I forged swords at Lingjian Mountain.

Five high-quality [Azure Pattern Swords] would take even the most skilled and powerful swordsmiths a day or two to complete.

After all, the most difficult part of making the Azure Pattern Sword is to precisely strike the sword blank with micro-grooves that are difficult to see with the naked eye. If the force is too deep, the sword blank will break; if it is too shallow, the azure pattern will not be able to penetrate.

There is also the risk of cold quenching.

The thermal stress reaches its peak the moment the red-hot sword blank comes into contact with cold water. If the timing is one second too early, the blue patterns will not form; if it is one second too late, the sword body will shatter directly.

However, Lin Kong only took less than five minutes...

They successfully forged five high-quality Azure Pattern Swords.

"Right now... I'm only at the first stage of the divine artifact!"

Lin Kongxin was excited.

Of course, he knew very well that he couldn't reveal his true sword-making abilities right now.

Such sword-making ability...

That's absolutely outrageous!

He remained at the swordsmith, studying his character panel.

Lin Kong discovered it.

After completing the forging of five [Azure Pattern Swords], I also received a 5-point experience bonus.

The problem is that my character panel doesn't show the usual character level, only the [Growth Value] and [Stage].

However, the experience points gained from sword forging are not the same as "growth points"; the two are separate and not interchangeable.

"Therefore, the use of experience points should lie in other areas."

Lin Kong seemed to be deep in thought.

After some research, he finally figured out how to use experience points.

"It's used to upgrade and unlock the collection!"

He clearly saw that below the illustration of the [Azure Pattern Sword], there was an enhancement branch that resembled a skill tree.

The two enhancement branches, one on the left and one on the right, correspond to two unfamiliar light gray illustrations that have not yet been activated.

Branch 1

[Illustrated Guide to the Flowing Cloud Azure Pattern Sword]

[Effect: Activates blue veins, enhances visual interference, and draws in airflow, thus slowing down the target.]

[Unlocked by consuming 50 experience points]

Branch Two

[Illustrated Guide to the Armor-Destroying Azure Pattern Sword]

[Effects: The blue veins solidify, and the sword contains hidden power. When it hits a target, it will produce a secondary shockwave, capable of striking through mountains and injuring internal organs. It also has armor-piercing properties.]

[Unlocked by consuming 50 experience points]

……

It is clear.

These are the two advanced forms of the [Azure Pattern Sword].

One focuses on interference and deceleration.

One focuses on shockwaves and armor penetration.

"In other words..."

"The standard item encyclopedia will also extend to more advanced encyclopedia entries."

"However, these advanced illustrations require experience points to unlock and master."

Lin Kongxin understood.

The basic illustrations require forging points to unlock, while the advanced illustrations require experience points to master.

In a sense, experience points are like "proficiency" in casting.

As one becomes more skilled in casting and one's craftsmanship becomes more refined, one will naturally be able to forge more advanced weapons.

However, judging from the experience points gained from forging the [Azure Pattern Sword]...

You need to forge one hundred [Azure Pattern Swords] to gain enough experience to unlock these two illustrations.

"I had no difficulty in forging the [Azure Pattern Sword]."

"But the materials are a big problem..."

Although Linjian Sect still has some [Azure Bronze] in its inventory, it is far from enough to forge one hundred [Azure Pattern Swords].

"There's no rush yet."

"The most important thing right now is to stabilize Lin Jianmen's funds."

"Once we have enough funds to buy materials, there will be plenty of opportunities to gain experience through sword forging."

Lin Kong thought to himself.

Just like in the game, the materials in the mortal world beneath Spirit Sword Mountain are mainly divided into four types.

The worst is ordinary material.

Ordinary materials such as stone, wood, and clay are considered common materials.

Secondly, it requires high-quality materials.

【Qingfeng Copper】is a high-quality material.

Above that are rare and precious materials and rare treasures.

Lin Kong stayed in the sword-making room for a full day, pretending to have been forging swords all day, before leaving.

Having just come out of the sword-making workshop, I could see Lin Huiyue in the distance, diligently forging iron, even from a great distance.

