Zhou Huai controlled Ouyezi and took a deep breath.

The air in the forging room carried a faint metallic tang and the lingering warmth of charcoal.

He unrolled the "apprentice longsword Forging Blueprint" he had bought from Old Zhang.

The blueprint clearly marked every step and the required Materials.

"Red copper Ore, black iron ingots, and a portion of first-tier wind wolf claw powder."

Zhou Huai muttered, taking out the corresponding Materials one by one from his storage grid and neatly arranging them beside the forging platform.

The red copper Ore gleamed with a dark red luster, the black iron ingots were heavy, and the claw powder was in a small leather pouch.

He picked up the heavy forging hammer.

The moment the hammer handle touched his palm!

"Ding!"

A crisp System notification sound exploded in Zhou Huai's mind!

"【System Notification: Detected that the host's Clone 'Ouyezi' is performing forging for the first time, triggering a unique hidden profession exclusive challenge quest!】

"【Quest Name: The Divine Craftsman's First Cry!】

"【Quest Content: Successfully forge an Epic Rank weapon (no Rank or type limit).】

"【Quest Reward: Profession Orb Draw Opportunity X1!】

"【Quest Duration: None.】"

"Epic Rank?!"

Zhou Huai's heart skipped a beat.

Profession Orb Draw Opportunity! This reward was too tempting!

Yasuo's S-Rank Thunder Sword Master came from this.

Another S-Rank, or even SS-Rank, would be an incredible boost!

It was just... an Epic Rank weapon.

The difficulty was not ordinary.

He suppressed the excitement in his heart and his gaze returned to the forging platform.

"Let's try it out first."

Ouyezi picked up the tongs, clamped a piece of red copper Ore, and placed it into the roaring forge.

The flames instantly devoured the Ore, making a "crackle" sound.

Ouyezi's eyes were incredibly focused.

Through Ouyezi's senses, Zhou Huai clearly felt the temperature of the forge fire and the process of the Ore gradually softening in the flames.

That feeling was incredibly wonderful.

It was as if he himself had truly transformed into an experienced Forging Master.

Every step was like an instinct engraved deep in his Soul.

When the time was right.

Ouyezi suddenly clamped out the glowing red Ore and placed it on the cold anvil!

"Whoosh—"

He swung the forging hammer, without any fancy moves, and smashed it down heavily!

"Clang!!"

A deafening roar echoed in the forging room!

Sparks flew everywhere!

Each hammer strike landed precisely on the most crucial part of the Ore.

Strength, angle, rhythm.

Flawless!

Ouyezi's movements were fluid, with an indescribable sense of rhythm.

Sweat seeped from his forehead, trickling down his cheeks, but he didn't care.

In his eyes, there was only the constantly deforming metal.

Impurities were gradually stripped away with each strike.

The density of the metal was continuously increasing.

Zhou Huai could feel that Ouyezi's 【Forging Master】 passive skill was taking effect.

The consumption of Materials seemed to be less than expected, and the efficiency of forging was surprisingly high.

Soon, the red copper Ore was refined into pure copper blocks.

Next were the black iron ingots.

The same process, hammering, shaping.

The two metals gradually underwent Fusion under high temperature and immense force.

Finally, Ouyezi carefully opened the leather pouch and evenly sprinkled the wind wolf claw powder onto the sword embryo.

"Sizzle—"

A puff of green smoke rose.

The claw powder seemed to possess life, rapidly fusing into the sword body.

Adding a faint sharpness to the sword embryo.

Quenching, polishing, sharpening... Ouyezi completed every step meticulously.

Time passed by second by second.

A full two hours.

When the last hammer strike fell.

Ouyezi let out a long breath.

He gently put down the forging hammer in his hand.

On the anvil, a brand new longsword lay quietly.

The sword body displayed a dull metallic luster, with fine patterns vaguely visible.

The blade was sharp, shimmering with a cold light.

"【apprentice longsword】"

"【Quality: Fine ☆☆ (Two Stars)】"

"【Rank: LV5】"

"【Physical Attack: +35】"

"【Strength: +2】"

"【Durability: 60/60】"

"【Remarks: A fairly well-made apprentice longsword, at least it won't chip easily.】"

"Fine Two Stars?"

Zhou Huai looked at the attribute panel, his brows slightly furrowed.

This {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} feeling was very strange.

Through Ouyezi, he felt as if he had personally forged this sword.

Every detail was clear in his mind.

"An SS-Rank Myriad Forms Divine Craftsman, making his first move, and it's only Fine Two Stars?"

He was a little dissatisfied.

According to his thoughts, it should at least be Rare Rank to start with, right?

But then he thought about it.

It was fine.

Now was not the time to be high-profile.

Yasuo's previous experience was a lesson.

Making a fortune quietly was the way to go.

He took out another set of the remaining Materials.

And put it into the forge again.

Another round of clang-clang-clang.

Two hours later.

The second "apprentice longsword" was released.

The quality was still Fine Two Stars.

The attributes were exactly the same.

Zhou Huai shook his head.

It seemed that improving forging quality was not something that could be achieved overnight.

Equipment Ranks were divided into: Common, Fine, Rare, Epic, Legendary, and the rumored Divine Rank.

Within the same Rank, there was also a detailed division of one to five stars.

Epic Rank... it was a long way to go.

He put away the two longswords and opened the door to the forging room.

"Creak—"

Outside the door, Old Zhang was pacing anxiously, and as soon as he saw Ouyezi come out, he immediately went up to him.

"Brother Ouyezi! How was it? Was your first forging smooth?"

Old Zhang's face showed concern.

"Did it succeed?"

Seeing that Ouyezi's face didn't show much ecstasy, Old Zhang patted his shoulder and comforted him:

"Hey, brother, don't be discouraged if it didn't succeed!"

"Forging this thing, how can it succeed in one go?"

"Many Forging Masters try four or five times, or even more than ten times, before they can barely forge their first piece of equipment."

Old Zhang spoke earnestly.

"Besides, you chose a Rank five weapon blueprint, which is inherently difficult."

"How about, listen to your big brother's advice, start practicing with Rank one daggers, short staffs, or something similar?"

"Those are simple, have a high success rate, and can help you get a feel for it."

Zhou Huai controlled Ouyezi and didn't say much.

He just silently took out the two newly forged apprentice longswords from behind him.

And handed them to Old Zhang.

"Old Zhang, take a look at this."

"Hmm?"

Old Zhang took the longswords somewhat puzzled.

They were slightly heavy in his hand, and the sword bodies carried the lingering warmth of being newly forged.

He subconsciously examined them.

The sword guard was flat, the sword spine was straight, and the blade shimmered with a faint cold light.

Then he looked at the other one.

Almost identical!

"This... this is..."

Old Zhang was a bit stunned.

"No, wait a minute, the two sets of Materials I gave you. You succeeded with both?"

Ouyezi nodded, his tone calm: "Hmm, it's so-so, I guess it succeeded."

"So... so-so?!"

Old Zhang almost choked!

He looked at the two Rank five longswords in his hand, then at the excessively young "Brother Ouyezi" in front of him.

His whole person was dumbfounded!

First time forging!

Directly challenging a Rank five weapon!

And he actually succeeded with two of them at once?!

Is this what he calls so-so?!

What kind of monster is this kid, where did he come from?!