Chapter 44: No Available Furnace?

Elan stood at the entrance of the cave with his father, Daren, and one hundred and nineteen clansmen, all eagerly anticipating the task ahead.

The cave was the very place where Elan and Arion had previously discovered the valuable Skyforge Crystals, and the group was abuzz with excitement at the prospect of mining the precious material. Daren glanced around the area, his eyes filled with curiosity and eagerness.

"Is this the place where you found the Skyforge Crystals last time, Elan?" Daren asked, his voice carrying a blend of anticipation and wonder.

Elan nodded, a confident smile spreading across his face. "Yes, Dad. This is the exact spot. Let's head in and gather what we need."

With Elan leading the way, they entered the cave, followed closely by his father, his three best friends, Lyra, the seven elders, and the rest of the clansmen. As they ventured deeper into the cave, the soft glow of the Skyforge Crystals began to illuminate their path, casting an otherworldly light that danced off the walls. The ethereal radiance created a mesmerizing display, leaving the clansmen in awe. Many reached out to touch the crystals, marveling at their smooth, cool surfaces. Their initial shock quickly transformed into joy as they realized the true value and beauty of the crystals before them.

Elan stepped forward, addressing the group with a composed authority. "Everyone, please step back. I'm going to start mining the Skyforge Crystals."

He drew the Scarlet Reaper, and Elan channeled his spiritual energy into the blade and prepared for what he anticipated to be a difficult task. With a powerful swing, he struck the wall. To his surprise, the crystal separated from the rock with ease.

''Huh! Why was it so easy to extract? Last time, it took so long to get just a small piece,' Elan thought, puzzled.

Arion's voice echoed in his mind. 'That's because you didn't use your spiritual energy the last time you mined the Skyforge Crystals.'

Realizing his oversight, Elan face-palmed, feeling a blend of embarrassment and amusement. 'No wonder it was so difficult before,' he thought, shaking his head with a smile. The thought of how much effort he had put in without utilizing his spiritual energy made him chuckle inwardly.

Encouraged by the newfound ease of the task, Elan resumed his work with renewed vigor, hacking away at the Skyforge Crystals. The crystals began to pile up quickly, far surpassing his expectations. What he had initially thought would take an entire day or two was now being accomplished in just half the time. 

Elan paused for a moment, delighted by the progress, and called out to two of his fellow clansmen.

"Take these Skyforge Crystals outside and wait for us there."

The two clansmen immediately set to work, carefully gathering the crystals and transferring them into the baskets with remarkable care and efficiency. They moved swiftly, ensuring that none of the precious material was wasted.

Meanwhile, Elan continued to slice through the crystal. The teamwork and coordination of the group were impressive, as each member played their part in the smooth operation.

True to Elan's estimation, he and his clansmen managed to fill all seventy baskets with Skyforge Crystals in just half a day. Elan worked tirelessly, not taking even a moment's rest, his focus was unwavering. The task, which had once seemed daunting, was completed with surprising ease, largely due to the proper use of spiritual energy. The clansmen couldn't help but marvel at the sight of the filled baskets, each one a tangible reward for their collective effort and proof of Elan's relentless commitment.

As the last crystal was placed in a basket, Elan wiped the sweat from his forehead, a satisfied smile spreading across his face. "It's finally done," he said, exhaling deeply with a sense of accomplishment. He turned and looked back towards the cave entrance. Even from where he stood, he could see the faint glimmer of countless Skyforge Crystals still embedded in the walls, awaiting their turn to be mined.

Daren and the others approached Elan, concern and appreciation evident in their eyes. "You should rest a bit before we head back, Son," Daren suggested, his voice gentle but firm. "It's still early, and we've made great progress today."

The elders and Elan's friends quickly voiced their agreement. "Daren's right," said Elder Thalia, her tone filled with supportive warmth. "You've been working hard without a break."

Lyra nodded, her cheeks flushing slightly. "It's important to take care of yourself, especially after such intense work," she added, her voice soft with concern.

Jarek, one of Elan's best friends, clapped him on the back with a grin. "Yeah, Elan. Take a breather. We've got plenty of time," he encouraged, his tone light and reassuring.

In his mind, Arion's voice chimed in, 'Your father and the others are right, Elan; you should replenish your spiritual energy.'

Elan nodded, feeling the fatigue beginning to set in. He found a small boulder nearby and sat down, crossing his legs as he closed his eyes. He began to absorb the spiritual energy around him, focusing on replenishing his own reserves. As he cultivated, his body gradually relaxed, and the strain from the day's work started to dissipate. The energy flowed into him, revitalizing his spirit and body and easing the weariness in his muscles. It was a soothing and restorative process, and Elan felt himself becoming more centered and calm with each passing moment.

Meanwhile, the other clansmen were busy testing the Skyforge Crystals. They marveled at the perfect weight and feel of the crystals, examining each one closely. Some couldn't resist the temptation to swing the crystals through the air, imagining them as swords, spears, axes, halberds, or even staff. The air was filled with laughter and excitement as they playfully tested the crystals, their imaginations running wild with the possibilities these rare materials could bring to their weapons and tools.

