Chapter 74

Jiang Feng, of course, wouldn't miss the opportunity to learn something. He kindly comforted Fang Liuxian, almost ready to bow and ask for apprenticeship—though it was Fang Liuxian himself who stopped him.

The process of a treasure craftsman taking on an apprentice was not as simple as Jiang Feng joining the Far Mountain Martial Hall. There had to be a formal ceremony.

Fang Liuxian was eager and pulled Jiang Feng, wanting to head back immediately. However, Jiang Feng shook his head and squatted down, saying, "This is a first-stage, third-level Bright Beast; we can't waste the materials."

Given Fang Liuxian's level, he didn't think much of such low-grade materials. But he then thought that Jiang Feng, who was just starting to learn treasure crafting, needed a lot of low-grade materials. Such materials could be bought at the market, but hunting and processing them personally was a different experience.

He calmed down, squatted next to Jiang Feng, and began to analyze the attributes, usable parts, and processing methods of the Cracked Horn Rhino in detail.

Jiang Feng remembered something and took out the book "The Strange Beasts of Taiwu Mountain," saying, "I once obtained this book in Taiwu Mountain. It seems to contain the information you mentioned."

"Taiwu Mountain?" Fang Liuxian, who was very familiar with the geography of the Nine Heavens, said, "That's a great place. The distribution of Bright Beasts is even, and their attributes are comprehensive."

He flipped through the pages and was surprised, "Where did you get this book?"

Jiang Feng replied, "I bought it at the Half-Moon Market."

In fact, the book, along with the Guiding Technique, was likely related to the people from Chongfan. But since it was a matter of the Chongfan family, he didn't want to say too much and just gave a vague answer.

Fang Liuxian was more and more surprised as he flipped through the book, "The author of this book must be a treasure craftsman! The content listed here is all related to treasure materials, and it's quite accurate and complete!"

He was very familiar with the Bright Beasts of Taiwu Mountain and used this book to explain to Jiang Feng.

As a treasure craftsman, when encountering a Bright Beast, you might not know its name, but you must know its attributes, which parts can be used, and how to process them.

Different attribute Bright Beasts have different processing methods. For example, Earth-type Bright Beasts usually have extremely strong defenses, with tough and thick skin that is hard to cut. However, using different types of wood knives often yields surprising results.

Fang Liuxian's thinking was very clear. As he explained from top to bottom, Jiang Feng's mind also quickly became clear. His previous fragmented impressions found their principles and gradually formed a complete theory.

Fang Liuxian, excited by his explanation, decided not to rush back and started leading Jiang Feng deeper into the forest, gathering materials on the spot, and demonstrating as he taught.

When the sun set, Jiang Feng, carrying a large leather bag, walked out of the Twilight Forest with Fang Liuxian.

This time, the materials he brought back were actually much less than usual, but their value far exceeded what he had obtained before.

During the day, Jiang Feng's gains were not just the physical materials but also a wealth of knowledge related to treasure crafting.

On the way, Fang Liuxian also explained to him the other qualities a treasure craftsman needed besides sensing ability.

The most important one, which Hua Su had always strictly trained them in, was the control of Bright Energy.

This was not only an important quality needed in daily combat but also played a significant role in treasure crafting.

To be honest, the reason Fang Liuxian was so eager to take Jiang Feng as an apprentice at the end of the Earth Trial was mainly because of the method he used to obtain the last forty-two beads.

In that process, his precise control of Bright Energy was evident, which was not just the result of training but also required strong talent!

However, the control required for treasure crafting was different from that in regular combat.

Fang Liuxian taught Jiang Feng some techniques for using Bright Energy to process materials.

Bright Beasts are born with a core and can use Bright Energy without cultivation. Bright Energy permeates every part of their bodies and is stored in certain key areas.

What a treasure craftsman needs to use is precisely this Bright Energy. Therefore, there are techniques for preserving the Bright Energy in the body tissues of Bright Beasts.

This technique requires control.

Jiang Feng indeed had a great talent in this area. At first, even if he could preserve the integrity of the materials, he would lose a lot of Bright Energy. Gradually, the loss rate decreased, and finally, he could preserve more than thirty percent of the original Bright Energy in the materials.

He was not very satisfied with this result, but Fang Liuxian was already amazed and praised him repeatedly.

After all, this was the first time Jiang Feng had formally come into contact with the profession of a treasure craftsman and the first time he had formally learned to process materials!

Even on the way back to the Far Mountain Martial Hall, Fang Liuxian continued to praise him.

Jiang Feng smiled bitterly, "Teacher Fang, if you keep praising me, I'll forget my own name!"

Fang Liuxian said nonchalantly, "Don't worry, you're not that kind of person! Actually, as a treasure craftsman, sensing ability and control are secondary. These things can improve with millions of repetitions. But temperament is innate and can't be cultivated. Your temperament is good, and that's especially valuable!"

He stroked his beard and laughed, "Who knows, I might be able to teach a fourth-rank treasure craftsman!"

