Immortal Path to Heaven c1-725

by Heaven's White Crane

  Of course, the resistance was not a disturbance from the world’s power, but one that came from the magic tool itself.

  The Good Grade magic tool did not resist at all when the 10 previous layerings were performed on it, but the situation changed entirely when the eleventh layering was attempted.

  Ou Yangming tried to layer but realized that the hindrance grew more powerful. If he insisted on layering the power ore by force, the magic tool would likely be ruined. That said, Ou Yangming did not believe that the layering limit for the gauntlet’s Power attribute was only 10; he had a feeling that the gauntlet had not fully unleashed its potential.

  At the very least, it could reach a greater height in terms of the layering of attributes.

  The young fellow had an idea in his mind. Since he could not use the conventional method, he would attempt with his Military Fire’s unique power.

  He did not retreat because he was awed by the difficulty, but he only wanted to verify his thought.

  With that, a purple light flickered in his sea of consciousness and drew the power ore’s attribute at once.

  ‘Upgrade.’

  Following Ou Yangming’s order, a peculiar luster could be seen on the gauntlet.

  It was not the White Silver Light, but it carried a wholly different feeling as though the gauntlet had changed substantially.

  As a blacksmith, it went without saying that Ou Yangming knew the change was still far from the power caused by the White Silver Light.

  [Item: Power Gauntlet]

  [Equivalent Rank: Magic Tool, Good Grade, Rank One]

  [Attributes: Sharpness +26, Toughness +26, Power +11, Durability 25]

  [Wish-fulfilling Degree: 5]

  The burning Military Fire instantly sent the information of the equipment’s properties into Ou Yangming’s sea of consciousness. A strange look could be seen on his face when he spotted the Power +11 attribute.

  As compared to the other attributes, the words “Power +11” were slightly different indeed. They did not shine in bright silver, but they were unordinary.

  Nonetheless, he did not notice that the moment he successfully upgraded the equipment’s attribute, Bai Zhiyi and the 3 blacksmiths had strange looks in their eyes. They could still endure it and fool the others earlier, but even the slowest person could tell that something was off with their expressions.

  Though many spirit beasts looked at each other, they kept quiet without raising any questions.

  Ou Yangming exhaled deeply and curbed his Military Fire.

  He was confident about increasing the gauntlet’s Power attribute further, but it would seem to defeat the test’s purpose.

  Besides, being able to layer 11 points of Power was his best achievement so far. They could not be compared with the mightiness of 1 point of a Silver attribute, but it was because he did not have corresponding spirit ores to use. If not, only God would know how far he could go.

  Bai Zhiyi flashed and approached Ou Yangming before anyone else could. “Lil’ Ou, let me take a look at it.”

  The others could not help but exchange glances when they saw how eager Elder Bai was; it was his first time losing himself.

  Ou Yangming grinned and handed the gauntlet to the elder.

  Bai Zhiyi used appraisal art without any hesitation. His eyes glowed brighter as he mumbled, “11 points—11 points of Power were layered!”

  Chapter 578 - White Silver Equipment

  “Half-Silver Equipment—it really is a piece of Half-Silver Equipment!” The faces of the 3 blacksmiths changed, and they could not help but exclaim.

  Fox Yi’s eyes lit up right away, and it shouted, “A piece of Half-Silver Equipment?”

  Many other spirit beasts widened their eyes as well and cast envious looks at the spirit fox.

  It was too late for them to regret it. If they knew the human blacksmith was capable of smithing a piece of Half-Silver Equipment, they would have eagerly presented their materials and begged him to smith one for them.

  ‘Ah, since he was personally invited by Sir Venerable One, he must have divine abilities, but we missed the good opportunity because we hesitated.’

  Ou Yangming’s ears twitched as he heard the discussions that were going on.

  It turned out that when a Unique Attribute—for instance, Power, Agility, and so on—arrived at 11 points, the equipment could be regarded as a piece of Half-Silver Equipment.

  Although the Half-Silver Equipment could not be mentioned on equal terms with a real piece of White Silver Equipment, it was superior to most ordinary magic tools and was desired by every spirit beast present, which was evident from the looks of desire on their faces.

