Chapter 342 Half Your Credit

"Chief Chu is here!"

"Great Sage Golden-Wing is here!"

Inside the Artifact Forging Institute, the disciples looked up at the figures flying in from the horizon, and one by one, they cried out instinctively.

As soon as the man and the eagle landed, the disciples of the institute stood in formation to salute.

"We pay respects to Chief Chu and Great Sage Golden-Wing."

Hearing this, Chu Feng’s lips curved slightly. "No need for formality. I came today only to drink with Elder Tie. You all may continue your work."

At these words, the disciples quickly dispersed. They had often heard Elder Tie mention his friendship with Chief Chu.

It was said that back when Chief Chu was not yet head of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute, he had once received Elder Tie’s guidance. Later, Elder Tie discovered Chu Feng’s extraordinary ideas and even wanted to recruit him under the Artifact Forging Institute. Unfortunately, the old dean of the Miscellaneous Dao Institute refused.

Otherwise, the one leading the Artifact Forging Institute today would surely have been Chief Chu.

As for the rumors in Wendao Academy claiming that Chief Chu could not cultivate, that was pure nonsense.

The two soon arrived at Elder Tie’s residence, where the sound of clanging metal rang out before they even entered.

The disciple at the gate quickly saluted and rushed in to report. Moments later, a burly, bronze-skinned, rough-looking middle-aged man walked out with a hearty smile.

"Brother Chu, what wind blows you here today? Have you come with another brilliant idea to share with me?"

Chu Feng chuckled. "Brother Tie, this time I came to drink with you—and to see if you’ve created anything new lately."

"I see."

Tie Futuo laughed. "You’re here to steal my craft."

Chu Feng shrugged. "Come now, elder brother, between us that’s called exchanging pointers. How could it be stealing?"

"Fair enough, hahahaha…"

Tie Futuo ushered Chu Feng and Great Sage Golden-Wing inside. After passing through the noisy front yard, they entered a small courtyard with a pleasant view.

Once seated, Chu Feng immediately took out a jar of sacred wine and set it on the table. With a pop, the lid was opened, and the rich fragrance of the liquor instantly filled the courtyard.

Gulp…

Tie Futuo swallowed unconsciously. He had two lifelong passions—smithing and drinking.

As for cultivation, he hardly cared. Thus, though his strength was only average—having cultivated for hundreds of years, merely at the Path Union Realm—his forging skills were among the very best in the institute.

"Good wine. Brother Chu, your brewing skills keep improving—they’re even better than your forging theories."

Tie Futuo raised his thumb as he spoke.

"My forging theories are nothing compared to your practical craft."

Chu Feng smiled, pouring three bowls of wine, and slid one toward Tie Futuo.

Ha—

Tie Futuo downed it in one gulp, grinning. "Don’t be so modest, boy. Those things you gave me before—I spent years digesting them."

Hearing this, Chu Feng could not help but feel a pang of regret. If only he had awakened his system earlier—Old Tie had gotten all that knowledge for free.

At that moment, Great Sage Golden-Wing, who had been silent, suddenly spoke. "A’Tu, you really wasted the chance. Others would beg for Feng-ge’s guidance and never get it, while you had so many treasures handed to you, and yet your comprehension is so poor. Feng-ge came today hoping to see something fresh from you."

Tie Futuo’s face showed a sheepish smile. "We blacksmiths aren’t the quickest thinkers. By the way, Brother Chu, why the sudden interest in forging? Could it be you’ve taken another disciple?"

Chu Feng replied unhurriedly, "Not exactly. It just so happened I thought of forging, and naturally, I thought of you."

He had long studied Wendao Academy’s True Explanation of Forging, which only recorded foundational methods. Every elder of the Artifact Forging Institute built upon it, developing their own unique techniques.

Today, Chu Feng had come hoping to draw some inspiration from Tie Futuo, so that he could later compile a forging method suitable for Blastoise.

"I see."

Tie Futuo took out a jade slip from his storage ring and placed it on the table.

"Inside are my forging insights from the past ten years. Many of them came from your suggestions. Strictly speaking, this Futuo Forging Art owes half its credit to you."

Chu Feng accepted the jade slip without hesitation, smiling. "Then I’ll thank you in advance, elder brother."

Tie Futuo waved it off carelessly. "Bah… between us brothers, that’s too polite. By the way, if you’re going to forge, you’ll need a fine hammer. Have you prepared one?"

Chu Feng’s face showed a thoughtful look. After a moment, he admitted, "I haven’t. Does elder brother have any recommendations?"

Tie Futuo said, "I heard that in two months, at the Wanbao Pavilion auction in Wushuang City, they’ll be selling an exceptional Saint Hammer, once the treasured weapon of Great Sage Leixuan. Back in the day, he nearly became a Saint through forging alone. Unfortunately, fate was unkind, and he never crossed that final threshold."

"Oh?"

Chu Feng’s eyes lit up. He had read of Great Sage Leixuan in miscellaneous records. That man was a figure from hundreds of thousands of years ago, famed for his forging. Originally a mere mortal, he entered a minor sect by chance and, step by step, rose to the rank of Great Sage.

In his prime, many holy lands sought to recruit him, but he refused them all, believing that with his talent alone, he was destined to become a Saint.

But sanctification is not achieved by talent alone. Like all Great Sages who never joined a holy land, Leixuan was ultimately swallowed by the river of time.

"Brother Chu plans to attend, then?" Tie Futuo asked curiously.

"Of course," Chu Feng replied. "After all, it is the treasured weapon of a Great Sage in forging. I wonder if elder brother has time to accompany me?"

Tie Futuo shook his head. "Not this time. I’m preparing to forge an exceptional spirit artifact, hoping to use it to break through to Nirvana Realm."

Hearing this, Chu Feng immediately took out a jar of Enlightenment Wine and set it on the table.

"Then let me congratulate elder brother in advance on breaking through to Nirvana."

Tie Futuo chuckled. "I’ll borrow your good wishes."

After the three of them finished the jar of wine, Chu Feng departed with Great Sage Golden-Wing.

Upon returning to the Miscellaneous Dao Institute, Chu Feng gathered his disciples and announced his plan to travel to Wushuang City.

The disciples’ expressions varied upon hearing this. Chen Qianqian and Bai Qian spoke in unison, "Master, may we go with you?"

Chu Feng answered, "Those who want to come may come with me. Those who do not can remain here to cultivate."

"I want to go."

"I want to go too."

The two girls spoke one after the other.

The remaining disciples all said, "We will remain in the mountains to cultivate."

After confirming everyone’s choice, Chu Feng dismissed them and returned to his courtyard to pack.

The next day, Chu Feng and his group departed from Wendao Academy, heading toward Wushuang City…

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