The Blade-Wielding Legend

Chapter 1416 729: Magic Artifact Completed, The Missing Scholar (2)

Finally, the lightning dissipated, and Heavenly Master Zhang slowly rose, his voice hoarse:

"Prepare the carriage! Enter the Capital!"

Qingcheng, Emei, Taibai Doumu Institute, Zhongnan Quanzhen…

Countless sects used divination methods to glimpse the Heavenly Mechanism, causing a commotion across the land.

Many sect leaders of the Mystic Sect also hurried down the mountain heading towards the Capital...

......

Capital, Qiankun Academy.

The newly arrived disciples naturally did not know that the academy had already stirred waves within the Mystic Sect.

At the end of the Hour of Yin (early 5 o'clock), the first light of dawn appeared, and the disciples all got out of bed.

The steamer in the main canteen exhaled white steam, and the bland flavor of millet porridge, whole grain steamed buns, and salted vegetables permeated the air.

Apprentices from various craftsmen sects were already accustomed to simple meals, greedily devouring with ceramic bowls in hand.

However, the children of powerful families wore looks of distress on their faces.

Some even hid in corners, secretly pulling out beef jerky from their pockets, pretending to soak it with rice.

After eating breakfast, they needed to exercise.

Led by academy instructors, they shouted and practiced the "Bone Forging Fist."

This was passed down by Grandmaster Huo Yin, intended to strengthen muscles and bones for future heavy work.

Those disciples who'd sneaked food only then regretted, feeling their stomachs swell.

Turns out this boxing practice shouldn't be done on a full stomach.

The canteen already prepared stewed meat anew, waiting for them to finish boxing with growling stomachs, there was another meal to be had.

As for the disciples of the Mystical Craft department, it was a different scene.

Spread across the plaza, sitting cross-legged according to school of thought, facing the sun, inhaling purple Qi, quietly nourishing their minds.

By the beginning of the Hour of Chen (7 o'clock), Jingyi Hall was already bustling with people.

Under the regulations set by Yan Jiuling and others, these disciples focused primarily on learning knowledge for the first two years.

Provided by Museum Hall, annotated by Earth Masters, they studied "Summary of Divine State's Mineral Veins," "Commentary on the Water Classic," Mo Family's "Records of Examination," court-derived "Building Regulations," the draft of Yuan Feng's personally written "Initial Discussion of the True Lord of the Fire Wheel"…

They had a vast array of things to learn.

As the academy motto states, "Cherish reality, adapt change, uphold truth," if they were only cultivated as ordinary craftsmen, why would the court expend such an enormous cost?

For Great Xuan, these disciples were like the seeds of future transformation…

...…

Meanwhile, Li Yan was equally busy.

After several consecutive days of effort, he finally reached the final stage.

Deep in the workshop, blazing flames roared, with iron forging sounds incessant, a vat of black water exhaling cold air.

This was the "Kunze Pond," specially sought out by Tao Fengchun to guide the "Thunder Fallen Mysterious Gold" with Spiritual Spring Water.

Tao Fengchun stripped to the waist, wearing only a leather apron, his knotted muscles glistening in the furnace light.

In both hands, he carried a small hammer intricately engraved with a Cloud Seal, rhythmically tapping.

Today marked the finalization of the "Thousand Thoughts" Arm Guard.

Previously, through Wan Baicao's independently created "Silk Thunder Pattern" method, with "Thunder Fallen Mysterious Gold" as the main material, mixed with several types of extremely resilient silk threads woven, the Arm Guard "Thousand Thoughts" had transformed, gleaming with dark golden metallic sheen.

Yet being metallic, it still required the final quenching.

This quenching method was Cultural Quenching, requiring constant hammer tapping, raising the temperature while not damaging the Arm Guard Silk.

Luckily Tao Fengchun was present, others indeed couldn't grasp this knack.

"Introduce Qi!"

With the final tap, Tao Fengchun softly grunted.

Upon hearing, Li Yan immediately inserted his hand into the Arm Guard, concentrating quietly, pinching the Thunder Technique, probing the Cold Pond.

Zi Zi~

Lightning flickered at once, like countless small thunder snakes coiling around it.

"Success!"

The voice of Master Weaver Wan Baicao nearby, filled with excitement and exhaustion.

A magic artifact of this caliber had already qualified as a sect secret treasure, in her lifetime she couldn't craft many.

Li Yan swiftly lifted his hand from the Cold Pond, looking at the Arm Guard in his hand.

At this moment, the Arm Guard appeared as black metal, yet the eight embroidered golden characters "Heaven and Earth Vitality, all things transform and purify" remained clear, with dense Three Talents Demon Suppression Coins completely integrated into scales.

A peculiar feeling of bloodline connection emerged, as if the Arm Guard had become part of his body.

Zi~

Again using "Heavenly Thunder Demon Suppressing Hammer," the Arm Guard gleamed with lightning, yet none escaped.

