Chapter 75: Section 9E-I

It was high noon when the Azurewing Roc finally touched down with its last batch of blacksmiths, its massive wings sending gusts of wind that swept across the clearing. The blacksmiths, Jiang Feng included, began unloading their tools and equipment. Hammers, anvils, and whetstones were quickly set aside, while carts of forge fuel and raw materials were wheeled away. Despite the sheer scale of the operation, it was done in near silence, broken only by the occasional bark of an order or the metallic clank of equipment.

Soon after, all the blacksmiths gathered together in a loose huddle as an elder from the Ironwood Sect approached to debrief them.

The elder cut an odd figure, though one immediately sensed his authority. He was short, no taller than Jiang Feng's chest, but what he lacked in height, he made up for in presence. His large hands, calloused and powerful, seemed almost disproportionate to his body. The most striking feature, however, was his right arm—covered in a segmented gauntlet of dark metal that clinked softly as he moved. Chains, sleek and alive, twisted and coiled across the gauntlet as though they had minds of their own. It was a bizarre sight, one that spoke of years of craftsmanship.

His hair was a wild mess of white streaked with black, and though his appearance seemed careless, every movement of his hands was deliberate—full of control and expertise.

"Thank you, everyone, for coming out to assist the Ironwood Sect today" the elder began, his voice gravelly but clear. "The agreed payment for this one month's work stands at 700,000 low-grade spirit stones, with the potential for bonuses depending on your performance."

A murmur ran through the gathered crowd, but it quickly faded as the elder raised a scroll and unfurled it with a sharp snap. Names were inscribed in neat columns, covering those who had been brought in on the Azurewing Roc's three trips that morning until midday.

"The task will be split into teams of two—100 teams in total" the elder continued. "You will then be assigned as either internal workers or external workers. Fifty teams will be sent to repair the internal structure of the wall, while the other fifty will handle the external structure. Make no mistake, this is dangerous work. Those working outside will be vulnerable to attacks from demonic beasts, while those inside risk being crushed should the wall give way."

The elder paused, letting the weight of the words settle over the blacksmiths.

The Eastern Wall loomed just beyond the clearing, a vast fortification of dark stone that stretched for miles. Its importance could not be overstated. Positioned at the edge of the Obsidian Woodlands, the wall acted as the final defense against the beasts that roamed its shadowy depths. Year-round, it was battered by waves of attacks, the beasts testing its weaknesses like relentless tides. Yet the wall stood—barely. Heavy cracks and breaches marred its once-impenetrable surface, some wide enough for an entire cart to slip through.

It wasn't just the beasts that spurred the sudden call for repairs. The Ironwood Sect had received urgent orders from the council of elders to reinforce the wall immediately. The reason? The increased activity of the Celestial Shadow Church—a shadowy sect rumored to be stirring unrest across the land—and the upcoming opening of the Obsidian Waterfall Realm.

Historically, the opening of the Obsidian Waterfall Realm triggered spikes in demonic beast activity, as though some unseen force deep within the woodlands awakened. No one truly understood why, but the devastation it brought was undeniable.

"The materials for your work will be provided by the Ironwood Sect," the elder continued. "If you're assigned outside, keep your weapons close—there's no telling when the beasts will attack. If you're inside, stay alert. A moment's negligence could cost you or your partner dearly."

The elder began calling out names, pairing up blacksmiths as he worked his way down the scroll. Those who had come in larger groups were quickly split, the elder's no-nonsense tone brooking no argument.

"Jiang Feng, Yumo," he finally called, his sharp gaze landing on the two of them. "You are assigned to the external wall—section 9E."

At the mention of their post, Jiang Feng glanced at Yumo, who gave a small, resigned nod. Section 9E was well-known among the workers for being particularly treacherous. That stretch of the wall had suffered significant damage during a recent assault. The outer layers had crumbled completely, leaving jagged, uneven edges where the stone had splintered. Deep cracks ran through the remaining foundation, some hidden beneath layers of debris. If left unattended, it was only a matter of time before that entire section collapsed, potentially opening a breach for a swarm of beasts.

"The damages to section 9E require careful reinforcement of the foundation," the elder explained, eyes narrowing as he addressed Jiang Feng and Yumo directly. "You will need to first clear the fractured debris and stabilize the base with ironwood beams and binding mortar. After that, reinforce the external layers with tempered steel plating to prevent further erosion. Be swift, but meticulous. A shoddy patch job won't last a week against the beasts."

