Mu Chen's Interest

Just like the exterior, the interior of the Blacksmith Association was decorated with elegance and grandeur.

After all, blacksmiths were a group of legendary figures capable of turning ordinary iron into something more precious than gold!

Whether it was high-tier mechas or Battle Armor, neither could do without the various materials produced by blacksmiths!

Precisely because of this, blacksmiths and the Blacksmith Association enjoyed a lofty status on Douluo Continent!

"You two children, welcome to the Blacksmith Association. My name is Yun Xiaoling. Who are you looking for?"

Seeing Zhao Tao and Tang Wulin walk into the lobby, a reception desk receptionist took the initiative to greet them.

"Hello, I'm Zhao Tao, and I'm here for a blacksmith rank evaluation!"

Looking at Yun Xiaoling in front of him, Zhao Tao spoke calmly.

"My name is Tang Wulin, and I'm also here for a blacksmith evaluation."

"In addition, I would like to pay a visit to Master Cen Yue of the Association."

After Zhao Tao finished speaking, Tang Wulin spoke up.

"Alright, I'll arrange the Rank 1 Blacksmith evaluation for you both and help notify Master Cen Yue."

Hearing Zhao Tao and Tang Wulin, Yun Xiaoling nodded.

She immediately made a phone call to confirm Tang Wulin's identity.

"No, I am not here to evaluate as a Rank 1 Blacksmith. I wish to proceed directly to the Rank 3 Blacksmith Master evaluation!"

Hearing Yun Xiaoling, Zhao Tao smiled slightly and replied.

"What, you want to take the Rank 3 Blacksmith Master evaluation?"

Hearing Zhao Tao, a flash of surprise instantly crossed Yun Xiaoling's face.

After all, Zhao Tao looked to be only around ten years old.

A child of this age passing the Rank 1 Blacksmith evaluation would already be considered a minor prodigy.

Let alone a Rank 3 Blacksmith.

"That's right!"

Hearing Yun Xiaoling, Zhao Tao nodded calmly.

Just as Yun Xiaoling wanted to say something else, a middle-aged man accompanied by a young girl stepped through the doors of the Blacksmith Association.

The middle-aged man looked to be around forty years old.

He had a robust build, muscular physique, a dignified demeanor, and wore a grey suit.

What was particularly striking was the badge on his chest.

It was a golden badge featuring a forging hammer surrounded by eight black stars.

This shockingly signified that the middle-aged man before them was a towering Eight-star Saint Craftsman!

The young girl beside him looked to be thirteen or fourteen, appearing youthful and vibrant.

She wore a tight-fitting outfit that accentuated her tall figure.

She had a pretty face and long blonde hair styled into twin ponytails.

Her expression and demeanor both carried a trace of haughtiness.

"Lord President, Young Miss!"

Seeing the middle-aged man and the girl walk into the lobby, Yun Xiaoling quickly stood up and looked at the two of them with utmost respect.

After all, this middle-aged man was none other than Mu Chen, the president of the Eastsea City Blacksmith Association!

And the young girl beside him was his daughter, Mu Xi!

"Xiaoling, good morning! I've brought Mu Xi for her Rank 2 Blacksmith evaluation. Please have an evaluator ready for her test!"

Nodding slightly in greeting, Mu Chen gave his instructions while turning his head to look at Zhao Tao with keen interest.

"Child, I heard earlier that you want to take the Rank 3 Blacksmith Master evaluation in person?"

"I am Mu Chen, president of the Eastsea City Blacksmith Association. I will personally oversee your evaluation!"

Gazing into Zhao Tao's eyes, Mu Chen relied on his many years of life experience to fully perceive the calm and confidence within Zhao Tao's heart.

The child before him was definitely not some grandstanding troublemaker looking to cause a stir, but someone with genuine, solid skills!

Yet, looking at Zhao Tao's age, a trace of sheer disbelief welled up in Mu Chen's heart once again!

After all, according to the records of the Blacksmith Association, the previous youngest blacksmith master had only passed the Rank 3 Blacksmith evaluation at the age of fifteen.

Zhao Tao's age was obviously far below fifteen at a single glance.

Thinking of this, Mu Chen's heart was instantly filled with deep interest toward Zhao Tao.

Precisely because of this, he took the initiative to offer to personally oversee Zhao Tao's evaluation.

"Thank you, President Mu. Let's begin now!"

Hearing Mu Chen, Zhao Tao nodded calmly, then turned to Tang Wulin, "Wulin, I'm going to take my blacksmith rank evaluation first. Go see Master Cen Yue on your own!"

"Alright, Brother Tao, good luck!"

Hearing Zhao Tao, Tang Wulin nodded and offered his blessings to Zhao Tao.

"Good, follow me! Mu Xi, you rest for a bit as well and take your evaluation later."

Seeing that Zhao Tao was ready, Mu Chen nodded, signaling Zhao Tao to follow behind him.

"Dad, I want to go with you and watch Zhao Tao's evaluation too!"

At this moment, Mu Xi chimed in suddenly from the side, a flash of competitive spirit flickering in her eyes.

After all, she was nearly thirteen years old and had only just broken through to a Rank 2 Blacksmith.

She simply couldn't believe that Zhao Tao, who was much younger than her, could have a forging skill that far surpassed her own.

"Fine, Xier, come along then!"

Hearing this, Mu Chen nodded.

Zhao Tao and Mu Xi flanked Mu Chen, following him onto the elevator and arriving in front of a forging room designated for testing.

"The Rank 3 Blacksmith evaluation consists of only one task: complete a Thousand Forgings using any metal. There is no time limit. Once you are prepared, you may begin!"

Accompanying Zhao Tao into the forging room, Mu Chen's eyes were filled with anticipation as he explained the rules of the evaluation.

As for Mu Xi, she stayed outside the forging room, watching with curiosity.

"President Mu, I am ready!"

After pausing briefly to regulate his breathing, Zhao Tao smiled faintly, stood up, retrieved a piece of Ink Meteorite Copper, and began forging.

As a blacksmith who had reached the Divine Craftsman level in his previous life, mere Thousand Forgings naturally posed no difficulty for Zhao Tao whatsoever.

Zhao Tao expertly secured the Ink Meteorite Copper onto the forging furnace, began heating and calcining it, and grasped his forging hammer to start striking.

Everything was as natural as breathing, resembling a bodily instinct. Each strike from Zhao Tao looked less like hammering and more like a brilliant dance, graceful and fluid.

As for the rhythmic striking sounds, they resembled a harmonious and beautiful musical piece.

Far from appearing chaotic, to Mu Chen, it sounded like a magnificent symphony.

"Good, this is simply wonderful!"

Watching Zhao Tao perform the Thousand Forgings, turbulent waves rose in Mu Chen's heart.

At this very moment, he was completely certain that Zhao Tao could easily pass the Rank 3 Blacksmith Master evaluation.

He could even confirm that Zhao Tao's forging techniques far exceeded the third rank; challenging Thousand-Forged Second Grade or even Thousand-Forged First Grade might not be entirely out of the question.

Thinking of this, the gaze Mu Chen cast toward Zhao Tao was filled with admiration.

This was undoubtedly a once-in-a-millennium, or even once-in-an-eon, genius of the forging world, and the absolute ideal candidate to be the next Divine Craftsman!