The morning events concluded as scheduled. It was evident from the expressions of the audience, judges, and other contestants that the morning’s competition had left them with a profound sense of shock.
“His… That’s too big, isn’t it?”
“He truly lives up to being the God Hammer Little Overlord; he possesses such a terrifying physique!”
“Hmm, no wonder they say he brings prosperity to his wife…”
“That doesn’t seem right. Even if his talent is good, could he really be only seventeen? At seventeen, can one train to this level?”
“Yes, and after the match, why did he suddenly become so weak? I suspect he took banned substances!”
“However, the organizers have already checked him, and there were no signs of him using divine power dispersants.”
At the casting conference site, murmurs buzzed back and forth.
Not just in the judges’ seats, but the entire venue was filled with discussions, as the River and Mountain Map had covered the entire Imperial Capital.
It even played repeatedly.
So, after another round of advertisements, the host conducted interviews with the judges.
“Crown Prince, what do you think?”
“In my view, that power does not belong to him, nor is it the power of the Observation Realm; it’s merely an external force.”
Jiang Yu squinted his eyes to look at the image in the sky.
He was pondering whether Li Mo could sustain that kind of power long-term.
Just this physique alone was already no weaker than the True Dragon Body!
However…
Although the True Dragon Body is formidable, it doesn’t mean that strength comes solely from physical prowess; there are many other divine abilities.
He firmly held the top spot on the Qianlong List, not because of his physique. It would be rare for Li Mo to have even one aspect surpass his own.
Unfortunately, this person actually dared to bring Jiang Chulong along…
“In my opinion, the God Hammer Little Overlord might have practiced some special martial art, rather than relying on external forces.”
Unexpectedly, Du Wufeng, who agreed to forge weapons for him, contradicted him:
“Many people with extremely strong physiques appear very thin. Why?”
“Because powerful forces are constantly pressing upon them, every movement burns their essence and energy, bearing immense burdens. Hence, when they don’t use their powers, they contract their vital energy.”
“For example… This old man!”
Boom—
Thunder roared, it was the bl**d and qi within Du Wufeng surging like rivers and flowing like the sun across the sky.
A plume of smoke rose from his body, exuding a tyrannical pressure akin to a divine mountain peak.
An ordinary old man instantly seemed to break free from his shell, towering over a normal person by two heads, his physical presence far more oppressive than Li Mo’s had been.
Du Wufeng, peak Sixth Stage Law Body.
What he comprehended was the power of force.
The scene fell silent.
Although Du Wufeng’s aura was much stronger, its nature was not far from the images displayed in the River and Mountain Map.
But… How can someone comprehend great abilities while still in the Observation Realm?
However, since Du Wufeng said it was fine, the others naturally did not question further, and doubts gradually dissipated.
“We will soon announce the results of the preliminary round.”
“This time, we selected one hundred artisans to advance to the second round of forging.”
…
At the same time.
In the area where the artisans rested.
“Little Li, what exactly did you do to win?”
Lu Zhuang, now back to his slim figure, cautiously asked in a low voice.
“Don’t talk nonsense, what did I do?”
Little Li, also back to his normal figure, looked like a model citizen:
“I relied solely on hard work and effort to make it through today.”
“Hehe… we’re all friends here, so don’t keep us in suspense. Can you hide things from your friends? You worked hard to get first place, so why not help me out?”
Lu Zhuang pleaded repeatedly, his tone both ambiguous and sincere.
“?”
Li Mo was thinking, agreeing too readily would seem fake.
He didn’t expect Lu Zhuang to be so easily agitated.
“I can give you a way in, but after the casting conference, you need to take me somewhere.”
“Where did you get those enhanced instant noodles?”
Right, Li Mo planned to follow the trail.
The divine power dispersant had gone beyond the realm of banned drugs, reaching a point where he couldn’t ignore it anymore.
This might yield substantial investments, though he wasn’t thinking about that at the moment.
Little Li had already mentioned it before.
He and gambling drugs were mortal enemies!
After some hesitation, Lu Zhuang agreed due to the prospect of the opportunity Li Mo offered.
Another half-hour passed, and the first round of the casting conference came to a close. Little Li, somewhat controversially, defeated numerous masters and grandmasters, securing the top spot.
Li Mo picked up Bingying and Little Princess Jiang from the Sword Tomb, planning to participate in the second round after the initial event.
Before the actual casting began.
As a judge, Du Wufeng ignited the sword furnace with the Fallen Star Flame while picking up his Forging Hammer, intending to create the first weapon under everyone’s watchful eyes in the Imperial Capital.
To set an example for all artisans.
At the same time, this sword would accompany Jiang Yu in the Qianlong Conference.
“Master Du once forged the Divine Sword of the Celestials for Senior Shi Sujun, which still hangs over the domain of the City of Divine Beings, symbolizing supreme honor.”
“After years of seclusion, he must surely surpass himself this time.”
“The Crown Prince carries the Sword Bone and now has a masterpiece from a master craftsman, truly adding wings to a tiger.”
“Master Du is selecting materials!”
Standing below, Li Mo also looked up at the River and Mountain Map.
Du Wufeng glanced at him, and Li Mo heard the old man’s voice in his ear:
“Youngster, although I appreciate you, I won’t ruin my reputation.”
“Watch closely, how a true craftsman forges a weapon!”
A living craftsman.
The status of Heavenly Mountain Sword Manor was higher than that of each hall’s head, second only to the Manor Lord.
Clang!
The hammer shone like a blazing sun.
Li Mo found it dazzling but persisted in watching intently.
Steel instantly burst into a shower of sparks, as if it wasn’t metal but rather transformed into a sponge between the sword and the Forging Hammer.
With each strike, impurities were squeezed out like water.
This could still be considered the experience gained from a thousand hammer blows. What was impressive was that just this technique and experience surpassed Li Mo’s use of the Divine Treasure Hundred Refinements by two points.
“A divine weapon has a soul, a tool is not lifeless. Forging a weapon is refining the heart.”
“That is why some famous weapons are merely famous, while my cast weapons become divine weapons!”
Buzz—
Each hammer blow.
It felt like striking Li Mo’s heart.
He did not use martial arts insights.
Yet, fire, steel, hammer, and weapon flowed gently in his heart.
Hammer by hammer, replaying in his mind, every detail vivid.
Time passed unknowingly.
Suddenly, Li Mo felt a slight chill in his hand.
Ying Bing held his hand and whispered softly, “Master Du has finished forging the sword.”
Li Mo snapped out of his thoughts and looked up.
A longsword supported by cloth was emitting the residual warmth of the sword furnace, already placed on the judges’ bench.
It landed in Jiang Yu’s palm.
Jiang Yu squinted, the autumn-like blade reflected his pupils.
He sharply turned the sword tip, pointing it far away.
The sound of the sword echoed like a dragon’s roar.
