Location: Lotus Sun Sect – Weapon Forging Pavilion
Time: Late Afternoon
Vibe: 98% fire, 2% anxiety
MC's Mood: "Why am I sweating through my soul?"
---
"You want me to enter where?" I asked, staring at the blazing inferno known as the Weapon Pavilion.
Elder Lianhua handed me another scroll.
"Second anchor is suspected to be linked to a sentient forge," she said.
"Wait, like… a talking anvil?"
"Worse. It judges people."
"I already get that from Yue Lan."
"Good. You're emotionally prepared."
---
> [New Mission Objective:]
Break the Chain – Phase 2: Forgefire Lies
Location: Weapon Pavilion
Suspected Host: Master Hei Mo
Danger Level: 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Suggested Equipment: Fireproof underwear
---
I reluctantly made my way to the Weapon Pavilion. Inside was chaos — sparks flying, hammers slamming, cultivators yelling about "refinement cores" and "spiritual tempering."
In the center stood Master Hei Mo, a mountain of a man with arms thicker than my legs and an expression like a furnace god after taxes.
Beside him was a massive, glowing anvil with a mouth.
An actual mouth.
It was humming.
---
I approached with what I hoped was confidence, but probably looked like constipation.
"Hey! I'm here to, uh… help?" I offered.
The anvil blinked.
"You reek of weak chi and broken system code," it said.
"Thanks. I moisturize with failure."
---
Suddenly—
> [System Alert:]
Spiritual Forge Signature Detected
Status: Corrupted. Functioning as Anchor Node #2
Warning: Sentient Object – Extremely judgmental
Counter-Hack Probability: 12%
Requesting External Support...
I panicked.
Then remembered.
"I know a ghost."
---
I reached into my spirit sense.
"Lin Xue," I whispered. "Time to haunt someone worse than me."
A chill swept through the forge.
The flames flickered.
Then—
"Ugh, why is it so sweaty in here?"
Lin Xue appeared, her pale figure hovering above the anvil.
"Why are you glowing?" the anvil grumbled.
"Because I'm classy, you iron-fart."
"I weigh a thousand kilograms."
"You still have zero personality."
---
The forge rumbled.
Master Hei Mo turned slowly toward me.
"Did you… summon a ghost in my forge?"
"I brought emotional support."
---
Lin Xue began circling the anvil, poking it with ethereal fingers.
"Yep. Big Shadow Trade System residue," she said. "Smells like burnt contracts and male ego."
> [System Sync: Lin Xue Activated]
Ghost Protocol – "Spiritual Disruptor" Enabled
Anchor Disruption in Progress… 28%...
The anvil screamed.
And exploded.
(Not fully. Just… spiritually.)
---
Suddenly, Master Hei Mo's hammer twitched.
His face went blank.
> [System Alert:]
Anchor Node is… MOVING
Transferred into: Hammer of Heavensmelt
Object Status: Semi-Possessed
Possibility of Talking Hammer: 89%
Hei Mo raised the glowing hammer.
"You will NOT remove me," a voice growled from it.
"You sound like constipation!" I yelled.
"I AM POWER!"
"You're a glorified meat tenderizer!"
---
Lin Xue launched ghost fire.
I tossed a sack of ghost-infused salt into the forge like a desperate cooking show contestant.
> [System Alert:]
Anchor Node Severed Successfully
Damage: Localized
Reward Gained:
Spiritual Tempering Crystal (Unstable)
"Charred But Functional" Anvil Fragment
Ghost Approval +1
---
Hei Mo collapsed, unconscious.
The hammer went silent.
Lin Xue brushed herself off.
"Men and their tools," she muttered.
"Please never say that again."
---
Back outside, I limped across the courtyard, holding the singed crystal.
Yura ran up, frowning. "You smell like flaming regret."
"That's because I fought a forge with a ghost."
"...Of course you did."