Wang Dong'er was nagging about something.
Fiddling with her slender fingers, a girl's thoughts were always delicate. Perhaps it was because she hadn't seen Lu Cheng for a few days, but her inner worry caused her to be quite talkative at this moment.
"Have you contacted the Clear Sky Sect recently?" Lu Cheng interrupted with a smile.
"No." Mentioning this, Wang Dong'er fell silent.
"Lately, Eldest Uncle and Second Uncle have sent letters asking about me, but I haven't replied to any of them—"
Some things, once exposed, can never go back to the way they were.
In her memory, although Eldest Uncle and Second Uncle doted on her, there were certain taboos they wouldn't allow her to touch, such as spirit tools, or dressing as a boy. Even when she argued or resisted, their once kind eyes would turn sharp—
At this point, the bits and pieces of the Clear Sky Sect were filled in her memory.
Was it truly the sect that raised her?
Now, it felt more like a devil's den.
"It's alright, I'm here." Lu Cheng smiled and rubbed the girl's pinkish-blue hair. This time, Wang Dong'er didn't roll her eyes or grumble while pulling her head away; instead, she nuzzled her face into Lu Cheng's chest.
That day, it wasn't just Xiao Xiao who was moved, but also Wang Dong'er.
She had originally only hoped Lu Cheng would step in, since he knew Ning Cong of the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School, hoping he could help mediate for Xiao Xiao. But who would have thought that because of her plea, this guy would directly flip the table with Shrek Academy, cripple an outer academy teacher, and form a deadly feud with Fan Yu, the head of the Soul Tool Department?
Aside from being moved, she also felt some shame.
After all, a few days ago, she had misunderstood Lu Cheng, thinking he took the benefits but did nothing, and had been grumbling and avoiding him.
"I've dragged you into this—" After a long while, the girl said softly and sweetly.
"Since that's the case, as compensation—I can walk on your back again…" Wang Dong'er gently played with her hair with her slender fingers, her pretty face blushing. She looked up, her pinkish-blue eyes sparkling as she stared at Lu Cheng.
"I just washed up, you know."
"You did? Then that really is—"
...a bit of a pity.
Lu Cheng showed a look of regret, and Wang Dong'er became even more embarrassed and angry, punching Lu Cheng hard with her small fist.
"You guy—what the hell is with that regretful expression!"
Soul Tool Department Experimental Building.
Inside a quiet laboratory.
Lu Cheng lightly flicked the light blue longsword in his hand, a look of satisfaction appearing in his eyes. Yesterday, he finished the defensive spirit tool "Snow Empress's Protection," and today he took out some more Divine Ice Crystals, forged some spirit tool formations, and created this longsword for offense.
Actually, he had originally planned to forge an ice bow or an Ultimate Ice martial soul ray, but on second thought, if it were one of the Snow Empress's three martial soul abilities, the Emperor Sword, supplemented by this sword made entirely of Divine Ice Crystals, its power would surely double.
Not to mention he had the Sun-Shooting Bow for long range; he was never short on long-range damage.
This ice sword was also the spirit tool that best suited him currently.
A longsword made from Divine Ice Crystals could only be manipulated by an Ultimate Ice martial soul, and its combat power would skyrocket.
This involved the production principles of Battle Armor.
In the original story, the reason Battle Armor was so powerful was that forging gave the metal "life," bringing it to life. Metal after Heavenly Forging could even possess attributes bestowed by the blacksmith, such as elements. Supplemented by spirit tool formations, the power increase was far greater than the sum of its parts.
And now, the Divine Ice Crystals were comparable to metal after Heavenly Forging. That's why the original Huo Yuhao was able to use them to forge the first prototype battle armor, the Ice Extreme War God Armor.
This was equivalent to bypassing the Heavenly Forging process (which was the hardest step; the blacksmiths of this era were far from the scale and strength of ten thousand years later. The only so-called "Divine Craftsman" they could produce was far from being able to match the strength of later Divine Craftsmen and could not complete Heavenly Forging).
"A Level Seven spirit tool, yet it can exert the power of Level Eight—however, this ice sword and the Snow Empress's Protection can be further optimized and perfected later. It's just a matter of taking them apart and changing the core spirit tool formations."
"And—"
Lu Cheng pondered for a moment and got busy again, taking out some other metal materials. The Scarlet Fire Carving Knife in his hand moved like a swimming dragon, carving out lines of patterns.
Another day and night passed.
Ning Cong yawned, complaining a bit: "You guy—you're always so elusive. It's Sunday today, and I was planning to go shopping with Linger, but you messed it up."
"Find me a channel to sell spirit tools, then it won't be too late for you to go shopping with your Linger," Lu Cheng said with a smile.
"Oh?" Ning Cong raised an eyebrow.
Ever since this guy made a fortune selling spirit tools to his classmates, he stopped accepting orders for low-level spirit tools. After returning from a trip to the Star Dou Great Forest not long ago, his strength had increased, and he disdained these "petty profits" even more.
But now—
"Two Level Seven defensive spirit tools and one Level Eight long-range martial soul cannon, all made of rare metal materials with unique elemental enhancements. Give me an estimate."
The smile on Lu Cheng's face remained as he casually tossed Ning Cong two braces and a long, thick martial soul cannon barrel.
He didn't continue using Divine Ice Crystals, not because he was stingy but simply because only an ultimate ice wielder could unleash their true power. If they only relied on spirit tool formations for base damage, it would be a waste of resources; it was better to use ordinary metal materials.
"Level Seven, Level Eight?!!" Ning Cong was shocked.
"Wait—where did you get these spirit tools? Don't tell me you made them yourself?"
"Mm-hmm, good guess," Lu Cheng said with a smile.
Ning Cong's throat bobbed. He leaned over and carefully examined the three spirit tools for a long while before saying solemnly, "A preliminary estimate: the two Level Seven defensive spirit tools are 250,000 gold coins each, and the Level Eight spirit tool is 600,000 gold coins. When I get back, I'll have the official stationed at Shrek Academy give a proper appraisal."
"No need; let's go with that price—" Lu Cheng smiled and shook his head.
It was quite a significant amount.
In the original story, at the Star Luo Empire auction, a Level Eight spirit tool made from a ten-thousand-year-old spirit bone, the Tyrant Tiger Soul Refining Saber, only sold for 650,000 gold coins. He only used some decent metals, not spirit bones—
"Alright, 1.1 million gold coins. I'll transfer it to you later." Ning Cong made an OK gesture.
"Are you going to the Treasure Appraisal Convention tonight?" Lu Cheng asked with a smile.
"No. If you need anything, just say so. My Nine Treasure Glazed Tile School's chamber of commerce spans the entire continent; there's no treasure we can't find," Ning Cong said proudly.
"I'm just bored and going to accompany Wang Dong'er for a stroll," Lu Cheng said.
"Wang Dong'er?" Ning Cong's eyes hinted at something as he waved his hand with a smile. "In that case, I won't disturb your date with your little lover."
With that, he stuffed the spirit tools into a storage spirit tool ring and headed toward Shrek City. He was going on a date with Xue Linger; they were in similar situations. At times like this, it was best not to disturb each other—a tacit understanding between men.
Notes:
🎉It's the hundred chapter celebration🎉 🥳
The bonus is for my other fics tho, (๑>•̀๑)