Qian Jin. Forging a Soul Weapon? That was an astonishing claim! He usually seemed so composed; why would he say something so impossible today?

The ten warriors of the Hongliu Battle Formation all frowned. While confidence in a warrior is good, arrogance is repellent, and such individuals rarely achieve great things in the future. His ability to kill a Two-Star Dark Guard at such a young age and possessing the strength of the Jiangmo Jiuzhan was truly admirable, but letting this inflate his ego to this extent would severely limit his future development!

Chellefort, Duan Fengbu'er, and Fen Tu Kuangge stared at Qian Jin in stunned silence. They had heard him mention being a blacksmith, but this request was for a Master Blacksmith! In both the Zhence Dynasty and the Lucifer Dynasty, the few rumored Master Blacksmiths were all elderly men with white hair. Attaining the rank of Master Blacksmith required a lifetime of dedication, perhaps.

"Well... how to put it..." Qian Jin repeatedly scratched the back of his head. "You might not believe it, and honestly, I find it hard to believe myself. But this is the truth: although I have never sought certification or examination at the Blacksmith Guild, I truly am a Master Blacksmith... at least..."

Duan Fengbu'er’s Bu’er Spear slipped from his grasp, clattering onto the dusty ground. In the quiet night, the sound of metal meeting earth was exceptionally clear.

Master Blacksmith! Everyone felt as if a giant hammer had struck their heads; their minds buzzed intensely, and the world seemed to spin.

A Master Blacksmith this young? The Hongliu ten exchanged glances. How old was this Qian Jin? To possess such superb archery skills alongside the strength of the Jiangmo Jiuzhan was already unbelievable! A Master Blacksmith—never mind a Master Blacksmith, even a Blacksmith or even a First-Rank Ironworker would be hard to credit at his age.

Fabredis gazed at Qian Jin dumbly. Master Blacksmith... Master Blacksmith! Two years apart, had this kid really become a Master Blacksmith? The rank that stood at the pinnacle of all smithing professions? And he was such a young warrior! Who taught him? Who was his master?

"Qian Jin..." Fabredis took deep breaths. Even his iron-like will faltered, his voice trembling for the first time, filled with shock and intense hope: "Are... are you telling the truth?"

"I am indeed a Master Blacksmith," Qian Jin placed his hands on his legs. "However, I have never heard of anything called a Soul Weapon, nor have I forged one."

"Good! I believe you!" Fabredis slapped his thigh heavily. "I believe you are a Master Blacksmith. It doesn't matter if you don't know what a Soul Weapon is; I will find a way to get money to buy a Soul Weapon notebook written by a Master Blacksmith who has forged one at an auction."

"There are notebooks for sale?" Qian Jin raised an eyebrow. "They wouldn't be cheap, would they?"

"Although the notebooks are extremely precious, the price isn't excessively high," Fabredis smiled faintly. "The total number of Master Blacksmiths across the Zhence Dynasty, the Demon Race, and the Barbarians is small. Their predecessors' notes are only useful to other Master Blacksmiths who buy them; they are useless to anyone else."

Qian Jin nodded. "Then they can just buy them."

"Buy them for what? To wipe their backsides?" Fabredis’s tone was sharply mocking. "Every Master Blacksmith has their own domain. Some only reach Master level in sword forging; others specialize in spear forging. But the predecessor who wrote that Soul Weapon note might have recorded experience in forging shields. That's all."

Qian Jin blinked repeatedly. So, these Master Blacksmiths were like Granny Yao; Granny Yao’s potion skills weren't comprehensive across all types. Similarly, these Master Blacksmiths had only achieved Master status in one field, not every item.

"So..." Fabredis spread his hands in a concluding statement. "No Master Blacksmith will spend a fortune on a notebook entirely unsuited to their specialization. They save their money, waiting for a notebook suitable for them to appear. If a Master Blacksmith specializing in sword forging did appear, the price competition would be fierce."

Qian Jin gently shook his head and muttered softly, "Without a solid foundation, one cannot become an All-System Master Blacksmith. The success rate during equipment forging would be lower. While the principles of forging have some commonalities, a comprehensive system must be established. Focusing on one system might speed up initial forging, but the higher one ascends in the field, the harder progress becomes. These Master Blacksmiths have taken the wrong path in their forging journey."

The Hongliu ten stared blankly at Qian Jin. The young man’s audacity was extraordinary; not only did he claim to be a Master Blacksmith, but he dared to publicly evaluate and diminish the authorities in the forging world, claiming they were misguided.

"You are... you are All-System?" Fabredis’s eyes widened, as if a specter had appeared before him. "An All-System Master Blacksmith?"

Qian Jin nodded as a matter of course, thinking: If I weren't an All-System Master Blacksmith, would Uncle Black have allowed me to advance? That silent, old iron master blacksmith didn't seem like an easy mentor to please.

M: Apologies, apologies. It's the end of the year. I genuinely thought I had posted today, but people in the group asked why I hadn't updated, and I realized I missed posting.

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