Chapter 963: Chapter 599: Star Device Complete, Elder Long Arrives (2)

But now, Mi Yue couldn’t help but deeply doubt whether her status as a prodigious genius was somewhat exaggerated.

Lu Lin, who casually observed beside her for a year without any formal guidance, not only successfully crafted Astral Equipment on his first try, but even managed to carve three Beginner-level basic Star Runes.

Not only did he finish with three basic Star Runes, but he went ahead to carve an Intermediate-level Star Rune—Burst.

This was Burst, which allows the user to choose three options when activating this feature: causing the Star Power to explode within the opponent’s body, letting the Astral Equipment explode, or causing both the Star Power and Astral Equipment to explode simultaneously.

The resulting destructive power is not something ordinary people can endure.

This Intermediate-level Star Rune is not a low-tier rune, yet Lu Lin effortlessly carved it, defying the heavens, truly defying the heavens.

"Mi Yue, Mi Yue, what are you thinking? I’ve finished sharpening the blade; can you help me check what level Astral Equipment this is?"

"Oh, oh, oh?"

Mi Yue snapped back to reality, dazedly taking the knife from Lu Lin to inspect it.

"Wait?!"

Mi Yue’s eyes suddenly widened, "Lu Lin, how long did I just zone out? It couldn’t have been a day, could it?"

"No, just a moment, why?"

"Nothing, it’s just your sharpening speed is too fast, it might result in some flaws, but let me check it for you first."

Mi Yue quickly returned to a normal state, picking up a small towel that looked like silk but was actually made of extremely fine metal threads.

She placed the towel against the blade and slowly slid it forward.

This is a special tool used by Refiners to test the sharpness of weapons, and detect tiny unseen burrs and imperfections: the Broken Silk Towel.

If during inspection, the Broken Silk Towel can’t move forward, or experiences unusual fluctuations, it means there’s an issue.

However, Mi Yue went through the check and found no obstacles or other anomalies, incapable of holding back as she ran the Broken Silk Towel over the blade again, confirming Lu Lin indeed sharpened the blade flawlessly.

"Lu Lin, it worked!"

"I didn’t expect you to successfully craft Astral Equipment on your first try, and it’s a Fourth Rank Astral Equipment long knife."

"Fantastic."

Lu Lin couldn’t help but feel immensely delighted too.

Even though he assessed the knife to be flawless, receiving Mi Yue’s approval was still highly exciting.

This signifies that in one year, he went from knowing nothing to becoming a capable Refiner.

They rejoiced for a while, and Mi Yue said to Lu Lin, "You’re the most talented Refiner I’ve ever seen. Lu Lin, why not stay at our Refining Star Mountain? In a hundred years, your creations might appear at the Refining Star Treasure Appreciation Conference, where you’d receive admiration and praise from thousands."

"Uh, this..."

Lu Lin unexpectedly faced such a proposal from Mi Yue, yet after a quick contemplation, he replied, "Learning more about forging techniques is fine, but I certainly won’t leave General Mountain."

"That’s okay, I’ll have my father give you a Guest Qing title at Refining Star Mountain."

"Well... okay then."

Lu Lin made a decision, sending information to Elder Long at far-off General Mountain before starting systemic learning of refining techniques with Mi Yue.

A year passed, and Lu Lin’s refining foundations had become solid.

Two years passed, and Lu Lin could easily craft Fourth and Fifth Rank Astral Equipment.

Three years later, Lu Lin could produce Sixth Rank Astral Equipment.

Five years later, Seventh Rank Astral Equipment.

Seven years later, Eighth Rank Astral Equipment.

By the time Lu Lin had spent ten years at Refining Star Mountain, he could finally craft Ninth Rank Astral Equipment.

During this period, Elder Long continuously urged Lu Lin to learn sufficiently and return, but Lu Lin was in the midst of excitement and unwilling to leave.

He absorbed refining knowledge like a sponge dried for a long time, constantly soaking it in.

Not only did Lu Lin progress during these ten years, but Mi Yue also finally created 10081 Grain Grade 6 Astral Equipment sand grains.

