Chapter 342: 342
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Zhong and Jiahao were sent away, they are the two elders with the fastest demonic beast mount within the Mo Family, estimatedly, they can go to Zhi Hua Royal Kingdom and back to the Mo Family within two months tops.
Meanwhile, Shang Ting mourned and prayed for all of those from the Gangting City's tragedy, still, she had steeled her resolved and tried to forget it immediately, after all, since the time that she had become Mo Xie's partner, she is now part of the Mo Family.
Every decision she makes is for the benefits of the Mo Family and the Mo Family alone.
She had then focused her attention on mass-producing the Magic Lances, after all, this is the last thing her husband has left her to do.
"Sister..." Sometime later, Mingzi arrived back, this time, Ao Bai and his twin sisters are together with her.
Shang Ting was focused on things she needed to do, the stress started to build up, but when she heard her sister, she smiled and looked back: "What is it?"
Mingzi is the only blood relation she has left, Shang Ting immediately started to think of the former as another one she needed to protect, hence, whenever the former approaches her, she's trying her best to differentiate her treatment between her sister and the family's interest.
Shang Mingzi hesitated before looking at Ao Bai, heaving a huge breath she spoke: "Sister, it's about my fiancee."
Shang Ting nods her head, she looked at Ao Bai kindly: "What about him? Do you not feel comfortable with your new home?"
Mingzi shook her head: "Sister, it isn't that... just that, my fiancee wishes to be of help... somehow..."
Ao Bai nods his head, still, he looked at the ground, after his boasting from when they are being brought to this place, he hasn't really done anything other than taking care of Mingzi and setting his Ao Faction within the Mo Family's outer part.
Shang Ting then looked at Ao Bai, he's not really strong to help with clearing the surrounding of the Mo Family's territory, then, does he have something he's good at? Like, alchemy, or gardening?
Without any way to confirm anything, she asked: "Well, what are you good at?"
Ao Bai blushed hearing this question, not knowing how to respond.
A person of his caliber... has not discovered what he is actually good at, not even what he can do.
Shang Ting sighed: "Don't be bothered too much of what you can do now, just think of what you can actually do in the future."
As she spoke, she smiled gently.
Ao Bai nodded then spoke: "Our family has a history of working with the forge, maybe I can help smith some of the weapons they are making."
Shang Ting nods her head: "Then you can go, but you will be treated the same as the blacksmiths, your salary will be based on your own work and effort."
Ao Bai nodded, a happy expression plastered on his face: "Yes, I will do my best."
Shang Ting nods with a smile as she shifts her gaze at Mingzi, there is still a hint of worry in the latter's face, Shang Ting smiled and continued talking to Ao Bai: "You can also bring your faction to work, the same condition applies."
Ao Bai bowed, he cupped his hand respectfully: "I thank the matriarch for her generosity."
Ao Bai was actually planning to shoulder the burden of fixing a meal on his faction's table alone, this caused Mingzi to be worried, Shang Ting isn't just her sister anymore, she's the Matriarch of a clan far bigger than theirs, even the Mourning Sun Sect.
She might have no idea of the Mo Family and the Heaven Suppressing Clan's full power, she knows that it definitely isn't falling short of any kingdom.
When Ao Bai was about to go and inform his subordinates, he remembered something: "Ah, matriarch."
But Shang Ting was already forging in front of Mingzi at this moment, trying to teach her some of the knowledge left by her husband. Ao Bai immediately regretted not looking before shouting.
Of course, with the keen hearing of the two, they looked back.
Ao Bai felt embarrassed, after all, he had ruined the two sisters' quality time for a little to of no important issue.
Still, after doing it, he could just continue rather than delay it further, he took something out of his pocket and stretched two of his hand and offered it to Shang Ting: "Matriarch, this was supposed to be the payment for my two little sisters life, but I know this is nothing worth of anything, but this is our Ao Family's heirloom and the only thing we have."
Shang Ting smiled, looking at Mingzi before returning to him and spoke: "You know, the value of a treasure, well, mostly it can be only focused on how much it costs, how hard one needs to do to get it, how rare the treasure is, yes, but then..."
