Bai Zhiyi and the 3 human blacksmiths raised their eyebrows at the same time, and they had the same thought.
‘How’s this possible?’
Ou Yangming exhaled deeply and curbed his Military Fire. A gauntlet was instantly seen on his hand.
He grinned and handed the equipment to the elder, “Elder Bai, please appraise it.”
Bai Zhiyi suppressed his shock and quietly accepted the gauntlet, then he released a light that enveloped the equipment.
After some time, he looked up and stared at Ou Yangming as he uttered word by word, “A magic tool, of Common Grade, Rank One.”
Chapter 576 - What I’m Adept In
‘A magic tool of Common Grade Rank One?’
Given that Bai Zhiyi split the sentence into 3 parts, it was evident how exactly shocked he was.
Behind him, after the 3 human blacksmiths heard about the equipment’s equivalent rank, they had extremely strange looks on their faces. Moreover, they began to look at Ou Yangming with respect.
At this point, they finally understood why the 10,000 Beasts Venerable One had invited Ou Yangming here.
Successful blacksmiths from the Spiritual Realm definitely had inheritances from a sect. Therefore, the 3 blacksmiths knew very well that the materials chosen by Ou Yangming earlier were used to smith ordinary magic tools. If one wanted to smith Good Grade magic tools using those materials, although it would not be impossible, the success rate… It would be similar to the chances of a gold bar landing on one’s hand when one walked on the street.
They had looked down on Ou Yangming due to the 4 standard materials that he had chosen just now.
Who knew, the young fellow made a gorgeous turn and smithed a Good Grade magic tool with the 4 materials.
It was only a magic tool of Good Grade Rank One, but it was a Good Grade tool.
Fox Yi’s eyes were bright, and it was overjoyed. It initially thought it would only obtain a Common Grade magic tool, and it did not expect to gain a Good Grade one, hence it found it hard to accept the surprise.
The spirit fox turned to look at Ou Yangming and decided that it would compensate him for what it did earlier. It was determined to befriend the young human blacksmith.
Bai Zhiyi looked deeply at Ou Yangming and spoke after a brief moment, “Lil’ Ou, you did quite well, but there’s something I’d like to ask.”
Ou Yangming responded seriously, “Elder Bai, please go ahead.”
Due to Old Craftsman, the young fellow respect such elders very much.
“I’d like to know—were you able to smith a piece of Good Grade equipment with these materials by luck, or you can usually do it too?” He stared with bright eyes at Ou Yangming, such that he would be able to spot any change in the young fellow’s expression.
The 3 other human blacksmiths had the same facial expression too because they attached a lot of importance to the question.
If someone could create a technique to smith Good Grade magic tools with only 4 types of mineral and promote it, it would cause a significant impact in the entire smithing world. Being witnesses, the 3 blacksmiths would benefit from it too.
Ou Yangming pondered seriously. He was not an ignorant fledging, after all, thus he instantly understood their intentions.
He sighed and answered, “Elder Bai, frankly speaking, the fire I use is somewhat different from that of normal people.”
Bai Zhiyi was slightly stunned, but he immediately rejoined, “You’re saying that it’s normal for you to smith Good Grade magic tools using these materials, but other people can’t replicate it.”
Ou Yangming nodded and replied to him, “Elder Bai, you’re very wise; that’s exactly the case.”
The elder and the other blacksmiths looked helplessly at him. They would not have bought it if anyone else said that, but they thought about the 10,000 Beasts Venerable One at this moment and wondered, ‘Why did the formidable Venerable One invite a young man that has learned smithing art for only 3 years?
‘Perhaps this is the real reason.’
Bai Zhiyi shook his head and sighed. He gave up wanting to look into the matter anymore.
The elder was obviously curious about how mysterious and queer Ou Yangming’s fire was. He might want to make a move if the young fellow was not supported by any force but when he thought about the fearsome 10,000 Beasts Venerable One, he quickly cast aside the newly-formed thought.
