The Struggle for Divine Craftsman Has Always Been Thus; Shrek Falls Apart; Gu Yue's Hesitation

Three days later, the Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition's forging finals began.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Jiu Tian gripped his Dry Metal Hammers and smashed them down on the rare metal Flame Gold. The twin hammers crossed and whirled, their heads tracing crescent-shaped Arc Lights before falling like a sudden burst of thunder.

The surface of the Flame Gold resembled molten lava churning beneath the deep sea. Light flowed through Jiu Tian's iron-gray eyes as he pierced through every subtle change in its tiny patterns.

The veins on his muscular arms bulged. Layer upon layer of hammer shadows piled up without the slightest disorder, pouring down in an airtight barrage!

On the other side, Tang Wulin clenched his Thousand-Forged Heavy Silver Hammers. His hammer strikes matched the rhythm of his breathing, leaving streaks of afterimages. Heavy impacts rang out continuously, and as the forging progressed, the Heavy Silver gradually brightened, revealing dazzling cloud patterns.

Both of them had completely lost themselves in their work, maintaining an intense forging pace. Centered on their forging tables, invisible ripples spread outward in circles. Quite a few blacksmiths gave bitter smiles, stopped hammering, and chose to withdraw from the competition.

The blacksmith competition consisted of three rounds. During the first two preliminary rounds, Jiu Tian and Tang Wulin had displayed forging skills far beyond everyone else's. Now, in the finals, they had gone Full Power, fully unleashing their forging talents.

Every blacksmith had their own forging rhythm. Once that rhythm was disrupted, their Success Rate would plummet. Those blacksmiths whose rhythms had been thrown into chaos could no longer forge qualified works, so they simply withdrew and yielded the stage to the two great geniuses.

"President, Saint Craftsman Mu, in the end, it really has come down to a contest between your two outstanding disciples," a sixth-rank blacksmith on the Main Stand remarked with a sigh.

Zhen Hua and Mu Chen looked at each other, seeing the eagerness to compete in each other's eyes.

The two martial brothers were as close as blood brothers, and each had gained much in life. Zhen Hua had broken through to Heavenly Forging and become a Divine Craftsman admired by millions. Mu Chen had married the woman he loved and had their precious daughter, Mu Xi, living a fulfilled life.

The story of the previous generation had essentially reached its Verdict is in, and their emotional investment had continued into the younger generation. Both forging masters were extremely satisfied with their personal disciples and encouraged them to spar and compete.

"Boom—"

Jiu Tian let out a furious roar. His Dry Metal Hammer shot forth like a golden dragon probing the abyss, striking the center of the Flame Gold with precision. Crimson sparks burst in every direction. In an instant, the forging table shook and metal rang out as though dozens of heavy hammers had struck at once!

Hammer force poured into the metal, and a crimson-gold radiance rose up. Gorgeous, intricate patterns emerged, moving across the metal's surface like blood vessels and meridians before finally converging into exquisite gilded Mysterious Patterns.

Spiritual light burst forth—Thousand-Forged Grade 1 Metal!

"Boom—"

Another burst of spiritual light followed. Tang Wulin completed his forging immediately afterward. The Thousand-Forged Grade 1 Heavy Silver emitted a blue halo, its patterns even and spread across every corner.

"Come, take a look at the two children's works and decide who should be the champion of this competition." Zhen Hua smiled. "To avoid suspicion, Junior Brother Mu Chen and I will not offer our opinions."

Thousand-Forged Grade 1 Flame Gold and Thousand-Forged Grade 1 Heavy Silver were presented to the judges. The two pieces of Forging Metal still steamed with heat as the blacksmiths on the Main Stand assessed them.

"Thousand-Forged Grade 1 at the age of ten—they truly are fourth-rank blacksmiths..." The gray-haired master blacksmith could not help nodding in praise.

"Forging geniuses unseen in a thousand years, and two have appeared at once..."

"The metal patterns are so beautiful and complete. Even if it were me, I doubt I could have done any better."