"Treasures are like a being's life, one can value it the same as one view a person's life, some will think of a person's life as merely stomping down on an ant, but the same person can view by others as very dear, someone that they will give everything to protect."
Shang Mingzi could only look at her sister in shock, her elder sister's matured personality had left her speechless, they are merely one year apart, yet, the other one is already matured to the extent that she had already viewed life in many mysterious ways.
Hearing her words, Ao Bai bowed respectfully, he stretched his hands out: "Then, please accept this payment of mine."
But as he did, something happened, the stone started to shine, together with the forge Shang Ting was teaching Mingzi with smithing with.
The stone started to break and a key that looks like a hammer appeared, shining bright golden light as it sucked in the forge immediately.
All three of them looked at each other speechlessly as the glow started to dissipate.
The only thing left is a mark plastered on his hand.
"What was that about?" Mingzi asked.
Shang Ting looked at the mark on Ao Bai's hand: "Must be some sort of treasure..."
She then looked at Ao Bai: "You mentioned that your family used to be smiths, right?"
Ao Bai nods his head: "Yes."
Shang Ting smiled: "It must've been a great family before, I've read records and images of treasures before, but I've never seen one such as yours."
"Do you have any idea about it?"
Ao Bai shook his head: "I don't have an idea, but I feel like... I wanted to make something, to smith something."
Shang Ting nods her head, she smiled at Mingzi and spoke: "Well, why not the two of you follow me first."
As she spoke, she started to walk down and called Zhuding, together, the three of them flew down towards where the Heaven Suprressing Clan is located.
They immediately ride within the smithing area, hundreds and thousands of Magic Lancers had already been produced.
Ao Bai looked at it, the processes of making one, it's quite hard, especially trimming the rainbow tree materials, but to Ao Bai, it felt like he could do it, his hands started to itch as it formed into a fist.
Shang Ting smiled at him and spoke: "Why not try creating one?"
Ao Bai nodded his head, picking up a single wood and started the process.
What happened next left everyone shocked.
Ao Bai used an ordinary carving knife and started to copy the process, still, what shocked them the most is the progress of his work, using an ordinary carving knife to actually carve the rainbow tree's wood? They needed many hours just for five smiths to finish one Magic Lance within four to five hours.
They could only look at Ao Bai speechlessly after his demonstration.
An hour had passed, Ao Bai finished a full Magic Lance in the flesh.
"Oh god, that was too fast!"
"It's even comparable to brother Pi and brother Feilong's speed!"
The smiths are talking quite lively, they couldn't believe what they had just seen.
Pi and Feilong are two of the greatest soul smiths within the sect, they are both grade 6 soul smiths that can create 4 to 5-star soul weapons completely.
Shang Ting smiled at him then at Mingzi: "Well, we finally know his talent."
Mingzi blushed, but happiness can be seen in her eyes as she looks at her fiancee.
With Ao Bai added to the smithy, the speed of making the Magical Lance increased by fifteen to seventeen a day, that's isn't even comparable to the one thousand a day they the whole smithy can make, but if it's in consideration of the manpower needed to do that, then, it's more than a hundred percent benefit!
Not only that, visible increase of progress for making Magical Lances had been seen for Ao Bai when he got used to his job.
One month quickly passed, there is a slight miscalculation on Shang Ting's side, as both Jiahao and Zhong came back in a very exhausted state.
Shang Ting looked at both Jiahao and Zhong and asked: "Where is Elder Zhong's Kunpeng?"
Elder Zhong has a demonic beast from the Kunpeng race, although its strength is mediocre, it still packs a punch in terms of speed.
Jiahao cupped his fist: "Matriarch, Elder Zhong sacrificed his demonic beasts so we could getaway."
Jiahao's demonic beast is a One Eyed Vulture, its body wrapped with injuries but still managed to bring the two back safely.
"What happened?" Shang Ting asked, her expression quite seriously as she looked worried too.
Zhong cupped his fist and reported: "Matriarch, the Zhi Hua Royal Kingdom had advanced halfway through the Lang Ya Great Kingdom, meanwhile, their forces are preparing for another war with the Zhong Zi Imperial State!"
