Section 95: Wen Shuhong: It was my superficiality...

Bidding farewell to the familiar faces on Ideal Island, Lin Qiye made his way to the rental hall of the forging workshop.

The ticket clerk was unusually attentive.

“Sir, are you here to find that young girl? Is there anything extra I can assist you with? Feel free to ask.”

Lin Qiye shook his head.

“I have the key. I’ll find her myself.”

“Alright. If you need anything, just call us.”

After all, Lin Qiye was a wealthy young master. Showing respect could only bring benefits and no harm.

So, the ticket clerk gazed after Lin Qiye’s retreating figure and thought to himself, “My daughter is about that age too. Should I call her over? If such a golden son-in-law could be caught, wouldn’t it be a swift rise to prosperity?”

In truth, this was the 3,600th time the clerk’s heart fluttered over the many young men who had come through. Over 3,600 young men had stirred his feelings for his daughter.

Of course, Lin Qiye was completely unaware of the clerk’s little scheme. Instead, he strode with decisive steps toward the forging room.

At the door of the workshop, Lin Qiye sensed something amiss. He immediately opened the door and then closed it behind him.

Approaching the forging table, he saw a long blade emitting a radiant crimson glow.

Nearby, a barely clothed girl lay on the ground, her complexion pale, breathing faint, clearly drained of spirit, strength, and vitality.

“Did you remove all your outer clothing during forging?” Lin Qiye asked, eyeing the girl closely. She wore only a thin shirt, exposing her snow-white arms, shoulders, collarbones, waist, abdomen, and the full curves of her figure—all vividly reflected in his gaze.

Moreover, her body was soaked, and the thin fabric clung tightly, making her appear exceedingly alluring.

Lin Qiye was momentarily stunned.

He quickly found her clothes and draped them over her chest.

Then, placing his palm over her heart, he infused her body with innate true energy and Ziwei true energy.

Innate true energy was the primal vitality of an infant, while Ziwei true energy was an imperial aura, tens of times superior to spiritual energy in the main world.

As he poured the energy into her, it nourished her body and spirit like a rare treasure, mending the deficits within her and repairing the meridians scorched by her intense exertion.

Under the warm caress of the true energy, the girl’s injuries began to heal, her complexion regaining a healthy glow.

Within her, her innate talent seemed to sense the extraordinary energies, emitting a longing emotion, even a suction force.

“Is her talent trying to absorb the innate true energy?”

“Well then, I’ll let you absorb a few strands.”

Though Lin Qiye’s reserve of innate true energy was limited, he still possessed over a hundred strands.

Without hesitation, he left three strands within her.

The talent known as [Blade Support] gleefully devoured the energy, locking it in instinctively.

At last, the [Blade Support] talent awakened.

A gentle milky-white glow emanated from her chest, smooth as jade.

Within the light, faint sharpness shimmered, as if a divine weapon lay concealed within her talent.

Lin Qiye was astonished.

At that moment, the girl’s long eyelashes fluttered, and her watery eyes slowly opened, revealing a fragile softness.

Upon seeing Lin Qiye, she suddenly grasped his hand.

“Brother Qiye, the blade! Did the forging succeed?”

“Let me heal you first. Don’t move. The blade isn’t important, you know? Talent is what matters most.”

Lin Qiye spoke honestly.

A forgemaster blessed with the [Blade Support] talent could craft countless divine weapons. If a mere diamond-grade weapon meant sacrificing such a talent, it would be a grave loss.

Hence, Lin Qiye spoke sincerely.

Yet, to Qishi Bai’s ears, the words sounded somewhat ambiguous.

“Not even a diamond-grade weapon is as important as I am?”

Her cheeks flushed instantly, as if a stone had been tossed into still water, ripples of shyness spreading even to her earlobes.

She immediately lowered her head, fingers fidgeting with her clothes.

But the garment—the very one Lin Qiye had draped over her—slid off at her touch.

“Ah—”

Startled like a frightened rabbit, Qishi Bai covered herself with her arms.

Lin Qiye was speechless and quickly turned his back to her.

“Hurry and put it back on.”

Soon, muffled sounds came from behind.

