Chương 19: The Thousand Tempering Technique – A Prodigy Like No Other!

The words Thousand Tempering Technique echoed in Su Zhe's mind, sending a shiver down his spine. Having spent several days at the Artisan Hall, Su Zhe was no stranger to the technique's significance. The Thousand Tempering Technique —a method rooted in relentless refinement. Weapon artisans infused their unique martial methods into the forging process, hammering the embryonic weapon repeatedly until it transformed into a martial blade.

"This technique could help me perfect the Savage Bull Hammer Technique? The heavens favor me today!" Su Zhe's heart surged with excitement. He quickly bowed to his master, Sun Tiexin.

"Many thanks, Master, for imparting this knowledge." Sun Tiexin nodded, then motioned for someone to bring a fifty-pound forging hammer. Dust clung to its surface. Sun Tiexin brushed it off and remarked, "Your current fifteen-pound hammer is far too light. This fifty-pound hammer I used in my early years should suit you better." He then prepared materials: a block of black iron, a slab of refined copper, and a fragment of pure gold.

The gathered disciples of Artisan Hall, catching wind of their master preparing to forge a martial weapon, set aside their tasks to observe. Sun Tiexin was a near-legend, just a step shy of becoming a Grandmaster Smith. His skill level was unmatched across the county of Lu. Watching him forge was more enlightening than months of solitary practice. Sun Tiexin steadied his stance, his movements precise and calculated. Power flowed seamlessly from his waist to his shoulders and into his arms.

"Clang!" The first strike fell, resounding like a bell. The molten materials stretched under the force, melding together into a flat, elongated strip.

"The Thousand Tempering Technique, also called the Method of a Thousand Refines, is the essence of martial weapon crafting," Sun Tiexin began, his voice steady.

"Unlike ordinary blades, martial weapons—even the most basic mortal-tier ones—stand leagues apart. Why? Because we artisans are warriors, wielding extraordinary strength and infusing it into our craft. Each hammer strike is a temper." He raised his arm again, the hammer striking with thunderous force. His movements were like a storm, his blows unrelenting. Su Zhe's pupils constricted as he caught a faint, blood-red aura radiating from his master.

It coalesced into the shape of a savage bull, snorting and pawing at the air.

"That's a Beast Force Manifestation," his senior brother, Guo Ju, explained, seeing Su Zhe's astonishment.

"It's the hallmark of mastering a beast-mimicking martial art. This isn't just 'strong as an ox.' Compared to this, all other techniques are child's play." This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Sun Tiexin's blows fell like crashing waves. The hammer, though fifty pounds, appeared weightless in his grasp, a mere extension of his body. Each strike was a rumble of thunder, shaking the workshop and sending sparks flying.

After a hundred strikes, the three materials merged perfectly, forming a crude weapon embryo. On its surface, a faint line emerged—a weapon vein, sharp and distinct like a dragon etched in steel.

"One hundred tempers form one vein," Sun Tiexin explained.

"Three hundred tempers create three overlapping veins—a single layer. Shape it, quench it, and you have a first-tier mortal weapon." He continued, his strikes as consistent as a drumbeat.

"Two layers—six veins—make a second-tier weapon. Three layers—nine veins—mark the peak of the third tier. At a full thousand tempers, the weapon reaches the pinnacle of third-tier craftsmanship." With practiced precision, Sun Tiexin completed nine hundred strikes. The weapon embryo bore nine dragon-like veins, radiating a fearsome aura. He quenched it in cold water with a hiss, steam rising in plumes. What emerged was a simple, yet awe-inspiring saber—a third-tier mortal weapon.

Though unsharpened, its edges gleamed with a deadly brilliance. To demonstrate its strength, Sun Tiexin raised an ordinary blade and struck the newly forged saber.

"Clang!" The mundane blade shattered instantly, while the third-tier saber remained unscathed. Turning to Su Zhe, Sun Tiexin asked, "What insights have you gained?" Eyes bright with understanding, Su Zhe responded, "To master the Savage Bull Hammer Technique, every strike must push my limits. If each blow approaches the strength of a bull, then through sheer repetition, I'll shatter my barriers and ascend to mastery!" His words stunned his peers. This junior disciple's comprehension was extraordinary!

"The Savage Bull Hammer Technique progresses in stages," another senior, Xiao Xunhuan, murmured.

"Minor mastery grants 'strength akin to an ox.' Intermediate mastery allows 'weightless precision.' True mastery embodies the strength of a full bull. But to comprehend it so quickly… What a prodigy!"

"Impressive insight," Sun Tiexin praised.

"Come, show us what you've learned." Su Zhe stepped forward, gripping the fifty-pound hammer. Though his mastery was only at the intermediate level, his gaze burned with determination.

"Do you think Junior Brother can forge a vein on his first try?" Guo Ju whispered to Xiao Xunhuan, grinning mischievously. Xiao scoffed.

"Forge a vein? Don't joke. Even with monstrous talent, he'd need weeks of practice! A single temper requires a strike of 1, 200 pounds—true bull strength. At intermediate mastery, he'd need dozens of blows just for one temper. It's impossible."

"Then let's wager," Guo Ju challenged.

"If he succeeds," Xiao mused, "I'll outfit him in the finest robes Artisan Hall can offer. But it won't happen." All eyes turned to Su Zhe. Ignoring the chatter, he gripped the hammer tightly.

"One bull's strength, huh? Well then…" A smirk tugged at his lips.

"Allow me to demonstrate." He raised the hammer high, his breath steady, his mind recalling Sun Tiexin's demonstration. With a roar, he struck.

"Boom!" The sound was deafening, the ground trembling beneath him. The materials quivered, groaning under the sheer force.

"One temper," Sun Tiexin murmured, his eyes narrowing in disbelief.

"1, 200 pounds… impossible!" Su Zhe had done it. On his first attempt, he had wielded the strength of a bull. A feat that defied all expectations.

"A true prodigy of the artisan path," Sun Tiexin declared, his voice filled with pride.