The improved female villains regained their memories.

Jiuwu laughed heartily: "Even with an ordinary design, as long as the weapon refiner has ingenuity, they can achieve extraordinary results."

He waved his hand again to dispel Yang Luoyi's icy spiritual energy, and the seven-colored dagger shrank back to its normal size.

"As for patience, it refers to the patience that a weapon refiner must have in forging their own magical artifacts. For each piece, the weapon refiner must put in a great deal of effort. Some are so devoted that they even use their own lives to refine the artifacts. Such magical artifacts are not only invincible within the same realm, but can also help immortals fight across realms."

What Jiuwu said was not empty talk, but among the ninth-grade magic weapons he saw, there were many that were forged by the weapon refiners with their own lives.

The ninth-grade magic weapon created in this way is not only unparalleled in power, but also surpasses that of true immortals. If used well, it can be invincible in the world.

“Little one, there is a lot to learn about weapon crafting. However, if you are really interested, I can teach you, but you have to go back and ask your parents first.”

Jiuwu smiled and patted her head.

Should we ask an adult?

Yang Luoyi's eyes dimmed.

My mother will definitely not agree; she has already made her stance clear today.

However, she really loved crafting weapons. When she was a child, she witnessed her aunt crafting weapons countless times. At that time, the fusion of iron and spiritual energy was already engraved in her heart.

She wanted to experience that beautiful scene for herself.

Would you be willing to teach me?

“Why not? I don’t have the same concept of mentorship as other teachers. In my opinion, if people in this world can learn even a little more of my skills, then I will have left a mark on this world.” Jiuwu said with a smile. “Moreover, I never look at the talent of the person I teach. As long as the person is willing and serious about learning, I will definitely teach them seriously.”

"...Can I really do it?"

"The choice is yours, child. I am just an opportunity, but how you use it is up to you."

Would a man named Jiuwu really be willing to teach me?

Yang Luo thought anxiously, this guy doesn't seem like a bad person, but he exudes mystery and she can't figure him out.

"I'd like to think about it."

“No problem at all. I’ve set up an array around here, so I’ll be living here from now on. Child, you’re welcome to come anytime you want.”

"Here?" Yang Luo looked around in surprise. "You live here?"

“I don’t like crowded places. It’s quiet here, which suits me well.” Jiuwu smiled and took out a piece of jade from his pocket, placing it in Yang Luoyi’s hand. “There are too many demonic beasts here. Next time you come, take this stone with you. It will guide you into my formation and help you become immune to demonic beast attacks.”

"thank you……"

"Go back and think about it, or discuss it with your family. It's your own path, your own choice."

Yang Luoyi left that place.

Jiuwu's words echoed in her heart, causing her to walk absentmindedly down the street.

She didn't rush home, nor did she plan to tell Shi Guijia about it; she simply pondered it alone.

The crowd surged through the street, and on the viewing platform, a young man named Liu Shaoheng stood there once again, delivering his declaration.

"Miracles are created by people, and if we deny that, miracles will never happen."

"Ordinary magical artifacts, no matter how unique, have their limits, while humans have no limits. Their thinking and knowledge can grow endlessly. Therefore, miracles are created by humans!"

He displayed his work again, no longer the little puppet from five days ago, but a tin man, slightly shorter than the little boy. After being inlaid with a spirit stone, it could perform some simple actions, such as sitting down and bowing.

The crowd's enthusiasm had clearly decreased compared to five days ago, and some people advised, "No matter how much we imitate living people, we can't do it. Humans are the most intelligent of all beings, and are a miracle created by heaven and earth. We can't create something like heaven and earth."

“That’s not how it works,” the little boy retorted loudly. “Spiritual energy is something inherent in heaven and earth. People use spiritual energy to cultivate and have developed various cultivation methods, which means that these cultivation methods are determined by humans, not by heaven. Heaven and earth are unchanging since time immemorial, and only humans can utilize them. So, the fact that heaven and earth created humankind does not mean that humankind cannot simulate heaven and earth and create miracles similar to humankind.”

“But this thing of yours is completely useless,” someone else said. “It can’t be used as a sacrificial vessel, nor can it be used as a magic weapon when immortals fight. It has low defense and low attack power, and it’s powered by spirit stones. No matter how you look at it, it’s a useless thing.”

More and more people started to disagree, unlike five days ago when people gave him face because they considered him a genius. The discussions grew louder, but the boy was not afraid at all and said loudly:

"The most important thing for a weapon refiner is creativity. Creative thinking should be limitless and transcend all constraints. The most important thing is to dare to think. Today you see that I can only make a piece of iron, but who knows what I can turn it into tomorrow?"

Yang Luoyi knew him; he was also a member of the academy, but compared to others, he rarely appeared at the academy.

He was the town's genius. He awakened the potential of an immortal at the age of three and gradually learned to absorb and control spiritual energy. This is probably why he could recognize thousands of characters and compose countless poems when he was only three or four years old.

His seat was often empty, and Yang Luoyi had only met him a few times. What left the deepest impression on her was that this guy had refuted the Master's theory of destiny.

At that time, the Master was explaining the book "Record of Cultivating the Way of Heaven." When he came to the phenomenon of the Way of Heaven, which can be followed but not reversed, this fellow sneered and said loudly:

"If that's the case, then there shouldn't be any cultivators in this world. So-called cultivation is just following the natural order, but in reality it's going against it; they're nothing more than great thieves."

