Ning Rongrong’s gaze shifted to the next piece of unassuming grey rock, before uttering the line that caught everyone’s attention.
“I feel that, this rock’s value is even higher than the other things here.”
“What?” Si Long unhesitatingly practically jumped towards the rock. At least the previous Heart Chilling Iron had some semblance of being special, but this piece of metal had nothing that could make him feel was any special.
Tang San and Tai Tan both also rushed forward, all of a sudden, Tang San’s body jolted upright, “It can’t be such a huge coincidence right?”
He raised his hands slowly stroking the ore that was only a third the size of the Heart Chilling Iron. His eyes suddenly blazed, his spirit force surging, and within a black flash appeared the Clear Sky Hammer in his hands.
Standing straight, Tang San asked the rest to step back, Si Long’s gaze firmly fixed on his Clear Sky Hammer, at this moment he suddenly understood the significance behind Tai Tan’s attitude towards Tang San.
With his left foot pointing forwards, his Mysterious Heaven Skill surging within himself, with a woosh, the piece of ore was lifted up, using his left toe as an axis, Tang San spun around once. While spinning, he wound up like a bow being pulled into the shape of a moon. When the grey ore rose to its highest point,Tang San’s body also momentarily paused, and in the next moment, the arrow was let loose.
Boom!
The Clear Sky Hammer flew outwards in a black flash which collided with the grey ore, in the next few moments, all they could hear was a ringing in their ears. That grey ore was not even cracked by the blow from the Clear Sky Hammer, instead it flew out over the walls and disappeared along with Tang San’s body.
Before the ringing stopped, Tang San had already appeared back in the room with the grey ore in his embrace.
After being hit by that blow from Tang San, this piece of grey ore did not even suffer from a single crack or even a dent on its surface. It had appeared as if nothing had happened to it at all.
Tai Tan and Si Long simultaneously rushed over, Si Longs Diamond Chisel once again appeared, with permission from Tang San, the Diamond Chisel once again tapped onto the grey stone. With a clear ring a silver luster appeared where Si Long tapped it with the chisel, but it had disappeared once Si Long lifted the chisel.
“What kind of metal is this? I have never seen it before. It is extremely resilient. If the Heart Chilling Iron was the hardest metal, then this is definitely going to be the toughest metal. For it to be more valuable than the Heart Chilling Iron. How-, how can that be possible? I have been smithing my whole life, and I have never even seen a metal like this!”
Tang San looked towards Ning Rongrong and said: “This time you really picked up some great treasures. This piece of metal, even I have never seen it before. But, if I guess correctly, it should be the ore of the Deep Sea Sunken Silver.
Si Long still did not know what the Deep Sea Sunken Silver was for, but Tai Tan understood, a great joy after a great shock, “This means that the Torrential Pear Blossom Needles can be…”
Tang San Bitterly smiled: “Thats hard to say, at the very least, if it was either you or me, or even Master Lou Gao cannot successfully forge this Deep Sea Sunken Silver ore. It is simply just too resilient. As far as I know Deep Sea Sunken Silver cannot be melted down by any flame. If we wanted to forge with it, the only way is to hammer it into shape. Unfortunately none of us here has this capability.
After thinking for a while Tai Tan said: “I am afraid that probably only the Master could do something like this.”
Hearing Tai Tan speak of his father, Tang San’s eyes flashed with a hint of light, “That’s it, perhaps I really would have a way. But, this matter will have to wait.”
Saying that, his body flashed once and all the things that Ning Rongrong bought back had disappeared. All of which had been kept into his Twenty Four Moonlit Bridges.
Tang San's heart inadvertently started to race. Because, he finally had the chance to once again create the ultimate hidden weapons he spent the whole of his previous lifetime making. The Peacock Plume, Torrential Pear Blossom Needle, Buddha Fury Tang Lotus. Will we finally meet again in this world? If these three kinds of hidden weapons can be produced. Then even if we face off with the real fighters from Spirit Hall, what is there to be afraid of?