“I... I’m done.”

Lin Qiye turned around to appraise her then retrieved a coat from the space inside the Command Lamp Gem.

“Wear this. Your clothes are wet and revealing.”

He shook his head, mainly because the girl’s figure was too perfect.

With her wet inner clothes and the simple outer jacket, it was practically an act of temptation.

Qishi Bai hugged the coat, inhaling its scent gently, her cheeks flushing again.

Under Lin Qiye’s gaze, she slipped the coat on.

Though a bit long, it fully concealed her.

“All set…”

“I remember I fainted from exhaustion while forging. Could the blade have problems?”

The girl’s concern remained fixed on the blade.

She quickly turned to look at the long sword.

Now, it lay quietly on the forging table, flowing with crimson light.

Tiny purple, golden, and white true dragons coiled on the blade.

Sensing her gaze, the blade vibrated softly, as if greeting her.

She was overjoyed.

“Success! I did it!”

“I succeeded...”

Her emotions surged so intensely that tears streamed down her face. She covered her cheeks as her shoulders shook.

Only heaven knew how many distrustful looks she had endured over the past two years.

She had almost given up.

Then Brother Qiye arrived, giving her a chance to succeed at last.

At this moment, the girl was a river of tears.

Lin Qiye patted her shoulder.

“Don’t cry. Talented horses are common, but good trainers are rare. Those fools just don’t understand your talent.”

The girl wiped her tears.

“Thank you, Brother Qiye.”

“No thanks needed. You forged me a diamond-grade weapon! I should be the one thanking you.”

Lin Qiye smiled warmly.

His gaze burned as it settled on the ring-hilt long sword.

Now sharper, heavier, the blade’s crimson hue like flowing blood, like burning karma, bristling with murderous intent and piercing sharpness.

Lin Qiye extended his arm and gently grasped the sword.

In an instant, the crimson spherical aura retracted entirely into the blade.

A flash of sharp energy sliced the forging table cleanly in two.

“Ah—”

The girl stared in disbelief.

“This… this… this… isn’t good! The forging table is extremely sturdy. Diamond weapons shouldn’t be able to damage it. Should we compensate? This thing’s expensive!”

Lin Qiye chuckled.

“Maybe you forged it too well.”

He quietly felt the sword’s essence.

The blade’s murderous intent, karma, and faith power fused perfectly, making its sturdiness far beyond his expectations.

Its powerful spirit could sense Lin Qiye’s will, making the sword an extension of his arm.

That feeling of control was like wielding one’s own limb.

Lin Qiye estimated his combat power had at least doubled.

At this point, he no longer needed stratagems to kill Li You; one slash would suffice.

He smiled and lightly cut his left forearm.

A ten-centimeter wound appeared.

He quickly applied Ziwei and innate true energy to heal it.

Yet, it still took ten minutes for the wound to close.

“The lethality is fierce—even I couldn’t withstand it!” Lin Qiye was partly stunned.

The girl watched nervously.

“Qishi Bai, you truly are a forging genius!”

“However, there’s something I can’t understand. It seems the blade holds a pure soul distinct from the spirit essence, yet it organically fuses karma, murderous intent, and faith power. Is this your mental strength and belief at work? How did you infuse your spirit into it?”

The girl looked somewhat puzzled.

“I’m not entirely sure. It was an unconscious condensation of my belief. I just thought, I can’t disappoint you… So I gave it my all. That state felt extremely mysterious. And so it happened.”

Lin Qiye nodded solemnly.

“Equivalent to enlightenment?”

“I get it. I’m really lucky.”

The girl shyly nodded.

“Yes!”

Lin Qiye smiled softly, gazing at her flushed cheeks.

“This blade, even an ordinary diamond-grade forging master couldn’t produce. But you absorbed the essence of over a dozen weapons, building your foundation to its peak. Then you entered that forging enlightenment state, all while overexerting your heart and blood.”

“A series of factors combined to birth this divine weapon…”

“The blade itself still needs to absorb vast amounts of karma, murderous intent, and faith power. Once it gathers enough, it will become a true celestial weapon!”

Lin Qiye sighed inwardly, secretly delighted.

