Chapter 487: The Beginning of the Master-Disciple Relationship
Chapter 487: The Beginning of the Master-Disciple Relationship
The spectators slowly began to leave the enormous hall. The crowd dispersed into groups, some chatting excitedly about the items they had purchased, others complaining about the prices.
Sun Luguo slowly stood up, stretching his arms above his head. His bones cracked with the movement, the sound echoing through the quiet room.
He picked up the box containing the hammer once more.
The two calmly walked through the exclusive corridors, far from the crowd still gathered at the main exit. The hallways were silent, illuminated by spirit lights that glowed softly.
Until they left the building.
Night had completely settled over the city. The sky was dark, dotted with stars shining brilliantly.
The streets remained crowded. Spirit lanterns illuminated every avenue, creating a sea of light stretching as far as the eye could see. Music could be heard in the distance, the sound of instruments and voices celebrating the Festival.
As soon as they had walked a few meters away from the entrance...
Sun Luguo stopped. He turned toward Kyrian. Then...
He extended the wooden box.
Kyrian looked at it for a few seconds. The hammer his master had purchased for three hundred and fifty thousand spirit stones. The tool had been used by a legendary blacksmith for one hundred and fifty years. The object he himself had called an "excellent tool."
"Hm?" Kyrian began, his voice carrying a hint of confusion.
Sun Luguo smiled, a smile that brightened his weathered face.
"Take it." His voice was firm, leaving no room for discussion.
"It’s yours."
Kyrian remained still, processing the words.
The huge man interrupted before he could even finish, as though he already knew what Kyrian was about to say.
"I came here today specifically to buy a hammer for my disciple." His voice was simple and direct.
"Not for myself. I already have my own tools. Hammers I’ve used for decades, ones that have adapted to my hands. This hammer... deserves a new beginning. A new journey."
He placed the box directly into Kyrian’s hands.
"A blacksmith needs his own hammer." His words were almost like a mantra, something he had said many times before.
"Just as a swordsman needs his sword. Or an alchemist needs his cauldron. The tool does not make the master, but it certainly helps."
Kyrian carefully held the box. He felt its weight, the solidity of the dark wood. The ancient hammer rested perfectly still inside, as though waiting to be used.
Sun Luguo smiled in satisfaction.
"Consider this..." He paused briefly, his eyes meeting Kyrian’s.
"The true beginning of our relationship as master and disciple."
Kyrian looked at the man once more. The giant blacksmith, who could easily have kept the hammer for himself, could have used such a remarkable tool for his own projects. Instead, he had purchased a rare and valuable item solely to give it to his new disciple.
Kyrian gave a slight bow, lowering his head in respect.
"Thank you, Master Sun."
The giant blacksmith broke into a broad smile, his cheeks rounding with the expression.
"Hahaha!" His laughter echoed down the street.
The two resumed walking slowly through the streets. The crowd still bustled around them, but now they seemed to be moving inside a bubble of silence, separated from the city’s chaos.
After a few minutes...
Sun Luguo remembered something else.
"Tomorrow." He glanced at Kyrian.
"Do you have any important plans?"
Kyrian thought for a few seconds. He mentally organized his schedule, recalling the events he had planned for the following day.
Then he answered.
"Tomorrow morning, I’ll be participating in the alchemist competition."
Sun Luguo blinked.
’An alchemist?’
His eyes widened slightly, but he remained silent, processing the information.
Kyrian continued, not noticing his master’s surprise.
"At the beginning of the afternoon, I’ll compete in the Core Formation Realm cultivators’ tournament." His voice was calm, as though he were simply listing ordinary errands.
"After that... I’ll be free until the evening."
Sun Luguo discreetly looked at his disciple. The young man walked beside him with a calm expression, as though there were nothing extraordinary about what he had just said.
’Besides wanting to become a blacksmith... he’s an alchemist too.’
His interest in Kyrian grew even stronger. He had already witnessed the young man’s talent for blacksmithing, his astonishing memory, and his ability to learn in real time. But alchemy as well?
That was rare. Extremely rare. Most cultivators specialized in a single field. Mastering two was exceptional.
But he asked no questions.
Every cultivator had their own secrets. It was a principle he deeply respected. If Kyrian wished to share them, he would do so when he was ready.
He simply nodded.
"I understand." His voice was calm.
"I’m going to miss the alchemy competition." He let out an exaggerated yawn, stretching his arms over his head.
"I plan to sleep in tomorrow. I’m too old to wake up before sunrise."
Kyrian simply listened, a faint, almost imperceptible smile appearing on his lips.
Sun Luguo continued.
"But the tournament..." His eyes gleamed slightly.
"That one I can watch. I want to see the strength of my new disciple."
Kyrian gave a small nod.
"All right."
The giant man smiled in satisfaction.
"After your match is over..." His expression grew a little more serious, the admiration in his eyes giving way to professional determination.
"We’ll officially begin your blacksmithing studies. It won’t be like today. Tomorrow, you’ll start learning the true fundamentals."
A spark of interest appeared in Kyrian’s eyes. He had enjoyed the experience at the forge, the process of shaping metal, the silent conversation between tool and material.
"Understood."
The two continued walking until they reached an intersection. The roads split into four directions, each leading to a different part of the Sky Caravan.
There, their paths diverged.
Sun Luguo pointed toward one of the streets, a wide avenue lined with tall buildings.
"My workshop is that way." He gestured casually.
"I’ll meet you after the competition tomorrow."
Kyrian nodded.
"Very well, Master Sun."
The giant blacksmith raised one hand in farewell, a casual and friendly gesture.
"Go get some rest. Tomorrow will be a busy day." His eyes gleamed.
"And don’t forget the hammer."
Kyrian also gave a slight bow.
Then the two headed off in different directions.
As he walked through the illuminated streets of the Sky Caravan, Kyrian discreetly kept the wooden box safely stored inside his spatial ring. The item was secure.
His first hammer. His first blacksmithing master.
And the following day, two competitions awaited him.
The Festival of the Heavenly Descent was still far from over.
Tomorrow will be an interesting day.