Alchemy Master

Chapter 348, Sharp Weapons

Translator: Silavin

“That’s more than enough.” Qin Yichen’s lips curved into a smile. Actually, this situation was within his expectations. In fact, it was slightly better than anticipated.

After all, the Carefree Prince had been in seclusion for too long, not touching any military affairs. The fact that he still commanded three-tenths of the army showed just how high his prestige had been.

“Enough?” Xia Zelei looked at him with surprise in his eyes.

To support a woman for the throne would require her to have an overwhelming advantage.

“Please look at what this is.” Qin Yichen placed the sword forged from Black Cloud Ore before him.

“Oh?” Upon seeing the colour of the sword, Xia Zelei was already surprised. Then, he picked up the sword and flicked its blade with his finger…

*Ding!*

“It’s tough, and its durability is excellent, but what about its sharpness?” Xia Zelei frowned, then swung the sword at the stone table beside him.

The stone table was easily cut in two.

*Siii…* Looking at the smoothly cut surface, Xia Zelei could not help but draw in a sharp breath. He was certain he had not used any Yuan Energy. This was purely the result of the sword’s sharpness!

“Who forged this sword?!” Xia Zelei excitedly grabbed Qin Yichen’s arm, then, seeming to realise his loss of composure, he embarrassedly let go. Still, there was no hiding his eagerness.

Qin Yichen was not offended by this. He naturally understood why Xia Zelei was so excited. Immediately, under Xia Zelei’s shocked gaze, he pointed to himself.

“You… you forged this!?” Xia Zelei was stunned. This fellow was already the youngest Martial King and could cure his Wife’s illness. How did he seem to know everything under the Sun?

“Does Your Highness know what this is forged from?” Qin Yichen asked with a smile.

“This weapon weighs about the same as refined steel, but its sharpness far exceeds weapons forged from refined steel. To be honest, I’ve never seen anything like it.” Xia Zelei frowned, pondered briefly, then shook his head. Even with his experience, he had no recollection of such a material among known weapon-forging materials.

“Black Cloud Stone, more accurately Black Cloud Ore.” Qin Yichen smiled.

“Black Cloud Stone? How could that possibly be forged into weapons…” Xia Zelei immediately shook his head, but then, as if realising something, he froze. [This boy had done many things I had thought impossible… perhaps…]

As if anticipating Xia Zelei’s reaction, Qin Yichen directly took out a piece of Black Cloud Ore from his Space Ring, then produced a vial and poured the liquid over the Black Cloud Ore.

Xia Zelei watched, dumbfounded, as the incredibly tough Black Cloud Ore softened under the unremarkable liquid…

In just a few minutes, another sword identical to the one in Xia Zelei’s hand appeared before him.

Looking at the sword forged before his eyes, Xia Zelei was completely stunned. Xia Zilin did not mock the Prince for his reaction. After all, her own reaction when she saw this for the first time had not been any better.

“This is incredible…” After a long while, Xia Zelei finally came to his senses, muttering repeatedly. If he had not seen it with his own eyes, he would never have believed Black Cloud Ore could be softened like this.

“Black Cloud Ore… Black Cloud Ore? Right, a few days ago I heard my Brother, the Emperor, say he was going to grant the Black Cloud Region to some youth. Should we try to seize it?”

Xia Zelei muttered a few times, then suddenly clapped his hands and spoke.

“Uncle, the Black Cloud Region was granted to me.” At this point, Xia Zilin spoke up.

“Oh…” Hearing Xia Zilin’s words, Xia Zelei relaxed. At the same time, his gaze toward Qin Yichen was filled with amazement. [He must have known how to soften up Black Cloud Ore for some time now, seeing as he already had the Princess secured the Black Cloud Region.]

“If Black Cloud Ore weapons could be mass-produced for the army, our Grand Empire’s army would be unstoppable. If this Formula were to be submitted to the Grand Empire…” Xia Zelei excitedly calculated.

“No. I don’t plan to submit this to the Grand Empire for now.” Qin Yichen interrupted Xia Zelei, saying: “If the Seventh Princess takes the throne, I will naturally unconditionally give you the Formula.”

Xia Zelei nodded, not pressing the matter, clearly understanding Qin Yichen’s meaning.

“Still, you all can be rest assured, I will try my best to forge more weapons, aiming to equip all of the Careless Prince’s remaining army with Black Cloud Weapons before the year ends.”

Qin Yichen cupped his hands toward Xia Zelei and said.

Hearing Qin Yichen say this, Xia Zelei felt relieved. Once his Forces were equipped with these weapons, would other troops not be envious enough to defect to him?

Afterward, Xia Zilin arranged for people to secretly transport a batch of Black Cloud Ore from the Black Cloud Region.

However, due to the many eyes watching, she was clever enough not to bring the Black Cloud Ore into Twilight City. Instead building a secret factory in a hidden location outside Twilight City.

Qin Yichen would go to the factory to forge Black Cloud Weapons whenever he had time. Having received Lu Ban’s Inheritance, he could also familiarise himself with various aspects of weapons by practising his forging skills.

However, although Qin Yichen’s several trips out were very secretive, they were still discovered by those watching closely.

Today, as usual, Qin Yichen rode in an unremarkable carriage from Alchemy Central toward the factory outside Twilight City.

But just a few kilometres after leaving Twilight City, Qin Yichen, who was meditating in the carriage, suddenly felt his hair stand on end.

In that instant, without any hesitation, he struck the carriage roof with his palm, shattering it as he leaped skyward.

*Whoosh!* Just as Qin Yichen’s figure had barely risen, a sharp whistling sound suddenly rang out. A gleaming cold sword, like a viper in the darkness, shot forth at a treacherous angle. It was directly aimed toward Qin Yichen’s vital point at his back.

This sudden attack made Qin Yichen’s expression change. However, he knew it was still not too late to dodge at this point.

In this critical moment, Qin Yichen did not panic. With a thought, a wave of Spiritual Energy surged forth under the control of his Spiritual Body.

*Hum…*

The sword that had been like a viper mysteriously stopped less than half an centimetre from Qin Yichen’s back, as if frozen in space. On its sharp tip, a faint green colour flickered. It was clearly coated with deadly poison. If struck, one would likely instantly lose all ability to fight.