Directly to Second Rank

Third floor of the Blacksmith Association.

The elevator doors opened, and two people stepped out.

One of them looked to be around forty. He was dignified and handsome, his silver-gray tight-fitting outfit outlining his strong and robust physique. A badge hung from the left side of his chest.

Anyone who saw him would inevitably have their attention drawn to that badge first.

The badge had a gold background, with a slightly raised hammer design. Each of the stars on it was black, eight in total.

Eight stars represented a professional rank of eight, while the gold-backed hammer represented forging.

A Level 8 Forging Master was, more precisely, an Eight-Star Holy Craftsman-level Forging Master.

Beside the middle-aged man stood a young girl who looked thirteen or fourteen. She was tall and exceptionally beautiful.

Her large eyes were bright and lively, her golden hair tied into a ponytail. Her fitted clothing made her look especially neat and capable.

Upon seeing them arrive, the staff at the front desk immediately stood up. "President."

The middle-aged man nodded. "It's okay. I brought Mu Xi here to take the second-rank test. Please arrange an assessor."

This Eight-Star Holy Craftsman was Mu Chen, president of the Sun Moon Federation Forging Master Association's East Sea City Branch.

"Yes, President. Please wait a moment. Young Miss Mu Xi is already taking the second-rank test! As expected of a Generation Genius in the Forging World."

Mu Xi's expression remained calm. She did not seem pleased by the praise and merely nodded politely to the staff member.

She did not actually accept the title of genius. Her achievements today relied not only on talent, but also on effort far beyond that of ordinary people.

Her goal was to surpass her father and become a Level 9 God Craftsman in the future.

After all, there were only three Nine-Star God Craftsmen on the entire Douluo Continent.

"Hm? What's that sound?" Mu Chen's brows suddenly twitched, and a hint of surprise appeared in his eyes.

Mu Xi, standing beside him, also raised her brows slightly. Her delicate ears moved faintly as she immediately caught two crisp, dense streams of hammering at different frequencies in the air.

Yet no matter which rhythm it was, both sounded exceptionally pleasant, giving the listener a deeply comfortable feeling.

Mu Chen turned to the staff member and asked, "Is someone taking a Forging Master rank test above Level Four?"

The staff member looked confused. "No?"

After a brief moment of thought, Mu Chen said to Mu Xi, "Go prepare in the testing room first. I'll go take a look."

"Okay." Although Mu Xi was curious as well, she was about to undergo her Second Rank Forging Master assessment. She could not afford to be distracted now.

After separating from his daughter, Mu Chen followed the sound and quickly arrived between Room Three and Room Four.

The Forging Rooms had excellent soundproofing, but the sounds were still clearer near the doors.

From the sounds coming from the two rooms, Mu Chen could easily tell that both were hammering high-density Rare Metal.

Furthermore, there was no stray noise with any strike, which indicated precise forging. Such dense impacts and collision strength showed that Thousand Forging hammers were being used.

Forging Master ranks were strictly regulated. One's level was one's level. Anyone capable of hammering at such a standard should at least be Master Level.

Moreover, as an Eight-Star Forging Saint Craftsman, Mu Chen could naturally hear that these two Forging Masters had entered a Fusion State with their metal.

Fusion was when a Forging Master resonated with the metal they were forging and entered a wondrous state of integration.

In that state, fine products were often created, because the forged work contained the Forging Master's emotions and ideals.

Mu Chen did not enter the Forging Rooms, because even as president, he did not have that authority.

No one was permitted to disturb a Forging Master during a rank assessment.

Once disturbed, the Forging Master could easily lose focus. Not only might the assessment fail, but it could even leave psychological scars.

Interesting!

Mu Chen returned to the front desk and asked the staff member, "Who is testing in Rooms Three and Four?"

The staff member hurriedly checked. "They're a pair of brothers named Tang Wulin and Tang Wuyang. Master Cen Yue brought them here."

As he spoke, he handed the copy of the forms to Mu Chen.

At the mention of Cen Yue's name, Mu Chen immediately smiled. "So that's it. They could enter a Fusion State during an assessment because Old Cen brought them. No wonder."

"Huh? Nine years old?"

He looked at the staff member in astonishment. "There's no mistake in the registration? Both Forging Masters taking the test are only nine?"

The staff member hurriedly replied, "That's right. We were wondering earlier why two such young children had come for a rank assessment."

Mu Chen was somewhat stunned. Nine years old? That meant they should both be taking the Level One Forging Master test.

"Beep, beep!"

Just as Mu Chen was about to ask more questions, the Soul Guidance Communicator at his waist suddenly rang.

"Dad, I'm ready. Have you come over yet? I'm in Room Six."

"I'm coming now."

Although Mu Chen still had doubts in his heart, his daughter was clearly more important. He ended the Soul Guidance Communication and hurried toward Room Six.

"Time's up!" The assessor's voice rang out with a strange note to it.

Clang! With the final hammer strike, Tang Wuyang flicked his wrist and stored the Tungsten Steel Hammer in his Sinking Silver Ring. After steadying his slightly rapid breathing, he stood there and waited for the result.

