Starting with warding off evil and disaster, one can ascend to immortality after countless tribulati

The next day, early morning.

Jiang Ming went to the blacksmith's workshop early to start work. He had witnessed the cruelty of the inner disciples yesterday, and many of them had bitter faces and blank stares.

When they saw Jiang Ming, their eyes held a hint of envy. They all seemed to be thinking that only by becoming a servant could they make a living in the outer sect.

"Brother Jiang, Manager Zhou wants you to come over. He looks much worse than usual. Be careful."

Thirty spirit stones were just presented as tribute yesterday.

Wang Yousheng had already tied his future to Jiang Ming's, and at this moment he couldn't help but feel nervous, describing the scene just now as if he were afraid of missing anything.

Jiang Ming was quite surprised to hear Wang Yousheng's anxious instructions.

Zhou Yi seemed to be furious, presumably because he had left without reason yesterday and the blacksmith's workshop had just experienced an accident.

Did Madam Zhou make a mistake in her judgment this time?

Suppressing his doubts, Jiang Ming hurried to the attic.

A moment later, Zhou Yi, with his hooked nose, leaned against the bench, glared at you with his eyes narrowed, and said in a deep, thunderous voice, "You've become powerful now that you're a constable, your wings have hardened."

Tell me! Where did you go yesterday?

"Reporting to the steward, since you assigned me the task of increasing iron production, I have not slept a wink all night."

After searching through ancient books, I finally found a method. After trying it many times yesterday, I felt completely exhausted and weak. That's why I left my post and went back to my cave to rest for a while.

"This incident at the blacksmith's workshop yesterday was definitely my fault."

Jiang Ming gave a respectful reply, but Madam Zhou did not appear for a long time, and his mood inevitably plummeted.

If he hadn't received the warning of impending doom, he would have wondered if he was truly doomed this time.

"You really solved it?" Zhou Yi's expression was neither sad nor happy. He threw the book in his hand aside and slowly got up to walk towards Jiang Ming.

His sharp eyes were full of scrutiny, and before Jiang Ming could answer, he pressed on, "Where did you get this method? Tell me the details."

As expected, nothing happened.

Madam Zhou was truly the strictest mother in charge!

Suppressing his inner joy, Jiang Ming pursed his lips, trying his best not to laugh, and calmly presented the solution he had extracted from ancient books.

Zhou Yi's body trembled instantly, his brows relaxed, and he urged repeatedly, "Excellent, hurry up and go out and demonstrate it for me."

Blacksmith's workshop.

When the disciples saw Zhou Yi striding over, Jiang Ming followed behind with his head down, feeling somewhat frightened.

While quickly speeding up his work, he also secretly watched Zhou Yi's expression.

Unfortunately, the old man remained expressionless as always, showing no emotion whatsoever.

"My God, please don't let anything happen." Wang Yousheng prayed silently in his heart, completely unable to concentrate on his work.

Like a woman about to give birth, struggling to turn over.

"What are you doing, get back to work!" Zhou Yi slapped Wang Yousheng hard across the face from a distance, his face fierce, and then glanced around.

All the disciples lowered their heads, trembling with fear, no longer daring to cast any glances.

"Demonstrate, within one hour." Zhou Yi sat to the side, giving the order indifferently, and waved his hand lightly.

The pure fire energy instantly spread out.

The blacksmith's workshop became steamy, as if one were in a sea of ​​fire, and the bellows pounded along with it, except for Jiang Ming's blacksmithing movements.

Zhou Yi took care of all the other preparatory work.

As expected of a cultivator in the late stage of the Qi Refining Realm, he can forge iron several times faster than others.

After a moment of reflection, Jiang Ming quickly stepped forward to show off his skills.

After all, it was knowledge obtained by extracting evil spirits through the "Yin Yang Ritual Music Harmony Ode," and the entire process was engraved in Jiang Ming's mind like a stele.

Therefore, Jiang Ming's hands never stopped moving from beginning to end!

Time passed slowly, and with Zhou Yi's help, the ironware was quickly forged.