The astonished praise of their colleagues kept reaching their ears, and Zhen Hua and Mu Chen's upturned lips were harder to suppress than an AK. The metal was their disciples' work, while the disciples were their teachers' work. Praising the disciples was equivalent to praising their teachers, and that made the two of them even happier.

After discussing the matter, the oldest master blacksmith delivered the result. "President, Saint Craftsman Mu, after comprehensive deliberation, we have reached an answer.

"Although both metals are Thousand-Forged Grade 1, Flame Gold is more difficult to forge than Heavy Silver. Furthermore, the metal's surface already carries a life resonance similar to Spirit Forging.

"We unanimously believe that Jiu Tian has won and should be awarded the championship of this Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition's blacksmith contest."

"Jiu Tian is still young. He needs to keep training!"

Zhen Hua could not help laughing heartily, while Mu Chen also smiled, showing no dissatisfaction with the result.

As top-tier blacksmiths, the instant the two pieces of Thousand-Forged Grade 1 Metal were completed, the two masters had Recognized the difference in quality. The victor had long been clear to them.

Divine Craftsman Zhen Hua personally announced the competition champion. Jiu Tian Exhaled a breath of stale air. This was not merely about Tang Wulin alone. To ascend to the position of Divine Craftsman, he would make an All-out Effort to crush every competitor!

The Eight Deceitful Gods were symbols of rules, and Jiu Tian embodied the Elephant of Dry Gold. He had noticed that a Divine Craftsman's Laws of Heaven and Earth were different, faintly maintaining a certain balance. In other words, the Douluo Continent did not allow multiple Divine Craftsmen to be born in the same era.

For example, if Zhen Hua's difficulty in breaking through to Divine Craftsman had been one, then the difficulty for the second blacksmith of this era to become a Divine Craftsman would leap to ten, and the third would be one hundred... and so on. The difficulty coefficient could become even higher!

When things could be simplified, Jiu Tian naturally would not deliberately yield. His goal was to become a Divine Craftsman as quickly as possible. When their cultivation levels were not far apart, defeating competitors head-on was how one gradually gained the recognition of the Laws of Heaven and Earth!

The struggle for Divine Craftsman had always been thus!

Tianhai Grand Hotel, 66th Floor.

The Shrek Team sat lifelessly on the sofas. Newspapers lay scattered chaotically across the floor, their deliberately enlarged headlines glaring in vivid red.

Myth Shattered, Shrek Defeated!

The Great Sun Has Set; the Era of Stars Begins!

Those Who Dare Not Cause Trouble Are Mediocre; Those Who Cause Trouble but Cannot Handle It Are Fools!

Shocking: The Continent's Number One Academy Actually...

The Shrek Team, once high-spirited and arrogantly confident in their talent, now all looked ashen.

In the eyes of the public, the continent's number one academy had lost to the obscure Eastsea Academy. Moreover, Eastsea Academy's seven members were on average three years younger than them, and their Soul Power was far inferior...

The Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition was the Skysea Alliance's grandest event. Television stations from dozens of cities, including Skysea City and Eastsea City, broadcast the matches. Shrek Academy's appearance in the exhibition match had been a publicity stunt that drew countless viewers to watch the competition, and all of them had witnessed Shrek's crushing defeat.

Those reporters were like sharks that had smelled enticing blood, rushing to write their stories. Some had even used Tianhai Stadium's surveillance footage to reconstruct the cause of the conflict.

Yu Yuanheng's arrogance had become the target of public criticism. The best report came from a Sun Moon Evening News reporter, who placed Yu Yuanheng's initially high and mighty appearance beside his miserable unconscious state after the battle on the front page.

That direct, stark comparison made Yu Yuanheng faint from anger again after only one glance.

After Shrek Academy's crushing defeat to Eastsea Academy, the team leader Shen Yi had no choice but to urgently report the matter. Shrek gave a cold four-word reply: remain where you are and await orders.

Shrek, undefeated for Twenty Thousand Years, came crashing down. The incident rapidly spread, shocking The Entire Douluo Continent. Rumors arose everywhere, and with the Sun Moon Federation authorities secretly adding fuel to the fire, the situation seemed likely to grow even more severe.