Si Long constantly took deep breaths, not allowing his heart to give rise to evil. The impact of seeing all these things just now was just too great. Heart Chilling iron, Deep Sea Immersed Silver, these treasure were all things that you could only dream of having. They were as precious as hundred-thousand year old spirit rings. Never even seeing such treasures after being in Gengxin City for so many years, when compared to these people who have just been here for a few days. A pain that cannot be described by words emerged in his heart. Si Long suddenly felt envious of his teacher, at least his teacher could walk away and leave everything behind as he wished. As a top-class blacksmith, a divine craftsman, being able to use the best materials in the world to forge. Ah what a wonderful feeling it must be.
Although Tang Hao had once said. To forge divine artifacts out of scrap iron is what makes a real divine craftsman, but if a divine craftsman were to forge with divine materials, what miracles would happen then?
After calming himself down with much difficulty, Si Long asked the rest of them: “I have come to invite you all to join in tonight’s auction. I have already prepared everything. Would all of you please follow me along? As far as I know, there should be quite a few rare goods up for auction. There will be completed goods and also metal.”
Tang San had been silently watching Si Long since earlier, from Si Longs eyes he could see a huge amount of longing and even a little greed, but not any evil. And at this point the president’s eyes had once again cleared up. As a top-grade blacksmith, to be able to do something like this was testament to his good character. No wonder Lou Gao choose to hand over the Blacksmith Association to him.
…...
Once again they returned to the Blacksmith Association, the hall on the first floor was much emptier compared to the other day. Perhaps because it is already very late.
WIthout directly entering the auction hall on the fourth floor, they first went to the third floor, where the area was used for the testing of blacksmiths. Si Long brought everybody to a room and gave each of them a large black cloak which even covered their faces, exposing only the nose, mouth and eyes in order to protect their identities. After all the auction was a very private affair where many buyers and sellers did not wish to disclose their identities.
Once again heading to the fourth floor, Tang San saw many people wearing similar outfits as them as they slowly walked into the auction halls. No one spoke a word, everything was very peaceful. This seemed to be the part of the rules of the association.
“Hold on.” Just as he was about to enter the auction, a huge black ball-like person suddenly appeared beside him.
Tang San’s heart moved and he instantly knew who this completely wrapped in black man was. It was none other than the Blacksmith Association President, Divine craftsman Lou Gao.
Lou Gao’s figure was just too amazing, with only one look, it would look just like a round ball. At this time, he looked up towards Tang San with his bloodshot eyes. It was just as Si Long said, for the past two days, he clearly did not have much rest and was wholly obsessed with the diagram of the Torrential Pear Blossom Needles.
“I will go in with you all.” Lou Gao deliberately spoke in a low voice, before walking into the auction before them.
The group followed behind him, entering into a world of blackness.
The whole auction hall was very dark, with only dim lights on the floor to guide the way. With the guidance of Lou Gao and Si Long, they quickly reached the seats in the front row. It felt as like the layout of the place was similar to that of a large theater.
Tang San’s vision was naturally unaffected by the darkness. The semicircle
shaped auction room had about 200 seats, in the front was a large rectangular stage, naturally that was where the goods for auction would be showcased. At the moment, about half the seats in the auction hall were already filled, with a constant stream of bidders still walking in. However, the auction hall was extremely quiet, even the occasional chatter was done softly.
Lou Gao brought everyone to the front most row to sit, where he sat beside Tang San who was sitting beside Xiao Wu.
Immediately after sitting down, he whispered into Tang San’s ears: “Brat, I want the complete diagram.”
Tang San lightly smiled saying: “That is no problem, after we return back to the Tang Sect, senior will naturally see it. In the future, there will be many more waiting for senior to make.”