  “Lil’ Ou, you did well—very well,” Bai Zhiyi remarked after some thought and flushed a little before he asked, “I’d like to ask—how did you layer the attribute to the eleventh level by using the basic technique?”

  If Ou Yangming had used the unique technique, which was secretly passed on in influential sects, to accomplish eleven layerings, Bai Zhiyi would be stunned, but he would not be in awe. This was because he was capable of achieving it too.

  On the other hand, using the most basic technique to perform eleven layerings was not an ordinary matter, but a magnificent feat. At the very least, Bai Zhiyi had never heard of this before because the degree of layering seemed to have exceeded their achievable limit.

  Ou Yangming blinked and felt rather troubled.

  He had adopted the technique he learned in the lower realm for the first 10 layerings, and he performed it so well because he was not obstructed by the world’s power in the Spiritual Realm. It was as though a marathon runner, who had been carrying tens of kilograms of weights, suddenly got rid of them and became an entirely different person by unleashing a new speed and ability.

  Nonetheless, the final layering was due to his Military Fire’s unique secret. Not to mention Bai Zhiyi, even if Old Craftsman had raised the question, he could only play dumb.

  Ou Yangming pondered for a moment and answered, “Elder Bai, I’m sure you could tell that it’s my natural gift, so I really can’t explain it…”

  “Your… Natural gift,” Bai Zhiyi mumbled and sighed. “Forget it, you’re right. It’s your natural gift, so other people can’t learn it at all.”

  When Ou Yangming smithed the equipment, he followed Bai Zhiyi, by which he did not conceal his Military Fire. Therefore, the blacksmiths present saw everything clearly and knew he was not lying.

  Since that was the case, they could only envy the young fellow. As for how they could learn one’s natural gift… It seemed like very few in the Spiritual Realm could achieve that.

  “Master Ou, Master Ou…” Fox Yi had been waiting for a long time. It shouted as it could not hold it in anymore, “You only smithed a gauntlet, but that dumb bear has 2 front claws, so please be generous and smith another one for it!”

  Ou Yangming was slightly dumbfounded. He could not help but laugh when he saw the giant bear, which was widening its mouth below the platform.

  The young fellow would not have bothered if it was any other spirit beast; he was not a babysitter for spirit beasts, after all, hence he would not do anything unless he was well-rewarded. Besides, Fox Yi had provided some materials earlier, but it obviously did not trust him, so he was displeased.

  Nevertheless, Ou Yangming was somehow fond of the simple-minded bear below the platform. It was much larger than the spirit fox, but the fox was the main figure.

  Even so, Fox Yi always did its best for the silly bear and let it have pieces of equipment first.

  They were akin to brothers among the Humans.

  “Fox Yi, you’re too much!” A spirit beast shouted below the platform. “This isn’t your territory, but the Venerable One’s 10,000 Beasts Ridge, so you must line up if you want Master Ou to smith something else for you.”

  “Yes, line up!” Many spirit beasts yelled fiercely.

  If Ou Yangming was an ordinary blacksmith, perhaps they would let Fox Yi h
ave its way. However, almost all of the spirit beasts went mad when they thought about how the young fellow could smith pieces of Half-Silver Equipment.

  Even though they knew pieces of Half-Silver Equipment could not be mentioned on the same breadth as pieces of White Silver Equipment, the latter could only be smithed using treasure ores such as the Tremendous Power Treasure Ore.

  How many middle-grade spirit beasts on the 10,000 Beasts Ridge were fated to obtain it?

  As such, blacksmiths that could smith pieces of Half-Silver Equipment were much more welcomed than higher-leveled blacksmiths.

  Fox Yi dared not infuriate the others, and the foolish bear knew it must not stand up for the fox at this moment, thus they looked helplessly at each other.

  Who knew, Ou Yangming chuckled and expressed, “Fox Yi, you’re the one that brought me here. Even for the sake of repaying your kindness, I’ll smith the other gauntlet for you too.”

  Many spirit beasts below the platform were stupefied, and they exchanged glances. They were unwilling to see that happen, but they dared not object to it because it was Master Ou’s idea.