This sentence left a deep impression on Yang Luoyi. Although she had never spoken to this guy, Yang Luoyi still agreed with some of his remarks.

Unbeknownst to her, she had also squeezed into the crowd, following the tide of the crowd towards the boy.

"Child, even if you're right, what use is it to you if you build it? It's not a real person after all."

"I've already explained what exactly I'm going to do; I just think this is one possible approach."

"This line of thinking is too unorthodox."

"Yes, this is a wrong path, child, be careful not to go astray."

"It would be better to study some ritual artifacts."

The voices around them grew louder and louder. The boy frowned slightly, then suddenly stopped explaining, gave a cold laugh, and said, "You foolish wretch, not worth talking to."

After saying that, he actually put away his work and left the stage.

"What? What's with this child's attitude?"

"Damn it, so what if you're a genius?"

"If this continues, I'm afraid this child will definitely go astray in the future, sigh..."

As the crowd dispersed with sighs, Yang Luo, with a single thought in mind, silently followed.

The boy walked down the street with his hands in his pockets, his expression inscrutable, as if he were lost in thought.

Yang Luo blinked and peeked from behind the wall.

A little boy and a little girl walked forward, not far apart from each other.

Soon, the boy stopped in front of a fortune-telling stall, where an old Taoist priest sat, wearing a tattered robe with patches on his back. On the table were divination tools such as yarrow stalks and tortoise shells.

The old Taoist priest squinted, a smile appearing on his wrinkled face, and looked at the boy, saying, "Who upset you? Why are you in such a bad mood?"

"...You're right. I shouldn't have put my thoughts on stage. Nobody would understand me."

"Hehe, young friend, I have performed so many calculations for others, including heroes and great men, and I have never made a mistake."

“But you don’t seem to be an immortal. I can’t sense any spiritual energy from you.”

"Hehe." The old Taoist chuckled. "Whether you are a mortal or an immortal, there is no difference in essence. If you have to point out a difference, it is only in the different ways of using spiritual energy. Immortals can predict the future, so why can't I? Just like you weapon refiners, if you don't have enough spiritual energy, you can use spirit stones to supplement it."

"Many people want to escape their predetermined fate, but in fact, even immortals cannot escape it," the old Taoist said with a smile. "For example, there was a child who was just as gifted as you, but unfortunately he was born evil and would inevitably be suppressed by the Heavenly Dao. This is his predetermined fate."

"If you say I will die this year, does that mean I will definitely die?"

"Yes, this is your destiny."

"What kind of damn fate is this!" the boy shouted angrily, slamming his fist on the table. "I did nothing wrong, why should I die?"

"Who knows? The world is vast and full of all things. You never know when you'll become someone else's pawn and be drawn into their game." The old Taoist smacked his lips and said, "Young friend, don't worry. No one can escape death. Dying sooner or later is still death. Don't you know that life is the root of death, and death is the root of life?"

"..."

"Although you say that, you actually believe me in your heart. After all, I told you that if you tell others my predictions, your death will come sooner. You didn't tell anyone, which means you believe me in your heart."

The old Taoist priest patted the boy on the shoulder, but the boy slapped the pat away.

"You're right, I believe you in my heart."

The little boy said expressionlessly, "Because all your other predictions came true, I believe you in my heart."

The old Taoist priest stroked his beard, his eyes narrowing slightly.

"But that doesn't mean I'll give up. If your calculations are correct, then I'll live to prove you right!!"

"Is that so? Then this old Taoist priest will look forward to it." The old Taoist priest said with a smile.

Yang Luoyi, who was eavesdropping on the conversation from behind a corner, felt a tightness in her chest.

Was that genius boy predicted to die this year?

A strange feeling spread through her heart. Even though she and Liu Shaoheng were not close, she felt genuinely sad for him.

She couldn't explain why exactly.

"Life……"

If someone is prophesied to die, does that mean they are destined to die?

Just like her, does a lack of talent mean she can't become a weapon refiner?

Yang Luo pursed her lips; this was far too cruel.

She didn't recognize the old Taoist priest and guessed that he was probably an outsider. There were many outsiders in this small town, so having an old Taoist priest who could tell fortunes wasn't a big deal.

She suddenly remembered Jiuwu, whom she had just met. He had said he was willing to teach her how to forge weapons.

Would the other party care about such things like the old Taoist priest?

Will he, like the old Taoist priest, foretell his own death?

Yang Luo looked up and saw the sun shining brightly, its red rays dazzling.

She was lost in thought.

Before she knew it, she was holding the jade and, following the guidance, had returned to that place.

Jiuwu was still wearing that strange hooded jacket. Seeing her, he was slightly surprised: "So fast? Did you discuss it with your family?"

"Um……"

"Really? You've thought it through yourself?"

"I... I like weapon crafting," the girl said, mustering her courage. "But my talent isn't suited for it. My spiritual sea is vast, but my control over spiritual energy is too weak. Isn't that...?"

The last half of the sentence was barely audible: "...Not suited to be a weapon refiner?"

Jiuwu scratched his head and said, "In that case, it might not be suitable."

"...I see."

The girl lowered her head in disappointment. Sure enough, this was her fate. She was not suited to learning weapon crafting, just like that genius. Everything was predetermined for her.

"However, if you want to learn, I can still teach you."