"Second Martial Soul, seventy-two ranks—about comparable to a fifth- or sixth-hundred-thousand-year-old soul beast. Can you copy that now?" Su Wen pointed at the Xuan Ji next to him, curious.
"Can,"
"Mirror" nodded. Even without a face, its body language oozed reverence.
Without excess movement, a blinding flash burst forth, and it began to grow, flawlessly reproducing Xuan Ji's golden scales, height, even its gaze.
"Roar!!!"
A thunderous roar. The other pet beasts were astonished; Big Eye (Si Xu) floated midair, scrutinizing "Mirror."
In aura and demeanor, it was as if another Xuan Ji had appeared.
Even Xuan Ji itself stared in surprise at its double.
"The body is about 70% replicated... skill power at 80%. Looks like Xuan Ji's stats are just off the charts." Su Wen reviewed the data, nodding slightly.
After "Mirror" copied, its previously weak stats directly jumped to 70% of Xuan Ji's—an explosive evolution.
This replication had no time limit; only when switching to a new target would the copy forcibly end.
So many possibilities...
A sly grin formed on Su Wen's lips.
In the future, even the Tang God-King's side could be turned upside down.
He remembered that the God Realm's Core could actually be handed over: in the original, Tang San gave it to Huo Yuhao before leaving to stop Destruction.
Currently Tang San was relying on the [God Realm Core], making the gods hesitant to force him—which let him survive.
Otherwise, given his injuries and lack of trust, how could he possibly be at peace?
Maybe... extract the God Realm Core from Tang San's hands?
It was possible!
"All right, task complete." Su Wen was planning something.
He'd come ten thousand years back for only three things: Remove Qian Renxue from the death list, find the Mirror Beast, and raise soul tool standards from this era...
He'd visit Sea God Island before leaving: he would swap out the Sea God Trident. Yes, he'd specially asked Elder Du to forge a replica trident, just to pull a switcheroo—so Tang San would realize he'd had a fake all along.
If only the god positions were easier to seize, he'd take Tang San's too...
But—
Su Wen's eyes flashed.
Improving soul tools was to prepare for building Mechas—so why not upgrade forging itself?
The divine craftsman in this world was called Lou Gao...
Gengxin City.
A tall building occupied the most valuable land at the city's heart. On its plaque was a carved, black iron hammer and chisel.
This was the headquarters of the continent's Blacksmith Association.
It wasn't fancy, but always crowded. Soldiers, adventurers, assassins—all who lived by the blade came here for luck.
For sometimes, Divine Smith Lou Gao's "divine tools" would appear on sale. Most had no hope of winning them, yet even a glance was a rare blessing.
Su Wen looked up, smiling at the sign.
Qian Renxue followed in a white dress, golden hair over her shoulders, beautiful like an angel—drawing many covetous glances. Yet none dared act out in the city's center.
Even in these grey zones, civilization needed work.
"Let's go."
Su Wen took Qian Renxue's hand and headed directly for the smiths' guild.
To him, the so-called "divine craftsman" of this era was over-hyped—even Tai Tan was called a divine smith, which was laughable. Compared to Elder Du, two millennia later, these guys were far behind—let alone the later golden age of forging.
But mockery aside.
Lou Gao and Tang Hao had some real skill.
And this was only the start of the forging school—so it was unfair to judge too harshly.
Besides, he needed Lou Gao to help develop forging...
They entered the Blacksmith Association's first floor.
It was noisy, but when they walked in, the place fell silent—all eyes flashed with surprise.
Most here lived off hard labor—such a handsome man and beautiful woman usually meant a major client, or bigwig of some force.
"Hummm..."
With a hum, seven spirit rings rose under Qian Renxue's feet—a Spirit Sage's power sweeping through the whole hall. All greedy eyes instantly became shocked or fearful, quickly turning away.
Not because she was a Spirit Sage—but because she was so young.
Such a beauty was certainly no mere vase...
"Who's in charge here?" she asked lazily, spreading her palm to reveal a jet-black token.
Everyone gasped.
Wasn't that the Elder's Badge of the Spirit Hall?!!
Just who was this girl?!
"I'm here! What can I do for you?" A burly, honest-faced middle-aged man in gray-black robes hurried over in respect.
"I've come to see Master Lou Gao. Please inform him an old friend has arrived," Su Wen smiled.
"Yes, please wait." The man's eyes flashed—they were old acquaintances of the Teacher!
After a short wait, he returned.
"Teacher said—please come up."
The two were guided upstairs.
On the fifth floor, a heavy metal door opened.
A short, scruffy old man brushed back his wild hair, sharp eyes fixed on Su Wen. "Spirit Hall? I don't believe we've met?"
"Yes," Su Wen nodded.
"Then why call yourself an old friend?" Lou Gao sounded irritated.
He had a temper—even Spirit Hall folks didn't get special treatment, and only agreed to meet for the young woman's sake.
"Because I know you…" Su Wen said.
"Plenty of people know me, kid! Don't try that on me!" Lou Gao snorted. "What do you need? I deliver your Hall's armor every year on time. I want no other dealings with Spirit Hall. Now leave!"
"You treat me coldly," Su Wen shook his head regretfully.
"I came from afar to teach and share the Way—but the divine craftsman is so dismissive."
"Hmph, so you know I'm a divine smith!" Lou Gao sneered.
"You think I snub you by refusing to teach you? Many seek me daily!" His tone grew mocking.
"Spirit Hall, what nerve!"