The crisp sound of weapons clashing together made Zhou Yi's eyes twitch slightly. He immediately shouted, "Stop! I understand now. It really works!"

"I'm so glad to be working with the manager. I'm not tired at all. May I forge some more iron?" Jiang Ming said in a flattering tone, suppressing his inner revulsion.

Zhou Yi's expression stiffened slightly upon hearing this, and he looked at Jiang Ming with a strange gaze. After a long while, he nodded and said indifferently, "Do as you please, but don't keep me waiting too long."

He realized he hadn't flattered the right person.

Jiang Ming immediately stopped, threw the tools aside, and hurried to the attic amidst the surprised gazes of the crowd.

"It's settled, we've chosen the right person!" Gao Xing twitched his face, which had been swollen from being slapped by Steward Zhou. Wang Yousheng had already lost all feeling of pain.

Although my face felt burning hot as if pricked by needles, I felt incredibly happy, as if I had eaten honey.

Inside the attic.

Zhou Yi sat upright on the bench, drinking the fresh fish soup prepared by Madam Zhou. His gaze softened unusually. "Even if you were there yesterday, it would have been of no use in causing trouble among the inner disciples."

The reason I am displeased is because you abandoned your post without authorization. However, considering that there was a reason for it, I will let you off this time.

Your solution solved a problem for me. Now, tell me, what reward do you want?

The aroma of the delicious fish soup wafted through the air, and Mrs. Zhou's gentle voice seemed to echo in my ears.

Good sister, you are truly amazing. Although you didn't show your face at all, you gave me all the necessary tips!

He scratched his head, looking at Zhou Yi with an embarrassed expression.

Manager Zhou felt a little uneasy under Jiang Ming's gaze, and couldn't help but frown and scold with a smile, "Just say what you want to say, don't be so coy like a girl!"

"Manager, may I have a taste of the fish soup?" Jiang Ming swallowed hard, sighed, and began to recount the past with familiarity. "To tell you the truth, my parents went out to do business when I was young and never came back."

My grandfather raised me with great care, changing my diapers and feeding me. My family lived by a lake, so I've loved eating fish since I was little...

Behind the screen, Madam Zhou overheard Jiang Ming's familiar words, her delicate brows furrowing slightly.

Playing with the small bamboo whip in her palm, a hint of warmth flashed in her beautiful eyes. She pursed her lips and murmured softly, "Little rascal, not a word of truth comes out of your mouth..."

at that time.

Inside the hall, Zhou Yi listened patiently to Jiang Ming's story and felt an increasing affinity with him. He couldn't help but sigh silently, thinking that everything was preordained by fate!

If his son hadn't died, if his son had left an heir... his little grandson would be that age right now.

Recalling the mild and innocuous bad things Madam Zhou had said about Jiang Ming, Zhou Yi rarely showed a look of disgust.

This woman is short-sighted; she holds a grudge over a trivial matter and talks nonsense.

What a lovely child! She almost clouded my judgment!

"What's a bowl of fish soup? Drink it if you want. You have no relatives or friends in this world, and neither do I."

Considering your diligence and understanding, and that you are somewhat promising, I, an old man, bestow upon you a destiny.

Young man, would you be willing to call me "Grandpa"?

"...Grandpa!" After a brief pause, Jiang Ming mustered his energy and shouted in a tone of surprise and joy, then immediately bowed down.

Zhou Yi was naturally delighted to see this and quickly helped him up. He then instructed Madam Zhou in the back room, "Taoniang, make some more fish soup and bring it over!"

Jiang Ming silently memorized his sister's original name, Tao Niang, and drank several bowls of delicious fish soup under Zhou Yi's watchful gaze.

After a while, Jiang Ming was seen to have eaten and drunk his fill.

Zhou Yi waved his hand to send Madam Zhou away, then took out an ancient book and gently handed it to Jiang Ming, saying leisurely, "You are now at the late stage of the fourth level."

If you can learn my technique, you'll be on track to the fifth level in no time!