Start slaying demons from the proficiency panel.

“Absolutely. I wouldn’t be at ease if the Shang Dynasty didn’t lose a few Golden Dragon Demon-Subduing Captains as well.” King Elephant nodded in agreement. “The three ancestors are currently in seclusion, trying to break through to the Saint Realm. We must do something before they come out of seclusion so that we can make up for this loss.”

The Divine Calculator of the Heavenly Map stepped forward and said, “Your Majesty, the Black Heavenly Gate has failed to do a good job for our Elephant Kingdom this time. We must let them make the first move, and we will hide behind the scenes and wait for the right opportunity to strike.”

"Alright, go and inform the Black Demon, and have him lead his men to act alongside the elite of my Elephant Kingdom. No matter what method you use, you must make the Demon Subduing Division pay a price!" King Elephant commanded, slapping the armrest.

……

Chaotiandu, the imperial city.

Inside the Imperial Garden, all the guards and palace maids retreated to a distance of thirty feet from the center of the garden. Emperor Wu Cheng of the Shang Dynasty stood with his hands behind his back beside the garden pond, his double pupils staring at the water, gleaming.

The pond's surface moved without wind, creating ripples that spread into various strange patterns and shapes. Clearly, these were not formed naturally, but rather were being driven and influenced by some mysterious force.

"Your Majesty, the sudden decline of the White Elephant Kingdom's fortunes is a good omen for us to launch a military campaign against it."

"The sudden decline of the nation's fortunes may be a trap. We must proceed with caution, for we are not only facing the White Elephant Kingdom, but also nineteen more powerful demon kingdoms."

"How about we change the Demon-Subduing Martial Arts Competition of this Tianyun Fulan Festival to be held in Sixiang Prefecture? We can eliminate the evil spirits there while figuring out a way to attack the Demon Capital of Xiang Kingdom."

Around Emperor Wucheng, earth spirits, each only three fist-sized and resembling an old man, crawled out of the ground and sat down to discuss something intensely.

These are all ethereal spirits formed from the national fortune of the Great Shang Dynasty. They rely on the Great Shang and can only be seen and communicated with by those who follow the path of destiny.

However, Emperor Wu Cheng did not respond to these discussions about the illusory nature of the nation's fate, his eyes still fixed on the water.

Just then, all the shapes on the water surface began to unify, slowly converging into a bird spreading its wings.

Subsequently, Emperor Wu Cheng's double pupils began to overlap, returning to the same shape as a normal person.

"Qingque Prefecture, or Taichan Mountain in Qingque Prefecture." Emperor Wucheng turned around and said calmly, "The Demon Subduing Martial Arts Competition remains unchanged."

"constant?"

"How can we not seize such a great opportunity?"

"Your Majesty, it's a pity that the Four Symbols Prefecture isn't holding a Demon-Subduing Martial Arts Competition."

The spirits of the nation's destiny all spoke up to persuade Emperor Wu Cheng to change his mind, but Emperor Wu Cheng was a person of destiny, and he would calculate in advance before doing anything, so no intention of his was without reason.

Since the Double Pupil Evolution still indicates that Qingque Prefecture will remain unchanged, then Emperor Wucheng naturally has nothing to change.

"I have recently observed that the nation's fortunes are on a prosperous trend, and it seems that another brilliant general has emerged within the country. These days are truly becoming more and more anticipated," Emperor Wu Cheng said with a smile, looking at the sky.

……

Ning Xiu was unaware of the turbulent undercurrents surging in the world.

Hechuan lingered around the large pile of materials that had fallen out of the Overlord Puppet's body, picking up one piece at a time and quickly putting it down to pick up another, his excitement palpable.

A hero acquires a treasured sword, and a beauty obtains a magnificent dress—nothing could be better.

"What a find! It's at least a hundred-year-old Chen wood core, which is extremely rare these days."

"This is also good; it's made of high-quality yellow jade, suitable for making jewelry."

