Chapter Forty-Five: Nether Sea Black Iron, Thirty Thousand Jin of Strength!

“One palm, and the demon shark was repelled?”

Underwater, Lu Ming’s eyes widened.

He had spent over ten years cultivating, tried every method, yet could never match this demon shark. But the mysterious figure wearing a shark mask had sent the beast fleeing with a single strike.

“The one who slaughtered those sea god followers must be him.”

“A single palm with the force of ten thousand pounds—an explosive surge of internal energy that not even the demon shark could withstand!”

Lu Ming’s heart was shaken to its core.

Tens of thousands of pounds of sheer strength… enough to lift a young elephant, and even the phrase ‘lifting a cauldron’ seemed insufficient. Such power, combined with internal energy and a robust body tempered by external martial techniques, was akin to a living war machine. On the battlefield, clad in heavy armor and wielding a long spear, such a warrior could single-handedly conquer lands, defend a region, and establish a legacy lasting a century.

“The shark actually fled?” Bai Xuan was surprised.

The demon shark’s intelligence exceeded his expectations; upon sensing its opponent’s overwhelming power, it had turned and escaped without hesitation.

In that moment, the demon shark rushed off; it was impossible to pursue.

With a splash, Bai Xuan burst from the water and leapt onto the boat.

The black-roofed vessel still drifted quietly atop the water, undamaged. The crabs in the fish basket continued their slow crawl.

“What a tough shark,” Bai Xuan mused.

Ten thousand pounds of force, reinforced by copper skin and iron sand palm techniques, plus the double vortex energy—three layers combined in one palm, who could withstand it? Yet striking the giant shark’s head inflicted only pain. Judging by its speed as it fled, it likely suffered no mortal wound; the internal energy merely shook its brain, failing to penetrate and truly harm it. This creature had transcended the realm of ordinary life, becoming a monster as solid as steel.

“Phew... Thank you for your assistance, sir. Otherwise, I doubt I could have escaped that beast’s jaws,” Lu Ming said as he climbed onto the boat.

He paused to catch his breath, his vital energy settling, and spoke with heartfelt gratitude.

Those sea god followers had clearly set a trap, sacrificing many lives to summon the demon shark. The followers themselves were but a distraction; he had been careless and nearly lost his life here.

He had battled fiercely for some time. If Bai Xuan had not intervened, he would have been forced to fight with all his might, but against such a cunning and powerful demon shark, even burning his vital energy would likely have ended with him becoming its meal.

“No need to thank me. Do you know where that creature came from?” Bai Xuan asked in a low, hoarse voice.

The giant shark was evidently mutated, terrifyingly strong and massive, its physique rivaling the peak of external martial training, fierce beyond compare.

He had never encountered such a thing before at sea.

“It is a demon shark raised by the Sea God Cult, fed with blood. Legend has it that the technique was traded from an immortal,” Lu Ming replied after a deep breath. “They say the secret art cost over a thousand lives to obtain—it allows one to control strange sea creatures and raise them into fearsome monsters. Ordinary martial artists cannot hope to resist.”

Faced with Bai Xuan’s formidable strength and as his savior, Lu Ming’s tone was deeply respectful.

“Immortal?” Bai Xuan heard the word for the first time. “There are immortals in this world?”

“That... it’s hard to say. I’ve traveled many islands and heard countless rumors at sea. They say many powers have the shadow of an immortal master behind them; some pay a great price to trade for secret arts, founding their clans in a single stroke. To maintain rule over the islands, dealings with immortal masters seem essential,” Lu Ming answered cautiously. “I’ve seen people display abilities at sea—wind blades, frost swords, transformations of water and fire... Perhaps the stories are not without foundation.”

“The world is broader than I imagined,” Bai Xuan murmured, frowning.

The demon shark alone showed how perilous this world was; the sea’s storms care nothing for human life, and who knew what other strange horrors lurked below.

“I must return to my training,” Bai Xuan thought.

Strengthening himself was the only path forward. In this world, he could rely on no one but the Tree of Longevity and his martial prowess.

“Not far from here is Liuyuan Island. I’ll take you there; you can find a boat home yourself,” Bai Xuan said calmly.

Moments later, the two reached the remote island. There were but a few villages, yet fishing boats were available.

“Wait, sir, I will never forget your life-saving kindness. My name is Lu Ming; I dwell on Chongming Island, two hundred miles to the east,” Lu Ming called out urgently. “If you ever need anything, you may send a messenger to me at any time.”

“Lu Ming?” Bai Xuan paused.