"Yuanheng, were we wrong...?"

Ning Xian's pretty face was filled with exhaustion. Three days of fear and anxiety had left her unable to eat or sleep. The soul network was full of unbearable rumors, and she was beginning to regret it.

"Who says so... I wasn't wrong... I wasn't wrong..."

Yu Yuanheng's eyes were bloodshot, the red veins Spreading Out like dense spiderwebs. His injuries were severe, and bandages covered his entire body. He shook his head from side to side and muttered crazily.

"I fought desperately to defend the academy's honor, to protect the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon's reputation... I wasn't wrong... I should be a hero...

"Heroes never lose... Something was wrong with that battle. There must have been a problem!

"They cheated! They cheated!"

Yu Yuanheng screamed madly, his shrill voice echoing through the room for a long time.

Ye Xinglan raised her face, pale and utterly bloodless. Today, she was not wearing Shrek's green school uniform, but a goose-yellow dress. White gauze was wrapped around her arms, calves, and knees. Hearing Yu Yuanheng's hysterical accusations, she frowned and said,

"Why are you slandering Eastsea Academy out of nowhere?

"We were inferior in skill. We should simply wait for the academy's punishment. No matter how severe the punishment is, we must bear the consequences of our failure ourselves."

"Ye. Xing. Lan!"

Yu Yuanheng slowly turned his head and roared Ye Xinglan's name Word by Word. Savage light flared in his eyes. "You still dare to speak? It's all because of you!

"If not for you, how could Shrek have provoked that group of monsters? And now look at this—Shrek lost, and the entire Douluo Continent is filled with curses and insults directed at me!

"Do you know... what I stand to lose?!"

Yu Yuanheng was on the verge of an emotional breakdown. His performance at the opening ceremony had enraged the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and the position of clan leader was no longer within easy reach!

"Ye Xinglan, you ruined my reputation and destroyed my future... If Shrek Academy expels me too, I swear I'll make your life a living hell forever!"

"Yu Yuanheng, just try it!"

The two sides instantly stood at swords' points. Yu Yuanheng's fury soared to the heavens, and he Appeared to regard Ye Xinglan as an irreconcilable enemy.

Though Ye Xinglan's expression remained cold, a trace of disappointment flashed through her Azure pupils. Yu Yuanheng was one of the strongest geniuses in Shrek's outer court, and she had regarded him as a goal to pursue at this stage. She had never expected one defeat to expose his true nature so thoroughly.

"Sister Xinglan, Brother Yuanheng, calm down. Have some buns," Xu Lizhi said.

Xu Lizhi condensed restorative Big Meat Buns and cautiously handed them to the two people locked in confrontation.

"Get lost!"

Yu Yuanheng glared at Xu Lizhi with a savage expression. The Little Fatty was also one of the sources of the conflict. Ning Xian, Chu Yan, Yao Yue, and Chen Feng chose to stand Beside Him, and the Shrek Team split into two factions on the spot.

"What are you doing? Sit down, all of you!"

Shen Yi pushed open the door and drove both sides back with an irritated shout. Only then did the seven reluctantly Return to Position.

With a deep sigh, Shen Yi Opened His Mouth. "Originally, this defeat was only a minor matter, and Sea God Pavilion did not attach too much importance to it. After all, Shrek Academy's foundation could not be shaken by an exhibition match or a few children under fifteen. It would pass after some time.

"But..."

After pausing briefly, Shen Yi changed her tone. "People with ulterior motives have used Shrek Academy's first defeat as a pretext to spread absurd, baseless rumors.

"For Example, that Shrek ruthlessly exploits its students, that only inner court disciples are valued by the academy, that the academy's undefeated reputation relies entirely on cheating, and so on...

"The sources of these rumors are many. The academy's investigation has confirmed that the overwhelming majority originate from Mingdu, led by Sun Moon Royal Academy.