His face distorted as he reported this piece of news, Jiahao also felt the same but he tried to remain calm.
Shang Ting frowns deeper: "What kind of conquest are they planning? Had you gotten any information?"
Jiahao was the first to speak: "Matriarch, they... they are doing a slaughter, their aim is clearly not just expanding their territory, but to erase traces of any kind of problem that could appear in the future."
"What do you mean by that?" She asked worriedly, this time, she felt something really bad.
Jiahao looked at the ground as he spoke: "Mat-Matriarch... They were only given two options in this war."
"Either they surrender and be a slave for the Zhi Hua Royal Kingdom or die a horrifying death."
His words caused rage within Shang Ting: "How evil!"
Then, Jiahao and Zhong looked at each other not knowing if they should tell it or not.
"What is it?" Shang Ting asked.
"Matriarch." Zhong cupped his hand: "There are remnants of the Shang Clan within the midst of the Zhi Hua Royal Kingdom's army, they are leading the front lines as cannon fodders."
"W-what?!" Shang Ting asked quite shocked.
Zhong then continued: "Matriarch, it isn't that they were forced, it's like they are enjoying the slaughter too.
Shang Ting felt speechless, weren't their clan in the Gangting City destroyed? How were there survivors? "Traitors?!"
She couldn't help but mutter through gritted teeth.
"Matriarch, there is one more thing we needed to report." Jiahao spoke, but he cupped his fist and continued: "But this is a report we need to say to the Patriarch first when he returns."
Shang Ting nods her head, she understood the elders quite well, if they didn't want to speak about it, then, it must've been something that shouldn't be mentioned, well, in her current state.
"Is there any more news?"
Jiahao nodded his head: "Matriarch, it's a piece of grave news."
"Go on." Shang Ting nods her head.
Jiahao reported: "The forces of the Zhi Hua Royal Kingdom, we know for certain that it isn't from their kingdom at all."
"What do you mean by that?"
Jiahao looked at Shang Ting in a serious manner and spoke: "There are many Immortal Foundation ranked experts within their army, although they are hidden quite well. When we arrived, we already sensed their presence."
"We watch one of the battles when that was happening, and they would only appear when there are troublesome events happening, like a strong expert blocking the army's path."
Shang Ting felt a headache coming in her way, then Jiahao added: "Not only that, the citizens of every kingdom, hearing this news started to evacuate towards the north, wanting to seek asylum under the Soaring Blaze Phoenix Empire."
Shang Ting remained silent as she looked at the southern part of the Fallen Leaf Continent, after a while, she spoke: "We... we will defend for now..."
She then looked at the two elders: "We need to increase our strength as much as we can, whatever happens, we will condemn such evil acts!"
"Yes!" The two elders replied.
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Zhong and Jiahao were sent away, they are the two elders with the fastest demonic beast mount within the Mo Family, estimatedly, they can go to Zhi Hua Royal Kingdom and back to the Mo Family within two months tops.
Meanwhile, Shang Ting mourned and prayed for all of those from the Gangting City's tragedy, still, she had steeled her resolved and tried to forget it immediately, after all, since the time that she had become Mo Xie's partner, she is now part of the Mo Family.
Every decision she makes is for the benefits of the Mo Family and the Mo Family alone.
She had then focused her attention on mass-producing the Magic Lances, after all, this is the last thing her husband has left her to do.
"Sister..." Sometime later, Mingzi arrived back, this time, Ao Bai and his twin sisters are together with her.
Shang Ting was focused on things she needed to do, the stress started to build up, but when she heard her sister, she smiled and looked back: "What is it?"
Mingzi is the only blood relation she has left, Shang Ting immediately started to think of the former as another one she needed to protect, hence, whenever the former approaches her, she's trying her best to differentiate her treatment between her sister and the family's interest.
Shang Mingzi hesitated before looking at Ao Bai, heaving a huge breath she spoke: "Sister, it's about my fiancee."
Shang Ting nods her head, she looked at Ao Bai kindly: "What about him? Do you not feel comfortable with your new home?"