After about twenty minutes, Elan stood up, feeling revitalized from his brief session of cultivation. He glanced around at his father and the clansmen, who were still enthusiastically experimenting with the Skyforge Crystals. "It's time to head back," Elan announced with a warm smile, his tone gentle yet clear.

Daren and the rest nodded in agreement, carefully placing the Skyforge Crystals back into the baskets. The clansmen gathered around Elan, ready to follow his lead. With Elan at the front, they began their journey back, the weight of their successful expedition evident in the filled baskets they carried. The path was filled with lighthearted chatter and occasional bursts of laughter as the group's spirits soared from their achievement.

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After nearly two hours of walking, the group finally arrived back at their settlement. As they approached, other clansmen eagerly came out to greet them, curious to see the fruits of their labor. The returning group was welcomed with cheers and warm smiles, and the clansmen quickly stepped in to help lift the heavy baskets brimming with Skyforge Crystals. As they transferred the baskets, they couldn't help but marvel at the crystals inside, fascinated by their shimmering appearance.

Elan led the group toward the chamber, the place he had designated for molding the crystals into weapons. The chamber was a strategic choice, designed to serve their needs perfectly. Upon reaching it, he instructed his father and the clansmen to carefully place the baskets inside. Elan then took a moment to survey the chamber, appreciating its enclosed design. It was an ideal setting for their work, as the structure would effectively contain the heat generated during the forging process, preventing it from dissipating too quickly and ensuring an efficient use of resources, but one crucial element was missing—a furnace.

Elan turned to Elder Aric and asked, "Elder Aric, Do we have a furnace available?"

Elder Aric shook his head. "No, we don't have a furnace. In fact, I don't recall ever seeing one in the village. We've always just used flat rocks to cook our meat."

As Elan considered this, he realized it was true; their community had never relied on a furnace, even for basic cooking. They had always used flat rocks, heated by fire, to prepare their food. This simple method had served them well for everyday needs, but crafting weapons from Skyforge Crystals would require a more advanced approach.

The absence of a furnace presented a significant challenge, as melting the Skyforge Crystals was essential to forging them into weapons.

The clansmen reacted with a mix of concern and confusion upon learning they had no furnace. They gathered around, whispering among themselves, trying to think of alternatives. The realization of their dilemma weighed heavily on them; without a proper furnace, the task of melting the Skyforge Crystals seemed nearly impossible. Some of the clansmen expressed their doubts openly, wondering how they could achieve the high temperatures necessary without the proper equipment.

One of the elders voiced the concern shared by many: "Without a furnace, how can we possibly melt the Skyforge Crystals? They require intense heat, far beyond what a simple fire can provide."

The group fell into a thoughtful silence, each person grappling with the challenge. They knew the Skyforge Crystals were a rare and precious resource, and the thought of being unable to utilize them was frustrating. The absence of a furnace felt like a significant setback, leaving the clansmen unsure of how to proceed. The weight of the situation pressed heavily on them, as the prospect of losing the opportunity to forge powerful weapons loomed large.

Arion's voice then echoed in Elan's mind, offering a practical suggestion. 'Why not use the same thing your clansmen use to cook meat—rocks? You could use your Scarlet Reaper to easily carve and shape the rocks into a makeshift furnace. By arranging them into a chamber with a small opening for airflow, you can create a primitive but effective furnace. The rocks will help retain and focus the heat, allowing you to reach the necessary temperatures to melt the Skyforge Crystals.'

The idea struck Elan as both practical and resourceful. Rocks could be an excellent alternative to a traditional furnace, especially if they could find the right type. They would need a rock that could withstand high temperatures without cracking or degrading, providing a stable surface to melt the Skyforge Crystals.

Using rocks to melt metals wasn't an entirely foreign concept. In various cultures, natural stone structures had been employed to contain heat and focus it for smelting purposes. The key was finding rocks that could endure extreme temperatures and retain heat long enough to melt the crystals effectively.

Elan considered the idea and asked, 'Where can we find the right kind of rock?'

Arion answered, 'Let's head to the river. There's a type of rock back on Earth called Quartzite, which is commonly found in rivers. It's known for its high melting point and durability. We might find something similar in the river here, or at least a rock with comparable properties.'

Elan nodded inwardly, agreeing with Arion's reasoning. Arion was right; the best course of action was to find the kind of rock Arion had described.

Turning to his father and the gathered clansmen, Elan's eyes brightened with a newfound idea. "I have an idea. I'll be right back," he announced. Before anyone could respond, Elan was already sprinting towards the river, determined to find the necessary materials.

As Elan ran, a thought suddenly struck him, and he quickly asked Arion, "I forgot to ask yesterday, will the molds I carved catch fire when the molten metal touches the wood?"

Arion's voice came through reassuringly, "You don't have to worry about that. You can protect your wooden molds by using your spiritual energy to shield them."

Elan sighed with relief at Arion's assurance. If the molds he had carefully carved were to catch fire, all his efforts would have been wasted. Although he could always carve new molds from another type of wood, like the durable Serenity Blossom Tree, he hoped his current choice would suffice.