After seven days, Zhou Chen had gained a deeper understanding of Blacksmiths.
Low-level Blacksmiths forged standard-issue weapons. A few might be of high quality, but they weren't suitable for everyone.
Interdiate Blacksmiths possessed more advanced Forging Skills. The weapons they created had great versatility, making them suitable for most people while also being a pleasure to wield.
Advanced Blacksmiths could modify and repair Forbidden Objects and Alchemy Tools, and even perform Essence Materialization on them. They could also forge weapons tailored to an individual's unique combat style and Extraordinary Abilities, creating a weapon that fit the user so perfectly it felt like an extension of their own body.
A step above them were the Master Forgers. Their Forging Skills were subli, allowing them to directly forge living creatures. They possessed a host of unimaginable, pinnacle skills, putting them on par with the Great Sages of the Alchemy Realm.
However, the Forging Skill was even harder to learn than Alchemy. For one, a Blacksmith had to possess suitable Extraordinary Abilities, like Fire Type or Power Elent. They also needed considerable talent. These two requirents alone weeded out the vast majority of people. Furthermore, Forging wasn't as practical for everyday use as Alchemy, making Blacksmiths exceedingly rare. Consequently, those hailed as Master Forgers were as rare as a phoenix's feathers.
A being like Robert, the King of lting and Casting—soone who could casually hamr Divine Fog and manifest forged Rules—was the only one of its kind in the entire world.
With the Hamr of Forging in hand and Robert's vast forging experience serving as his database, Zhou Chen was able to perform at the level of an Interdiate Blacksmith right from the start. The five weapons he forged all had great versatility, were usable by most people, and were of impressive quality.
If sold online, each one would fetch at least three million.
After resting for a bit, Zhou Chen used the remaining materials to forge a scabbard for Frost's Sorrow. He then took the sword, left the basent, and went to the study on the first floor. Opening the heavy safe, he placed the sword inside.
Inside were three longswords and a tachi.
—Without a doubt, Wind's Joy was that tachi.
After a shower, he lay down on his bed. Closing his eyes, he simulated the sensation of his consciousness ascending and arrived at the Round Table Hall. Then, his form descended, materializing beside the Wishing Fountain.
After several days of idling, the pool of Wishing Spring Water had grown. The puddle had expanded from its original pathetic, bottle-cap size to the size of an egg.
'The wish harvest is just about done…' Zhou Chen mused, stroking his chin. The number of Wish Bubbles floating in the air was far lower than before; they now appeared sparsely and slowly.
This ant the automatic wish-fulfillnt program had probably cured most of the diseases among the people of Jinzhu. 'The well is running dry.'
A person could suffer from multiple ailnts at once—chronic pharyngitis along with gingivitis, gastritis, hemorrhoids, and so on—but with a fixed search area, even a large number of illnesses would eventually be cured.
'To keep making a profit, the best solution is to expand the Wish Radar's search range.'
Zhou Chen thought for a mont. With a ntal command, he modified a line in the automatic program. The setting "Set Wish Radar search range to a circle with a ten-kiloter diater" was changed to:
—Set Wish Radar search range to maximum range.
The next mont, as if a floodgate had opened, a sea of Wish Bubbles surged forth. The resplendent, multicolored bubbles drifted like a sky full of stars, creating a beautiful and dreamlike scene.
Zhou Chen focused his senses and discovered that the Wish Radar's search range had expanded to a hundred-kiloter diater. This was its maximum range under normal circumstances. Wishers connected to him, however, such as Soron far away in Western Europe, could be reached regardless of distance.
'Good thing it isn't the entire world…'
He breathed a sigh of relief for so reason. If the range could encompass the entire world, his ability would be no different from the mighty power of the Gods, which was a terrifying thought. Besides, even if he could, he wouldn't dare to set such a vast range.