Under a Martial Artist’s control, these sand grains can constantly change shapes.

Daggers, Spears, Cutting Blades, Halberds, Axes, Hooked Scythes, even some unconventional weapons, as long as they’ve appeared in the history of Martial Arts in Longyuan World, can all change forms.

Despite each sand grain being only Grade 6 level, this is their limit.

Previously mentioned, each Grade 6 Star Device requires at least three Intermediate Star Runes.

If it were ordinary weapons, no matter how obscure or unconventional, Mi Yue could easily produce Ninth Grade Star Tools.

However, this is just a tiny sand grain.

Over nearly ten years, Lu Lin noticed Mi Yue seemed to develop eye problems, always squinting slightly as if she couldn’t clearly perceive things... could it be myopia?

"Lu Lin, it’s done, finally done." 𝚏𝕣𝕖𝚎𝚠𝚎𝚋𝚗𝐨𝐯𝕖𝕝.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Mi Yue happily leaped up, jumping onto Lu Lin, wrapping herself around him, expressing her unrestrained delight.

But Lu Lin froze instantly.

Over the more than ten years, he and Mi Yue spent almost every day together, yet Mi Yue had never shown any special gestures, merely exchanging simple conversations like friends or work colleagues without involving personal sentiments.

Mi Yue’s sudden embrace left Lu Lin at a loss.

He wasn’t sure whether to let Mi Yue down or hug her back.

Despite cultivating for so long, in his heart, Lu Lin still saw himself as youthful, not calm like those elderly individuals of seventy or eighty years.

Perhaps recognizing Lu Lin’s reaction, Mi Yue also felt her gesture was somewhat inappropriate, yet suddenly jumping down and explaining would be awkward, so she went with it, hugging Lu Lin for a while until even Lu Lin almost lost control over his inner strength, only then did Mi Yue release him.

"Lu Lin, I’m going to find Master Cui Baohe."

"This time, I must make him my Master."

After speaking, Mi Yue packed away the crafted 10081 sand grain Star Device, leaving without looking back.

Her movements seemed uncoordinated, face still tinged with a hint of blush.

Whether the excitement caused it or the rush of excitement itself was unclear.

Lu Lin watched Mi Yue’s receding silhouette, suddenly tilting upward a smile.

Having lived in Refining Star Mountain for over a decade, the weapons Elder Long commissioned were also complete, Lu Lin naturally had no reason to remain. Remember, at General Mountain, six Masters awaited Lu Lin to return for further learning.

Originally planning for a prompt departure, Lu Lin received communication from Elder Long.

Elder Long planned to swiftly travel from General Mountain.

He’d already learned Mi Yue crafted a Star Device aligning perfectly with his requirements, eagerly preparing to come and view.

Indeed, in just a few days’ time, Elder Long arrived outside the Mountain Gate of Refining Star Mountain Holy Land, aboard a cloud-soaring flying boat.

Accompanied him was Elder Cheng Yu.

Elder Cheng Yu was the teacher designated to instruct Lu Lin next, being primarily responsible for external relationship management and handling intelligence processing and screening at General Mountain.

Despite feeling reluctant, with Elder Cheng Yu present, Elder Long naturally couldn’t make any unsuitable moves.

After a night of conversations, he followed Mi Yue leading to Master Cui Baohe’s Mountain Peak.

As for Lu Lin, he will accompany Elder Cheng Yu for some travels outside.

Elder Cheng Yu presents a very competent middle-aged figure, dressed fittingly in a white suit, appearing clean and tidy.

"Come on, Lu Lin, you have no idea how much Elder Long has praised you to me over these years, almost making you sound like a blooming flower."

On the cloud-soaring flying boat, Cheng Yu joked smilingly.

He exudes a charming aura that naturally lowers Lu Lin’s guard.

"It’s all Elder Long’s care for his disciples, later I must trouble Elder Cheng Yu."

"No problem, no problem."

Elder Cheng Yu casually waved his hand, then said, "Lu Lin..."