Zhao Wei watched in silent contemplation as the servants scurried about, attempting to conceal the cataclysmic mess he had left behind.
Their faces—etched with shock, awe, and fear at the apocalyptic scene—flickered with stolen glances toward the transcendental young man standing amidst the chrysanthemums.
Did he cause all this environmental degradation?
Then why had they heard nothing?
The question hung unspoken among them: What had really happened in this courtyard?
While they couldn't arrive at an accurate conclusion, the surreptitious glances they cast at Zhao Wei revealed their suspicions.
They just couldn't attribute that level of mayhem with the gentle-looking youngster.
Zhao Wei's lips curled into an amused smile—a mere flicker of expression, yet it sent a young servant girl stumbling over her own feet.
She clumsily picked herself up and rushed inside the building, her cheeks burning red.
A couple of suppressed chuckles from the nearby servants only served to intensify her embarrassment.
Zhao Wei inwardly shook his head. 'Oh, what a clumsy one. At least, she picked herself up with dignity.'
Leaving the servants to do their work, Zhao Wei performed one last cursory glance at the reinforced arrays. It was a good thing none of the servants noticed them.
The morning sun had already begun rising on the eastern horizon, bathing the snowy mountains of the Broken Moon Sect with its golden hues.
'While the noise-cancelling arrays nullified airborne vibrational disturbances within a specified field, could the same be said for the earth?' A thought surfaced in Zhao Wei's mind as he soared into the air, his dark robes fluttering freely against the icy wind.
He stopped mid-air, perfectly controlling his internal Qi to sustain his aerial maneuver despite not being a True Spirit Realm expert. He had also deliberately suppressed the energy fluctuations of his ascent to avoid parading himself.
Zhao Wei activated [𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁], the efficiency of x-ray vision and microscopic examination further improved. He observed his residence and the hill it was on, memorizing every single detail in a few moments. The hill lay bare to his eyes, its structural innards having nothing to hide from his celestial vision.
A frown flickered across his face as he noticed minute fissures in the earth—subtle, but evidence that the arrays hadn't contained everything.
A low chuckle followed next. "Who would have guessed? I hadn't foreseen the seismic disturbance. Some of it might have easily leaked."
"Well, not like it matters. It is what it is." Zhao Wei clicked his tongue in subtle annoyance before turning his attention to the eastern side of the sect. Hundreds of miles away was the Blacksmithing Peak.
There was no need to worry over already spilt milk. It was just like life itself, governed by uncertainties.
"That's where my focus should be," he muttered lightly while looking at the east, his feet gracefully descending and touching the ground.
The sun's golden rays caught on his silky dark hair and beautiful face making him seem ethereal, like a sun divinity.
A flock of graceful multicolored Luans flew over his head as he navigated the spiraling, stony path. His attention was momentarily captured by their synchronized movements and beauty.
Even the way their wings flapped carried a certain allure.
"This reminds me of those late-night Kungfu movies with animal-based techniques." His silver eyes twinkled in appreciation and understanding.
With the small distraction out of the way, it didn't take long before Zhao Wei saw the outline of the Blacksmithing Peak coming into close view.
Smoke billowed from the distant buildings, escaping into the white clouds. The irony of it all was the lack of visible dark clouds as a result of the impure soot.
'The sky remains clear,' he noted, briefly looking up.
The existence of dense spiritual energy of heaven and earth is in itself a purification factor against pollution, He thought as he neared the towering, unassuming entrance.
Tang! Tang!
From miles away, hammering sounds echoed in the air like a rhythm. A blast of warm air hit his face the moment he reached the entrance.
Zhao Wei arched his brows in surprise at the temperature difference. There was a dividing line between the Blacksmithing Peak and the outside world. It was a region of fire and iron.
Even snow and ice never saw the light of day around its vicinity, he realized.
"Hmm?" Zhao Wei slightly squinted his eyes as he gracefully ascended the mountainous steps leading to the core area.
A massive grand array was deployed all around the Blacksmithing Peak.
He didn't need [𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁] to identify the grand array. Even that ability itself required a foundation to glean information from the fabric of reality. His theoretical foundation in array formations was already as solid as a monolith. Practical experience would only build up if he continued deploying or experimenting with different arrays.
