The Strongest Talent Tree

Chapter 215: Chapter 212: Taking a Master

In the past, Feng Hao wouldn’t have known what a compressor was for, but since delving into mechanics, he had gained some understanding of the machines in the Mage World.

He had read about compressors in the jade slip books. Their primary purpose was to compress Low-Level Magic Crystals into High-Level Magic Crystals, though they could also process certain special materials.

What Xue Xiaoyun said served as a good reminder.

To be honest, with his genetic activity at 48 points, he really did need a compressor. It would become absolutely essential, especially after he reached the fifth rank.

After all, Magic Crystals at Level 5 and above rarely circulated on the market. There were only two ways to get them: from high-concentration Magic Crystal Veins or by producing them with a compressor.

The former was a matter of sheer luck; some people went their whole lives without finding one. The latter, however, was far more accessible.

While artificially compressed High-Level Magic Crystals couldn’t compare to natural ones, you could still produce them as long as you had enough Low-Level Magic Crystals.

He followed Xue Xiaoyun downstairs and they soon arrived at the famed compressor showroom. Just like mechanic workbenches, compressors came in different tiers. A quick glance revealed a whole row of them, all in different sizes and designs.

"These are a few of the compressor models our Holy Hall produces," Xue Xiaoyun explained, taking the lead. "Don’t bother with the regular or advanced models. Just get a Gathering Power Compressor to save yourself the trouble later."

Feng Hao chuckled and nodded. He was already aware of the differences between the tiers.

Magic Crystals were divided into ten levels. A regular compressor could handle up to Level 3 Magic Crystals, while an advanced one could go up to Level 6. Anything higher required a Gathering Power Compressor. As for Level 10 Magic Crystals, compressing them was beyond the capability of any machine current mechanics could produce.

It was just as Xue Xiaoyun said. If he bought a regular or advanced compressor now, he would only have to replace it later when his strength grew. It was better to get the Gathering Power model from the start.

"Wow... As expected of a top-tier machine. The materials, the construction—it’s simply perfect!"

Feng Hao was practically half a Mechanic now, no longer the complete novice he’d once been when it came to machines. A sharp glint flashed in his eyes as he admired the Gathering Power Compressor.

Xue Xiaoyun smirked. "If you like it, just take it. My dad said you’re an honored guest of the Treasure Pavilion, so you don’t have to pay for anything."

"Really?" Feng Hao looked up, stunned.

"Why would I lie to you? Take it or leave it," Xue Xiaoyun huffed.

"I’ll take it, I’ll take it! Why would I turn down something free?" Feng Hao’s face lit up with a grin. "In that case, I might as well get a mining machine, too. The highest-end model you have."

"Hmph!" Xue Xiaoyun snorted and stomped off angrily toward the mining machine showroom.

She returned a short while later, tossing a Space Bracelet to Feng Hao. Through gritted teeth, she huffed, "Here. This is the best mining machine available. It has a Tenth-level Profound Steel drill bit that can mine almost any mineral, and it’s equipped with the largest capacity space module and the best Divine Sense operating system."

"Haha, thanks!" Feng Hao took the bracelet, absolutely delighted.

After a few more pleasantries, he turned and left, afraid Xue Xiaoyun might change her mind.

After leaving the Treasure Pavilion, he bolted straight for Elder Tang’s smithy and eagerly set down the Gathering Power Compressor.

Elder Tang paused his forging and sized up the machine with great interest. "Well now, already using a Gathering Power Compressor, are we?"

"Hehe." Feng Hao chuckled sheepishly. He took out a hundred Level 3 Magic Crystals and began trying to figure out how to use the machine on his own.

After fiddling with it for a good while, he still couldn’t figure it out. Defeated, he had no choice but to ask for help. "Um... Elder Tang, how does this thing work?"

Elder Tang couldn’t help but chuckle. "Haha, a Gathering Power Compressor needs to accumulate sufficient external force to activate. To put it simply, after you put the Low-Level Magic Crystals inside, you have to beat it up a bit."

