Compared to the skills of blacksmiths, the enchanting of alchemists' magic forging produced items of vastly superior quality.
The next day, Huns delivered the remaining materials, and Ge Zheng gave him six hundred gold coins. Thankfully, he had managed to gather all the materials, and his luck hadn't run out yet.
The official magic forging began, and Ge Zheng entrusted everything in the shop to Dunk, instructing him to say that he wasn't around no matter who came looking for him. In the laboratory, Ge Zheng started to work fervently on processing the raw materials in three steps.
Secondly, the "Magic Blowing Technique" is used to process the raw material particles. All the raw materials are mixed with mosquito eggs and placed in a closed windbox. With the use of powerful wind magic, the particles are rolled up, and through their mutual collisions, they are ground down into smaller, more uniform particles.
By introducing fire magic into the interstice magic, the mosquito egg powder is vaporized into gas through combustion, and a small amount of magic power is injected into the closed space. Because of the effect of the mosquito eggs, metal powder easily absorbs magic power, turning the metal into "magic metal" with an affinity for magic.
The third step is to strictly weigh the four types of raw materials and mix them in a ratio of 4:12:1:1.
The reason for grinding them is to thoroughly mix them in the furnace, which is beneficial for the fusion of metals during the alchemy process. The reason for the use of the Magic Blowing Technique is to "pre-heat" the metal in the magic, which not only helps the subsequent alchemical process to proceed smoothly, but also makes the treated metal harder than ordinary metal.
In addition to the four additional raw materials, there are also some high-quality iron ores in Ge Zheng's laboratory. Besides these four types of additives, quality iron ore is also indispensable. For a general weapon, nine kilograms of weight would be sufficient, but for that person, it would definitely be considered too light. Therefore, these raw materials are mainly additives, and the main raw material is refined iron.
He remembered that there were still many high-quality native iron ores in his warehouse, and he didn't expect that even after all of them had been refined, he was still a few tens of grams short.
Compared to several tens of kilograms of original refined iron, these few tens of grams may seem insignificant, but for alchemy, nothing can be overlooked.
The last step of the magic forging is called "shaping", where the alchemical results are blown into the void using wind and water magic. Then, by using magic control, the desired appearance of the work can be crafted. Ge Zheng's "shaping" is even more delicate than that of ordinary alchemists because he can use more than two types of magic.
For the people of the Star Alchemy World, a person only has one magical attribute, unless they surpass the limits of humanity, reaching the level of "title" like Parachelus, otherwise it is difficult to develop a second attribute. However, Ge Zheng is different. Chinese Taoists believe in the circulation of the five elements and harmony between yin and yang, so having all five elemental attributes in the body is inevitable. Therefore, he can almost perform all types of magic, and this secret is only known to Parachelus.
A few tens of grams may not count for much compared to several tens of kilograms of original refined iron, but at the critical stage of shaping, just because of the shortage of these few tens of grams, the entire work might not be able to achieve perfection. Ge Zheng is somewhat worried; it would be a waste of time to go out and buy at this time, especially when time is already very tight.
Suddenly, he remembered that he still had two pieces of yellow iron ore, which Dunk regards as treasures. Although they are waste materials, the fact that they weigh so much should produce several tens of grams of original refined iron without a hitch. For magic forging, refining ore is the simplest step, and Ge Zheng's own refining of iron ore is even faster than going out to buy original refined iron.
Indeed, the two pieces of yellow iron ore produced tens of grams of original refined iron and a little more.
With all the raw materials ready, Ge Zheng set up the furnace and began the formal magic forging. With a snap of his fingers, a flame burst forth, igniting the fire magic formation inside the furnace, and the blue flames immediately ignited. Ge Zheng chanted a spell, and a hazy light curtain descended, attaching to the flames. The originally colorless light curtain, upon contact with the flames, immediately turned yellow.
This magic is called "Fire Clothing" and only alchemists use it. Its purpose is to control the temperature of the flames. The color of the fire clothing changes into ten different colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, cyan, purple, white, silver, gold, indicating gradually increasing flame temperatures. Among them, the blue-colored fire clothing represents a boundary value, and the flame must be above this to melt metal. Different kinds of metals also have different temperature requirements.
Currently, the fire clothing is yellow. Ge Zheng controlled the fire magic formation and increased the amount of magic power input, gradually changing the color of the fire clothing from yellow to dark yellow, and then gradually transitioning to light green, dark green, light blue...
