"But for those objects that inherently lack life, this energy is overwhelmingly immense. If they can withstand it, the material transforms into something alive. But if they can't bear that unique energy, the material shatters — that's why when spirit forging fails, we lose precious metals."
"We call this special energy 'creation energy' — the energy of birthing life."
Feng Wuyu's explanation left Gu You blinking in a daze, half understanding, half lost.
"You were able to succeed largely because your own soul rings and hammers provide exceptionally strong life energy. That life energy poured into the fused metals, supported by your blood energy, giving them enough resilience to endure and ultimately be imbued with life. Without realizing it, you completed one of the hardest forging steps we smiths face — what we call 'guardian creation.' Not every forger can pull that off. Even Saint Craftsmen have a success rate of less than thirty percent.
"To improve spirit forging success, countless generations of smiths have explored another method: boosting the metal's inherent strength and its capacity to bear creation energy. This method is called — alloys!"
Gu You's young face was still blank, but he kept listening attentively.
Shen Yi could only give a helpless smile and shake her head. No matter how talented someone is, they still need to sit and learn.
"As the name suggests, you probably already understand alloys are the fusion of different metals in precise proportions. Alloys are widely used in mechas — but the alloys we forgers talk about are very different. Industrial alloys are typically created by heating metals into liquid form, mixing them at ratios, sometimes with chemical additives to help, and then casting them into shape.
"But forgers' alloys are created purely by hand — by using forging hammers to directly merge metals together. What you just did with fusion forging was relatively simple, thanks to the natural devouring property of the ores. You didn't even need high temperatures. Some metals can't even be melted in ten-thousand-degree fires!"
"We forgers also blend metals by ratio, but the entire process is done only by hammering. We forge the metals into seamless unity, forming a new, enhanced material with boosted qualities — ultimately completing spirit forging or, in the future, even soul forging. The moment a piece of metal achieves spirit forging, it sets the foundation for all its future potential."
"Did you understand that?"
Gu You nodded firmly. "I got it — it's basically mixing and proportioning, right? I've dabbled with that before."
"As long as you roughly understand." Feng Wuyu coughed. "Starting today, I'll personally teach you how to forge alloys. Once you can master at least a hundred alloy formulas, you can try spirit forging them. If your old master won't teach you, I will!"
"Alright!"
…
After completing his personal assessments, Gu You followed Feng Wuyu to Shrek Academy's Forging Association to study real alloy fusion forging.
He didn't even go back to greet Ya Li or Yun Ming — instead, he had Cai Yue'er pass on his regards. He could only imagine how angry Ya Li would be when he finally did return.
Feng Wuyu began formally teaching Gu You alloy forging.
The first and most crucial step in alloy forging was the formula. These formulas had been painstakingly tested and refined by generations of smiths, making every alloy recipe incredibly precious — something most would guard jealously.
Before diving in, Gu You even had to give his own newly created alloy a name.
Yuanxu (Abyss-Beard Alloy)
He became the first creator of the Yuanxu Alloy formula, making quite a splash. His first attempt at fusion forging had produced a brand-new alloy that would now be recorded forever in the Federation's official compendium of metals.
Alloy formulas were divided into two broad types: common and rare. Rare types were often secret, known only to a handful, while common types were widely used across the continent.
Gu You's alloy formula was classified as rare — though realistically, it probably should have been considered common. The only reason it was bumped up to rare status was because of the scarcity of Dragon Abyss Meteorite. If that ore were more plentiful, it likely would've been cataloged as a common formula.
The more types of rare metals involved in making an alloy, the harder it was to forge, due to the increasingly complex interactions — and the rarer the formula became.
Usually, alloys made from two or three metals were considered common. Anything involving more than three metals typically belonged to rare formulas.
Entering the alloy learning stage also made inheritance and mentorship incredibly important. Even common formulas had to be purchased from the Forging Association. But with titans like Feng Wuyu and Zhen Hua backing him, Gu You held a massive advantage in access to alloy knowledge.
After four hours of intense study, Gu You stretched his stiff arms and, under Feng Wuyu's fierce stare, got ready to leave.
"Kid, that spinning forging technique you used — was that rotary forging?"
"I don't know, probably. I made it up myself." With that, Gu You turned and left.
"That brat…"
Feng Wuyu grumbled, but as soon as Gu You's footsteps faded away, his face broke into a huge grin. Laughing out loud, he danced around like a lunatic. To any outsider, the sight of this red-haired old man twirling and laughing would've looked like pure madness.
"Haha! Hahaha! What a little freak! His first time trying fusion forging, and he pulls this off? I really do have the best eye for talent, hahaha…"
This was the kind of "vacation" Gu You wanted. He figured if he studied alloys nonstop, he'd get too bored. So, Monday to Friday, he'd attend outer court classes; Saturday and Sunday, he'd train under Feng Wuyu.
Originally, Feng Wuyu hadn't agreed — but after enough pestering from Gu You, he finally gave in.
The work-study student dorms were located in a wooded area on the west side of Lingbing Plaza.
Compared to the main teaching buildings in front of the plaza, the dorms were shockingly shabby, practically a slum.
The low, one-story houses looked badly worn and battered. Though they sat beside a patch of forest, it felt like the trees were mainly there to hide the ugly sight from view.
"What an uncomfortable place," Gu You muttered under his breath.
He looked over the row of some twenty-odd small rooms, their walls weathered and peeling…
(End of Chapter)
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