Lou Gao thought for awhile and said: “That’s enough, you don't have to act dumb with me. I can already tell, the thing you shown me on the diagram cannot possibly be made in large quantities. But if even one can be produced, then it would already be a frightening divine item. I am prepared to use some Heart Chilling Iron to smith it, what do you think? About two kilograms of it should be enough right?
Hearing Lou Gao’s words, Tang San cannot help but feel impressed, nothing less from a Divine Smith, only after looking at the Torrential Pear Blossom Needle diagram which was incomplete for two days, he could already see the importance of the materials needed for making it.
Tang San shook his head saying: “Heart Chilling Iron is not good enough, although it may be hard, it is not resilient enough, during production it will not be able to take the stress and collapse. Don’t worry, we have already prepared the right metals. It’s just that that metal requires a certain person to work on it. Once we return to the Tang Sect, I will tell you about it one by one.”
Lou Gao turned stiffed for a long while before finally saying to Tang San: “Brat, for me to join your Tang Sect, I do not want any reward, but I do have a request.”
“Do say.”
Lou Gao deeply said: “I request, as long as it is made by me, I want my name to be engraved on it.”
Tang San nodded his head saying: “Of course. But similarly, the Tang Sect name will be engraved on it. After all, the diagram was supplied by me, don’t you agree?”
Lou Gao too nodded, his bloodshot eyes filled with a strong luster, “Perhaps, this is another way to change the status of blacksmiths. I shall make several heirloom treasure and show those Spirit Hall bastards, we blacksmiths can also reach the same heights as them.”
Tang San earnestly replied: “I believe that you will definitely do so.”
With regard to the old man beside him, a shred of respect rose in his heart, Lou Gao’s obsessiveness with smithing, his willingness to go all out just to raise the status of blacksmiths, all was worthy of respect. His joining will certainly allow the Tang Sect hidden weapons reach a new height.
At this time Tang San did not know that, it was precisely because of this simple conversation with Lou Gao, thousands of years later, Tang Sect hidden weapons bearing Lou Gaos emblem would be the only ones that could match those with Tang San’s emblem as priceless treasures.
The place in front of them suddenly lit up, causing many of the audience to be unadapted to it. On the stage was a beam of light, in that beam stood an old man of about 50 years old, wearing a formal outfit.
“Welcome all the honorable guests gathered here today. I am Si Di. Today’s auction will be starting soon, so please all be seated. Although everyone who is entering today’s auction should be old faces, I must still repeat these basic rules. During the bidding process, please raise the sign beside you, at the same time calling out your bid. Although I know this is not possible, but I do hope that everyone here be satisfied by the bidding outcome.”
A calm and peaceful introduction it was, the fifty odd year old on stage was Lou Gao’s youngest disciple Si Di, and also the only one amongst the four who was not yet a smith scholar. Of course, he was also the father of the soldier captain from that day.
The blacksmith association members pushed an object covered with a large red cloth up stage. From the looks of it, the object on stage was rather heavy since even four people pushing it required some effort.
“Now we will start our first auction of the day, this is a piece of special metal. Its purity is above ninety percent. It weighs two hundred and thirty one kilograms. Without saying much more, let me present you with this piece of profound iron. in so many years, this is the first time I am seeing such a large piece of profound iron. I am sure all of you here know, by just adding small amounts of profound iron into other common metals would produce a large increase in quality of the final product. For such a large piece of profound which is also so high grade, it can no longer be sold at the normal unit price, as such it is the first thing being auctioned today. The starting price is twenty thousand gold coins, with a minimum increment of a hundred gold coins. Let the bidding begin.”
While saying that, Si Di took off the red cloth revealing the profound iron inside.
Two hundred and thirty one kilograms of profound iron, even Tang San could feel affected, it was as Si Di mentioned, such a large piece of profound iron was rare, and what’s more it was of such good quality. Using such profound iron to create alloys could allow a large improvements in the strength of other metals. It was definitely something you could never have too much of.
When Si Di officially announced the auction, Tang San could immediately feel Ning Rongrong glancing over at him.
