Chapter 2340: God Smith Tie Mutian (1)
The Primordial God Realm of the Great Expanse, a realm steeped in legends and shrouded in mystique. It was said to be the most concentrated place of pinnacle existences within the entire Primal Chaos, a realm where the very fabric of reality vibrated with unparalleled intensity. Here, the laws of the universe were at their purest, their essence woven into the very air they breathed.
Within this realm resided the pinnacle existences of the Primal Chaos, the remnants of the old era, their power and wisdom shaping the very destiny of the universe.
Ancient clans, their lineages stretching back to the dawn of time, guarded their ancestral lands with fierce pride and unwavering resolve. Secluded sects, their teachings passed down through generations, cultivated disciples who sought to unravel the mysteries of the cosmos. At the remote corner of the Primordial God Realm, Hongyue, wrapped in a red cloak from head to toe, looked at an ancient village before her in doubt.
"Are you sure it's here? I can't feel anything," she said.
Mumu poked her little head out of Hongyue's cloak and looked at the ancient village called Iron Village. "Yes, it looks no different from my memory."
The two of them had been searching for a clue to the God Slaying Sword's True Spirit, and this was their first destination - the hometown of the legendary God Smith Tie Mutian, who created the sword.
Hongyue, skeptical yet curious, followed Mumu's guidance and ventured into the heart of Iron Village.
The village, nestled amidst rolling hills and verdant fields, exuded an air of rustic simplicity. Stone houses, their roofs thatched with straw, lined the cobblestone streets, their chimneys puffing wisps of smoke into the clear blue sky. The air hummed with the rhythmic clang of hammers striking anvils, a symphony of creation that echoed throughout the village.
As Hongyue walked deeper into the village, she couldn't help but notice the abundance of blacksmith shops. Every other building seemed to house a forge, its flames flickering and its bellows wheezing with a rhythmic cadence. The streets were lined with displays of finely crafted weapons and armor, their surfaces gleaming with an otherworldly luster.
"It seems everyone here is a blacksmith," Hongyue remarked, her voice filled with surprise. Mumu nodded. "Iron Village is known throughout the Primordial God Realm for its master craftsmen," she said. "Their skills are unparalleled, their creations coveted by even the most powerful cultivators."
Hongyue's eyes widened in awe as she examined the intricate details of the weapons and armor on display. She had never seen such exquisite craftsmanship before, each piece a testament to the blacksmith's dedication and skill.
But what truly astonished her was the aura of power that emanated from the villagers. Even the most ordinary-looking blacksmith possessed a cultivation base that would be considered extraordinary in the Divine Realm. Divine Emperors were commonplace, and she even sensed the presence of a few Lower Gods, their auras radiating an intimidating pressure.
Hongyue couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. She was a Middle God herself, but in this village, she felt like a small fish in a vast ocean.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
"This place is incredible," she whispered.
Mumu nodded. "Iron Village is a hidden gem," she said. "Its inhabitants are fiercely protective of their craft and their way of life. They rarely interact with outsiders, preferring to remain secluded within their own domain."
Hongyue's curiosity was piqued. "Why is that?" she asked.
Mumu's expression turned somber. "Iron Village has a dark history," she said. "In the distant past, it was ravaged by war, its inhabitants slaughtered and its treasures plundered. The survivors, determined to never again experience such devastation, retreated into isolation, their skills and knowledge passed down through generations in secret."
"Later, they gained protection from the Primordial Gods. During the Primordial War, no one came to cause trouble here."
She looked around briefly and sighed. "However, it seems they have declined drastically."
In the Primordial Era, even True Gods had to lower their heads when they came here to ask for weapons. From the look of these weapons here, it was obvious that the villagers had lost their ancestral skills.
Hongyue was surprised slightly. In her eyes, these weapons were far better than most of the artifacts in the Divine Realm. They were actually considered inferior in Mumu's eyes.
As they continued their walk, they came across a group of blacksmiths gathered around a forge, their faces etched with concentration as they hammered a glowing piece of metal. The heat from the forge radiated outward, its flames licking at the air with a mesmerizing dance. Hongyue watched in fascination as the blacksmiths worked in perfect unison, their movements precise and their strikes powerful. The metal, once a shapeless lump, gradually took on the form of a magnificent sword, its blade shimmering with an otherworldly light. One of the blacksmiths, an elderly man with a long, flowing beard, noticed Hongyue and Mumu's presence. He straightened up, his eyes narrowing as he assessed them. "Outsiders," he said, his voice gruff and weathered. "What brings you to Iron Village?"
Hongyue stepped forward, her demeanor respectful. "We seek information about the God Slaying Sword," she said. "We believe that its creator, Tie Mutian, may have originated from this village."
The blacksmith's eyes widened in surprise. "Tie Mutian?" he repeated, his voice filled with reverence. "The legendary God Smith? He is indeed a son of Iron Village, a master craftsman whose skills have never been surpassed."
Hongyue's heart leaped with hope. "Do you know where we can find him?" she asked eagerly.
The blacksmith shook his head sadly. "Tie Mutian left Iron Village many years ago," he said. "He sought to perfect his craft, to create weapons that could transcend the boundaries of the Primal Chaos. He has not been seen since."
Hongyue's shoulders slumped in disappointment. She had hoped to find Tie Mutian, to learn more about the God Slaying Sword and its true spirit.
The blacksmith, sensing her disappointment, offered a glimmer of hope. "But his legacy lives on," he said. "His forge still stands, untouched since the day he left. Perhaps you will find something there that can aid you in your quest."
Hongyue's eyes lit up. "Where is it?" she asked eagerly.
The blacksmith pointed towards a hill overlooking the village. "At the top of the hill," he said. "It is a sacred place, a testament to Tie Mutian's greatness."
Hongyue and Mumu turned to look at the seemingly ordinary hill behind the village.
"Thank you, Uncle," Hongyue said and quickly headed towards the hill.
"The God Slaying Sword...? It seems I've heard of it before," the old man muttered to himself.