Chapter 35

It wasn't until dinner time that Lin Zheng recovered. Due to the excessive exertion earlier, his face still looked somewhat pale. Li Ruoshui, who had been discussing music scores with Lin Qin in the room, saw Lin Zheng's exhausted face and couldn't help but step forward, holding Lin Zheng's arm with concern. Lin Zheng, however, didn't seem to mind and indicated that he was fine. Everyone then sat down to have dinner.

During the meal, the atmosphere was warm and pleasant. When everyone was almost done eating, Lin Zheng's uncle, Lin Chu, stood up and cleared his throat. Seeing everyone's attention on him, Lin Chu calmly said, "Now, I have something to tell you all. Starting from tomorrow, you will begin special training, aiming to reach a new level within a year. After a year, you will go to the Wild Continent for cultivation and complete some tasks!"

Since Li Ruoshui was present, Lin Chu couldn't be too explicit!

Seeing everyone nod silently, Lin Chu continued, "It will be tough for a while, Little Zheng, but don't rush. Take it step by step. The most important thing now is to focus on your cultivation. As for Ruoshui, you will stay in the village and also undergo special training. If you return to the Wu Kong Sect, it might be hard to achieve significant breakthroughs in a short time. Staying here will be better for you!"

"Okay, I'll listen to Uncle," Li Ruoshui nodded obediently. Everyone smiled slightly; they were very satisfied with Li Ruoshui!

"Alright, everyone, finish your dinner and disperse. Meet at the square early tomorrow morning. We will set up a cultivation plan for you all. Rest well tonight!" After saying this, Lin Chu and the other elders left.

After dinner, Lin Zheng and Li Ruoshui walked around the village under the gentle moonlight for a while before parting ways to rest.

The next morning, Lin Zheng woke up early, washed up, and went to the square. It was just dawn, and Lin Zheng sat down, facing the rising sun, and began to breathe deeply. After a while, he started practicing various techniques, repeatedly refining them. After about two incense sticks' time, Lin Dao and the others finally appeared!

Lin Qin and Li Ruoshui were wearing exercise clothes, looking spirited. After a brief exchange, everyone began their respective practices. Even Xuanxuan and the other three kids got up early, yawning and stretching in a corner of the square, looking incredibly cute!

When the sun rose a bit higher, Lin Chu and the others finally appeared. Based on everyone's characteristics, the elders gave their suggestions and guidance. Soon, everyone was back into their rigorous training.

Li Ruoshui, however, seemed to be struggling to adapt to the training. Lin Zheng's third aunt, seeing Li Ruoshui in the square, pulled her aside and whispered something. They continued talking until everyone finished their morning practice and went to have breakfast. Lin Zheng gave his third aunt a grateful smile, knowing that she must have resolved some of Li Ruoshui's doubts!

After breakfast, everyone returned to the square and found a place to practice. They all had the cultivation techniques that Lin Zheng had recorded the previous day and quickly immersed themselves in their training. With the guidance of Lin Zheng's third aunt, Li Ruoshui also quickly joined in. Lin Zheng, however, was unsure of what to do.

Lin Zheng sat quietly in the square, deep in thought. What should he do to break through? What was he lacking the most?

For the entire morning, Lin Zheng sat motionless. At lunchtime, he ate mechanically and then continued sitting quietly, deep in thought. As the evening sun set, casting a soft golden glow on Lin Zheng, he suddenly moved, stood up, and his whole body made a cracking sound. He raised his head and let out a long howl, as if trying to release all his pent-up frustration.

Lin Hong, who was forging iron in the distance, put down his hammer and flashed to Lin Zheng's side. He looked at Lin Zheng in surprise, "You figured it out so quickly?" Seeing Lin Zheng nod, Lin Hong laughed heartily, grabbed Lin Zheng, and flashed back to his forge.

"Little Zheng, it seems you've understood. Although you've progressed quickly, reaching the seventh rank in less than a month, your foundation is not solid. It's far from as solid as Lin Dao and the others. The first step now is to forge iron. Treat yourself like a piece of iron, constantly hammering and removing impurities. Through thousands of hammer strikes, you will forge true gold."

