Master the Abyss, starting from an apprentice priest.

Chapter 540 Ancient Dragon Magic Forger (6k3)

——Mir has arrived at the Laval Fortress!

All church affairs were mainly handed over to Dawild, and the "Archbishop" Rossouw, who was still enjoying a rare vacation at Rochester Manor, had received such news from his "guiding pastor" Colen.

At that time, he had just freed the "Ancient Dragon" from its shackles and restored his sanity, and soon afterwards he handed Mir an invitation letter.

The expeditionary force was indeed lacking in trustworthy dwarf craftsmen like Mir. Most of the repair and forging commissions were actually entrusted to the "Secret Sage" Dukeler of the "Tower of Sages" and his alchemist and rune sorcerer scholars.

But to be honest, in Luo Xiu's experience, the quality of weapons and equipment forged by those warlocks and scholars who were not proficient in the actual skills of forging and were only proficient in the alchemy and rune theory of [intellect] was indeed not high.

For example, Mil's fourth-level destiny can successfully forge "legendary" quality equipment, while scholars usually need to reach at least the fifth or even sixth level of destiny, and need the assistance of alchemical puppets of the "Madness" or even "Natural Disaster" level or above that are specialized in forging.

This is actually also influenced by the innate forging talent of the "Gravel" dwarves, as well as the "Secret Sage" Dukeler, who is not good at forging but alchemy.

Usually, the repair and enhancement of the "legendary" quality weapons and equipment exclusive to other saints are mostly handed over to the alchemical puppets specialized in casting, or to the "Sage Attendant".

In fact, among all the Intellectual Extraordinaries and Saints currently serving in the entire expeditionary force, only the "Secret Sage" Dukeler and his "Sage Attendant" have successfully forged weapons and equipment of "legendary" quality.

But despite this, Luo Xiu himself rarely entrusts the repair and enhancement of weapons and equipment to the sage Dukeler of [Wisdom] and his sorcerers and scholars.

The main reason is that most of his weapons and equipment are special... such as the two ancient dragon weapons [Dragon Flame Demon Sword] and [Dragon Breath Scepter], and the armor [Hogsmos Reverse Scale Armor], which are not things that can be safely handed over to the "Tower of Sages".

I can do minor repairs myself. If that doesn't work, I will go back to the "Holy Abyss" and let the "ghost craftsman" Balin do the repair work.

These were what Luo Xiu was thinking about in his heart.

And he invited Mir here for another reason——

It is that Quesanx may be able to allow Mil to see the "Obsidian Gate", truly advance to the "Fifth Level Destiny", and reach the level of sainthood.

——Let Mir, who is now a fourth-level "Rune Magic Blacksmith", find an opportunity for a breakthrough through Quesanx and successfully be promoted to "Ancient Dragon Magic Blacksmith"!
This is Luo Xiu's goal, and if he can really make Mil advance to this hidden forging profession in his previous life, it would be equivalent to possessing a master forger who is no less than the conventional profession of "Sixth Destiny"!

By then, as long as there are enough materials and a sufficient budget, the weapons and equipment forged by Mir can basically be stably forged into "legendary" quality weapons and equipment. In addition, the "Ancient Dragon Magic Forger" has a special bonus when forging ancient dragon weapons and equipment, so the finished products forged by Mir will be more powerful than ordinary "legendary" ones.

And if Mil can really become an "Ancient Dragon Magic Blacksmith", there is actually a hidden benefit - that is, if Luo Xiu himself can successfully advance to the seventh level of destiny in the near future, perhaps Mil can borrow his spirituality and inscriptions to forge weapons or equipment of "God-cast" quality!
Although weapons or equipment of "God-forged" quality can usually only be forged by a Seventh Fate Master Craftsman, if there is a True Seventh Fate like Luo Xiu who has a "slightly familiar" forging memory, and the "Dragon of Justice" Quesanx who is also proficient in the ancient dragon forging skills,
By forging together with Mir, who has become the "Ancient Dragon Magic Blacksmith", it is indeed possible to forge something of "God-forged" quality.

This is what Luo Xiu expected.

As he thought this, he immediately stood up from the bed, took the holy robe from the clothes support and put it on, tidied his clothes and appearance, opened the door of the room, walked to the corridor of his residence, and walked out of Rochester Manor.

……

Outside the Val Fortress, above the river valley.

The thirteen carriages hired in the name of a caravan were parked in a winding manner at the edge of the valley.

With the special escort of the clergy of the Red Maple City Church, Mir and his party did not encounter any obstacles or troubles when they entered the Dark Territory and passed through the imperial occupied area.

The clergy of the church who escorted Mir to the Val Fortress were a group of Holy Inquisitors who had stayed in the Red Maple City Church. They were led by the "Great Knight of Judgment" Pamier Scardia, a total of twelve Holy Inquisitors and thirty "Saint Guardians" who had recently passed the assessment.

