34: Chapter 34 Initial Forging of Spiritual Radiance

The Artifact Refining Workshop in the early morning always carried the scent of sparks and sweat, but today, that scent held an extra hint of clear, refreshing Spiritual Qi.

Lin Shi, bare-chested, swung a newly quenched Black Iron sledgehammer, striking the red-hot spirit radiance stone blank one blow after another.

When sparks flew, they were actually caught gently by the silver patterns flowing on the surface of the stone blank, like stars falling onto black velvet, refusing to hit the ground for a long time.

"It's done!"

Lin Shi suddenly pulled back his hammer, picked up a cold water jug, and poured it over the blank. With a "sizzle," white mist rose, revealing a semi-formed short sword.

The blade was pitch black yet shimmered with a faint silver glow; the natural patterns on the spine happened to form a simplified version of a Spirit Gathering array.

Without needing to intentionally activate it, one could feel the surrounding Spiritual Qi drilling into the blade along the patterns.

"Clan Chief, look!"

Lin Shi ran out holding the short sword, the coal dust on his face streaked by sweat.

"This spirit radiance stone is amazing! Just after forging, Spiritual Qi follows it. It's at least thirty percent stronger than weapons made from companion spirit iron ore!"

Lin Yue took the short sword and ran his fingertip along the blade. When his spiritual power probed inside, there was no resistance; instead, it felt like merging into a gentle stream.

"It is indeed a good item."

He swung the blade and cut through a nearby stake as thick as a wrist; the cut was as smooth as if it had been polished.

"The blade is sharp and can even nurture spiritual power. Have the Guard Team switch to spirit radiance stone weapons; our confidence has grown a few points more."

As he spoke, the watchtower at the town entrance blew a horn—a signal that a distant merchant caravan or messenger had arrived.

Lin Hu quickly came to report:

"Clan Chief, it's a messenger from Black Stone City. He says Captain Zhao Meng sent him and brought a letter."

Lin Yue broke the wax seal on the letter, and Zhao Meng's vigorous handwriting leaped off the page:

"To Clan Leader Lin: The remnants of the Green-Faced Old Ghost have been cleared, and Black Stone City is temporarily at peace.

I was delighted to hear that Sunset Town has acquired a new Ore, 'spirit radiance stone'.

The third day of next month is Black Stone City's triennial 'Spirit Material Convention'. Cultivators and merchant caravans from all over will gather; it is the perfect Opportunity for the spirit radiance stone to make a name for itself.

If you are interested, you can bring samples to the fair; the Chamber of Commerce is willing to provide an introduction.

Additionally, the remnants of the Green Wood Sect seem to be stirring. News from the direction of Yunzhou suggests their branch might want to lay hands on the Ore veins around Black Stone City. I hope the Clan Chief remains vigilant."

At the end of the letter, a simple smiley face was drawn, reflecting Zhao Meng's hearty nature.

Lin Cang leaned over to finish reading the letter, his brow furrowing slightly:

"The Spirit Material Convention is a good thing; it can allow the spirit radiance stone to be sold for a good price and help us build some connections.

It's just these Green Wood Sect remnants... I'm afraid they won't give up so easily."

"Are we afraid of them?"

Lin Shi slapped the short sword onto the table, the vibration making the Ore powder on the table dance.

"With spirit radiance stone weapons in hand, if one comes, we'll slay one; if a pair comes, we'll slay two!"

Lin Yue, however, was not as optimistic. He rubbed the edge of the letter:

"Zhao Meng specifically mentioned the Yunzhou branch, which indicates the opponent's strength is not weak.

We can't just think about fighting; we must first solidify our own foundation."

He looked up at Lin De.

"How is the matter of using spirit radiance stone in medicine coming along?"

"It's a success!"

Lin De took a jade bottle from his medicine chest and poured out three Medicinal Pills shimmering with silver mist.

"The 'solidifying origin pill' with added spirit radiance stone powder is twice as pure as before. It can also gently clear the Meridians, making it most suitable for the clan's children to build their foundation.

I've already had the people at the Pharmacy refine them in batches."

"Good."

Lin Yue nodded.

"Lin Shi, first rush to produce twenty spirit radiance stone longswords and fifty short swords. The Guard Team has priority for the new equipment.

Lin De, distribute the newly refined solidifying origin pills. Let the clan's children take one pill daily and hurry their Cultivation.

As for the Spirit Material Convention..."

He paused, his gaze sweeping toward the continuous Ore veins outside the town, where the spirit radiance stone shimmered in the morning light:

"Go, of course we must go.

The spirit radiance stone is an Opportunity for Sunset Town; we must let more people know its benefits.

But we cannot be careless. We must bring enough manpower and prepare spirit radiance stone powder and Magical Artifacts to prevent any accidents."

Lin Hu immediately responded:

"I'll go select the guards right now and reinforce the defense array of the mine by another two layers!"

As the news spread, Sunset Town became busy once again.

A richer medicinal fragrance wafted from the Pharmacy. The scent of spirit radiance stone powder mixed with medicinal herbs made the air in the entire town clear and refreshing;

The Guard Team worked up a sweat on the training grounds. When their newly acquired spirit radiance stone weapons collided,

what rang out was no longer the harsh clanging of metal, but a clear, resonant sound carrying the resonance of Spiritual Qi;

Even the farmers in the spirit fields had more motivation, thinking that if the spirit radiance stone could be sold for a good price, they could add a new cotton coat for their families this winter.

At dusk, Lin Shi brought more good news:

Farm tools made from spirit radiance stone scraps could actually make the Spiritual Qi in the spirit fields more even when tilling the soil, and the leaves of the spirit nurturing flowers stretched out quite a bit.

"Clan Chief, this stone is simply a treasure! It can even be used for farming!"

Lin Yue gazed at the sunset clouds on the horizon, feeling that Sunset Town was just like this spirit radiance stone—once shrouded by the gloom of the spirit-eroding stone, it was now blooming with its own light after being tempered.

Whether it was the Spirit Material Convention in Black Stone City or the remnants of the Green Wood Sect, they were all just wind and rain on the path.

As long as the townspeople are of one mind and have spirit radiance stone in hand, no matter how great the storm, it can be weathered.

He turned and walked toward the ancestral hall, where paper and ink for the reply to Black Stone City lay on the table.

Only two words needed to be written in the letter:

"Will attend."

As the tip of the pen touched the paper, it was as if the spirit radiance stone could be heard humming softly deep within the Ore vein, as if playing a prelude to this upcoming long journey.