Destined Child

Of course Jiang Feng would not miss the chance to learn something new. He soothed Fang Liuxian with kind words, almost to the point of bowing before him as a disciple—if not for Fang Liuxian himself stopping him.

To become an apprentice to an artifact master was not as simple as joining the Yuanshan Martial Hall; it required a formal ceremony.

Eager beyond measure, Fang Liuxian wanted to drag Jiang Feng back immediately, but Jiang Feng shook his head and crouched down, saying, “This is, after all, a tier-one, level-three luminous beast. Its materials shouldn’t be wasted.”

Given his rank, Fang Liuxian had little regard for such low-tier materials. Yet, on second thought, Jiang Feng was just beginning to learn artifact crafting and needed an abundance of basic materials. While such things could be bought at the marketplace, capturing and processing them personally was not quite the same.

So with patience, Fang Liuxian crouched beside Jiang Feng, meticulously analyzing the attributes, usable parts, and processing methods of the split-horned rhino.

Jiang Feng remembered something and drew from his pocket a book titled “The Strange Chronicles of Taiwu Mountain Beasts,” saying, “I obtained this book by chance in Taiwu Mountain. It seems to contain much of what you’re teaching.”

“Taiwu Mountain?” Fang Liuxian, deeply familiar with the geography of the Nine Heavens, remarked, “That’s a fine place—luminous beasts there are evenly distributed, their attributes quite varied.”

He flipped through the pages and was visibly surprised. “Where did you get this book?”

Jiang Feng replied, “Bought it at the Half-Moon Market.”

In truth, this book, along with the guiding manual, should be linked to the people from Chongfan. But since that was a matter internal to the Chongfan family, he said little more.

Fang Liuxian grew increasingly astonished as he read. “The author of this book must be an artifact master! All the material listed here are related to artifact crafting, and the information is impressively accurate and thorough!”

He was well acquainted with the luminous beasts of Taiwu Mountain, so he used the book to instruct Jiang Feng further.

As an artifact master, encountering a luminous beast, you may not know its name, but you must discern its attributes, which parts are usable, and how to process them.

Different attributes require different methods. For example, earth-type beasts generally possess formidable defenses, with thick, tough hides that are hard to cut. Yet, using certain types of wooden blades often yields remarkable results.

Fang Liuxian explained in a methodical manner, from top to bottom, and Jiang Feng’s mind grew clear; the scattered impressions he’d held before now found their principles, gradually forming a comprehensive theory.

Inspired, Fang Liuxian abandoned all haste, leading Jiang Feng deeper into the forest, teaching and demonstrating on-site with materials at hand.

As the sun set, Jiang Feng carried a huge leather sack on his back, walking out of the Twilight Forest alongside Fang Liuxian.

This time, the materials he brought home were fewer than usual, but their value far surpassed his previous gains.

Yet the true harvest that day was not only in tangible materials, but in the vast knowledge related to artifact mastery.

On the way, Fang Liuxian explained to him the other skills an artifact master needed besides sensitivity—most importantly, control over luminous force, something Hua Su had rigorously trained them in.

This was not only crucial in combat for martial artists, but even more so in artifact crafting.

Frankly, at the end of the ground trial, Fang Liuxian had been so moved he nearly rushed to accept Jiang Feng as a disciple, largely because of the technique he used to collect the last forty-two pearls.

In that process, Jiang Feng’s delicate control over luminous force was laid bare—something that could never be achieved by training alone, but required exceptional innate talent.

However, the control required for artifact crafting differed from that needed in formal combat.

Fang Liuxian taught Jiang Feng several methods of manipulating materials with luminous force.

Luminous beasts are born with a primal core and can use luminous force without training. It permeates every tissue, stored in certain key areas.

What artifact masters employ is precisely this luminous force. Thus, there are techniques for preserving the force within the beast’s tissues intact.

Such techniques demand control.

Jiang Feng proved to have remarkable talent in this regard. At first, though he could preserve the integrity of the material, much of its luminous force was lost. But gradually, the loss rate dwindled, until finally, he could retain more than thirty percent of the original force in the material.

He was somewhat dissatisfied with this result, but Fang Liuxian was elated, showering him with praise.

After all, this was Jiang Feng’s first formal encounter with the artifact master’s craft, his first real lesson in processing materials!

Even on their way back to Yuanshan Martial Hall, Fang Liuxian continued to praise him.

Jiang Feng smiled wryly, “Teacher Fang, if you keep complimenting me, I’ll forget my own name!”

Fang Liuxian waved off his concern, saying, “Don’t worry, you’re not that kind of person! In fact, for an artifact master, sensitivity and control are secondary. These skills improve with countless rounds of training. But only temperament is innate—untrainable. Yours is excellent, and that is most precious!”

He stroked his beard and laughed heartily, “Perhaps I’ll teach a fourth-tier artifact master yet!”