When the original "bishop" of the Red Maple City Church, Rosso Carlos, led half of the church's clergy on the journey of the Holy Expedition, Pamier was arranged to stay in the Red Maple City Church.

She assisted the "High Priest" Anthony in managing church affairs, and after receiving the handwritten note from Ross, who was the "Archbishop" at the end of the expedition, she escorted Mir to the Val Fortress.

……

Pamiers had long hoped to join the holy crusade.

In fact, she had vaguely felt that in the past few days, the bottleneck on the "triple destiny" seemed to have loosened a little, and she could gradually glimpse and touch the "golden door" that belonged to her.

Therefore, she took the initiative to accept the escort mission from Anthony, hoping to find an opportunity for breakthrough and promotion. She also felt some kind of guidance, as if she would get an extremely precious opportunity in the group of Val Fortress and by the side of "Archbishop" Ross Carlos.

She still didn't know what the opportunity in the mysterious "guidance" was.

But one thing Pamier could confirm was that she should change her environment. The current environment in Red Maple City was relatively safe. As the new Chief Holy Judge, it was difficult to find an opportunity for a breakthrough in a comfortable environment.

With this in mind, Pamier escorted Mir to the Val Fortress.

"Master Mir, what is in front of us must be the Val Fortress."

Pamier, who was standing and looking out over the river valley, spoke to Mir, who was standing on tiptoe and looking out beside him.

The fine gray hair floated gently along her cheeks in the wind. Her eyes narrowed slightly, and her golden-green pupils stared in front of her for a long time, staring in the direction of the Val Fortress.

Although she was a "Paladin", Pamier did not wear her Paladin heavy armor for the sake of keeping a low profile.

She was only wearing a long black windbreaker, which was her casual attire for daily outings. She let the hem of her windbreaker flutter in the wind, and her hands in black gloves were placed in the pockets of her windbreaker.

If she didn't wear the sun emblem of the "Paladin" on her chest, and the sword-patterned pendant of the "Holy Judge" on her slender, snow-white neck, it would be hard to imagine that she was a "Paladin" - instead, she was more like an assassin of [Ku Tu], a night walker who only appeared in the shadows.

"…What about the fortress walls?"

Beside Pamier, Mir responded in a muffled voice.

He touched his chin with his big, sturdy hand, a confused expression on his face.

From Mir's perspective, he could see the entirety of the Val Fortress, but the only thing he couldn't see was the walls of the Val Fortress!

He had never seen a fortress without walls!
And at the location where the "city wall" should have been, hundreds of engineering puppets were operating at full power.

The alchemists who controlled them were gathered on a temporary tower inside, busy dismantling the damaged foundations and buildings of the Val Fortress.

In the view, what Mir could see most clearly was the huge and deep pit in front of the Val Fortress.

It was like the scene of a meteorite falling from outer space. The most eye-catching huge pit at the bottom supported rows of bridge frames, on which float bridges were supported. This was the only way in and out of the Val Fortress.

While standing and looking.

Inside the fortress of Val, a team of clergy quickly crossed the pontoon bridge and headed towards the location of Pamiers and Mir.

The Inquisitor under Pamier had entered the fortress before them, contacted the "priests" Howard and Gracia stationed in the fortress, and then reported to the "Archbishop" Ross Carlos, informing him of the arrival of Mil and the escorting Pamier, the Inquisitor, and the Guardian of the Saints.

The people who appeared in the sight of Pamier and Mir were the clergy sent by the Archbishop to pick them up. After a short wait, the clergy had arrived in front of Mir and Pamier.

That was also an acquaintance of Pamier.

And it was an old acquaintance - Connor, who was also the "Grand Judge" and "Chief Protector of the Saints", leading two "triple destinies" and twelve "double destinies" clergymen to greet him.

Pamier hadn't seen Connor for a long time.

Connor has been following the "Bishop" Ross Carlos since he embarked on the Holy Crusade.

From the earliest Cavernier Fortress, to the disaster-ravaged Ratama City, to Fafnir City, the lair of the Black Army's "Chief Executioner" Fafnir, to the Val Fortress at the end of the Fafnir Territory Campaign, Connor participated in almost the entire expedition.

Connor had not missed any of the extremely dangerous battles, big or small. He had made great progress in those countless life-and-death trials, and his strength had increased rapidly, which was visible to the naked eye.

And when Connor stood in front of Pamier again, Pamier could clearly feel that Connor's aura had changed from the inside out and was completely different from before.

Pamier still remembered that at least when Connor left Red Maple City and embarked on the Holy Expedition, the spiritual aura of "Glory" emanating from him had not yet surged so fiercely and richly.

Obviously, Connor has now reached the apex of his triple destiny, has reached his bottleneck, and should be able to see, touch and open his "Golden Gate" soon.

