Ji Jue didn't hesitate, took the hourglass, performed the Dissociation Technique, and fed it to the Mechanical Descent.

His eyes lit up, and he exclaimed.

It was indeed a creation from his teacher's collection, so pure!

Ninety-nine percent pure, a rare artifact!

Unfortunately, the numbers on the wristwatch still showed minimal progress, only jumping by 0.1 percent, as if giving a slight nod.

A drop in the bucket.

Ever since the Unquenchable Firewood was fully completed, the progress had become painfully slow, and the forging and attempts over such a long time hadn't made much headway.

Instead, the unexpected cleanup of the wasteland in Hai Province gave Ji Jue a five percent progress boost...

Ji Jue scratched his head bald, unable to understand how this had happened.

After the final series of checks, his gaze fell on the blessing of the Governance Axis.

Incomprehensible.

Was it you who led the Embers here?

All along, as a passive object, the Governance Axis silently emanated light and heat, providing effects in large-scale mobilization and group integration, linking all creations into a whole.

Yet, for some reason, in its judgment, Coastal Industry and Xinquan Settlement had also become part of its domain of subordinates and creations...

All had been absorbed into the whole centered around Ji Jue.

Even more bewildering was... in the eyes of the Embers, this could actually be considered a Heavenly Artisan!

Come on, big brother, are you okay?!

"The way of Transformation is also a part of the Embers; it's just that few people want to attempt it nowadays."

Ye Xian slowly explained: "In today's situation, various parties are entangled and conflicting, making it the most difficult to do something grounded.

Moreover, with the harshness of the Embers, at the very least, to gain recognition, you have to make Coastal Industry grow to a scale not inferior to Sea Tide Military Industry, becoming the industrial core of Hai Province, or build Xinquan into a city like Jiang City and Ship City.

Do you think you can accomplish this in your lifetime?"

In just a few words, Ye Xian extinguished Ji Jue's burgeoning ambition.

The birth of Sea Tide Military Industry involved the cooperation of all cities in Hai Province, with everyone united, making sacrifices and striving for a better future.

With Lord Tao's lobbying and Lv Yingyue's meticulous planning, they barely succeeded; however, even now, their footing isn't stable, only at the beginning. Who knows how many obstacles remain to be overcome to stabilize the situation.

Meanwhile, as for Xinquan, transitioning from a settlement to a town sounds simple, but if you think carefully, it's not realistic.

The track is too narrow, the pool too shallow, and it can't nurture any big players. Even if he pushes Xinquan to dominate the wastelands of Hai Province, its scale is still limited.

If there's any bounty, would it even fall to him?

In comparison, it's better to return to his roots as a craftsman—considering how to truly produce a Heavenly Artisan!

Heavenly Artisan!

It is a Heavenly Artisan indeed!

Just like the preciousness of the title of craftsman for an apprentice, the forging of a Heavenly Artisan is equally undeniable in its significance to the craftsman.

From the academic standpoint—a pupil without a craftsmanship license is like a ragpicker in the wilderness without an ID, not even eligible for human rights, without the right to bark when kicked.

Only by becoming a craftsman does one earn a place at the table.

And with the experience, resume, and success examples of Heavenly Craftsmanship, the value surpasses anything before.

Even a first-class peer like Ji Jue can't compare.

If he could have a record and resume of Heavenly Artisan before Rebirth Rank, plus the included weight of the Embers Three-piece Set, Ji Jue would be considered a fierce character in the association: undefeated below the masters, able to exchange blows one-for-one above them!

Mmm, academically aside, he'd even enter the skill selection range of his teacher, returning to the possibility of being critiqued to death by a casual paper from Ye Xian.

And the opportunity lies right before Ji Jue.

Chun Jun!

All the materials have been prepared, all the blessings are ready, and every theory and technique has been mastered; only the activation remains.

"It's fine, the approach is correct."

After examining the manuscript and plan Ji Jue brought over, Ye Xian nodded: "Go and prepare.

For the next week, bathe, fast, and concentrate your spirit; once the spiritual reserves are ready, you can start."

"Ah?"

Ji Jue was stunned, "So soon?"

"Since everything is ready, why wait?"

Ye Xian glanced at him, puzzled: "When I was young, I'd start with sixty percent preparation, do you really need to wait until you're completely ready at ten-out-of-ten to begin?"

"Well…"

Ji Jue broke out in a cold sweat: "I'm worried something might go wrong and ruin the refinement."

"If it fails, then refine again. If materials and blessings are lost, find them again. If you fail, wipe away your tears and start over.

Do I really need to teach you this principle?"

Ye Xian's gaze lifted from the paper and looked over at him: "I've reviewed your manuscript. There's nothing wrong with your understanding and ideas. Follow the steps, and even if it doesn't succeed, it won't be irreparable. What is there to worry about?"

"Cough cough, I mean, teacher, would you…"

Ji Jue rubbed his hands together, cautiously inquiring: "Give a little guidance?"

After all, it's such a rookie's first attempt at Heavenly Artisan; if it blows up, starting over would be easy if the mechanism of explosion was understood.

With a mentor watching over, at least problems can be identified immediately when they arise, and they could lend a hand if the student can't manage it.

"No."

Ye Xian declined calmly, closing the manuscript and pushing it back to Ji Jue: "Since you've become a craftsman, you must walk your own path.

If you want to use the workshop, or lack any materials, I don't mind, but don't expect someone to always patch things up for you."

Upon hearing this, Ji Jue was left speechless.

Disappointment was inevitable, but as Ye Xian pointed out, a teacher can only lead one to the door, are they to look after you forever?

Still, there's some self-doubt...

Then he heard Ye Xian's leisurely voice: "In his second year of mastery, at nineteen, Jian Yuan completed his first Heavenly Artisan, and subsequently forged countless swords and blades...

If you ever plan to take on that old thing, don't let your record lag too far behind, at the very least?

Of course, if you admit defeat, then..."

Bang!

"No problem, teacher!"

Before he realized it, Ji Jue shot up, slamming the table, fully energized.

Apprehensive? Apprehensive about what?

If Jian Yuan could grasp it, why couldn't he?!

"Don't worry, teacher, that old dog will be easy to take down, won't it?"

With those words, Ji Jue no longer stalled or wheedled, decisively rolled up his sleeves, grabbed his manuscript, and headed straight home for the workshop.

He walked away full of vigor!

In the living room, Ye Chun, who was still laughing foolishly at variety shows, was stunned.

After a long time, she came to her senses.

Gone?

This time he didn't show off to me? I even took out my Supreme Virtue Medal and prepared my counterattack, ready for a battle of wits and strategy!

Despite her shock, she couldn't help but peek towards the study: "Auntie, did you give him a boost again?"

Ye Xian didn't answer, simply raised her teacup indifferently.

She shook her head, sighing thoughtfully.

"His history really is lacking."

Perhaps this is the downside of being from a science and engineering background?

Ultimately, he's too young and hasn't had the time to patch up his other weaknesses.

If Ji Jue had studied history enough, paying close attention, he'd certainly discover that at nineteen, Jian Yuan hadn't even started his apprenticeship, still floundering in the Thousand Islands!

The true master achieving Heavenly Artisan in his second year of apprenticeship was instead his senior brother, his lifelong jealous rival...

The Grandmaster of the World, Heavenly Furnace!

Ah, until the day he stormed out the door, the old fellow always secretly prided himself on this, often flaunting it.

God knows what expression he'll have when hearing about this?

Ye Xian took a sip of tea, gazing at the drizzling rain outside the window.

Such anticipation.

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