Chapter 55: Practical Knowledge is More Useful Than Friendship

Soraka was highly efficient. She had already delivered most of the materials yesterday, leaving only the dragon bone powder needed for the teleportation array. This wasn't particularly expensive, but it wasn't in high demand either, and its source was remote, so it was normal for Aurora City to run out of stock occasionally. Soraka was reportedly arranging for it, and it would take a few more days.

Old Wang scoffed at the concept of heroes in the Holy Sanctuary. That was something only young people believed in. Individuals were always insignificant, whether geniuses or fools. The key was to utilize the resources around them.

If he had to gather these materials himself, it would have taken several times longer and cost twice as much, and he might not have been as effective.

Old Wang decided to start by refining the boundary token first.

This was crucial for teleportation, ensuring that he could both enter and exit. However, the tools required for refining the boundary token were quite advanced.

He went to Rose, but it was no use. He still had to rely on Judgment.

Though there had been a mishap last time, it wasn't a big deal. Everything was calm at Judgment, and the Foundry and the Institute of Potions were far apart, making it unlikely to run into anyone familiar.

Judgment's workshop was impressive and bustling with activity. Unlike the Institute of Potions, the men here were rugged and some even worked shirtless.

One smart move Judgment made was not competing with Rose in runes but finding breakthroughs in other areas. In auxiliary professions, casting was Judgment's specialty.

"Wang Ruoxu, third-year student at the Foundry."

Old Wang used a different name. His real name wouldn't work, and neither would Wang Sanshi. What if Wang Sanshi was wanted by Judgment?

The person responsible for registration was a stern senior, sitting upright with a serious expression, his hair neatly combed, and a trendy accessory on his chest. Fantasia had mentioned that someone dressed this formally in such a place usually had a flirtatious gaze. Old Wang knew what to expect.

Glancing at the badge on his chest, Old Wang smiled warmly, acting like a distant relative. "Master Brother Shangyan, it's been a while! What have you been up to lately?"

Han Shangyan glanced at him.

He had seen many people trying to establish connections. Many in the Foundry knew him, but he didn't bother remembering everyone. He continued with the registration, ignoring the other's enthusiasm. "Don't try to build connections. The workshop has its rules. Without special reservations, you can only use the basic casting workshop."

"Brother, you must be busy," Old Wang said, handing over a bag. "Last time, the hundred lireaux you lent me helped a lot. You may not care about such small amounts, but I've always remembered your kindness. Here, I must repay you!"

Han Shangyan instantly understood, his stern expression softening. This was more effective than any connection-building. Little Brother Wang was quite considerate.

He smiled slightly. "Little Brother Wang... how forgetful of me!"

Old Wang laughed. "Brother, you're so busy helping others. It's understandable to forget a minor figure like me."

"No one is minor among brothers," Han Shangyan said, smiling as he took the money bag. "Ah, right, I remember you did make a reservation. For the intermediate casting workshop, yes?"

Old Wang immediately handed over another hundred lireaux. "That was just repaying the principal. There should be interest for borrowing it for so long."

"This isn't necessary, you're too kind," Han Shangyan said, taking the bag. If all little brothers were this considerate...

This was an unwritten rule at the Foundry. Seniors rotated shifts for extra income. Without payment, they'd get a worse spot. Good equipment required a tip. Otherwise, who would want to do the shift?

"Following Brother's footsteps is the way to progress," Old Wang said, skilled at flattery.

Even the proudest person eventually learns humility from life.

Han Shangyan felt good, putting away the money. Unlike students with families, he needed this extra income and often worked overtime. Some gave tips arrogantly, while others treated it like charity. But this little brother was generous and respectful.

Suddenly, he slapped his forehead. "Right, Master often says we should help talented disciples. Lucky you, there's an empty advanced workshop. Go ahead and use it!"

Old Wang was pleasantly surprised. The intermediate workshop was barely sufficient for refining the boundary token, especially given his current success rate. An advanced workshop would be much better.