He had aged, but he was not tired of living yet.
Bai Zhiyi handed the gauntlet back to Ou Yangming and asked in a deep voice, “Lil’ Ou, you said you have some personal views in the attachment of Unique Attributes, so let us take a look at it.”
Ou Yangming nodded and answered, “Okay.”
Fox Yi opened its interspatial bag right away and retrieved a pile of ores, but it stated with a bitter smile, “Master Ou, I only have ordinary power ores and not Tremendous Power Spirit Ores.” As it spoke, it glanced at the spirit horse and wondered as it was puzzled, ‘Where did that fella find such a treasure?’
Bai Zhiyi furrowed his eyebrows, but he knew it would be wishful thinking for middle-grade spirit beasts to anyhow stumble upon treasures such as the Tremendous Power Spirit Ore. He actually had one with him, but he was not so generous that he would let Ou Yangming attempt with it.
Nevertheless, Ou Yangming grinned and said, “Power ores will be sufficient.”
He looked at the gauntlet and noticed that Good Grade magic tools were incredibly suitable for runes to be carved. He could upgrade the equipment’s power to a higher level if he carved runes on it, especially Intermediate Runes, whose powers were not inferior to that of a piece of White Silver Equipment at all.
Even so, the young fellow was not hoping to smith a piece of Runes Skill Equipment.
As Ou Yangming pointed with his finger, he drew an ordinary power ore from the ground. After taking a thorough look at it, he finally confirmed that it was not much different from the power ores that could be found in the lower realm. If there must be a dissimilarity between them, perhaps the power ore in the Spiritual Realm contained slightly greater power.
Having said that, the disparity was truly insignificant and could be negligible in a piece of equipment.
Ou Yangming shook his wrist and boiled his Military Fire, then he enveloped the gauntlet and the power ore with it.
Since Bai Zhiyi did not conceal his fire with any mysterious luster when he smithed, Ou Yangming was not bothered to do that either. With that, the 3 human blacksmiths would benefit the most.
They widened their eyes and carefully watched Ou Yangming’s every move and remembered them well.
After Ou Yangming managed to smith a Good Grade magic tool by using only 4 types of material, they changed their perspectives of him and dared not underestimate him anymore.
Moreover, Ou Yangming had specially said that he was adept in the attachment of Unique Attributes, so the 3 blacksmiths were more attentive.
The power ore melted very quickly and was attached to the gauntlet bit by bit. At this moment, when the Military Fire swayed and fluctuated, there was an incredibly unique feeling as though it became one with the whole area.
Bai Zhiyi uttered slowly as he was surprised, “The integration of Heaven and man?”
In actuality, Ou Yangming had displayed the thoroughly meticulous state when he first melted the 4 materials. Despite that, the ability was too unwavering and was hidden in the smithing technique, so it would be tough to notice it unless someone that achieved the state was present too.
On the other hand, the integration of Heaven and man was different. Many could cultivate and achieve the state in the Spiritual Realm. At the very least, Bai Zhiyi was one of those powerhouses.
Needless to say, more spirit beasts had attained the state, but none of them was dumb enough to say it out loud.
“Elder Bai, has he really… Achieved the integration of Heaven and man?” One of the human blacksmiths asked as he was appalled.
‘This young f
ellow has only learned smithing art for 3 years, but he cultivated to the integration of Heaven and man already? You’re kidding me, aren’t you?’
However, Bai Zhiyi nodded with a grave look on his face. “Yes, the authentic integration of Heaven and man. Hmph, the 3 of you must work harder and mustn’t slack!”
The 3 blacksmiths smiled bitterly. They were also immersed in the smithing path and regarded it as their lives, so much so that they lost sleep and forgot about their meals when they studied the art. If that was not the case, how could they be qualified to enter this venue?
That said, they could not justify themselves when they looked at Ou Yangming’s overly-young face.
Ou Yangming had such achievements and even reached the integration of Heaven and man despite his young age, so how could they complain?
