Chapter 2278 Into the Secret Realm

In the midst of this lively atmosphere, Lin Xun said, “I will not turn away your help and observation, but before we can start the crafting process, some preparations are needed.”

Lian Jiuxiao didn't skip a beat, “Just tell us what you need, Fellow Daoist Lin.”

𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Lin Xun contemplated before giving his reply, “I need to practice first, so if you have a custom commision, preferably one for an Emperor-grade artifact, I hope that you can let me try my hand at it.”

Since he had never forged an Emperor-grade tool before, something would likely go wrong if he ventured out to do so without any practice.

Moreover, practicing was also a process of building up momentum.

It was like how a fighter went into seclusion to adjust to their best state before a duel.

The same principle applied to smithing.

Hearing Lin Xun’s request, the old monsters present became even more excited. They agreed in Lian Jiuxiao’s stead without hesitation.

Him practicing could also be an opportunity for them to watch and study!

As for the right commission...

How could Thousand Flame Imperial City lack crafting commissions?

Of note, the commissions accepted by all the Divine Forge Workshops nowadays had already been scheduled into many years in the future!

“Also, I need some materials.”

As soon as Lin Xun brought this up, Lian Jiuxiao responded, “Fellow Daoist Lin, you can just make a list of the materials you need, and our clan will gather them for you. Even if it’s something we don’t have, we’ll buy it for you!”

Generosity overload.

Lin Xun smiled and gave his thanks before making his third request, “If possible, I wish to meet the Thousand Fire Spirit Emperor.”

The hubbub instantly died out upon these words. Everyone looked at each other in disbelief.

Lian Jiuxiao sighed softly, “Fellow Daoist Lin, Lord Thousand Fire Spirit Emperor has been in seclusion for many long years. I'm afraid that this request...”

Lin Xun nodded. “I understand. Still, I hope you’ll allow me to forge my life-bound Emperor weapon in the secret realm of Divine Forge Workshop A1.”

The said secret realm was the most important area of the Divine Forge Imperial Clan, leading to the depths of the fire ocean under Thousand Flame Imperial City where it was possible to tap into the power of the Alpha Dao Fire.

Of course, from what Lin Xun knew, that was also where the Thousand Fire Spirit Emperor was secluded.

As long as he got to do the forging in that secret realm, he was confident that the target would show up to watch!

However, to Lin Xun's surprise, Lian Jiuxiao still looked hesitant in the face of this request, as though he was caught between a rock and a hard place.

Very few important elders knew exactly what the secret realm meant to their clan. Since the beginning of time, not a single outsider had ever been granted entry to it.

However, Lian Jiuxiao and they were unable to disclose the reason for this to Lin Xun.

Therefore, they were all hesitant.

The atmosphere in the shop instantly became quiet and heavy.

“If it’s Fellow Daoist Lin, then it’s possible,” a voice suddenly rang out at the entrance of the room.

Everyone turned their heads and saw a majestic, extraordinarily handsome man clad in purple attire who had arrived at some point.

“Patriarch!” Luo Jia was stunned.

This person was precisely the leader of the Celestial Phoenix Clan, Huang Cangtian.

Lian Jiuxiao and the big shots of Divine Forge Imperial Clan were also flabbergasted. They hurriedly saluted and greeted him.

The Celestial Phoenix Lineage was the master of the Celestial Phoenix World. For countless years, the Divine Forge Imperial Clan had been dependent on it.

Despite this, no one had expected that Huang Cangtian, the esteemed overlord who was rarely seen outside, would actually show up in this Divine Forge Workshop today.

For a while, everyone was shocked and puzzled.

Huang Cangtian looked straight at Lin Xun and said with a smile, “You must be the one Luo Jia has been talking about, Lin Xun. I thank you for your act of righteousness yesterday, which also brought to light very important news for our clan.”

Lin Xun cupped his fist. “It's nothing that deserves mentioning.”

He then retrieved the token with the True Dragon Clan insignia that Ao Xingtang had given him and presented it to Huang Cangtian. “This is my token, please verify it, Senior.”

Huang Cangtian was Luo Jia's elder, so it was only reasonable for Lin Xun to address him as a senior.

“Luo Jia has already told me everything about you, so with or without tokens, it doesn’t matter.” Huang Cangtian smiled, but after accepting the token and having a quick look at it, his eyes abruptly changed, and he just froze there.

Because the letter sealed inside that was written in Ao Xingtang's own handwriting talked about Lin Xun’s origin in detail!

Seeing Huang Cangtian's slightly perturbed expression, Lian Jiuxiao’s group was suspicious.

Is there something off about this Lin Daoyuan?

Lin Xun, on the other hand, had a vague guess that Ao Xingtang’s letter had probably revealed his true identity.

Only after a long time did Huang Cangtian put away the letter and say with a complicated look, “I understand your situation, Little Friend. Moving forward, the Celestial Phoenix Clan will satisfy any demand you have, as long as it’s within our capability.”

He didn't announce Lin Xun's identity since it was too sensitive!

Currently, many powerful experts of the White Tiger and Black Tortoise Clans were lurking in Thousand Flame Imperial City. It would trigger an unpredictable storm if those people found out who he really was!

Lin Xun only needed to think briefly to understand Huang Cangtian's intentions. He cupped his fist again. “Thank you truly, Senior.”

At this point, the group of Divine Forge Imperial Clan elders also reckoned that Lin Xun's identity was far more complicated than they had imagined!