The elder's chains twitched restlessly as he spoke, as though echoing his impatience. "Materials—ironwood beams, steel plates, and mortar—are already stocked nearby. Tools will be provided if you lack any essentials. Report to Overseer Yuan He when you arrive at 9E for further instructions."

With that, the elder returned to the list, calling out more names as blacksmiths broke off to collect their tools and find their assigned sections.

Jiang Feng hefted some of their equipment, feeling the weight settle across his shoulders. Yumo stood beside him, his expression serious as he too heft equipment across his shoulders. The task ahead was dangerous, but Jiang Feng's resolve burned strong. For a blacksmith, there was no greater pride than ensuring that their work could withstand the forces of nature—or the claws of beasts.

"Ready?" Yumo asked, his voice low.

Jiang Feng nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Let's get to work."

With that, the two set off toward section 9E, the ominous silhouette of the Eastern Wall towering in the distance.

-

Jiang Feng and Yumo arrived at section 9E after a steady trek through the worksite, the ground littered with splintered stone and thick patches of ironwood beams awaiting use. Even from a distance, they could feel the oppressive energy radiating from the cracked wall, like a wounded beast ready to collapse under its own weight. The sound of distant roars from the Obsidian Woodlands added an eerie backdrop to the scene.

Overseer Yuan He stood at the base of the wall, arms crossed as he surveyed the area with a keen, scrutinizing gaze. He was a tall, broad-shouldered man, his frame covered in dark leather armor reinforced with plated joints. His face was rugged, with a scar running down his left cheek—testament to his years of labor and survival along the Eastern Wall.

"You two are the first to arrive," Yuan He said, his voice deep and steady, carrying the authority of someone who had led countless projects under fire. "Jiang Feng, Yumo—I assume you've been briefed?."

Jiang Feng nodded. "Yes, Overseer Yuan. Clear debris, stabilize the foundation, reinforce with steel plating."

Yuan He gave a slight nod of approval. "Good. Your sleeping quarters are to the left." He pointed to a small makeshift tent near a cluster of stacked ironwood beams and bundles of tools. "Get settled, check your gear, and then get moving. The sooner you start, the better. I don't need to remind you that delays mean risks for everyone."

"Understood," Yumo replied his voice firm.

Jiang Feng and Yumo exchanged a glance before heading to the tent. Inside, there were work orders, basic charts of the damaged section, and spare tools for emergencies. Jiang Feng unrolled one of the charts, his eyes narrowing as he studied the lines sketched across it. The fractures ran deep—some jagged enough to suggest the wall had nearly been breached during the last attack.

"Looks worse than I thought," Yumo muttered, leaning over to examine the same chart. "The cracks are pulling the weight of the wall unevenly. If we don't stabilize the base before patching the surface, the entire section will shear off."

Jiang Feng nodded in agreement. "We'll need to clear out every loose stone first. The foundation work has to be solid. You focus on setting the ironwood braces while I mix the mortar and begin cutting the plating to fit."

"Sounds like a plan," Yumo said, rolling his shoulders.

The two climbed the wall shortly after, their steps steady despite the treacherous terrain. The climb was a constant reminder of the wall's immense size. Up close, the damage appeared catastrophic—gashes wide enough to step through and fractures that spiderwebbed deep into the stone. Jiang Feng crouched at the edge of one such crack, running a hand across the jagged stone that was a mixture of rock and metal.

"Some of these look like claw marks," Jiang Feng muttered, his brow furrowing.

Yumo, standing beside him, let out a sharp exhale. "Beasts have been pushing harder than usual. It's no coincidence this happened so close to the Obsidian Waterfall Realm's opening."

Before they could dive deeper into their analysis, the sounds of activity below caught their attention. The other teams had arrived—blacksmiths and laborers in pairs, their equipment rattling as they moved. Overseer Yuan He barked orders, directing groups to their designated positions.

"Let's move," Jiang Feng said, straightening up. "The others will rely on us to stabilize this section first. If we fall behind, they'll be working on top of a crumbling base."

Yumo nodded, already pulling a length of chain from his pack to measure out support placements. "I'll start marking where the braces need to go. Get the mortar ready, and once the debris is clear, we'll reinforce. They we'll replacement plates for the Zhen clan to mark their formation lines."

Jiang Feng took a final glance at the chaotic worksite, his resolve hardening. The task before them was immense, but he was ready for it. In a place like this—where stone and steel held back the fury of the beasts—it was a blacksmith's work that could mean the difference between survival and catastrophe.

And Jiang Feng would make sure his work stood firm.