“It’s over. Old Zhou has gone mad.” Sun Gongping slapped his forehead. “Your Highness, why don’t you find an imperial physician for him?”

Zhou Shu and Yin Wuyou rolled their eyes at the same time.

Yin Wuyou looked at Zhou Shu and said gently, “Zhou Shu, I know you’re anxious to become a Forging Master, but this kind of thing is the same as Martial Dao cultivation. You can’t rush it.

“Don’t worry. I’ll go to the palace to look for my father later. You’ve made such a great contribution. I’ll definitely find a Grand Craftsman for your teacher!”

Before Yin Wuyou could finish speaking, she suddenly saw a faint glow appear on Zhou Shu’s body.

The vital qi of heaven and earth surged into Zhou Shu’s body.

Yin Wuyou: “…”

What is the meaning of this?

She had just said that forging was the same as cultivating the Martial Dao and that he couldn’t rush it. Then Zhou Shu’s cultivation broke through?

“Wait for me!” Zhou Shu shouted loudly as he ran into the nearest room and slammed the door shut.

Yin Wuyou and Sun Gongping looked at each other and saw the shock in each other’s eyes.

“He broke through?” Sun Gongping said with uncertainty.

“I think… so,” Yin Wuyou said.

They couldn’t see what was happening through the doors and windows, but from the surging heaven and earth vital qi, Zhou Shu’s cultivation was indeed breaking through.

Sun Gongping stared at Zhou Shu’s room and asked, “Your Highness, I’m a little confused. When did Old Zhou break through to become a ninth-rank martial artist?”

“Ten days. No, I think it was eleven days. Anyway, it was more than ten days ago.” Yin Wuyou felt like scratching her head.

Leveling up from ninth-rank to eighth-rank in less than ten days?

“Faster than me?” Sun Gongping mumbled to himself. The reason why his cultivation had improved so quickly was due to his accumulation. Over ten years before he entered the ranks, he had consumed countless heavenly treasures, so he was able to improve so quickly at once.

Under normal circumstances, he wouldn’t have been able to cultivate to the seventh rank so quickly.

But Zhou Shu was different. He was originally only a Forging Apprentice. Where did he get heavenly treasures?

“Your Highness, do you think Old Zhou is also a Martial Dao genius?”

Yin Wuyou wanted to roll her eyes at him. Are you blind? Isn’t this obvious?

In the room, Zhou Shu had a helpless expression on his face. He really didn’t want to pretend to be some Martial Dao genius.

This was an accident, an accident!

The Legendary Armament Canon suddenly gave him a wave of benefits. This wasn’t something he could control.

This wave of benefits was extremely ferocious, actually allowing both his Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique and Golden Bell Shield Technique to break through!

He reached the twelfth level of the Dragon Elephant Prajna Technique and the eleventh level of the Golden Bell Shield Technique!

Both the techniques were only one level away from complete mastery!

The breakthrough in his cultivation had allowed Zhou Shu’s body to undergo a complete transformation. At the same time, his spiritual essence cultivation had also increased by a level.

He was now an eighth-rank martial artist.

The Legendary Armament Canon was good at everything, but this feedback was uncontrollable.

It made it so that he might suddenly make a breakthrough on any occasion. In the eyes of others, they would think that he was deliberately showing off his cultivation.

After confirming that this wave of benefits had ended, Zhou Shu tidied his clothes before opening the door and walking out.

The moment he stepped out, he saw two pairs of eyes staring straight at him.

“Old Zhou, you really broke through?” Sun Gongping stared at Zhou Shu.

“I’ve made some insignificant progress.” Zhou Shu made a gesture with his pinky and his thumb.

Sun Gongping rolled his eyes. Is an eighth-rank martial artist that great? I am a seventh-rank martial artist!

“Grand Minister, let’s continue. Where were we?” Zhou Shu ignored him and turned to Yin Wuyou.

Yin Wuyou: “…”

She had just mentioned that forging was the same as cultivating the Martial Dao. There was no rush…

What else do you want me to say now?

Advise you not to rush?’

“Grand Minister, although you’re not a man, you still have to keep your word.” When Zhou Shu saw that Yin Wuyou didn’t say anything, he thought she was going back on her word. He said anxiously, “We agreed that after I become a Forging Master, the 0th Workshop will have its own name. You can’t go back on your word!

“You have to be responsible for me!”

Yin Wuyou’s face turned red from Zhou Shu’s words. She stomped her foot fiercely. “We’ll talk about it after you really become a Forging Master!”

Then she walked out.