...This always gave Pamier a very complicated feeling.

Connor Rune, who was weaker than her before, might not be her opponent now. This was a blow to Pamier - especially because she knew that her previous strength was largely due to the Scardia family behind her, but Connor had nothing behind him.

"It's been a long time, Pamier."

In front of Pamier, Connor nodded lightly and greeted Pamier.

His voice sounded steady, and his eyes were firm and clear, without any impurities, as if he had no worldly desires.

This made Pamier feel that... the temperament of Connor in front of him seemed to have changed from the inside out.

"Well, long time no see." Pamier nodded in response.

"I'll take you into the city," Connor said. He then looked at Mir, but did not greet him. He just glanced at him and nodded slightly, which counted as a greeting.

He didn't even ask himself... How is the current situation of Priest Leonard's daughter, the lovely little sparrow "Little Marilyn"? Pamier was a little surprised. She confirmed again that Connor really didn't have that worldly desire!
And Mir nodded in response. He was obviously not the kind of person who liked to talk too much.

The group then headed towards the Val Fortress.

……

Val Fortress, Rochester Manor.

Pamier, Connor and Mir, along with a group of dwarf craftsmen, inquisitors and protectors of the "Gravel" tribe, were led to the largest manor in the Val Fortress to meet the archbishop.

"Archbishop" Ross Carlos, dressed in a pure white robe with gold patterns, and wearing the sacred crown that symbolizes his sainthood, holding the scepter [Holy Grip] in his hand, received his fellow [Glorious] comrades and guests who came from afar in the courtyard of the manor.

"I welcome you, my fellow soldiers and friends who have come here from afar."

Luo Xiu smiled and nodded.

"Guiding Pastor" Colen, what he said to himself before was right... Mil could indeed be said to have come here with his family.

Almost all the dwarves of the "Gravel" clan who finally stayed in the [Authentic Dwarf Blacksmith Shop] - a total of twenty-one dwarf craftsmen, followed Mir to the Val Fortress.

They also brought along almost a complete set of casting tools and even a casting furnace - it's no exaggeration to say that Mil brought all the old stuff from the [Authentic Dwarf Blacksmith Shop] here!
In fact, Luo Xiu didn't expect that Mil would bring so many people.

He then asked the "priest" of the missionary, Glaesa, who was waiting in the courtyard of the manor, to arrange temporary accommodation for the dwarves, holy judges and saints of the "gravel" clan. After receiving the instructions, Glaesa took the dwarves of the "gravel" clan, the holy judges and saints away, leaving only Pamier, Connor and Mir in Rochester Manor.

……

Mir looked at Luo Xiu - Luo Xiu Carlos, who had become the Archbishop of the "Sixth Fate". Compared with when he returned to Red Maple City, he had obviously become stronger.

Even though Luo Xiu had tried his best to restrain the surge of his spiritual power, Mir still felt some kind of invisible pressure.

At the extraordinary level, he could no longer see Luo Xiu’s back from afar.

This made Mir a little dazed, and his sight towards Luo Xiu also became a little blurry, until he heard Luo Xiu's kind and familiar voice:
"Long time no see, Master Mir, my friend."

After Grasha led the other "Sand" dwarves to the arranged residence, Archbishop Luo Xiu seemed to let go of his solemnity in Mil's eyes and greeted him in a relaxed and friendly tone.

"Well...Long time no see."

Mir responded to the greeting in a muffled voice and raised his head to look into Luo Xiu's eyes.

The reason why he accepted the invitation so solemnly this time was because Luo Xiu mentioned something in the invitation that he could not refuse.

——About how Luo Xiu successfully used the [Dragon Flame Demon Sword] and [Dragon Breath Scepter] to regain the sanity of a great ancient dragon, the "Dragon of Justice" Quesanx, and Luo Xiu seemed to have discovered that perhaps Quesanx could help him advance to the fifth level of destiny and become an "Ancient Dragon Demon Blacksmith"!
In the inheritance that Mir knew, the "Ancient Dragon Magic Blacksmith" was a profession that only existed in the "Age of Gods" period and had a very mythical color.

According to the records passed down, in the Age of Gods at that time, the distinction between destinies was not as clear as it is today.
Dwarves with the destiny of [Ku Tu] and [Wisdom] can become "Ancient Dragon Magic Blacksmiths" as long as they meet the requirements and have indeed seen the "Obsidian Gate", are taught the skills of ancient dragon forging by the enshrined great ancient dragon, and successfully forge the "Ancient Dragon Sacred Weapon".

It’s just that the ancient dragon magic blacksmiths of [Ku Tu] are more inclined to the forging skill itself, while [Wisdom] is inclined to engrave ancient dragon inscriptions - which is also an ancient dragon variant of "Rune Skill".

