ChapterĀ 189 ā The Halo and the Fourth Rank Blacksmith
The clock slowly ticked by. It was normal for the Thousand Refinements to take a few hours, but the relentless storm of Tang Wulinās twin hammers had already reduced the Blue Coppertite to one-third of its original size in only a quarter of an hour. Its blue hue grew brighter and brighter while the ripples on its surface began to slow down and stabilize.
The Stacked Hammers effect may have helped Tang Wulin, but it was his strength, judgement, and understanding of the metal that allowed him to finish so quickly.
Having already become one with his hammers, Tang Wulinās concentration could not be broken. Surprisingly enough, he was actually beginning to resemble his hammers.
The final hammer strike descended, and an azure halo that was a third of a meter in diameter burst from the Blue Coppertite, fusing back into the metal a moment later and disappearing.
āA halo emerged!ā Cen Yue cried.
Only metals at the second-grade and above could release a halo. Furthermore, the appearance of a halo signified the degree to which spirit was imbued into the metal. This was the origin of the name, āHalf-Spirit Refinement.ā
That halo just now wasnāt an ordinary second-grade halo! Cen Yue wiped cold sweat from his forehead. Did this boy just forge a first-grade metal? Is he trying to astonish us even more?
Mu Chenās eyes lit up. He raised one hand to stop Tang Wulin and used his other to grab the metal. āYou donāt need to do anything else. Weāre ending the test here. Youāve succeeded at Thousand Refining a second-grade Blue Coppertite and officially passed the fourth rank test.ā
Since Tang Wulin could forge a second-grade Blue Coppertite, they didnāt even need to check if he could do the same with lesser metals. \nāIt isnāt of the first-grade?ā Cen Yue asked Mu Chen.
Mu Chen shook his head. āIt falls a bit short, but itās nearly there. Youāll make a lot of money off of this Blue Coppertite the next time you accept some tasks. Go back and prepare for the Grand Banquet of the Sea and Sky. It begins in one month.ā
āButā¦ teacher, donāt I still need to attend class?ā Tang Wulin asked.
Mu Chen said, āYou donāt need to worry, the association will help you take care of that. You need to spend the remaining time forging. Iāll continue to teach you once a week. It seems like I need to start teaching you the technique needed to forge first-grade metals.ā
Tang Wulin smiled. āYes, thank you, teacher.ā
āIāll go with you.ā Mu Xi took the initiative to accompany him back to the academy. Ā
After the two left the Blacksmithās Association, Mu Xi suddenly pinched Tang Wulinās cheek.
āOw! Senior disciple sister, what are you doing?ā Tang Wulin complained.
Mu Xi snorted. āIām checking if youāre even human. Isnāt everyone supposed to be equal? You donāt have another face, so how are you able to progress so quickly?ā
āSenior disciple sister, I donāt have a second face,ā Tang Wulin said in embarrassment.
Mu Xi suddenly became all smiles. āI know. Can I talk to you about something? If no one ends up being better than me at the Skysea Alliance Tournament, can you let me win? Ā Iāll give you the prize money too, and then youāll have the money for both first and second places. Iāll even give you the metals that are awarded as well. How about it?ā
Tang Wulin stared at her in a daze. āOkay.ā
Okay? Mu Xi thought she misheard him. He agreed so easily? \nāHey, do you even understand the significance of the Skysea Alliance Tournament? How can you agree so easily?ā
Tang Wulin said, āItās just fame. The difference between first and second place canāt be that large anyway. If I can earn more money by giving up first place for second place, then Iām all for it!ā
āIām convinced nowāyou really only think about money!ā Mu Xi smacked the top of his head lightly. āIām just joking with you. If I stole first place from you, dad would kill me!ā
A trace of a smile appeared on Tang Wulinās lips. āTeacher wouldnāt do that. He actually looks at you with doting eyes. Iām serious, senior disciple sister. If no one is better than you, Iāll give you first place. Iāll be taking that prize money though.ā
Tang Wulinās earnest insistence left Mu Xi in a daze. āI donāt want you to do this for my dad.ā
With her intelligence, she immediately realized what Tang Wulin intended. He was doing a favor to Mu Chen.
Tang Wulin shook his head. āItās not what youāre thinking. Teacher once said that the tallest tree in the forest will be ravaged by the wind. Iām still very young, so what do you think would happen if I reveal that Iām already a fourth rank blacksmith? Iām still a long ways from three rings and Spirit Refinement, so what does first place even mean to me? If I just take second place, then I can keep a low-profile while earning some money.ā
Mu Xi curiously asked, āCan you tell me why you need so much money?ā
Tang Wulin forced out a bitter smile. āMy cultivation path is a bit different from other people. I need a lot of heavenly treasures to continue evolving my martial soul. My strength comes from that evolution. You know that my martial soul is Bluesilver Grass. Take a look!ā \nTang Wulin raised his right hand and summoned his golden scales.
The sight of the golden scales left Mu Xi speechless. She slowly raised a finger and tapped on the scales, creating a sharp metallic tone.
āThis is why youāre in class zero? This is the source of your strength?ā Mu Xi asked in disbelief.
āArenāt you afraid Iāll tell my dad?ā Mu Xi asked suspiciously.
āI donāt intend to hide this from teacher!ā Tang Wulin said.
āForget about it, then!ā Mu Xi nodded at Tang Wulinās answer in satisfaction. āIāll look out for you in the academy from now on. If anyone dares bully you, just tell me their name.ā
Tang Wulin didnāt know whether to laugh or cry. āSenior disciple sister, what are you saying? I donāt get into fights anyway.ā
āYou donāt get into fights? Who was it that sent his roommates flying out of their second-floor window on the first day, hm? I canāt seem to rememberā¦ā
āOh, right, do you like Zixin?ā Mu Xi asked suddenly.
Tang Wulin was blindsided by this question, and his face immediately went beet red before he waved his arms in denial. āN-No! No, I donāt! I donātā¦ā
āHahaha! Look at how flustered you are! Arenāt you usually super calm? I understand. Youāre confused about the matters of the heart and are trying to deny it, but itās clear that you like her! Just what are you learning at such a young age?ā Mu Xi pinched his face over and over.
Tang Wulin was distressed. āI really donāt! Senior Sister Zixin is just a really nice person, and we frequently run into each other during our morning jogs. Even if I did like her, it would be because sheās so pretty and gentle. I can appreciate those qualities, you know! Donāt go having any weird thoughts!ā \nMu Xi raised her eyebrows. āSo youāre saying that Iām not pretty or gentle enough for you to likeā¦ and you donāt appreciate me?ā
Tang Wulin was still a ten-year-old child, so how could he hope to win an argument against a developing young lady? Mu Xi was fourteen years old this year and was far more mature than him.
āI-Iā¦ā Tang Wulin gawked at her, speechless.
Isnāt that right though? Youāre not gentle at all!
Tang Wulin had to admit Wu Xi was pretty, but he would never say so out loud.
After pinching Tang Wulinās face a bit more, Mu Xi was satisfied.
Bullying him is even more fun than being cold to him! Her mouth curled into a wicked smile.
They soon arrived at the academy and Tang Wulin let out a sigh. He flew back to his dorm while rubbing his aching cheeks, the sound of Mu Xiās witch-like cackling chasing after him.
āThe Skysea Alliance Tournament?ā
Tang Wulin mentioned the tournament during lunch and immediately caught Xie Xieās ear. He hadnāt realized just how much Xie Xie knew about the tournament! \n
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