"Thank you, Master."

Li Yan felt exhilarated, seriously clasped his fists in thanks.

He could already sense the power of this treasure, perfectly complementing his "Flood Dragon Slayer Dust Cutting Saber."

With these two treasures, he could boldly unleash Thunder Technique.

"This is the academy's reward, it's your rightful due."

Mo Sect Master Tao Fengchun from Baigong Building appeared calm, turned and picked up a brocade box from the wooden table, shaking his head: "This is your Five-sided Treasure Flag, refined anew according to your method, but the power seems not as expected..."

"No worries, thank you."

Li Yan smiled and quickly took the item.

This item is only an artifact embryo; it can only be complete with the treasure aura of the "Five Directions Luo Feng Flag" merged into the Hook Paper.

To truly succeed, it still needs to be driven by Five Astral Orders.

As long as the task is fulfilled and "Sui Lun True Monarch" is protected well, the Astral Orders can be gathered.

Thinking of this, Li Yan carefully put away the item and looked towards the other side of the workshop.

In the corner opposite the workshop, the atmosphere was completely different beside a specially red-hot cast furnace.

Sha Lifei was sitting cross-legged on a cushion in front of the furnace, holding a firearm.

At this moment, he was wearing only an open shirt, exposing his solid chest, his eyes closed, his face pale like gold paper, his forehead veins bulging, and large beads of sweat rolling down his temples.

Li Yan was worried and quickly approached.

Sha Lifei's new firearm had been completed.

Contrary to Li Yan's expectations, this latest firearm adopted ideas from Zhao Huogong, learned from Franco masters, firing metal cartridges and equipped with a massive rotating wheel that could simultaneously load five rounds.

In essence, it was like an eccentric rotating long gun.

This thing fired new-style gunpowder, naturally requiring a higher strength level.

The main material of the gun barrel was determined through repeated research by Zhao Huogong and Zhou Bainiao, using extremely rare and unbelievably dense Mystic Iron and Fine Gold. After thousands of refinements and Sha Lifei's heartblood soaking, the unique dark gloss of the Mystic Iron gun barrel showed crimson threads.

However, the firearm had yet to fully take shape.

Because Sha Lifei held a special "Mystic Gold Needle" in his hand.

He continuously stored spirit, trying to sense the needle and firearm.

This was the "Heart Blood Refining" method mentioned in the "Mei Mountain Firearms Manual".

Originally the Sword Immortal's method of nurturing swords, Sha Lifei creatively applied it to nurture firearms.

Whether it succeeds or not depends on this moment.

Time slowly passed, and sweat poured down Sha Lifei's forehead, his breath becoming weaker.

This method is extremely taxing on the spirit; if unsuccessful, it may backfire.

"Darn it..."

The firearms master Zhao Huogong looked at the sky, sighed lightly, and shook his head, saying: "The hour has passed, it might be challenging."

However, Sha Lifei seemed to have heard this and abruptly opened his eyes.

His eyes were bloodshot, but within his pupils lay an almost fanatical obsession.

"Spineless one, solidify for me!"

The old man let out a beast-like low growl and suddenly slammed his palm on his heart.

Poof!

A mouthful of rich heartblood sprayed out.

At the same time, his right hand pressed the needle hard onto the firearm.

The heartblood fell perfectly between the junction of the two.

"Combine!"

With Sha Lifei's low shout, the gun body buzzed.

"Did it work?"

With bloodshot eyes, he incredulously looked at the firearm in his hands.

"Hahaha, foolish child, it worked!"

Zhao Huogong stroked his beard and laughed, equally excited.

"Heh heh~ It worked..."

Sha Lifei's face turned pale, with a silly laugh, he could no longer hold on, and fell unconscious backwards.

Swoosh!

Before he hit the ground, Li Yan instantly appeared behind him, catching him.

Wang Daoxuan and Long Yan'er, who were prepared earlier, rushed forward, using acupuncture to adjust Qi and blood meridians, and feeding him Elixir medicine. After a hectic effort, Sha Lifei's complexion finally improved.

It's no wonder they were cautious; this method was unprecedented, almost reckless.

If mishandled, Sha Lifei could lose all his Dao and return to his original form.

Fortunately, everything went smoothly.

While Li Yan and the others were happy, a man from the Captain Bureau bowed outside the door and said: "Mr. Li, a message from the city!"

"Oh."

Li Yan was unsurprised and quickly stepped forward to accept the secret message.

Though he was at the academy, he constantly paid attention to capital matters, having Luo Mingzi send information daily.

The first report was as expected.

Several homicides occurred consecutively in the city, committed by those fleeing Japanese.

But seeing the second report made Li Yan furrow his brows slightly.

"What's wrong?"

Beside him, Wang Daoxuan noticed and promptly inquired.

Li Yan handed over the letter, shaking his head: "It's that kid Kong Shangzhao, suddenly missing..."