218 True Intentions

Astonished, Xie Xie said, “You like money so much, so why didn’t you agree?”

A frown slid across Tang Wulin’s face. “Didn’t you see how quickly I rejectedhim? I was afraid I would give in if I didn’t do it fast enough! The conditionswere just too good. Even so, my teacher has treated me well and I don’t want topart with you guys. I still have several years before it’s time for me toattempt Spirit Refinement. If I focus on building my foundation right now,maybe I’ll be able to succeed without wasting too many resources, you know?Alright, our match is about to begin.”

As he spoke, he led the way onto the stage.

☀

Duan Xuan ascended the stairs until he reached a box on the upper floor. Themen who had followed him stood guard outside while he alone entered box three.

Inside sat a middle-aged man.

“Teacher.” He bowed respectfully in greeting when he saw Duan Xuan.

Duan Xuan joined his side. Together, they viewed the ongoing matches. “Youreyes are sharp. You picked up a good kid. It’s almost like the time I foundyou. You know, he refused me.”

“He’s even more talented than me when I was his age. I haven’t told you yet,but he’s already a fourth rank blacksmith.” The middle-aged man revealed asplendid grin.

If Tang Wulin was present, he would be startled without a doubt. The personwaiting for Duan Xuan in box three was his teacher, Mu Chen.

“Fourth rank? Are you joking with me?” As Duan Xuan stared at Mu Chen, hisface was the picture of shock.

Mu Chen chuckled. “There’s no way I would joke about something like this. He’sfar more talented than you could imagine. If it wasn’t for his low cultivation,I think he could attempt Spirit Refinement in two years should the materials beprovided.”

Duan Xuan heaved a long sigh. “Alright! Did you hide him from me because youwere worried I would seduce him away from you? Why does it seem like hissecond-grade thousand refined metal had nothing to do with luck?”

Mu Chen said, “Out of respect for the rank, I wouldn’t promote him to thefourth rank so easily. I only let him advance when he proved capable ofsecond-grade thousand refining blue coppertite. My daughter’s luck is prettygood though. Her sudden breakthrough was completely unexpected. I think Wulininstigated it. He wouldn’t pick heavy silver normally. Didn’t you say the twoof them started and finished together? It seems Mu Xi was influenced by him.”

Duan Xuan muttered, “Blessed by heaven… He’s really blessed by heaven! Itlooks like I’ll have to work harder to steal him.”

Mu Chen smiled. “Yes, yes. I understand what you’re trying to say. I’ll besure to fulfill our promise. But I’m going to need another fifteen to twentyyears to raise this kid. Once he catches up to me, I’ll continue.”

Duan Xuan grumbled, “Fifteen to twenty years? My bones will have turned to ashby then.”

Roaring laughter exploded from Mu Chen. “Don’t pretend in front of me. At yourcultivation level and body strength, you could easily live another fifty years.You’re still such a schemer! Don’t tell me you forbade me from announcing I’myour disciple in case this day ever came?”

The wrinkled face of Duan Xuan unfolded into a grin. “Us blacksmiths have beensuppressed for too long. Yet even during this time, preparation is the key tosuccess. If you told the world that you’re my disciple, would you still havereceived the headquarter’s support and reached the eighth rank so soon? Hmph.Just wait until that kid matures. Then things will start to change. Takeadvantage of your youth and put in some more effort. Hurry up and advance tothe next rank. As long as you can become a Divine Blacksmith, then our backingwill grow even stronger.”

Mu Chen sighed. “That’s hard! The higher I climb, the more I understand justhow difficult it is.”

☀

Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, and Gu Yue ascended onto the stage, taking atriangle-formation. He was the vanguard while Xie Xie and Gu Yue flanked him oneach side.

Their opponents had climbed onto the stage as well—three youngsters aboutfourteen years old.  

The opposing three were dressed in Skysea Academy uniforms. Their bearing wasdifferent from that of Tang Wulin’s first opponents; they carried themselvescalmly without any signs of contempt toward class zero’s age.

The three youths also arranged themselves in a triangle-formation. Theirleader towered over Tang Wulin by a full head. He had wide shoulders and hisdemeanor tranquil beyond his years.

The two combatants behind their leader were slightly younger than him. The oneon the left was slender and handsome while the one on the right stood short andstout.

“Hello, I am the captain of Skysea Academy’s second team, Bi Ran.”

The slender youth said, “I’m Wu Yuhan.”

The stumpy one said, “I’m Lei Jun.”

Finished with their self-introductions, the three said in unison, “Pleaseadvise us.”

They were worthy of being Skysea Academy students. Their manners were far morerefined than those of Tang Wulin’s previous opponents.

“I’m Tang Wulin from Eastsea Academy, in class zero of the first grade.” TangWulin mimicked the other team, introducing himself.

“Xie Xie.”

“Gu Yue!”

Bi Ran narrowed his eyes at Tang Wulin until they became slits. He released adomineering aura, sending a chill through Tang Wulin’s heart. From that displayof strength, Tang Wulin could tell that Bi Ran’s soul power exceeded his own.

“Three, two, one, begin!” This marked the start of class zero’s first match inthe round-robin tournament.

Bi Ran raised his right hand, an ashen light surging out to form a shield.Meanwhile, his soul rings rose from beneath his feet.

One ring, two rings, three rings! He wielded three yellow soul rings! Thecaptain of Skysea Academy’s secondary team was actually a three-ringed SoulElder.

Following their leader, Wu Yuhan and Lei Jun released their martial souls,each of them sporting a pair of yellow soul rings.

A three-ringed Soul Elder, and a pair of two-ringed Soul Grandmasters.Compared to class zero’s earlier opposition, Skysea’s B-team was an ambush oftigers.

In Bi Ran’s hands rested a giant shield one meter in length and half a meterwide. Wave-like patterns cascaded down the top, making the surface seem thickyet stagnant. He held it in front of him as if it was an impassable wall.

The moment he summoned his martial soul, he charged Tang Wulin like a bull. WuYuhan and Lei Jun trailed behind him, maintaining their triangle-formation.

Class zero, however, chose to abandon their positioning. Xie Xie summoned hisLight Dragon Dagger before dashing off to the side. On the other hand, TangWulin stood steadfast, anchoring himself in place. His purple soul ringtwinkled as he weaved a protective net of Bluesilver Grass in front of Gu Yue.

A thousand-year soul ring? And only one?

Bi Ran gawked at the purple soul ring. As for the Bluesilver Grass, it wasunrecognizable to him.

After two evolutions from the influence of his Golden Dragon King bloodline,it barely resembled the normal appearance.

Each vine was as thick as an egg, its length shimmering with azure light andcovered in twinkling scales. Within it, golden veins spread throughout like aspider’s web. Its aura was sparkling and clear.

Behind Bi Ran’s left, Wu Yuhan’s first soul ring lit up. His body swelled withpower while cobalt and violet tendrils of electricity danced about his form.His arms lengthened and grew more muscular, razor-sharp claws sprouting fromhis fingertips.

Martial soul: Thunder Wolf!

Sparks also curled around Lei Jun’s being, but unlike with Wu Yuhan, they werepure electricity. Electric snakes slithered out of his body, converging into aball in front of him.

Lightning shot out of Wu Yuhan, zigzagging toward Tang Wulin. At the sametime, Lei Jun launched his rippling electric sphere straight at Tang Wulin. Itwas a pincer attack.