151: The white-haired old man, tempering his body with flames!

“Huh?”

“What’s up?”

Lu Sheng looked at the man, utterly bewildered.

The young man seemed to notice Lu Sheng’s confused expression and, equally puzzled, asked Lu Sheng, “What? Aren’t you the one Headmaster Lin introduced, here to be an apprentice?”

“An apprentice?”

Lu Sheng was even more bewildered.

“Yeah, a blacksmithing apprentice!”

The young man said as if it were the most natural thing.

Lu Sheng fell silent. He suddenly felt like he had been tricked.

Wasn't he here for his special training? How did he end up as a blacksmithing apprentice?

For a moment, Lu Sheng looked at the couplet’s horizontal inscription again.

“number one divine smith!”

For some reason, Lu Sheng’s heart was now slightly flustered.

“Alright, come with me. Don’t overthink it. It’s not even certain if you’ll become an apprentice. Even if Headmaster Lin recommended you, you still have to pass Revered Master’s test!”

The young man waved his hand impatiently, then turned and walked towards the backyard.

Lu Sheng was silent for a moment. After a mental struggle, he followed the young man into the backyard.

As soon as he entered the backyard, Lu Sheng saw numerous bronze furnaces, each burning with a raging fire beneath it.

In front of each bronze furnace stood burly men, all intensely focused on the contents of their furnaces.

Even when the young man and Lu Sheng entered, these strong men did not show any Divided Soul, only staring intently into their furnaces, as if something extremely crucial was inside.

“Revered Master should be in the fire cave now. Come with me!”

The young man looked around and then said to Lu Sheng.

Lu Sheng nodded. Although he felt a bit lost, since he was already here, he had to meet the Old senior Lin Xuan spoke of.

As for the blacksmithing apprentice thing… he would let nature take its course!

Lu Sheng slowly followed the young man further back and then saw that the mountain behind 38 Zhenwu Street, which they had seen from outside, had been carved out by human effort into a massive cave.

Inside the cave, a faint firelight seemed to rage.

Even standing outside the cave, one could feel a scorching heat constantly roaring out from within.

If an ordinary person stood here, they would likely be completely dehydrated and faint within a few minutes.

Even though Lu Sheng had already reached Bone Forging Third Layer and even Body Refining Fifth Layer Early Stage, facing such a scorching wave of heat, his complexion couldn't help but redden a bit.

“Inside the cave is Revered Master’s own territory. Generally, we don’t have the qualifications to enter, but since you’re here today, and you were introduced by Headmaster Lin Xuan, Revered Master told me to bring you in.”

“I must say, Headmaster Lin Xuan’s Face is really effective!”

The young man said with a hint of envy, then led Lu Sheng into the cave.

“Revered Master has a habit when forging; he doesn’t like to be disturbed. However, the temperature of Revered Master’s forging flames is extremely high. Even a strong person in the Qi stage, if not careful, could be scorched by the flames and turn to dust!”

“Here, hold this tight. If you drop it, it’ll be trouble!”

With that, the young man handed Lu Sheng a blue, crystal-like object.

Holding the blue crystal, a cool sensation immediately flowed from the crystal into Lu Sheng’s palm.

The scorching heat also dissipated completely with the crystal’s coolness.

Lu Sheng looked at the crystal in his hand with some surprise: “What is this thing?”

The young man smiled and said, “It’s just a little trinket. Revered Master made it himself for fun when he had nothing to do.”

Lu Sheng’s brow twitched slightly.

Something made for fun when there was nothing to do could have such a good effect. It seemed this Old senior Lin Xuan spoke of wasn’t so unreliable after all.

However, regarding the title of “number one divine smith”… Lu Sheng still maintained a certain degree of skepticism.

Walking through the winding cave, the firelight grew brighter. Even holding the blue crystal, Lu Sheng could feel a trace of heat.

He even started to sweat drops on his forehead.

But when Lu Sheng glanced at the young man, he found him composed, without a single drop of sweat.

This made Lu Sheng look at him with new respect.

This seemingly ordinary young man could withstand such scorching temperatures.

Lu Sheng’s curiosity was piqued at this moment.

Clang! Clang!!!

At this moment, a series of crisp metal striking sounds rang out. The sound was very rhythmic, like a piece of music.

It made one feel quite comfortable.

But suddenly, this comfortable, rhythmic sound abruptly turned chaotic, like a violent storm, falling without any pattern.

“Revered Master is still forging. We’ll just wait outside!”

At this moment, the young man stopped. Ahead, a bronze gate was visible, and the sound of striking metal came from within this bronze gate.

Since the young man said so, Lu Sheng naturally wouldn’t be foolish enough to demand entry. Instead, he waited quietly.

In his ears, the sound of striking metal continued to ring out.

It was incredibly grating.

After an unknown amount of time, a muffled thud suddenly came from within the bronze gate.

It sounded as if something had exploded.

