China’s four major craft systems, centered around rotary welding, hundred-refined steel, steel casting, and clamped steel, are not only versatile in performance and aesthetics but also highly suitable for mass production with diverse patterns.
The essence of the Damascus forging method lies in stacking various types of steel and utilizing the acid etching of different steels to create beautifully patterned steel.
However, in terms of aesthetics alone, the patterned steel forged using China’s rotary welding technique stands toe-to-toe with Damascus sword forging.
In terms of strength, there’s also hundred-refined steel, offering exceptional toughness and fatigue resistance, lending itself to better practical applications.
Meanwhile, Li Younan, the most exceptional sword forging master in history, excelled in each of these skills, reaching the pinnacle of the craft, and even seamlessly blending different techniques.
Unfortunately, due to the time limitations of the preliminaries, Li Younan had to reluctantly sacrifice some aesthetic aspects.
After all, the final product of the preliminaries is judged by the knife’s performance.
At this time, Brother Liu had already begun the fusion process for his screw steel.
Perfectly fusing these small steel pieces together into a whole is indeed quite troublesome, and Brother Liu’s unique feature is the pure manual hammering, which, while attracting fans, isn’t particularly efficient.
Brother Liu’s first attempt at fusion ended in failure, with a noticeable crack forming in the middle when hammering the clumped steel.
"Oh no."
He glanced at the time, realizing an hour had already passed, and took a deep breath.
Indeed, it’s impossible without the respirator.
The host, cheering from the side, said, "That’s really frustrating, isn’t it? Let’s see how contestant Liu Lin handles this?"
So noisy.
Brother Liu casually used a clamp to shove the steel block into the furnace, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and walked straight out.
Seeing this, both the judges and host paused for a moment in surprise.
Ignoring them, Brother Liu walked down the competitor’s corridor, took a deep breath, and pulled out a respirator... a cigar, lighting it.
The cameraman followed closely behind.
Brother Liu sat down, recalling the details from his sword forging.
Why does my body feel so weak?
He took a fierce puff of the cigar, and instantly, his strength returned as he slowly exhaled smoke.
Indeed, it’s not doable without the respirator.
The cameraman, watching from the side with slight disbelief, thought it unreasonable for someone to be taking a cigar break in such an important and tense competition.
Paying no mind to the glances around him, Brother Liu patiently rested outside for about ten minutes, feeling revitalized when he stood up again.
Placing the half-smoked cigar into his pocket, he returned back inside.
Meanwhile, Dali Ben had also begun his forging. In contrast to Brother Liu, Dali Ben operated on the other extreme, not only using machinery but mastering its operation expertly. Both the hydraulic press and power hammer were great aids in forging a divine weapon.
At that moment, he used the casting machine to fuse two steel blocks.
The cameraman filmed tensely, inevitably sweating for him.
The subsequent result was almost perfect, with the two steel blocks seamlessly fused, prompting Dali Ben to cheer.
Compared to Dali Ben and Brother Liu, who had been busy for a while, Hu Jixi found himself momentarily confused upon receiving the steel rods.
He glanced at Dali Ben and then at Brother Liu, who had just returned.
The steel they used was different from his, and their treatment techniques didn’t suit his 4340 steel.
Honestly, there wasn’t much to learn from them.
With this in mind, he looked at the newcomer, Li Younan.
Although Li Younan was participating in this show for the first time, Hu Jixi certainly didn’t underestimate him as a clueless novice.
Participation frequency in this show doesn’t equate to one’s forging skill level; if their technique is worth learning, one must humbly adopt it.
He certainly wasn’t doing this for the first time.
Just as Hu Jixi turned his attention to Li Younan, he paused a moment later.
In reality, not only Hu Jixi, but the gaze of the judges and host also focused on Li Younan.
Li Younan held a heavy hammer weighing dozens of pounds, steadily striking the steel, sparks flying.
Is this the way to do it?
Hu Jixi remained silent, thinking it’s unlearnable... forget it.
The clanging soon captured the attention of Dali Ben and Brother Liu.
Especially Brother Liu, seeing Li Younan using manual hammering throughout, his eyes brightened:
Damn, now this is a man; this guy is one of my kind.
Seeing Li Younan’s actions, Brother Liu became more passionate, eager to compete with Li Younan, turning his hammer and striking his steel again.
The echoing sound of hammering filled the studio; every time Li Younan struck, Brother Liu couldn’t help but follow.
Despite sore hands, looking up at Li Younan’s consistent movements, Brother Liu refused to concede.

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