At the same time, the hammering in Room Four next door, where Tang Wulin was, also came to an end.

A brief silence fell over the Forging Rooms. The assessor's gaze landed on the Sinking Silver. "Sinking Silver. Purity exceeds Hundred Refinements. Volume reduced by seven percent. Purification effect is approximately three times that of Hundred Refinements Purification."

After receiving the result, Tang Wuyang followed the assessor out of the room. At the same time, the door next door opened, and Tang Wulin walked out.

The two assessors reported the testing results to Cen Yue.

In truth, when Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin had just finished, Cen Yue seemed to see silver light flickering in their eyes.

It was the glow of Sinking Silver. Even though the forging had ended, their worlds still contained only that previous focus.

Even without knowing the results, Cen Yue could determine that if these two children did not go astray in the future, they would likely become extraordinary figures.

The results reported by the assessors undoubtedly confirmed his earlier guess.

"Assessment passed."

After the assessor finished speaking, Cen Yue said with a wry smile, "That fellow Mang Tian definitely did this on purpose."

One of the assessors asked in surprise, "These two children are Mang Tian's disciples?"

Cen Yue nodded. "It's truly hard to imagine, but I have to say that these two children can already undergo a second-rank assessment."

The assessor who had tested Tang Wuyang looked at the brothers. "Little fellows, aside from Metal Purification, can you do anything else?"

Tang Wuyang looked at Tang Wulin, who nodded at him.

After receiving confirmation, Tang Wuyang looked at the assessor and answered seriously, "We can basically handle small and medium-sized components."

The assessor said in a deep voice, "Forge any medium-sized component you like. If you succeed, you will be directly rated as Second Rank Forging Masters."

Second Rank Forging Masters were required to be able to forge medium-sized components independently and perform Hundred Refinements Purification on Rare Metal.

Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin had already done very well with their purification just now. They only needed to complete the forging of a component.

Upon hearing the assessor's words, the two nodded together and turned back toward the Forging Rooms they had just used.

The Thousand Refinements Tungsten Steel Hammers reappeared in their hands, and rhythmic hammering once again echoed through the two adjacent Forging Rooms.

The two assessors standing outside had intended to stop them and tell them that ordinary metal would be sufficient for this assessment, but Cen Yue, who was also standing outside, stopped them with a look.

He wanted to see just how far these two nine-year-old children could go.

As he struck the Sinking Silver again, Tang Wuyang's heart filled with joy.

It was a feeling from the depths of his heart, as if he had returned to the side of an old friend.

At the same time, Tang Wulin in the Forging Room next door felt the same way.

The clear hum of the Sinking Silver seemed to continuously respond to Tang Wuyang's every strike. The speed at which his hands came down grew faster, and without much thought, the entire piece of Sinking Silver began to change.

With every hammer blow, the Sinking Silver atop the Forging Table bounced higher. Tang Wuyang's strength was clearly increasing step by step.

The shape of the Sinking Silver slowly changed, and gradually, a round medium-sized component took form.

There was not a single mistake. It felt entirely like Flowing Clouds and Running Water, as if every hammer fell exactly where the Sinking Silver most wanted it to.

To Cen Yue, this was practically textbook hammering!

These two children had exceptionally solid Basic Skills. Even many apprentices of eighteen or nineteen who had studied forging for more than eight years fell far short of them.

There were no flashy movements, only simple hammering, yet it gave off an exceptionally pure feeling.

Generally speaking, small components were used at mecha connection points, while medium-sized components were themselves embedded parts of a mecha.

What Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin forged was a semicircular component, an important internal component for a mecha's knee joint.

Joint protection components wore down most easily, but joints were also the most suitable places to install Soul Guidance Arrays.

Sinking Silver was suitable for conducting Soul Power, making it perfect for forging joint components. The two had clearly considered this as well.

More than an hour passed. Watching the brothers perform the same inspection motions, Cen Yue's mouth could not help twitching as he muttered inwardly, These two little fellows really are Mang Tian's disciples. Even their inspection movements are the same as that fellow's.

Complaints aside, when the two round components without the slightest flaw appeared before Cen Yue and the two assessors, the three of them were clearly even quieter than before.

"Three Masters, does this mean Wuyang and I passed?" Tang Wulin asked expectantly.

Tang Wuyang's eyes were filled with confidence as he looked at Cen Yue and the assessors. He was extremely satisfied with his work.

In fact, this was the first time the two brothers had used Sinking Silver to forge components.

In Tang Wuyang's heart, the only shortcoming of this work was that the metal had not undergone Thousand Forging.

In reality, Tang Wuyang was truly confident that he could complete Thousand Forging once more.

Ever since passing Teacher Mang Tian's Thousand Forging test last time, Tang Wuyang had discovered that his understanding of forging had clearly risen to another level.

Half an hour later.

When Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin walked out of the Forging Master Association, their faces were both full of joy.

They were happy not only because Master Cen and the two assessors all agreed that they had reached the standard of Second Rank Forging Masters, but also because the association had directly compensated them for the two Sinking Silver knee joint components they had forged earlier. They had each received Ten Thousand Federation Coin.

