Qi Country, Chi Yang County.

On the second day of arriving in South Yao City, Jiang Wang was dragged off to witness Lian Que’s weapon forging.

Each master craftsman of the Lian Clan could only utilize the ancient furnace thrice in their lifetime. Without sufficient confidence or anticipation, they would not attempt it. This restriction stemmed not from skill, cultivation, or status, but from a limitation within their bloodline.

Though the Lian Clan was a family of master craftsmen, specializing in forging, they evidently possessed profound research in the realm of bloodlines. The life plaque served as proof.

With Lian Que’s current standing, even if he were to try his hand, the forging furnace he used would be far from subpar. It could almost be considered the finest forging furnace in the Lian Clan, second only to the ancient one.

And this time, there would be no uninvited guests causing a disturbance.

Lian Shao, needless to say, was now firmly aligned with Lian Que and overflowing with gratitude towards Jiang Wang.

As for those elders of the Lian Clan… South Yao was separated from Lin Zi by only two counties. Jiang Wang’s battlefield achievements in Lin Zi City had already spread. Even top-tier prestigious families like the Heavy Xuan Clan and Bao Clan held such a heaven’s favored son in high regard, let alone the Lian Clan, whose status was far inferior and who did not excel in martial prowess.

In terms of combat power, being a holy land for master craftsmen meant they had some old connections and could invite powerful individuals in times of crisis. However, the Lian Clan itself, internally, had strongest members only in the Outer Building Realm.

But the Outer Building Realm was fundamentally not a barrier for a heaven’s favored son like Jiang Wang; reaching it was merely a matter of time.

Clan Leader Lian Zhu Ping personally came to Lian Que’s mansion to greet Jiang Wang. He didn’t express much verbally, but the intention of extending courtesies was clear.

Jiang Wang, in consideration of Lian Que, did not act arrogantly. Instead, he maintained polite decorum and showed ample respect.

And that Lian Clan elder who had targeted Jiang Wang, named Lian Lu Yue, hadn’t dared to show his face these past few days. From the moment Jiang Wang first arrived in South Yao City, he had announced his closed-door cultivation. If Jiang Wang were to reside in South Yao City, his closed-door cultivation might never end.

At that time, he was at the peak of the Teng Long Realm, while Jiang Wang was merely in the Tong Tian Realm. Now, Jiang Wang was already in the Divine Abillity Inner Mansion, and he was still at the peak of the Teng Long Realm. Where would he find the courage to stand in front of Jiang Wang? They were fundamentally no longer on the same level.

The massive forging furnace was currently undergoing “furnace awakening.”

Earlier, while forging Chang Xiang Si, Jiang Wang had learned that the Lian Clan’s top-tier forging furnaces were not opened lightly, thus requiring “furnace awakening” before use. This process could not be omitted; one could only wait.

The current Jiang Wang could clearly feel the heat within the furnace slowly “awakening.”

His selection of the Three Flavors True Fire as a divine ability not only granted him his strongest current killing move but also refined his control over fire elements to an incredibly delicate degree.

Even regarding the fire source totem, he gained new insights.

Every time he studied the Three Flavors True Fire, new comprehensions arose. The reason the Divine Abillity Inner Mansion was considered a level above ordinary Inner Mansions outside was indeed due to its enormous advantages.

No matter where Jiang Wang went, his cultivation never slackened. At this time, feeling the heat within the furnace, he also inwardly verified his understanding of “fire.”

And Lian Que sat casually on the ground nearby, wearing only a pair of short calf nose pants, his upper body bare and dark reddish-brown, muscles hard as rocks.

In his hand, he held a very unappealing-looking fruit, gnawing at it.

The fruit was oval-shaped, its surface skin the color of iron rust, appearing rather unclean.

But he ate it with great enjoyment, juice splashing with each bite, the inside a vibrant red flesh.

“Try it!”

Lian Que casually grabbed one from the fruit plate on the ground and threw it over. His posture was like that of someone throwing an iron ball.

Jiang Wang caught it with one hand. It was quite heavy, but surprisingly soft in his grip.

“Iron Pulp Fruit, it only grows in the belly of volcanoes, very delicious!” Lian Que introduced.

Half-believing and half-doubting, Jiang Wang brought it to his mouth and took a small bite.

“Pu!”

He immediately spat it out, his mouth filled with a raw, astringent taste!

