Chapter 100: Ember Armor

Jiang Feng knew he couldn't go all out with his strength—one misstep and he might seriously injure Ji Moran. However, that didn't mean he would hold back entirely. His experience fighting in the Titan Race dreamscape had taught him that leniency in combat bred weakness, and weakness inevitably led to death.

"This sword art of mine is called Rippling Waves Sword Art," Ji Moran declared as she stepped forward. Her spiritual energy burst forth in a dazzling wave, flowing like a stream breaking free from a dam. "It was discovered by my ancestors, but I am the first in our clan to truly practice it."

Her blade hummed as she sent a slicing motion forward. The air rippled audibly with the force of her strike, and a frosty current of ice burst from her blade. The cold was palpable, seeping into the air and spreading like an encroaching winter. Thin layers of frost began to form on the nearby rocks and grass down below, the world around them quickly transforming into a frozen tableau.

"Wait, she's an ice user? I couldn't tell until she activated her spiritual essence," Jiang Feng thought, his eyes narrowing. Her control is exceptional.

Normally, Jiang Feng's fire-based constitution would radiate heat uncontrollably in the presence of another's spiritual energy. Even a surge of anger on his part could cause the temperature to rise dramatically. Yet, Ji Moran's icy aura suppressed his natural heat before it could manifest fully, solidifying the air around him and slowing the circulation of his spiritual essence.

'She's not weak!' Jiang Feng thought.

The chill bit into his skin as her sword swept closer. With a controlled breath, Jiang Feng activated Infernal Breathing, channeling heat into his limbs and reigniting his spiritual flow. The cold air around him quickly began to dissipate as his infernal energy pushed outward, heating the atmosphere and dominating the cold air. He stepped back, stabilizing his stance, before launching forward with a swift punch.

The Dawn Breaker Strike, still in its infancy, flared to life in his fist. A radiant burst of heat accompanied the motion, streaking through the air like the sun's first rays breaking the horizon. Ji Moran barely managed to retreat in time, her frosty aura condensing into a shield to deflect the strike using her sword as the foundation. The impact sent her sliding backward, yet her expression was unshaken.

She retaliated immediately, her blade sweeping upward as icy waves spiraled forward. Jiang Feng countered with a rising strike, his fist colliding with the frosty wave. Fire and ice clashed violently, sending steam spiraling into the air around them.

For hours, the two sparred, each pushing the other to new heights. Jiang Feng's strikes grew sharper and more controlled, the power of his Three Sun Fists—particularly the Dawn Breaker Strike—becoming more refined. Ji Moran, in turn, found that her Rippling Waves Sword Art advanced as she focused on perfecting the technique's Ice Press, a move that amplified the weight of her strikes with layers of condensed frost energy.

By the end of the week, both had gained significant ground. Jiang Feng's once-untamed spiritual energy began flowing with calculated intensity and output, while Ji Moran's strikes became smoother and carried a more devastating force.

-

The Forge

Half a month had passed since they began training together. Jiang Feng had settled into a routine: silent meditation and reaper techniques with the concept of darkness at night, practicing the Three Sun Fists in the mornings, and forging in the afternoons. By now, his secrets had become a regular sight for Ji Moran, who watched with fascination as he worked tirelessly at the forge.

Today, Jiang Feng stood before his father's forge, preparing to create a pair of Mundane Tier armors for himself and Ji Moran. The Abyssal Imperion Crucible sat before him, in what seems to be an illusionary book of gold pages, its surface glowing faintly as it resonated with his intent.

Behind him was the Skyforge Flame, around it was the Skyforge Furnace with runic lines in the hundreds. He began by feeding chunks of Infernal Ironwood Bark into the furnace, the flames within roaring to life as they consumed the material. The tree's renowned fire-resistant properties would provide the armor with unparalleled durability against flame-based attacks. As the bark melted, Jiang Feng's Eternal Bloodline for Forging stirred to life.

His bloodline was a gift of legend, passed down from a lineage of warrior blacksmiths. The moment he grasped the crucible's tongs, his spiritual essence synchronized with the flames, allowing him to forge with an almost supernatural precision. Sparks danced in the air as he worked, each hammer strike resonating with an ancient power that seemed to echo beyond the forge itself.

His father's forging table was undoubtedly an amazing treasure which he knew not the grade of. Under the teachings of the Abyssal Imperion Crucible, Jiang Feng's forging technique elevated to a realm beyond ordinary blacksmiths. The crucible's runes glowed faintly, guiding Jiang Feng as the molten material took shapes that transcended common sense.

As he shaped the armor, sweat dripped down his face, his hair messy and gave off a wild temperament, his essence lake began to rumble, the energy within stirring with every hammer strike that landed on the molten metal.

He paused for a moment, sensing the change within his body. The act of forging itself was cultivating him. Each strike, each flow of essence, caused his essence lake to expand ever so slightly, strengthening his foundation. It was the miraculous nature of the Eternal Bloodline of the Warrior Blacksmith—to temper not only the weapon but the soul as well.