While the assistance of the fire clothing was already in place, controlling the temperature of the furnace fire remained a challenge in the realm of alchemy. For example, a blue fire must be divided into light blue, normal blue, and dark blue, with numerous smaller divisions within these. The fire clothing could only provide a general assistance in this process, and for the specifics, it still relied on the experience and ability of the alchemist.
The refinement of the original refined iron must be done at a temperature of light blue. Ge Zheng adjusted the flame to light blue and then stabilized the magical power output of the magic formation at this standard before pouring the main raw material, the original refined iron, into the furnace.
The original refined iron does not need to undergo the magic blowing process, as the addition of minerals changes its original properties.
The original refined iron in the furnace slowly melted into molten iron. Ge Zheng poured in the proportions of the mixed additives, then controlled the temperature of the flames anew, keeping the color of the fire clothing in light purple.
To completely refine the impurities and fully integrate the raw materials, it would require six hours. The furnace fire burned fiercely, and Ge Zheng was not idle. There are many types of meteoric iron, and the predecessors of the Taoist path have long studied them. Different types of meteoric iron also need to be used differently; otherwise, it would be not only superfluous but also detrimental. It is very likely that a good weapon would drop a grade, becoming only a common weapon, because of the inappropriate addition of meteoric iron.
Fortunately, the ancestors had already summarized their experiences. During those six hours, Ge Zheng carefully examined the piece of meteoric iron and finally determined that, in order to achieve his expectations for this weapon, the optimal amount of meteoric iron to be added was six hundred and twenty grams. Ge Zheng weighed out six hundred and twenty grams of meteoric iron and added it after six hours had passed.
As the meteoric iron was added, a wave of blue smoke rose, and the viscous solution began to bubble, like magma with bubbles.
When the materials in the furnace melted into a viscous red and green mass, Ge Zheng added five magic cores into it. The magic cores are almost pure crystalline energy, containing no impurities. Once added, they immediately melted into the purest magical energy. Using his own magic, Ge Zheng guided this massive magic energy to constantly circulate within the furnace. The flames gradually weakened, and when the solution was in a state between solidification and semi-solidification, a gust of wind lifted the solution entirely, and a cloud of mist descended from the sky. Guided by the magical force, the mass of red and green solution quickly solidified, while being inscribed with three layers of formations by magical power.
A rush of cold air burst forth. The once blazing and blazing solution had already frozen into a huge transparent block of ice. Its form was no longer chaotic; it had become a cold and shimmering treasure sword.
Because the shaping controlled by magic power and thoughts can only be maintained for a moment in the liquid state, it needs to be immediately frozen using ice magic. If done even slightly later, some deformation would occur, and the optimal appearance could not be achieved.
Ge Zheng smiled and nodded as he looked at his first magic forging work after leaving the cloak of the goddess of wisdom; he was quite satisfied.
The wide blade of the sword was covered with fine, scale-like patterns. The blade edge emitted a shining cold light and was exceedingly sharp. The back of the blade was thick, and near the handle, there was a two-span-long golden back button. The guard was shaped like a dragon wing, spreading out arrogantly. There were six curved patterns on the handle, enabling a firm grip while helping to wick away sweat.
There was no doubt about the sharpness of this sword. It contained three layers of imprinted magic formations, rather than using any attacking magic formations, it was designed to enhance the toughness of the sword body. However, in the fleeting moment of the shaping, Ge Zheng was struck with an idea; he left three holes in it, so that if he could find the magic core of an advanced magical beast, it could release magic using the sword.
As the ice block melted, Ge Zheng held the sword in his hand, and with a flick of his wrist, a golden whoosh sounded, and the precious sword appeared, revealing its ambition to be a superior work.
He casually threw a thick iron rod from the ground into the air, and with a wave of his sword, it broke into four pieces and fell to the ground. It truly could be said that "it cuts iron like mud"!
In crafting this sword, a total of forty kilograms of various raw materials were used. However, Ge Zheng felt that when held in his hand, the sword felt weightless, unlike the typical heavy feeling. When he wanted to strike with it, he felt the blade's stability and no sense of lightness and floatability.
Ge Zheng smiled, "It seems that this sword turned out better than I expected. However, the instinct of an alchemist led him to ponder the reasons behind achieving such an effect."
