"You have never taken the examination before?"
Yuan Hong's body swayed, and he nearly spurted a mouthful of blood.
The eyes of the surrounding master teachers also nearly popped out of their sockets.
To come here to take the 5-star examination when you aren't even a blacksmith... and you say that you aren't here to cause trouble?
Blacksmiths were one of the top occupations of the Upper Nine Paths, and every single one of them had studied diligently in order to become one of them. Every single one of them had spent several years before they were able to reach the basic level.
Even the fastest of them had to study hard for at least ten years. Those who were slow would need at least thirty to fifty years before they could succeed!
Yet, a twenty-year-old fellow who isn't even a 1-star blacksmith actually dares to challenge the 5-star examination right off the bat?
Do you really think that... this is an occupation that can be completed easily?
You are taking it too lightly!
"I have studied smithing privately, but I didn't have the time to take the examination..."
Seeing the shock on everyone's faces, Zhang Xuan hurriedly explained. Then, he asked, "Why don't I take the 1-star examination from now on? Can I take the 1-star examination here? Also, do I have to take the apprentice examination before taking the 1-star examination? "
Even though his mastery of smithing was on par with Wu Yangzi, he had never taken the examination before. In fact, he wasn't even an apprentice at the moment, needless to say, an official blacksmith.
"Apprentice..."
Yuan Hong's lips twitched, and he clutched his forehead.
If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn't have believed it.
For a person who wasn't even an apprentice to come to the Blacksmith School and claim that he wanted to take the 5-star blacksmith examination, not only so, he even caused a huge commotion in the school, destroying the Passageway of Records and the main hall...
More importantly... School Head Zhao Bingxu, one of the Ten Great Master Teachers, actually wanted to take him in as his student!
Even though he was experiencing it personally, he still felt like he was dreaming.
"There's no need for you to take the apprentice examination. You can take the 1-star blacksmith examination right now... Try your best to clear it today. As for the 5-star examination... we can talk about it in the future!"
Suppressing the frustration in his heart, Yuan Hong turned to the group of master teachers and asked, "Does any of you have an apprentice token?"
For a blacksmith of his caliber, even if someone were to help him out, the token wouldn't be lower than 5-star. As an apprentice blacksmith, it was impossible for them to use the token. Due to their low cultivation, it was impossible for them to possess such a token.
"Apprentice token?"
"Those who helped me are 4-star blacksmiths, so I don't have one!"
...
Everyone around him shook their heads.
Most of the people in the hall were 5-star blacksmiths, and even the weakest of them was a 4-star blacksmith. It would be difficult to find an apprentice token here.
"This …"
Yuan Hong had an awkward expression on his face.
What the hell was this!
He was a 6-star pinnacle blacksmith, and yet, he was still unable to find an apprentice token even after helping someone else. Just the thought of it left him speechless.
"Vice Principal, I … have one here!"
Just as Zhang Xuan didn't know what to do, a timid voice sounded. He turned his head and saw that it was Li Xuan who had received him before.
Although she worked in the Blacksmith School, her rank was not high, and she happened to have a token that could be given to an apprentice.
"That's great..."
Nodding, Yuan Hong heaved a sigh of relief. He took the token and imprinted Zhang Xuan's name on it before passing it over.
"Zhang Shi, this is your apprentice token. Take it, and with your Academic Credits, you'll be able to activate the Ocean of Weapons and take the 1-star blacksmith examination!"
"Thank you!"
Taking the token, Zhang Xuan nodded. But just as he was about to take the 1-star blacksmith examination, a thought suddenly flashed across his mind, and he stopped in his tracks. "If I pass the 1-star blacksmith examination now, will I still have to spend Academic Credits to take the 2-star examination?"
"There's no need to spend Academic Credits in the Ocean of Weapons. However, once you come out, you'll have to spend Academic Credits to enter again!" Yuan Hong said.
Academic Credits were the prerequisite to activating the Ocean of Weapons. Two Academic Credits were sufficient to activate the Ocean of Weapons. Once one came out, they would have to spend another two Academic Credits to enter again.
This was similar to the ticket to certain scenic spots. If one wanted to enter again after leaving the Ocean of Weapons, one would have to buy another ticket.
"So, it's fine as long as I don't come out? Then … can I take the 2-star examination after taking the 1-star blacksmith examination? "
Hearing that he would have to spend Academic Credits to enter again after leaving the Ocean of Weapons, Zhang Xuan felt a headache coming on.
The two Academic Credits he had were taken from his student by the old man. In order to take the 5-star blacksmith examination, he couldn't possibly ask someone else to give him Academic Credits all the time!
Putting aside the fact that the other party didn't have such valuable Academic Credits, even if they did, it would be too much of a favor to ask them to give it to him.
After all, gratitude was karma.
Along the way, Zhang Xuan had never been one to owe anyone favors, but he didn't want to get involved in such matters.
"Of course you can, but … two Academic Credits to activate the Ocean of Weapons means that you can only stay in there for four hours. In other words … within the four hours, regardless of whether you are able to forge a weapon or not, you will be sent out automatically … In such a short period of time, I'm afraid that you will only be able to take the 1-star blacksmith examination. Even if you want to take the 1-star blacksmith examination, it will still be difficult for you to do so!"
Yuan Hong explained.
