Preparing a Gift

In the end, Chen Yan failed to pry out anything and instead suffered an eye-roll attack from Gu Yuena.

Chen Yan sat beside the chair in his bedroom, holding his head and muttering to himself.

"My head hurts..."

His eyes were filled with indescribable weariness.

"Xiao Yan, since you're here, sit down! Why are you standing there?"

Inside the Forging Masters Association headquarters, Zhen Hua, the God Forger whose name resounded across Douluo Star, was smiling warmly at his prized disciple.

"What's wrong? You look troubled. Did you have a spat with Xiao Na?"

How could you tell? Back in my previous life, when I read novels in front of my mom, she'd ask what I was reading and why I was smiling, and I accepted that—maybe I really couldn't keep the corners of my mouth down sometimes. But I'm expressionless right now, and you can still tell?

Your observation skills are really something. Too bad they're useless, or you wouldn't still be single.

Naturally, Zhen Hua had no idea Chen Yan was mocking him. He was still hopelessly immersed in memories of watching the younger generation fall in love and reminiscing about the past.

How wonderful! Back then, Junior Sister and I were just like this—innocent Childhood Sweethearts. I remember that year...

Mu Chen slowly sent over a question mark from afar, his face darkening. Damn it, she's my wife now! Besides, back then, you clearly clung to your Forging Hammer all day. You and that Forging Hammer were Childhood Sweethearts, all right!

Of course, this was all imaginary. Mu Chen did not actually fly into a rage and chase after Zhen Hua while cursing him for being shameless.

In any case, Chen Yan felt that the two of them were birds of a feather. The only differences were that Zhen Hua had lived longer than him and had a likewise-single best friend, Mu Ye.

Nothing was more terrifying than the air suddenly falling silent.

Zhen Hua was reminiscing about his youthful days when he suddenly felt a strange gaze upon him.

He must have run into setbacks in this relationship, but had no idea what to do. He probably wanted to ask an elder for advice but was too embarrassed to speak up! Zhen Hua thought.

"Ahem... Is there something you want to ask me?"

He decided to probe indirectly first.

Chen Yan stared blankly at his Teacher, then could not help thinking of the massive stockpile hidden within the association.

There were no shortage of Demigod Artifacts among them. Maybe he could find one or two that had unusual effects and an exquisite appearance?

"Teacher..."

"What is it? Go on, don't be embarrassed!"

"Hehe, then I'll say it!"

Chen Yan rubbed his hands excitedly, his eyes glowing green.

The setting sun was infinitely beautiful, but it was already near dusk.

"..."

Zhen Hua watched the Soul Guidance Car disappear into the sunset, silent. He seemed even more weathered than he had been that morning.

"I'm old. I'm old..."

Only after a long while did he withdraw his gaze. A small part of what filled his eyes was heartache, while most of it was memories.

When people got old, they always loved reminiscing about their youth!

A breeze swept past, disturbing his carefully styled and maintained hair. Though it was still black, fine wrinkles had long since appeared around his eyes.

Even as a Titled Douluo, he could not resist the passage of time!

Zhen Hua smiled wryly and slowly walked back into the association.

The days passed one by one, gradually drawing closer to the day they had first met three years ago.

Chen Yan busied himself like a spinning top every day, rushing to get the gift mostly ready.

As for what it was, although it could be guessed at once, he would leave a little suspense for now. (ω)

Right now, he first had to pay off some of his debt.

Bang—

The hammer struck the meteorite iron with a dull boom. The entire workbench roared and trembled under the tremendous force.

As an object from beyond the heavens, meteorite iron was not only scarce but also of extremely high quality. It had always been a popular and expensive material for making battle armor.

At that moment, Chen Yan was utterly focused. Every strike was incomparably precise, as though he were listening to the metal's pulse. The furnace fire reflected off his face, illuminating his sweat and determined expression. With each fierce blow, the impurities within the meteorite iron were gradually expelled. The entire piece of metal grew purer, and its sound became more melodious and crisp. As though it had absorbed the power of the stars from which it came, it began to emit a faint glow with every fall of the hammer.

Boom!

As Chen Yan raised his hand high, the massive hammer came crashing down. White light enveloped the metal, shooting over three feet into the sky and lingering without fading.

Thousand Refinements Have Spirit! First-grade realm.

Chen Yan did not stop swinging his hammer. Instead, he continued forging the meteorite iron. His eyes gleamed with dedication to forging and a pursuit of quality. Raise, strike, raise, strike...

With every blow, the meteorite iron gradually became harder and purer. Chen Yan's skill and experience allowed him to sense the changes within the metal. It was as if he could hear the metal singing and feel its soul.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The sound of the hammer echoed through the entire forging room like the rhythm of music. A light sheen of sweat appeared on Chen Yan's forehead, yet his movements did not pause in the slightest. With a turn of his hand, he placed a purified Titanium Crystal and Thousand Refined Magic Silver on the table.

While the metals were being heated, Chen Yan took a deep breath in his heart. Then his arm moved like lightning, every strike carrying immense strength and precision. Following the metals' grain, he gave the red-hot metals their final processing and fusion.

Under the connection of Chen Yan's Soul Power, the three metals moved closer to one another. Then, under the force of forging, they compressed inward, kneaded together, and ultimately fused into one.

Finally, as the last hammer fell, a dazzling light erupted throughout the forging room, as bright as the sun. Once the radiance faded, an exquisite alloy appeared before Chen Yan.

The dark silver metal emitted a soft glow from its entire surface. Smooth as a mirror, it shone with a brilliance too dazzling to look at directly. Every inch of it revealed the effort Chen Yan had poured into it. This metal, only one step away from Spirit Forging, seemed to possess a true life of its own.

Chen Yan gently stroked the metal, feeling its power and beauty. Hmm, it looked like the grade wasn't low. Better test it first.

Chen Yan brought over some professional equipment and fiddled with it for a while.

Ninety-six percent? Damn, am I really this awesome?

Hehe, it's mine. As Chen Yan claimed the alloy for himself, he considered giving it a rough shape. Should I make it into a long dress? Or have it directly attach to her legs?

As he pondered, he placed the metal inside an exquisite Gift Box. Work was done for today. He would fight again tomorrow!

To be honest, Chen Yan felt a little expectant and nervous. He wondered what expression she would have when this gift appeared before her. He hoped that this gift he had carefully prepared would not merely be useful—he hoped she would like it.

For the past three years, his food, clothing, and shelter had all been provided by her family. He felt rather embarrassed about it. He hoped this gift could convey the gratitude buried deep in his heart.

Time slipped quietly by. On this day, Chen Yan got up early and prepared the Gift Box. Standing there with the box containing the gift tightly clenched in his hand, he felt a little nervous.

I've already been reincarnated once. Why am I still nervous?

Chen Yan mocked himself, took a deep breath, and strode resolutely toward that room.

Knock, knock, knock...

A knock sounded at the door.