The elder watched Tian Lei approach, his sharp eyes narrowing slightly. There was something about the young man's stride—too calm, too steady. It wasn't arrogance, but quiet certainty, and that alone drew the elder's attention.

"You forged this?" he asked, his voice cutting through the hall like tempered steel.

"Yes." Tian Lei's answer was plain, neither humble nor proud.

The elder's gaze flicked to the wrapped sword, then back to him. "You forged it yourself? Without aid? No special materials from the inner sect?"

Tian Lei met his stare evenly. "Only the standard materials given to outer disciples."

Murmurs rippled through the onlookers. A few sneered under their breath.

"He talks big."

"Everyone says that before they fail the inspection."

"Let's see how he explains himself once the elder breaks his little toy in half."

Unfazed, Tian Lei stepped forward and gently set the sword on the inspection table. His hands unwrapped the cloth, slow and precise, revealing the weapon beneath.

The hall seemed to breathe in.

The blade caught the torchlight and split it, scattering colors across the walls—silver, jade, faint crimson, all woven together like flowing light. The air grew still. Even the crackling torches seemed to hesitate.

The elder's eyes sharpened. "This…?"

He reached down, fingers brushing the flat of the blade. A low hum filled the air, deep and resonant, not from the metal but from the spiritual energy flowing through it. The vibrations crawled up his arm, and he froze.

"This isn't Spirit-Rank," one of the assistant elders muttered. "No… the density's too high."

The chief elder lifted the sword fully, testing its balance. His grip tightened.

"Two days ago," he said suddenly.

Tian Lei blinked. "Elder?"

The man turned his piercing gaze on him. "You forged this two days ago, didn't you?"

A few disciples gasped. How could he tell?

"You infused your own qi into the process," the elder continued, voice dropping lower. "Fresh spiritual traces still cling to the core. The blade's soul hasn't even settled yet."

Tian Lei inclined his head slightly. "That's correct."

The elder's brows knit together. "That should be impossible. With common materials like these, the Earth-Rank should've been the limit."

Tian Lei simply replied, "Then perhaps the materials weren't the limit—only the forger was."

For a moment, silence reigned. Then the elder's expression shifted from suspicion to something heavier—respect mixed with disbelief.

He turned to the others. "This is not a Spirit-Rank weapon. Nor Earth-Rank. This blade…" He raised it high, letting its aura flare. A soft hum resonated through the chamber, causing even the walls to tremble faintly.

"…is Heaven-Rank."

Gasps erupted through the hall. Some disciples stumbled back; others gawked with wide eyes. The assistant elders exchanged uncertain glances.

"Heaven-Rank?" one whispered. "Forged… from standard outer sect materials?"

"That's—no, that's not possible!" another stammered.

But the evidence was undeniable. The sword's aura pulsed gently, calm yet overwhelming. It didn't roar or blaze like an untamed beast; it simply was, and that made it all the more terrifying.

Tian Lei stood silently, watching the reaction unfold without a hint of pride.

The elder slowly lowered the blade and exhaled. His tone softened, though his voice still carried the weight of awe.

"From ordinary ore and spirit stone… to a Heaven-Rank creation." He looked up, meeting Tian Lei's gaze. "Even among master forgers, this would be legendary."

Whispers filled the hall again—this time with reverence instead of mockery.

Tian Lei simply bowed. "Thank you, Elder."

The elder nodded to the others, who quickly announced, "This inspection is over. Tian Lei has taken first place. All those who passed may now advance to the Inner Sect, where each of you must craft a Heaven-Rank weapon within ten years—or you will be expelled."

"As for Tian Lei," the elder continued, his gaze steady, "you are directly promoted to the Core Sect. However, if within three months you fail to present another Heaven-Rank weapon, you will be demoted back to the Inner Sect."

Tian Lei simply nodded in acknowledgment. Around him, whispers spread—envy, awe, and disbelief mixing in the air. The others stared at him with wide eyes, realizing he now stood among the Core disciples—only a step away from the sect's true legacy.

Tian Lei hesitated for a moment before speaking up. "Elder, actually… in the end, I also forged another Heaven-Rank weapon."

The elder's brows rose slightly, a flicker of curiosity crossing his usually impassive face. "Oh? Bring it here, then. In fact, bring all the weapons you have crafted during the trial. I wish to see them for myself."

Tian Lei inclined his head respectfully. "Understood."

He turned and left the hall briefly. Moments later, he returned carrying a large pack slung over his shoulder—its weight enough to make the floor creak with each step. The murmurs in the hall reignited as disciples strained to see what he carried.

When he set the bundle down with a dull thud, the elder's eyes sharpened. Tian Lei unwrapped it layer by layer, revealing one gleaming weapon after another—swords, spears, sabers, and hammers, each radiating its own distinct aura. The room grew silent as the glow of seventeen Earth-Rank weapons filled the hall, their presence alone enough to make the air hum.

Then, Tian Lei gently placed two more weapons at the front—a sword and a spear. The moment their edges touched the light, a faint celestial shimmer rippled through the hall.

"Heaven-Rank…" someone whispered, voice trembling.

The elder's expression, for the first time, softened into genuine astonishment. His spiritual sense brushed over the weapons, feeling the depth of their forging intent and the purity of their materials.

"…Seventeen Earth-Rank, thirteen Spirit-Rank, and two Heaven-Rank," he murmured, his tone low but edged with disbelief. "Within thirty days."

He looked up at Tian Lei. "Do you understand what this means?"

Tian Lei only smiled faintly. "That I still have much to improve."

The elder let out a short, incredulous laugh. "Hah… modesty suits you, but do not mistake humility for blindness. Even among the Core disciples, few could match this record."

He straightened, his voice resounding across the hall. "From this moment forth, Tian Lei will be acknowledged as a Core Blacksmith of the Mountain Heart Flame Sect. His name shall be entered into the sect archives."

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