Chapter 5, Smithing Master

Although Lou Yun is currently completely baffled, he also knows that the time left for him is truly limited. Therefore, he decides not to pursue Chang Xiang's question any further: "How do I cultivate? Should I go buy a mundane weapon now?"

Luo Yun suddenly came back to his senses from his reverie and nodded, saying: "Alright, so how should I cultivate now?"

Although becoming a weapon refiner is quite appealing, Lou Yun is unwilling: "You want me to become a weapon refiner? But what I want is to become stronger..."

The blacksmiths are also classified by rank, corresponding to the ranks of spirit weapon masters. There are ten ranks from low to high, but within each rank, there is no further division into five stars; instead, there are three tiers: upper, middle, and lower. Although the highest-ranked blacksmith on the Weapon Spirit Star is only at the seventh rank, the ordinary weapons he can forge are of the seventh rank.

No matter how powerful the spirit soldiers are, at the end of the day, it all comes down to whether the spirit power that can be utilized is strong enough!" Chang Xiang shook his head, seemingly unwilling to explain further to Lou Yun. He changed the subject and said: "I will ask you one question now: do you want to gain your family's recognition within ten months, restore your reputation as a genius, and have them recommend you to enter the Ancient Weapon Academy?"

The simplest reason is that spiritual weapons can continuously upgrade and evolve through cultivation, and with each major level increase, the spiritual weapon gains a new ability, and its power also increases. In contrast, ordinary weapons do not possess these characteristics at all; the weapon produced remains the same as it was when forged, regardless of how long it is used. Therefore, on the Spirit Weapon Star, there has never been a case of someone becoming a true powerhouse relying on ordinary weapons.

To unleash the power of ordinary weapons, the user must manipulate them with their own strength. Spirit weapon masters cultivate spirit weapons, infusing them with the natural spiritual energy they absorb from the world. As a result, spirit weapons grow increasingly powerful. Only when this spiritual energy reaches a certain saturation will the spirit weapons upgrade and advance. However, those who possess ordinary weapons cannot achieve this; ordinary weapons are merely a medium. They cannot be cultivated, so the user can only refine their own body, using their physical strength to activate the power of the ordinary weapons. Consequently, this approach naturally falls into a lower tier of cultivation.

I can help you, but whether you can achieve what you desire depends on your own efforts! A proud expression appeared on Changxiang's face

Alright, as long as you are willing to help me, I will definitely not let you down

Although the other party accurately described their own situation, Lou Yun was not overly surprised, because not to mention the Lou family, there were likely many people in the entire Linjiang City who were aware of his circumstances

Although much of what Chang Xiang said subverted Lou Yun's understanding of cultivation, he was now in a situation where he had no choice but to fight to the end. With no way to retreat, he could only choose to believe in Chang Xiang and see if a miracle could be created. Thus, he followed his advice and sat down cross-legged.

Immediately afterward, Lou Yun heard a clear and triumphant laughter echoing in his mind: "How about that? No one can possibly discover me!"

After speaking, he turned to leave, but Changxiang suddenly let out a cold laugh and said: "Do you think I would be so bored as to seek you out for amusement? Kid, let me tell you, I have been observing you in secret since the day you were born. You cultivated your military spirit to the tenth level by the age of six, but since then, your progress has stagnated. Even now, you are still unable to condense a spiritual weapon, am I right?"

You may now sit cross-legged and begin your practice according to the method I have taught you

Luo Yun was momentarily taken aback. The fundamental reason that those who use ordinary weapons cannot be compared to those who use spiritual weapons is that ordinary weapons cannot be upgraded or evolved. However, now Chang Xiang unexpectedly told him that ordinary weapons can also be upgraded and evolved, which is truly hard to believe

Don't look for it anymore, I am within you

Luo Yun was silent, for at that moment, his mind had begun to imagine what it would be like if he could truly refine upgradeable mortal weapons. His status, along with that of *Tu* *Shu*, would be self-evident. By then, not to mention Earth-level spirit weapon masters, even Heaven-level and King-level spirit weapon masters would likely come to curry favor with him. If that were the case, his father's illness and the humiliation he had endured over the years could all be swept away!

Although the ordinary weapons forged by skilled blacksmiths cannot possess the upgradeable advantages of spiritual weapons, many of them are of exceptionally high quality and can even rival spiritual weapons of corresponding levels

Yun was truly a bit surprised. It is important to note that his desire to gain the family's recognition and enter the Ancient Weapon Academy had only just occurred, and apart from his second uncle, no one else was aware of it. If this Chang Xiang had been hiding in the shadows, eavesdropping on his conversation with his second uncle, then the fact that his second uncle, with his cultivation level, had not detected him indicates that Chang Xiang's cultivation must far exceed that of his second uncle.

Indeed, to become a strong individual, one must first possess a robust physique, and this is an issue that nearly all of you have overlooked

Do not move recklessly, you cannot touch me. Rest assured, although I am within your body, I will not have any impact on you. Alright, time is limited, so you should start your cultivation without delay!

Upon hearing Chang Xiang's words, Lou Yun couldn't help but mutter to herself, how is this possible? Always by my side, yet others remain unaware. Are you a ghost or something?

However, I have one condition: the matters I assist you with must not be disclosed to anyone else, including your father

The term "Refining Master" refers to those individuals on the Star of Military Spirits who specialize in the crafting and forging of mortal weapons. However, the requirements to become a Refining Master are exceedingly stringent, resulting in a relatively small number of such masters. Consequently, the status of Refining Masters is also exceptionally distinguished.

