Chapter 14: This Called Mediocre?

Zhou Huai controlled Ou Yezi, taking a deep breath.

The air inside the forging room carried a hint of metallic tang and the lingering warmth of charcoal.

He unfolded the [Apprentice Longsword Forging Blueprint] bought from Lao Zhang.

On the blueprint, every step and the required Materials were clearly marked.

"Red Copper Ore, Black Iron Ingot, and a portion of Tier 1 Wind Wolf claw powder."

Zhou Huai muttered, taking out the corresponding Materials one by one from the storage grid and neatly placing them beside the forging table.

The Red Copper Ore gleamed with a dark red luster, the black iron ingot felt heavy, and the claw powder was packed in a small leather bag.

He picked up the heavy forging hammer.

The moment the hammer handle came into contact with his palm!

"Ding!"

The crisp System prompt tone exploded in Zhou Huai's mind!

[System Prompt: Host Clone 'Ou Yezi' detected performing forging for the first time, triggering the unique hidden class exclusive challenge quest!]

[Quest Name: The Divine Craftsman's First Cry!]

[Quest Content: Successfully forge an epic-grade weapon (no limit on Rank and type).]

[Quest Reward: Class Orb Draw Chance X1!]

[Quest Time Limit: None.]

"epic-grade?!"

Zhou Huai's heart skipped a beat.

Class Orb draw chance! This reward was too tempting!

Yasuo's S-Rank Thunder Sword Master came about this way.

Coming with another S-Rank, or even SS-Rank, that would simply take off!

It's just… an epic-grade weapon.

This difficulty was no ordinary feat.

He suppressed the excitement in his heart, his gaze falling back onto the forging table.

"Let's test the waters first."

Ou Yezi picked up the tongs, clamped a piece of Red Copper Ore, and sent it into the raging forging furnace.

The flames instantly swallowed the Ore, emitting a "crackling" sound.

Ou Yezi's gaze was incomparably focused.

Through Ou Yezi's senses, Zhou Huai clearly felt the temperature of the furnace fire and the process of the Ore gradually softening in the flames.

That feeling was wondrous beyond compare.

It was as if he himself had truly transformed into an experienced blacksmith.

Every step was like an instinct engraved deep within the Soul.

Once the timing arrived.

Ou Yezi fiercely clamped out the glowing red Ore, placing it upon the cold anvil!

"Hoo—"

He swung the forging hammer, without the slightest fancy movement, and smashed it down heavily!

"Clang!!"

A deafening roar echoed inside the forging room!

Sparks flew in all directions!

Every hammer strike accurately landed on the most crucial part of the Ore.

Strength, angle, rhythm.

Flawless!

Ou Yezi's movements were smooth like flowing water, carrying an indescribable sense of rhythm.

Sweat seeped from his temples, sliding down his cheeks, but he paid it no heed.

In his eyes, there was only that constantly deforming metal.

The Impurities were stripped away bit by bit under the hammering.

The density of the metal was constantly increasing.

Zhou Huai could feel that the [Forging Master] passive skill inside Ou Yezi's body was taking effect.

The loss of Materials seemed a bit smaller than expected, and the forging efficiency was also surprisingly high.

Soon, the Red Copper Ore was refined into a pure copper block.

Then came the black iron ingot.

The same process: hammering, shaping.

The two metals gradually underwent Fusion under high temperature and great force.

Finally, Ou Yezi carefully opened the leather bag, evenly sprinkling the Wind Wolf's claw powder onto the sword blank.

"Sizzling—"

A puff of blue smoke rose.

The claw powder seemed to possess life, rapidly merging into the sword body.

Adding a faint edge to the sword blank.

Quenching, polishing, sharpening…

Ou Yezi completed every step meticulously.

Time ticked away second by second.

A full two hours.

When the final hammer fell.

Ou Yezi let out a long breath.

The forging hammer in his hand was gently put down.

On the anvil, a brand-new longsword lay quietly.

The sword body presented a dark metallic luster, with faint, dense patterns visible.

The sword blade was sharp, flashing with a cold light.

[Apprentice Longsword]

[Quality: Excellent ☆☆ (Two-Star)]

[Rank: LV5]

[Physical Attack Power: +35]

[Strength: +2]

[Durability: 60/60]

[Remarks: A fairly well-made apprentice longsword, at least it won't easily chip.]

"Excellent Two-Star?"

Zhou Huai looked at the attribute panel, his brows furrowed slightly.

This feeling was very wondrous.

Through Ou Yezi, it was as if he had personally crafted this sword.

Every detail was clear in his mind.

"SS-Rank Myriad Forms Divine Craftsman, taking action for the first time, and it's only Excellent Two-Star?"

He was somewhat unsatisfied.

According to his thoughts, it should at least start at the Rare grade, right?

But on second thought.

That was fine too.

Now was not the time to be showy.

Yasuo's lesson from the past was right before his eyes.

Making a fortune quietly was the kingly way.

He took out another portion of the remaining Materials.

Once again throwing them into the forging furnace.

Another round of clanging.

Two hours later.

The second [Apprentice Longsword] was forged out.

The quality was still Excellent Two-Star.

The attributes were identical.

Zhou Huai shook his head.

It seemed that improving forging quality was not something that could be achieved overnight.

Equipment grades were divided into: Common, Excellent, Rare, epic-grade, Legendary, and the legendary Divine Rank.

Within the same grade, there was also a detailed division from one to five stars.

epic-grade… a long way to go.

He put away the two longswords and opened the door of the forging room.

"Creak—"

Outside the door, Lao Zhang was anxiously pacing back and forth. Upon seeing Ou Yezi come out, he immediately greeted him.

"Brother Ou Yezi! How is it? Was the first crafting smooth?"

Lao Zhang's face carried concern.

"Did you succeed?"

Seeing no expression of wild joy on Ou Yezi's face, Lao Zhang patted his shoulder and comforted him:

"Hey, brother, don't be discouraged even if you didn't succeed!"

"Forging this kind of thing, how can anyone succeed on the first try?"

"Many blacksmiths have to try four or five times, or even dozens of times, before they can barely forge their first piece of equipment."

Lao Zhang said earnestly.

"Not to mention you chose a Level 5 weapon blueprint, the difficulty was already high to begin with."

"How about you listen to a piece of advice from your big brother, and start practicing with Level 1 daggers, short staves, and the like?"

"Those are simple, high success rate, and can help you get a feel for it."

Zhou Huai controlled Ou Yezi and didn't say much.

He just silently took out those two newly forged apprentice longswords from behind him.

Handing them to Lao Zhang.

"Lao Zhang, take a look at this."

"Hmm?"

Lao Zhang took the longsword with some doubt.

It felt slightly heavy in hand, the sword body carrying the lingering warmth of the fresh forge.

He subconsciously began to examine it.

The crossguard was flat, the spine was straight, and the blade flickered with a faint cold light.

Looking at the other one.

Almost identical!

"This… This is…"

Lao Zhang was a bit dazed.

"Wait a minute, the two portions of Materials I gave you. Did you succeed in both?"

Ou Yezi nodded, his tone flat: "Mm, mediocre, counts as a success."

"Me… Mediocre?!"

Lao Zhang almost choked on his breath!

He looked at the two Level 5 longswords in his hands, then looked at the excessively young "Brother Ou Yezi" before him.

The entire person was dumbfounded!

The first time forging!

Directly challenged a Level 5 weapon!

And he actually fucking succeeded in making two on the first try?!

This fucking called mediocre?!

Where on earth did this kid pop out from as a monster?!