"Hmm! What kind of iron is this? I've never seen it before. It even emits an icy blue mist. It's rare."

...

Hechuan squatted alone beside the pile of materials, talking to himself as if he knew them by heart. It was clear that he had a natural passion for casting.

Ning Xiu then clasped his hands and said, "Master Hechuan, I hope you can use these materials to forge a few spears for me. The number is up to you, as long as each one can reach your highest level of performance."

Most of the materials Ning Xiu collected came from the tomb of Eunuch Yin, while some were obtained on the way to Sixiang Prefecture.

Although the items are a mixed bag, they still possess the necessary quality and rarity, enough to forge two or three spears.

"Okay, I'll try my best." Hechuan stood up and nodded in satisfaction.

For him, being able to forge weapons from precious materials was a rare pleasure.

After inspecting the materials, Hechuan summoned the servants to move all the materials Ningxiu had brought to the foundry, ready to begin work immediately.

Craftsmen pay attention to materials, flames, and techniques when forging weapons.

Besides the techniques that require years of practice to master, materials and fire are external aids that allow you to forge better quality weapons.

When Hechuan became a first-class craftsman, the emperor spent a huge sum of money to bring in the earth veins from beneath Chaotiandu, directly to Hechuan's residence, so that he could forge weapons. This was the highest quality flame, which made forging weapons twice as effective.

And this passage to the earth vein is located inside the foundry.

Following Hechuan into the foundry, one finds a place not much different from a traditional blacksmith's shop, with huge bellows and quenching pools. Since the earth vein opening has not yet been opened, the room is still relatively cool.

"Have we met somewhere before? You seem somewhat familiar to me."

Tsurukawa was busy in the foundry, and since the others were not experts in this field, they could not offer any help and could only stand outside and watch.

Just then, Immortal Master Heshan, standing beside Ning Xiu, suddenly asked with some hesitation.

The vast Demon Subduing Division contained countless Iron Horse Demon Subduing Officers and many more ordinary people. Countless people entered and exited the Three Saints Hall every day, so it was perfectly normal that Immortal Lord Crane Mountain did not remember Ning Xiu.

Since his strength had improved too rapidly, Ning Xiu also wanted to keep a low profile, so he naturally wouldn't reveal at this time that he had met Immortal Lord Heshan once in the Three Saints Hall.

Ning Xiu then laughed and said, "You must have seen it wrong."

Although Immortal Master Heshan had some doubts, he thought about it and didn't say anything more.

boom!

Inside the foundry, a loud crash suddenly rang out, and a huge circular iron plate was moved aside by Tsurukawa. Instantly, blinding flames and scorching heat surged out from a large hole under the iron plate.

This is the earth vein fire that the emperor brought to Hechuan.

"Start the furnace." Hechuan roared, and then began processing Ning Xiu's materials.

Since Ning Xiu requested a long spear, the spearhead and shaft were the most important components. He Chuan took the lead and pulled out a long stick from the pile of materials.

Ning Xiu had a deep impression of this item; it was the wooden cone magic weapon that Yin Liu Niangniang had used when he fought her years ago.

Tree demons like Lady Yin Liu usually use their first branch as a sacrifice for refining magical artifacts, because such artifacts are extremely hard. In Ning Xiu's case, it would be perfect as a spear handle.

The process of forging weapons is tedious and boring. Apart from the people who do it, it is difficult for outsiders to have the patience to watch. After Hechuan started work, Ning Xiu returned to the place where they had been playing chess with Qin Daorong and Heshan Xian Gong.

"My brother hasn't forged weapons for anyone for many years. I wonder what the reaction will be when the weapon is completed tonight. I'm really looking forward to it," said Immortal Crane Mountain, gazing towards the forge.

Ning Xiu then realized that the two were actually brothers.

Two members of one family have achieved the highest rank of three; such good fortune is truly unparalleled.

