(Hello everyone! I'm deeply sorry for not releasing any chapter for the past two days, I was busy with some things. Even though I haven't finished, I'll try to release a chapter per day. Thanks.)
In front of the martial techniques section of the Ancient Library, John stood tall, his face solemn. He mumbled some words silently, then bowed down respectfully.
After a moment, he rose and walked towards the section containing forging and pill-making techniques. The shelves before him were lined with numerous tomes, each containing ancient knowledge that seemed to stretch on forever. John's eyes widened as he scanned the collection, his mind reeling with the sheer volume of information.
As he was lost in thoughts, wondering what he should do, a voice sounded behind him. John jumped, his instincts kicking in as he prepared to unleash the Dragon's Fury. But as the voice spoke again, "Calm down, Celestial Teacher. It's me," John's tension eased. He turned to see the librarian standing quietly behind him.
"Damn! It's this old man. Why does he always have to appear sneakily everytime." John cursed in his mind.
John's face broke into a bright smile as he saluted the librarian. "Hehe, hello there, librarian!" However, instead of returning the greeting, the librarian's eyes narrowed suspiciously. John's smile faltered, and he felt a shiver run down his spine. He wondered if the librarian had somehow sensed his earlier thoughts.
Just as John was about to explain himself, the librarian's voice cut through the silence. "I am here to explain the rules for this challenge, Celestial Teacher." John's gaze snapped up to meet the librarian's stoic face. Phew! John sighed in relief as he wiped away the non-existent sweat on his head.
The librarian continued, "This challenge will consist of three stages. For the first stage, you will master all the various forging and pill-making techniques in this library, from basic to peak. For the second stage, you will be asked questions based on the techniques you have mastered. Finally, for the last stage, you will be tasked with guiding and correcting some blacksmith and alchemist apprentices to master their techniques and successfully forge or make their first weapons and pills. The stone will track your progress."
With that, the librarian vanished into thin air, leaving John standing alone, his mouth agape, the words he was about to speak stuck in his throat. "Damn! That old fogey disappeared again," John muttered, his lips twitching in annoyance.
John took a deep breath and calmed his thoughts. "Let's start with the forging techniques," he said to himself. He walked towards a shelf containing basic forging techniques and picked up a book titled "Thunder Strike." As he opened the book, he began to read the introduction.
"Thunder Strike: A powerful and precise forging technique used to shape metal into a strong and resilient blade. The Thunder Strike involves a series of rapid, controlled hammer strikes that are carefully aimed to deliver maximum force and precision."
According to the book, mastering the Thunder Strike technique required two essential elements: physical strength and focus. "To master the technique, the blacksmith needs two things," John read. "Physical strength: Mastering the Thunder Strike requires significant physical strength and endurance, as well as precise control and timing. Focus and concentration: The blacksmith must be fully focused and concentrated when performing the Thunder Strike, as even the slightest mistake can ruin the blade."
John turned the page, and the book outlined the three key characteristics of the Thunder Strike technique:
- Forceful strikes
- Precise control
- Rhythmic cadence
He leaned in closer, eager to learn more about this powerful technique.
John's eyes widened as he read on, absorbing every detail about the Thunder Strike technique. He was fascinated by the theory behind it, and he felt a sense of satisfaction as his understanding of the technique grew.
As he read about the forceful strikes, he nodded to himself, understanding the principle behind the powerful blows. He mentally noted the importance of precise control and rhythmic cadence, feeling confident that he could apply these concepts in theory.
The more he read, the more John's knowledge of the Thunder Strike technique expanded. He felt a sense of accomplishment as he closed the book, knowing that he had gained a deeper understanding of the technique.
"That's it for Thunder Strike," John said to himself, bookmarking the page. "Time to move on to the next technique." He began to scan the shelves, searching for another book on forging techniques to study.
