Chương 22: Transcending Mortality, Forging the Divine

[Third Immortal Aperture Requirements: Two taels of pure gold, twenty catties of black iron, two taels of fine silver, thirty catties of refined copper, and forty catties of refined tin.] According to valuation, the cost of opening the third Immortal Aperture would typically amount to a little over 100 taels of silver. However, these Five Base Metals—essential materials for crafting martial weaponry—were classified as restricted goods and seldom available on the open market.

On the black market, acquiring them would require at least 250 taels of silver and no small effort. After all, the terms "value" and "price," while seemingly synonymous, have entirely distinct implications. Fortunately, within the Blacksmith Guild, Su Zhe could purchase these materials directly through the Internal Affairs Hall as a personal disciple. Since guild artisans occasionally forged private weapons for personal use, no one found his requests unusual.

After spending a total of 180 taels, Su Zhe managed to gather everything needed to open the third Immortal Aperture. In the past half-month, Su Zhe had amassed a significant fortune. Most of it came from his victory over Huang Mazi. Unfortunately, the numerous property deeds he acquired from Huang couldn't be easily liquidated into silver. His current wealth consisted of around 180 taels of silver and 10 taels of gold.

Opening the third Immortal Aperture had drained all his silver reserves, leaving him with only the gold. Ten taels of gold were equivalent to 100 taels of silver—or one tael of pure gold.

"Let's open the Third Immortal Aperture!" In the western wing of his courtyard, Su Zhe summoned the Cauldron of Creation. Radiant light burst forth as the divine cauldron absorbed the heavenly treasures and mortal metals. The gathered materials shrank rapidly, merging into the sea of consciousness where the Cauldron of Creation resided. Intricate, mystical patterns interwove upon the cauldron's surface, forming the foundation of the third Immortal Aperture.

To aid this process, Su Zhe picked up the "Fifty-Weight Forging Hammer" that Master Sun Tiexin had once used during his early training. Name: Fifty-Weight Forging Hammer Grade: Second-tier Mortal Weapon Description: Made primarily of black iron and supplemented with dense alloys, this hammer is compact yet extraordinarily sturdy and durable. Tempered through countless strikes and imbued with the essence of a third-tier warrior's internal energy, it increases the user's physical strength.

Equipment Requirement: Mastery of Ox-Cracking Hammer Technique Equipment Attributes: Enhances innate physicality and blacksmithing aptitude. Special Properties—Dual Ox Strength (Second-Tier: Grants the strength of two oxen) and Ingenious Craftsmanship (Second-Tier: Elevates forging techniques to their essence). Special Gains: Bull Hammer Martial Killing Moves and Mortal Weapon Forging Techniques.

"This surpasses the effectiveness of the Master's Emblem," Su Zhe mused, a spark of excitement lighting his eyes. With each Immortal Aperture, his capabilities grew exponentially: If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. First Aperture: Dragon Soaring in the Seas silk scroll. Second Aperture: Master's Emblem of Craftsmanship. Third Aperture: Fifty-Weight Forging Hammer. As Su Zhe equipped the hammer, his body trembled.

Bones crackled, reverberating with the Tiger and Leopard Thunder Sound, filling his ears. When he extended his arms, his strength surged to the equivalent of four oxen: One ox from mastering the hammer technique. One ox from the Master's Emblem. Two oxen from the Fifty-Weight Forging Hammer. This totaled a staggering 4, 800 catties of physical force. Simultaneously, vivid memories of forging techniques and Bull Martial Arts Killing Moves emerged within Su Zhe's consciousness.

Bull's Horn Charge: A focused, single-point hammer strike akin to a charging bull. Bull's Stomp: An advanced stance technique that anchors the practitioner to the ground, channeling earth's force into explosive bursts. Bull's Hide Transformation: A breathing method that circulates qi and blood to toughen the skin, boosting durability, recovery, and stamina.

"Remarkable killing moves," Su Zhe marveled.

"Although Bull Martial Arts is considered a mortal-grade technique, my mastery makes it far more potent than even the entry-level Dragon Soaring in the Seas.

"This proves a simple truth: True mastery comes from the practitioner, not the technique. In the hands of an expert, even a humble leaf can become a deadly weapon." Sinking deeper into his thoughts, Su Zhe felt a surge of admiration for martial prowess and craftsmanship. The memory of a bull hammer technique's unrelenting strength fueled a newfound ambition within him. As he examined the Cauldron of Creation, new text appeared: [Third Immortal Aperture: Refining Treasures, Forging the Body.] Effect: Permanently assimilate a treasure to gain its attributes. Assimilated effects are one-tenth as potent as equipped effects. Requires Five Base Metals; effectiveness depends on the treasure's grade.

"Permanent assimilation?" Su Zhe frowned.

"The reduced effect makes it less enticing, but it does solve the issue of limited aperture capacity." He considered the treasures he currently possessed: Eight-Pound Hammer: One tael of gold to refine permanently. Fiend Saber: Six taels of pure gold (requires mastery of Fiend Tiger Blade Technique). Dragon Silk Scroll: Six taels of pure gold. Fifty-Weight Forging Hammer: Six taels of pure gold.

"Such outrageous costs!" Su Zhe cursed.

"And if I haven't mastered the prerequisite technique, like the Fiend Saber, it can't even be refined!" Left with no other choice, Su Zhe decided to test the process with the Eight-Pound Hammer. Placing it alongside one tael of gold into the Cauldron of Creation, he activated the refining process. Radiant energy surged as the cauldron emitted ripples of multicolored liquid. These streams flowed through his meridians, strengthening his body. The enhancements were subtle but undeniable.

"This is just the beginning," Su Zhe murmured.

"In time, when I possess wealth and power, this feature will unleash unimaginable potential." Satisfied for now, Su Zhe left the workshop. Outside, his peers, Guo Ju and Xiao Xunhuan, noticed his departure but didn't follow. Even Xiao Xunhuan, known for his carefree demeanor, began training late into the night.

"Hard work beats talent," he muttered, determined not to be left behind. Meanwhile, on the desolate outskirts, another figure moved stealthily. Yu Yi of the Broken Army Hall closed his courtyard gate and dashed into the wilderness like a tiger descending from the mountains.

"My blade techniques are now at the intermediate level," Yu Yi thought, suppressing a grin.

"When I meet Su Zhe, I'll shock him!" In his mind, he envisioned Su Zhe's stunned reaction.

"Prepare yourself, Su Zhe!" Yu Yi chuckled inwardly.

"Soon, you'll witness the gap between genius and mediocrity!" With that, he vanished into the night, his ambitions burning brightly.