36: The Forge Returns to My Heart, Epic Cards Acquired (Part 1)

The smoke of Furnace Fortress gradually dissipated, replaced by the busy work of rebuilding Order and tallying the gains. The joy of conquest settled, transforming into tangible growth in power and accumulation of heritage.

Under the joint supervision of Elwin, Brook, and Glick, the "inheritance" inventory of the massive war bastion, Furnace Fortress, began in full. This was not just a plundering of wealth, but a systematic takeover of the technology, resources, and human capital accumulated by the Gray Dwarves over centuries.

[Furnace Fortress Loot Inventory (Main Part)]:

Resources:

[molten core ore] x3 (Epic Materials, recovered)

[Refined Dark Iron Ingot] x5000 units (High quality, can be used for equipment crafting immediately)

[Mithril Alloy] x200 units (Rare, excellent Spell conductivity and physical strength)

[Earth Vein Crystal] x150 units (Contains pure Earth/Fire energy, can be used for energy or Cultivate)

[Various common ores/metals] piled up like mountains, too many to count.

Technical Data:

[Compendium of Gray Dwarf Rune Forging (Complete Edition)]: Records the unique rune engraving, metal processing, and elemental channeling techniques of the Gray Dwarves.

[Diagram of Geothermal Energy Core Construction]: Detailed instructions on how to safely and efficiently utilize geothermal energy, including some design principles of the Furnace Fortress core furnace.

[Blueprints of Furnace Fortress Architectural Structure and Defensive Fortifications]: Crucial for subsequent modifications and defense System construction.

[History of the Gray Dwarf Clans and Mineral Vein Distribution Map]: Contains detailed geographical and resource information on the Blackrock Mountain Range and surrounding areas.

Equipment and Facilities:

Intact [Gray Dwarf Heavy Crossbow] x50, [Gray Dwarf Standard Armor/Weapon] x400 sets.

Damaged but repairable large [Stationary Ballista] x8.

Functionally intact [Advanced Forging Workshop] x3, [Furnace Enchanting Table] x1, [Large Core Furnace (Requires Repair)] x1.

Population and Talent:

Approximately 800 Gray Dwarf civilians and soldiers who surrendered and initially submitted (requires time to digest and educate).

Approximately 300 rescued enslaved races (mainly Underground Gnomes), deeply grateful to the Deep Moss Tribe.

Approximately 150 captured die-hard Gray Dwarves (already imprisoned separately, awaiting further handling).

This list is richer than expected. Especially those three pieces of [molten core ore] and the complete technical data; their value is immeasurable.

Next is the preliminary distribution of loot based on the [Blackrock Covenant].

In the former council hall of Furnace Fortress (now renamed the Allied Command Post), Elwin, representing Lin Zhou, held the first formal loot distribution meeting with Brook Blackrock and Glick (representing the Deep Moss Tribe).

The atmosphere of the meeting was generally harmonious. The shared combat experience and the clear framework of the Alliance laid the foundation for cooperation.

The distribution principle mainly followed a combination of "combat contribution" and "future development needs."

As the leader of the Alliance and the greatest contributor to capturing Furnace Fortress, the Hundred Schools Temple obtained [molten core ore] x2 (leaving one as a research sample and strategic reserve), exclusive research rights to the [Compendium of Gray Dwarf Rune Forging] and [Diagram of Geothermal Energy Core Construction], as well as the right to prioritize technical talent and some rare resources. At the same time, Lin Zhou designated the main body of Furnace Fortress (including the core furnace) to be directly managed by the Hundred Schools Temple as an important stronghold in this astral realm.

The Blackrock Clan obtained [molten core ore] x1 (used to enhance the tribe's heritage), a large amount of [Refined Dark Iron Ingot] and common Ores (used to improve equipment and livelihoods), shared rights to the [Blueprints of Furnace Fortress Architectural Structure and Defensive Fortifications], and full ownership of the original Blackrock Clan valley settlement and several nearby rich mineral points. Brook was very satisfied with this, as it far exceeded the accumulation of the Blackrock Clan over the past few hundred years.

The Deep Moss Tribe obtained half of the [Mithril Alloy] (100 units, crucial for their exquisite mechanical arts), half of the [Earth Vein Crystal] (75 units), shared rights to the [History of the Gray Dwarf Clans and Mineral Vein Distribution Map], and the resettlement rights for all rescued Underground Gnomes. Glick was so excited he was dancing for joy, especially for the Mithril Alloy, which was a material they had dreamed of.

Regarding the disposal of prisoners, the three parties reached a consensus: those willing to accept the new Order and abide by the Law would gradually be transformed into civilians; the die-hards would serve as laborers for high-risk mining or castle repair work, pending further observation.

The distribution plan basically achieved a win-win for all three parties. The Alliance's relationship did not break down due to uneven distribution of spoils; instead, it became closer due to the reasonable bundling of interests.