Mingzi shook her head: "Sister, it isn't that... just that, my fiancee wishes to be of help... somehow..."
Ao Bai nods his head, still, he looked at the ground, after his boasting from when they are being brought to this place, he hasn't really done anything other than taking care of Mingzi and setting his Ao Faction within the Mo Family's outer part.
Shang Ting then looked at Ao Bai, he's not really strong to help with clearing the surrounding of the Mo Family's territory, then, does he have something he's good at? Like, alchemy, or gardening?
Without any way to confirm anything, she asked: "Well, what are you good at?"
Ao Bai blushed hearing this question, not knowing how to respond.
A person of his caliber... has not discovered what he is actually good at, not even what he can do.
Shang Ting sighed: "Don't be bothered too much of what you can do now, just think of what you can actually do in the future."
As she spoke, she smiled gently.
Ao Bai nodded then spoke: "Our family has a history of working with the forge, maybe I can help smith some of the weapons they are making."
Shang Ting nods her head: "Then you can go, but you will be treated the same as the blacksmiths, your salary will be based on your own work and effort."
Ao Bai nodded, a happy expression plastered on his face: "Yes, I will do my best."
Shang Ting nods with a smile as she shifts her gaze at Mingzi, there is still a hint of worry in the latter's face, Shang Ting smiled and continued talking to Ao Bai: "You can also bring your faction to work, the same condition applies."
Ao Bai bowed, he cupped his hand respectfully: "I thank the matriarch for her generosity."
Ao Bai was actually planning to shoulder the burden of fixing a meal on his faction's table alone, this caused Mingzi to be worried, Shang Ting isn't just her sister anymore, she's the Matriarch of a clan far bigger than theirs, even the Mourning Sun Sect.
She might have no idea of the Mo Family and the Heaven Suppressing Clan's full power, she knows that it definitely isn't falling short of any kingdom.
When Ao Bai was about to go and inform his subordinates, he remembered something: "Ah, matriarch."
But Shang Ting was already forging in front of Mingzi at this moment, trying to teach her some of the knowledge left by her husband. Ao Bai immediately regretted not looking before shouting.
Of course, with the keen hearing of the two, they looked back.
Ao Bai felt embarrassed, after all, he had ruined the two sisters' quality time for a little to of no important issue.
Still, after doing it, he could just continue rather than delay it further, he took something out of his pocket and stretched two of his hand and offered it to Shang Ting: "Matriarch, this was supposed to be the payment for my two little sisters life, but I know this is nothing worth of anything, but this is our Ao Family's heirloom and the only thing we have."
Shang Ting smiled, looking at Mingzi before returning to him and spoke: "You know, the value of a treasure, well, mostly it can be only focused on how much it costs, how hard one needs to do to get it, how rare the treasure is, yes, but then..."
"Treasures are like a being's life, one can value it the same as one view a person's life, some will think of a person's life as merely stomping down on an ant, but the same person can view by others as very dear, someone that they will give everything to protect."
Shang Mingzi could only look at her sister in shock, her elder sister's matured personality had left her speechless, they are merely one year apart, yet, the other one is already matured to the extent that she had already viewed life in many mysterious ways.
Hearing her words, Ao Bai bowed respectfully, he stretched his hands out: "Then, please accept this payment of mine."
But as he did, something happened, the stone started to shine, together with the forge Shang Ting was teaching Mingzi with smithing with.
The stone started to break and a key that looks like a hammer appeared, shining bright golden light as it sucked in the forge immediately.
All three of them looked at each other speechlessly as the glow started to dissipate.
The only thing left is a mark plastered on his hand.
"What was that about?" Mingzi asked.
Shang Ting looked at the mark on Ao Bai's hand: "Must be some sort of treasure..."
She then looked at Ao Bai: "You mentioned that your family used to be smiths, right?"
Ao Bai nods his head: "Yes."
Shang Ting smiled: "It must've been a great family before, I've read records and images of treasures before, but I've never seen one such as yours."
"Do you have any idea about it?"
