Chapter 436: Su Yao, Introduction
Following Elder Huan Yin, Moyu easily passed through the tightly guarded entrance of the grand hall. With a gentle push, the door creaked open.
As the doors parted, the grand and imposing interior of the hall revealed itself to Moyu's gaze. Inside, about a dozen figures were seated, most of them dressed in blacksmith robes. Judging by their appearances, these individuals were clearly advanced in age, their expressions calm and composed, showing no signs of discomfort despite being in Sound Valley's headquarters.
At the head of the hall sat a mature woman, her expression cold but strikingly beautiful. Her delicate features and graceful figure were captivating, and even though she sat still, her poise was enchanting. However, despite her undeniable beauty, none of the blacksmiths dared to glance at her. They were well aware of her significant status in the Central Region.
Standing beside the woman was a young lady in colorful attire. Her tall and graceful figure was exceptionally elegant. Her long black hair flowed like a waterfall down to her slender waist. Her eyes were bright and deep, and her skin, with a porcelain-like glow, was almost unnaturally flawless, as if she were made of ice and jade.
When the hall doors opened, everyone turned their gazes toward the entrance. And when Elder Huan Yin mentioned that another blacksmith had arrived, many of the onlookers showed a hint of interest.
"Huan Yin, you're the last one to return," the woman at the head of the hall said in a calm voice, as soothing as the sound of a mountain spring. "Why don't you invite the master in? We wouldn't want anyone to say that Sound Valley lacks hospitality, would we?"
At her words, Elder Huan Yin quickly nodded and turned to the entrance. "Moyu, please come in," she called.
"Moyu?"
Upon hearing that name, the faces of several blacksmiths in the hall shifted dramatically.
As news of the recent blacksmithing competition spread across the Central Plains, the name "Moyu" had caused a huge stir in the blacksmithing circles. In the Western Region, Moyu's name had already become well-known.
While the others were still processing this, a slender figure slowly entered from outside the hall. As soon as his young and handsome face came into view, the hall was filled with shock.
Many of the blacksmiths present had participated in the blacksmithing competition, so Moyu's face was no stranger to them. The scene of Moyu forging an eighth-rank weapon and summoning three-colored lightning was etched into their memories like a godly vision. Moyu's victory over Qiu Yuanqiao from the Danta had greatly boosted the prestige of blacksmiths everywhere.
So, when Moyu appeared, all the blacksmiths stood up in unison to greet him, their gazes filled with respect and humility. Although these blacksmiths were highly respected in the Central Plains, none of them dared to act superior in front of someone as talented as Moyu.
"Moyu greets the Valley Master," Moyu said, slightly raising an eyebrow in surprise at the warm respect he received, but he paid little mind to it.
He then turned his gaze to the cold and beautiful woman seated at the head of the hall. From the moment he stepped inside, he felt a subtle sense of pressure, and he quickly deduced that it was coming from her. He also guessed that this woman was Su Yao, the master of Sound Valley and someone with significant ties to Snake Uncle.
Su Yao's eyes also widened slightly when she saw Moyu. She was especially surprised to see that the blacksmiths, who never even spared her a second glance, all stood to greet him with respect. However, something about Moyu seemed strangely familiar to her.
There was an aura about him that stirred something deep inside her, something long dormant. It was as if a breeze had stirred the still waters of her heart, creating ripples that lingered.
However, Su Yao hid her emotions well. She simply let her gaze sweep over Moyu, her surprise growing the longer she observed him.
"You're too kind, sir. I am Su Yao, the Valley Master of Sound Valley. To think that at such a young age, you've already reached the level of a Dou Zong (Battle Sovereign)—such talent is truly rare," Su Yao said with a faint smile.
Upon hearing her words, the blacksmiths were unsurprised. After all, during the blacksmithing competition, Moyu had not only crafted an eighth-rank weapon but had also killed Qing Jian, a peak Dou Zong, an event that was unforgettable for everyone.
However, the young woman standing beside Su Yao looked curiously at Moyu, her eyes filled with doubt. As one of Sound Valley's most talented young members and the valley's saintess, she knew well how difficult it was to reach the level of Dou Zong at such a young age. Moreover, Moyu seemed even younger than her.
"Valley Master Su, you overpraise me. I've just had a bit more luck than most," Moyu replied calmly, although he had already assessed Su Yao's strength internally.
"She's able to hide her aura so perfectly. Su Yao's power far surpasses that of Sword Master Jian Zun from Myriad Sword Pavilion," Moyu thought to himself.
The memory of Snake Uncle flashed through his mind. Although he didn't know Snake Uncle's exact strength, Moyu had a feeling that at his peak, Snake Uncle was far from ordinary.
This realization strengthened Moyu's resolve to revive Snake Uncle. If his Yuan Mansion was to establish a firm foothold in the Central Plains, it would need a powerful protector, and Snake Uncle would be the perfect candidate.
"Please, Mr. Moyu, take a seat," Su Yao said with a smile, interrupting Moyu's thoughts.
Moyu nodded and, led by Elder Huan Yin, found a seat within the hall. Once Moyu was seated, the blacksmiths exchanged glances before returning to their seats as well.
Watching this scene, Su Yao, Elder Huan Yin, and the young woman in colorful attire all noticed something strange. Since Moyu's arrival, these usually composed blacksmiths had become somewhat restrained, as if the true authority in the room wasn't them but the young Moyu.
This made Su Yao furrow her brow slightly. Sound Valley had always been isolated from the world and paid little attention to external affairs. As such, she had no idea what achievements Moyu had accomplished at such a young age to command such respect.
