On the evening of the third day.

As the last trace of Azure Thunder Sand slurry seeped into the depths of the wood grain, Su Ming's fingers finally stilled.

At this moment, that section of Thunderstruck Wood was no longer its original charcoal-black appearance.

Although its surface still appeared ancient and weathered, within the network of cracked patterns, a layer of crystal-clear azure crystal had filled the gaps.

With the injection of spiritual energy, those crystals seemed to come alive, shimmering and reflecting with the original purple thunder patterns, forming a peculiar dual-colored halo of azure and purple.

*Hum—*

A low humming sound rang out.

It was not a precursor to an explosion, but the joyous hum of a formation core regaining its rhythm.

Su Ming let out a long breath, withdrew his spiritual energy, swayed on his feet, and nearly toppled over.

A rough, large hand steadily supported his arm.

"Get up slowly. Squatting for too long can make your vision go dark." Zheng Tieshou's voice no longer held its previous stiffness, instead carrying a trace of warmth usually reserved for fellow practitioners.

Su Ming steadied himself and cupped his hands respectfully. "The mission is accomplished, though the repair method employed some clever shortcuts. I must ask Steward Zheng to inspect it."

Zheng Tieshou didn't speak, striding over to the stone platform instead.

He extended his calloused palm, gently stroking the now-repaired section of Thunderstruck Wood. The sensation transmitted to his palm was warm, smooth, and resilient; spiritual energy flowed through it smoothly and unimpeded. Due to the addition of the Azure Thunder Sand, it even possessed a sharpness it originally lacked.

"Clever shortcuts?" Zheng Tieshou shook his head, turned to look at Su Ming, his expression complex. "If this counts as clever shortcuts, then my decades of swinging a hammer were for nothing."

The few old artificers gathered around also came closer, clicking their tongues in admiration.

"Using water-based methods for gentle nourishment to subdue the violent nature of thunder-fire, and even fusing two spiritual materials so perfectly." A white-bearded old man stroked his beard, looking at Su Ming as if gazing upon an uncut jade. "Young friend, your talent in harmonizing spiritual materials is extraordinary."

"This technique is as delicate as embroidery. We who swing heavy hammers truly can't manage it," another chimed in.

Zheng Tieshou fished out a small azure vial made of some unknown material from his robes and shoved it into Su Ming's hand.

"Take it."

Su Ming was taken aback. "This is?"

"During the repair of this formation base, the thunder-fire essence you forced out using water-based methods—I collected and refined it on a whim." Zheng Tieshou scratched his head somewhat awkwardly. "This is called 'Thunder Origin Liquid.' Though the quantity is small, it has miraculous effects for tempering the body and refining spiritual energy purity. Consider it a bonus."

Su Ming's heart stirred. Thunder Origin Liquid! This was a precious commodity with a price but no market availability.

"Thank you, Steward." Su Ming didn't refuse, accepting it openly and generously.

"Also, these one hundred and twenty Military Merit points will be recorded under your name." Zheng Tieshou patted Su Ming's shoulder with considerable force. "In the future, if you encounter any difficulties with formation materials, or want to tinker with some strange and unusual contraptions, you can come directly to me here. Although my formation skills aren't as refined as yours, when it comes to materials, few in this Iron Wall Pass can surpass me."

This was the greatest gain.

Su Ming felt a secret joy. With Zheng Tieshou's words, his future "little inventions" in the Repair Hall would have a reliable source for both materials and technical support.

"Alright, don't just stand here. Go back and rest." Zheng Tieshou waved his hand. "Look at your pale face, like a ghost."

Su Ming bowed again and turned to leave.

Stepping out of the sweltering workshop, the biting cold wind outside assaulted him again, yet it made him feel exceptionally clear-headed.

"Master, this round, we not only earned Military Merit but also connected with the Vessel Hall." Su Ming touched the warm little vial inside his robes, a slight smile curling his lips.

"That's because your skills are solid." Lin Yu yawned within the Consciousness Sea. "But, disciple, have you noticed your 'water-grinding' technique is becoming increasingly proficient? If cultivating immortality doesn't work out in the future, we could open a blacksmith shop and definitely make a fortune." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Su Ming stumbled, nearly slipping and falling on the snow-covered ground.

By the time he returned to Bing Battalion, the sky was completely dark.

Just as he reached the entrance of Stone Hut Number Seven, Su Ming saw Zhao Tiji squatting by the door, drawing something in the snow with a twig, with Old Liu and Chen Chuan gathered around him.

Seeing Su Ming return, Zhao Tiji abruptly stood up and approached with a mysterious expression.

"Brother Su, you're finally back." Zhao Tiji lowered his voice, glancing left and right. "Something's happened."

Su Ming's heart jumped, his hand instinctively moving toward the formation plate at his waist. "Monster beast attack on the camp?"

"No." Zhao Tiji shook his head, his expression strange—a mix of excitement and worry. "It's the logistics camp. Heard that this afternoon, a batch of damaged magical implements shipped back from the front lines... seems something extraordinary got mixed in. It injured two stewards responsible for inventory. That area is now sealed off, and they're searching everywhere for someone knowledgeable about ancient formations to take a look."

Su Ming's heart sank with a thud.

Shipped from the front lines? Injured stewards?

Could it be...

"Our battalion commander just issued an order for you to go there first thing tomorrow morning." Zhao Tiji patted Su Ming's shoulder. "Said they specifically requested you by name. Seems your reputation from repairing that Thunder Wood Formation last time has spread."

Su Ming narrowed his eyes slightly.

Reputation—sometimes it's a protective talisman, and sometimes, it's a death warrant.

"Understood." Su Ming nodded, his expression unchanged. "Brother Zhao, I'd like to rest early tonight."

"Alright, you've been busy for three days and must be exhausted. Get some sleep." Zhao Tiji didn't overthink it, dispersing with the others.

Su Ming pushed open the stone door and sealed it with a restriction.

He didn't rest immediately. Instead, he sat cross-legged and took out that vial of "Thunder Origin Liquid."

"Master, it seems we can't keep a low profile even if we want to," Su Ming said softly, looking at the purple liquid in the vial.

"What's there to fear?" Lin Yu's voice carried a hint of roguishness. "When soldiers come, we block them with generals; when water comes, we contain it with earth. As long as we aren't greedy and don't touch those deadly core secrets, even if the sky falls, taller people will hold it up. Hurry up and refine this stuff. Your physical body is too weak. If we ever truly need to flee one day, don't get winded after just a couple of steps."

Su Ming took a deep breath, pulled out the stopper, tilted his head back, and swallowed that drop of Thunder Origin Liquid.

*Boom!*

A violent surge of heat instantly exploded in his abdomen, transforming into countless tiny thunder serpents that burrowed into his limbs and bones.

Su Ming grunted, clenched his teeth, and began circulating the *Like Water Art*, guiding that violent force, bit by bit, to temper his meridians and bones.

And deep within the soil beneath him, that Wood Demon Core Fragment engraved with the "Spiritual Resonance Resonance" rune was, in sync with his breathing, emitting an extremely faint, rhythmic pulse that only he could perceive.

That pulse penetrated the rock layers, extending deeper, further into the dark underground.

Down there, that "river" seemed to sense something. The speed of its flow quickened slightly.