Chapter 12: Dou Qi Short Circuit and Backflow! Forging Begins!
What had Jiang Lin been up to lately?
Ever since his epiphany that Dou Qi energy flow patterns were strikingly similar to molecular structures, Jiang Lin had thrown himself into expanding this theory.
He developed what he called "metallic meridians"—conductive pathways that could channel Dou Qi. By using materials with varying levels of resistance, he could simulate how Dou Qi moves at different speeds through the human body's meridians.
Eventually, Jiang Lin built a humanoid model and embedded it with a precisely tuned Burst Step Dou Technique circuit. After confirming that the pattern wouldn't cause overheating, overload, or short circuits—and having successfully simulated a mini Burst Step inside the dummy using his own Dou Qi (which… resulted in a fart)—he confidently proceeded to the next stage of testing: magic core activation.
And that's where it all went wrong.
While the metallic meridians could withstand the wild Dou Qi within the magic core, Jiang Lin lacked the experience to control its output. The moment the energy spiked, he couldn't even run before it happened—the explosive force from the Burst Step circuit knocked the dummy's internal metal channels out of alignment, likely triggering a "Dou Qi short circuit" or "Dou Qi backflow."
If a regular cultivator had taken that hit, their flesh and blood meridians would've ruptured, their body forced to absorb the excess Dou Qi—resulting in immediate combustion, not just Qi deviation.
Normally, Qi deviation leads to ruptured meridians at worst—but with metal meridians equal to or tougher than a Grade One magic core, something had to give.
In short: the "fuse" was too thick, so the "transformer" exploded.
And it wasn't just a normal explosion. The rebounding Dou Qi seemed to have momentum—or even memory—and it re-formed the Burst Step pattern inside the magic core. Then—BOOM!
"So… you used a magic core to release a Dou Technique?" Mr. Yao looked at the soot-covered, eyebrow-less Jiang Lin and felt a cold jolt through his heart.
He had thought Jiang Lin might have a little talent as a forgemaster…
But was this his idea of a little?
Jiang Lin (with smug hand gesture): "A tiny bit."
"I lost control of the Dou Qi output… Who knew Dou Qi could short-circuit and flow backward?! Who the hell knew the human body had a built-in fuse mechanism?! Damn it, I'm furious!"
By the pond, Jiang Lin washed his face clean and stared at his reflection—bare-faced and browless. He wanted to laugh, and cry.
He had nearly died.
So close.
So damn close.
Even now, he felt like he'd barely survived a brush with death.
"You… sigh." Mr. Yao originally intended to scold him sternly. But when he saw Jiang Lin's ridiculous face—yet still carrying a rare, serene clarity—he could only sigh. "Safety comes first, Lin'er."
Jiang Lin gazed at his reflection for a long time. Then, rubbing his face and wiping his eyes, he finally smiled brightly at his browless self. "Don't worry, Mr. Yao. I've fully understood the core principles of Dou Techniques. I won't be so reckless again."
Technological development is never smooth sailing.
But Jiang Lin was also grateful that his disaster had happened using only a Grade One core.
It was just like that famous explosives researcher who nearly died from a blast as a teen—and was never hurt again after that.
Often, people fall during their very first setback. But those who survive it rarely fall the same way again.
"You… sigh. As long as you understand." Mr. Yao wanted to say more, but seeing Jiang Lin's bright grin, the words caught in his throat.
Looking at him now, Mr. Yao couldn't help but think of his own younger self. During his journey in medicine, he had nearly died from poison many times, or risked his life for rare herbs...
Everyone has their own path to follow. And even if that path is filled with thorns, they still want to walk it to the end. Don't they?
"Don't worry, Mr. Yao. My forging theory is solid now. I won't take risks like today again." Jiang Lin repeatedly assured him. Only then did Mr. Yao give him a deep look and quietly leave, leaving Jiang Lin alone to clean up the mess.
After a short rest to calm himself, Jiang Lin began clearing the debris. As he cleaned, he picked up broken components, documenting how each material had reacted during the short circuit and backflow explosion.
"Mr. Yao clearly knows a lot... and he even held back his curiosity. He didn't ask how I made the dummy perform a Dou Technique."
While collecting scraps, Jiang Lin couldn't help but muse, "I can't help feeling like Mr. Yao has a backstory or two..."
Picking up a piece of shattered magic core, he suddenly recalled something Xiao Yi Xian once mentioned—how there were never any rumors about Mr. Yao having a romantic partner.
No way…
No way...
No way, right?
Am I… the image of a long-lost love?
Jiang Lin took a moment to glance at his reflection again. Even without eyebrows, his features were delicate and handsome. His long hair was messy, but his star-like eyes gleamed. He noticed a subtle pure green glint in the dark of his irises. Then he grabbed a charred dummy finger and used it to draw in two smoky brows.
Dummy: You're unbelievable. You're 4K. You're Ultra HD. You obliterated my body and now you're using my finger as an eyebrow pencil?! That's ¥79—please pay up!
After sketching on the faint brows, Jiang Lin's eyes went wide.
Wait—who's this beauty?!
Apparently, the most masculine feature on his face… had been his eyebrows.
"My true self… was my eyebrows?!"
Just those two brows could shift his entire appearance from handsome to ethereal.
"Damn it, stop daydreaming. The brows will grow back."
Jiang Lin hurried to wash his face again, worried someone might catch him drawing eyebrows.
"Back on topic. Now that the dummy test is complete, the next steps will be much easier."
Little did he know that in just six months, he had already uncovered the core, top-level theory of Yellow Rank forging.
"With the theory established… now it's time to turn theory into results!"
Returning to the forge, Jiang Lin looked around at the neatly arranged Tier 1, Tier 2, and even some Tier 3 materials. His eyes gleamed with confident anticipation.
(Theory validated. Forging begins. Rest assured—Jiang Lin's forging style is mechanical at its core: clean and precise, yet fierce and overwhelming!)
(END CHAPTER)
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