John's eyes landed on "Iron Core," and he pulled the book from the shelf. As he opened it, he began to read the introduction. "Iron Core: A fundamental forging technique used to create a strong and stable core within a sword or other edged weapon. The Iron Core technique involves carefully folding and shaping to create a dense, hard core that provides the foundation for the blade's strength and durability."
According to the book, mastering the Iron Core technique required two essential elements: attention to detail and understanding of metallurgy. "To master the technique, the blacksmith needs two things," John read. "Attention to Detail: Mastering the Iron Core technique requires a high level of attention to detail, as small variations in the folding and shaping process can significantly affect the final product. Understanding of Metallurgy: A deep understanding of metallurgy is essential for mastering the Iron Core technique, as the blacksmith must be able to control the physical properties of the metal."
John turned the page, and the book outlined the three key characteristics of the Iron Core technique:
- Folding and shaping
- Control of Carbon content
- Precise heating and cooling
He nodded to himself, taking in the information and making a mental note of the key points.
As John read on, he learned more about the importance of each characteristic in creating a strong and stable core. He read about how folding and shaping the metal helped to eliminate impurities and create a uniform structure, how controlling the carbon content affected the hardness and flexibility of the blade, and how precise heating and cooling were crucial in achieving the desired properties.
John's eyes scanned the pages, absorbing the information and taking mental notes. He was fascinated by the complexity and nuance of the Iron Core technique, and he felt a sense of admiration for the skilled craftsmen who had developed and refined it over time. As he read, John's mind was filled with images of glowing hot metal, the sound of hammering, and the smell of sweat and coal. He felt a thrill of excitement at the prospect of mastering such a powerful technique.
As he imagined himself folding and shaping the metal, controlling the carbon content, and precisely heating and cooling the blade, John felt a sense of focus and determination wash over him. He pictured the satisfaction of creating a strong and stable core, and the pride he would feel in knowing that he had mastered a technique that required such skill and attention to detail.
John's heart beat faster as he read about the challenges and difficulties of mastering the Iron Core technique. He felt a sense of challenge and anticipation, knowing that he would have to dedicate himself fully to mastering the technique. But he was undaunted, and he felt a sense of confidence that he could learn and master the technique with dedication and practice.
As he finished reading the section on Iron Core, John closed the book and placed it back on the shelf. He felt a sense of satisfaction at having gained a deeper understanding of the technique, and he looked forward to learning more about other aspects of swordsmithing. John's mind was already racing ahead, thinking about how he could apply the principles of the Iron Core technique to his own work, and he couldn't wait to dive deeper into the subject.
Two months later, in the forging and pill-making section of the Ancient Library, John exhaled deeply and said, "Finally, I'm done!" During the past two months, he had thoroughly studied all the forging and pill-making techniques from basic to peak. He had gained a deep understanding of techniques like Dragon's Breath, Heavenly Fold, Blood Edge, Mountain Forge, Blazing Blaze Strike, Starlight Polish, Iron Ember Forming, Hammer's Fury, Fiery Fusion, and many more.
John stood up and stretched lazily, feeling a sense of accomplishment wash over him. His mind was filled with the intricate details of each technique, and he felt confident in his ability to guide others in mastering these skills. As a Celestial Teacher, John's role was to impart his theoretical knowledge to his students, helping them to understand the principles and concepts behind the techniques.
With a sense of excitement and anticipation, John began to tidy up the books and materials he had been using. He was ready to move on to the next stage of his studies, and he couldn't wait to explore the rune techniques. The prospect of learning about the ancient art of runes filled him with enthusiasm, and he felt a sense of eagerness to expand his knowledge and become an even more effective teacher.
(Author's Note:
The forging, pill-making, and rune techniques will be ranked from basic (1-3 stars), middle (4-6 stars) and peak (7-9 stars). Keep in mind that John will only possess theoretical knowledge in these fields, and his role as a Celestial Teacher is to guide others in mastering these techniques.
Also, if you're feeling generous, a power stone or two would be amazing - it really helps me keep going and creates more content for you to enjoy! 💫 Thanks in advance for your support! 🙏)