1533 Ancient Anvil Association

"Have you heard? Exalted Blacksmith has returned and announced that he would be doing the God of Creation Ceremony!"

"No way! The one who disappeared from the world after Eternal Blacksmith became the God of Creation nine thousand years ago?! When is he going to do the God of Creation Ceremony!?"

"He said he's going to do it next month."

"Next month? That's too soon!"

Once news of Tian Qiyuan's God of Creation Ceremony spread, people from around the world flocked to the Grand Elder Summit, where he would perform the ceremony.

"The Grand Elder Summit, again? It'll definitely become a tradition to perform the ceremony there from now on."

At the Grand Elder Summit, countless people gathered there, including the Divine Blacksmiths, as well as the God of Creation.

"I knew he was training in seclusion, but I didn't anticipate he would perform the God of Creation Ceremony this soon." Silver Flame Blacksmith said out loud.

"It's been around ten thousand years since he became a Divine Blacksmith, right? This is a little too soon, no matter how I look at it." Star Forging Blacksmith sighed.

"Can he even craft Celestial-grade treasures? I bet he rushed to perform the ceremony the moment he crafted his first Celestial-grade treasure!" Fiery Heaven Blacksmith laughed in a mocking tone.

"What do you think of Exalted Blacksmith's decision to perform the ceremony, God of Creation?" Heaven and Earth Blacksmith asked him.

God of Creation pondered for a moment before responding, "He crafted his first Empyrean-grade treasure around ten thousand years ago. Even if he's managed to improve enough to craft Celestial-grade treasures with this little time, I cannot imagine he could have achieved a high success rate."

Relentless Blacksmith nodded in agreement with God of Creation and said, "I share the same sentiment. No matter how talented you are, there is a limit to what you can achieve. All of us performed our first God of Creation Ceremony after a hundred thousand years of achieving Celestial-grade treasure, too."

"Let's bet on how much treasure he'll craft. I'll bet a Glistening Cold Ore on 5." Fiery Heaven Blacksmith suddenly said.

"That sounds fun. I'll bet a nine-inch long and three-inch thick Ancient Burning Wood on 12." Relentless Blacksmith said.

The others also joined in on the fun.

"Can I join you guys?" A new voice suddenly resounded.

The group of Divine Blacksmiths turned to look at the person who had just spoken simultaneously.

"If it isn't the Sword Goddess. Of course, you can join in on the fun." Heaven and Earth Blacksmith said, knowing that she was a friend of Tian Qiyuan.

"So, what's your bet?" Fiery Heaven Blacksmith asked.

"I'll bet this." Zi Xuan retrieved an entire Golden Celestial Tree from her spatial ring, shocking everyone there.

"You're betting an entire Golden Celestial Tree?! And it's at least 1 million years old!" Yin Yang Blacksmith exclaimed in a shocked voice.

"Is it too much? I'll change it if you don't want it," Zi Xuan casually said.

"Who said anything about not wanting it? If you want to bet that, by all means!" Fiery Heaven Blacksmith laughed.

"What is your prediction?" Silver Flame Blacksmith asked.

Without hesitation, Zi Xuan responded with a calm smile on her face, "I'll bet on 100."

"Huh?"

Everyone paying attention to their little gamble raised their eyebrows in a puzzled manner after hearing her words, most of them believing they had misheard her.

"Did I hear you correctly? That you'd bet on Exalted Blacksmith crafting 100 Celestial-grade treasures during the ceremony?" God of Creation asked with a look of disbelief on his face.

"Indeed, you heard me correctly." Zi Xuan calmly nodded her head.

"..."

After a moment of silence, Fiery Heaven Blacksmith burst out laughing, "Hahaha! If you're trying to donate that Golden Celestial Tree to one of us, just say so! There's no need to utter such nonsense!"

The other Divine Blacksmiths also laughed out loud. None of them could take Zi Xuan seriously, after all.

"Alright, since everyone is having fun, I'll join, too." God of Creation said as he retrieved a rare material from his spatial ring. "I'll bet on 20."

"20? You're overestimating him too much, God of Creation." Fiery Heaven Blacksmith shook his head.

"We'll see about that…" he calmly said.

The people who sat around them wanted to join in on the fun, but none of them had the guts to do so, as the Divine Blacksmiths' presence was simply too much for them, not to mention the God of Creation himself.

Sometime later, Tian Qiyuan showed up at the Grand Elder Summit. However, there was an issue that most of the people there immediately noticed.

"Huh? Where is the Ancient Anvil Association?" Star Forging Blacksmith questioned out loud.

"Perhaps they're running late?" Silver Flame Blacksmith said.

"There's no way they would be late to the God of Creation Ceremony. It's sacred for them." Heaven and Earth Blacksmith said.

"Exalted Blacksmith, where is the Ancient Anvil Association? You are aware that their presence is essential for the ceremony's legitimacy, are you not?" the God of Creation inquired.

Tian Qiyuan looked at him and said, "I know, but I don't think they'll show up."

"Why is that?" God of Creation became even more puzzled.

"Because I refused to be associated with them," he calmly said.

"What?! You're telling me that you've been an unofficial blacksmith this entire time?!?!" Heaven and Earth Blacksmith exclaimed in a bewildered voice.

"That's right." Tian Qiyuan calmly nodded.

To be officially recognized as a blacksmith, one must register with the Ancient Anvil Association.

"Impossible! How come the Ancient Anvil Association hasn't mentioned this before?!" Silver Flame Blacksmith asked, her voice filled with disbelief.

"More importantly, why did you refuse to accept them? They're recognized by almost every blacksmith in the world," the God of Creation asked.

"It's simply a matter of pettiness," Tian Qiyuan replied with a casual shrug. "We had some disagreements in the past, and I've held a grudge ever since." His words left everyone speechless.