Immortal Forging

Immortal Forging is an "old classic" that no reader of artifact-refining cultivation fiction can ignore. Its distinguishing feature is an almost absurdly overpowered cheat granted to the protagonist: a space in his mind that can multiply and purify ore. The premise looks simple, yet it precisely links the two threads of "forging" and "seeking immortality": with an endless supply of materials comes an endless supply of artifacts, and every upgrade the protagonist achieves has a visible, tangible weight and feel, giving the reading experience a smith's steady, satisfying sense of hammering iron. Among works of its kind, its jianghu flavor also stands out. The opening is not about an immortal sect but about gangs and a weapons hall; a mountain-village boy starts as a menial laborer and fights his way up through a rigidly hierarchical gang, and the minor figures each have their own temperaments and schemes, giving the world a texture that feels solid and coarse. The characterization is notable for its completeness, and supporting characters are not mere tools; the language is plain with a touch of humor, never greasy or showily clever. Its weaknesses are obvious too: in the middle and later sections the main plot grows diffuse, scenes and characters switch frequently, and the pacing flattens out—a classic case of "tight at the start, loose at the end." If you can accept a slow-burning old-school cultivation novel that sags somewhat later on, it remains a fine entry point to the artifact-refining school.