Tome of Troubled Times

Chapter 639: Dragon Bird Grows Up

Extracting specific materials from a finished product was an incredibly intricate process. Even with the technologies accessible to modern industrial plants, this process involved multiple complex procedures. At the very least, it was certainly not something a single forge should be able to accomplish.

But in a xuanhuan world, such complications vanished. The only real challenge here was finding a flame hot enough to melt a divine trident.

The Southern Li Fire in this place perfectly met that requirement. As Zhao Changhe watched the trident gradually melt, he grew more convinced: this fire was stronger than Vermillion Bird’s. And this was just a little branch of the flame—who knew what its true core might be like? There was a good chance that the key to Vermillion Bird’s breakthrough lay right here.

With Black Tortoise’s forging techniques at his disposal, as long as he could melt the metal, the materials would automatically separate themselves.

Yet, Zhao Changhe realized he still could not escape relying on the Back Eye.

The issue lay in identifying the separated materials. Even if the mystical process allowed the molten metal to split into different components automatically, how could he tell which part was which? Human eyesight alone simply did not suffice.

With his Qi Observation Art, he could vaguely detect different energy signatures in each area of the molten metal. But for precision, he needed the Back Eye.

The Back Eye was a divine ability, naturally superior to human sight. It was an ability that would have perhaps come about only by cultivating visual abilities continuously for who knew how many years. Combining the Back Eye with his ability to see energy flows allowed him to see the intricate details within the molten metal, almost down to the elemental composition. It was like witnessing the essence of all things laid bare.

Staring into the molten mass, Zhao Changhe mused.

If figures like the blind woman with divine eyes such as this can perceive the world reduced to its fundamental particles, then it's no wonder they're emotionally detached. After all, to her, humans might just be clusters of cells.

If everything was just raw components, why did she get so angry when he gave her face cream? Isn't it just molecules interacting?

Hiss!

Zhao Changhe directed his true qi into the molten metal, accurately separating the components and setting them aside. Before long, a collection of metal ingots of various hues lay before him.

Forging in a fantasy world was surprisingly fun. Zhao Changhe found himself genuinely enjoying it. It felt like playing a game, surreal and immersive. It was no wonder Old Xia saw this world as a game. In many ways, it did feel like one. Even the sky broadcasting announcements to everyone was game-like.

And, of course... weapons that talked back were very much like game companions.

“Dragon Bird, don’t worry. I’ll refine you carefully...”

“I don’t need reforging! Did you hear me?”

“Come on, just say ‘small fry’ for me.”

“Small fry! They’re all small fry! Why bother with this reforging nonsense?”

Zhao Changhe felt a deep sense of satisfaction.

He ran his fingers along the intricate patterns on the saber and murmured, “The dragon bird engraving that Old Xia did is pretty basic. I learned some painting from Wanzhuang, so I can definitely make it look better.”

“...Oh. In that case, go ahead.”

Zhao Changhe carefully eased Dragon Bird into the forge’s flames. Seeing his cautious demeanor, Dragon Bird could not help but chuckle in exasperation. “I don’t feel pain. I’m a saber. You never hesitate when you bash me against other weapons in battle, but now you’re worried about this? How did I end up with such a ridiculous master?”

“It’s different when you’re being immersed in fire... Even if I’m ridiculous, I’m still your master.”

Dragon Bird: “...”

The saber huffed. “This fire can’t melt me. Just shove me in already; you’re wasting time!”

Zhao Changhe rolled his eyes. You could at least humor me and say I’m not a small fry...

He slid the saber fully into the flames, watching intently. As the heat intensified, Dragon Bird began to glow a deep red, and Zhao Changhe felt a pang in his chest.

It was impossible to truly see this as just a game.

Looking closer, he noticed tiny nicks along the edge of the saber—imperceptible unless you really paid attention. It made sense. After all, with countless battles and opponents wielding weapons like that divine trident, how could Dragon Bird remain flawless? In reality, it really was due for reforging, at least to temper the edge anew.

Fortunately, there was no need to melt it down completely—just soften it enough for reshaping. The additional materials, however, would need to be liquefied before being infused, ensuring Dragon Bird could fully absorb and merge with them.

And then there were the surplus materials from Old Xia’s forge, like the Night Flowing Sand. Beyond its symbolic meaning for the night sky, incorporating it into the saber would lend a unique quality of not being bound by time or place, ever shifting and elusive. This would synergize perfectly with his stealth and surprise attacks, such as Hell on Earth and Listening to the Spring Rain in a Little Pavilion at Night.

When Dragon Bird finally glowed bright red and began absorbing the molten materials, Zhao Changhe pulled it out of the forge. The moment the saber left the fire, Dragon Bird huffed with mock pride, “See? I told you this fire couldn’t melt me!”

Zhao Changhe could not help but imagine the saber standing with hands on its hips, and he realized how absurd his own mind was. Silently, he picked up a forging hammer.

“So, you’re saying you didn’t soften at all?” He raised the hammer and, without a word, brought it crashing down.

Clang!

Dragon Bird shuddered slightly.

It was not pain. It did not feel pain. If anything, it was... pleasure?