Immediately following, an extremely violent energy aftershock instantly spread out, stirring up gusts of wind. Even with the obstruction of the bronze gate, Lu Sheng could still feel the extreme sense of oppression contained within this violent energy.

In an instant, Lu Sheng felt as if he had been struck by endless waves, making him extremely uncomfortable.

However, the young man who had brought Lu Sheng in remained composed, as if that energy had not affected him at all.

“It seems the furnace exploded. Don’t worry, it won’t hurt you!”

Perhaps sensing Lu Sheng’s gaze, the young man turned his head and spoke with a smile.

Lu Sheng nodded. When he looked at the bronze gate again, a hint of anticipation had already appeared in his eyes.

Just an exploding furnace had such terrifying power. What level of weapon was this person currently forging?

Top-grade Treasure Artifact?

Or was it Treasure Artifact and Spiritual Artifact, above Treasure Artifact?

A divine smith capable of forging such weapons, perhaps the title of “number one divine smith” truly suited him!

Lu Sheng thought to himself.

Perhaps… Lin Xuan hadn’t tricked him?

Just as Lu Sheng was thinking this, suddenly, the heavy bronze gate seemed to be pushed by an immense force, slowly opening.

As the bronze gate was pushed open, an even more scorching heat wave suddenly roared out.

The feeling was like being in a sea of fire.

The scorching temperature even made Lu Sheng’s breathing difficult. If it weren’t for the blue crystal, Lu Sheng would probably want to turn and run right now.

It was too hot!

Lu Sheng wiped the sweat from his forehead, but as soon as he wiped it away, the sweat hadn’t even dripped before it was completely evaporated by the scorching temperature.

“Revered Master!”

Suddenly, the young man bowed slightly towards the bronze gate.

Lu Sheng quickly looked over.

He saw a burly old man slowly emerge from the bronze gate.

The old man’s muscles were extremely explosive, and his white hair hung down softly. Even his full beard was completely white.

Just by looking at the old man for an instant, Lu Sheng felt an extremely strong sense of oppression.

A feeling of fear even emerged in his heart.

It seemed as if looking directly at the old man was a great disrespect.

Lu Sheng took several deep breaths until Tenacity activated, and only then did the fear in his heart slowly dissipate.

Lu Sheng looked at the old man in front of him, and the old man’s gaze also fell upon Lu Sheng.

In an instant, their gazes met.

Lu Sheng only felt as if endless killing intent emerged from the old man’s body. In that gaze, he seemed to see scenes of mountains of corpses and seas of blood.

Despite being in this scorching cave, Lu Sheng felt as if his entire body had fallen into an ice cellar.

“Are you Lu Sheng?”

At this moment, the Senior slowly spoke, his voice filled with an extremely majestic feeling.

It was as if he were a born superior.

However, as the Senior spoke, the previous negative emotions immediately dissipated.

Lu Sheng's mind finally reacted, and he quickly bowed slightly to the Senior.

"Lu Sheng, Disciple of Star Academy, greets Senior!"

The Senior waved his hand casually, "Alright, alright, no need for all this. Don't I know who you are?"

"By the way, how is that old fellow Kong Tianyang doing recently?"

Lu Sheng was startled; he hadn't expected the other party to know his Revered Master.

"Senior Sister said Revered Master is with the Medicine Saint, so he should be fine!"

"Medicine Saint?"

The Senior seemed to recall something, and his majestic expression suddenly turned a bit strange. He stroked his beard, a mischievous smile appearing on his Face.

"That old man, he's only tough-mouthed. I wonder what kind of expression he'll have now, hehe!"

Lu Sheng looked at the Senior's appearance, momentarily bewildered.

From his words, it seemed he was quite familiar with his Revered Master?

"Alright, come in. Since that little fellow Lin Xuan asked you to come, I naturally have to take a good look at you. But whether you can pass my test in the end depends on you!"

The Senior's sudden words interrupted Lu Sheng's thoughts.

"Ah? Uh, okay!"

Lu Sheng reacted and quickly responded.

The Senior turned and entered the bronze portal, gesturing for Lu Sheng to follow.

Lu Sheng glanced at the young man beside him, who smiled slightly: "Since Revered Master told you to go in, then go ahead!"

With that, the young man also left the cave.

Lu Sheng paused, then followed behind the Senior, entering the bronze portal.

Immediately upon entering the portal, a furnace, more than ten meters tall, came into Lu Sheng's view.

Below the furnace, a cluster of purple flames burned continuously.

The scorching temperature emanating from the cave was indeed from these purple flames.

The space within the cave was large, but apart from the furnace, there were only two simple chairs and a table.

On the stone walls of the cave, countless special Materials, unknown even to Lu Sheng, were piled up.

The Senior walked directly to one of the chairs, patted the other, and gestured for Lu Sheng to sit down.

"I don't have so many rules. Don't be so formal; I don't like that!"

The Senior said in a carefree manner.

As if he truly didn't care about such things.

