The Legend of Fangren

Chapter 144 The Hall of Departing Fire

Most of the caravans that come to the Fire Palace bring some forging materials. The tree monster disaster has produced a lot of wood pills, as well as various crystals and minerals produced in the cave secret realm some time ago.

Caravans traveling to and from this place don't just come from Emerald City. Fire Palace is located in the middle of the southeast and central borders. If you go from the other side of the canyon, there is a road that leads directly to the central border, and the caravans traveling to and from that side are the most numerous.

"Come and take a look! Freshly forged refined iron sword blanks! Buy one and you can embed a crystal core immediately, no waiting, no pre-ordering required~"

"Premium wooden beads! Originating from the Eastern Realm, infused with the energy of a fifth-tier Great Mystic Beast, guaranteed fresh and brimming with energy!"

"Flowing Cloud Blue Crystal! A third-tier water-type crystal core, a rare find you shouldn't miss!"

Although the Li Huo Palace was built on a cliff, its iron-cast foundation was firmly planted in the stone walls on both sides, supporting a huge platform in the open space in the canyon. This platform, like the Star Gazing Platform at the entrance of the Longhe Sect, was inlaid with a magic array, making it extremely sturdy. With a diameter of over two hundred meters, it could accommodate a large number of caravans and horses. It was named the Li Huo Platform.

The caravan followed the plank road to the Fire Platform, where it was bustling with activity. All sorts of treasures were coming and going, and there were many rare and exotic items, dazzling the eyes. However, the prices marked on the platform were prohibitive for most people.

Qu Mei held her wooden bead, which she had previously treasured, but now, looking out the carriage window at all the other treasures, she wished she could exchange the bead for money and buy something else.

Fang Shi and Luo He, who were riding in the same carriage, were opposite each other. Fang Shi asked, "Senior Sister Qu, didn't my master give you a large sum of money?"

"Come on, bro? He's incredibly stingy; he didn't give me a single penny for other expenses."

Luo He said with a grin, "Senior sister, I remember you bought a very expensive dress yesterday, haven't you returned it yet?"

"Anything else is fine, just that dress. I've practiced martial arts since I was little, and my deadbeat father has hardly ever let me wear a pretty dress. I'm a young woman of marriageable age, is it too much to ask for a dress?"

"What will you do if we don't have money to buy materials later?"

Qu Mei said, "Isn't there also the adorable Junior Brother Fang?"

"Huh?" Fang Chi was taken aback. "We're not related. You can't expect me to actually acknowledge you as my father just because I took care of your child for two days."

"You have no manners~" Qu Mei rolled her eyes at him and said, "Think about it, my older brother is your master, and you are my older brother's personal disciple. As the saying goes, a teacher is like a father, and I am his half-sister. So shouldn't you call me 'Master Aunt'? -- Hmm, 'Master Aunt' sounds a bit old. Let's add 'Little' before it, and you can call me 'Little Master Aunt'."

This logic was exceptionally sound and flawless, which convinced Qu Mei immediately. She even got excited and landed next to Fang Shi in a flash, adopting the demeanor of a very kind and benevolent elder, and affectionately called out, "Come here, Junior Nephew Fang, quickly call me Junior Aunt so I can hear it."

Fang Shi had nowhere to refute, and without a trace of emotion, he tugged at his neck: "Little—Master—Aunt—"

'

His words were cold and icy, like a chilling wind, but Qu Mei was as warm as fire. She put an arm around his neck, not caring that her soft breasts were pressing against him, and leaned against him, saying, "Oh~ Junior Nephew Fang is so good, so how about lending some money to Junior Aunt to buy materials?"

"No—don't!"

"Ah...we're related now, shouldn't we help each other out when we're traveling?"

"Then where are we located?" Fang Shi asked a precise question.

"This—" Qu Mei racked her brains, "I can put in a good word for you with Master when I get back."

I do not accept empty promises.

"But I don't have anything else on me right now, just this pretty dress. Are you going to wear it?" Qu Mei pitifully pulled the dress out of her bag, then suddenly remembered something and said, "You definitely won't wear it, right? How about this, I'll put it on for you to see when I have time, okay? I am a great beauty, after all."

Well, just now the junior aunt who was acting like an elder is now planning to use her beauty to bribe her junior nephew. The world is going to the dogs.

Luo He watched them bickering with a smile. Before leaving, she just wanted to savor the warm and playful moments between her friends.

"We've arrived. Everyone, please get off the bus."

The elder, leading his disciples, did not linger at the Li Huo Platform, but went directly into the Li Huo Palace tower.

The Li Huo Palace is a tower-shaped building with five floors. Except for the bottom floor, the second, third and fourth floors above it are all forging rooms for weapon refiners. Using natural earth fire, it is convenient and quick to refine materials here. Therefore, in addition to ordinary cultivators, it is also a holy place for many weapon refiners.

"Oh my, we've finally welcomed the Dragon River Sect's training disciples for this year. Hmm? Why are all the first batch this year young girls? Uh—and there's a servant too?"

The elder led his men into the Li Huo Hall. After showing their sect tokens, a burly man with a simple cloth jacket covering his upper body and revealing his strong, muscular arms came down from upstairs. The people here called him Lao Gang. In recent years, he had been the one to receive disciples from various sects who came here to forge Xuan weapons.

Elder Qian greeted him warmly, "Master Gang is still as energetic as ever. I saw the entire Li Huo Palace bustling with activity just now. It seems you've received quite a few orders recently."

Old Gang replied, "Well, don't even mention it. Lately, we've been getting more and more orders for standard-issue mystic weapons. I've heard that the number of mystic beasts on the borders of all realms is increasing, especially in the Western Realm. Today, we received a huge number of orders for standard-issue mystic weapons. I think it's going to be another battle between some cities. Although we hammer-wielders have made more money, it's not a good feeling. The common people are going to suffer again."

Elder Qian said, "I heard from the general of Emerald City that the harm caused by mystical beasts has indeed been on the rise in recent years. A few days ago, Qingyang City was even attacked by a fifth-tier great mystical beast."

"Hmph, more than that." Old Gang said bluntly, "Those generals who lead troops in the city know some of the latest information, but as for the overall situation, we who make goods know the truth. Just by looking at the supplies and orders coming in and out every day, I dare to guarantee that the five realms of the human race will not be very peaceful in the next few years."

The disciples were taken aback, especially Fang Shi, who immediately said to Luo He, "The Western Border sounds like it's not very peaceful. How about I go with you later?"

But to everyone's surprise, Luo He showed no surprise at all after learning about the situation. Instead, she shook her head even more firmly and said nothing.

Fang Shi seemed to understand something, and immediately stepped forward, bypassing the elder, and asked, "Master Gang, what is the procedure for forging a Xuan weapon?"

"Oh dear, we've been talking about other things and forgotten about the important matter. Come on, you guys, come upstairs with me." Old Gang didn't mind being interrupted by the kids. He was a straightforward, rough-around-the-edges guy, and since he'd been reminded, he'd get to work.

Knowing Luo He's situation, the elder didn't say anything, but simply called to the other disciples and followed.

The group arrived on the second floor. Old Gang led the way and introduced, "In the past, disciples like you would forge mystical weapons on this second floor. Each forging room has surging earth fire, which is diverted through a special fire channel. On this floor, the flames are divided into four different grades, from ordinary to third grade. If you want to forge a mystical weapon, you must first report the style of the weapon, your own element, and some detailed preferences. And then, most importantly, don't blindly think about using good materials. Remember, what is suitable is the best. Too much of a good thing is bad. You should understand this principle after cultivating for some time."

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