Testing, Trying

Hearing those two words, Tang Wulin looked at Mang Tian with anticipation written all over his face.

Tang Wuyang asked in delight, "Teacher, you're willing to teach us Thousand Forging?"

Mang Tian nodded, confirming Tang Wuyang's question. "After fusing with your Soul Spirits, both of your strength has increased. You should be able to support yourselves through Thousand Forging now."

"Complete one round of Thousand Forging, and you'll have passed my test."

As he spoke those words, an unusual feeling welled up in Mang Tian's heart.

He still clearly remembered that when he had begun practicing Thousand Forging, he had already been fifteen years old, and his Soul Power had surpassed Level 20.

Moreover, his Martial Soul had been the Earth Hammer, renowned for its strength. Completing Thousand Forging at fifteen had already earned him the title of a prodigy in the Forging World.

Unfortunately...

"Teacher, are we starting now?" Tang Wulin's excited voice pulled Mang Tian from his memories.

"Not yet. I'll take you to test your strength first."

"These past few days, you've kept damaging parts. One reason is that neither of you has been focused." As he said this, Mang Tian glanced at Tang Wuyang.

"The other reason is that you've lost control over your own strength."

Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin exchanged a look. Yes, they had noticed it themselves as well. Something did seem to be wrong with their strength.

Mang Tian walked toward a corner. His place was far messier than either Tang Wuyang's or Tang Wulin's rooms.

After rummaging through a pile of cluttered equipment for quite some time, he finally found a device specifically used to measure strength.

This kind of instrument was very simple to make, but extremely precise in its results.

After all, only that could accurately measure a Forging Master's strength.

The Strength Testing Device consisted of two parts. Beneath it was a square platform, with a cylinder on top.

Behind the cylinder stood a metal pillar two meters tall. Inside the pillar was a thin mercury column.

When a Forging Master underwent the test, they only needed to strike the cylinder on the platform with a Forging Hammer. The mercury column inside the metal pillar would rise to a corresponding height based on the force of the strike, displaying its power.

The Forging Hammer used for testing was standardized at one hundred jin. The Strength Testing Device automatically deducted the force contributed by the hammer itself.

Since the two had come to Mang Tian's Workshop, they had been tested once every year.

During their first test, Tang Wulin's striking force had been one hundred sixty kilograms, while Tang Wuyang's had been even greater, reaching one hundred ninety kilograms.

They had only been seven years old at the time.

At eight, Tang Wulin's strength had risen to two hundred kilograms, while Tang Wuyang's had directly reached two hundred fifty kilograms.

Although such test results had much to do with the inertia generated by swinging a hammer, reaching that level of strength at their age had already been astonishing.

Neither had been tested since turning nine, so today was the perfect time to make up for it.

"Begin. Tang Wulin, you go first." Mang Tian handed him the testing Forging Hammer.

When Forging Masters tested their strength, their left and right hands had to be measured separately.

Tang Wulin and Tang Wuyang had given Mang Tian a pleasant surprise during their first test.

The strength in both their arms had been extremely balanced. The force generated by their right arms had only been slightly greater than that of their left arms.

Tang Wulin walked before the instrument, picked up the Forging Hammer with his left hand, took a deep breath, and smashed it down.

Bang!

The mercury column shot upward in an instant. The enormous boom left all three of them briefly ringing in the ears.

Then, the Strength Testing Device's electronic system automatically announced the result.

"Striking force: four hundred eighty kilograms." The number left all three of them stunned.

When Tang Wulin had swung his right hand for two hundred kilograms last year, Mang Tian had already been shocked. He had never expected such a tremendous increase in just one short year.

"Right hand." Mang Tian tried his best to suppress the emotional fluctuation in his voice.

Bang!

Tang Wulin switched the hammer to his right hand and smashed it down hard.

"Striking force: five hundred twenty kilograms."

Mang Tian's gaze grew somewhat vacant. "Tang Wuyang, your turn."

Tang Wulin passed the hammer in his hand to Tang Wuyang. Tang Wuyang took it, raised it with his left hand, and smashed it down fiercely.

Bang!

"Striking force: five hundred seven kilograms."

Then he switched the hammer to his right hand and smashed down once more.

Boom!

The instant Tang Wuyang's hammer struck, the entire room seemed to tremble slightly.

"Striking force: six hundred thirty kilograms."

The look in Mang Tian's eyes turned utterly blank. He had guessed that the two children's strength had improved considerably, but he had never imagined it would increase to such an extent.

Both of them possessed the strength of a thousand jin in each arm. Tang Wulin's left arm was still a little short, but it was extremely close.

At nine years old, possessing such strength made them two Little Monsters.

Although this was only explosive force generated by swinging a Forging Hammer, the instrument itself automatically deducted the portion belonging to the hammer.

Even ordinary power-type Soul Grand Masters might not be able to achieve their test results.

At the very least, Mang Tian himself had absolutely been unable to reach this level before becoming a Soul Elder.

With such inborn strength, why were their Martial Souls Blue Silver Grass and a Beast Martial Soul mutated toward the elemental aspect? They should have had power-type Martial Souls.