"It's the same as the one from the Array Peak—perfectly integrated with the terrain. While this protective array shares the same essence as the Array Peak's, it's more like... support," Zhao Wei smiled a bit.
'So this is the sect's grand array, encompassing everything within it, acting as both a killing and a defensive array.'
'Interesting for a spiritual-tier array.'
Along the way, Zhao Wei noticed there were fewer people in the Blacksmithing Peak and only the pounding of hammers against metal was there to keep him company.
The more he went deeper, seeking the main hall, the more the heat waves intensified. However, Zhao Wei remained unperturbed in the face of this level of heat. It honestly didn't qualify to even act as his sauna.
At the core area, the source of all the heat and even the most resonant hammering, Zhao Wei faced a huge ancient building whose pillars were adorned with runic symbols. Alongside the symbols were intricate engravings of ancient blacksmiths creating weapons, from simple to those that could shake the heavens.
He could feel the profundity within both the drawings and the runic symbols like a timeless piece of knowledge preserved for the most discerning eyes.
'I can't satisfy you this time, dear curiosity.'
Not wanting to lose himself, Zhao Wei shook his head and gave the pillars one last look before heading deeper.
The temperature was dramatically nearing its peak, or so he thought. His steps faltered as he reached the rows of weapons lined up for display. Each one of them highlighted the artistic talent of their creator. They were of high quality within their ranks, from mortal to spiritual rank weapons.
Despite the exquisite line-up of weapons that many cultivators would have fawned over, Zhao Wei's focus was on the forge.
Tang! Tang! Tang!
With each rhythmic clank of the hammer, he felt his heart beat in sync. It was a strange yet satisfying feeling. It was like an indirect connection with the mysterious blacksmith.
Zhao Wei found himself slowly walking towards the forge, the overwhelming heat as high as the earth's core. The heat that would've boiled a mortal's blood was but a gentle warmth to him. His smooth skin remained impervious to the heat's thirst for his sweat.
But that mattered not because his eyes landed on a peculiar creature, no, it was a woman standing before an infernal forge. Dark golden flames willfully danced around her form as she struck the piece of metal. Enraged sparks flew omnidirectionally upon impact, yet none dared to graze her skin.
His gaze dropped to her arms, bare and toned, with perfectly corded muscles. They were clearly made, no, fine-tuned to perform the most efficient blacksmithing.
She was slender, but delicious curves graced her shapely hips. Her long black hair with red streaks at the tips was messily tied behind her head.
Two loose strands framed her calm face, making her more charming. Her side profile alone revealed to Zhao Wei that he was in the presence of a strikingly captivating woman. She effortlessly blended both handsome strength and delicate beauty.
His eyes sparkled with intrigue. 'Now this is what I call a plot twist. Who said jade beauties can't wield hammers?'
"Are you going to stand there forever like a lost buffoon? Give me two reasons not to hammer you into the ground like a dull nail." Without looking at him, the woman spoke, her hammer strikes not in the least faltering. Her voice was low, but commanding, carrying with it the ferocity of the forge's fires.
Zhao Wei was immediately rendered speechless, his lips parting in surprise.
'The yang is too strong in this one.'
***
OneArmedImmortal's Note
I was lost, my thoughts muddy and disoriented for a long time. Those months of hiatus I've been through ups and downs. I believe character development is what the youths call it nowadays. But to a transcendent senior like me, It wasn't mere character development but a massive influx of heart demons. It was a war of attrition inside my mental realm. During that time, even simple calligraphy made my fingers shake in defiance. My thoughts were too chaotic to confine to words.
I know some of you harbored peculiar suspicions—perhaps this old immortal had perished during prolonged seclusion? [Insert cryptic laughter here.] Jokes upon you! This venerable one is imperishable. The only thing I have yet to refine to perfection is my... [Ahem.] Never mind. Some inadequacies are best left unspoken before juniors.
This time, I shall not boast of a grand "return," nor weave empty hype. Instead, I make a solemn vow: This scripture will be completed. No more eternal incompleteness. Or the void of DROPPED.
During the seclusion I have gleaned small but precious insights. I can't wait to share them with you as time goes by.
For now, farewell. And enjoy my scripture.
—OneArmedImmortal