However, the biggest surprise did not come from these overt riches.

Just as the inventory work was nearing its end, Elwin took several scribes and Lightforged Gnome Technicians to inspect the semi-damaged core furnace one last time to assess the possibility of repair. Using their precise energy detection instruments, the Lightforged Gnome Technicians discovered something in an extremely hidden secret room beneath the furnace base, sealed by reinforced runes.

It wasn't a treasure chest, nor was it a weapon, but a miniature furnace model carved from an unknown dark metal?

This miniature furnace was barely half a meter high and entirely black, yet it emitted a rule aura that shared the same source as the massive core furnace above, but was more concentrated and ancient. It floated quietly on a stone platform in the center of the secret room, its surface flowing with a dim red glimmer, as if it had a life of its own.

[Unknown Wonder Discovered]: [??? (Unidentified)]

Energy Level: Extremely high, containing powerful Fire and Earth Origin rules.

Status: Stable, appears to be in a dormant or inactive state.

Correlation: Deep connection with the Earth Veins of Furnace Fortress and the core furnace.

"What is... this?" Elwin felt the majestic aura emanating from the model, her beautiful eyes filled with shock and doubt. She tried to communicate with her Divine Thought, but was blocked by an invisible barrier.

The Lightforged Gnome Technician adjusted the detector, his voice trembling with unbelievable excitement: "Your Excellency Elwin! This... this doesn't seem to be an ordinary model! Its energy structure... the rules contained within it... it's more like a... 'Seed'! Or rather, a 'Control Core'!"

Just then, Lin Zhou, floating in the sky, had his consciousness drawn by this newly discovered Wonder. The moment his Divine Thought touched the miniature furnace—

Hum!

The Divine Fire within him suddenly pulsed! The long-dormant [Temple of Civilization] stirred once again! A stream of information flooded into his consciousness:

[Detected "Civilization Fragment" meeting absorption conditions—"Heart of Forging Fire and Mountains" (Incomplete)]

[This fragment contains rules related to "Forging," "Fire," "Earth," and "Order (Artisan)," and can be fused with the existing civilization System.]

[Do you wish to absorb it, convert it into [civilization points], and unlock the relevant technology tree branches? Yes / No]

[Hint: After absorption, there is a certain chance to directly generate a rule card of corresponding quality.]

Civilization Fragment! Heart of Forging Fire and Mountains!

Lin Zhou's heart shook violently. He hadn't expected that by conquering Furnace Fortress, he would actually obtain a treasure that touched the Origin of civilization! This was clearly the essence of the Gray Dwarf civilization, cultivated over hundreds of years of forging in this place, combined with the rules of the Earth Veins, which had accidentally birthed this Wonder! Grak might not have even fully controlled it, or perhaps he only used it as a tool to enhance his own power.

"Absorb!" Lin Zhou did not hesitate.

With his will confirmed, the phantom of the Temple of Civilization flashed slightly in the core of Lin Zhou's Divine Domain. A light, invisible and intangible yet containing the power of inclusion and assimilation, crossed space and enveloped the miniature furnace.

The miniature furnace began to vibrate gently. The dark red light on its surface was drawn and absorbed by the power of the Temple of Civilization, like a hundred rivers returning to the sea. Its condensed rule structure began to decompose, transforming into the most primal civilization information stream of "Forging," "Fire," "Earth," and "Order," merging into the sanctuary.

[Absorption successful! Obtained 5000 civilization points!]

[Unlocked technology tree branches: [Advanced Smithing], [Earth Fire Energy Application]!]

[Rule condensation detected... Generating card...]

A moment later, all the anomalies disappeared, and the miniature furnace was gone. In its place, a card emitting a heavy, dark gold light floated in the air, slowly falling into Elwin's hand.

The background of the card featured towering mountains and rushing lava, with a phantom of a roaring, hammer-clanging furnace burning fiercely in the center.

[Card]: [ashen furnace (Epic)]

Quality: Epic

Type: Miracle Building (Special/Fusible)

Effects:

Heart of the Furnace: After Fusion into the Divine Domain, automatically produces 50 units of [Refined Dark Iron] and 5 units of [Molten Crystal Shards] daily.

Forging Enhancement: Efficiency of all forging and smelting activities within the Divine Domain +100%, product quality increased by one tier (up to Epic).

Earth Vein Resonance: Slightly increases the concentration of Earth/Fire attribute rules in the Divine Domain; Cultivate speed of related followers +20%.

Heroic Spirit Forging (Locked): After meeting specific conditions, resources and faith can be consumed to summon or craft powerful Furnace Heroic Spirits/Constructs.

Fusion Requirements: Divine Domain Rank reaches "Stable," possesses at least one micro-sized or larger Earth/Fire attribute Earth Vein.

Epic-grade building card! [ashen furnace]!