Jiang Feng raised an eyebrow, "I thought the highest rank was fifth?"

Fang Liuxian shook his head and smiled, "The peak of a treasure craftsman is indeed the fifth rank, but the highest humanly achievable is the fourth."

He stopped and looked at the sky, "The only way to become a fifth-rank treasure craftsman is—"

"To glimpse the will of heaven and fulfill the heavenly mandate!"

"A fifth-rank treasure craftsman must be a child of destiny!"

...

...

As dusk fell, the Far Mountain Martial Hall was already lit up, and the kitchen was filled with the aroma of cooking.

As soon as Jiang Feng entered the main hall, he smelled the fragrance of the food.

A large round table was already set up in the main hall, filled with dishes in large bowls, all of which were colorful and fragrant.

Pingle Shan, holding a bowl, saw them return and smiled, "Go wash up, dinner will be served soon!"

Jiang Feng asked in surprise, "This is a grand feast!"

Pingle Shan put down the bowl and rubbed his nose, "Yes, there have been many things these past two days. Teacher Hua said we should have a good meal and talk about some things."

Jiang Feng nodded thoughtfully, put down the leather bag, and took out another bag, saying, "Okay, I'll add a couple of dishes."

Pingle Shan hurriedly followed him in, "What? Is that Bright Beast meat? This stuff is hard to cook well, are you sure you can do it?"

Jiang Feng smiled, "Don't worry, I was taught by a master chef, my skills are guaranteed!"

Pingle Shan said enviously, "What master chef, can he be as good as me?"

The two bickered as they went in, and Fang Liuxian shook his head and laughed, turning to see Hua Su standing nearby, "Young people need young companions."

Hua Su raised an eyebrow, "How is it?"

Fang Liuxian's face showed joy, "Do you have a place here? I need to find a place to take on an apprentice!"

Hua Su smiled and glanced at the kitchen, hinting, "Then you should eat more of the dishes this young man makes!"

Fang Liuxian laughed, understanding that Jiang Feng's initiative to cook was a way to thank his teacher. Indeed, he was a good apprentice!

...

...

In addition to the regular members of the Far Mountain Martial Hall, Hong Cheng and Wang Erhu also came.

Their faces still bore a hint of sorrow, and they both had a white band tied around their arms.

However, they looked at Teng Zhi calmly. Yesterday, Teng Zhi had buried the martial instructor, and they seemed to have no objections to him.

The group gathered around the round table, and an extra chair and a set of utensils were placed between Hong Cheng and Wang Erhu, clearly for someone else.

Hua Su stood up with a cup in hand, "This banquet tonight is first to celebrate our Far Mountain Martial Hall's great victory in the Linxi County Examination!"

His gaze swept over everyone, "Jiang Feng, first place; Hong Cheng, second; Pingle Shan, sixth; Wang Erhu, eighteenth; Xiang Sheng, twenty-sixth. All five of you have passed the county examination and are now official martial cultivators!"

When he mentioned Xiang Sheng's name, his gaze lingered on the empty chair. Everyone felt as if a young man was sitting there, smiling and raising a cup with them.

Hua Su drank a cup of wine with each of them, and finally, he bowed and poured the last cup on the ground.

There was a moment of silence at the table, and Hua Su's gaze fell on Teng Zhi, "Teng Zhi, what are your plans now?"

Teng Zhi stood up, staring at the empty chair for a long time, and slowly asked, "Teacher Hua, can I transfer to your hall?"

By "transfer," he meant that if Hua Su accepted, he would be a member of the Far Mountain Martial Hall until he left. However, the name of the Ancient Vine Martial Hall would still be on his record, as his启蒙martial hall.

His meaning was clear; he hoped to retain the name of the Ancient Vine Martial Hall.

Hua Su said without hesitation, "Of course, under normal circumstances, this is the only way to handle it."

Teng Zhi stepped back, bowed deeply to Hua Su, and said solemnly, "Apprentice Teng Zhi requests to join the Far Mountain Martial Hall. Please accept me, Teacher Hua."

Hua Su said loudly, "Good, from now on, you are one of us at Far Mountain!"

A smile appeared on Teng Zhi's tight lips, and he raised his cup to the others, saying solemnly, "Greetings to my senior brothers."

He greeted each of them, even addressing the younger Pingle Shan and Jiang Feng as senior brothers, showing respect.

Pingle Shan, who had disliked him the most, silently drank a cup of wine with him.

Finally, he walked to Jiang Feng, looked at him, and said, "In the third round of the Human Trial, you defeated me. At the time, I thought you just took advantage of the rules. Later, I realized that your strength is indeed above mine, far surpassing me!"

He raised his cup and drank it in one go, saying, "Senior Brother Jiang, please guide me in the future!"

Jiang Feng smiled slightly, drank it in one go, and showed the bottom of his cup.

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Thank you all for your support in the book review section (bow). Really, really, very much appreciated.

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