Ao Bai shook his head: "I don't have an idea, but I feel like... I wanted to make something, to smith something."
Shang Ting nods her head, she smiled at Mingzi and spoke: "Well, why not the two of you follow me first."
As she spoke, she started to walk down and called Zhuding, together, the three of them flew down towards where the Heaven Suprressing Clan is located.
They immediately ride within the smithing area, hundreds and thousands of Magic Lancers had already been produced.
Ao Bai looked at it, the processes of making one, it's quite hard, especially trimming the rainbow tree materials, but to Ao Bai, it felt like he could do it, his hands started to itch as it formed into a fist.
Shang Ting smiled at him and spoke: "Why not try creating one?"
Ao Bai nodded his head, picking up a single wood and started the process.
What happened next left everyone shocked.
Ao Bai used an ordinary carving knife and started to copy the process, still, what shocked them the most is the progress of his work, using an ordinary carving knife to actually carve the rainbow tree's wood? They needed many hours just for five smiths to finish one Magic Lance within four to five hours.
They could only look at Ao Bai speechlessly after his demonstration.
An hour had passed, Ao Bai finished a full Magic Lance in the flesh.
"Oh god, that was too fast!"
"It's even comparable to brother Pi and brother Feilong's speed!"
The smiths are talking quite lively, they couldn't believe what they had just seen.
Pi and Feilong are two of the greatest soul smiths within the sect, they are both grade 6 soul smiths that can create 4 to 5-star soul weapons completely.
Shang Ting smiled at him then at Mingzi: "Well, we finally know his talent."
Mingzi blushed, but happiness can be seen in her eyes as she looks at her fiancee.
With Ao Bai added to the smithy, the speed of making the Magical Lance increased by fifteen to seventeen a day, that's isn't even comparable to the one thousand a day they the whole smithy can make, but if it's in consideration of the manpower needed to do that, then, it's more than a hundred percent benefit!
Not only that, visible increase of progress for making Magical Lances had been seen for Ao Bai when he got used to his job.
One month quickly passed, there is a slight miscalculation on Shang Ting's side, as both Jiahao and Zhong came back in a very exhausted state.
Shang Ting looked at both Jiahao and Zhong and asked: "Where is Elder Zhong's Kunpeng?"
Elder Zhong has a demonic beast from the Kunpeng race, although its strength is mediocre, it still packs a punch in terms of speed.
Jiahao cupped his fist: "Matriarch, Elder Zhong sacrificed his demonic beasts so we could getaway."
Jiahao's demonic beast is a One Eyed Vulture, its body wrapped with injuries but still managed to bring the two back safely.
"What happened?" Shang Ting asked, her expression quite seriously as she looked worried too.
Zhong cupped his fist and reported: "Matriarch, the Zhi Hua Royal Kingdom had advanced halfway through the Lang Ya Great Kingdom, meanwhile, their forces are preparing for another war with the Zhong Zi Imperial State!"
His face distorted as he reported this piece of news, Jiahao also felt the same but he tried to remain calm.
Shang Ting frowns deeper: "What kind of conquest are they planning? Had you gotten any information?"
Jiahao was the first to speak: "Matriarch, they... they are doing a slaughter, their aim is clearly not just expanding their territory, but to erase traces of any kind of problem that could appear in the future."
"What do you mean by that?" She asked worriedly, this time, she felt something really bad.
Jiahao looked at the ground as he spoke: "Mat-Matriarch... They were only given two options in this war."
"Either they surrender and be a slave for the Zhi Hua Royal Kingdom or die a horrifying death."
His words caused rage within Shang Ting: "How evil!"
Then, Jiahao and Zhong looked at each other not knowing if they should tell it or not.
"What is it?" Shang Ting asked.
"Matriarch." Zhong cupped his hand: "There are remnants of the Shang Clan within the midst of the Zhi Hua Royal Kingdom's army, they are leading the front lines as cannon fodders."
"W-what?!" Shang Ting asked quite shocked.
Zhong then continued: "Matriarch, it isn't that they were forced, it's like they are enjoying the slaughter too.
