[...]

[Finally, your anger subsides from exhaustion, thanks to the persistent consolation of the two serving maidens.]

[Through a series of deep communication, you realize what it means to have the "Master Swordsmith" forge a sword.]

[The "Master Swordsmith" is an "Imperial Smith" appointed by the great general and usually only forges swords for the great general himself and his direct subordinates.]

[For prestigious families in the Capital to persuade the "Imperial Smith" to forge for them, they often have to offer many precious gems and treasures, humbly request repeatedly, and even then, there is no guarantee that the "Imperial Smith" will agree.]

[The skill of the "Imperial Smith" is capable of forging "Divine Weapons" (Legendary Grade equipment), but the materials required to forge these "Divine Weapons" are rare. If the clients do not provide the necessary materials, the "Imperial Smith" will only forge "Sharp Weapons" (Epic+ Level equipment) for them.]

[To have the "Imperial Smith" forge a "Sharp Weapon" costs at least one million spiritualistic tokens. Forging a "Divine Weapon" also costs the same amount, but all materials must be provided by the client!]

"...That’s really expensive."

After purchasing the group attack skill ’Judgement of Thunder’ for Valkyrie, Lin Xun has only 700,000 deposits left which is below the threshold to have the "Imperial Smith" work.

Normally, apostles have very low Chapter ratings, so their earnings aren’t as high as Lin Xun’s. They usually have to accumulate spiritualistic tokens from several Chapters to buy or customise equipment.

In typical Chapters, apostles have to score an A-level interpretation rating to move on to the next difficulty level. If their ratings are too low, three low-level ratings could be accumulated to equate one high-level rating.

If the apostle completes the challenge with the lowest D-level rating every time, they will need to clear 27 Chapters at the current difficulty level to advance to the next difficulty level...

However, nightmare Chapters reduce the promotion threshold to a B-level, and hell Chapters would lower that threshold even further.

But even if they accumulate enough ratings to advance, apostles often don’t immediately move on to the next difficulty level.

After all, rashly increasing the difficulty level usually leads to getting stuck, and being stuck will be penalized by the underworld game. This increases the strength of Chapter monsters and reduces the drop rates of monster loot.

Getting stuck multiple times could easily lead to a vicious cycle, leaving players unable to defeat even the weakest monsters. This would undoubtedly result in a poor gaming experience and a risk of being banned.

Most apostles will stay at the current difficulty level and continue to challenge other Chapters.

Even if staying at the current difficulty level reduces the rewards, they will accumulate more spiritualistic tokens and experience points to improve their equipment and skills before moving on to the next difficulty level.

There are very few apostles like Lin Xun, who continue to achieve top ratings and relentlessly push to the next difficulty level, earning significant Chapter rewards every time.

Getting back to the point, even if Lin Xun could afford it, he had no intention of asking the "Imperial Smith" to work at such a high price.

[You frown and loudly question the easy talk of forging divine weapons. Such lofty claims aren’t easily met. Could they really forge simply because they claim to?]

[In your hometown, you are the top "Swordsmith" and you dare not lightly claim to be able to forge divine and sharp weapons... You need to see the "Imperial Smith" with your own eyes and verify their true skills before paying the sword forging fees.]

[The two serving maidens looked at each other in confusion. If a distinguished guest hears of the ’Imperial Smith’s reputation and requests a weapon to be forged, even if it is their first time and they are not aware of the rules, they should understand the "Imperial Smith’s" status and prestige after their gentle guidance.]

[Even after paying the exorbitant weapon forging fees, they often have to make several requests and even wait for several years to get a weapon forged by the ’Imperial Smith’...]

[One of the maidens explains to you that even if ordinary people pay the forging fee and are fortunate enough to gain qualification, it would still be extremely difficult to see the "Imperial Smith", let alone you haven’t even paid the spiritual tokens...]

[Before she even finishes her explanation, you snort coldly, stand up, and head straight back to the reception room, flinging the curtain door wide open.]

[The two serving maidens hastily dress and follow you back to the reception room, only to find you challenging in front of all the distinguished families of the Capital, brandishing your hammer and questioning loudly...]

[As a "Swordsmith" from a foreign land in the west, you have long heard of the superb forging techniques of Sakura fall, which are known far and wide.]

[You’ve come from afar, admiring their superior forging techniques and hoping to witness the impressive skill of forging divine and sharp weapons...]

[But today, upon seeing such performance, you feel disappointed. The best swordsmith of Sakura fall, the ’Imperial Smith,’ hides like a rat, unwilling to show his skills, afraid that his real skill level might be exposed.]

[Therefore, you issue a challenge here, inviting the "Imperial Smith" of Sakura fall to compare forging techniques with you.]

[Should the ’Imperial Smith’ truly possess the legendary skills that can lead to enlightenment, you, representing the whole western foreign land, will admit your inferiority and humbly learn from Sakura fall’s forging skills.]

[However, if the ’Imperial Smith’ fears and avoids the challenge, Sakura fall must admit that their own forging skills are inferior to those of the west and they should no longer shamelessly self-proclaim as ’Imperial Smiths’ and become a laughingstock.]

[Let the great general assign all the ’Swordsmiths’ of the ’Ishimaru Sword Furnace’ as apprentices under you. Let them follow you to the western foreign land to learn the techniques there before coming back and boasting exaggerated claims without making themselves look ridiculous!]

[As soon as you make this statement, everyone present is left speechless and then burns with anger.]

[The title of "Imperial Smith" is granted by the great general, and when you question the skills of the "Imperial Smith," you are indeed challenging the great general!]