If their Martial Souls had also been hammers or something similar, they would truly have been two peerless geniuses.

Mang Tian's gaze lingered more on Tang Wulin.

After all, Tang Wuyang's Qilin Martial Soul was still considered a Beast Martial Soul, no matter how much it had mutated toward the elemental aspect.

Though unlike ordinary Beast Martial Souls, it could enhance its user, after absorbing Soul Rings, it would still bring considerable improvement to the body.

But Tang Wulin's Blue Silver Grass, even if it had mutated, should not have given him such an improvement.

As though he had seen the doubt in Mang Tian's heart, Tang Wuyang cast Tang Wulin a questioning look.

Tang Wulin took a deep breath and nodded firmly. Then he said, "Teacher, I'm sorry. I hid something from you."

There was no reproach in Mang Tian's gaze as he looked at Tang Wulin, only simple confusion. He gestured for him to continue.

"Unlike Wuyang, I actually have another Martial Soul."

The confusion on Mang Tian's face instantly turned into shock.

He practically lunged before Tang Wulin, placing both hands directly on his shoulders.

"You... you have Twin Martial Souls!"

Tang Wulin did not explain further. Instead, just as he did when releasing his Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul, he slowly raised his left hand.

Under Mang Tian's astonished gaze, a faint silver-gray glow spread from his palm.

The light condensed, and a silver-gray spear appeared before the three of them.

"Teacher, this is my Second Martial Soul. Its name is the Holy Dragon Spear."

Tang Wulin's words received no response from Mang Tian. His eyes remained fixed on the spear before him.

Tang Wuyang hurriedly explained, "Teacher, we didn't mean to hide it from you. Dad said this place is relatively remote, and my brother's innate Soul Power isn't like those Twin Martial Soul geniuses who have eight, nine, or even Innate Full Soul Power."

"For his safety, he told us not to reveal my brother's Second Martial Soul."

After a moment, Mang Tian let out a long breath. "Your father is right. In a remote little city like Aolai City, there's no guarantee someone won't get bad ideas."

"Alright, put it away."

Tang Wulin obediently withdrew the Holy Dragon Spear and stood quietly where he was.

The doubts in Mang Tian's heart were instantly answered. He had originally wondered how Tang Wulin, whose Martial Soul was only Blue Silver Grass, could have increased his strength so quickly.

Now, he finally understood the reason.

Although Tang Wulin's Second Martial Soul was still a Tool Martial Soul, Twin Martial Souls naturally enhanced the body more than ordinary Martial Souls.

"Teacher, then can we... can we learn Thousand Forging now?" Tang Wuyang cautiously asked. Tang Wulin's eyes were also filled with unease.

Mang Tian seemed to come back to his senses. "Come with me." He led the two of them to the only room in the workshop where two people could forge at the same time.

Mang Tian entered the room and took two silver-white chunks of metal from a rack at the side.

"I've taught you long ago what types of metal can undergo Thousand Forging."

"These are two pieces of Sinking Silver. They have excellent ductility and very good Soul Power conductivity."

"Only Thousand Forging can bring out the full potential of metal of this grade."

"Next, you'll use them for your attempt."

As he spoke, Mang Tian handed the two pieces of Sinking Silver to the brothers.

Once they accepted them, Mang Tian explained, "So-called Thousand Forging is absolutely not as simple as hammering a piece of metal one thousand times."

"It means continuously forging the metal to remove all its impurities, increase its density, and allow it to sublime."

"Only when the metal produces a sublimation effect during the forging process can it be considered true Thousand Forging."

After speaking, Mang Tian took out a Tungsten Steel Hammer that Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin both knew all too well.

"For example, the Thousand Refinements Tungsten Steel Hammers in your hands."

"Tungsten steel is already extremely strong by nature. After Thousand Forging, its volume shrinks by one-third, while its strength increases by two hundred percent."

"Its sublimation effect is a thirty percent increase in weight."

"The sublimation effect of tungsten steel is among the simplest. If the Thousand Forging result is good enough, it can even produce special sublimation effects. The better the effect, the more valuable the Thousand Refinements Metal."

"At the Thousand Forging level, you must first forge the Thousand Refinements Metal itself, then use the same technique to shape it afterward."

"For this reason, anything made from Thousand Refinements Metal is worth a hundred times more than something made from Hundred Refinements Metal."

"Only after reaching the Thousand Forging level can a Forging Master truly be considered an initiate."

What the two did not know was that Mang Tian's so-called initiation was something ninety percent of Forging Masters could never achieve in their entire lives.

Thousand Forging required more than strength. What mattered more was comprehension, especially one's understanding of metal.

Tang Wuyang asked, "Teacher, are there any techniques for Thousand Forging?" Tang Wulin was equally curious.

Mang Tian shook his head. "No. All I can tell you is that when you forge, treat the metal as a living being and communicate with it as much as possible during the process."

"Only through perfect communication can the metal truly acknowledge you, allowing you to find its secrets and patterns."

"Thousand Forging is also known as Mental Forging. Every Forging Master completes Thousand Forging differently."

"Therefore, all I can tell you is to forge with your hearts and comprehend with your hearts."