He must find a way to keep this girl by his side.

Lin Qiye looked at her.

“Don’t you have anywhere else to go?”

“Yes… yes…”

The girl frowned anxiously.

She had already delayed her apprenticeship graduation by two years and could delay no longer. Once she graduated, she would have nowhere to go but to menial work at the Technology Association.

Though she could now forge weapons, she understood her talent.

It required sacrificing thirteen weapons to successfully forge one.

She dared not reveal her talent—it was a secret only for those she trusted.

After two years of misfortune, she felt she couldn’t even trust her mentor.

The only one she could rely on was the young man before her.

Qishi Bai looked troubled, wanting to ask Lin Qiye to take her in but too shy to speak.

Seeing this, Lin Qiye spoke first.

“How about coming to my floating island? It’s quite large… Well, actually it belongs to a friend of mine.”

The girl caught the hint.

“A female friend?”

“Yes.”

“Are you… close?”

“Not that close. We’re from the same small town and look out for each other.”

Lin Qiye waved his hand, displaying the demeanor of a straightforward man.

The girl smiled softly.

“I’d like that.”

“Then let’s go. It’s almost dark. I’ll take you there.”

So, Lin Qiye and Qishi Bai returned to the ticket hall.

At that moment, the general manager of the Forging Volcano unexpectedly appeared, hands behind his back, inspecting the counter.

Lin Qiye approached the clerk.

“I broke the forging table. I don’t have to pay, right?”

The manager frowned.

“Sir, do you know what you’re saying? Our forging tables cost over a million. Even half-celestial artifacts can’t leave a scratch on them.”

“You’re saying you broke it? Are you doubting the quality of our Shuangji Forging Workshop equipment?”

“Though the customer is always right, you can’t slander our quality!”

The manager spoke proudly and confidently.

Lin Qiye smiled.

“So if it’s really broken, you won’t ask for compensation?”

“Of course not. If it’s broken, it’s our problem. But please don’t make false claims in the future—that hurts our reputation.”

Lin Qiye laughed out loud.

“In that case, I’ll be going.”

The manager waved him off.

Lin Qiye and Qishi Bai quickly left the Forging Volcano.

“That silly manager…” Lin Qiye shook his head with a smile.

Qishi Bai covered her mouth.

“It’s Brother Qiye’s weapon that’s too powerful.”

“No, it’s your forging skills.”

“No, it’s Brother Qiye’s weapon that’s special. Otherwise, I don’t know when I’d forge a weapon—maybe ten years, maybe my whole life.”

“No need to be modest. From now on, you’re my chief forgemaster. I’ll provide weapons for you to absorb. If possible, I’ll get you a floating island, just for forging.”

Lin Qiye made his promise.

For a girl with an A-grade forging talent, he was willing to spare no effort.

Qishi Bai was stunned.

“Brother Qiye, did I hear that right?”

Lin Qiye nodded.

“You heard correctly.”

The girl was shy and timid.

“Actually… I don’t need a separate floating island, just a place to forge is enough.”

Lin Qiye smiled gently.

“Don’t worry, I’ll give you the best treatment. After all, your talent is extraordinary.”

His tone was sincere, as if sealing a golden promise.

Just forging a ring-hilt sword had saved Lin Qiye tens of millions of walking points.

Naturally, he regarded Qishi Bai as precious.

Feeling his earnestness, Qishi Bai blushed, excitement and joy shining on her face.

“So… I’ll be counting on you, Brother Qiye?”

“Welcome aboard.”

Lin Qiye smiled softly.

At the same time, he felt the pressure.

If he were to nurture a scientist, nurture Qishi Bai, it would burn walking points—millions, tens of millions.

Especially in the beginning stages, it would be difficult.

So, Lin Qiye would have to keep journeying to gather treasures and earn walking points.

He sighed in his heart.

“Only when you’re in charge do you realize how precious everyday necessities are. Earning twenty million used to make one a tycoon, but now it seems I need to earn tens of millions, maybe hundreds of millions of walking points to carry out my plan.”

Lin Qiye sighed again and brought Qishi Bai back to Ideal Island.