The method taught by Changxiang is very simple; first, it is to let Louyun sense the spiritual energy between heaven and earth

In the subsequent nine years, all of Lou Yun's energy was focused on how to condense spiritual weapons, and he did not consider absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth for cultivation at all. Therefore, this can be regarded as his first true cultivation in his life.

Luo Yun noticed that after he uttered these words, a fleeting smile of triumph seemed to cross Chang Xiang's stern face.

Do you think that a weapon refiner is not strong? Let me tell you, refining weapons is also a form of cultivation. To become a good weapon refiner, your own strength must be solid, and truly skilled weapon refiners can create ordinary weapons that are just like spiritual weapons, which can also be upgraded and evolved

Cultivating the body

Before Lou Yun could finish this thought, he felt a flash before his eyes, and a beam of nine-colored light swept by, causing Chang Xiang to vanish unexpectedly

Luo Yun nodded and said, "There is no problem, but where should I go to find you?"

Common weapons are those that are forged and crafted by human hands

Chang Xiang fell silent for a moment before saying: "In fact, over the past nine years, although you have not been able to condense spiritual weapons, you have been absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth almost constantly. This spiritual energy has nowhere to go, so it can only continuously merge into your body, refining it. Therefore, your body has essentially been undergoing training all along, establishing a very solid foundation. You just lack a method to purposefully guide this spiritual energy."

Luo Yun could not help but exclaim: "No matter how strong the spirit of the soldiers is, it is only at the tenth level. What I need is a spiritual weapon. Only by possessing a spiritual weapon can I choose the techniques and military manuals for my cultivation"

Once you have perfected your physical training to the utmost, in certain situations, you may not even need to wield a weapon to defeat your opponent. Furthermore, to become a weapon refiner, one must also possess a strong physique

On the planet of Spirit Soldiers, there are many who are unable to condense Spirit Soldiers, and they can only choose to use ordinary weapons for their training. However, even if they can enhance their strength through ordinary weapons, they still fall far short compared to those who use Spirit Soldiers

Of course, it is not a matter of casualness; the refinement of each ordinary weapon depicted in the *Illustrated Book* possesses such a high grade, making the probability extremely low

Chang Xiang then said: "Although you have been unable to condense a spiritual weapon for nine years, your body has continuously absorbed the spiritual energy from the heavens and the earth, which has allowed your weapon spirit power to reach an unprecedented strength"

With the influx of spiritual energy, he gradually became more confident, perhaps he could truly achieve his goal within ten months

This, this, how is it possible

Gradually, the cloud of the building sank into a state of oblivion, where everything external would not disturb him at this moment. Meanwhile, Changxiang's soliloquy began to resonate: "With his current physical condition, he probably only needs three months to be able to wield the most basic mortal weapons. After another seven months, with the martial skills I have taught him, he should be able to surpass a primary two-star spirit weapon master, right"

As a trace of spiritual energy continuously flowed through the pores into his body, a faint, warm glow gradually emanated from Lou Yun's small face. At the same time, the unprecedented feeling of fullness within him caused the corners of his mouth to slightly rise, revealing a smile filled with contentment and confidence. It is worth noting that since the age of six, such a smile had not appeared on his face again

No, you cannot use the ordinary soldiers yet; the first thing you need to do is to cultivate your body

Chang Xiang extended a finger and shook it back and forth twice, saying: "You don't need to look for me; I will always be by your side. Rest assured, no one besides you will be able to discover me!"

Because Lou Yuntian was naturally more perceptive than others, when he closed his eyes and calmed his mind to carefully sense the surrounding environment with his spiritual awareness, it did not take long for him to discover countless spiritual energies that had previously gone unnoticed, drifting between heaven and earth

Chang Xiang's words caused Lou Yun, who was originally filled with anticipation, to feel a wave of disappointment. Her small face turned serious as she coldly said to Chang Xiang: "If you are here to amuse yourself at my expense, then you have found the wrong person. I do not have the time to entertain you."

What! Lou Yun suddenly exclaimed, while simultaneously his hands began to unconsciously roam over his own body.

Chang Xiang urged impatiently, "Kid, what are you still thinking about? Hurry up!"

How is it impossible? You have never seen or encountered these things, yet you believe they are impossible? Let me tell you, young man, you do not know; there are many, many things that are hard to believe!

Although it is invisible and intangible, the spiritual perception informs Lou Yun that the spiritual energy of heaven and earth is like strands of willow fluff, gently rippling and permeating the universe, wandering around his body. Next, it is time to absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth

What is the concept of a Seven-Rank Common Soldier? The term "Seven-Rank" corresponds to the level of spiritual soldiers, which is the Heavenly level. This means that a Seven-Rank Common Soldier can also reach the rank of a Heavenly spiritual soldier

Furthermore, should I inform him that his inability to condense a spiritual weapon is actually due to my interference

Where are you!" Lou Yun quickly turned around in a circle, but did not see Chang Xiang's shadow.

In simple terms, over the years you have been passively cultivating, and now you need to transform that passivity into proactivity. Based on the absorption of spiritual energy, you should simultaneously utilize this energy to cultivate your body

Indeed, for the people on the Spirit Soldier Star, becoming a Spirit Soldier Master is the primary goal, followed by beginning to cultivate Spirit Soldiers according to the corresponding techniques. Only those who are unable to condense Spirit Soldiers will spend time training their bodies, in order to gain more advantages and strength.

These thoughts merely flashed through Lou Yun's mind, as he was now more preoccupied with Chang Xiang's words, which represented an immense temptation for him. After pondering for a long time, Lou Yun slowly asked, "Can you really help me?"

To speak frankly, although Lou Yun had already reached the tenth level of military spirit power within his body at the age of six, this was not the result of his own cultivation. Naturally, he would never have imagined that all of this was actually granted to him by Chang Xiang