However, no matter which fate the "Ancient Dragon Magic Blacksmith" belongs to, there is no doubt that - taking it as the first step to becoming a saint, it is much more powerful than an ordinary great magic blacksmith!

Mir felt excited and expectant about this.

He looked at Luo Xiu's smiling eyes and asked him directly:

"Luo Xiu."

"About what you said... the 'Dragon of Justice' Quesanx. It may help me see, touch and open the 'Obsidian Gate'."

"Is this true, Luo Xiu?"

"..."

Luo Xiu just smiled and didn't respond to him quickly.

Then, he gently raised the scepter in his hand, summoned his spiritual power, and prayed and called out in Sanskrit:
"I call upon you, [Quesanx]."

"..."

As Mir, Pamier and Connor watched, they saw a golden glow emanating from the outline of Luo Xiu's body, and beside him, the air was already noticeably turbulent and vibrating.

The crack gradually opened up like a tear, and a deep, hot spiritual surge burst out from it like a spring. The pupil light that made people subconsciously fearful was pouring out from the crack!

Pamier, who was watching this scene, felt a subconscious shudder.

She was already shocked by the terrifying spiritual pressure emanating from Luo Xiu, and now she was even more shocked by the terrifying thing in the crack.

That was definitely not the holy beast or god of [Glory], but another kind... an existence that Pamier could not understand or touch at the moment!
Apart from Pamier, Connor was calmer, but his eyes were trembling slightly as he could not stop being shocked.

Mir showed excitement - intense excitement.

He felt an unprecedented sense of closeness and even reverence for the owner of the pair of giant pupils with three overlapping colors in the crack - that is, the "Dragon of Justice" Quesanx. It even made Mil feel his blood boiling!

"……Roar."

A low roar came from the crack.

The huge dragon head, almost as big as a building in Rochester Manor, slowly emerged from the crack.

The "Dragon of Justice" Quesanx, his three-colored dragon eyes flowing with blazing light, first looked at Luo Xiu, then stared at Pamier, Connor and Mir.

The light emanating from those pupils carried a hint of doubt.

"……Roar."

[…Two little clergymen and a dwarf craftsman.]

In Luo Xiu's ears, Quesanx's low voice came into his ears:
[Why did you call me this time, Luo Xiu? ]

"..."

Raising his right hand slightly, Luo Xiu placed his palm lightly on the giant scales of the Quesanx dragon's jaw and said:
"I called you here mainly to ask you a favor, Quesanx."

"They are my clergy and old friends, Paladin Pamier and Priest Connor."

"This is Mir. The Rune Forger, a dwarf from the 'Gravel' clan of the Broken Continent, Mir Gravel."

"He is also an important friend of mine. The two ancient dragon holy weapons that freed you - the [Dragon Flame Demon Sword] and the [Dragon Breath Scepter] - were also given to me by him."

"That is the holy weapon that has been guarded by the 'Sand' clan that he came from for generations. I think Mil might have some connection with your past, and you can learn more from him."

"..."

"Roar……"

[That comes from him, from the ‘gravel’…]

Quesanx's low voice once again entered Luo Xiu's ears.

He seemed to recall something, and his spirit was trembling. The three-colored dragon pupils stared at Mir for a long time.

"……Roar."

[…He is indeed a very talented dwarf, a natural craftsman.]

[So, about what you want me to do...what is it? ]

【…】

"I hope you can teach him and teach him the forging skills of the 'Ancient Dragon'."

Luo Xiu said:

"My friend, Mir Sandstone, has almost reached a bottleneck. He only needs to open his 'Obsidian Gate' and he will cross the threshold of sainthood."

"I hope he can become an 'Ancient Dragon Magician', and I need your help for this, Quesanx."

“That’s my request as well.”

"..."

"……Roar."

【……Can. 】

Quesanx gave His response—

[I am the 'Dragon of Justice'. Since the two holy artifacts that saved me came from him, I can teach him the skills I know, which is also the 'justice' part.]

[It's just that I'm not a 'crafted dragon', so I don't know much. It's just a little bit... but it should be enough. ]

[Also, I really want to learn from him something about my former hometown...now the 'Broken Continent'. ]

【…】

"Thank you, Quesanx."

Luo Xiu thanked Quesanx, and the dragon then half of its body emerged completely from the crack.

The giant claw that could easily crush a building into powder was already pressing on the ground in front of Mil.

"……Roar."

[…Come up.]

This time, even Mir could understand Quesanx's deep voice.

He climbed onto the Dragon Claw in a daze.

Then squat down.

"--Roar!!!"

And Quesanx then completely escaped from the rift. He spread his huge wings that covered the sky and rose into the sky, soaring outside the fortress and above the rift!
Under the gaze of Luo Xiu, Pamier and Connor.

The black shadow was getting higher and higher, farther and farther away, and more and more blurred.

Finally, it disappeared into the thick clouds.

……

(End of this chapter)