“Hahaha…” Lian Que laughed, “Tear off the skin before eating! I really like the texture of the skin, but you might not.”

He had clearly omitted that information on purpose.

When Lian Que, such a straightforward person, teased someone, it was truly impossible to defend against. If it were Heavy Xuan Sheng, Jiang Wang would yell himself hoarse and still not lightly try. It was truly a lack of defense against Lian Que.

Being teased by a friend meant it was impossible to get angry; one could only blame oneself for “skill not being as good as others.”

The skin of the Iron Pulp Fruit was very easy to handle. A light tear from the opening caused the entire peel to fall off, leaving only the vibrant red flesh. Its appearance, at least, was much improved.

Jiang Wang had vaguely sensed sweetness in that earlier bite, but the dry astringent taste of the skin was too strong and had covered it up. Thus, he was willing to try again.

This time, taking a bite of the fruit flesh, the texture was soft yet not dense, the taste sweet yet not greasy. It was indeed a superior quality product.

After eating several bites, Jiang Wang suddenly felt as though he had bitten through something. Warm, hot pulp juice flowed out, instantly filling his mouth with fragrance!

Within the red fruit flesh, there was originally a cluster of silver-colored juice.

No wonder it was called Iron Pulp Fruit.

With this cluster of silver pulp juice, the taste of this fruit immediately reached a superb level!

Jiang Wang finished it in several bites, feeling a rare sense of satisfaction. Reaching his level of cultivation, it was already difficult for him to be so satisfied by the desires of the mouth and stomach. This showed how good the taste was.

At this point, Lian Que threw another one over and laughed, “Try taking a big bite with the skin this time, directly biting to where the pulp juice is. You’ll discover a different flavor.”

“I’ll believe you one more time,” Jiang Wang said, his eyes threatening.

Following his words, he took a big bite. This time was indeed different from before. That strong astringent taste was neutralized by the pulp juice, merging into a wonderful sensation, very special and extremely layered in texture. In this mixed flavor, the fruit flesh itself became even sweeter.

It was hard to say which eating method was better; both were very wonderful.

After eating only two, he was already in love with this fruit, and it didn’t waste Lian Que’s recommendation.

“Not bad, prepare a hundred of these for me,” Jiang Wang said directly.

Lian Que stretched out his large hand and subconsciously covered the fruit plate. Only two remained inside.

“This fruit is difficult to pick, and not every volcanic belly has it. I only get a quota of ten Iron Pulp Fruits a month. It’s because you’re here that I’m splitting one with you. Where am I supposed to get a hundred for you?”

“I have a friend, a high disciple of the Qing Ya Book Academy. He’s very resourceful,” Jiang Wang gradually hinted, “Do you know what ‘advance payment’ is?”

“Eating so many at once won’t get you sick?” Lian Que worried with a bitter face, but still said, “I’ll figure something out. I’ll have it ready for you when you leave.”

He didn’t mention that besides being delicious, the Iron Pulp Fruit could also slightly increase one’s fire element affinity. Its value was not cheap. It was precisely because the Lian family, though generally lacking in military force, possessed astonishing wealth that they could send it to their direct descendants each month.

For Lian Que, these words were unnecessary. If Jiang Wang liked it, he would find a way.

“Good brother!” Jiang Wang was generous with his praise.

“You can’t eat Iron Pulp Fruit for nothing, though.” Lian Que immediately stood up and walked to the forging furnace. “Come here and try your fire! We’ll refine it for five hours today!”

Jiang Wang: …

How simple Lian Que was before. He let Heavy Xuan Sheng secretly teach him how to compete for the position of Lian Clan head, and the result was this. He wasn’t willing to suffer even a little loss.

Heavy Xuan Pang truly destroyed people without rest!

“Ai.” Jiang Wang couldn’t help but sigh. “Brother Lian Que, you’re acting very crude now! I still miss the simple and honest you.”

“That tone of yours is very familiar,” Lian Que said mournfully.

Both were people who had suffered the poisonous harm of Heavy Xuan Sheng.

A massive explosion suddenly rang out.

The two people who were casually chatting in front of the forging furnace were suddenly alerted.

“What was that sound?” Jiang Wang wanted to confirm if it was something the Lian Clan had made themselves.

And Lian Que had already extinguished the forging furnace and was rapidly flying outwards.

“Something’s happened!”

Calf nose pants: short pants.