“It’s just becoming a Forging Master. I can advance as I wish. Grand Minister, don’t go back on your words.”

Yin Wuyou walked far away and heard Zhou Shu shouting from behind.

She gritted her teeth and said fiercely, “Do you have to say it this way? What do you mean I have to be responsible for you!”

She seemed to think of something, and her face turned red like a ripe apple.

“Humph, I’m not taking responsibility for you. I’m doing it because of you!”

She didn’t return to the princess’s residence, which only a wall separated. Instead, she headed toward the imperial palace.

Now that the Standard Armament Manual was settled, she still had to ask her father for benefits.

…

The princess left, but Sun Gongping didn’t. He looked at Zhou Shu and said eagerly, “Old Zhou, shall we have a spar?”

For some reason, he really wanted to beat Zhou Shu up. He had a faint feeling that if he didn’t beat him up now, he might not be able to beat him up in the future…

Zhou Shu glanced at him. Spar? Better not. You’re too weak. I’m afraid I’ll accidentally kill you.

“What’s with that look?” Sun Gongping was furious. “I’m a seventh-rank martial artist. Do you think you’re so great just because you’re an eighth-rank martial artist?”

“I didn’t say that. I’m a Forging Master, not a martial artist. Why would I fight with you?” Zhou Shu shrugged.

“Are you still sleeping?” Sun Gongping said. “I admit that you do have some talent in the Martial Dao. In terms of standard weapons, you are also quite talented. However, it’s different when it comes to ranked weapons. Without a legacy, it’s impossible for you to become a Forging Master. It’s fine if you say this in front of me, but don’t say it out loud.

“People will laugh at you.”

“Is that so?” Zhou Shu said indifferently. “Originally, I was wondering if I should give you the first ranked weapon I forged. Since you don’t believe me, then forget it.”

“Are you serious?” Sun Gongping stared at Zhou Shu.

“We’ve known each other for so long. Have I ever done anything to disappoint you?” Zhou Shu asked.

“I don’t think so…”

“Isn’t that so? It’s just a ranked weapon, not a divine artifact. What’s so difficult about it?” Zhou Shu said.

“Since you don’t believe me, I’ll give my first ranked weapon to someone else. Steward, send the guest out!”

“Don’t!” Sun Gongping’s eyes rolled as he grabbed Zhou Shu’s arm. “Old Zhou, Big Brother Zhou, Grandpa Zhou, I believe you! If anyone doesn’t believe you, I’ll beat them up! What kind of relationship do we have? I’m just short of a ranked weapon. Give it to me! I don’t mind having it!”

Zhou Shu really wanted to kick him out. You don’t mind having it?

Is it your turn to despise a weapon forged by me?

The weapons produced by the Zhonghua Pavilion are definitely top-notch!

Zhou Shu had already tacitly changed the name of the 0th Workshop to Zhonghua Pavilion.

The top thirty-six workshops of the Forging Division all had their own names. This was also the authority of Forging Masters!

“You want it?”

“Yes!”

“Alright, you can pay for the materials. I’ll give you a discount for the forging fee.”

According to the rules of the Forging Division, Forging Masters could already take on jobs to forge for others. Furthermore, the Forging Division would not extract any benefits from it.

But for Forging Masters of the Forging Division, the country gave them their salary. They also had to take on some forging tasks.

Of course, these tasks were nothing to Forging Masters.

In short, after becoming a Forging Master, not only would one be well-paid, there were very few restrictions.

“I don’t have money!” Sun Gongping said confidently.

“I spent all my money on that Heaven Refining Stone. I’ve already given it to you.

“I don’t have a single cent on me right now!”

“What kind of ranked weapon can you get without money?” Zhou Shu was speechless.

“Don’t I have a brother who’s a Forging Master?” Sun Gongping said proudly as he put his arm around Zhou Shu’s shoulders, “Don’t worry, Old Zhou. I will remember your kindness for the rest of my life. When I receive my reward, I will compensate you double!”

Zhou Shu was helpless against his thick skin and rolled his eyes. “Who are you calling brother? Call me uncle!”

Sun Gongping widened his eyes. “Old Zhou, you’ve changed! I treat you as a brother, but you want to be my uncle!”

“My sworn brother is Mi Ziwen. What do you think you should call me?” Zhou Shu asked.

…

Zhou Shu couldn’t help but laugh when he thought about how Sun Gongping had fled.

How disrespectful!

Now you know who the boss is, right?

After laughing, Zhou Shu began to seriously consider forging a ranked weapon.

He wasn’t joking with Sun Gongping. Now, he could really forge a ranked weapon!

