Collapse Iron: The Five Heroes of the Clouds Won't Let Me Go

In the year 7213 of the Star Calendar, Yingxing completed his coming-of-age ceremony.

Having turned eighteen, Yingxing underwent a dramatic change in just two years.

As the saying goes, a girl changes drastically at eighteen, and Yingxing's height suddenly increased to about 1.75 meters, the same as Jingyuan's.

The little girl from two years ago has grown into a graceful and gentle young woman, dressed in a gold-embroidered black brocade robe and jade-embroidered cloud-walking shoes.

A bright red silk ribbon hung behind her, tied in a knot at her waist.

A forging genius, a general's apprentice, a beauty from Jiangnan, and immensely wealthy—these labels attached to Ying Xing made him the object of many people's admiration.

Although there were many who were envious and jealous, they felt ashamed in comparison to the bright moon.

Currently, Yingxing's name is only widely known in Zhu Ming, but in the future, his name will be known throughout the Immortal Boat Alliance.

When Yingxing came of age, Zhu Ming also brought forth the rare "Great Forging Competition," a contest to prove forging skills. For Yingxing, who was of short lifespan, this was her only chance to participate in the competition.

While countless craftsmen were busily preparing for the competition, the focus of everyone's attention was on waiting at the port to welcome guests.

"Hey there~ Yingxing, long time no see, Fox~"

Without saying a word, Bai Heng pounced on Ying Xing. Now she was half a head shorter than Ying Xing, but she could comfortably bury her head in Ying Xing's arms.

Compared to Bai Heng's complete lack of boundaries, the others were much more polite and respectful.

First, he greeted General Huaiyan, and then he spoke with Yingxing.

Jing Yuan was the most surprised: "Although I had seen the photos before, I was surprised to see Ying Xing in person. The change is so great that I can't believe it's the same person at all."

"Eat more, exercise more, and you'll grow up naturally."

"You still need talent, right?"

Jing Yuan stared at a certain spot on Ying Xing's body. It was huge! It was really huge; if we were to rank it, it would be at least in the fifth tier!

To be clear, Jing Yuan himself could barely reach the second level.

It was obviously not a good place to reminisce at the port, so Ying Xing generously invited several friends to the VIP room.

As for their private conversation, it was inappropriate to disturb them, so Cheng Xiao was dragged by Huai Yan to go grocery shopping.

"No? I'm here as a guest, right? What's the meaning of having me cook?"

"Enough with the nonsense, shouldn't you use some food to encourage Yingxing?"

"I think it's you, General, who wants to eat?"

"Bullshit! How could I be that kind of person? You did a lot, and I just helped out with some. How is that the same thing?!"

In the reception room, Yingxing gave a brief introduction to the "Hundred Metallurgical Refinements" process, which was very simple: on-site forging and then comparing the finished products.

Danfeng suggested, "Are there any restrictions on the materials for the competition? Or do we have to bring our own?"

"No, the competition uses specific materials to ensure fairness."

More than the competition, the mirror flow is related to the star itself.

"I once taught you a move or two of swordsmanship; have you grasped its essence?"

Ying Xing felt somewhat embarrassed after hearing this: "I'm sorry, perhaps I am just dull-witted in the way of swordsmanship. For the past two years, I have only had the form of a sword but not the intent of a sword."

"It's alright, just practice more. Turn sword skills into muscle memory, and even the most foolish person can learn a third of the sword technique."

After chatting for a while, Danfeng got up to say goodbye.

"Although I would love to chat more, I have another engagement to attend to in Zhu Ming. I need to discuss important matters with Lord Yan Ting of Zhu Ming. I must take my leave now."

"It's alright. Yan Tingjun is also one of the judges for this competition. See you at the competition."

"That's excellent."

As a water dragon, Danfeng naturally felt uncomfortable in the territory of the fire dragon due to the incompatibility of their attributes.

In reality, the two families have a very close relationship, and with the addition of Tianfengjun from Yaoqing, they have more connections.

When it was time to eat, Huaiyan carried a cow back, planning to have a whole cow feast today.

Only Cheng Xiao's lips twitched, and he even used dragon flame to grill and cook.

Everyone had a great appetite, and surprisingly, Yingxing ate a third of a cow.

According to her, much of the nutrition and energy is stored in the muscles.

On the other side, a courtyard was ablaze with flames, the surrounding land was burning, and the vast scorched earth was filled with rising heat waves. A huge steel furnace sat in the courtyard.

Above him was a Vidyadhara meditating cross-legged, with a pair of crimson spiral horns; this was none other than Lord Yanting.

A film of water covered Danfeng's body. Although it would soon boil and bubble, the water in the film circulated and renewed itself, keeping Danfeng always refreshed.

"Xuantong, come down here to see me."

"Yinyue, you're calling me by my given name again."

Danfeng felt a little helpless: "When we meet in private, why bother with these formalities? It's just a code name; I'd rather be called by my real name."

"Hahaha, Yinyue, I prefer this name; it has a certain poetic quality. You've disturbed my inspiration for smelting; how will you compensate me?"

The raging flames reached the heavens, yet they could not harm Yan Tingjun in the slightest. Only she could come and go freely in this fiery court without any restrictions.

In the entire Immortal Ship Alliance, almost no one can surpass her in forging and smelting. This is true of all the successive Yan Tingjun, who was born as the embodiment of fire. All crafting techniques were created or expanded by her, and almost every crafting department of other Immortal Ships also had artisans sent by her to teach and pass on the skills.

She was also a master of alchemy and medicine preparation, a true master of her side hustles.

Incidentally, the late Master Mozi was one of them.

"I was just walking in the courtyard, my heart was sparkling with ideas, and I had some clever thoughts, but you interrupted me, and now I'm in trouble."

Danfeng didn't listen to her nonsense. Yan Tingjun and Bai Heng were both enthusiastic older sisters with no sense of boundaries, but Danfeng was the complete opposite. She clearly defined the boundaries when interacting with outsiders, leaving only a solitary figure.

"Xuantong, I have come here today to tell you about the progress of the Dragon Transformation Technique. I have been studying it for many years and have made some progress."

"Is this true?! This is no child's play. If the Dragon Transformation Technique can truly be accomplished, you, Danfeng, will be the greatest contributor to the history of the Vidyadhara! The Luofu Vidyadhara lineage will then be the orthodox Vidyadhara."

"I once tried the path of the traitorous dragon master Tao Ran. The dragon transformation technique is indeed feasible, but racial transformation is ultimately just an external force, not originating from our own wisdom."

Danfeng gently stroked her lower abdomen, which was empty; there was no so-called "nursery."

"Therefore, I want to pursue a more perfect path, a method to break free from the shackles of conventional wisdom!"

"Are you kidding me? You want to solve Chiming's fertility problem? No way, there are too many things involved, it's not something you or I can do."

Danfeng's expression turned serious, and his attitude became sincere and earnest: "I really have a way. There's someone who can help me succeed, and I absolutely believe it can be done!"

"You mean your old flame?"

Danfeng's face flushed instantly: "...Mm."

"Tsk, I bet your motivation comes from him, doesn't it? We, the Ming Dynasty, have love and we fall in love, but we never think about having children. I don't know where your obsession comes from. Look at me, I'm focused on guarding the [Tai Shi Sui Huang] and then playing with my hammer and lifting iron. My life is quite fulfilling."

"Hehe, there are some things you wouldn't understand even if I told you."

"I don't understand; everyone is different. Tell me, what do you need me to do?"

"I need you to catch a breeding insect for me, then refine it into liquid using Zhu Ming's most complete Creation Furnace, and add my dragon scales!"