Although Lin Huiyue was still immersed in grief over her master's passing, she still diligently completed her daily training exercises.

Lin Huiyue was petite, but she was strong from a young age.

However, he really didn't have much talent in sword making and never learned how to make swords; he was only good at forging iron.

Lin Kong had been thinking that, given Lin Huiyue's circumstances, it would be better to forge her a heavy sword so she could practice swordsmanship than to force her to learn sword forging.

With his current sword-forging skills, he is fully capable of shouldering the heavy responsibility of sword-forging for the Linjian Sect all by himself.

There's no need to force these three junior brothers and sisters, who have no talent for sword forging, to learn sword forging.

Thinking about this...

Lin Kong went straight to Lin Huiyue's side.

"Huiyue, you won't need to forge swords anymore. My sword-making method is different from Father's, so I don't need you to help me."

Lin Huiyue was clearly stunned upon hearing this.

A look of confusion flashed in his eyes.

She stood there stunned for a long time, then shook her head, swung the hammer, and continued hammering without saying a word.

Lin Kong wanted to offer some advice, but suddenly realized...

For Lin Huiyue, the meaning of blacksmithing may no longer lie in helping herself, but rather in a way for her to remember her master.

Of the three disciples adopted by Lin Yue, only Lin Huiyue was an abandoned baby, so she took their surname, Lin.

Lin Yue also doted on her the most.

She used to come to forge iron every day early, rain or shine.

Lin Yue also said that whenever he was forging swords in the house, he could always calm down as long as he heard Lin Huiyue's hammering outside.

At the same time, the sound of Lin Huiyue hammering iron was also a reminder to Lin Yue, who often worked all night in the sword-making room—it was already the next morning, and Master, you should rest.

For Lin Huiyue, who was unable to speak from a young age, this was simply a way for her to communicate with her master.

It was her longing and reluctance to part with her master.

Now my master is gone.

But Lin Huiyue still wanted to speak to her master in this way.

"……I see."

Lin Kong said no more.

……

the other side.

After purchasing the stones for building the tomb, Nie Shuang found Manager Wang of the Baihe Chamber of Commerce.

"...Although my senior brother said he could forge the swords, forging five [Azure Pattern Swords] in six days is too tight a timeframe. Uncle Wang, could you give us a few more days?"

Manager Wang sighed, looking saddened.

"Brother Lin invited me to have tea a few days ago, but I never expected... sigh."

"A few days' delay is not a problem; I can make that decision. My only concern is the quality of the sword."

"Even if your senior brother is capable of forging the Azure Pattern Sword, can the Azure Pattern Sword he forge truly reach the quality of your master's?"

"You should know that the order you received this time is for a high-quality [Azure Pattern Sword]."

"I can help you extend the timeframe, but if the quality isn't good enough, there's really nothing I can do."

Nie Shuang nodded.

"I see."

This was something that had been weighing on his mind.

Manager Wang could only give them some time at most.

The biggest challenge lies in the quality of the [Azure Pattern Sword].

Even if the eldest brother is capable of forging swords, Nie Shuang doesn't actually have high hopes for forging a high-quality [Azure Pattern Sword].

After all, in addition to talent, years of honing skills are even more important in sword forging.

My master also spent decades forging swords before achieving such accomplishments and attaining such a level of mastery.

Even if Lin Kong has talent, his time for forging swords is ultimately too short.

"Alright, I'll go with you to meet your senior brother first and see how good the quality of the Azure Pattern Sword he forged is."

"If the quality difference isn't too significant, I can accept it. However, I can't offer you the price of sixty taels of silver; it has to be reduced by at least half..."

Manager Wang said in a deep voice.

Nie Shuang nodded.

He knew this was the best that Steward Wang could do.

If strictly following the rules of the Baihe Chamber of Commerce, they would not accept any of the [Azure Pattern Swords] if even one of the hilts was substandard, and would also demand that Lin Jianmen pay compensation for breach of contract.

After all, the Baihe Chamber of Commerce places great importance on the quality of every order.

This concerns the credibility of their chamber of commerce.

Especially high-quality orders like these.

"If the quality is too bad... then there's nothing I can do."

Manager Wang shook his head.