After he had filled up the number of Great Xia Dragon Sparrow Sabers, the next weapon had appeared in the Legendary Armament Canon.

And this weapon was a ranked weapon!

After waiting for so long, a ranked weapon had finally appeared. Therefore, he couldn’t wait to forge it!

To Zhou Shu, as long as there were weapons on the Legendary Armament Canon, forging techniques were not a problem.

But unlike standard weapons, there were also problems with forging materials and forging conditions when it came to forging ranked weapons.

The forging furnace in the workshop was not enough for forging ranked weapons.

Furthermore, forging ranked weapons required more than just iron. Other than iron, Heaven Refining Stones were also necessary. Different ranked weapons also required different forging materials.

The higher the grade of the forged weapon, the more materials needed and the higher the value.

This was also one of the reasons why ranked weapons were so expensive.

Zhou Shou had the Heaven Refining Stone in his possession to forge a ranked weapon. The one that Sun Gongping had given him should be enough to forge a yellow-grade weapon.

However, Zhou Shu didn’t have any other conditions.

He wasn’t a Forging Master yet, so the Forging Division wouldn’t give him a furnace specifically for Forging Masters. He had to think of a way for himself.

He might be able to solve this problem by finding Yin Wuyou, but Yin Wuyou didn’t believe that he could forge a ranked weapon. If he went to look for her, he would have to waste his breath.

He might as well buy a forging furnace that was specially used by Forging Masters. In any case, he would have to put one in the baron’s mansion in the future. He would also have to put one in the mansion Mi Ziwen had gifted him.

The other problem was the forging materials.

By the same logic, he was not yet a Forging Master recognized by the Forging Division, so it was impossible for him to obtain the corresponding materials from the Forging Division.

He was counting on Sun Gongping to provide him with materials. He had already said that he didn’t have any money. All his money had been used to buy the Heaven Refining Stone, and he had even given it to Zhou Shu.

Under these circumstances, what could Zhou Shu do to him?

He had no choice but to do it himself.

But with Sun Gongping’s status, Zhou Shu wasn’t worried about losing money.

Sun Gongping had no money, but his father was Marquis Weiyuan. How could he not have money?

Even if his father had no money, his uncle was Mi Ziwen!

It just so happens that I’ve made some money recently, Zhou Shu thought. This kid Sun Gongping is really lucky.

“Steward!” As Zhou Shu thought about this, he called the steward over.

The moment he shouted, two replies came almost simultaneously.

He smacked his own head. The steward of the princess’s residence was still helping clean up.

“Come over here, both of you,” Zhou Shu said.

The steward sent by the Mi residence and the steward from the princess’s residence came in front of Zhou Shu.

“Lord, what are your orders?” The steward of the princess’s residence spoke first.

“I want to buy some forging materials and a forging furnace. Do either of you know where to buy them?” Zhou Shu asked.

The Mi residence steward smiled. “Lord, you asked the right person.”

“Steward Mi, tell me.” Zhou Shu looked at the steward whom the Mi residence assigned to him. The steward’s surname was also Mi.

Steward Mi smiled slightly and cupped his hands toward Zhou Shu. “Second Master, the largest supplier of forging materials in Great Xia is our Mi family.

“Second Master, if you need materials for forging, why would you need to buy them from outside? We have enough materials of our own. We can have as many as we want.”

When he was sent here, Mi Zhifu had told him to serve this second master as the second master of the Mi family.

Zhou Shu was slightly stunned. He had forgotten this point.

The Mi family controlled Great Xia’s Heaven Refining Stone mine. It was only natural for them to have businesses with other materials.

“The Mi family, I mean, does our family have a store in the capital?” Zhou Shu asked. Since the Mi family was the largest supplier of forging materials, there was no need for him to give advantages to outsiders. After all, he would give them money.

“Yes,” Steward Mi replied. “Second Master, my son is a manager in one of our stpres. If you need anything, please let me know. I will get my son to send it to the residence. There is no need for you to specially make a trip there.”

Zhou Shu laughed. It felt really damn good to be part of the powerful nobility. He didn’t even need to step out of the main gate to enjoy VIP service. He had truly sunk low.

“Sure, can you ask him to come over? It’s best if he can bring a product register. I want a lot of things this time,” Zhou Shu said. Since he didn’t need to go out, he couldn’t be bothered to wait for the steward’s son to make a second trip.

“Second Master, please wait a moment. I’ll get someone to call my son over. Do you have any other instructions?”

“Get a few craftsmen to come over. I want to make a forging room in the backyard…”