Jiang Feng raised his eyebrows, “I thought the highest tier was fifth?”

Fang Liuxian shook his head with a smile, “The peak for artifact masters is indeed fifth-tier. But what mortals can achieve is only up to the fourth.”

He halted and gazed at the sky. “There is only one way to reach the fifth-tier.”

“To glimpse the workings of heaven, to receive the mandate of destiny!”

“A fifth-tier artifact master must be a child of fate!”

…

…

Dusk deepened; Yuanshan Martial Hall’s lights were bright, smoke from cooking rose in the air.

Upon entering the main hall, Jiang Feng was greeted by the aroma of food.

A large round table had been set, dishes heaped in big bowls, each brimming with color, fragrance, and flavor.

Ping Luanshan came out carrying a bowl, grinned at their return, and said, “Go wash up quickly—we’ll be eating soon!”

Jiang Feng asked in surprise, “This is quite the feast!”

Ping Luanshan set down the bowl and rubbed his nose, saying, “Yes, there’s been much happening these days, all sorts of matters piling up. Teacher Hua said we should have a proper meal together, as he has things to say to everyone.”

Jiang Feng nodded thoughtfully, set down his leather sack, and pulled out another small bag. “Alright, I’ll add two more dishes myself.”

Ping Luanshan hurried after him, exclaiming, “Hey, is that luminous beast meat? If it’s not cooked properly, it tastes terrible. Are you sure you’re up to it?”

Jiang Feng laughed, “Relax, I was taught by a master chef—my skills are guaranteed!”

Ping Luanshan complained enviously, “Master chef? Can they be better than me?”

The two went in arguing; Fang Liuxian shook his head and chuckled, then spotted Hua Su standing aside. He said, “Young people need their own companions.”

Hua Su raised an eyebrow, “How did it go?”

Fang Liuxian beamed, “Do you have anything handy? Find me a spot later—I'm ready to formally accept a disciple!”

Hua Su glanced meaningfully toward the kitchen, saying, “Then you’d better eat plenty of the dishes that boy makes later!”

Fang Liuxian laughed loudly, understanding Hua Su’s hint: Jiang Feng was offering dishes as a token for his teacher—truly a fine apprentice.

…

…

Aside from the regulars at Yuanshan Martial Hall, Hong Cheng and Wang Erhu were there as well.

They still wore traces of sorrow on their faces, both with white bands wrapped around their arms.

However, their expressions toward Teng Zhi were calm. Yesterday, when Teng Zhi buried Chief Wu, they seemed to bear him no ill will.

Everyone gathered around the round table, with an extra chair and a set of utensils placed between Hong Cheng and Wang Erhu, reserved for someone not present.

Hua Su rose first with his cup, declaring, “Tonight’s banquet is first to celebrate Yuanshan Martial Hall’s triumph in the Linxi County exam!”

His gaze swept across the group. “Jiang Feng, first place; Hong Cheng, second; Ping Luanshan, sixth; Wang Erhu, eighteenth; Xiang Sheng, twenty-sixth. All five passed the county exam—from today, you are officially martial practitioners!”

When he spoke Xiang Sheng’s name, his gaze lingered on the empty chair for a moment. Everyone felt as if a youth sat there smiling, raising a cup with them.

Hua Su drank a cup with each of them, then bent down and poured the final cup onto the floor.

For a moment, silence reigned at the table, then Hua Su looked to Teng Zhi. “Teng Zhi, what are your plans now?”

Teng Zhi stood, staring at Xiang Sheng’s empty chair for a long time before asking slowly, “Teacher Hua, may I transfer halls?”

A transfer meant, if Hua Su agreed, that he would become a Yuanshan Martial Hall member until he left, though the name of Ancient Vine Martial Hall would remain on his record as his place of initiation.

He made his intention clear: he wished to keep Ancient Vine’s name.

Hua Su answered without hesitation, “Of course. Formally, that is the only way.”

Teng Zhi stepped back, bowed deeply to Hua Su, and solemnly declared, “Apprentice Teng Zhi requests entry to Yuanshan Martial Hall. Teacher Hua, please accept me.”

Hua Su responded sonorously, “Very well. From now on, you are one of Yuanshan’s own!”

A faint smile appeared at the corner of Teng Zhi’s tightly drawn lips. He raised his cup to the others, respectfully greeting, “Greetings, senior brothers.”

He addressed each in turn, even the younger Ping Luanshan and Jiang Feng, calling them senior brothers and treating them with respect.

Ping Luanshan, formerly most critical of him, now said nothing and drank a cup in his honor.

Finally, Teng Zhi came before Jiang Feng, gazed at him and said, “In the third trial, you bested me. I thought then you simply exploited the rules, but later realized your strength truly surpasses mine—by far!”

He raised his cup, drank it in one go, and said, “Senior Brother Jiang, I look forward to your guidance!”

Jiang Feng smiled, likewise drained his cup, revealing its empty bottom.

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