Shang Ting felt speechless, weren't their clan in the Gangting City destroyed? How were there survivors? "Traitors?!"
She couldn't help but mutter through gritted teeth.
"Matriarch, there is one more thing we needed to report." Jiahao spoke, but he cupped his fist and continued: "But this is a report we need to say to the Patriarch first when he returns."
Shang Ting nods her head, she understood the elders quite well, if they didn't want to speak about it, then, it must've been something that shouldn't be mentioned, well, in her current state.
"Is there any more news?"
Jiahao nodded his head: "Matriarch, it's a piece of grave news."
"Go on." Shang Ting nods her head.
Jiahao reported: "The forces of the Zhi Hua Royal Kingdom, we know for certain that it isn't from their kingdom at all."
"What do you mean by that?"
Jiahao looked at Shang Ting in a serious manner and spoke: "There are many Immortal Foundation ranked experts within their army, although they are hidden quite well. When we arrived, we already sensed their presence."
"We watch one of the battles when that was happening, and they would only appear when there are troublesome events happening, like a strong expert blocking the army's path."
Shang Ting felt a headache coming in her way, then Jiahao added: "Not only that, the citizens of every kingdom, hearing this news started to evacuate towards the north, wanting to seek asylum under the Soaring Blaze Phoenix Empire."
Shang Ting remained silent as she looked at the southern part of the Fallen Leaf Continent, after a while, she spoke: "We... we will defend for now..."
She then looked at the two elders: "We need to increase our strength as much as we can, whatever happens, we will condemn such evil acts!"
"Yes!" The two elders replied.
Zhong and Jiahao were sent away, they are the two elders with the fastest demonic beast mount within the Mo Family, estimatedly, they can go to Zhi Hua Royal Kingdom and back to the Mo Family within two months tops. Meanwhile, Shang Ting mourned and prayed for all of those from the Gangting City's tragedy, still, she had steeled her resolved and tried to forget it immediately, after all, since the time that she had become Mo Xie's partner, she is now part of the Mo Family. Every decision she makes is for the benefits of the Mo Family and the Mo Family alone. She had then focused her attention on mass-producing the Magic Lances, after all, this is the last thing her husband has left her to do. "Sister..." Sometime later, Mingzi arrived back, this time, Ao Bai and his twin sisters are together with her. Shang Ting was focused on things she needed to do, the stress started to build up, but when she heard her sister, she smiled and looked back: "What is it?" Mingzi is the only blood relation she has left, Shang Ting immediately started to think of the former as another one she needed to protect, hence, whenever the former approaches her, she's trying her best to differentiate her treatment between her sister and the family's interest. Shang Mingzi hesitated before looking at Ao Bai, heaving a huge breath she spoke: "Sister, it's about my fiancee." Shang Ting nods her head, she looked at Ao Bai kindly: "What about him? Do you not feel comfortable with your new home?" Mingzi shook her head: "Sister, it isn't that... just that, my fiancee wishes to be of help... somehow..." Ao Bai nods his head, still, he looked at the ground, after his boasting from when they are being brought to this place, he hasn't really done anything other than taking care of Mingzi and setting his Ao Faction within the Mo Family's outer part. Shang Ting then looked at Ao Bai, he's not really strong to help with clearing the surrounding of the Mo Family's territory, then, does he have something he's good at? Like, alchemy, or gardening? Without any way to confirm anything, she asked: "Well, what are you good at?" Ao Bai blushed hearing this question, not knowing how to respond. A person of his caliber... has not discovered what he is actually good at, not even what he can do. Shang Ting sighed: "Don't be bothered too much of what you can do now, just think of what you can actually do in the future." As she spoke, she smiled gently. Ao Bai nodded then spoke: "Our family has a history of working with the forge, maybe I can help smith some of the weapons they are making." Shang Ting nods her head: "Then you can go, but you will be treated the same as the blacksmiths, your salary will be based on your own work and effort." Ao Bai nodded, a happy expression plastered on his face: "Yes, I will do my best." Shang Ting nods with a smile as she shifts her gaze at Mingzi, there is still a hint of