Chapter 489: Spirit Forging Yuhao
Generally speaking, even in later generations, a blacksmith capable of forging spirit forged metals would have already reached an advanced level in the field of forging. In smaller cities, such an individual would undoubtedly be highly sought after by various factions.
After all, being able to forge spirit forged metal meant a blacksmith had reached the fifth rank, earning the prestigious title of Forging Grandmaster.
Spirit forging is the fusion of life and metal, a process that imbues metal with life using one's martial soul as a bridge. Thousand refined metals only possess spirituality, but they do not have life. The enhancements that spirit forged metals bring to battle armor are immense.
Take one word battle armor as an example. While it can be crafted solely from thousand refined components, its compatibility with the soul master isn't ideal, often causing minor issues when worn.
Only two word battle armor, which is entirely crafted from spirit forged materials, eliminates such problems. After all, true battle armor only begins at the two word level!
Huo Yuhao began swinging a pair of newly forged hammers, hammering down on the silver colored metal before him.
With each impact, the rhythmic clang, clang of metal striking metal filled the air, forming a symphony of forging. It was as if Huo Yuhao alone was an entire orchestra, playing a magnificent piece.
Countless sparks scattered through the air, their faint glow casting a reddish hue on his otherwise fair skinned face.
These new forging hammers were made from thousand refined metals imbued with spirit, for as the saying goes:
"To do good work, one must first sharpen their tools."
For a blacksmith, the quality of their hammers was of utmost importance.
Thus, Huo Yuhao had recently replaced his old ones with these new, superior hammers.
Standing nearby, Kong Deming, Xuan Ziwen, and Jing Hongchen all observed intently.
Since Huo Yuhao was attempting to push his forging skills to the next level, they had temporarily paused their work on formation arrays to witness this moment.
Of course, this didn't mean research on formation arrays had halted.
In fact, to foster innovation, Kong Deming had already ordered Jing Hongchen to involve the entire Mingde Hall research team in the study of new forging techniques.
By implementing Huo Yuhao's forging methods, they aimed to create advanced metal alloys, which would then be used in soul tool production. These materials would be tested with newly developed formation arrays to optimize compatibility.
While the researchers weren't particularly strong soul masters, their innovative capabilities were undeniable.
Many of Sun Moon Empire's most advanced soul tools had been developed by these brilliant minds, especially Xuan Ziwen, whose creativity stood out even among the most talented researchers.
As for the soul engineers of the three Douluo empires and Shrek Academy…
Well, in terms of soul tool innovation, they were practically nonexistent.
Their entire approach was reactionary whenever Sun Moon Empire introduced a new soul tool, they would scramble to reverse engineer it, producing low quality knockoffs that barely functioned.
Jing Hongchen watched Yuhao work and muttered, "I wonder if Yuhao will succeed… Any breakthrough in technical fields is incredibly difficult, and the further one advances, the harder it becomes.
Even though Yuhao's forging skills surpass mine, I still think breaking through again in forging is an immensely difficult challenge.
Xuan Ziwen, do you think he can do it today?"
Xuan Ziwen, however, was brimming with confidence.
"With Yuhao's talent and his track record of defying expectations, I believe he will break through today!
By tomorrow, Mingde Hall should have a new batch of cutting edge metals for research.
You simply don't understand how the mind of a true genius works!"
Jing Hongchen's face darkened.
He felt like Xuan Ziwen had just insulted him.
To be fair, in terms of soul tool innovation, Xuan Ziwen was indeed his superior.
While Jing Hongchen had created the Red Dust Barrier, a defensive ninth ranked soul tool that required no cultivation restrictions, it was not an original creation.
Such devices had already been developed by past generations, and Jing Hongchen had merely learned from them.
Xuan Ziwen, on the other hand, was a true pioneer, which was why the other researchers respected him.
Even Kong Deming, despite overhearing their conversation, remained silent.
His full attention was locked onto Huo Yuhao, watching his every move.
CLANG! CLANG!
The speed of Huo Yuhao's hammer strikes increased.
Suddenly, the Blade of Life Guardian in his spiritual sea began to tremble.
A vibrant green glow, brimming with life energy, shot out from his forehead, landing directly onto the silver metal.
In an instant, the entire metal piece became engulfed in green light, trembling as it condensed into a spherical form.
A rich, pulsating life force radiated from the silver sphere, and then
A five foot long beam of green light shot into the air.
The glow illuminated Huo Yuhao's face, casting an almost eerie green hue over his features.
But rather than feeling alarmed, his expression was filled with joy because he knew he was on the verge of success.
"A thousand refinements create spirit; ten thousand refinements birth life."
A thousand refined metal merely possesses spiritual awareness.
But spirit forged metal truly comes to life.
This high intensity green glow signaled a crucial phenomenon
"The spirit is forming!"
Whenever this state appeared during forging, it meant that the metal's life force had awakened.
From this point forward, continued forging would inevitably result in a successful spirit forging process.
Determined, Huo Yuhao pressed on.
With every hammer strike, he poured in his soul power, while simultaneously channeling life energy from the Blade of Life Guardian.
Since this blade was deeply connected to him, his own body also radiated life energy so much so that even his blood had minor healing properties.
In a way, life energy had become part of his very essence.
As he continued forging, an odd sensation washed over him
He could feel the metal's existence as though it were a living being.
Each hammer strike felt less like shaping metal and more like helping a life form be born.
Gradually, his hammering became heavier, deeper, more resonant.
Then, suddenly
A muffled whimper echoed from the metal sphere.
In the next moment
BOOM!
An explosion of green light erupted, filling the entire laboratory with an overwhelming surge of life energy.
The metal sphere trembled, then rose into the air of its own accord.
Drifting toward Huo Yuhao, it nuzzled against his hand, like a child seeking comfort from its parent.
At that moment, the process was complete.
Huo Yuhao had successfully spirit forged metal for the first time.
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