"DANG DANG DANG!"
A series of clear bell chimes rang out. Hong Yuan got up, changed his clothes, and then hurried to pay his respects to his Master, Lin Daoyan.
Along the way, Hong Yuan noticed many gray-robed disciples gathering in the Blue Stone Square at the center of the Refining Equipment Hall. Seeing Hong Yuan in his blue robe, they immediately stepped aside respectfully to make way for him.
Are they going to the daily roll call? Lucky for me, I only have to pay respects to Master once a week, Hong Yuan secretly rejoiced. His favorite thing to do was slack off, no matter where he worked.
The Refining Equipment Hall controlled the forging operations of the Phoenix Creek Sect. Countless artifacts had to be created here every day, hence the corresponding assessment and attendance systems.
As a cultivation disciple of Elder Lin Daoyan, Hong Yuan had bypassed a large portion of the initial accumulation process and become a pseudo-Artificer.
Outside the White Frost Stone House, Hong Yuan encountered Zhao Gonghe. Zhao Gonghe stood quietly outside the door, smiling as he greeted Hong Yuan.
Zhao Gonghe seems to be in a very good mood!
Since the White Frost Stone House had not yet opened, Hong Yuan had no choice but to wait outside with Zhao Gonghe.
"Hong Yuan, I'm seventeen this year. How old are you?" Zhao Gonghe suddenly asked.
"Sixteen," Hong Yuan replied calmly.
"Based on age, you should call me Senior Brother. Hehe, don't be so indifferent. We're going to be around each other for a long time."
"This..."
What is Zhao Gonghe thinking? Yesterday, he seemed to look down on me somewhat, but today he suddenly wants to get close? Hong Yuan was puzzled.
Zhao Gonghe's goal was simple. He wanted to get on good terms with Hong Yuan. Yesterday, Zhao Gonghe had been worried that because of Hong Yuan, he wouldn't become Lin Daoyan's disciple. But now, he realized his hostility toward Hong Yuan was completely unnecessary, as their paths of development were vastly different. Most importantly, since they both had Class A Apertures, Zhao Gonghe felt Hong Yuan was qualified to interact with him on equal terms.
Just then, a man resembling a black tower walked in.
"Hey, you two must be the new disciples Master took in. I'm your Third Senior Brother, Zhu Wushang." Zhu Wushang grinned broadly, chuckling as he patted Hong Yuan and Zhao Gonghe on their shoulders.
Hong Yuan grunted, while Zhao Gonghe's face turned pale.
"Zhao Gonghe, you're big and tall. How come you're not as sturdy as Hong Yuan? Have you been weakened by debauchery?" Zhu Wushang frowned slightly, scrutinizing Zhao Gonghe earnestly.
"How could that be, Senior Brother? You're overthinking," Zhao Gonghe replied sheepishly.
Hearing this, Zhu Wushang withdrew his gaze and said, "Master has entrusted you to me to teach you the basics of forging. I don't care about your private lives, but you must complete the tasks I assign each day."
Hong Yuan remained silent, but inwardly he was overjoyed. This Third Senior Brother seems like the honest and steadfast type. With Zhao Gonghe as a contrast, I'm going to have a much easier time.
"Follow me. Let's get to your first lesson." Zhu Wushang stepped forward decisively, leading Hong Yuan and Zhao Gonghe to Workshop A06.
The ranks in the Refining Equipment Hall were Apprentice, First-Order Artificer, Second-Order Artificer, and so on, determined by the tier of artifacts they could create. In terms of benefits, Apprentices had the worst, and Fifth-Order Artificers had the best. Hong Yuan's Master, Lin Daoyan, was one of the three great Fifth-Order Artificers, enjoying high prestige in the Refining Equipment Hall. Even so, Apprentices in the Refining Equipment Hall still had the highest monthly salary among all apprentices in the Phoenix Creek Sect's various departments. This was because their job was very tiring—extremely tiring!
