I Can Gain One Skill Point Per Second Chapter 724: Principles of Enhancement and Essential Conditions for Forging
Previously on I Can Gain One Skill Point Per Second...
Little brother, was it only a short time ago we met, and you're already speaking with such sarcasm?
"Let's go, let's go record your information right now. This Divine Refining Bureau might reject anyone, but they won't reject you, Lin Yi! Come on, let's get your information recorded. I didn't call you earlier because you were on a mission, so let's catch up properly. I'll treat you to a good meal afterward."
Lin Yi genuinely didn't place much importance on the act of recording his information.
The truth was, with his Power of the Primordial, shattering a mere shield would be child's play.
However, Lin Yi reasoned that since he might not be utilizing the Divine Refining Bureau's enhancement platform anytime soon, getting his information recorded was indeed a necessary step.
The process of recording information was far from complicated, especially with Sun Dachuan, the highest-ranking official of the Divine Refining Bureau, personally guiding the way—everything proceeded with utmost smoothness.
As for the meal, it was shaping up to be quite a lavish spread.
After three rounds of drinks, the time had well passed noon.
They had spent the entire morning catching up, and Sun Dachuan, in his excitement, had completely forgotten to inquire about the reason for Lin Yi's visit.
It wasn't until after they had finished eating that he remembered he hadn't asked Lin Yi why he had come.
"It's nothing too significant; I merely wished to engage in a technical exchange regarding enhancement techniques with you, and perhaps, coincidentally, earn some goodwill for our Divine Refining Bureau. What do you think?"
Sun Dachuan could readily understand the concept of earning goodwill for the Divine Refining Bureau, but the notion of exchanging enhancement techniques struck him as rather novel.
Since the era of peace descended upon Blue Star, various nations had engaged in extensive information sharing through the Blue Star Professional Alliance, and naturally, this included the Divine Refining Bureau under Sun Dachuan's leadership.
Sun Dachuan's particular enhancement techniques were widely lauded and highly regarded.
Although Enhancement Grandmasters potentially surpassing Sun Dachuan might exist somewhere on Blue Star, finding an enhancer who was simultaneously approachable and exceptionally skilled was an incredibly rare occurrence, with Sun Dachuan being the most likely candidate.
"Brother, you've only recently acquired the ability for equipment enhancement. Isn't it a bit unfair to expect a comparison between us at this stage?"
"I'm not boasting, brother. While I may not match your prowess in combat, when it pertains to equipment enhancement, I truly fear no one. Furthermore, you've witnessed firsthand how my skills improve with each piece of equipment I craft; my abilities grow stronger with every passing day. If you intend to compare potential, perhaps we should..."
Sun Dachuan was well aware of his brother's considerable versatility.
To be superior to him in any domain was a feat worthy of lifelong bragging rights.
Sun Dachuan harbored immense confidence in his own enhancement skills. He found it improbable that Lin Yi could surpass him in this specific area, yet he maintained a sense of decorum, refraining from boasting about aspects that a mere mage couldn't even comprehend to Lin Yi.
Perceiving Sun Dachuan's underlying thoughts, Lin Yi simply waved a dismissive hand.
"Hey, brother, our exchange is intended more for mutual learning rather than outright competition. Besides, there are no real stakes involved between us; a friendly comparison won't hurt, will it?"
The moment Lin Yi uttered these words, Sun Dachuan's attention was immediately captured.
Indeed, this presented an excellent opportunity for mutual learning. Due to professional limitations in the past, Sun Dachuan had been unable to explore enhancement techniques in depth with Lin Yi. Now that Lin Yi possessed mastery over enhancement skills, their collaborative exchange promised significant benefits for him.
With this realization dawning on him, Sun Dachuan readily agreed and promptly called out to the assembled brothers, inquiring if anyone possessed unused equipment that could be offered for free enhancement.
The prospect of having equipment enhanced by Sun Dachuan at no cost was not an everyday occurrence; consequently, the brothers of the Divine Refining Bureau eagerly volunteered their items.