Tang San slightly moved, nodded his head.
Bidding had already started, and all that could be heard was bids being called out non stop.
“Twenty three thousand gold coins.” A loud voice suddenly pushing the prices far ahead, suppressing all the previous bids.
Si Di smilingly said: “Number 132 bids twenty three thousand gold coins, is there any other bidders? Good, number 164 bids twenty three thousand five hundred gold coins……”
Prices continued to rise, yet Ning Rongrong’s hands did not move, Tang San also laid back in his seat, something as good as profound iron, who would ever have too much? Hoarding it now would allow more production in the future. If a little profound iron could be added into the Godly Zhuge Crossbows, not only would the mechanisms be able to bear more load, the penetrating power would also greatly increase. If they had enough profound iron, then the larger Godly Zhuge Crossbow Tai Tan spoke of making would become a possibility.
Very quickly, the price of this piece of profound iron had already risen to twenty five thousand gold coins.
* * *
[1] (TLN: This is as he still regards Tai Tan as above himself in superiority, so if he continues using the title Vice-President technically it would put himself above Tai Tan)
Chapter 187: Moonless Windy Killing Night
Generally speaking, the first item selected for the auction would be high quality, and moreover one that would easily attract people's attention, because that could set the tone for the remaining auction. If the first item went for a high bid, the later items would naturally also easily go higher.
“Thirty thousand.”
The first time Ning Rongrong spoke up, was enough to awe everyone present. Immediately, the auction turned absolutely silent. Si Di on the stage was also briefly stunned. From the stage, he could naturally clearly see the visitors in the first row, how could he not recognize Lou Gao’s particular build? And Ning Rongrong sat next to Lou Gao.
Si Di immediately caught on, and didn’t deliberately stall like he usually would, but rather quickly said:
“Customer number eight has bid thirty thousand gold spirit coins. Thirty thousand going once, thirty thousand going twice, thirty thousand…..”
Just as he was about to declare the deal for this piece of profound iron, suddenly, a voice echoed from the back.
“Forty thousand.”
Hearing this voice, Tang San immediately frowned, he basically didn’t need to look to hear who this person was. No str
anger, but exactly that Gengxin City Lord Spirit Hall master from yesterday, bishop Meyers.
Yesterday, after Meyers ‘fucked off’, running back to the Lord Hall pissing his pants in terror, it seemed to him that he might be out of luck. Showing that kind of side of him to a Spirit Hall elder level power, the punishment would definitely come soon after. Such thoughts made him wait for a whole day, trembling and witless. But nothing happened.
Meyers heart then relaxed, secretly thinking that, it seemed the elder was just passing through. Perhaps the elder was here to discuss annexing the blacksmith association? That he didn’t come to find him proved that the elder didn’t intend to rebuke him. Thinking of this, he immediately thought somewhat wrong, and today prepared to come participate in the auction. First to see whether the elder was still here, and second also to cause some trouble for the blacksmith association in passing. No matter from what view he considered it, he didn’t believe a Spirit Hall elder would really stand on the association’s side. He just didn’t anticipate that the elder was basically fake.
Faintly flickering with light, Tang San’s expression was ice cold. He didn’t make a sound, only waving his hand to Ning Rongrong.
Ning Rongrong was a bit surprised, but as Tang San wanted, she didn’t bid again.
Meyers’ bid became the final price, forty thousand gold spirit coins. Even though this profound iron was worth far more than that in Tang San’s eyes, in fact, to blacksmiths and ironworkers who were never valued on the Douluo Continent, this price was already sky high.
The auction continued. Even though the first item went for a high price, the last two bids were a bit abrupt. Not only couldn’t it improve the atmosphere, on the contrary it gave a somewhat suppressed feeling. The next several items were all finished products, only some weapons and such, and basically didn’t reach a very high price.
Douluo Dalu: Volume 27: Gengxin City Page 7
