Apocalypse Descent: Farming with My Harem

Chapter 953: Chapter 351: Blacksmith Advancement, Expert-level Forging Master!

Even if they haven’t left home much, they know what an expert-level blacksmith represents.

It’s important to know, in Flowing Water Town, which has a population of several thousand, there are only three blacksmiths.

Two of them are at the basic level, and one is at the intermediate level.

Even so, these three blacksmiths can enjoy extremely high treatment in the town.

Every day, there is a long queue outside their blacksmith shop.

Especially the intermediate blacksmith, whose business is thriving.

It is said that even the mayor has to ask him to forge weapons for his militia legion, not daring to easily offend him. He is as imposing as one could be.

As for advanced blacksmiths, they haven’t even seen one, only heard of them from those minstrels.

And now, they have witnessed the birth of an expert-level blacksmith with their own eyes!

Yes, upon reaching the expert level, one can no longer be called a blacksmith but should be called a forging master.

The two young fellows were completely overwhelmed.

They even doubted what kind of territory they had come to.

It took a full three minutes.

Harold finally digested the vast memories in his mind!

A system prompt appeared.

[You have used the [Skill Level Emblem (Expert)], and your territory member Harold Iceberg has upgraded [Advanced Forging Mastery] to [Expert-level Forging Mastery]...]

[You have gained an expert-level blacksmith, Reputation Value +2000, Territory Prosperity +80...]

(Note: The specific value of prosperity will be released after the update at midnight...)

...

At the same time, Harold also came back to his senses.

He took a deep breath and solemnly bowed to Cao Xing.

”Thank you, esteemed Lord!”

”Your brilliance is like the stars in the sky, guiding my way forward!”

[Due to your generous gift, the loyalty of territory member: Harold Iceberg has been enhanced. As loyalty is maxed, a hidden effect is triggered: Deadly Loyalty]

...

Seeing the system prompt, Cao Xing’s mouth curled into a smile.

This dwarf, with his help a few times, also successfully reached the level of deadly loyalty.

He first glanced at Harold’s panel.

[Seeker: Harold Iceberg]

[Race: Dwarf]

[Level: Level 21 (Third-tier Elite Creature)]

[Life Value: 13772/13772 (Blessing of the Pale Tree)]

[Attack Power: 775~847]

[Skills: Frost Hammer, Ice Mountain Heavy Strike, Vortex Throw]

[Life Skills: Expert-level Forging Mastery (Break through the limits, become an expert in the domain of forging, can create treasure quality equipment, can inset treasure quality gemstones, and accelerate forging speed by 40% and success rate by 20%)]

(Note: Although expert-level forging mastery allows the creation of epic equipment, the success rate is extremely low, please forge cautiously.)

[Talent: Craftsman]

[Satiety: 76]

[Loyalty: 100 (Deadly Loyalty)]

...

Seeing the skill introduction above, a look of excitement appeared in Cao Xing’s eyes.

[Expert-level Forging Mastery] has 10% more forging speed and success rate than [Advanced Forging Mastery].

More crucially, the forging skill at the expert level can now inset those golden gemstones!

Cao Xing had many golden gemstones in his possession.

Such as [Freshwater Pearl], [Blue Copper Treasure Ball], [Moonlight Treasure Pearl], etc.

And some gemstones, [Ice Glacier Magnet], [Giant Dragon Stone]...

These gemstones were not inset earlier because Harold’s forging level was not high enough.

Now they can finally be put to use!

Cao Xing said, ”Congratulations.”

The face of this dwarf revealed a smile.

And Putana beside him was deeply proud and happy for her husband!

After all, it’s an expert-level blacksmith!

Even among the Dwarf Clan, known for their forging skills, expert-level blacksmiths are rare.

It can be said that even if Harold returns to his clan now, he will hold a significant position.

Of course, he won’t be going back.

With deadly loyalty, even if the Dwarf King comes, he cannot take him away from this territory.

Cao Xing continued to ask, ”Harold, how many more emblems like the one just now do you think we need to use for you to have master-level forging skills?”

An emblem can increase 5000 points of skill level.

Although the specific numbers are not visible now because the system version has not been updated.

But these blacksmiths have a rough idea of their forging experience.

Just like he knows that from advanced blacksmith to expert blacksmith, it takes three months.

After calculating in his mind, Harold replied, ”Esteemed Lord, if it’s like the miraculous item just now, it will take about 10 more to reach the limit of the expert level.”

emblems, at 5000 skill levels per emblem.

Does that mean, from expert to master, 50,000 skill levels are needed?

The next moment, Harold continued to supplement, ”Lord, from expert to master is not that simple.”

”Although using this kind of skill emblem can bring my skill to its limit.”

”But to become a true master, besides the skill level requirement, there is a need for something special.”

”This something is hard to describe with words, and cannot be acquired by external forces, only through one’s own enlightenment.”

”But once possessed, forging skills will advance by leaps and bounds, creating extraordinary, rare quality equipment at blazing speed, with virtually no chance of failure.”

”Additionally, whatever is crafted next will have that feeling of enlightenment.”

”Our Dwarf Clan calls this something the Artisan Soul!”

Cao Xing was surprised, ”Artisan Soul?”

This was the first time he had heard of such a thing.

”Yes,” Harold nodded and continued, ”The Artisan Soul is something elusive.”

”It can only be achieved by summarizing and reflecting during repeated forging.”

”By reaching the pinnacle of understanding and mastery of forging techniques and material traits.”

”On a day when you have an epiphany, the Artisan Soul will awaken.”

”Only by awakening the Artisan Soul can one be called a master!”

After listening to Harold’s explanation, a look of realization appeared in Cao Xing’s eyes.

The two children nearby were also enchanted by what they heard.

It turns out that reaching the master realm requires awakening the Artisan Soul.

They seemed to see the door to a new world opening up for them!

Meanwhile, Cao Xing was still pondering.

In the upcoming third system update, each life skill will be listed with specific skill level numbers.

The aim is for Lords to have a clearer understanding of how long it takes for their territory members to reach the next stage.

Whether it is worth pouring resources to cultivate them.

The Lord System is not static, as seen from the previous updates.

As the survivors develop, the Lord System will continuously make adjustments.

For example, now, after this construction week, most territories have taken initial shape.

The sewing shop, blacksmith shop, ore processing plant, etc., have all been built.

Everyone has gradually realized the importance of life skills talent.

So this kind of update will be launched next.

However, because everything in the world has its limits, it does not mean that reaching the skill level will allow an advancement.

Just like these survivors, when their level reaches full level, they encounter a bottleneck and need to use the Heart of Power to break through.

Master-level Forging Mastery also requires the awakening of the Artisan Soul.

Only when blacksmiths truly comprehend the power of the Artisan Soul, integrating it into each forging, can they take more solid steps on a path that seems to have reached its end.

This is true for all other professions as well.

Only by breaking through limits time and again, completing what ordinary people cannot, can one be worthy of the title of master.

Master, I have understood!

...