Too many female prisoners, a special forces soldier transmigrates and marries wildly.

They've arrived. Lin Feng knew this was Ling Aoyun testing Su Xuanji, and perhaps also a way to demonstrate the Ling family's strength and indirectly warn her.

"Mr. Su is a guest of my household, so there is nothing wrong with it," Lin Feng said, leaving the decision to Su Xuanji while also leaving room for maneuver.

Su Xuanji rose and gave Ling Aoyun a slight bow: "I am honored by the old patriarch's kindness. My knowledge is shallow, and I would not dare to presume to teach others. However, since the patriarch has not rejected me, I am willing to give it my best. If there are any errors in my words, I hope the patriarch and all the experts will correct me."

His attitude was humble, yet exuded confidence.

"Excellent!" Ling Aoyun clapped his hands. "Someone, bring out those items from the 'Gathering Treasures Pavilion' so that Mr. Su and everyone can appreciate them!"

A moment later, four strong servants carried two trays covered with red silk into the hall and placed them on a long table covered with brocade in the center of the hall.

Ling Aoyun stood up, walked to the long table, and lifted the red silk on the first tray.

Inside the tray, lined with black velvet, were several pieces of minerals of varying sizes and colors. Some were fiery red, some were icy blue, and some were entwined with gold veins, all reflecting a captivating luster under the lamplight.

"Wow!" A murmur of amazement rippled through the hall.

Su Xuanji stepped forward slowly, and Ling Aoyun gestured for her to proceed.

She first observed the stone for a moment, then took out a small hammer from her sleeve and gently tapped it, listening intently to the sound. Her movements were skillful and professional, her expression focused.

After a moment, Su Xuanji straightened up, put down her tools, and wiped her hands with the soft towel handed to her by a maid.

"Mr. Su, how is it?" Ling Aoyun asked with a smile.

Su Xuanji pointed to the ore, her voice clear and steady, and began to explain it one by one:

"This piece is as red as fire and warm to the touch. It is called 'Crimson Flame Crystal,' which is mostly found deep within volcanic veins and contains the energy of sulfur and fire. It can be used to forge certain weapons that require high-temperature quenching."

"This piece of jade is as blue as ice and cool to the touch. It is 'Blue Marrow Jade' that is found alongside 'Cold Iron Ore'. It is extremely cold in nature and can be used to make the core of certain mechanical springs. It is an excellent material for crafting soft armor and rapiers."

"The piece with gold-like patterns is called 'gold-threaded copper mother,' the finest copper, and a top-grade material for making precision mechanisms and musical instruments. Such a large piece is quite rare."

The guests in the hall, especially some knowledgeable merchants and craftsmen, listened with nods of approval and admiration in their eyes.

"Mr. Su is indeed very learned!" Ling Aoyun exclaimed. "Then please watch the second game."

He lifted the red silk covering the second tray.

On this tray were only three items. On the left was a fist-sized, jet-black, dull stone; in the middle was a strange metal, curved like a horn, dark gold in color, with spiral patterns; and on the right was a palm-sized, flat jade box with its lid tightly closed.

Upon seeing these three items, Su Xuanji's pupils contracted slightly. Her gaze lingered longest on the middle section of dark gold spiral metal.

Lin Feng also noticed her subtle change, and a thought struck him as he looked at the piece of dark gold metal. Could it be…?

Su Xuanji took a deep breath and walked towards the dark stone on the left. She observed it for a long time, then tapped it lightly with a small hammer, producing a dull sound.

"This thing... is neither stone nor iron. I am ignorant and have never seen it before." She shook her head, frankly admitting that she did not recognize it.

Ling Aoyun laughed heartily: "It's alright! I obtained this item by chance many years ago, and I have studied it for many years, but I do not know its name. It is truly a rare object. It is normal that Mr. Su does not recognize it."

Su Xuanji nodded and looked at the dark gold spiral metal in the middle. This time, she looked at it even more carefully.

"This thing..." she began slowly, her voice heavy with solemnity, "its color and texture are quite similar to a legendary 'star-patterned gold.' It is said that this gold cannot be forged by human hands; it is an extremely rare and exotic variety of meteorite iron from outer space, and one of the core materials for forging certain divine weapons. However, this thing only exists in ancient books and legends; I have never seen a real one."

Star-patterned Gold! A commotion erupted in the hall. Although most people had never heard of this name, the words "extraterrestrial meteorite iron" and "core of a divine weapon" were enough to make their hearts race.

Ling Aoyun's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and he stroked his beard, laughing heartily: "Mr. Su, your insight is indeed extraordinary! Indeed, this item was obtained by chance by our ancestors, and it is said to be the 'Star-Patterned Gold'! It's just a pity that our ancestors tried countless times throughout the ages, but they could never melt even a fraction of it, let alone forge it. It's truly a regrettable matter!"

His words carried a hint of boasting, but also a trace of barely concealed regret.

Su Xuanji nodded, then looked finally at the flat jade box on her right. "Inside this jade box..."

"The item in this box is my most precious collection." Ling Aoyun's expression turned solemn as he personally opened the jade box.

Inside the box was lined with bright yellow brocade, and on top of it lay a... fragment.

It is dark cyan with a faint blue luster, irregular in shape, sharp at the edges, and has natural textures on the surface like shattered stars.

It was another fragment of "extraterrestrial iron"! Except for its shape, it was almost identical to the one in Lin Feng's arms!

Lin Feng's heart skipped a beat. Found it! The second piece!

Su Xuanji's body tensed instantly, but she quickly regained her composure. She leaned closer to the jade box, examined it carefully, and showed an expression of disbelief on her face.

"This...this fragment, its texture and luster seem to originate from the same source as that star-patterned gold? But its structure...is more complex and chaotic, like...like a secondary product formed after the star-patterned gold underwent some unimaginable violent impact, high temperature, and mixed with other unknown substances, and then collapsed?" She murmured to herself, her tone filled with uncertainty and shock.

Seeing the actual item alongside the "star-patterned gold" seemed to give her a new and even more astonishing idea.

Ling Aoyun was satisfied with Su Xuanji's reaction. He closed the jade box and sighed, "Mr. Su, you have excellent eyesight! This fragment comes from the same source as the star-patterned gold. Our ancestor obtained it and regarded it as a priceless treasure. Unfortunately, it also cannot be melted down and reforged. I invited you to appraise it today, hoping for the best. I wonder if you have any insightful opinions?"

He posed the question to Su Xuanji. This was a further test, and also a genuine glimmer of hope.

All eyes in the hall were on Su Xuanji.

Su Xuanji remained silent for a long time before slowly shaking her head, her voice filled with bitterness: "Please forgive me, Patriarch. I... am powerless to help."

This is the truth, and it aligns with her role as a "craftsman consultant." If she were to make any boasts now, it would only raise suspicion.

A flicker of disappointment crossed Ling Aoyun's eyes, but he quickly concealed it and laughed, "It's alright! Such a divine object is not something ordinary people can fathom. To have you all appreciate it today, sir, and to have your name revealed, has already broadened our horizons considerably!"

The appraisal ended with Su Xuanji's astonishing erudition and her eventual regret at being "powerless." But Lin Feng knew the target had been confirmed—the second fragment was in the Ling family, in that jade box. And that piece of "star-patterned gold" was an unexpected discovery; perhaps it was the key clue to refining the fragment?

The banquet continued, and the atmosphere became even more lively.