Zhou Shu pointed at the distant mountains covered in clouds.
The space for the Ten Nations Martial Arts Tournament was very large, almost equivalent to two provinces in Zhou Shu’s previous life, and it was the largest kind of province.
The entire space was full of varied terrain, mountains, and vast plains.
The place Zhou Shu and the others were currently at was actually just a small hill on the outermost edge of endless mountains.
Shi Songtao was a little speechless. It’s already good enough to occupy a mountain.
There are only four of us. How much territory can we take?
Besides, how do you know the demon army isn’t here?
If they accidentally encountered the demon army, the four of them might not even be able to defend this small mountain.
Although these demonic beasts were obedient now, if the army of the Demon Realm really came, they would definitely immediately change sides!
“Your Highness, I think we should work steadily. Let’s use the forging materials here to forge a batch of weapons. Then we’ll think about expanding our territory after we contact the great general and the others,” Shi Songtao said.
“You have a point, Deputy Master.” Zhou Shu nodded.
Shi Songtao was delighted. He finally had some presence as the deputy master.
“The forging of weapons is imperative,” Zhou Shu continued. “Now that the ore has been dug out, someone still needs to refine the forging materials.
“Deputy Master, you’re capable, so I’ll have to trouble you to refine these ores. Then we’ll forge them into weapons.”
Zhou Shu patted Shi Songtao on the shoulder.
Shi Songtao: “…”
In Great Xia’s Forging Division, refining ores was all done by Forging Apprentices. It didn’t require much skill!
I knew it. I rejoiced too soon!
Deputy Master? Haha!
Shi Songtao dejectedly went to refine the ore, while Zhou Shu looked up into the distance excitedly.
What he had just said to Shi Songtao was not just a casual remark.
He was really considering digging up all the mineral mines in this continuous mountain range.
It would be a waste not to use these miners. They would be obsolete.
And it wasn’t just about the miners.
This world was rich in mineral mines, and many forging materials that were rare in the outside world existed here.
Most importantly, he had to spend money to buy forging materials in the outside world.
It wasn’t necessary here. Whoever dug them up would own them!
Zhou Shu was a little excited when he thought about the mountain of materials in the Huaxia Pavilion’s storeroom.
Hundreds of miners are not enough, Zhou Shu thought.
Although the humanoid demonic beast that Zhou Shu was holding hostage didn’t know what he was thinking, he felt a chill down his spine.
He had a feeling that this strange human was up to no good again!
But it didn’t matter. The plan to catch a turtle in a jar was almost complete.
When the time came, he would definitely cut him open piece by piece and see what secrets he had. Otherwise, how could a fourth-rank martial artist defeat him?
It’s not very reliable to control the demon army by holding hostages, Zhou Shu thought.
This time, he was lucky to catch a humanoid demonic beast.
Not every demonic beast army would have such a leader.
Moreover, even if he caught their leader, the demon army might not be so obedient.
If the commander of the army was captured and the entire army listened to him, what was the point of fighting? He could just directly execute all of them.
Now that Zhou Shu could order these hundreds of demonic beasts through this humanoid demonic beast, it could only be said that he was lucky enough to catch a fellow with an extraordinary identity.
Just from the difference in appearance between other demonic beasts and this humanoid demonic beast, it was apparent this humanoid demonic beast was definitely not ordinary.
This was not just because he was a first-rank martial artist.
Outside, there were also first-rank demonic beasts, but those demonic beasts couldn’t transform into human form.
What will it take to raise an army of miners? Zhou Shu rubbed his brows in thought.
When others came to the Ten Nations Martial Arts Tournament, they were all thinking about how to kill their enemies.
But Zhou Shu was thinking about how to turn the enemies into his miners…
If anyone else knew what he was thinking, they would think he was crazy.
They speak different languages. How can I subdue them?
While thinking, Zhou Shu heard banging sounds beside him.
Curious, he turned to see Shi Songtao laboriously smashing a rock.