After a brief moment, Ou Yangming smiled faintly because he had successfully fused the power ore into the gauntlet. By observing through his MIlitary Fire, he found that 1 point of Power attribute had indeed been added to the equipment.
Of course, only 1 point of the ordinary Power attribute was added; it was not the same as the White-Silver-leveled Power attribute.
1 point each of those Power attributes were added to 2 different pieces of equipment respectively, but Ou Yangming knew very well the inequality between them because he had experienced their mightiness.
The power unleashed by 1 point of White Silver Power was much more forceful than that of 20 points of the ordinary power.
This was the contrast between a common tool and a magic tool. It was akin to the substantial distinction between a Supreme Great Ancestor and an Extreme Grade powerhouse in the lower realm.
Following that, Ou Yangming looked away and lifted his wrist to draw the second power ore. His Military Fire was still burning and did not show signs of going out at all.
The second power ore began to melt shortly after it entered the Military Fire too, and it was assimilated into the gauntlet little by little.
Ou Yangming’s eyes were terrifyingly bright when he carried out the process, and his smile was even wider. This was because he realized that it was much easier to smith magic tools in the Spiritual Realm than in the lower realm, and it was better reflected when he layered the Power attributes.
He did not utilize his MIlitary Fire’s unique power when he layered the 2 attributes; he only used his pure skill.
Therefore, he could sense that it was at least twice as easy to layer Power attributes here as compared to when he was in the lower realm.
It was an indescribable difference, and he would not believe it if he did not experience it himself.
In any case, it was great news for him.
Ou Yangming curbed his thought and waved his hand again to draw the third power ore into his Military Fire.
After a short while again, the third power ore melted and was incorporated into the gauntlet too.
Subsequently, the fourth, the fifth, the sixth…
On the high platform, Bai Zhiyi and the 3 human blacksmiths exchanged glances and had odd looks on their faces.
They somehow felt very strongly about something.
‘This young fella isn’t really going to layer 10 power ores, is he…’
Chapter 577 - Layered 11
“Woosh, woosh…”
Ou Yangming’s Military Fire burned fiercely as it melted power ores one after another. Before long, Ou Yangming shook his wrist again to draw a new power ore from the ground and tossed it into his fire.
The spirit beasts around him could not hold it in anymore, and they began to whisper to one another.
“That’s the tenth power ore, right?”
“Yes, that’s the tenth.”
“Do you think he’ll succeed?”
“I think so. If not, why did Sir Venerable One personally invite him here?”
Unlike the spirit beasts, which were having a discussion, Bai Zhiyi and the 3 human blacksmiths looked grave.
Ou Yangming did not conceal his Military Fire, hence they could see everything clearly, but it was the exact reason they felt extremely strange.
The Layering Technique—every blacksmith that could refine magic tools would have learned the way to attach Unique Attributes and the Layering Technique. Putting aside the Attachment Technique, Ou Yangming’s Layering Technique had truly opened their eyes.
It was not that they were in admiration of how exquisite his Layering Technique was.
However, it was because his Layering Technique did not include special skills and methods as it was simple and direct, such that everything could be seen at a glance.
According to the understanding of Bai Zhiyi and the 3 blacksmiths in the past, if one adopted the most basic and unchanging Layering Technique, it would be quite remarkable for one to layer 5 to 6 layers of an attribute. Having said that, the young fellow in front of them had somehow employed the technique and layered Power attributes with 10 power ores.
Although Ou Yangming had not completed the smithing process, if he had successfully layered the 9 power ores before this, did it not mean that he was going to attempt to layer with the tenth power ore?
The layering of 10 of the same attributes with unique ores was a threshold—a huge one.
Among all blacksmiths in the Spiritual Realm, only those that could arrive at the tenth layering level were qualified to learn the Attachment Technique for treasure ores.