Only then did the brothers realize that forging Rare Metal was so profitable!

Cen Yue told them to come back in two days to collect their respective Forging Master Badges. At that point, they could also begin accepting forging jobs.

After watching the two leave, Cen Yue immediately called an old acquaintance through his Soul Guidance Communicator. "Mang Tian!"

"Um?" Mang Tian's tone was as cold as ever.

Cen Yue's breathing was a little hurried. "Where did you find those two treasures?"

Mang Tian replied, "I don't know what you're talking about."

Cen Yue said excitedly, "Don't play dumb. I mean your two disciples!"

"Nine-year-old Second Rank Forging Masters, and they even forged medium-sized components with Sinking Silver."

"With their talent, as long as they can continue growing, they'll be able to attempt Thousand Forging in just a few years!"

"Tell me, how exactly did you teach them?"

"..."

Cen Yue was extremely dissatisfied by Mang Tian's sudden silence on the other end.

"Hey, say something!"

"Nothing special. Those two children simply have Innate Superhuman Strength and are willing to work hard." Mang Tian's tone was calm.

Cen Yue said irritably, "You sent those two little fellows to me just to show off, didn't you?"

Mang Tian answered firmly, "Yes."

"Tell me. What conditions will it take for you to give those two children to me?"

"You spend most of your time in that remote place, Aolai City. How could you have the time to teach them?"

"As long as you give them to me, I guarantee I'll teach both children with the utmost care."

"Hang up."

"Wait! If you can't give me both, one is fine!"

However, the only response he received was the busy tone of the Soul Guidance Communicator.

Cen Yue nearly smashed the Soul Guidance Communicator in his hand onto the ground. "That bastard!"

Just then, a young man in his twenties entered Cen Yue's room.

"Teacher, you wanted to see me?"

"Tell me, what rank is your forging at now?"

"How many years have you followed me? Why can't you perform Thousand Forging even now..."

The young man was completely bewildered by Cen Yue's sudden barrage of scolding. He could not help muttering inwardly, What's wrong with Teacher? Hasn't his temper always been pretty good? Why today...

Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin had no idea that their excellence in forging had dragged someone else into trouble. At that moment, they had already returned to the academy.

Yun Xiao, who had originally come to visit, had already returned next door.

"Here."

Tang Wuyang handed the Ten Thousand Federation Coin he had just received toward Xie Xie, who was lying on the bed with his face still somewhat swollen.

Tang Wulin, who was a step slower, saw what his younger brother was doing and did not ask anything. Instead, like Tang Wuyang, he handed his own Ten Thousand Federation Coin in cash to Xie Xie.

Xie Xie coldly glanced at the two of them before focusing his gaze on Tang Wuyang. "Trying to avoid the fight?"

Tang Wuyang shook his head. "That's not what I mean. But I was mainly responsible for damaging public property, so I can't let you pay all the compensation."

Tang Wulin took the Federation Coin from Tang Wuyang's hand and placed it on Xie Xie's bed together with his own share. "Wuyang is right. This twenty thousand is for you. Consider it us paying you back."

After saying that, Tang Wulin turned around, climbed the ladder, and returned to his top bunk.

"I won't go back on what I promised you. After school tomorrow, pick a place."

With that, Tang Wuyang did not linger either and returned directly to his own bed.

Zhou Changxi sat on the top bunk, looking at Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin on the bunks across from him. Ever since he had lost to both of them in the steamed bun contest, he had truly come to respect these plainly dressed brothers.

Sitting cross-legged on his bed, Tang Wuyang cleared away his scattered thoughts and quickly entered Meditation.

In truth, today was his first time using his Martial Soul in battle.

He had almost no experience in that regard and had never even learned how to fight.

Xie Xie was very powerful. Tang Wuyang could feel it. If not for the elements brought by his First Soul Skill, which could shift between water and ice, as well as the Ice Element's low temperature affecting Xie Xie's movements, he likely would not even have been able to touch him.

Yet today's fight had also given Tang Wuyang a deeper understanding of his Water Element.

Teacher Mang Tian had once told him that his First Soul Skill had excellent potential for development and that he should try more variations of water and ice.

Now, it seemed he truly needed to hurry and practice.

Xie Xie did not meditate. He simply lay on his bed, also thinking about his battle with Tang Wuyang today.

Indeed, he had been careless because he underestimated his opponent. But wasn't this fellow's Martial Soul supposed to be a Beast Martial Soul? His Soul Skill was clearly the Control System skill Ice Chains, and it could even switch back and forth between water and ice!

What exactly was going on with this guy's Martial Soul?

But even if his Martial Soul was strange and his Soul Skill bizarre, he only had a Ten-Year First Soul Ring, and his cultivation was clearly weaker than mine. How could my Light Dragon Dagger, enhanced by a Century Soul Ring, possibly fail to cut through it?

Tomorrow. Tomorrow, I'll definitely make him understand how formidable I am!

I can't take that punch for nothing.

Touching his cheek, which still had not gone down, Xie Xie's heart surged with fury.