Chapter 00257: Burning the Books
# Burning the Books
Chapter 257
Novel: Above Destiny
Chapter 257: Burning the Books
To be honest, there was a moment when Ji Jue really wanted to slap the back of Zhou Cheng's head.
Cursed fate, are you really trying to act like we're family here!
But just as he raised his hand, he suddenly remembered, oh, he really does have a grandfather.
The master craftsman, Zhou Chong.
Under the piercing gaze from the depths of the workshop, he raised his hand halfway, only to awkwardly draw it back.
To avoid any awkwardness, he pretended to dust off the debris from Zhou Cheng's back.
Then, amidst the glare, he flashed a smile that seemed to say, 'Look how nice I am to you.'
Under the eaves, one ought to not argue….
I won’t hold it against you.
Thus, he grandly stepped inside, glancing around, only to realize that this time, Zhou Chong had nearly moved all the equipment from the workshop over here.
In this deep underground space, it was now filled with spiritual circuits, structured intricately, layered and interlocked, sealed inside and out.
It was a typical yet luxurious 'Zhou Tian.'
Through the emblem of the Twelve Supreme Virtues and numerous offerings, it endowed the workshop with a substantial concept of heaven and earth, a triple abyss of clarity and a six-layered realm of yellow springs, where the essence of the Supreme Virtues flowed and transformed.
The enhancement of defensive capabilities was secondary; the primary goal was to catalyze creations within the furnace, leading to a special qualitative change.
The laws and controls of the Tian Yuan system were the most suitable.
When necessary, the external Zhou Tian could also connect with the creations in the furnace, facilitating operations.
At this moment, stepping into Zhou Tian, Ji Jue felt the stern order flowing from the spiritual essence and brilliance.
Even though he stood within, he gained no recognition and was still excluded, only allowed to admire from afar.
Not a hint of the internal exquisite changes and essence could he observe.
From a distance, he saw the figure standing before the furnace, back turned to him.
The haggard master stood with his hands behind his back, indifferently observing all the changes in the furnace, controlling the coordination of the external Zhou Tian.
He could also sense the presence of an outsider to the workshop.
“Ji Jue?”
“Yes.”
Ji Jue stopped five steps away, nodding respectfully like all juniors would.
No matter how arrogant he was, he had to acknowledge the gap between himself and Zhou Chong and show respect for this level of craftsmanship.
As a craftsman, no matter how dismissive one may feel, respect should be given to creation.
“Hmph, after all, you're a heroic figure; you can yield and endure.”
Without turning his head, Zhou Chong scoffed coldly, “Your matters, your teacher has spoken to me about. In the Spring City, I owe her a favor, and I didn't expect it would come back on you. It seems my goodwill is merely at this level in her eyes.”
Ji Jue remained calm and only replied, “My master loves me.”
“……”
Zhou Chong fell silent, his words cutting off abruptly.
It was unclear if he suddenly recalled something or simply focused on controlling the changes inside the furnace.
After a long while, he pointed to a table next to him, where a form with his signature lay completed.
Then he pointed at a position beside the furnace, where a sweat-drenched apprentice was working.
“Sign here, the task is over there.”
He asked, “Can you do it?”
Ji Jue took two steps forward, gazing at the massive furnace, “What is in the furnace?”
“A sword.”
Ji Jue was slightly stunned, “Why is it a sword?”
“Why can't it be?” Zhou Chong retorted apathetically.
Ji Jue answered truthfully, “Considering Tong Shan's style and habits, a sword may not be the best choice.”
“Would it be more appropriate to wave a flag on the battlefield instead? If you enjoy charging into battle with a spear, you might as well build a large group.”
Zhou Chong sneered, “A craftsman is not a servant; there's no need to be so considerate. Adaptation to details is understandable, but if there's no insight and merely flattery, then how can one talk about controlling the Supreme Virtue or forging myriad manifestations?”
Ji Jue turned to look at that expressionless face, “Can Master Zhou really confirm that your design is better than the user’s choice?”
“I can.”
Zhou Chong answered decisively.
His tone was firm, without a hint of hesitation.
From the start of his apprenticeship, countless trials and attempts had led to accumulated experience as a craftsman, serving as references to countless cases and his heart and soul's creations and explorations....
What was accomplished was this craft that far surpassed the mediocrity of ordinary folks, along with a vision and instinct that were even better than that.
After firmly rejecting the original designs and plans, he innovated and changed directions to create a brand-new appearance.
Even if the client was a colossal entity like the Tong family, he refused to back down.
Let alone the doubts of a mere apprentice.
Ji Jue could not judge the details and basis for this, but Zhou Chong’s unhidden confidence, or perhaps arrogance, made him view him in a new light.
The path of the embers has always been a tale of success or failure.
Even if what Zhou Chong said was spectacular, if the final result fell short, there would be no way to account for it.
Even if the specifics were unclear, just from the layout of the Zhou Tian framework and numerous inputs, it was clear the costs paid by the Tong family were certainly not small and could not be casually dealt with, as if one could just throw in some coupons after a failure and call it a day.
Such creation, seeking to avoid mistakes rather than achieve merit, is the norm of reciting regulations and following rules.
