Shang Yin was also taken aback.

He hadn’t expected Xu Lei to seek him out, much less to open with such earth-shattering words.

Unifying the world was, of course, his dream.

He had worked tirelessly for years toward this goal, but achieving it was no simple task.

Of course, in his eyes, Xu Lei was a true Divine Monk.

Thus, upon hearing Xu Lei’s words, he was instantly overcome with surprise and delight, finding it hard to believe. He immediately gave it his utmost attention and rushed to welcome him.

"Greetings, Divine Monk!"

Shang Yin was thrilled, but then asked doubtfully, "If I could have the Divine Monk’s aid, it would naturally be my good fortune.

However, over the years, I have pleaded for the Buddhist Sect’s assistance, but they have never agreed.

Why the sudden change of heart today?"

"Amitabha Buddha."

Xu Lei said, "The Buddhist Sect cannot aid you, Benefactor.

You hope for an eminent master of the Buddhist Sect to use Divine Power and Magical Ability to help you conquer the world, but that is absolutely impossible.

After all, we who are beyond the mortal world do not meddle in secular affairs.

This time, it is I, this humble monk, acting alone, who wishes to help you contend for the throne!"

"What?"

Shang Yin was stunned. "You mean... you alone? You, by yourself, want to help me seize the world? But..."

Though this was far beyond his expectations, he still spoke respectfully. "Please, Divine Monk, enlighten me. What must I do to unify the land, contend for the throne, ascend to the highest seat, and become the sovereign?

The current state of the world is not favorable.

The realm is shattered like a dish, broken into seven pieces.

The major powers have each carved out their own territories.

And my faction is not the strongest among them.

I’m ashamed to admit it, but if not for the Wei Family’s aid back then, my forces...

...would have either been crushed by the scions of the Qin Family—the remnants of the Da Yu Dynasty—

...or swallowed up by the other powers.

I heard long ago from my brother-in-law that a significant portion of the Wei Family’s wealth is actually yours, Divine Monk.

Yet even with that, I can do little more than hold my current territory!"

Indeed, over the years, Shang Yin had received financial support from the Wei Family.

He had even been allowed to use the funds Xu Lei had entrusted to Wei Qingning.

This was because Xu Lei, at the time, hadn’t wanted to see Shang Yin fall.

He didn’t want the era of chaos to end too quickly.

So he had allowed it intentionally.

This was not a handout.

In addition, Elder General Qin’s sons had gathered the remaining forces of the Da Yu Dynasty and carved out their own territory.

They had even taken a Prince hostage, using the Emperor’s name to command the warlords!

They operated under the banner of restoring the Royal Family!

Now, they too were one of the most powerful factions.

"Amitabha Buddha."

Xu Lei said, "You have done well enough, Benefactor.

In these chaotic times, heroes rise from all corners.

Simply surviving and becoming one of the top factions is no small feat.

You need not disparage yourself.

Since we’ve come this far, this humble monk will not beat around the bush.

This humble monk has come today to present you with a Treasure!

With it, your power is certain to increase exponentially!

You will sweep across the land and ascend the throne!

That day is close at hand!"

"What is it?"

Shang Yin grew excited. "Something that can help me unify the world?"

"Amitabha Buddha."

Xu Lei simply took out a Steel Blade. "Benefactor, take a look. What do you think of this blade?"

"Hm?"

Shang Yin was confused. He had expected Xu Lei to produce some Divine Treasure, but instead, it was just a blade.

He drew it from its sheath and examined it. The edge was keen. He swiped it across a nearby table, instantly carving a deep gash into the wood.

"A fine blade! A Treasure Saber!"

His eyes lit up. "A Treasure Saber this sharp is a rare sight indeed!

But, Divine Monk, what is the meaning of this?

You said you were going to help me conquer the world, didn’t you?

Just this blade?

Is this some kind of Divine Magical Artifact?

Why is it that, aside from its sharpness,

I can’t see anything else extraordinary about it?

I have many blades just as sharp as this in my own armory!"

"Amitabha Buddha."

Hearing this, Xu Lei simply smiled. "Use this blade to strike one of the other so-called sharp Treasure Sabers in your mansion. Give it a try and see what happens."

He said this because the weapon forging technology of this world was still quite primitive.

Steel had yet to even appear.

All the weapons were either Iron Swords or Copper Swords.

It was equivalent to the technology on Earth before, or during the early part of, the Spring and Autumn period.

Now that Xu Lei had introduced steel, it was a completely unfair advantage.

Shang Yin, however, was still confused.

He brought over an Iron Sword and struck it with the Steel Blade in his hand.

The equally sharp Iron Sword!

Met the Steel Blade!

Just one clash!

The Iron Sword was notched!

But the Steel Blade remained pristine!

"What?"

At this, Shang Yin’s eyes went wide. "Divine Monk, this Treasure Saber of yours... How can it be so hard? What is this?"

"This is a method for forging weapons that this humble monk has devised."

Xu Lei finally smiled and explained, "With this method, more Treasure Sabers just like the one you hold can be forged!

And this humble monk has named the blades forged with this method: Steel Blades!" 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

"Steel Blades!"

Shang Yin’s breath grew ragged. ’If all my soldiers and generals could wield Steel Blades, what would happen?’

He was ecstatic!

’The enemy wields Iron Swords!’

’While my own soldiers wield Steel Blades!’

’How could they possibly fight us?’

"Steel is a material, harder than iron, used for forging weapons,"

Xu Lei said. "It can be used to forge not just blades, but all other kinds of weaponry as well."

「Ten days later.」

On this day,

inside Shang Yin’s residence, Xu Lei demonstrated the Steel Refining Technique.

He used it to forge a brand new Steel Blade!

"It worked, it worked!"

Seeing the Steel Blade take form before his very eyes, Shang Yin cradled the newly forged weapon, ecstatic and trembling with excitement. "Success! The world will be mine!"

Saying this,

he then turned and knelt before Xu Lei. "Thank you, Divine Monk, for bestowing the Steel Refining Technique! Shang Yin is eternally grateful!

The day I, Shang Yin, ascend the throne and become the sovereign, will also be the day the Divine Monk is honored throughout the world!

No matter what my status may be in the future!

To me, you will always be Divine Monk Wu Tan!

The one I revere above all others!"

"Amitabha Buddha."

Xu Lei merely smiled. "Please, Benefactor, use this technique wisely. And be careful not to let it fall into the hands of outsiders before the world is at peace.

As for the rest, this humble monk trusts in your abilities, Benefactor.

With careful planning, you will surely be able to conquer the world!

This humble monk also looks forward to the day you ascend the throne!

The day the world knows peace once more!"

In truth, the Steel Refining Technique Xu Lei had presented was simply the ’bloomery cementation’ process from the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods of Earth’s history.

It used pig iron as the raw material, which underwent heat treatment to allow carbon to seep from the surface to the core. Then, through repeated forging, it created case-hardened steel.

The technique was not particularly advanced.

It was simply that no one in this world had discovered it yet.

In fact, back when he was on Earth, Xu Lei had researched even more advanced refining methods.

For example, the finery process and the blast furnace method.

These latter two were far more advanced than the Steel Refining Technique he was presenting now.

However, since this world hadn’t even discovered steel,

there was no need for Xu Lei to take such a giant leap.

Introducing this process was already enough to give Shang Yin’s equipment an overwhelming advantage over the other factions.

It was enough to bring an end to this chaotic era.

"Your mercy is boundless, Divine Monk! Please, rest assured!"

Shang Yin also declared solemnly, "I will do everything in my power to not betray the trust you have placed in me!

I will end this era of chaos as quickly as possible!

And restore peace to the world!"