Chapter 72

When it came to Gu Yue, Xie Xie couldn’t help but feel deflated. Over the past week, he had faced off against Gu Yue more than once. Although he was somewhat unwilling to admit it, he had to acknowledge that he really couldn’t beat Gu Yue now. Gu Yue’s mastery of the six elements was simply too unpredictable, with no discernible pattern. Coupled with the enhancement from her first soul skill, Elemental Tide, even if he were to deplete his soul power, he still wouldn’t be a match for Gu Yue.

Tang Wulin said, "Alright, it’s not early anymore. Everyone, hurry up and meditate. I’ll be seeing the teacher tomorrow and won’t be at the academy."

The intermediate academy had one day off each week, during which students could arrange their own activities. Tang Wulin hadn’t been able to complete the Tianlong Iron forging task for a whole week, and he was also feeling a bit anxious. It was just right that Mang Tian had come, so he decided to complete the task.

The next morning, after having breakfast, Tang Wulin left the academy and headed straight for Mang Tian’s studio.

Before he even entered, he heard the clanging sounds coming from inside.

"Teacher!" Tang Wulin opened the door with his key and entered the forging room, where he saw Mang Tian busy at work.

Mang Tian glanced at him, "Hmm, your spirit looks good. It seems you’ve been working hard."

Tang Wulin scratched his head, a bit embarrassed, "But, forging..."

Mang Tian waved his hand, "You’ve already reached the Thousand Forging stage, which means you’ve entered a new level. This isn’t something you can improve just by practicing. At your current age, the most important thing is to focus on enhancing your soul power. So you haven’t done anything wrong. However, during the weekly day off, you should still come here. Go change your clothes, and then I’ll help you get familiar with the Thousand Forging Sinking Silver Hammer. In the afternoon, we’ll complete the task you’ve taken on."

He couldn’t bring himself to be stern with this disciple. When he got the disciple’s contact number from Master Cen Yue yesterday, Cen Yue pestered him for a long time. Even the president came to ask personally.

Don’t underestimate the status of Donghai City on the continent. Although it’s not a top-tier city, Mu Chen is one of the ten great holy blacksmiths on the continent. He is a prominent figure not just in the blacksmithing world but also across the entire continent. If it weren’t for his late wife being from Donghai City, he wouldn’t be here at all.

Yesterday, even Mu Chen offered to help if Tang Wulin needed any assistance in his studies. How could Mang Tian not be delighted by this?

However, in his view, Tang Wulin was already sufficient to be taught by him. He also had his own selfish reasons. If he handed Tang Wulin over to Mu Chen now, who would be considered his teacher in the future?

This was also the reason why Mang Tian didn’t let Tang Wulin showcase his Thousand Forging ability and directly apply for the third-level blacksmith certification.

Tang Wulin’s talent in forging wasn’t just about his innate strength. While innate strength is rare, it’s not unheard of. But those who truly become top-tier blacksmiths rarely rely on innate strength alone.

The higher the level of a blacksmith, the higher the requirements for insight and soul power. In the later stages of forging, it’s impossible to complete tasks without sufficient soul power. Mang Tian himself suffered from this, otherwise, he would have had the confidence to advance to the Holy Blacksmith level.

Tang Wulin’s innate strength compensated for his current lack of soul power. More importantly, this child had an extraordinary level of insight. He could almost enter a state of concentration during each forging session, especially during the Thousand Forging of Sinking Silver, where he experienced the life of the metal.

Mang Tian remembered that he only occasionally entered this state when he became a fourth-level blacksmith.

It’s easy to imagine the level of talent Tang Wulin possessed in forging. Moreover, he wasn’t afraid of hard work. Over the past three years, he had never slacked off in his studies, which laid a solid foundation. Mang Tian was reluctant to let such a good child go.

Mang Tian planned to cultivate Tang Wulin to the Master Blacksmith level before allowing him to fully showcase his abilities. By then, no one would be able to take his disciple away.

After changing clothes, Tang Wulin began practicing with the Thousand Forging Sinking Silver Hammer on ordinary metals.

At the beginning, due to the stacking effect of the hammer, he was a bit flustered. However, this was a forging hammer he had forged using the blood sacrifice method! After practicing for a while, he gradually became more in tune with the hammers.

While both were Thousand Forging, if he felt a blood connection with the tungsten steel hammer, the Sinking Silver Hammer forged with the blood sacrifice gave him a sense of mental connection. This feeling was incredibly beautiful and unforgettable.

When he fully immersed himself in this state, the application of the Thousand Forging Sinking Silver Hammer was no longer a problem.

Watching his disciple strike the metal with simple, focused blows, and seeing the look in his eyes that reflected the glow of the Sinking Silver Hammer, Mang Tian couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. The child’s potential, after completing the Thousand Forging, finally began to show.

It wasn’t until evening that Tang Wulin, using the now proficient Thousand Forging Sinking Silver Hammer, completed the forging of the Tianlong Iron, thus ending the day’s practice.

"Let’s go. I’ll accompany you to the Blacksmith Association to submit the task. Then we’ll take on the second task, which you’ll complete during the next week’s day off and submit again." Mang Tian instructed.

"Yes!" Tang Wulin quickly responded.

Mang Tian thought to himself that with a week’s buffer, no one would doubt his forging ability.

The Blacksmith Association was much busier in the evening than during the day. Mang Tian took Tang Wulin directly to the second floor to submit the task. After the association’s dedicated inspector examined the finished product, they paid the reward.

Two million federal coins. This was the first time Tang Wulin had earned so much money in one go. He handed the money to Mang Tian, "Teacher, here you go."

Mang Tian shook his head, "By reaching the second-level blacksmith, you’ve essentially completed your apprenticeship. This is what you deserve."

Tang Wulin said, "But, I still use your forging room!"

Mang Tian’s face showed a smile, "Do you think I care about these things? By the way, your parents are on a business trip, so you don’t need to call home."

"Oh, okay."

Putting away the two million federal coins, although Tang Wulin knew he was still far from his goal, he still felt a sense of joy. Wealth through labor, glory in labor—this was all earned through his own efforts.

After taking on another second-level task, he and Mang Tian left the association.

"Teacher, let me treat you to a meal," Tang Wulin said, somewhat excitedly.

Mang Tian shook his head, "Go back to the academy to eat. The teacher has some matters to attend to. Remember, every week during the day off, come to the teacher’s place to forge. Every month, you must produce one Thousand Forging finished product. The teacher will leave the materials there. The Thousand Forging finished product will be your payment for using my studio."

"Alright," Tang Wulin agreed readily.