Since Dragon Bird was being infused with materials that genuinely strengthened it, the sensation it experienced was akin to a human breaking through to a new level in their cultivation. This kind of euphoria often surpassed and outlasted physical pleasures, which was why many powerful cultivators lost interest in worldly desires, preferring to meditate and pursue their path. The satisfaction from advancement was simply that overwhelming and all-consuming.

Although Dragon Bird did not feel physical sensations like pain or pleasure, spiritually, it sensed this surge of power all the more.

Zhao Changhe noticed and deliberately teased it, “Why are you so quiet? Did that hurt?”

Dragon Bird fumed, “With that pathetic hammer? You think it can hurt me, you small fry!”

It seemed to be really enjoying the words "small fry."

Clang!

Zhao Changhe struck it again. “The hammer may be weak, but I’m not. Now, call me master.”

Dragon Bird: “...No.”

Clang!

Dragon Bird: “Not happening!”

Zhao Changhe paused, lifting the hammer with exaggerated patience.

Dragon Bird: “...Master.”

Clang!

Zhao Changhe smirked. “Say it louder, or I’ll hit you harder.”

Dragon Bird: “Master.”

Nearby, the blind woman stood with her arms crossed, observing the scene with a look of resignation. She did not even have the energy to complain.

And this guy thinks Xia Longyuan was childish and full of delusions? He's just as childish—worse, even—and decidedly more twisted.

But she had to admit, his talent was absurd.

Even though his forging lacked the complex, detailed processes of the modern world, it demanded an equally meticulous precision. For instance, separating different materials required exact control—any deviation could introduce impurities. Yet, on his very first try, Zhao Changhe’s accuracy surpassed even the precision of a laser cutter.

The subsequent forging and melding of materials were just as demanding. The new components had to integrate seamlessly into the saber. Any inconsistencies in thickness or distribution would weaken the weapon rather than strengthen it. And yet, in Zhao Changhe’s hands, there was not the slightest error.

This was the result of his unparalleled control over his physical movements and mental focus. His innate talent was remarkable. Most people could know how to perform a task and still make mistakes due to mental lapses, but not him. If Zhao Changhe knew how to do something, he would execute it flawlessly, even on the first attempt. His talents were perfectly suited to physical tasks, and forging seemed to fall squarely into that category.

...and so did other physical pursuits.

Oddly enough, for artistic skills like painting, he was just average. It was baffling how, during his time learning the four classical arts from Tang Wanzhuang, he barely improved in those areas. It seemed that rather than mastering the art of painting to please his teacher, he’d more readily master the art of pleasing his painting teacher.

Fortunately, he had at least studied the craft, making his skills slightly better than Xia Longyuan's. His sense of aesthetics also had a slight edge. The patterns he carved truly did turn out more refined than Xia Longyuan’s.

The intricate design of a dragon-headed, bird-bodied creature, claws extended menacingly, gradually spread across both sides of the blade. The proportions were harmonious, the expression fierce.

Once the blade cooled, it turned pitch black. Even just a little bit of Night Flowing Sand had left the blade steeped in shadowy darkness, completely overpowering whatever colors the other materials had. Subtle hints of crimson glowed within the black, but this was not due to any material—it was Zhao Changhe’s own unique saber intent, fused during the forging process. It was his comprehension and mastery of vicious blood qi.

Where the original Dragon Bird once embodied Xia Longyuan’s conquests and imperial dominance, its essence now fused with the dark night and vicious blood.

This was now truly Zhao Changhe’s saber. The saber that had called him “master” throughout the whole process was completely reforged, transformed in body and spirit.

After letting it cool for a while, Zhao Changhe replaced the fittings on the blade, then grasped the hilt and allowed his consciousness to merge with the saber.

A vision formed: a ponytailed girl stood there with arms akimbo, glaring defiantly at the intruder. “Hey, even if you’re my master, you can’t just barge into my home!”

Zhao Changhe blinked in surprise.

This was the first time he had seen the Dragon Bird’s spirit manifest.

So he had been right—it was a little girl.

According to the forging manuals, sentient weapons were classified into three grades: Heaven, Earth, and Man. Previously, Dragon Bird had been a mid-tier Man-grade weapon. Now, it was likely an upper-tier Earth-grade weapon.

As for why it had not reached Heaven grade?

Clearly, the limitation was tied to Zhao Changhe’s own saber intent. His intent had not yet reached the Heaven grade, and being elevated to the Earth grade was likely the merit of the weapon’s exceptional materials. Reaching the Heaven grade would require nurturing the spirit with his own saber intent—only by growing stronger himself could the weapon ascend in power.

Besides... this little girl looked nothing like Xia Longyuan. He had half-expected to see a figure similar to Chichi, given that Dragon Bird was, in some sense, Xia Longyuan’s child.

Yet here she was... unmistakably bearing traces of Zhao Changhe’s own features.

Zhao Changhe was undeniably handsome. Even the scar that marred his face did nothing to detract from his rugged appeal. If a child inherited his features, a boy would be a strikingly handsome youth, and a girl would be a fierce beauty.

The question now was... Who was the mother?