A week passed by quietly, like flowing water.

The red glow of the sunset painted the sky, draping the distant mountains in a layer of orange-red veil. The evening breeze rustled the leaves, making them rustle softly.

Gu Heng saw off the last patient and, noticing the late hour, returned to the house. Before leaving, he placed Little Xi, who was sitting on the desk, onto the consultation room table and said to her, "If someone comes, let me know."

Little Xi nodded obediently.

He was quite happy. The Medicine Hall was often quiet, and not many people came for treatment today. Now, with such an intelligent pet who could understand human speech and even read, life was much more enjoyable.

Although she didn't speak, Gu Heng knew she understood him. She often snuggled into his arms for a hug. Every time he stroked her soft fur, he felt a sense of comfort and satisfaction, and her fur was incredibly smooth and pleasant to touch.

Gu Heng went to the backyard, preparing to reopen his forging furnace and craft some weapons again.

Ever since his work was recognized by Bai Fei'er that day, Gu Heng decided to pick up this "skill" he hadn't used in a long time. It had been years since he honed his forging skills to perfection, but he had stopped crafting weapons to focus on his "medical" skills. Now, he felt motivated to revive his passion.

"Forging" wasn't actually difficult.

The System's mall had a plethora of forging materials and guidebooks like the "Forging Gold Record," and he had memorized all the forging methods from the book.

Gu Heng opened the System mall interface, found the "forging" section, and scrolled to the bottom.

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All items in the mall were unlocked for him, but he hadn't looked at the forging materials for a long time. The System hadn't updated any new stock, so he didn't think twice and took out a hundred pieces of "Highest-Grade Star Iron."

Soon, a hundred pieces of "Highest-Grade Star Iron" appeared on the table before Gu Heng.

"…Hmph, this System mall is still incorrigible."

Gu Heng's mouth twitched, then he picked up a piece of "Highest-Grade Star Iron" and examined it.

What "Highest-Grade Star Iron"?

This was clearly just low-quality iron ore!

Inside the ore, there were countless fine impurities, mixed with who knows what, all black and definitely not "high-grade." But Gu Heng was no stranger to the System mall's "word games," so he didn't dwell on it.

Once everything was ready, Gu Heng began his forging process.

His forging furnace was long prepared, and his forging skills had reached a masterful level. Although he hadn't wielded a hammer in years, once he held the forging hammer, he regained his touch.

"Ding—"

A light sound echoed as Gu Heng's hammer fell, striking the already heated Star Iron ore!

In an instant, sparks flew!

"Hmm?"

The commotion from the back room caught the attention of Su Jinxi, who was watching the hall at the front.

She leaped down, her short legs moving quickly as she ran to the back room. What she saw left her stunned!

Gu Heng was rhythmically swinging the forging hammer, and the heated iron ore had already taken the shape of a sword embryo. But what shocked Su Jinxi wasn't Gu Heng's forging skills, but the fact that his technique was beyond her comprehension!

Every unadorned hammer strike contained an intent that left her in awe, drawing her spirit and immersing her involuntarily!

He had even integrated countless essences of forging into the "Dao" itself!

Su Jinxi felt that just a few glances at his hammer technique were enough to make her almost lose herself in the profound and fierce Daoist intent, as if she were in a molten pool of lava, her blood boiling, making her want to plunge into it!

The sensation was terrifying, and Su Jinxi quickly closed her eyes, forcibly suppressing the surging energy within her.

Gu Heng didn't notice his pet watching from behind. He remained focused, continuously striking the forging furnace. With each strike, the once indistinct iron ore became more refined.

He wore simple robes, yet they couldn't conceal his exceptional grace. His physique was robust and upright, standing like a spear, exuding an imposing aura.

His facial features were well-defined, with an air of nobility. His thin lips were tightly pressed, and his dark eyes seemed to hold countless stories.

"Ding—"

Gu Heng struck again, a slight sweat on his forehead. He finally put down the forging hammer, standing aside to catch his breath while observing his work.

The Star Iron was about two-thirds complete, with the remaining part still being refined. Gu Heng looked at it with satisfaction, "Hmm, the old blade hasn't dulled…"

He quenched the sword embryo in water, then continued hammering for about a quarter of an hour. Finally, the three-foot-long sword took shape, with intricate and exquisite patterns on the blade. These weren't intentionally crafted by Gu Heng; he always aimed for beauty when crafting weapons, and it had become an unchangeable habit.

Gu Heng decided to take a break.

Forging was no easy task; it required time and energy. He could brew medicine quickly, but forging couldn't be rushed.

Su Jinxi was still unable to calm her shock. She looked at the sword embryo, her astonishment deepening.

The sword embryo was about four feet long, with a diamond-shaped blade emitting a sharp, icy blue light. The entire sword was like a cold, clear autumn water, with patterns on the blade resembling the most profound mysteries, fully integrated into the sword!

As for its quality…

The weapon spirit was complete, and the mysteries were integrated. This was undoubtedly a sacred artifact!

But it was just a sword embryo, yet it was already remarkable!

In this world, there were very few spiritual craftsmen capable of forging "top three-grade" magical weapons. Although not as rare as the "medical sage" who could bring the dead back to life, they were still extremely rare!

Su Jinxi's view of Gu Heng changed.

Not only was his medical skill extraordinary, but his forging skills were also so masterful?

The longer she stayed by his side, the more her worldview was constantly refreshed!

She was lost in thought when she suddenly heard Gu Heng say, "Little Xi… didn't I say to tell me if someone came?"

"Huh? Someone's here?"

Su Jinxi snapped back to reality and only then noticed a person standing by the back room door!

It was a middle-aged man with a cold and calm demeanor. His eyes were deep and sharp, giving off an extremely sharp aura. Even just standing there quietly, Su Jinxi felt a prickling sensation on her back.

His cultivation… Su Jinxi vaguely sensed a faint pressure from him, stronger than hers!

The middle-aged man silently watched the sword embryo on Gu Heng's forging furnace.

Gu Heng put down the forging hammer and smiled, "Long time no see, Brother Zhuge."

"…It has been a while."

Zhuge Gan silently walked into the back room, reaching out his hand. But before he touched the sword embryo, his expression softened slightly. Finally, he sighed and withdrew his hand.

"You're still the same, all mysterious. Anyone who doesn't know might think you're an old monster," Gu Heng chuckled and shook his head. "Since you're here, have a seat."

"Compared to you, I'm not much of an old monster…"

Zhuge Gan muttered softly, finding a seat by the tea table in the back room.

Gu Heng heard him but didn't mind. He had known Zhuge Gan for a long time, and their acquaintance was peculiar. Zhuge Gan was a bit strange, but not a bad person, just a bit stubborn.

When they met, Gu Heng was still honing his "forging" skills, not yet at the "masterful" level. The Medicine Hall was then a workshop, where he crafted weapons and helped neighbors repair kitchen knives and iron pots. One day, Zhuge Gan showed up.

After watching Gu Heng forge a long halberd, he challenged Gu Heng to a "contest."

The so-called contest was to use the same materials to forge the same weapon and see whose was more perfect.

Zhuge Gan claimed to be a "wanderer of the world," traveling everywhere. Gu Heng learned that he had come to Greenwood City and was challenging him, likely someone who thought his forging skills were impressive and sought opponents everywhere. Gu Heng admired his perseverance, so he agreed. Gu Heng provided the materials and venue, and they competed for four days, each forging a willow-leaf saber.

And then, Zhuge Gan lost.

He lost completely!