Hours passed as Jiang Feng poured his energy into the craft, he continued to take some rare materials then used the Skyforge Furnace to melt them down before adding to his work. The armor took shape, its design sleek and imposing. Jagged lines of crimson ironwood layered over tempered black steel, forming interlocking plates that radiated both strength and elegance. It took him days at a time to make several pieces at a time.

Runic patterns, naturally formed by the merging of spiritual energy and rare materials, adorned the surface, enhancing the armor's defensive capabilities. Usually one would need to inscribe formations on armors like these but due to how rare the materials used were, they naturally came with their own naturally formed formation lines of heaven and earth.

By the time the first armor was complete, Jiang Feng was drenched in sweat, but his eyes burned with satisfaction. He glanced at Ji Moran, who watched in awe from the side. "One down," he said, his voice steady despite the exertion. "Yours is next."

Ji Moran smiled faintly, her admiration clear. "It's incredible," she murmured. "Not just the armor—but how you forge it. It's like... the flames obey you."

Jiang Feng chuckled, turning back to the crucible. The flames didn't just obey him—they were an extension of him.

It had been nearly a month since Jiang Feng and Ji Moran began their rigorous training regimen. Day after day, they sparred with unrelenting intensity, Jiang Feng gradually increasing the pressure on her. One afternoon, the sound of Dawn Breaker's impact against Ji Moran's Ice Press echoed across the clearing. Her defense shattered under the relentless force, and she was sent hurtling backward. Before she hit the ground, Jiang Feng was at her side, catching her swiftly, flames burning beneath his feet.

Ji Moran, however, refused to show weakness. She wiped the blood from her mouth with the back of her hand and met his concerned gaze with defiance. "Let's continue," she said firmly. Despite her injuries, her determination burned brighter than ever.

At the same time, Jiang Feng had completed crafting her armor. The process had caused his Essence Lake to swell to an impressive 9,600 meters, a feat that left him astounded. The progress from forging alone was staggering. As he inspected his work, he marveled, "No wonder my ancestors could dominate the stars. Just by forging and cultivating, their power soared. If it weren't for reverse cultivation requiring 3,000 meters of expansion for each breakthrough, my growth would be unimaginable."

They took two days to rest after finishing their training, marking a full month of grueling effort. During this time, they hunted and consumed spiritual beasts teeming with energy, enjoying hearty meals that revitalized their bodies. For Ji Moran, it was an entirely new experience. The rugged wilderness, the thrill of the hunt, and the camaraderie with Jiang Feng were exhilarating. "I've never lived like this," she admitted one night, a rare smile gracing her face. "It's... exciting."

Finally, Jiang Feng presented her with the armor. "Here, this is yours," he said, holding up the Ember Armor with a small smile of his own. Its deep crimson hue shimmered faintly under the sunlight, like smoldering embers. The breastplate was intricately forged, with overlapping scales that gleamed like molten steel, each etched with delicate runic patterns. The centerpiece of the armor was a circular fusion diagram engraved onto the chest—a pulsating design that seemed almost alive. "Drip ten drops of your Essence Blood onto this fusion diagram," Jiang Feng instructed. "The armor will adapt to your body and can be stored in your spatial ring if you have one. Once summoned, it will automatically fit perfectly to your frame. Its fire-resistant properties are exceptional, and it provides excellent defense while maintaining flexibility for combat."

Ji Moran did as instructed, drawing out her Essence Blood and letting ten scarlet drops fall onto the fusion diagram. The runes on the armor lit up in response, glowing with fiery intensity before dimming into a soft, steady radiance. The armor shifted and reshaped itself, as though it were alive, and then wrapped snugly around her body.

The Ember Armor transformed Ji Moran's appearance into something almost ethereal. The fitted breastplate accentuated her lithe build, while the flexible joint guards allowed her to move freely without compromising protection. The deep red of the armor contrasted strikingly with her pale skin and icy-blue eyes, giving her a commanding yet graceful presence. Thin veins of glowing orange energy ran along the edges of the plates, pulsating faintly as if echoing her heartbeat.

Jiang Feng then turned his attention to his own armor. Repeating the process, he dripped his Essence Blood onto the fusion diagram. The armor responded just as it had for Ji Moran, reshaping itself to fit his broader and more muscular frame. When it settled, Jiang Feng appeared imposing and regal, his presence amplified by the armor's fiery aura. The pauldrons curved upward slightly, resembling the wings of a phoenix, and the runic lines across his chest glowed with a subdued but fiery brilliance. His dark hair and sharp eyes complemented the blazing crimson tones, making him look every bit the warrior blacksmith destined to dominate the stars.

Ji Moran couldn't help but glance at him for a moment longer than necessary. "It suits you," she said softly, her usual stoicism faltering slightly.

Jiang Feng smirked. "The same could be said about you." He took a step back, his voice shifting to a more serious tone. "Now that we're equipped, it's time to put these to the test."