While the idea of Lin Yi enhancing equipment might sound less than reliable, within the Divine Refining Bureau, the average enhancement capability hovered around +20 levels, and nearly everyone believed their own equipment enhancement skills were more dependable than Lin Yi's.
Nevertheless, this did not deter the brothers from entrusting their precious equipment to Lin Yi for enhancement.
Irrespective of the outcome, the name Lin Yi carried a unique prestige across Blue Star; even if Lin Yi's enhancements were merely below +10, such equipment would instantly become highly sought after by every professional on the continent.
Thus, the event officially commenced.
The brothers of the Divine Refining Bureau temporarily set aside their ongoing tasks, gathering in the forging room equipped with recording devices to meticulously document the impending duel between the two masters.
"Brother Lin Yi, as this is a duel, you should undoubtedly display your full capabilities. I, too, shall refrain from holding back. During this period, I will make a conscious effort to moderate my enhancement speed, allowing you ample opportunity to learn."
Sun Dachuan's demonstrated approach not only facilitated Lin Yi's acquisition of his enhancement techniques but also provided considerable learning opportunities for the less experienced brothers within the Divine Refining Bureau, particularly those interns with nascent enhancement skills.
"Dachuan, there's absolutely no need for such considerations; simply proceed at your own natural pace."
Sun Dachuan, however, did not give much weight to Lin Yi's words.
He merely interpreted them as a polite gesture stemming from Lin Yi's inherent modesty.
Yet, as the competition commenced, Sun Dachuan found himself growing somewhat perplexed.
Much like him, Lin Yi, upon gripping the crafting hammer, displayed an expression of pure elation, as if a parched man had finally discovered water.
Each and every equipment enhancement was, in Lin Yi's eyes, a sacred artistic endeavor.
It involved applying the precise force when striking to create minute fissures upon the equipment's surface, meticulously inscribing intricate patterns within these openings, and subsequently channeling one's Source Power into the artifact to bestow it with amplified might.
However, the process of layering enhancements onto equipment transcends mere the opening of fissures, the infusion of Source Power, and the subsequent sealing of the gaps.
A critical prerequisite is ensuring that the Source Power, once infused, remains completely contained, without any possibility of leakage.
This implies that the initial fissure, once opened, must not undergo any secondary fragmentation.
Considering the inherent spatial limitations of the equipment, elevating its enhancement level demands an exceptionally refined and sophisticated technique.
This very complexity constitutes the core of what defines a master enhancer.
The reason behind a high-level enhancer's diminishing speed as they progress through the stages of enhancement is rooted in the extreme caution necessitated as the final stages approach.
The act of hammering open fissures demands progressively more precise and delicate applications of force with each successive enhancement tier. A single misstep can instantly negate all prior efforts, potentially rendering the equipment irreparable.
In an effort to preserve his brother's dignity, Sun Dachuan deliberately moderated the tempo of his hammering.
On one hand, this was a gesture to shield his brother's pride. Even though equipment enhancement was not Lin Yi's strongest suit, any perceived advantage, however minor, that Sun Dachuan held over Lin Yi would contribute to saving face.
Furthermore, Sun Dachuan harbored a keen interest in closely scrutinizing Lin Yi's enhancement methodology. His intention was to pinpoint the exact flaws in Lin Yi's technique, the very reasons that likely led to his earlier enhancement attempts stalling at the +5 level. Following the conclusion of the match, Sun Dachuan intended to offer Lin Yi some constructive pointers, aiming to facilitate an improvement in his enhancement capabilities.
Unbeknownst to Sun Dachuan, Lin Yi's proficiency in enhancement arts diverged entirely from conventional understanding.
A pertinent question arises: What is the rationale behind establishing the esteemed Divine Refining Bureau, renowned for its crafting and enhancement services, within the precincts of Chiyou Academy?
The primary explanation lies in the academy's student body, which predominantly comprises individuals of formidable physical prowess, ideally suited for tasks demanding significant physical exertion.
Additionally, the warrior and tank-class professionals within the academy possess innate passive skills that grant them elemental affinities and the sensitivity to discern the nuanced states of metals. These attributes are precisely why the Divine Refining Bureau maintains an exclusively male-dominated roster.