"Boss, what is this thing?"
"This is not just a thing; it should be the unique markings of the Ghost Cave tribe," Zhang Tian said, looking at the man before him, answering Fatty's question.
"Oh, I see. Just a small pattern, quite intricately drawn." Fatty looked on with curiosity, while the man in black appeared visibly uncomfortable, feeling like he was being observed like a monkey.
The man's face was peculiar, with a skull-like head, and both his face and head were adorned with various patterns. The most striking was the single eye symbol on his forehead, a mark exclusive to the Ghost Cave tribe, symbolizing the eye of the snake god. His appearance was also distinct, resembling a dried-up corpse with a pointed face, akin to the snake spirit from "Calabash Brothers saving Grandpa." It was extremely eerie, enough to induce nightmares.
"Everyone, the Kingdom of Loulan has nothing to do with us," the man in black said, disregarding Fatty's stare. He spoke Mandarin, albeit with a peculiar accent.
"Nothing to do with us? If that's the case, why are you more lucid than others? You should be dead, just like the spirits here," Zhang Tian said indifferently, looking at the man. The man in black was visibly taken aback. He had expected to brush them off, but it seemed this person was different.
"Some things cannot be said. I cannot tell you," the man in black said, shaking his head firmly.
"Hey, look at my hot temper, Fatty! You clearly don't know your place. You're under our control right now. See this? This fist the size of a sandbag!" Seeing the man's arrogance even when captured, Fatty grabbed him by the collar and raised his fist.
Zhang Tian, however, was unhurried. He pulled Fatty aside, his gaze fixed on the man in black. This man was also cursed. If he revealed too much, he would likely die a painful death. Given the choice, he would opt for a less agonizing demise.
"Can the curse on you be lifted?" Zhang Tian asked.
"There is no way. It was cast by the Queen, a curse from the snake god. No one can lift it or break it." He continued, "As for why Loulan was destroyed, that place will provide the answer. However, I do not advise you to go there. That crazy woman has gone mad."
As the man in black spoke, he produced a small knife and made a cut on himself, disappearing from everyone's sight.
"Boss, this..."
"This guy has probably gone to reincarnation," Zhang Tian said, watching the vanished man. He knew he wouldn't get any more clues from him and had to rely on himself.
"Why did he say the Loulan princess was mad? Did something happen inside?" Hu Bayi wondered, looking at the magnificent palace not far away.
"Let's go in and see," Fatty mumbled. Zhang Tian felt something was off; this Loulan country was too strange.
"Let's go to the blacksmith shop first," Zhang Tian said. The others nodded and walked towards the blacksmith shop before them. Wang Fei had already returned to Fatty's jade pendant, also puzzled as to why she was also bound by this illusion.
Following the stone path, Zhang Tian and the others arrived at what appeared to be an old blacksmith shop.
"Is this where weapons were forged for the princess and Prince Gu Mo?" Shirley Yang looked at the earth and stone structure. A place that could forge armor for two major powers looked so rudimentary.
"A mountain doesn't need to be high to be renowned if it has an immortal; this house may look simple, but with a master, it can still shine," Zhang Tian said, leading the way.
"Old Hu, look, Boss is putting on a show," Fatty whispered.
"Boss is knowledgeable. What do you know?" Hu Bayi rolled his eyes at Fatty.
Standing at the entrance, Zhang Qilin stood beside Zhang Tian, providing him with protection.
"Clang, clang, clang..." The door was knocked upon, the sound identical to reality.
"Enter." A somewhat aged voice came from within. Zhang Tian pushed the door open. Inside, a white-haired old man was seated before a large iron furnace. The old man's gaze shifted to Zhang Tian and his companions as they entered.
"Are you the most skilled blacksmith in the world, as rumored throughout the city?" Zhang Tian asked respectfully. "We are juniors from afar who have come seeking your craftsmanship. We have long admired you." Zhang Tian looked at the old man, his voice deferential. The old man appeared extraordinary; someone who could forge such equipment must possess considerable skill.
The old man glanced at Zhang Tian and nodded. "Indeed. You, young fellow, speak quite eloquently."
"What business do you have with me?" The old man said, his expression impassive. "I do not accept work without preparation."
"Damn it, Boss, is he really a blacksmith? So old, and he can still smelt iron? Truly hale and hearty in old age," Fatty exclaimed, looking at the old man.
"Everyone, if you do not have the corresponding materials, I apologize, but I cannot receive you," the old man said, his gaze drifting towards Zhang Tian, perhaps having heard Fatty's comment.
"Wait." Zhang Tian thought for a moment and then took out Desert Crystal from his backpack. This was used for alchemy, but the word 'crystal' was in its name, and it was stone-like. Zhang Tian guessed it might be suitable for forging armor.
"Hmm? Desert Divine Stone? You actually have this. I underestimated you." The old man's eyes widened slightly. "The Desert Divine Stone is a treasure scattered across the human world by the celestial being Queen Mother of the West. If you give me this crystal, I can forge a piece of equipment for you."
Zhang Tian looked at the old man. This man had died a thousand years ago, and he was currently in an illusion. Who knew if he would forge something out of thin air?
"Why should we trust you?" Shirley Yang interjected, her voice firm.
"Because I am the best artifact refiner in the city, and I am the only one who has Star Iron!" As he spoke, he produced a piece of black-blue iron from somewhere. The weight of the iron was indiscernible, but Zhang Tian could faintly sense a chilling aura emanating from it.
"Star Iron? Sir, what is this?" Hu Bayi asked, his brow furrowed with confusion. Even Zhang Qilin looked over, sensing a faint resonance between this iron and his own Black Gold Ancient Sword.
"This iron is the last piece of Star Iron in the world. Star Iron is a treasure bestowed upon humanity by the constellations in the heavens," the old man explained. "It can be used to forge indestructible armor and incomparably sharp spears. Furthermore, the forged items are incredibly light." He added, "Those two brats earlier wanted me to forge for them, but their conditions were too poor, so I refused."
Fatty touched his forehead. "You make it sound so grand, isn't it just a stone from the sky? Tsk, I thought it was some rare treasure."
"Fatty, that's called a meteorite," Shirley Yang corrected him. Fatty rubbed his cheeks. "It's all the same, all the same." The old man was bewildered by their words. Stones were one thing, but what was a meteorite?
"In short, if you need it, I can use the last piece of Star Iron to forge whatever you desire," the old man continued. Zhang Tian smiled. This fellow was quite skilled at deception; Zhang Tian had almost believed him. From Prince Gu Mo's exploits, Zhang Tian had learned that such iron was extremely rare, with only a few pieces in existence. Prince Gu Mo and the Loulan princess had already exhausted their materials. The sudden appearance of another piece of material made Zhang Tian suspicious.
"Sir, how about this: let's first see your forging skills. Could you forge two simple items for us to observe?" Zhang Tian suggested, hoping to get his forging techniques for free. The old man did not seem to think much of it and slowly rose. For the sake of the sand crystal, what was the harm in demonstrating for Zhang Tian?