Lu Sheng hesitated for a moment, but eventually sat on the chair, then asked, "What is the test Senior mentioned?"

This was what Lu Sheng cared about most.

Since Lin Xuan sent him here, he must want to use the Senior's hand to train him.

And to receive the Senior's guidance, he would have to pass the Senior's test.

The Senior's gaze fell on Lu Sheng, his deep eyes seeming to completely see through Lu Sheng.

"Not bad, Body Refining fifth layer, Sword Bone also tempered."

"Hmm, the person Lin Xuan found this time is quite good, much more pleasing than the last little fellow!"

The Senior seemed to be talking to himself.

But Lu Sheng caught a key point in the Senior's words.

The last person?

Had someone been here before him?

Perhaps seeing through Lu Sheng's thoughts, the Senior said faintly, "The last little fellow Lin Xuan prepared to walk the Peak path was named Wang Mu. I wonder if you know him!"

Wang Mu!

Lu Sheng's heart trembled slightly.

It was this guy again.

His name was on the hundredth step of the Heart-Questioning Steps at Tianxing Great Wall.

His figure was present when the Demonic Cult invaded Star Academy.

Even when Lin Xuan told him about the Dawn Project, this guy's name was mentioned.

Even now, Wang Mu's name appeared in the Senior's words.

For a moment, Lu Sheng couldn't help but feel a certain curiosity about Wang Mu.

"It's just a pity, this little fellow was not of good character and later defected to the Demonic Cult. Lin Xuan, that guy, really misjudged him!"

The Senior suddenly sighed.

However, these words made Lu Sheng's brows furrow slightly.

Wang Mu defecting to the Demonic Cult was indeed true.

But why did Wang Mu seem like an undercover agent from what Lin Xuan had told him earlier?

But if he was an undercover agent, why didn't the Senior in front of him know?

Since the Senior knew about the Peak path, he should also know about Wang Mu.

Why... Lu Sheng felt a mess in his mind.

However, Lu Sheng ultimately shook his head, suppressing this question. The most important thing now was to improve his strength.

Once his strength improved, everything would naturally become clear.

Lu Sheng had always believed in one thing: any conspiracy or trickery was a joke in the Face of absolute strength!

"Alright, let's not talk so much."

"You want to know the test, right!"

The Senior looked at Lu Sheng and gestured towards the huge furnace with his mouth.

"Do you see the flames below that furnace?"

Lu Sheng nodded.

A mischievous smile appeared on the Senior's Face: "My test is very simple: use the flames below the furnace for Body Tempering!"

"Within half a month, if you can use the flames for Body Tempering and advance to Body Refining fifth layer Middle Stage, then you will have passed this test!"

Lu Sheng was stunned.

That's it?

Is the test that simple?

Just Body Tempering?

Lu Sheng raised an eyebrow slightly.

But looking at the Senior's mischievous expression, an uneasy feeling arose in Lu Sheng's heart.

Perhaps... Body Tempering with these flames was not so simple.

However, after pondering for a moment, Lu Sheng still stood up and walked towards the furnace.

Whether it was simple or difficult, he would only know after trying.

Lu Sheng approached the flames, and immediately, an intense burning sensation continuously scorched his skin. Even with a Physical Body at Body Refining fifth layer Early Stage, and even one modified by Star Power, Lu Sheng felt pain.

It was as if flames were entanglement around your skin, making it extremely uncomfortable.

Lu Sheng took a deep breath and glanced at the blue crystal in his hand, but just as he took it out, the Senior's voice came.

"How can you Body Temper with this thing!"

With that, a huge force directly pulled Lu Sheng.

Next, Lu Sheng only felt a dizzying sensation, and when his feet touched solid ground again, Lu Sheng was surprised to find that he had already appeared outside the cave.

"Kid, Purple Fire Body Tempering is not that easy!"

"I'm confiscating this thing. From now on, you're on your own. After half a month, if you can enter the cave and Body Temper, this test will be over!"

The Senior snatched the blue crystal from Lu Sheng's hand, then disappeared from the spot.

Lu Sheng looked at his empty hands and then at the cave in front of him, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly.

Good heavens, no wonder this old man was smiling mischievously.

Without this blue crystal, just getting close to the cave would be very difficult!

However, after taking a deep breath, a look of determination appeared in Lu Sheng's eyes, and he slowly walked into the cave... Meanwhile, in the backyard, the Senior and the young man stood in a hidden spot, silently watching Lu Sheng enter the cave.

"Do you think this little fellow can successfully Body Temper in half a month?"

The Senior suddenly asked.

The young man stood respectfully behind the Senior, pondered for a moment, and then slowly said, "Even I took three months to successfully Body Temper with flames. This Lu Sheng... I imagine it will be difficult!"

The Senior smiled, his gaze falling into the cave, and a faint glow flickered in his deep eyes.

"But this guy... he broke through the Qi and blood shackles!"

"And his Physical Body strength... seems a bit different!"