"Beat it up?" Feng Hao was dumbfounded.

"That’s right." Elder Tang explained with a chuckle, "For High-Level Magic Crystals, normal mechanical pressure isn’t enough to do the job. The principle behind the Gathering Power Compressor is that it gathers external force to compress the Magic Crystals."

"Are you sure I won’t break it by hitting it?" Feng Hao asked skeptically.

"How could a body made of Tenth-level Profound Steel be that easy to break?" Elder Tang chuckled and shook his head. Then, to Feng Hao’s utter astonishment, he swung his Forging Hammer and smashed it against the compressor.

BOOM!

The Gathering Power Compressor shuddered, then let out a roar like hissing air. A moment later, a Level 4 Magic Crystal rolled out of the exit chute.

"Holy crap, it really works like that!" Feng Hao exclaimed, his interest immediately piqued.

He tossed another hundred Level 3 Magic Crystals in and began punching and kicking the Gathering Power Compressor.

"Huh? Why isn’t it doing anything?" Feng Hao asked, bewildered.

"You’re only Level 38. Your hits aren’t strong enough. Try hitting it some more," Elder Tang said, suppressing a smile.

Feng Hao laughed, nonplussed. He decided to just go ahead and use his Double Hidden Strength talent.

BANG! BANG! BANG!

After a flurry of punches and kicks, the Gathering Power Compressor finally whirred to life and spat out a Level 4 Magic Crystal with a CLATTER.

"Haha, this is so much fun!" Feng Hao’s playful side was completely unleashed.

Elder Tang smiled faintly and shook his head, returning to the sword embryo in his hands. He let Feng Hao continue his chaotic assault on the machine.

After messing around for a good while, Feng Hao finally stopped. He grumpily put away the compressor and began to learn forging in earnest...

For the next two days, Feng Hao was completely immersed in the art of forging.

With Elder Tang’s guidance, his blacksmithing skills improved by leaps and bounds. The sound of his hammering grew quieter and more refined, and the initial lump of iron had already shrunk considerably.

At noon on the third day, with a triumphant laugh from Feng Hao, the lump of iron finally transformed into Level 5 Refined Iron.

"Not bad at all. Much faster than I expected," Elder Tang said, watching from the side with a pleased expression.

Feng Hao snapped out of his reverie, his eyes still gleaming with excitement. "What’s next?"

"You won’t need to come here so often anymore. You can take the forging station and Forging Hammer with you. When you have time, practice on other metals. Come find me again when you can forge all the common metals to Level 5. Then, I will officially teach you how to forge weapons."

Feng Hao’s mouth twitched. "All the common metals? Are you kidding me?"

"Haha," Elder Tang chuckled. "Your forging technique is already quite proficient. Your efficiency will only get better."

"Oh, right! I’m not a rookie anymore," Feng Hao laughed in realization.

Elder Tang gave a knowing smile. "Every Blacksmith has their own unique style and understanding. What I’ve taught you is merely the foundation; you’ll have to find your own style through practice. These are the notes I took when I was an apprentice under my own master. They detail the characteristics of all metals, along with my personal insights. I hope they’ll be of some help to you."

Feng Hao’s expression grew solemn. He respectfully accepted the notebook. As he held the worn, old notebook, it felt incredibly heavy in his hands.

"Honored Master, please accept this disciple’s bow." Having said this, he no longer hesitated, dropping to his knees in a formal kowtow.

Elder Tang readily accepted Feng Hao’s grand gesture, his face breaking into a smile of unprecedented joy. "This master’s name is Tang Ling. I am one of the few remaining inheritors of the true blacksmithing legacy. I hope that you will stay true to your heart, temper yourself, and one day reforge the glory of our lineage!"

"This disciple will remember," Feng Hao vowed, nodding solemnly.

Elder Tang nodded, gratified. He bent down to help Feng Hao to his feet, his voice gentle. "Rise."

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