"Master Hechuan has been resting for so many years, it's truly worthwhile to see him showcase his first-class craftsmanship tonight. I hope he can produce another masterpiece to strengthen our Demon Subduing Division," Qin Daorong said.

boom!

From inside the foundry, a resounding clang echoed as Tsurukawa began hammering the material. This was a common practice among weapons craftsmen, a process that allowed rough materials to become denser and more compact through hammering.

What was supposed to be an extremely simple sound suddenly made Ning Xiu's expression freeze for a moment.

Listening to the insights of others in their forging process deepens your understanding and increases your forging talent by +1.

Upon hearing the notification from the proficiency panel, Ning Xiu quickly brought it up, and sure enough, one line of data had changed significantly.

...

[Aura Observation and Fortune Telling Technique: Level 1 (1/2000)] (+)

【Burning Sun Taiyao Scripture: Twentieth Level (Completion)】

[Heavenly King Vajra Skill. Black Heavenly Pagoda Supreme Body: Twelfth Level (7/13000)] (+)

[Seven Steps to Catch the Cicada: Eighth Floor (2897/6000)] (+)

[Heavenly Might Divine Spear: Beginner (0/2000)] (+)

[Forging Talent: Normal (1/10)]

General Proficiency: 10968

...

Ning Xiu had been completely baffled as to how to improve his forging talent, but at this moment he easily and successfully increased it by 1 point.

Having stumbled upon the method by accident, Ning Xiu hurriedly returned to the forging room, preparing to watch Master Hechuan's weapon-forging process up close, hoping to increase his forging talent points further.

It must be said that Tsurukawa truly deserves to be called a master craftsman of the highest caliber. Every move he makes during the weapon-making process possesses a strange and indescribable beauty.

Every strike is perfectly executed, placed precisely, and sends sparks flying from the material.

Watching others forge weapons deepens your understanding and increases your forging talent by 1.

Watching others forge weapons deepens your understanding and increases your forging talent by 1.

Watching others forge weapons deepens your understanding and increases your forging talent by 1.

Watching others forge weapons deepens your understanding and increases your forging talent by 1.

...

In less than the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn, Ning Xiu gained two more talent points, making him watch even more intently. Anyone who didn't know better would think he was He Chuan's apprentice, learning techniques up close.

The fire surged, and a long, bright red spear gradually took shape in the furnace, spinning under Tsurukawa's control. The moment he pulled the spear out of the furnace...

Suddenly, a beam of intense purple light burst forth from the entire gun, shooting into the sky and forming a pillar of light within moments, illuminating the night sky above Chaotiandu.

In an instant, the surrounding area was in an uproar, and countless eyes turned to this giant pillar of light.

"A purple aura shines forth, signifying the birth of a supreme treasure!"

"That direction seems to be Master Hechuan's residence. What's going on? Has he come out of seclusion to refine weapons?"

"Our Great Shang Dynasty has gained another treasure, and the nation's fortunes are on the rise!"

Weapons are divided into ordinary weapons and divine weapons. No matter how well an ordinary weapon is forged, it is still just so-so, and its upper limit is visible.

But when it comes to the category of divine weapons, everything is different. Spiritual treasures and supreme treasures all belong to divine weapons, and once they are forged, they will have extraordinary power and prestige.

Above the most precious treasures, there are also extremely rare immortal treasures that are listed as 'national treasures' as soon as they appear.

Throughout the entire history of the Shang Dynasty, spanning several hundred years, it possessed only three national treasures.

Once the beam of light dissipated, a six-foot-six-inch-long, brown spear with a spiral-shaped spearhead that resembled wood could be seen on the forging table.

Unlike the tassels of other spears, this spear has thin branches resembling vines, making it look incredibly magical and truly worthy of being called a treasure.

[Having witnessed the forging of a supreme treasure, though it has nothing to do with you, you seem to have gained some insights. Forging talent +5]

[Forging Talent: Normal (10/10)] → Improvement

[Forging Talent: Excellent (0/50)]