The reason why the Ocean of Weapons was created was to increase the efficiency of the blacksmith examination. Since that was the case, if one were to spend two Academic Credits in there and refuse to come out, how could one raise the efficiency of the examination for half a year?
As such, there was a time limit of four hours in the Ocean of Weapons.
In other words, if one felt that it would be difficult for them to clear the examination, they would have to spend more Academic Credits to purchase it.
And within the time limit, no matter what the examination was, regardless of whether the examination was successful or not, as long as the time limit was up, they would be sent out automatically.
If the examination was successful, the Ocean of Weapons would release a new token based on the information in the token. If the examination was unsuccessful, it would be a waste of Academic Credits.
Since Zhang Shi had two Academic Credits, he could only stay in there for four hours. It would already be a miracle if he could clear the 1-star blacksmith examination within such a short period of time. To take the 2-star examination … it was unlikely that he would be able to do so!
Besides, smithing was a huge drain on one's zhenqi. There was a limit to the zhenqi in one's body, and forging a weapon would deplete one's zhenqi by half. Even if one was given sufficient time, it was unlikely that one would have the energy to continue forging!
Thus, in his view, even though Zhang Shi's idea was good, it would be difficult for him to pull it off.
Putting aside the other party, even a 6-star pinnacle blacksmith like him would only be able to forge two to three weapons within four hours. Any more than that and he wouldn't be able to hold on for long.
Weapons were different from pills. No matter how low-tier a weapon was, it would still require countless hammering and tempering. Otherwise, it would be impossible for an ordinary weapon to take on the form of a weapon!
"Four hours? Alright then!"
Hearing that it was only such a short period of time, Zhang Xuan nodded. He placed his apprentice token and Academic Credit Card on the stone pedestal by the door, and the door to the Ocean of Weapons slowly opened.
Zhang Xuan walked in.
Similar to the Passageway of Records, the room in the Ocean of Weapons was pitch-black. Following which, the ground beneath his feet began shaking, and as if a conveyor belt, he was transported to a large hall.
The hall was filled with all kinds of ores and metals, as well as a massive cauldron and a high platform used for smithing.
"This … is all fake?"
Taking a look around, Zhang Xuan realized that the scenery before him was no different from reality, and he couldn't help but praise.
Previously, the young lady named Li Xuan had said that the Ocean of Weapons made use of the Illusory Formation to create the illusion that one was forging a weapon, but in truth, everything before him was fake.
Zhang Xuan scanned his surroundings and saw a pile of books placed on a table not too far away. Flipping through them, he saw all kinds of forging methods written on them.
Those who came to take the examination were allowed to choose any one of the methods, and as long as they succeeded, they would be considered to have cleared the examination.
"I only have four hours. I have to clear the 5-star blacksmith examination as soon as possible …"
Knowing how hard it was to obtain Academic Credit, Zhang Xuan wasn't satisfied with just clearing the 1-star blacksmith examination. It would be best if he could clear the 5-star blacksmith examination so that he wouldn't have to come here again.
"So … the simpler the forging, the better. That way, I can save as much time as possible!"
Forging a weapon embryo into a longsword and hammering out an iron hammer were obviously different in terms of difficulty, and the time required was also different.
"The blacksmith examination is similar to the apothecary examination. One has to forge certain materials to a certain level before they can clear the examination. Regardless of how meticulous the forging is, it will only increase the grade of the weapon slightly. There's no need to make the forging too exquisite …"
The grade of a weapon was determined by its toughness, flexibility, sharpness, zhenqi transmission, and many other aspects.
It didn't necessarily mean that the finer the forging was, the higher the grade of the weapon.
Even though the crafting was neat, light, and thin, and had a certain enhancement effect on the weapon, it wasn't the crux of the blacksmith examination.
Since that was the case … there was no need for Zhang Xuan to spend too much effort on the forging of the weapon.
As long as the forging ratio was suitable and the quenching was successful, even if it was a low-grade material, one would be able to forge a decent weapon.
"These weapons take too long to forge …"
Zhang Xuan swiftly flipped through the books, and he realized that it was one thing for him to be unable to forge a weapon with his current forging standards, but more importantly, he couldn't afford to waste any time.
In other words, no matter how skilled he was at smithing, it would take at least two hours for him to complete the forging.
How was he supposed to clear the 2-star blacksmith examination then?
"Forget it, let's begin!"
Not choosing those books, Zhang Xuan walked around the room, and soon, he locked onto seven to eight metals and ores, and an idea formed in his mind.
Having studied the Heaven's Path Smithing Art, his understanding of smithing had already surpassed that of most 6-star pinnacle blacksmiths. Even though the metals and ores before him were ordinary and could be used to forge low-grade weapons, as long as he coordinated them well, he would be able to achieve a different effect.
"Let's do this then!"
Zhang Xuan's lips curled up as he flicked his wrist. His zhenqi flowed like water, and the metals and ores that he had chosen earlier flew toward the blazing cauldron.
Tzzzzzzz!
Under the infusion of his zhenqi, the flames in the cauldron burned brightly, and the metals and ores immediately melted, turning into liquid that flowed everywhere.
"Fuse!"
Zhang Xuan's eyebrows shot up as he chuckled softly. Grabbing at the liquid, the eight different liquids immediately dispersed and fused together in different ways.
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