worry in the latter's face, Shang Ting smiled and continued talking to Ao Bai: "You can also bring your faction to work, the same condition applies." Ao Bai bowed, he cupped his hand respectfully: "I thank the matriarch for her generosity." Ao Bai was actually planning to shoulder the burden of fixing a meal on his faction's table alone, this caused Mingzi to be worried, Shang Ting isn't just her sister anymore, she's the Matriarch of a clan far bigger than theirs, even the Mourning Sun Sect. She might have no idea of the Mo Family and the Heaven Suppressing Clan's full power, she knows that it definitely isn't falling short of any kingdom. When Ao Bai was about to go and inform his subordinates, he remembered something: "Ah, matriarch." But Shang Ting was already forging in front of Mingzi at this moment, trying to teach her some of the knowledge left by her husband. Ao Bai immediately regretted not looking before shouting. Of course, with the keen hearing of the two, they looked back. Ao Bai felt embarrassed, after all, he had ruined the two sisters' quality time for a little to of no important issue. Still, after doing it, he could just continue rather than delay it further, he took something out of his pocket and stretched two of his hand and offered it to Shang Ting: "Matriarch, this was supposed to be the payment for my two little sisters life, but I know this is nothing worth of anything, but this is our Ao Family's heirloom and the only thing we have." Shang Ting smiled, looking at Mingzi before returning to him and spoke: "You know, the value of a treasure, well, mostly it can be only focused on how much it costs, how hard one needs to do to get it, how rare the treasure is, yes, but then..." "Treasures are like a being's life, one can value it the same as one view a person's life, some will think of a person's life as merely stomping down on an ant, but the same person can view by others as very dear, someone that they will give everything to protect." Shang Mingzi could only look at her sister in shock, her elder sister's matured personality had left her speechless, they are merely one year apart, yet, the other one is already matured to the extent that she had already viewed life in many mysterious ways. Hearing her words, Ao Bai bowed respectfully, he stretched his hands out: "Then, please accept this payment of mine." But as he did, something happened, the stone started to shine, together with the forge Shang Ting was teaching Mingzi with smithing with. The stone started to break and a key that looks like a hammer appeared, shining bright golden light as it sucked in the forge immediately. All three of them looked at each other speechlessly as the glow started to dissipate. The only thing left is a mark plastered on his hand. "What was that about?" Mingzi asked. Shang Ting looked at the mark on Ao Bai's hand: "Must be some sort of treasure..." She then looked at Ao Bai: "You mentioned that your family used to be smiths, right?" Ao Bai nods his head: "Yes." Shang Ting smiled: "It must've been a great family before, I've read records and images of treasures before, but I've never seen one such as yours." "Do you have any idea about it?" Ao Bai shook his head: "I don't have an idea, but I feel like... I wanted to make something, to smith something." Shang Ting nods her head, she smiled at Mingzi and spoke: "Well, why not the two of you follow me first." As she spoke, she started to walk down and called Zhuding, together, the three of them flew down towards where the Heaven Suprressing Clan is located. They immediately ride within the smithing area, hundreds and thousands of Magic Lancers had already been produced. Ao Bai looked at it, the processes of making one, it's quite hard, especially trimming the rainbow tree materials, but to Ao Bai, it felt like he could do it, his hands started to itch as it formed into a fist. Shang Ting smiled at him and spoke: "Why not try creating one?" Ao Bai nodded his head, picking up a single wood and started the process. What happened next left everyone shocked. Ao Bai used an ordinary carving knife and started to copy the process, still, what shocked them the most is the progress of his work, using an ordinary carving knife to actually carve the rainbow tree's wood? They needed many hours just for five smiths to finish one Magic Lance within four to five hours. They could only look at Ao Bai speechlessly after his demonstration. An hour had passed, Ao Bai finished a full Magic Lance in the flesh. "Oh god, that was too fast!" "It's even comparable to brother Pi and brother Feilong's speed!" The smiths are talking quite lively, they couldn't