Compared to the demon shark, the name surprised him more. Perhaps it was simply a coincidence. “Do you recall forging a cold iron fish spear at Forge Mountain Manor?”

“I did indeed!” Lu Ming exclaimed in surprise. “How did you know?”

“It’s nothing. Earlier in the sea market, I met the weapon’s maker and discussed the spear, so it left an impression,” Bai Xuan replied in a low, rough voice.

So it was not just a coincidence of names.

The spear left by the other man had helped him greatly, but now he had saved Lu Ming’s life—one favor repaid by another, and nothing owed between them.

“I see,” Lu Ming nodded, remembering it clearly.

He had once forged the cold iron spear to hunt demon sharks, but later realized he lacked skill with spears and abandoned it for a meteoric iron blade. Now, Bai Xuan’s mention of the fish spear stirred his heart.

...

Soon after.

Forge Mountain Manor.

“Mr. Lu?” Liu Ruyi was in the smelting chamber, studying the cold iron fish spear, when Lu Ming arrived.

Lu Ming had once commissioned weapons from him, and as they both frequented the sea market, they had met occasionally and enjoyed a good rapport.

“It’s been years—do you know who owns the spear now?” Lu Ming asked, spotting the weapon at once. Its blade was chipped and stained with blood, bearing an ancient, weathered aura.

“All these years and you still remember? Strange. Recently, I met the spear’s owner in the sea market. He wore a shark mask and called himself a fisherman...” Liu Ruyi scratched his head.

The spear was ingeniously designed but crudely made, worth a hundred taels at most; why had people kept mentioning it after so many years?

He knew nothing of Bai Xuan’s true identity, only the mask.

“So it’s true,” Lu Ming thought.

Clearly, his savior was the current owner of the spear.

...

“I never expected such fate. The cold iron fish spear I forged years ago has now saved my life. That man is likely young, yet possesses such formidable strength!” Lu Ming marveled inwardly.

Without a weapon, he could drive back a demon shark with a single palm; if he had the cold iron spear, perhaps the shark would never have escaped.

After a moment’s thought, he made up his mind and left.

A few days later, he returned with a cloth-wrapped stone. Unveiling it, he revealed a block as dark as the deepest ocean, shimmering faintly with mysterious light.

“Nether Sea Black Iron!” Liu Ruyi’s eyes widened. “Such a large piece is priceless; it could trade for even elixirs made from the fungus of longevity. Are you sure you want to use it?”

He was awed by the ore; such a treasure was incredibly rare, and the commission would be costly.

“He saved my life; how could I not repay him?” Lu Ming said solemnly.

“I have lived my life as a chivalrous man, with no heirs to enjoy my old age. This black iron was meant for forging a weapon; using it for this spear is the best it can be put to.”

He had originally intended to forge his own treasured blade, but now, to remake the fish spear he left behind, he felt it was worthwhile.

“Excellent! This is what I like about you, Mr. Lu,” Liu Ruyi grinned.

For a blacksmith, having such fine materials for forging a divine weapon was the greatest joy.

“With Nether Sea Black Iron, the spear has a ninety percent chance of becoming a true artifact,” Liu Ruyi thought with satisfaction.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

He raised his hammer and gradually purified the ore, merging it slowly into the spear’s body.

...

Qianshan Island.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

In a small courtyard, Bai Xuan’s figure was swinging his palm, its skin vibrating and transforming into a green-black iron seal as he struck out. The double vortex energy appeared, making the air boom and whipping up fierce winds. Sand and stones flew as if a tornado had swept through.

“Phew... I must train diligently.”

With a swipe, Bai Xuan withdrew his palm and stood upright. A breath of white mist sprayed from his mouth, sharp as a blade, dispersing the rushing wind.

“Still, my progress is now as expected.”

“My internal energy is gradually coherent, and most importantly, since the third breakthrough of my vital energy, my physical condition has soared—almost perfected. My strength has risen from twenty thousand pounds to thirty thousand.”

Bai Xuan clenched his fist.

Now, with one palm, even an elephant’s bones would shatter and it would be sent flying; the terrifying power in his body could pull five horses with a single gesture.

Moreover, his skin was vibrating, on the verge of transformation, and the sound of metal clashing rang out, deep and resonant.

“The path of external martial training must be pursued without pause. Copper skin is nearly at its final breakthrough.”

“My mastery of footwork is gaining clarity.”

Bai Xuan looked forward with anticipation.

In recent days, he had learned that the Bai family indeed had a family martial hall, but entry was reserved for those listed in the main family registry or direct descendants of the clan. Luckily, Bai Xuanji had arranged for his qualification, and tomorrow he would be admitted.