“Fellow Daoist, is it really possible to let Fellow Daoist Lin in that secret realm for crafting?” Lian Jiuxiao had to reconfirm.

“Yes.” Huang Cangtian chuckled. “Should you all lack anything during this, the Celestial Phoenix Clan will provide it to you!”

Lian Jiuxiao’s group perked up.

“If the Celestial Phoenix Clan needs anything forged, I can help,” Lin Xun added.

Since he was going to practice anyway, it didn’t matter who the customer was.

Huang Cangtian beamed. “Then let me thank you in advance, Little Friend.”

Before this, he had seen the way Lian Jiuxiao’s group treated Lin Xun. A character who could make the Divine Forge Imperial Clan bow to him was destined to be an uncommon expert in smithing. How could someone like Huang Cangtian fail to see that?

“Fellow Daoist Lin, when do you plan to start?” Lian Jiuxiao looked at Lin Xun.

“If I have to choose a day, today might as well be it,” said Lin Xun.

The crowd was energized and delighted. They had long been impatient to see Lin Xun's techniques.

Right away, Lian Jiuxiao led the way, taking everyone to the secret realm of Divine Forge Workshop A1.

Huang Cangtian did not join in the fun. Watching Lin Xun leave while being tightly surrounded, a surge of emotion wash through him.

Back then, because of Luo Qingxun, the Celestial Phoenix Lineage and the Luo Clan on the other side of the cosmos had broken off all relations.

Now, Luo Qingxun's son had come and unveiled a conspiracy against the Celestial Phoenix Clan.

It was like a good karma had finally borne fruit at the perfect moment.

“White Tigers, Black Tortoises, Luo Clan...” Huang Cangtian's eyes became unfathomable as he sank into a long contemplation.

......

Rumble~ Rumble~

Churning waves of fire rose up to the skies like eye-piercing dragons, stirring up the atmosphere and emitting scorching hot currents that boiled mountains and rivers.

Flickers of incomparably rare divine aeth flames in red, green, black, silver, gold...could be seen from time to time.

This place resembled a kingdom of flames. If not for the heavy restrictive power permeating the space, ordinary cultivators wouldn’t be able to take a step into it.

This was naturally the most central and forbidden part of Divine Forge Workshop A1 – the Secret World.

In the center part of this world, there was an arena that covered a hundred thousand square feet.

In the center of the arena stood a bronze cauldron with a jade-like luster and misty dao light steaming at the mouth. It gave off an ancient aura.

From Lian Jiuxiao’s brief explanation, Lin Xun learned that this arena was the deepest part of the fire ocean under Thousand Flame Imperial City.

The cauldron in the center was the first furnace cauldron that their founding ancestor, Blacksmith Emperor, had forged based on the Treasure Refining Origin Furnace after he had returned from the Kunlun Dominion.

It might have started out as a replica, but today, it had already become a crucial artifact of the Divine Forge Imperial Clan, recognized by them as their number one furnace cauldron.

Lian Jiuxiao proudly introduced the place to Lin Xun, “Have a look around, Fellow Daoist Lin. This world is home to more than thirteen hundred types of aeth flames. Among them, there are nineteen types that are top-ranked in all heavens.

“This is the result of countless years of hard work, for members of our clan have searched far and wide to gather them. I’m not exaggerating when I say that there is no other place in all worlds that possesses so many aeth flames.”

The old relics around repeatedly nodded.

“Spectacular indeed.” Lin Xun was also in constant amazement. The world in front of him was certainly an eye-opener. He figured it was a fitting place to craft his life-bound Emperor weapon.

Hmm?

Suddenly, Lin Xun’s eyes gleamed strangely. In his possession, the copper piece that had been a part of the Treasure Refining Furnace was producing a strange fluctuation, as if it had sensed something.

Almost at the same time, Lin Xun keenly felt a strand of spirit scanning him, and it seemed to come from the dark areas of this world.

Although it had only happened for a split second, he was certain that it was not an illusion!

“Is it you...?” The name ‘Thousand Fire Spirit Emperor’ surfaced in his mind.

However, when he was about to carefully perceive it, the copper piece returned to silence as if its sense had been cut off.

Lin Xun smiled. He didn’t mind it, knowing that once he started smithing here, the so-called Thousand Fire Spirit Emperor sooner or later wouldn’t be able to resist coming out to meet with him.

“Fellow Daoist Lin, this is a commission from an elder of the Green Python Imperial Clan to make a lower mythic-grade Emperor weapon.” An elder came and gave Lin Xun a jade slip. “See if it works for you.”

Lin Xun took a brief look and nodded. “It does.”

Immediately, the materials needed for this commission were delivered, in three sets at that in case of failure.

“If there are left-over materials after the item is crafted, will they be returned to the customer?” Lin Xun couldn't help but wonder.

“No way,” said the group of old smiths in unison before they all burst out laughing.

This was a rule that had been passed down since time immemorial. Even if the production was successful in one attempt, the remaining materials would still go to the blacksmith.

Why were the world's blacksmiths so rich?

It was precisely because not only could they receive payment for making the item but they could also make huge profits with any leftover divine materials!

It wasn't an exaggeration to say that if one had a blacksmith friend, then one wouldn't have to worry about cultivation resources for the rest of their life.

This new knowledge made Lin Xun emotional. He remembered something that Mister Lu had once said when he had been young: What slipped from the gaps between the fingers of a rune master was an inconceivable amount of wealth to the normal people.