I am the Arcane Archer, and all my skills are self-created.

Li Wu and his group walked out of the coniferous forest, and Ironforge was in sight.

Lin Hai walked beside Li Wu, gazing at Ironforge in the distance, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He hadn't expected that after nearly losing his life, he would encounter a master like Wu Li Kan Hua. Even more unexpectedly, Wu Li Kan Hua would come to his rescue.

"Great God, you are truly my savior!" Lin Hai said gratefully again.

Li Wu simply glanced at him calmly. "If you have something to say, let's talk about it once we're in the city."

Lin Hai nodded, saying nothing more. He had already made up his mind: no matter what, he would fight for the cooperation opportunity with Wulikanhua. He knew this might be his only chance to turn his life around.

Old Wang and Xiao Fang walked behind, looking at Li Wu and Lin Hai with curiosity in their hearts.

They didn't know who Lin Hai was, nor what he wanted to say to Wuli Kanhua. But they knew that someone who was being hunted by the Blood Wolf Guild and could still get Wuli Kanhua to come to his rescue must be no ordinary person.

"Old Wang, do you think the master might actually create a guild?" Xiao Fang asked softly.

"Definitely!" Old Wang said. "With someone as skilled as him, it's a shame he doesn't start his own guild. If we could join his guild, we'd be set for life!"

Xiaofang said expectantly, "Yes, then we can forge the best equipment and potions for the master! I'm so excited just thinking about it!"

As they walked along, thinking about a bright future, their steps became lighter.

Li Wu listened to their words and smiled.

He knew that these two casual players had begun to rely on him. This was a good thing for him. A guild, besides having strong combat capabilities, also needs a loyal support team.

Soon, they arrived at the gates of Ironforge. The gates were bustling with people, players and NPCs coming and going. Li Wu concealed his ID; his name, "Seeing Flowers Through the Mist," was known to almost everyone in District 21. He also wore a hood, covering most of his face.

Lin Hai saw Li Wu's actions and a thought struck him. He knew that Li Wu was trying to avoid unnecessary trouble by looking at things from a distance.

"Master, are you wearing a hood because you're afraid of being recognized?" Lin Hai asked cautiously.

Li Wu didn't answer, she just glanced at him.

Lin Hai immediately understood, and he quickly put on his hood to cover his face. Old Wang and Xiao Fang saw this and followed suit, putting on their hoods as well.

The four of them entered Ironforge discreetly.

Upon entering Ironforge, Li Wu headed straight for the forging area. He needed to go to Horn to turn in the quest and complete the second stage of rekindling the furnace. Lin Hai and the other two followed behind.

Soon, Li Wu arrived at Horn's blacksmith shop with practiced ease. He asked Lao Wang, Xiao Fang, and Lin Hai to wait outside, and then went inside himself.

Horn was forging iron when he heard footsteps. He looked up, saw Li Wu, and smiled.

"Adventurer, you're back," Horn said. "Are the materials ready?"

Li Wu nodded, took out the [Lava Core] and [Frost Iron Ore] from his backpack, and handed them to Horn.

Horn took the materials, examined them carefully, and looked very satisfied. "Excellent, all top-quality materials," he said. "You're much faster than I expected."

[System Notification: You have completed the quest "Reignite the Hearthfire," gaining 5000 experience points and 100 Ironforge reputation points!]

[System notification: Congratulations on leveling up! Your current level is LV30.]

Your Strength +5, Agility +5, Intelligence +5, Constitution +5, Spirit +5!

You have gained 5 free attribute points!

The system notification sound kept ringing, and he finally reached level 30!

Horn then picked up [Dim Longing] and put it into the furnace along with [Lava Core] and [Frost Iron Ore].

The furnace fire blazed up instantly, the power of ice and fire intertwining within, emitting a dazzling light. Soon, the light faded, and a brand-new ring flew out of the fire and landed in Horn's hand.

It was a ring with a deep blue color, engraved with patterns of flames and ice crystals, radiating a power of intertwined ice and fire.

Horn handed the ring to Li Wu. "This ring, forged by ice and fire, can make longing stronger. I hope it can help you continue your unfinished journey."

Li Wu took the ring and felt the power within it.

【Name: Ring of Ice and Fire】

Type: Ring

[Quality: Rare (Green)]

[Level Requirement: LV30]

[Attributes: Strength +20, Agility +20, Intelligence +20, Constitution +20]

[Special Effect: Low chance to inflict fire or frost damage on attacks.]

This rare equipment has four additional attributes; it's practically invincible. Moreover, as a quest reward, there are follow-up quests, making this ring far more valuable than it appears.

"Thank you, Master Horn," Li Wu said.

"You're welcome," Horn said. "You deserve it." He looked at Li Wu with a hint of expectation in his eyes. "Remember, adventurer, failure is not the end, but the beginning of forging. I hope you won't be defeated by setbacks like my son."

Li Wu nodded, knowing that Master Horn was reminding him. He understood that he would not be defeated by any difficulties.

"Once you reach level 50, you can come to me with the [Ring of Ice and Fire Resilience] and the [Crystal of Pure Earth], and I can continue to help you with forging."

[System notification: You have successfully accepted the third stage of the quest!]

【Task Name: Tracing the Source - The Earth's Veins】

[Quest Description: Horn studied the materials you brought back and believes the Lake Spirit's pollution was not naturally formed, but may originate from deeper leyline corruption. He needs you to go to the Abyss Rift (level 50 raid) and obtain the Pure Earth Crystal from the Stoneheart Elemental, which guards the leylines of the earth.]

[Task Reward: ???]

"Master Horn, I'll be going now." After receiving the follow-up mission, Li Wu smiled and took his leave.

"Go ahead," Horn said. "Remember to come back for the bow in a few days!"

As Li Wu walked out of Huo En's blacksmith shop, Lao Wang and Xiao Fang hurriedly came to greet him.

"Master, are you alright?" Xiaofang asked with concern.

"It's alright," Li Wu said. "Let's go somewhere quiet."

He glanced at Lin Hai and told him to lead the way. Lin Hai understood and quickly led the way.

The group walked through the forging area and arrived at a small garden near the city lord's mansion. The environment was quiet and undisturbed.

"Master, it's quieter here," Lin Hai said.

Li Wu nodded and sat down on a stone bench nearby. Old Wang and Xiao Fang stood there somewhat awkwardly.

"Now you can speak." Li Wu looked at Lin Hai.

Lin Hai took a deep breath. He knew this was his only chance to turn things around. He had to seize it.