Ling Sha wasn't about to listen to his nonsense. Just as she was about to unleash a killing blow...
A loud clatter echoed out.
Suddenly, a pile of items appeared at Zhou Changqing's feet.
It was a heap of weapons and armor of all shapes and sizes.
But they all shared one trait: they gleamed with the cold light of refined metal, clearly of extraordinary quality.
Many of the pieces were even inlaid with Monster Cores of various colors. A quick glance revealed there had to be several hundred items in total.
Ling Sha's beautiful eyes widened, and for a moment, she was speechless.
She looked back at Zhou Changqing, her mouth slightly agape.
"Are these Monster Core Armaments truly your handiwork?"
"Sister snake-woman, do you believe me now?" Zhou Changqing didn't answer directly, simply maintaining his smile as he gestured to the armaments on the ground.
Ling Sha fell silent, her gaze fixed on the pile of equipment. She didn't want to believe it, but the proof was right before her. For a young man to produce so many Monster Core Armaments at once, there could be no other explanation.
Putting aside the seven or eight pieces that radiated the aura of Tier 3 Monster Cores, the dozens of Tier 2 armaments and over a hundred treasured weapons were more than enough to prove his point. If he wasn't the forger, who in Water Storage City could possibly possess such a collection?
Frankly, the value of this entire pile exceeded a million gold coins. Ling Sha felt a stir of temptation.
Seeing the fervent heat in her eyes as she stared at the armaments, Zhou Changqing breathed a silent sigh of relief.
He considered it a worthy trade: these weapons for his life.
Weapons could be forged again, but once his life was gone, it was gone for good.
However, Zhou Changqing didn't let his guard down completely.
After all, if she killed him, she would still get all of these things.
This was merely a test, a long shot at survival.
If she was still determined to take his life, he would make sure to take a piece of her with him.
Just as he was steeling himself, Ling Sha suddenly looked up at him, the heat in her gaze burning even brighter.
Zhou Changqing's heart skipped a beat. A bad feeling washed over him, and the Dou Qi in his body instantly began to circulate wildly.
"Little brother, you've given me quite the surprise! It would be such a waste to just kill you now."
Ling Sha waved her hand, dismissing the small snakes coiling above her head, a brilliant smile gracing her beautiful face.
But Zhou Changqing only frowned, sensing that things weren't so simple.
Something was wrong.
Was she really going to let him go just like that?
He hadn't even started his big bluff yet.
His plan had been to first prove his value, then reveal his ability to forge Tier 4 armaments. Only then did he think he'd have a fifty-fifty chance of convincing her to spare him.
Since she was a Dou Ling and knew about these armaments, she would surely understand the immense value of a Tier 4 set.
If he then offered to forge one for her, how could she not be tempted?
As for the fact that his current forging technique wasn't actually high enough to craft Tier 4 items... well, she wouldn't know that unless he told her. Deceiving her to save his own skin was the top priority.
But from her expression, it didn't seem like she was tempted by the weapons. It looked more like she wanted to eat him alive.
Noticing his sudden tension, Ling Sha paid it no mind and glided toward him.
She moved as if on unseen wheels, stopping right in front of Zhou Changqing to study him closely.
"Don't be nervous, little brother. I couldn't bear to hurt you now. There's just a small favor I need to ask of you."
Hearing this, Zhou Changqing's eyes flickered. Could it be? Had she figured out he could forge Tier 4 weapons without him even having to bluff, and now she wanted to ask him for one?
At this thought, he forced a smile. "My lady, please ask. If it's something I can do, I'll certainly do my best."
"It's nothing too troublesome. I'd just like to invite you to be a guest of my Snake-People Tribe. Would that be alright?"
Of course Ling Sha wanted the magic weapons, but she had no intention of letting the man go either.
A high-level Da Dou Shi in his teens, who was also a master craftsman capable of forging Monster Core Armaments...
Killing him would be a waste, but letting him go would leave her unable to sleep at night.
That left only one option: take him with her.
This way, her Snake-People Tribe would have an endless supply of armaments.
And with him right under her nose, he wouldn't be able to cause any trouble.
Wasn't that a perfect solution?
"To the Snake-People Tribe?!" Zhou Changqing's expression changed. He hadn't expected this. He gave a dry laugh.
"That's not really necessary, is it? How about we make a different deal? For instance, I could forge a complete set of Tier 4 Monster Core Armaments for you, free of charge."
At his words, Ling Sha's eyes shone even more brightly.
This young man could actually forge Tier 4 weapons? What an unexpected windfall!
Still, she had no intention of letting him go. She just kept looking at him with that same beaming smile.
Her meaning was obvious.
I want it all.
Zhou Changqing's face fell.
Damn it!
This woman was too greedy.
Was she planning to squeeze him dry?!
No!
This snake-woman alone was more than he could handle. If he went to the Snake-People Tribe's territory, it would be over.
He would be completely helpless.
He had to fight her!
Suddenly, a delicate hand rested on his shoulder. Ling Sha had appeared behind him.
Leaning close to his right ear, she chuckled softly, "Don't move, little brother. I really don't want to hurt you, but if you're disobedient, I'll have no choice but to use... certain methods."
Zhou Changqing froze. His instincts screamed at him again, a clear signal of danger.
He had no choice but to abandon his desperate plan to fight back.
"No room for negotiation?"
"What do you think?"
"..."
"Fine, I'll go with you. But if you think you can lock me up like a dog and force me to churn out weapons for your tribe like a machine, then I swear, even in death, I will make you all regret it."
Looking at Zhou Changqing's handsome and deadly serious face, Ling Sha knew he wasn't joking.
If her tribe truly treated him that way, this young man would fight to the death.
However, she had never intended to do that, and the tribe's leaders weren't that foolish either.
In her eyes, the young man's skill at forging these armaments was no less valuable than that of an alchemist.
If his skills were allowed to develop, he might one day be able to forge Tier 5 or even Tier 6 weapons!
As long as he was managed properly, he would be a tremendous asset to any power.
Nodding, Ling Sha's smile faded, replaced by a serious expression. "You can rest assured on that point, little brother. As long as you can meet our needs, the Snake-People Tribe will not treat you poorly."
"Heh, I certainly hope so," Zhou Changqing said, dropping the pretense. His laugh was devoid of any humor.
For the sake of his life, he would endure.
Seeing him yield, Ling Sha smiled again.
"Let's go. And don't try any tricks, dear boy, or I'll have to take you by force."
I'll endure it!
When you're outmatched, you have to yield.
Just don't let me find an opportunity in the future, or I'll make you pay for this!
...
The sun blazed in the sky, its scorching heat baking the earth below.
Not a speck of green could be seen on the vast, sand-swept landscape; all was an endless expanse of ochre.
Amidst the shifting sands, two lonely figures appeared, trekking across the boundless desert.