"Yes!" Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin answered in unison.

The two had originally thought Mang Tian would at least demonstrate for them, but it now seemed that their teacher had no such intention. He was leaving everything to them.

Holding their respective pieces of Sinking Silver, they each walked to one of the two forging stations in the room.

They activated the forging stations and placed the Sinking Silver into the Smelting Furnaces within to begin heating it.

Seeing that both had begun smelting their metal, Mang Tian decisively used Soul Power to envelop them, ensuring they would not be affected by one another.

While waiting for the metal to finish smelting, Tang Wuyang began recalling the characteristics of Sinking Silver that Mang Tian had explained.

Sinking Silver was a rare metal produced only from the ocean floor at depths exceeding one thousand meters.

Sinking Silver itself was extremely hard, possessed excellent ductility at high temperatures, and was an outstanding conductor of Soul Power.

High-quality Sinking Silver could even provide a five to ten percent amplification when transmitting Soul Power.

Whether used in ordinary industry or Mecha Manufacturing, it was an exceptionally valuable material.

However, everything had its advantages and disadvantages. Because Sinking Silver was so dense, it was incredibly heavy.

A standard-sized piece like the Sinking Silver Mang Tian had given them weighed more than two hundred kilograms, perhaps even three hundred.

Therefore, even if its production were sufficient, it was used more often in large stationary Soul Tools than in Mechas.

Although Sinking Silver was relatively uncommon inland, it was more plentiful in coastal cities and was also one of the major sources of income for some large coastal cities.

After being smelted for a full half hour, the Sinking Silver finally reached a temperature suitable for forging.

Seeing this, Tang Wuyang pressed a button on the forging station to raise the Sinking Silver. He gripped the Tungsten Steel Hammer with both hands and began forging with a steady clanging rhythm.

At the same time, Tang Wulin swung his own Tungsten Steel Hammer at the other station.

Watching his two disciples concentrate, Mang Tian could not help but nod secretly.

These two children possessed excellent comprehension. Otherwise, they could not possibly have laid down such a solid foundation in merely three years.

Not only were they steady of temperament, but they were also very intelligent. They could not have been more suited to inheriting his legacy.

The Thousand Forging before them was undoubtedly an extremely important test.

Based on his previous observations, Mang Tian believed that these two disciples had a chance of succeeding.

Especially after learning of their current strength, Mang Tian became even more certain of his thoughts.

They were only nine this year. If they could complete Thousand Forging, they would likely set a new record for the continent.

The current Thousand Forging record in the Forging Master Association had been set by a Holy Craftsman Level Forging Master at eleven years, three months, and two days old.

Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin naturally had no idea what Mang Tian was thinking. All their attention was focused on the Sinking Silver before them.

His left hand swung up, then came smashing down. With a clang, the entire piece of Sinking Silver trembled slightly. The next moment, the instant his left hand lifted, his right-hand hammer came down like lightning.

Tang Wuyang had already focused all his energy on the piece of Sinking Silver before him. Though he and Tang Wulin had never performed Thousand Forging before, countless Hundred Refinements metal parts had come from their hands.

For a time, sparks flew from both forging stations in the room. Beneath the isolation barrier, rhythmic hammering rang out without pause like lively percussion.

Two hours later, Tang Wuyang's back was soaked with sweat. No one noticed that faint golden patterns were emerging on the skin beneath his clothes.

Under Tang Wuyang's unceasing hammer strikes, the Sinking Silver had already shrunk considerably.

Suddenly, the greatly reduced Sinking Silver trembled faintly beneath Tang Wuyang's blows. Every hammer strike seemed to resonate with the metal, and the Tungsten Steel Hammer in his hand felt like part of his body.

Under the unending strikes, the Sinking Silver seemed to release a comfortable chant. Tang Wuyang's eyes grew brighter and brighter, a faint golden hue gradually filling them as his hammering frequency increased.

At the same time, the same scene appeared before Tang Wulin.

Faint silver-gray patterns were spreading across his limbs beneath his clothes.

The patterns seemed to lack the strength to continue. After covering his limbs, they faintly showed signs of extending further, yet could go no farther.

At that moment, Mang Tian's attention was entirely on the two pieces of Sinking Silver. He did not notice the changes occurring to his two disciples.

As a Master Craftsman Level Forging Master, Mang Tian keenly sensed the harmony between the two boys and the metal when he saw their current state.

It was a feeling impossible to describe in words. Only those who had truly completed Thousand Forging could genuinely understand it.

This sight deeply shocked Mang Tian. He understood that his two disciples had grasped the feeling of Thousand Forging.

Originally, Mang Tian had only wanted them to first familiarize themselves with Sinking Silver today and slowly seek out the feeling. It would have been enough for them to complete Thousand Forging before entering Intermediate Academy.

What he had not expected was that on the very day they first encountered Sinking Silver, these two disciples had directly begun Thousand Forging and truly entered that state.

This was certainly related to their strength, but what mattered more was their comprehension.

These two children were destined to shake the Forging World.

Mang Tian's greatest regret in life had been failing to become a Holy Craftsman Level Forging Master, but in Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin, he seemed to see that hope once more.