Needless to say, if blacksmiths here wanted to layer unique ores to the tenth layer, they would first need to learn various skills; only by mastering those skills through comprehensive studies could one be able to continuously layer 10 attributes.
On the other hand, Ou Yangming was the only blacksmith that could layer to the tenth level using the most basic technique from the start until the end.
The 3 blacksmiths exchanged glances and were deeply shocked.
‘How exactly did this young fella do it?
‘If he learns all of the Layering Art’s skill in the future, can he reach a greater height?’
Deep down, the blacksmiths wondered. Their facial expressions kept changing, but they could not control themselves.
Bai Zhiyi’s eyes were bright, and he was surprised yet overjoyed.
“Elder Bai, do you think he’ll succeed?” A blacksmith asked him softly.
“The tenth layering is incredibly difficult, so I can’t tell either,” Bai Zhiyi answered after some thought.
“Then is he qualified to learn the Advanced Attachment Art?”
“Yes,” the elder answered without any hesitation.
“But…” Another blacksmith was hesitant before he finished his sentence, “He hasn’t completed the tenth layering!”
Bai Zhiyi glanced at him and explained, “If anyone can complete the eighth… No, the sixth layering by using only the basic Layering Technique, I’ll teach him the Advanced Layering Art.”
The 3 blacksmiths flushed, but they understood that Bai Zhiyi was very optimistic about Ou Yangming Nonetheless, after witnessing the ability that was shown by the young fellow, they were not indignant anymore.
Ou Yangming was fully concentrated on his Military Fire at the moment.
The young fellow was familiar with the Layering Technique because he had layered attributes for many pieces of equipment throughout the few years. On the opposite, this was his first time layering Unique Attributes in the Spiritual Realm, and he felt like it was much easier to succeed here than in the lower realm.
In the lower realm, Ou Yangming had learned the Layering Technique from Old Craftsman and Jin Shengjie, and he fathomed it thoroughly. Despite that, without using his Military Fire’s unique ability, he could only reach the fourth layer, and his success or failure for the fifth layer would be up to God’s will.
This was because there would be a forceful disturbance power when he performed more layerings, where the world’s power had noticed the equipment and was destroying it in an incomprehensible way.
The energy needed to ove
rcome the power would be unparalleled. This was why the more the layering performed, the higher the failure rate.
Over here, Ou Yangming had not noticed the disturbance power so far.
The power that could be accommodated in the Spiritual Realm was far greater than the lower realm could compare.
Without the disturbance power, Ou Yangming was as free as a runaway horse, which galloped excitedly to an unmanageable extent.
As the power ore melted completely, its power was layered on the gauntlet, causing the equipment to have 10 points of Power attribute in total. At this point, Ou Yangming clearly sensed that the Power attributes attached to the gauntlet seemed to have reached an extremity.
It was an odd feeling, but it was very real.
Ou Yangming had 2 options at the moment, one was to stop as he was already ahead. In any case, the layering of 10 points of Power attribute was already sufficient.
Nevertheless, if Ou Yangming was like that, he could not have achieved what he did so far.
Struck with a thought, he lifted his wrist again. As a result, a power ore rose from the ground and entered the Military Fire.
“The eleventh ore?” One of the human blacksmiths was appalled, and he could not help but exclaim.
Bai Zhiyi had not said a word, but his eyes gleamed like never before.
The layering of every kind of attribute had a limit. For ordinary blacksmiths, even if they were adept in the Layering Technique, they would reach their limit when they arrived at the tenth layering.
Even though the eleventh layering was merely a level higher than the tenth level, it was an important indicator that distinguished blacksmiths’ abilities.
Among the 4 blacksmiths present, Bai Zhiyi was the only one that could layer special ores above 10 levels. As for the others, while they had also learned various Assistive Layering Arts, not to mention the eleventh level, even the tenth level was unachievable for them.
Ou Yangming’s Military Fire still flickered, but he furrowed his eyebrows a little.
Sure enough, once he melted the eleventh power ore, he felt an enormous obstruction.
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