Lin Zheng nodded. He watched as Lin Hong picked up a red-hot iron ingot from the furnace and raised a heavy hammer. The hammer whistled through the air, striking the red-hot iron with a force like a falling star. Instantly, loud sounds and scorching sparks filled the air. After a few strikes, the red-hot iron had turned into a small piece of refined iron. Lin Hong quenched the refined iron in water and threw it to Lin Zheng, saying, "Start forging iron these few days. When you can produce such a piece of refined iron, you can move on to the next step of your training."

Lin Zheng nodded again. The seemingly simple strikes were full of subtleties. Each strike landed perfectly on the iron, without a single misalignment. The height of the hammer's lift was always the same, and there seemed to be a special rhythm to the lifting and striking.

Lin Zheng walked to the furnace, picked up a red-hot iron ingot with tongs, placed it on the anvil, and selected a heavy hammer. He carefully studied Uncle Hong's movements, then struck the red-hot iron ingot forcefully. He closed his eyes and thought about it again, then raised the hammer and struck the iron ingot repeatedly. The small forge echoed with the sound of the hammer striking the iron, and sparks flew in all directions.

Lin Hong's eyes showed a mix of surprise and satisfaction. He lay back in a rattan chair, sipping strong liquor, but his eyes never left Lin Zheng.

Lin Zheng stood by the furnace, hammering away tirelessly, completely losing track of time. The small forge continuously emitted the sound of metal being struck.

When Lin Zheng's right arm started to feel sore, he finally stopped. At this point, his right arm was not just sore but swollen, with muscles twitching and aching.

Lin Zheng looked around but didn't see Uncle Hong. When he stepped out of the forge, he realized it was already night, with the moon high in the sky. He hadn't realized he had been forging iron until late at night. He grimaced, gently supporting his right arm, as even the slightest movement caused pain.

Lin Zheng slowly walked to his room. He decided to skip dinner and have it with breakfast the next morning. With his hands unable to lift, he just wanted to rest.

When Lin Zheng reached his room, he found a light inside. He pushed the door open and saw Li Ruoshui, propping her chin on her hand, lost in thought.

"You're back?" Li Ruoshui heard the sound of the door and turned to see Lin Zheng enter.

"Yes, I'm back. Why are you here, Ruoshui? Did Xiao Mei bother you?" Lin Zheng asked.

"No, you were still at the forge during dinner. Uncle Hong told us not to disturb you, so I left some food for you," Li Ruoshui said softly.

"Thanks, Ruoshui," Lin Zheng said warmly, feeling a warm glow in his heart.

Lin Zheng sat at the table without washing his hands. His stomach was growling, and he reached for the chopsticks. But as he moved his right hand, he gasped in pain, feeling as if multiple knives had suddenly cut into his right arm.

Seeing Li Ruoshui's puzzled eyes, Lin Zheng had to explain. With a helpless expression, Li Ruoshui blushed and picked up the bowl and chopsticks, offering to feed Lin Zheng. Lin Zheng blushed but obediently opened his mouth. The flickering lamplight and the gentle warmth filled the small room.

The next morning, Lin Zheng came to the forge early again. He started the fire, forged iron, and hammered away, beginning another day of training. After a night's rest, his right arm had recovered significantly. With the help of his spiritual energy, Lin Zheng felt a slight increase in strength.

The monotonous training began. Lin Zheng increasingly found joy in forging iron. He raised and lowered the hammer, the arcs of the hammer strikes landing on the red-hot iron ingot, and sparks flew in all directions. With each breath, it felt as if he was inhaling the scorching air. Lin Zheng felt like the red-hot metal, gradually removing impurities day by day.

In the evening, Li Ruoshui brought dinner to Lin Zheng's room again. Lin Zheng returned to his small room late at night, exhausted, and the room occasionally filled with warm laughter!

Day by day, Lin Zheng completely abandoned his cultivation of spiritual energy and mental power, becoming a blacksmith. From constant forging, he evolved into a master of forging. He crafted various items like small knives, hoes, shovels, rakes, and kitchen knives. Later, he even started mining in the mountains, learning all kinds of knowledge from Uncle Hong. Lin Zheng, like a sponge, quickly absorbed all the knowledge about forging from Uncle Hong. He seemed to have transformed, from a sharp and radiant sword to a simple and heavy great sword.

Two completely different images. Lin Zheng became more and more simple and natural, with no trace of spiritual energy. He seemed like an ordinary person, but his bright and clear eyes told everyone that he was transforming!

PS: I'm sorry for the late update today! Lin Zheng's special training has begun. Stay tuned!