"Brother, showing such care for a little brother, if you run for our faculty's council president, I'll vote for you!" Wang Feng said earnestly.

Han Shangyan grinned widely. Yes, he was running for the Foundry's council president. He handed over a golden badge enthusiastically. "Little Brother Wang, Advanced Casting Workshop 9. Here you go!"

Wang Ruoxu, what a nice name, humble and broad-minded. Though he didn't expect much from this election, support was always welcome.

The advanced workshops were at the back. Old Wang found it after a short search. Along the way, he passed several workshops where people were forging weapons, mostly personal ones, not large-scale casting.

The main feature of an advanced casting workshop was that it could forge almost any "personal weapon."

Old Wang set down his heavy backpack, opened the bellows of the furnace, and waited for it to heat up while sorting the materials.

Thirty pounds of Kōngmín stone, dark and dense, yet only palm-sized; twenty pounds of Jinling sand in a thick cloth bag, poured into a specialized container, each grain golden and round, clearly top-quality after screening.

The meteorite core looked the smallest, also twenty pounds, but only egg-sized, smaller than the few pounds of goldstone.

Old Wang nodded in satisfaction. The sea people were reliable. They were meticulous in business but executed well afterward. The materials were excellent, no filler. No wonder their business was so successful.

He placed the four materials in separate containers and put them into the heated furnace, starting the process.

Compared to potion-making, casting was 'simpler' for Old Wang. Potion-making wasted ingredients, but casting didn't waste materials!

Even if the final soul matching failed, he could simply remelt and re-engrave the runes. Unlike potions, which turned into waste, there was no psychological burden.

Three hours of work were easy and pleasant. On just the fifth attempt, a palm-sized black boundary token was completed.

Actually, the boundary token was a higher-precision cast. Basic, intermediate, and advanced workshops were for apprentices. A basic workshop was impossible, an intermediate one barely manageable, but an advanced workshop made it much easier, requiring only a few casting techniques.

It was a small, rectangular object, intricately etched with complex rune arrays. Upon completing the final step of guidance alignment, a faint glow emanated from the grooves, akin to a contemporary circuit board. Naturally, he inscribed the character "王" on it, signifying it as a product of the Wang family.

Hundreds of pounds of material reduced to a few pounds, leaving a pile of residue. Old Wang didn't bother cleaning up. A place like Judgment surely had maintenance staff to handle cleanliness.

……

Han Shangyan was in a good mood today. Managing workshop registrations was lucrative. He had received hundreds of lireaux today, including two hundred from Wang Ruoxu for renting the advanced workshop for just three hours. Some people would shamelessly stay for days.

Those who could afford the advanced workshop were either wealthy or skilled. He hadn't noticed such a capable person in the Foundry before, probably a transfer student this year.

Where could he find such a considerate and generous little brother? Everyone should learn from him!

He couldn't help touching the money bag in his pocket again, his eyes nearly squinting. The feeling of fullness was delightful.

"Brother Shangyan! Brother Shangyan!"

He was feeling quite pleased with himself when suddenly he heard someone shout his name in frustration: "Something serious has happened! Mentor Anbolin is furious and wants to see the person on duty today. You need to go check it out quickly!"

Mentor Anbolin? The routine inspection today? When did he come in? Probably while I was taking a quick break just now.

Han Shangyan felt a chill run down his spine at the news. Among the mentors responsible for inspections, Anbolin was the toughest to deal with, someone who couldn't stand any mistakes. God knows which careless person left the furnace on after using the workshop. This mess is likely going to be on me.

He hurriedly tidied up and rushed inside.

Not the beginner workshop, not the intermediate one either, but there were quite a few people sneaking glances outside Room Nine at the far end.

Room Nine? That modest Junior Brother Wang?

Han Shangyan ran in with a cold sweat, only to draw a sharp breath at the sight inside the workshop, nearly collapsing onto the ground.