190 The Halo and the Fourth Rank Blacksmith

The clock slowly ticked by. It was normal for the Thousand Refinements to takea few hours, but the relentless storm of Tang Wulin’s twin hammers had alreadyreduced the Blue Coppertite to one-third of its original size in only a quarterof an hour. Its blue hue grew brighter and brighter while the ripples on itssurface began to slow down and stabilize.

He’s almost done?

So fast!

The Stacked Hammers effect may have helped Tang Wulin, but it was hisstrength, judgement, and understanding of the metal that allowed him to finishso quickly.

Having already become one with his hammers, Tang Wulin’s concentration couldnot be broken. Surprisingly enough, he was actually beginning to resemble hishammers.

Bang bang bang!

The final hammer strike descended, and an azure halo that was a third of ameter in diameter burst from the Blue Coppertite, fusing back into the metal amoment later and disappearing.

“A halo emerged!” 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 intothe metal. This was the origin of the name, “Half-Spirit Refinement.”

That halo just now wasn’t an ordinary second-grade halo! Cen Yue wiped coldsweat from his forehead.Did this boy just forge a first-grade metal? Is hetrying to astonish us even more?

Mu Chen’s eyes lit up. He raised one hand to stop Tang Wulin and used hisother to grab the metal. “You don’t need to do anything else. We’re ending thetest here. You’ve succeeded at Thousand Refining a second-grade Blue Coppertiteand officially passed the fourth rank test.”

Since Tang Wulin could forge a second-grade Blue Coppertite, they didn’t evenneed to check if he could do the same with lesser metals.

“It isn’t of the first-grade?” Cen Yue asked Mu Chen.

Mu Chen shook his head. “It falls a bit short, but it’s nearly there. You’llmake a lot of money off of this Blue Coppertite the next time you accept sometasks. Go back and prepare for the Grand Banquet of the Sea and Sky. It beginsin one month.”

“But… teacher, don’t I still need to attend class?” Tang Wulin asked.

Mu Chen said, “You don’t need to worry, the association will help you takecare of that. You need to spend the remaining time forging. I’ll continue toteach you once a week. It seems like I need to start teaching you the techniqueneeded to forge first-grade metals.”

Tang Wulin smiled. “Yes, thank you, teacher.”

“I’ll go with you.” Mu Xi took the initiative to accompany him back to theacademy.  

After the two left the Blacksmith’s Association, Mu Xi suddenly pinched TangWulin’s cheek.

“Ow! Senior disciple sister, what are you doing?” Tang Wulin complained.

Mu Xi snorted. “I’m checking if you’re even human. Isn’t everyone supposed tobe equal? You don’t have another face, so how are you able to progress soquickly?”

“Senior disciple sister, I don’t have a second face,” Tang Wulin said inembarrassment.

Mu Xi suddenly became all smiles. “I know. Can I talk to you about something?If no one ends up being better than me at the Skysea Alliance Tournament, canyou let me win?  I’ll give you the prize money too, and then you’ll have themoney for both first and second places. I’ll even give you the metals that areawarded as well. How about it?”

Tang Wulin stared at her in a daze. “Okay.”

Okay? Mu Xi thought she misheard him. He agreed so easily?

“Hey, do you even understand the significance of the Skysea AllianceTournament? How can you agree so easily?”

Tang Wulin said, “It’s just fame. The difference between first and secondplace can’t be that large anyway. If I can earn more money by giving up firstplace for second place, then I’m all for it!”

“I’m convinced now—you really only think about money!” Mu Xi smacked the topof his head lightly. “I’m just joking with you. If I stole first place fromyou, dad would kill me!”

A trace of a smile appeared on Tang Wulin’s lips. “Teacher wouldn’t do that.He actually looks at you with doting eyes. I’m serious, senior disciple sister.If no one is better than you, I’ll give you first place. I’ll be taking thatprize money though.”

Tang Wulin’s earnest insistence left Mu Xi in a daze. “I don’t want you to dothis for my dad.”

With her intelligence, she immediately realized what Tang Wulin intended. Hewas doing a favor to Mu Chen.

Tang Wulin shook his head. “It’s not what you’re thinking. Teacher once saidthat the tallest tree in the forest will be ravaged by the wind. I’m still veryyoung, so what do you think would happen if I reveal that I’m already a fourthrank blacksmith? I’m 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 Ican keep a low-profile while earning some money.”

Mu Xi curiously asked, “Can you tell me why you need so much money?”

Tang Wulin forced out a bitter smile. “My cultivation path is a bit differentfrom other people. I need a lot of heavenly treasures to continue evolving mymartial soul. My strength comes from that evolution. You know that my martialsoul is Bluesilver Grass. Take a look!”

Tang Wulin raised his right hand and summoned his golden scales.

The sight of the golden scales left Mu Xi speechless. She slowly raised afinger and tapped on the scales, creating a sharp metallic tone.

“This is why you’re in class zero? This is the source of your strength?” Mu Xiasked in disbelief.

Tang Wulin nodded.

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell my dad?” Mu Xi asked suspiciously.

“I don’t intend to hide this from teacher!” Tang Wulin said.

“Forget about it, then!” Mu Xi nodded at Tang Wulin’s answer in satisfaction.“I’ll look out for you in the academy from now on. If anyone dares bully you,just tell me their name.”

Tang Wulin didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Senior disciple sister, whatare you saying? I don’t get into fights anyway.”

“You don’t get into fights? Who was it that sent his roommates flying out oftheir second-floor window on the first day, hm? I can’t seem to remember…”

“Me…”

“Oh, right, do you like Zixin?” Mu Xi asked suddenly.

Tang Wulin was blindsided by this question, and his face immediately went beetred before he waved his arms in denial. “N-No! No, I don’t! I don’t…”

“Hahaha! Look at how flustered you are! Aren’t you usually super calm? Iunderstand. You’re confused about the matters of the heart and are trying todeny it, but it’s clear that you like her! Just what are you learning at such ayoung age?” Mu Xi pinched his face over and over.

Tang Wulin was distressed. “I really don’t! Senior Sister Zixin is just areally nice person, and we frequently run into each other during our morningjogs. Even if I did like her, it would be because she’s so pretty and gentle. Ican appreciate those qualities, you know! Don’t go having any weird thoughts!”

Mu Xi raised her eyebrows. “So you’re saying that I’m not pretty or gentleenough for you to like… and you don’t appreciate me?”

Tang Wulin was still a ten-year-old child, so how could he hope to win anargument against a developing young lady? Mu Xi was fourteen years old thisyear and was far more mature than him.

“I-I…” Tang Wulin gawked at her, speechless.

Isn’t that right though? You’re not gentle at all!

Tang Wulin had to admit Wu Xi was pretty, but he would never say so out loud.

After pinching Tang Wulin’s face a bit more, Mu Xi was satisfied.

Bullying him is even more fun than being cold to him! Her mouth curled into awicked smile.

They soon arrived at the academy and Tang Wulin let out a sigh. He flew backto his dorm while rubbing his aching cheeks, the sound of Mu Xi’s witch-likecackling chasing after him.

☀

“The Skysea Alliance Tournament?”

Tang Wulin mentioned the tournament during lunch and immediately caught XieXie’s ear. He hadn’t realized just how much Xie Xie knew about the tournament!