Ge Zheng was very clear about the properties of most of the raw materials except for the celestial metal. Suddenly, he thought: "Could it be the two pieces of yellow iron ore?"
The iron obtained from smelting the yellow iron ore still remained, and Ge Zheng scratched his head. The laboratory was already in a mess, and those few grams of raw materials had been thrown somewhere and forgotten. Ge Zheng was in a frantic search when a knocking sound was heard, "Master, that person has arrived."
The alchemist's laboratory was tightly sealed, even the windows were tightly shut. Ge Zheng pushed the door open, and outside was a sunny day, with the bright sunlight making it hard for him to open his eyes. He didn't expect time to pass so quickly; it was already the third day.
Ge Zheng couldn't afford to waste time looking for that small piece of raw material; he hastily went off, carrying the treasure sword.
Ever since the treasure sword appeared, the man's gaze hadn't left it. "Excellent sword!" the man praised, his voice as deep as a cold pond. Even if the sword could not cut moonfall iron, it was still an invaluable treasure.
The man opened his bag and placed a piece of moonfall iron on the table, taking the sword from Ge Zheng's hands and silently concentrating, a thick, golden light mist then surged out from him. Ge Zheng was greatly surprised: Twelve-level Battle Qi! What kind of person was this?
The man, without regard for the pressure emanating from his twelve-grade Battle Qi that had plagued Dunk, swiftly lowered the treasure sword, and without a sound, it intersected with the moonfall iron. With a soft click, the moonfall iron was cut in two, and the treasure sword abruptly halted, not even cutting the cloth underneath.
The pressure of the twelve-grade Battle Qi made the unfortunate Dunk prostrate behind the counter with his face on the ground, drooling all over the place.
"Haha!" the man laughed out loud. "Excellent, excellent, excellent!" He praised three times, very satisfied. "I didn't expect to find hidden talents in this remote place like Wangshan City. It's yours." With that, he tossed a box over. Ge Zheng caught it and on opening it, it was the alchemical formula for moonfall iron.
"I, er...always do things straightforwardly, fair exchange. Master, until we meet again!" With that, the man turned to leave. Ge Zheng had encountered such a fat sheep; how could he let him leave so easily? "Sir, wait a moment!"
The man turned abruptly, his eyes shooting out like lightning. Ge Zheng thought to himself, "Are you really that cautious?
He pointed to the man's bag and said, "With such good material, would it not be a waste not to make armor out of it?" The man's eyes lit up, "After obtaining the treasure sword, my heart feels clear. I almost forgot about this. Thank the master for the reminder! I wonder, how much would it cost?" Ge Zheng smiled and said, "It depends on what you want to make." The man thought for a moment and said, "I wonder if it's possible to make armor?" Ge Zheng was somewhat embarrassed, "It's not enough to make a complete set of armor. If you are determined to make it, you'll need to make a partial armor, protecting the heart and back. Even so, I still need to add some raw materials, so it will be more expensive: ten thousand gold coins." The man immediately removed the bag from his back, "In that case, Master, I am counting on you!" At the same time, he dropped a bag of blue crystal coins—magic crystals!
Making armor is much simpler, and the job was done overnight. The next day, the man came to pick up his order and then disappeared without a trace.
In September of the year 2746, on the continent of Xingyuan, in the powerful Southern Oster Empire, a shocking theft took place. The heavily fortified Royal Treasury of the Empire was robbed, and a one-inch thick moonfall iron door was cut open. The countless priceless treasures inside the treasury remained untouched, and only a diamond necklace, known as the "Moon Goddess Crown", which was the dowry of the deceased grandmother of the Empire's emperor, was taken.
The thief was none other than one of the three famous thieves on the continent: the Jewel Thief Heinrich. It is said that Heinrich's power had greatly increased, surpassing the level of a twelve-grade battle marshal and reaching the level of a thirteen-grade titled war god. In the course of his escape, he was struck by the Royal Imperial Guards Captain, a twelve-level superior battle marshal named Rogers, with his ultimate move, the "Nine Chant Absolute Dragon Slash", but still fled at great speed, demonstrating that such formidable power can only be achieved with the level of a thirteen-grade titled war god. Rogers was left stunned by the sight and didn't dare to continue chasing, and was later scolded by the Emperor of the Empire.
Volume 2 The Alchemist's War