“What are you doing, Old Shi?” Zhou Shu couldn’t help asking.
“Refining ores, of course,” Shi Songtao said without looking up. “There are no furnaces here. I have to remove the impurities from the ore first, then think of a way to smelt and purify—”
“Stop.” Zhou Shu was speechless. “You can remove the impurities just by knocking?
“Forget it. Come here.”
Zhou Shu beckoned Shi Songtao over.
This was something he had overlooked.
The forging furnaces they had prepared before coming here were all with Meng Bai’s army.
Now that they had been separated from Meng Bai’s army, they naturally didn’t have a smelting furnace with them.
Without any furnaces, forgers were like soldiers who went to the battlefield without weapons.
Shi Songtao was helpless. Without a furnace, what could he do? He could only use the oldest method and try to make the ore purer.
“What now?” Shi Songtao put down the ore in his hand and walked up to Zhou Shu with his head lowered. “If you keep calling me, it’s going to take a long time to refine everything.”
Zhou Shu said, “Let me teach you.”
Zhou Shu suddenly raised his hand and pointed between Shi Songtao’s eyebrows.
His cultivation was more than ten times higher than Shi Songtao’s.
His finger was extremely fast. Even if Shi Songtao had been prepared, he wouldn’t have been able to dodge it. Besides, he wasn’t prepared at all.
Facing Zhou Shu, a fierce person who could fight evenly with the Qin emperor, how could he, Shi Songtao, be on guard? Was being on guard useful?
Boom!
Shi Songtao felt as if his head had exploded. He had only one thought. Why? Why does His Highness want to kill me?
I’ve worked so hard…
Before the thought ended, Shi Songtao was surprised to find that he was still alive.
He looked at Zhou Shu in surprise.
“This is my unique secret technique. You will be able to use the Iron Smelting Hands Technique for three days,” Zhou Shu said.
“After three days, you’ll forget everything about the Iron Smelting Hands Technique.
“Use the Iron Smelting Hands Technique to purify the ore.”
Zhou Shu waved his hand.
After the Ten Nations Martial Arts Tournament began, Zhou Shu received benefits from the Legendary Armament Canon almost every day.
His strength in all aspects was constantly increasing, including his divine ability Unparalleled Benevolence and the Iron Smelting Hand Technique.
Currently, the duration of his divine ability Unparalleled Benevolence was as long as three days.
As for the Iron Smelting Hands Technique, Zhou Shu could already forge weapons with his bare hands!
The divine ability Unparalleled Benevolence allowed Shi Songtao to possess half the strength of a certain cultivation technique. Half of the cultivation of the Iron Smelting Hands Technique couldn’t be used to forge weapons, but it was easy for him to refine ores.
Back when they went to Great Qin, Shi Songtao had been the deputy envoy of the diplomatic mission, so he knew very well about the Iron Smelting Hands Technique.
It was because of the Iron Smelting Hands Technique that Zhou Shu had barged into Great Qin and defeated six experts in a row. In the end, he had fought to a draw with the Qin emperor.
In order to obtain the Iron Smelting Hands Technique, Great Qin had paid a heavy price.
His Highness passed on the Iron Smelting Hands Technique to me?
Even if I forget the cultivation method of the Iron Smelting Hands Technique three days later, I might not forget some of the insights I gain!
Shi Songtao was pleasantly surprised. He felt that his efforts had been worth it.
No, this isn’t enough! As the deputy master, I haven’t done enough!
His Highness even taught me the Iron Smelting Hands Technique. What reason do I have not to work hard?
It’s the Iron Smelting Hands Technique that Great Qin paid such a huge price to obtain! Even if it’s just to experience it, it’s a great honor!
If I still try to find excuses to slack off, I wouldn’t be human.
Shi Songtao’s expression became extremely serious, and his eyes were brimming with motivation.
“Your Highness, I’m going to handle the ore!” Shi Songtao didn’t say another word. He cupped his hands and turned to walk toward the pile of ores.
It was a short journey, but he walked with an imposing manner.