Nevertheless, as the Valley Master of one of the Three Valleys, Su Yao was no ordinary person. She kept her doubts hidden and addressed the group of blacksmiths with a voice as melodious as a mountain spring.
"Since everyone is here, let me explain the situation at hand," Su Yao began, clearing her throat as her sharp eyes scanned the room. Her gaze lingered on Moyu for a few extra seconds before continuing.
"As some of you may know, one of Sound Valley's treasured artifacts has been damaged due to unforeseen circumstances. This item is of great importance to Sound Valley, so we require a capable blacksmith to repair it."
With that, Su Yao gently clasped her jade-like hand. A soft, melodic chime rang out, and suddenly, a powerful, energy-radiating magic zither appeared before her.
The zither had an exquisite, curved design with dark, intricate lines etched along its surface, giving it a mysterious and elegant appearance. Its surface was smooth and reflective like a mirror, and its strings were bound together like threads of magical light. Half of the zither exuded an ethereal glow, while the other half was shrouded in a dark, ominous aura.
What was even more surprising was the small figure resembling a Buddha that slowly emerged from the zither, radiating immense spiritual power.
"A weapon spirit? Could this be an eighth-rank weapon?" Moyu's eyes widened slightly at the sight.
A weapon with a spirit was the hallmark of an eighth-rank weapon, just like Moyu's Divine Black Thunder Spear, which housed the spirit of a black dragon. However, the Buddha spirit above the zither appeared to be weakened, as if it had suffered severe damage.
"This zither is Sound Valley's sacred treasure, the Heavenly Demon Zither, passed down through the generations since the time of our first valley master. It is classified as an eighth-rank weapon. However, due to certain events, the zither has been damaged. Whoever can repair it will be greatly rewarded by Sound Valley," Su Yao explained, her fingers lightly brushing across the zither's surface as a look of regret flashed through her eyes. She then turned to the blacksmiths with a smile.
Upon hearing her words, many of the blacksmiths in the hall flinched.
Repairing an eighth-rank weapon was no easy task, and many of them had never even handled such a high-level weapon before. Although they had long known that Sound Valley possessed a supreme weapon, they hadn't expected it to be an eighth-rank weapon.
However, as they gazed at the spirit hovering above the zither, there was no doubt left in their minds. The presence of a weapon spirit was definitive proof that it was indeed an eighth-rank weapon.
At that moment, the gray-haired elder who sat at the head of the blacksmiths sighed and said, "Valley Master Su, the Heavenly Demon Zither is an eighth-rank weapon. Even repairing it is beyond the capabilities of us seventh-rank blacksmiths. Once a weapon involves a spirit, it surpasses the other ranks. None of us can repair it unless we have the skills of an eighth-rank blacksmith."
Hearing this, Su Yao frowned slightly. She had assumed that, although the zither was an eighth-rank weapon, repairing it would be within the capabilities of a skilled seventh-rank blacksmith. However, it seemed she had underestimated the complexity of the task.
Eighth-rank blacksmiths were among the most elite on the continent, and even with Sound Valley's influence, finding one would not be easy.
"Why the worry, Valley Master Su? There is an eighth-rank blacksmith right here in this hall," the gray-haired elder suddenly said.
"What? Sound Valley managed to invite an eighth-rank blacksmith?" Su Yao was taken aback. A flash of excitement passed through her eyes as she looked around the room, hoping to identify this eighth-rank master.
However, after carefully examining each of the dozen or so blacksmiths present, she found no one who fit the description of an eighth-rank blacksmith. Disappointed, she began to doubt the elder's claim.
Meanwhile, Elder Huan Yin's mind suddenly flashed back to the overwhelming soul power Moyu had demonstrated earlier. Could it be…?
"Elder Beimingzi," Su Yao said coolly, her tone laced with skepticism, "everyone here is a renowned blacksmith in the Central Region. If any of them had advanced to the eighth rank, it would be impossible for Sound Valley not to know. Perhaps your words were too hasty."
Had it been anyone else, she might have already had them escorted out for wasting her time. However, given that Beimingzi was an old and respected blacksmith on par with the heads of the Blacksmith Alliance, Su Yao held back her displeasure.
Beimingzi chuckled at her response and shook his head. "It seems the Valley Master is unaware of recent developments in the blacksmithing world, and indeed, across the Central Region. If that's the case, allow me to introduce to you the newest genius among blacksmiths—an eighth-rank grandmaster."
With that, Beimingzi slowly stood up and began walking toward one corner of the hall.
Su Yao was startled. Could it be that she had indeed misjudged the situation? Had Sound Valley truly managed to invite an eighth-rank blacksmith by chance?
The young woman standing next to Su Yao also looked down from her elevated position, a doubtful expression crossing her delicate face.
An eighth-rank blacksmith was a towering figure in the Dou Qi Continent, their status nearly equal to her own teacher, the Valley Master. However, none of the people in the hall seemed to fit that profile.
Her gaze suddenly landed on Moyu, who was calmly sipping tea in a quiet corner of the hall. She hesitated for a moment, her brow furrowing slightly.
"This guy looks pretty composed," she thought. "But an eighth-rank blacksmith should at least be a middle-aged man, not some young kid like him."
As these thoughts crossed her mind, to her astonishment, Beimingzi walked right past the other blacksmiths and headed straight toward the corner where Moyu sat.
Stopping in front of the calm-faced youth, Beimingzi offered a humble smile. Then, to the shock of Su Yao and everyone present, he introduced Moyu with a flourish.
"Valley Master Su, allow me to formally introduce to you the champion of the recent blacksmithing competition and an eighth-rank grandmaster—Mr. Moyu."
(End of chapter)
Friends, if you want to read chapters in advance, subscribe to my patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Cortez10