'Just imagine: all the bald people in the world, all the youths tornted by acne, all the patients with gastritis, pharyngitis, and other inflammations suddenly being cured at the sa ti. An event of that magnitude would undoubtedly cause a global sensation, triggering a full-scale investigation from the Star Association and creating a significant risk of exposure.'
'A hundred kiloters is plenty. It covers several cities, and the efficiency is many tis higher… Playing it safe is what matters most.'
Zhou Chen's form floated upward, and he settled onto the Obsidian Throne. He then pulled up the wishes of the people connected to him.
Erin was in a state of deep sleep, so her wishes were not visible.
Surprisingly, Jiang Che also seed to have no wants or needs recently, not even a few minor wishes.
'Hmm… she resolved the long-standing threat in Jinzhu, and did such an impeccable job this ti. Her promotion within the leadership is probably a sure thing. Once the assessnt period ends, she can assu her new position upon her return. Most of her work is done, and she's been getting plenty of sleep… So she's temporarily without any desires?' As he thought this, Zhou Chen switched his focus to Old Yang.
Old Yang's wishes were exceedingly simple: if it wasn't about wanting to screw one woman, it was about wanting to screw another.
The guy had managed to rack up a lot of credit during the battle for Jinzhu and had a promising future. The mont his leave started, he let himself completely loose, chasing pleasure everywhere he went.
'I'd better check on Soron instead…'
Zhou Chen sighed and switched his selection to Soron.
After becoming an Alchemist, it was as if Soron had passed a great trial; everything had been smooth sailing. His girlfriend's family no longer tried to keep them apart, he was taken under the wing of an Alchemy Master, and he even got to publicly humiliate his old enemies at a gathering, a mont of sweet vindication…
Now, his wishes were to join the Alchemy Association to pursue better opportunities and a higher status. He also wanted to resolve the faint but very real "Unequal Trade" Curse on his body, all while guarding against the possible reappearance of the "rchant."
And…
He was also praying his girlfriend wouldn't get pregnant.
'Once he's in the Alchemy Association with a powerful patron backing him, his opportunities will expand greatly…' Zhou Chen completely ignored Soron's wishes. With a wave of his hand, he located Lin Ya.
After the Jinzhu incident, Lin Ya was still staying at Father Daun's orphanage. She loved being with the children; their cheerful laughter seed to have a magical quality that could heal her painful past. anwhile, Father Daun's occasional guidance was causing her Power to advance by leaps and bounds.
Her wish was to see Mr. Lamp God one more ti, or at least to hear his voice.
And her fixation was extrely… imnse.
*Hiss…* Zhou Chen couldn't help but draw a sharp breath. 'Is she really that fervent?'
He imdiately projected a thought, which manifested as a gentle voice that whispered in the ear of Lin Ya, who had just lain down to rest.
"In a short while, I intend to convene a secret gathering. Prepare yourself."
Lin Ya's eyes snapped open. After confirming that she wasn't just hearing things, her breathing quickened.
'Mr. Lamp God... He's inviting to a secret gathering? He really has acknowledged ! I can finally beco Mr. Lamp God's most loyal believer…'
'I understand, Mr. Lamp God,' she replied in her mind. A blissful smile graced her lips as she subconsciously hugged her blanket tighter.
In the Round Table Hall, the Wish Bubble vanished. The value gained from the wish didn't flow into the Wishing Spring Water, but instead materialized as a mote of starlight within the Wish Bottle.
Zhou Chen nodded in satisfaction and prepared to leave.
—As for the wishes of Hers and the King of Music, he didn't dare to pry into them for fear of attracting their attention.
Hers and the King of Music were no ordinary Crowned Kings. They had progressed far along their Ascension Ladders and were advancing toward the Divine Realm. They might notice sothing.
Over the next week, Zhou Chen's life settled into a distinct rhythm.
ditation, Forging, studying Alchemy, training and developing his Derivative Abilities, and occasionally slipping out to grant wishes, all while searching for suitable candidates to recruit to the Round Table Hall.
And just like that, his short and pleasant vacation drew to a close without him even realizing it.
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