Under Song Su’s leadership, the massive floating island had taken shape with villas built one after another for the travelers.

More areas were reserved for commoners, with construction teams building high-rise buildings.

As for Jiang Qingxue’s floating island, it drifted to one side peacefully.

Lin Qiye and Qishi Bai landed on Jiang Qingxue’s island.

“That floating island is under my management. We’ll live here, and when the time comes, I’ll set up a forging workshop for you.”

“All right! But Brother Qiye, don’t rush. I heard forging workshops cost over ten million walking points. I can rent one for now, and I don’t have enough resources to forge much anyway.”

Qishi Bai was considerate.

Hearing this, Lin Qiye was taken aback.

A forging workshop costs over ten million?

Well…

Absorbing thirteen weapon cores would cost millions…

What a money-burning profession!

Lin Qiye looked at Qishi Bai.

“No worries, I’ll fulfill my promise soon—within a month.”

Qishi Bai quickly shook her head.

“Brother Qiye, you don’t have to be so concerned. I’m not in a hurry.”

Lin Qiye smiled.

“You don’t understand my talent… Once you do, you’ll know I’m not rushing.”

Just then, Chen Fan approached Lin Qiye.

“Hey, Night Brother, who’s this beauty?”

Qishi Bai immediately hid behind Lin Qiye, burying her head in his shadow.

“Don’t scare her. She’s a forgemaster named Qishi Bai, with excellent talent. I recruited her as my chief forgemaster. When you have money, you can ask her to forge a weapon for you.”

Lin Qiye gestured toward Chen Fan.

“This is my childhood friend, we go way back.”

Chen Fan nodded.

“Yeah, don’t be afraid of me. I’m Chen Fan.”

Qishi Bai nodded.

“Hello.”

Not long after, Jiang Nian arrived.

She came up to Lin Qiye, hands behind her back.

“This is Jiang Nian.”

“The floating island belongs to her sister. They look alike, but the elder sister is cold and aloof like snow, while the younger is much livelier. Be careful with her; she’s cunning. You won’t outplay her. Don’t get fooled.”

Jiang Nian: “…”

“Who are you talking about? Who? I’m not cunning at all!”

Lin Qiye remained calm.

“All right, I’ll find you a villa nearby. You’ll live next to Chen Fan and me.”

After checking with Jiang Qingxue, Lin Qiye arranged for Qishi Bai to live nearby.

Soon, Wen Shuhong arrived.

He looked at Qishi Bai, then at Lin Qiye.

“So, you tricked the girl into your place, huh? Despicable!”

“Is this guy’s pure heart really pure?” Wen Shuhong wondered.

Though the girl was indeed beautiful, with a soft personality and watery eyes that stirred protective instincts…

How could he bear to do such a thing?

Wen Shuhong shook his head and cautiously asked,

“How’s your weapon? Success or failure?”

He wanted to expose Lin Qiye.

But Lin Qiye calmly produced the crimson long sword.

Its icy aura made Wen Shuhong’s heart flutter.

Then, Wen Shuhong was dumbfounded.

“This… this… really succeeded?!”

He inspected the crimson blade earnestly, then glanced between Lin Qiye and Qishi Bai.

“I was shallow-minded. So you really wanted to forge a fine blade…”

Wen Shuhong realized his assumptions were wrong.

Lin Qiye wasn’t chasing women but focused solely on forging weapons.

This weapon before him was several times better than ordinary diamond-grade weapons, with limitless potential!

Wen Shuhong sighed inwardly, admitting his superficiality.

However, upon noticing Lin Qiye’s lingering gaze at Qishi Bai…

Wen Shuhong was startled.

“Looks like I was shallow again… He not only forged a great weapon but also picked up a girl.”

He patted his forehead with a strange expression.

“Teach me sometime.”

Lin Qiye was puzzled.

“Teach what?”

“I’ll ask you later.”

Wen Shuhong was serious, then changed the subject.

“By the way, I need to warn you: don’t enter the ‘Walking’ realm tomorrow or the day after!”

Wen Shuhong was grave.

Lin Qiye frowned, sensing the implication.

“You mean danger?”

Le Wen.