  After all, their final aim was to get Ou Yangming to smith pieces of Half-Silver Equipment for them. If they offended the master, they would not be able to make requests anymore.

  Moreover, Ou Yangming could easily fail to smith their pieces of equipment if he wanted, and they would not be able to complain at all.

  Fox Yi was delighted. It quickly opened its interspatial bag and poured out materials 8 times more than what it had prepared before this, then it asked with respect, “Master Ou, are these enough?”

  “These are too much; they’re more than enough even if a part of them is my reward.” Ou Yangming chuckled after he glanced at the materials.

  The spirit fox immediately explained, “Master Ou, I haven’t rewarded you for the first gauntlet.”

  Ou Yangming smiled and thought, ‘This fella finally remembered my reward. It’s a spirit fix indeed.’

  Instead of bothering about Fox Yi, he bowed at Bai Zhiyi and said, “Elder Bai, please give me some pointers.”

  Bai Zhiyi pondered and asked, “Lil’ Ou, have you learned the Layering Art’s advanced skills?”

  Ou Yangming’s eyelids twtiched. He was moved when he thought about the skills employed by Bai Zhiyi when he attached the Tremendous Power Treasure Ore.

  Since the Spiritual Realm’s basic smithing technique was completely different from that of the lower realm, what about the other smithing techniques? If he could learn those techniques too, would it mean that he would improve in smithing art?

  At the spur of the moment, Ou Yangming’s eyes gleamed.

  He answered sternly, “Elder Bai, I’ve never learned it before.”

  Bai Zhiyi nodded and questioned, “Lil’ Ou, have you joined any sect before this?”

  Ou Yangming shrugged and responded, “Absolutely not.”

  In the lower realm, Ou Yangming’s smithing art was purely taught by Old Man. Needless to say, after learning smithing art, he practiced the rest bit by bit using his Military Fire, which was why he never followed any powerhouse or joined any sect. Since the young fellow had just entered the Spiritual Realm for a few days, he naturally did not have any chance encounters too.

  Bai Zhiyi was elated. “Lil’ Ou, every sect in Danzhou will train blacksmiths, and you’ll receive a real smithing inheritance regardless of the sect you join.” With a grave look on his face, he continued, “If you trust me, I’ll leave the mountain with you once the Trading Meet is over, and I guarantee that you won’t be disappointed.

  Ou Yangming was moved. He knew the elder wanted to introduce a sect to him.

  That said, before he figured out the real situation in Danzhou, he did not want to rush into a decision.

  The young fellow pretended to smile bitterly and rejoined, “Elder Bai, when I entered the mountain, I hit it off with Lin Feifeng and agreed to travel together after the meet.”

  “Lin Feifeng?” Bai Zhiyi continued after some thought, “Ah, that young fella.” He frowned and added, “His sect has some knacks, but it’s not the top. Given your natural gift, you’ll not be properly recognized if you join them.”

  Ou Yangming chuckled and replied to him, “Elder Bai, thanks for your advice, but I’m only traveling with him and don’t intend to join any sect.”

  Bai Zhiyi was relieved upon hearing him. “Alright, let’s put this matter aside for now. When you plan to leave the mountain later, you wouldn’t mind if I join you too, would you?”

  He prided himself on his seniority, but he did not treat the others poorly because of his position. Instead, he always smiled warmly.

  “It’s my honor to be able to learn from you, so how could I reject you?” Ou Yangming did not reject the elder. Subsequently, he cupped his hands again and said, “Elder Bai, please guide me.”

  After conversing with the elder for so long, he finally urged the elder as he could not take it anymore.

  It was true that he smithed a piece of Half-Silver Equipment, but his technique and skill were far from the inheritances in the Spiritual Realm.

  In the venue, Bai Zhiyi was definitely a qualified candidate to guide him.

  The elder pondered for some time and said, “Alright, since you’re so sincere, I’ll make an exception and teach you some real skills.”

  He picked up some scattered ores on the ground and casually made a piece of equipment, then he noted, “Lil’ Ou, watch closely. Other than the most basic technique, the Layering Technique has these changes too.”

