https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-159-Practice-Makes-Perfect-the-Hundred-Fold-Sword-Embryo/12619143/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-161-The-Night-Before-the-Apprenticeship-the-Grand-Young-Master-of-the-Wei-Family/12619145/
Chapter 160: A Thousand Folds, A Thousand Refinements
As Lin Laozhangshi watched, Lu Qing brought the heavy hammer down with tremendous force.
In an instant, the red-hot iron bar sparkled, squeezed, and collapsed into a flattened disk under the immense pressure.
Lu Qing then folded it and brought the hammer down again, reshaping it once more.
Hammer blow after hammer blow, he continued.
The iron bar seemed as pliable as dough under his skilled strikes.
However, Lin Laozhangshi and his apprentices knew that it was not the softness of the iron but the sheer power and skill of Lu Qing that were astounding.
Each strike effortlessly flattened the iron, but more impressively, Lin Laozhangshi noticed that Lu Qing was not merely relying on brute force.
Every blow was a delicate balance of force, pushing the iron to its limit to expel impurities without being so forceful as to break it.
"A thousand folds with each strike? How is this possible?"
Lin Laozhangshi muttered in a daze, his eyes wide as he watched Lu Qing effortlessly wield the heavy hammer, each strike a display of power and grace.
He was utterly shaken to his core.
He had never imagined that forging an iron embryo could be done in such a manner.
Each strike was like a refinement, and this divine forging technique was beyond even the capabilities of the true master craftsmen he had encountered in his life.
And yet, here it was, unfolding before his very eyes.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
In the backyard of the Casting Heart Forge, Lu Qing continued to swing the heavy hammer, each strike sending shockwaves through the entire courtyard.
Everyone present, including Wei the Chief Steward, was mesmerized by the display of power and beauty.
Even with his higher cultivation, Wei could sense the sheer might of Lu Qing's hammer technique.
He estimated that even with his Internal Organs Realm perfection, he might not be able to withstand more than a few strikes from Lu Qing.
Lu Qing continued his relentless forging as if tireless, hammering away for over an hour.
Suddenly, he paused, sensing something. Instead of continuing to fold and hammer, he began to shape the iron bar in his hands.
Gradually, the iron took on a new form, transforming into the shape of a sword.
Bang!
With one final strike, Lu Qing sent sparks flying and ceased his forging, placing the now-shaped sword embryo into the cooling water.
Sizzle!
Lu Qing retrieved the sword embryo from the misty water and examined it intently.
A thick red glow emanated from the embryo.
[Thousand Refinement Sword Embryo: A sword embryo formed through repeated folding and forging, reaching the thousand refinement level.]
[A thousand hammers and a hundred refinements give birth to a treasure. A thousand-refined sword embryo already possesses the potential to become a magical artifact.]
[Limited by its material, this sword embryo has reached its limit, and further folding and forging will not enhance its quality.]
Indeed.
After reading the embryo's information, Lu Qing understood.
He had sensed it during the forging process—the iron had reached its limit, and further folding would be pointless.
It seemed that ordinary iron had its limitations and could not be infinitely folded and refined for quality enhancement.
The thousand-refinement level was the pinnacle of what these iron bars could achieve.
"Lu, Lu young master, may this old man take a closer look at this sword embryo?"
Lin Laozhangshi's voice trembled slightly as he made his request, his eyes filled with anticipation.
"Of course," Lu Qing replied casually, handing the sword embryo to the old craftsman.
Lin Laozhangshi received the embryo with both hands, his posture respectful as he examined it closely.
This time, his apprentices forgot their manners and crowded around, eager to get a better look at the sword embryo.
The sword embryo Lu Qing had forged this time was slightly smaller than the previous one, as he had successfully purged all impurities from the iron.
Of course, this was not the aspect that caught the attention of Lin Laozhangshi and his apprentices.
Chapter: The Thousand-Refined Sword Embryo
The moment they laid eyes on the sword embryo, they began to examine its texture.
And when they saw the incredibly intricate patterns, Lin Laozhangshi's body trembled violently. "These patterns... they truly are the mark of a Thousand Refinement Sword Embryo. This sword embryo has reached the Thousand Refinement level!"
"Master, has it really achieved the Thousand Refinement level?"
His apprentices, who had never seen a Thousand Refined sword embryo before, were equally shaken by this revelation.
"There's no mistake," Lin Laozhangshi affirmed. "The fine lines like fish scales are the hallmark of a Thousand Refinement Sword Embryo!"
Hearing their master's confident tone, all the disciples buzzed with excitement.
They crowded together, their eyes glued to the sword embryo, as if they wanted to absorb every detail.
For blacksmiths, the opportunity to behold a Thousand Refined iron weapon was a rare and thrilling honor.
Lin Laozhangshi held the sword embryo, his lips quivering slightly as he looked at Lu Qing.
In fact, he had anticipated the quality of this sword embryo beforehand.
After all, he had witnessed Lu Qing's entire forging process, the number of folds and strikes, though he hadn't counted them exactly, but he had a general idea.
And that was why, when he actually saw the patterns indicating the Thousand Refinement level, he was all the more shaken.
The forging technique Lu Qing had displayed during the creation of this sword embryo was truly awe-inspiring.
Each strike, each fold, executed with such divine precision—it was almost unbelievable.
Lin Laozhangshi had never met a Master Blacksmith, so he didn't know the extent of their forging skills.
But he dared to assert that Lu Qing's forging technique, especially in the art of striking and folding, was surely unmatched, even by the greatest masters!
"A Thousand Refined Sword Embryo?"
Even Wei, the Chief Steward, couldn't help but be astonished.
He hadn't expected Lu Qing to produce a sword embryo of such exceptional quality.
After all, even their prestigious Wei Manor didn't possess many swords of this caliber.
"Young Master Lu, thank you for allowing us to witness such a treasure."
Lin Laozhangshi held the sword embryo and approached Lu Qing, his demeanor respectful as he returned it to its owner.
He looked like an apprentice facing a master craftsman, his manner humble and reverent.
"It's just a sword embryo," Lu Qing smiled. He didn't take it back but continued, "Actually, I have a small request for you, Master Lin."
"Please speak, Young Master Lu. If it's something I can help with, I'll do my best!" Lin Laozhangshi replied eagerly.
"It's not a big deal," Lu Qing said. "It's about this sword embryo. I want to ask for your help in turning it into a longsword.
One of my good friends is celebrating a joyous occasion in a few days, and I wish to present this sword as a gift. Would you be able to assist me with that?"
"Of course, that's not a problem," Lin Laozhangshi said, a bit puzzled. "But, Young Master Lu, didn't you say that you came here to borrow the furnace to forge a weapon for yourself? Is this sword embryo not for your personal use?"
"My weapon can wait," Lu Qing shook his head. "I came here primarily to practice my forging skills. In a few days, when I've gathered the necessary materials, I may have to trouble you again."
(End of Chapter)
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