"Long-suppressed resentment from forces such as the Sun Moon Royal Soul Engineer Academy has erupted, and they have taken this opportunity to smear and fabricate rumors about Shrek Academy. However, what surprised the academy was that Spirit Pagoda, which has always stood against us as an equal rival, did not participate..."

Shrek was celebrating far too early. Qian Gu Dongfeng believed that experts such as Sky Pillar Douluo, Light and Dark Douluo, and Holy Spirit Douluo were still alive. Mere rumors were just children playing house. Once the Shrek-affiliated Titled Douluo died in accordance with his schemes, that would be the perfect opportunity to crush Shrek Academy on every front.

I crippled your hands and feet. I can humiliate you however I please.

"Now, this is no longer merely about the defeat of you seven. It is about how to quickly restore the academy's reputation. Sea God Pavilion is holding urgent discussions."

After speaking, Shen Yi's Gaze Turned Towards Yu Yuanheng and Ye Xinglan. She said in a grave voice, "Because of you, the academy has neither justice nor strength on its side. Sea God Pavilion is... extremely disappointed.

"If this matter cannot be properly resolved, the academy does not rule out the possibility of expelling you."

Yu Yuanheng's gaze trembled, and he fell straight off the sofa. Ning Xian and the other four hurriedly helped him up in a flurry. Ye Xinglan's delicate body shuddered. A crystalline glimmer seemed to flash in her lowered eyes as she returned to her room in a daze.

Late at night.

Ye Xinglan tossed and turned. Her intense unease and guilt made it impossible for her to enter meditation, much less sleep like an Ordinary Person.

Losing to Na'er, Shrek being humiliated, being expelled from the academy... Her experiences over the past few days were like sharp swords piercing her heart one after another. The pain made it hard for her to breathe as she murmured,

"The conflict began because of me. I have a responsibility to Help her through this crisis, even if I have to give everything..."

With that thought, she got out of bed and quietly opened the door before stepping outside.

Tianhai Grand Hotel, 88th Floor.

The Blacksmith Association had arranged the most luxurious accommodations for Divine Craftsman Zhen Hua's group. Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er indulged themselves for once, staying in an enormous suite on the 88th Floor, exquisitely decorated and equipped with every amenity.

Upon learning the news, Gu Yue quickly moved out of Eastsea Academy's hotel room and came to stay with the two of them, claiming it was for the sake of Spirit Pagoda family unity.

"Xuanzhen, Na'er, I completed the withdrawal procedures from Eastsea Academy. I need to return home for secluded cultivation immediately."

The moment she said this, Zhao Xuanzhen, who was researching the Secret of the Body, and Na'er, who was eating snacks, were both stunned. The former was baffled, while the latter was overjoyed. In a flash, she moved In Front Of Gu Yue, grabbed her hand, and shook it a few times.

"Promise me you'll cultivate in seclusion for a hundred years or so, okay?"

Gu Yue sneered. Her abacus beads are practically smashing into my face!

"Why are you suddenly going into seclusion? About how long Will Be?" Zhao Xuanzhen asked seriously.

"After Na'er and I worked together to charge the Dark Gold Dreadclaw That Day, something unusual happened to my body. I need secluded cultivation to stabilize it. It could be as short as a year or as long as three. I have a feeling that after I emerge, I may undergo a transformation."

Gu Yue and Na'er had always secretly competed against each other. Yet when they cooperated for the first time, that sensation of controlling all things, that supreme power... as the primary half of the Silver Dragon King, Gu Yue was all too familiar with it.

When they worked together toward the same goal, Na'er's aura seemed to be helping her recover the power that belonged to the Silver Dragon King.

After bidding farewell to Zhao Xuanzhen and Na'er, Gu Yue left Tianhai Grand Hotel. A mature, sexy woman with purple hair had been waiting downstairs for a long time.

Gu Yue turned back to look at the bustling high-rise building. Hesitation Rippled in her eyes, and her voice was nearly inaudible. "Could it be... that I don't have to devour her?

"No. I am the Silver Dragon King. My resolve absolutely cannot waver...

"You Two will both be mine, Sooner or later..."