  While he spoke, he moved his hand and performed a fresh Layering Technique in front of Ou Yangming with his Military Fire, which was not concealed at all.

  Chapter 579 - 10 Techniques

  Bai Zhiyi’s spiritual fire burned fiercely. Powers ores melted inside it one after another, and they were attached to the crude equipment.

  By doing this, one would have been reprimanded by numerous people in the lower realm; even distinguished figures such as Wu Hongxi dared not waste such material without restraint.

  After all, Power Ores were considered notably precious treasures in the lower realm. If one’s status had not reached a certain standard, one could not have had the chance to get in touch with such supreme treasures. On the contrary, Power Ores were simply ordinary minerals in the Spiritual Realm. Not to mention Extreme Grade powerhouses, even normal cultivators might not pay much importance to them. If not, Fox Yi could not have presented a big pile of them.

  Needless to say, ordinary Power Ores were not a big deal. If it was a treasure ore such as the Tremendous Power Spirit Ore, which was a material for a piece of White Silver Equipment, it would be extremely valued by everyone.

  Therefore, none of the Spiritualists minded when Bai Zhiyi wasted Power Ores on a piece of clearly useless equipment at the moment.

  They concentrated on Bai Zhiyi’s smithing techniques.

  Ou Yangming watched closely. When he activated both the integration of Heaven and man, as well as the thoroughly meticulous state, even the slightest movement from Bai Zhiyi could not escape from his eyes.

  He was incredibly grateful for Bai Zhiyi. The elder seemed to be explaining and demonstrating to his 3 juniors as he smithed, but everyone knew Ou Yangming was the one that truly benefited from this.

  Due to the restriction of a certain rule, Bai Zhiyi could not openly teach Ou Yangming the Layering Secret Techniques, hence he adopted an obscure method to perform them. He did not explain them in detail, which was bound to reduce the effect. If a less talented blacksmith was present instead, perhaps he would be puzzled and did not know what was going on.

  Nonetheless, Ou Yangming had a solid foundation, which could not be compared by any blacksmith in this realm.

  In the lower realm, techniques in the Spiritual Realm that require great spiritual power were not suitable at all.

  Only the most basic Layering Technique would be effective in the lower realm, thus Superior Blacksmiths over
there had studied it thoroughly, so much so that their painstaking effort was far from what blacksmiths in the Spiritual Realm could compare.

  This was the exact reason Ou Yangming, who was born in the lower realm, had such a solid foundation in the technique. It was truly unbelievable.

  Since Ou Yangming had such a strong basis, he could get twice the effect by putting in half the effort when he observed other techniques.

  From Ou Yangming’s perspective, even though various oddities were happening inside Master Bai Zhiyi’s spiritual fire at the moment, at the end of the day, they were closely related to the basic Layering Technique. In a way, the different techniques performed by the elder were unconventional methods that branched out from the basic technique.

  This was a redundant statement. Without a solid foundation, how could a skyscraper tower anyway?

  Even so, very few people could see the plain and raw foundation below from the top of the gorgeous skyscraper.

  Bai Zhiyi did not intend to fool Ou Yangming at all. His techniques were ever-changing, by which he had performed 10 different ones in total as his spiritual fire flickered. At last, he layered the normal equipment with 10 points of Power attributes.

  By the time the elder exhaled deeply and looked up at Ou Yangming, he was stunned.

  Ou Yangming had closed his eyes the moment Bai Zhiyi curbed his fire. A queer aura seemed to have appeared around him as though his mental conception was already inside his body.

  Bai Zhiyi blinked and asked in shock, “When did he become like this?”

  Fox Yi quickly answered, “Elder Bai, Master Ou became like this the instant you finished.”

  “The instant I finished?” Bai Zhiyi’s face changed, and he said with a bitter smile, “Good fella, he actually achieved enlightenment like this. This is really, really…” He shook his head and realized that he could not express his envy at all.

  As for the spirit beasts, they looked at each other and finally understood the change that happened to Master Ou.

  It turned out that he achieved enlightenment.

  Enlightenment was desired by every cultivator, especially powerhouses that had been stuck in their respective states for many years. In fact, they would be willing to exchange half of their fortune for a chance to achieve that state.