Death... and me

"Zafa Bank?"

Rean looked at Juri, waiting for him to explain.

Juri sighed and then continued.

"It's the biggest bank in the country. They have branches everywhere, including Astreg City. Due to its size, even the cultivation sects don't take them lightly. Still, what they want is profit. By the way, what is the name of the metal that you wish to create?"

"Steel. But this is just the first one. There will be even more different combinations in the future. Especially since this world seems to have several different types of ores as well."

Juri nodded and continued.

"They would be able to protect our Tribe, but there will also be a need for part of the profit generated from the Steel Metal that you talked about. Also, they don't just take anything, it has to be something that will create a large amount of revenue. Otherwise, it won't even be worth the time of their experts."

Rean pondered a bit and then offered another option.

"Now that I think about it, it will be better if our Tribe doesn't get involved. Or to be more precise, not in the open. What about acquiring a workshop in the City? It would be a lot easier to protect due to the City's rules. Also, since the Tribe wouldn't be directly connected to it, it should be safer."

Juri's eyes narrowed.

"It is not that it is a bad idea, but that a workshop in the City would be too expensive. First, we would need to see one of those weapons completed. Not only us but the Zafa bank as well."

Rean nodded.

"That's not a problem. Give me just one blacksmith this time. Obviously, someone that you trust. He and I will then create a Steel Sword. I will give it to you to test, and then you can make your decision."

Juri nodded and immediately made the preparations. On the same day, Rean was brought into a workshop of the Tribe. When he arrived there, everything was closed, there were even a few warriors around it, preventing anyone from getting close. Inside, there was only a burly old man preparing the tools.

Alanda then introduced him.

"This is Erkil Titola, the chef blacksmith of our Tribe. He is also our most trustworthy member. As long as it is him, you don't have to be afraid of anything leaking out. Also, he is a Middle Stage Energy Gathering Realm Warrior."

Rean bowed to the Erkil, but the other part only narrowed his eyes.

"What is the meaning of this? Did you make all these arrangements just to introduce me to a kid?"

Alanda shook his head.

"During the next 7 days, we need you to follow his orders. I know that you have a lot of questions. But for now, I wish you to ignore his age and just trust what he says. For this, the Tribe will double your amount of Spirit Stones this month."

Erkil was taken aback by those words. Why would they want such a thing? Other than Rean's white hair, he couldn't see anything that could catch his attention.

"Sigh... I don't know what Juri is planning. But since this is his orders, I will follow them. However, I don't need any extra spirit stones. That man only does things for the Tribe, and I'm sure this situation is not different. If I take those Spirit Stones, I wouldn't be able to sleep at night."

Rean and Alanda smiled after hearing that. It was at moments like these that Juri's reputation came in hand.

Rean then looked at Alanda and asked.

"Are the warriors that I asked ready?"

Alanda nodded.

"I gathered 10 warriors with wind Element Affinity. They are outside waiting for your orders."

"Great!"

Rean then looked at the materials around, Iron, Coal, Limestones, and a few other things that were already there for his use. Seeing Rean holding the limestone on his hand, Erkil couldn't help but ask.

"What do you need such a stone for? And why so much coal too?"

Rean smiled at and said.

"You are about to create history. Just follow my orders, and you will see what those two things are able to do. Tribe Vice Leader Alanda, call the warriors inside."

Alanda nodded, and the warriors quickly came in. But Rean didn't keep then in the workshop, but behind it. They were here for a reason only, increase the temperature of the fire in the furnace. Fire Element Affinity Warriors would not do since the fire they can create is far from having high enough temperature. Perhaps, only after a few realms would a cultivator be able to do it.

This also prevented them from seeing the creating process and the material used. These secrets would be known only for Rean, Alanda, Erkil, Juri, and Roan.

"Let's start!"

Erkil followed Rean's order, and they began the creation of Steel. At first, Erkil was puzzled about the amount of coal. There shouldn't be a need for so much of it. But in the end, he was surprised that it was not used to make fire, but in the metal instead. Coal is such a weak ore, so he couldn't understand what good could come from it.

The Limestones were the same thing. However, Rean didn't offer an explanation. All he said was that he just needed to follow his steps. During the forging process, Erkil finally found out that Rean is in the Energy Gathering Realm, just like himself. That was, without a doubt, the greatest shook he received today.

Because of how primitive the installations of this workshop were, Rean had to try several times until he found the right balance. However, as a metallurgist, he could identify where the errors happened every time and correct them in the next attempt.

Finally, after five days of work, the first plate of Steel was forged successfully. When Erkil tried to put it into the water to cool down faster, Rean immediately stopped him.

"Are you trying to ruin the metal structure? Here, I especially prepared this hot oil for that."

Erkil ultimately found out what the oil that had been sitting and heating on the corner was for.

"Wouldn't it take longer to cool down?"

Rean nodded.

"That exactly what needs to happen. Just trust me and put it inside."

A few hours later, the Steel was completed. Rean smiled at Erkil and said.

"Why don't you give it a try? I'm sure you know how to test how resistant something you made is."

Erkil couldn't help but nod. He was by far the most curious person in the world at the moment.