Zhou Chong dared to gamble on his design, wagering his lifelong reputation and the workshop’s credibility, viewing it like a matter of life and death; by sheer spirit, he had surpassed who knows how many people.
Ji Jue sighed silently, “I am taught.”
“You’re not even my student, what would there be to teach you?”
Zhou Chong maintained a stoic expression, even too lazy to glance back at him, “If you can do it, do it; if not, then leave.”
Ji Jue said nothing further.
He took off his outer coat, tossed his belongings into his pockets, handed them over to Tong Hua, then directly grabbed the work clothes from the corner and put them on.
He stepped straight towards the furnace.
The moment he stepped out, it felt like walking into the furnace itself; an invisible fierce fire spread, filling the air in an instant.
The terrifying heat was sealed in the surrounding space of the furnace, and the sweat had no time to seep out before it evaporated.
A stabbing pain and burning sensation coursed through his respiratory tract.
The air twisted from the change in temperature, making the objects before him float in and out, shifting between large and small as he walked, causing him to stumble uncontrollably.
At the forefront of the opened furnace, the apprentice in charge of feeding was already teetering on the brink of collapse.
His hair was curled, and his eyes were bloodshot.
He squatted on the ground, his body swaying uncontrollably, and when he raised his eyes, he had already lost focus.
At that moment, seeing Ji Jue approach, he numbly handed over what he was holding, stumbled to get up, took two steps, then fell with a thud to the ground.
Immediately, an awaiting apprentice rushed in to lift him and carry him outside to avoid disturbing the refining process.
Meanwhile, around the furnace, there were over a dozen other apprentices working diligently at the Zhou Tian framework’s junctures, collaborating skillfully without any delays.
Under Zhou Chong’s command and control, the Zhou Tian framework shifted, and numerous intricate maneuvers flowed continuously, truly opening Ji Jue’s eyes in awe.
Truly, this was the renowned blood and sweat factory of Haizhou, even the mighty Yuans had to be careful dealing with this black-hearted workshop.
The apprentices were like tools, quickly exhausted; as one was used up, another was replaced, endlessly flowing like standard parts.
And to unify all the varied weaknesses and operations into one, to alleviate Zhou Chong’s burden and execute his demands, must be the complex spiritual sequences deeply hidden beneath the Zhou Tian framework, referred to as the ‘Ten Thousand Sources Returning Flow.’
How wonderful, how wonderful.
Such a good thing, how could one not think of a way to get it?
Unfortunately, Zhou Chong’s defenses were unusually tight, practically impermeable.
As the hallmark craft that could be passed on within the workshop, it couldn’t afford to be even slightly confidential.
Not only Ji Jue, but even the other participating apprentices nearby would find it difficult to grasp the full picture.
Once adapted to this set of theories, there would be no other choice but to lay bricks within the system established by Zhou Chong, gradually working upwards in the hope of gaining greater authority and theoretical knowledge….
To start anew would be akin to beginning from scratch.
Isn’t that what made it so dark?
“Feed.”
A cold voice came from beside him.
In that instant, under the guidance of the surrounding spiritual currents and the changes in circuits, openings emerged around the furnace; flames burst forth, illuminating Ji Jue’s pupils.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Ji Jue raised his hand.
Between his five fingers, sheets of paper soared upwards, curling from the rushing flames, charring and vanishing into ash, only to have countless characters ascend from the remnants of the ashes, overlapping and intertwining.
Ink suffused the space, as if an invisible brush sketched itself from the flames, in a moment, a torrential surge erupted, a colossal torrent bursting forth from creation, filling everything.
Yet still, under the compression of the Zhou Tian framework, it was firmly sealed within the furnace.
The torrent surged, ripples echoed, and waves raged.
Amidst the tumultuous clamoring, a light and agile sound suddenly emerged, a clang of swords ringing clear.
With a sweep, it was gone in an instant.
Then, a roar shattered the silence, dissolving into the faintest sounds and vanished without a trace.
In the heart of the flames, a vague outline immediately became clearer.
From that fleeting fluctuation, Ji Jue's arm hairs stood on end, feeling a bone-chilling sharpness and strict order, as the spiritual essence flowed, bestowals of the Tian Yuan, Ether, Mirror, and Ruins manifested within.
The aura of the fourfold bestowment began to rise, gradually showing signs of merging into one.
Truly, a marvel of craftsmanship.
No wonder the lengthy preparations and significant investments were made, employing the structure of Zhou Tian; this was all for that seamless ‘evolution’!
Between the azure void and yellow springs, the essence of the Supreme Virtue flowed.
Through the catalysis of events, it gradually interconnected and became one, inseparable.
And Ji Jue's task would serve as the record of the ‘catalyst’, continuously feeding into it.
“Feed.”
Zhou Chong’s voice sounded once more.
Without hesitation, Ji Jue raised his hand again, a non-attack matrix revealing itself across his palms, perfectly passing through a gap in the extreme heat that could turn him into ashes, supplementing the event.
Immediately, mighty thunder roared, and the earth quaked.
A storm of keening winds surged from the furnace.
This was his work.
Burning the books.
(End of Chapter)