believe what they had just seen. Pi and Feilong are two of the greatest soul smiths within the sect, they are both grade 6 soul smiths that can create 4 to 5-star soul weapons completely. Shang Ting smiled at him then at Mingzi: "Well, we finally know his talent." Mingzi blushed, but happiness can be seen in her eyes as she looks at her fiancee. With Ao Bai added to the smithy, the speed of making the Magical Lance increased by fifteen to seventeen a day, that's isn't even comparable to the one thousand a day they the whole smithy can make, but if it's in consideration of the manpower needed to do that, then, it's more than a hundred percent benefit! Not only that, visible increase of progress for making Magical Lances had been seen for Ao Bai when he got used to his job. One month quickly passed, there is a slight miscalculation on Shang Ting's side, as both Jiahao and Zhong came back in a very exhausted state. Shang Ting looked at both Jiahao and Zhong and asked: "Where is Elder Zhong's Kunpeng?" Elder Zhong has a demonic beast from the Kunpeng race, although its strength is mediocre, it still packs a punch in terms of speed. Jiahao cupped his fist: "Matriarch, Elder Zhong sacrificed his demonic beasts so we could getaway." Jiahao's demonic beast is a One Eyed Vulture, its body wrapped with injuries but still managed to bring the two back safely. "What happened?" Shang Ting asked, her expression quite seriously as she looked worried too. Zhong cupped his fist and reported: "Matriarch, the Zhi Hua Royal Kingdom had advanced halfway through the Lang Ya Great Kingdom, meanwhile, their forces are preparing for another war with the Zhong Zi Imperial State!" His face distorted as he reported this piece of news, Jiahao also felt the same but he tried to remain calm. Shang Ting frowns deeper: "What kind of conquest are they planning? Had you gotten any information?" Jiahao was the first to speak: "Matriarch, they... they are doing a slaughter, their aim is clearly not just expanding their territory, but to erase traces of any kind of problem that could appear in the future." "What do you mean by that?" She asked worriedly, this time, she felt something really bad. Jiahao looked at the ground as he spoke: "Mat-Matriarch... They were only given two options in this war." "Either they surrender and be a slave for the Zhi Hua Royal Kingdom or die a horrifying death." His words caused rage within Shang Ting: "How evil!" Then, Jiahao and Zhong looked at each other not knowing if they should tell it or not. "What is it?" Shang Ting asked. "Matriarch." Zhong cupped his hand: "There are remnants of the Shang Clan within the midst of the Zhi Hua Royal Kingdom's army, they are leading the front lines as cannon fodders." "W-what?!" Shang Ting asked quite shocked. Zhong then continued: "Matriarch, it isn't that they were forced, it's like they are enjoying the slaughter too. Shang Ting felt speechless, weren't their clan in the Gangting City destroyed? How were there survivors? "Traitors?!" She couldn't help but mutter through gritted teeth. "Matriarch, there is one more thing we needed to report." Jiahao spoke, but he cupped his fist and continued: "But this is a report we need to say to the Patriarch first when he returns." Shang Ting nods her head, she understood the elders quite well, if they didn't want to speak about it, then, it must've been something that shouldn't be mentioned, well, in her current state. "Is there any more news?" Jiahao nodded his head: "Matriarch, it's a piece of grave news." "Go on." Shang Ting nods her head. Jiahao reported: "The forces of the Zhi Hua Royal Kingdom, we know for certain that it isn't from their kingdom at all." "What do you mean by that?" Jiahao looked at Shang Ting in a serious manner and spoke: "There are many Immortal Foundation ranked experts within their army, although they are hidden quite well. When we arrived, we already sensed their presence." "We watch one of the battles when that was happening, and they would only appear when there are troublesome events happening, like a strong expert blocking the army's path." Shang Ting felt a headache coming in her way, then Jiahao added: "Not only that, the citizens of every kingdom, hearing this news started to evacuate towards the north, wanting to seek asylum under the Soaring Blaze Phoenix Empire." Shang Ting remained silent as she looked at the southern part of the Fallen Leaf Continent, after a while, she spoke: "We... we will defend for now..." She then looked at the two elders: "We need to increase our strength as much as we can, whatever happens, we will condemn such evil acts!" "Yes!" The two elders replied.
