Sorry, Wulin

It was under Mu Chen's admiring gaze.

After half an hour of effort, Zhao Tao's forging was nearing its end.

With the final hammer strike, rays of spiritual light rose into the air. The Thousand Forging was complete.

"Congratulations, Zhao Tao. As of today, you're a Rank 3 Blacksmith Master!"

Looking at Zhao Tao, who had completed the Thousand Forging before him, Mu Chen's eyes were filled with surprise and delight as he announced the test results.

"I've lived up to your expectations. Thank you, President Mu, for testing me in person!"

Hearing Mu Chen's words, Zhao Tao smiled faintly and clasped his hands in a salute.

"Young man, there's no need to be so modest!"

"Your Thousand Forging standard just now would be more than enough to pass the Rank 4 Blacksmith examination."

"At most, you'd just need to spend some time familiarizing yourself with a few more kinds of metal."

Hearing Zhao Tao's words, Mu Chen smiled, then asked curiously, "Zhao Tao, I wonder who your teacher is. Someone who could teach such an outstanding disciple as you must be a master well versed in forging!"

"President Mu, I don't have a teacher."

Hearing Mu Chen's question, Zhao Tao smiled faintly and replied.

"No teacher? H-how is that possible?"

At this, disbelief flickered in Mu Chen's eyes.

The child before him had displayed such an advanced forging skill, yet he had no teacher!

At first, Mu Chen had found Zhao Tao's claim hard to believe.

But after carefully recalling Zhao Tao's forging process, Mu Chen could confirm that the techniques Zhao Tao had demonstrated were entirely original and belonged to no existing blacksmithing school.

That convinced Mu Chen that Zhao Tao hadn't been joking.

In other words, he had worked out all his forging skills on his own!

Such forging talent was truly terrifying—far beyond his own!

Thinking of this, Mu Chen couldn't help feeling ashamed of his inferiority.

His gaze toward Zhao Tao held more than admiration now; it had grown noticeably more fervent.

"Zhao Tao, your talent is truly astonishing!"

"Though I don't want you to become too arrogant, I still have to tell you—"

"You've broken the record on Douluo Continent and become the youngest Rank 3 Blacksmith!"

"The Eastsea Blacksmith Association is proud of you!"

"If you run into any difficulties, the Association will help you within reason."

Looking at Zhao Tao, Mu Chen spoke slowly before continuing, "At the same time, speaking for myself, I'd like to ask you: Zhao Tao, would you be willing to become my disciple?"

"Your talent is already extraordinary, but having someone guide you could still help you progress faster and go further."

"As an Eight-star Saint Craftsman, I'm willing to share all my experience with you and help you grow into a Saint Craftsman more quickly, or even the legendary Divine Craftsman!"

"Of course, there's also a little selfishness on my part. I hope to nurture a true Divine Craftsman, and I see that hope in you."

Having finished speaking, Mu Chen looked at Zhao Tao expectantly, hoping for an affirmative answer.

After all, Mu Chen knew that with his own talent, he might never become a Divine Craftsman.

His greatest wish was simply to witness the birth of one with his own eyes.

"Take me as your disciple...? Sorry, Wulin!"

Hearing Mu Chen's words, Zhao Tao laughed inwardly.

As a Reborn One, Zhao Tao naturally had no need for Mu Chen's instruction.

But if Zhao Tao turned him down, there was a very good chance Mu Chen would take notice of Tang Wulin, the little forging prodigy, and accept him as his disciple.

And that was something Zhao Tao didn't want to see!

Admittedly,

Zhao Tao didn't hate Tang Wulin all that much.

After all, like him, Tang Wulin was a victim of Divine King Tang's Ten Thousand Year Plan.

But,

as both a Transmigrator and a Reborn One, Zhao Tao also understood that he absolutely couldn't let Tang Wulin grow too quickly!

After all, Tang Wulin was also Tang San's pawn, the "key" that would set the Ten Thousand Year Plan in motion.

The strength Tang San's Divine Sense could ultimately wield depended to a great extent on Tang Wulin's cultivation and power.

And to thwart Tang San's scheme, Tang Wulin's strength had to be kept in check.

At the same time, the stronger Tang Wulin became, the more completely he would fuse with the Golden Dragon King Bloodline.

In the future, when Zhao Tao separated the Golden Dragon King Bloodline from Tang Wulin and returned it to its rightful owner, the damage to him would be even greater.

It might even cost him his life.

For that very reason—

Whether to thwart Tang San's Ten Thousand Year Plan or to protect Tang Wulin's life,

letting Tang Wulin grow slowly and delaying his release of the Golden Dragon King Bloodline's seal were both necessary choices!

And making Tang Wulin lose a Saint Craftsman-level teacher like Mu Chen was undoubtedly the sensible choice!

After all, Mu Chen was not only a Saint Craftsman; he also introduced Tang Wulin to Zhen Hua and Mu Ye.

Mu Ye's special training had also greatly accelerated the awakening of the Golden Dragon King Bloodline within Tang Wulin.

And that was something Zhao Tao couldn't accept!

As for saving face and all that, those who achieved great things didn't concern themselves with trifles. Why worry about every little detail?

"I'm willing!"

Having made up his mind, Zhao Tao bowed to Mu Chen.

"Good, good, excellent!"

"From today on, you're my disciple!"

After receiving Zhao Tao's affirmative answer, Mu Chen beamed. His gaze brimmed with care and affection as he looked at Zhao Tao.

"I have complete faith in your forging talent!"

"However, to become a top blacksmith, you need more than exceptional forging talent. You also need powerful Soul Power to support you!"

"You don't need to worry about that at all!"

"The Eastsea Blacksmith Association and I will do everything we can to nurture you. We'll provide everything from cultivation resources to a Soul Spirit!"

"So you can devote all your energy to cultivating Soul Power and forging. You don't need to take on any time-wasting odd jobs!"

"If you're short on any resources, just ask your teacher for them!"

"My plan for you is to aim for Spirit Forging before you turn eighteen, then Soul Forging before you turn twenty-seven. Are you confident?"

Looking at Zhao Tao with concern, Mu Chen shared his plan.

"Of course!"

Hearing Mu Chen's words, Zhao Tao smiled faintly.

"Excellent! Here's a copy of my forging notes. They record my experience and insights into Thousand Forging. I hope you'll study them carefully."

"Also, come to the Blacksmith Association every other week on your day off. I'll personally guide your forging."

"Additionally, this is the Rank 3 Blacksmith Badge you've earned, along with a Storage Soul Tool. There are some basic cultivation resources inside. Consider them your teacher's gift to welcome you!"

Looking at Zhao Tao's confident expression, Mu Chen nodded in satisfaction. He personally took out a Blacksmith Badge bearing three stars and pinned it to Zhao Tao's chest.

Then he took out a small booklet with a metallic sheen and a bracelet-shaped Storage Soul Tool, and handed them to Zhao Tao.

"Thank you, teacher!"

Taking the forging notes and storage bracelet from Mu Chen, Zhao Tao smiled and thanked him.