Dragon's Origin

In reality, only two or three of the grandmasters present specialized in crafting combat equipment like weapons and armor. The rest were mostly grandmasters in non-combat crafts. They were far more experienced than Wang Sheng and Mei'er in appreciating art.

After Wang Sheng's reminder to examine the sword from an artistic perspective, Grandmaster Lu had to admit that it was truly flawless.

Everything has a point of excess, except for art. No amount of outstanding materials or exquisite craftsmanship is too much when lavished on an art piece meant only for admiration and not for use. Those who collect art always feel that their piece is not perfect enough, forever seeking the unattainable apex, always wishing for just a little more improvement.

"How did you achieve such meticulous detail in this 'Thousand Li Battlefield' on the sword spine?" Grandmaster Lu asked, stroking the exquisite metal painting.

The metal painting had been prepared by Grandmaster Wu beforehand. It was only during the final decoration of the sword that it was ingeniously attached to the spine, seamlessly integrating into one piece. Having not witnessed the metal painting's creation, Grandmaster Lu was very curious.

"This requires forging various materials into metal foil..." Mentioning the creation of the metal painting, and being asked by a grandmaster, Grandmaster Wu was immediately energized. He began to explain the process and method in detail, not fearing that the grandmasters would learn it, holding nothing back.

"That's it?" Mei'er listened very carefully. After hearing the entire process from beginning to end, she questioned with some disbelief.

"Simple?" Wang Sheng scoffed. If you had to explain the principle, it was very simple: forge metals of various materials and colors into metal foil, and then use the tiniest tools to restore the original work layer by layer, finally flattening the attached metal painting and attaching it to the sword spine.

But while the process sounded simple, the actual execution was incredibly difficult. For one thing, ordinary blacksmiths couldn't even manage to forge metal into foil of consistent thickness. Especially after displaying the original work with several layers of metal foil, there was also a flattening process. To make several layers of superimposed material appear as one, so seamless that even the sensitive fingers of the grandmasters present couldn't feel any difference in height, was that something ordinary people could do?

"It's not simple at all!" In front of so many people, Wang Sheng decided to save Mei'er some face, explaining in a low voice, "To use a simple analogy, it's like chasing a mirage. You think it's close, but you'll know how far it is when you start walking."

Grandmaster Lu had already passed the longsword to another grandmaster waiting to admire it again. The grandmasters nodded secretly in agreement to Wang Sheng's words.

Mei'er's eyes, however, followed the longsword, returning to Iron Old's hands after several turns.

"Indeed, looking at it from a different perspective, this longsword is almost perfectly flawless," Iron Old praised, examining it carefully and stroking it again.

At this time, Grandmaster Wu's face was filled with excited smiles. Even he hadn't expected that the longsword, which had seemed like a failure, would suddenly become a successful and perfect work when viewed from a different angle. It was truly a case of 'after endless mountains and rivers that bar your way, suddenly a village appears, and willow trees offer shade!'

"However, even with just this longsword, even viewed as a work of art, you still can't be called a grandmaster," Iron Old's words were a huge reversal. Grandmaster Wu, whose face was full of joy and renewed confidence, never expected Iron Old to say such a thing.

Not only was Grandmaster Wu surprised, but even the other old men and women were incredulous. If such a longsword couldn't be called perfect, then what would be? What would be considered the work of a grandmaster?

Wang Sheng was also stunned, but he immediately realized something, and a hint of a smile flashed across his face. No one noticed Wang Sheng's expression at this moment, except for Mei'er. At such an important moment, this little girl wasn't watching Iron Old or the precious sword she held in her arms like her life, but was constantly looking at Wang Sheng. What was she doing?

Mei'er was about to ask Wang Sheng, but Wang Sheng reached out and grabbed her little hand, squeezing it slightly to signal her to be quiet and just watch.

Grandmaster Wu stood there dumbfounded, staring blankly at Iron Old. He wanted to question him, but he couldn't say anything. In terms of blacksmithing, Iron Old was one of the few authorities. Since he dared to say so, he must have his reasons. It was better to listen to his guidance.

"However, if you can make a suitable scabbard for this longsword..." Iron Old waited until everyone was surprised enough before smiling slightly and saying the turning point, "Then I will admit that you have reached the level of a grandmaster."

As soon as these words came out, everyone was relieved. Grandmaster Lu laughed and scolded, "You fellow, I thought you were blind. This last sentence makes sense. It really is missing a matching scabbard."

The other grandmasters also laughed and scolded in a series. They were all old partners, some having known each other for more than ten or twenty years. They had long abandoned the conventional etiquette, saying whatever they thought, and it wasn't strange to curse if they were unhappy.

Grandmaster Wu was overjoyed. This promotion assessment was full of twists and turns, going back and forth between heaven and hell several times. If Grandmaster Wu's body and cultivation weren't good, such ups and downs would probably have caused his heart to fail.

"Iron Old, in your opinion, what kind of scabbard would be suitable for this sword?" Iron Old's meaning was already very clear, indirectly acknowledging his grandmaster status. At this time, Grandmaster Wu knew how to reciprocate, asking for Iron Old's opinion. If the scabbard was made according to Iron Old's suggestion, then this set of longsword art pieces would have a very beautiful story in the future, and its value would increase greatly.

"Little Assassin, what do you think?" Iron Old didn't speak, but instead threw the question back to Wang Sheng. It was Wang Sheng who had reminded everyone to consider it from an artistic perspective, so this good thing naturally fell back on Wang Sheng's head.

Wang Sheng wasn't modest. After thinking for a moment, he immediately had an idea.

"Since the inside is 'Thousand Li Battlefield', then the outside might as well be a 'Ten Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains'," Wang Sheng didn't know if there was such a 'Ten Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains', but he had other considerations, saying to Grandmaster Wu, "If not, please invite a famous artist to paint one. If Grandmaster Wu can put this 'Ten Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains' on the scabbard, this junior can guarantee that this precious sword will hang on the waist of the current Emperor."