Apprentices were typically official disciples, tasked with duties such as operating bellows, adding coal, and occasionally crafting rough blanks. The work environment was not only excessively hot but also utterly exhausting. Becoming an Artificer, however, was different. Even a basic First-Order Artificer enjoyed a share of the profits from each artifact they created.
"Senior Brother, what rank Artificer are you?" Zhao Gonghe asked curiously.
"Hmph..." Zhu Wushang's lips curled up smugly as he feigned nonchalance. "Not much, just a Second-Order Artificer."
"Just Second-Order?" Zhao Gonghe was hugely disappointed.
Oh no, Hong Yuan thought, sensing trouble. Is Zhao Gonghe brainless or just blind?
Hong Yuan quickly said, "Senior Brother Zhu is actually a powerful Second-Order Artificer? That's so impressive! I've heard that every Second-Order Artificer can operate independently and open their own workshop."
At this, Zhu Wushang's expression finally brightened, and he gave Hong Yuan an approving look, visibly enjoying the flattery. But his expression soon darkened again, and the smile on Hong Yuan's face froze.
"Second-Order Artificer, tsk tsk... Junior Brother Hong, you're thinking too much. How could a mere Second-Order Artificer operate independently? They're clearly just apprentices who have barely graduated!" Zhao Gonghe started showing off his knowledge as if he were an expert.
Zhu Wushang's expression grew increasingly grim. Hong Yuan didn't dare say anything more; he quickly shut his mouth and stood quietly to the side.
Zhao Gonghe prattled on, showing off his knowledge until they reached the entrance of Workshop A06.
"Junior Brother Zhao, do you like to talk a lot?" Zhu Wushang stated, his voice devoid of emotion.
"Not at all, I didn't..." Zhao Gonghe began, trying to defend himself, but when he raised his head and saw Zhu Wushang's dark expression, he immediately fell silent.
"Junior Brother Zhao, you *do* like to talk a lot," Zhu Wushang stated, his voice devoid of emotion.
CREAK.
Zhu Wushang pushed open the door, revealing a bustling scene inside. Some disciples were cranking bellows, others were heating iron, and still others were hammering blanks.
"Li Wu, come here!" Zhu Wushang called out loudly. A half-naked man quickly hurried over.
"Sir," Li Wu said respectfully.
"Go, take my Junior Brother Zhao to practice controlling the bellows. Teach him *well*," Zhu Wushang ordered, emphasizing the words "teach him well."
Under Zhao Gonghe's stunned gaze, he was dragged to an apprentice's station to do an apprentice's job—even though he was already a cultivation disciple!
"Junior Brother Hong, come with me. I'll teach you how to forge blanks and how to quickly become a First-Order Artificer," Zhu Wushang said with a warm smile, a stark contrast to how he had just treated Zhao Gonghe.
"Ah, thank you, Senior Brother," Hong Yuan responded bashfully, appearing quite meek.
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!
Zhu Wushang first explained the process, then demonstrated it himself. Whenever Hong Yuan didn't understand something, he would repeat the demonstration until Hong Yuan understood, showing great responsibility.
Meanwhile, Zhao Gonghe watched Hong Yuan already starting on the true path of an Artificer, progressing swiftly toward becoming a First-Order Artificer. He let out an inward wail of despair.
"Stop looking and keep working the bellows, or Sir Zhu will get even angrier," Li Wu advised.
"Hmph..." Zhao Gonghe pushed the bellows resentfully. I only spoke a few truths about Second-Order Artificers not being a big deal! Was that such a crime? Such a petty man!
Zhao Gonghe was miserable, while Hong Yuan felt unexpectedly thrilled.
In his Skills and Arts panel, "Forging" appeared.
And with Zhu Wushang's selfless teaching, his proficiency rapidly improved.
[Forging +7]
[Forging +7]
It wouldn't be long before he advanced to a First-Order Artificer and secured a lucrative opportunity!
At this thought, Hong Yuan couldn't help but glance stealthily at Zhao Gonghe. If Zhao Gonghe hadn't gone too far, perhaps Senior Brother Zhu wouldn't have instructed him so meticulously.
Zhao Gonghe, I really should thank you.