Special Training, Forging Guidance

Xie Xie looked strangely at the hammer in Tang Wuyang's hand, secretly glad that Tang Wuyang had not used that hammer when they sparred before.

If he had used that hammer against him while he was trapped by Ice Chains during their first fight, then...

Tang Wuyang lowered his raised right hand. Wu Changkong looked at him curiously. "There's something strange about that hammer."

Tang Wuyang said, "It's a Sinking Silver Hammer. It's heavier than an ordinary Forging Hammer. My brother has two as well."

"How heavy is it? Let me see!"

Xie Xie was immensely interested in the hammer that had shattered Teacher Wu's wooden sword. He darted over to Tang Wuyang and reached for the Thousand Refinements Sinking Silver Hammer in his hand.

Clang!

The instant Tang Wuyang let go, the Sinking Silver Hammer dropped straight to the ground. Its tremendous momentum dragged Xie Xie down with it, sending him sprawling flat on his back.

"Ow! What the hell is this thing? Why is it so heavy?" Xie Xie got up while clutching his aching body.

Wu Changkong walked over and picked up the Thousand Refinements Sinking Silver Hammer, a moved expression appearing in his eyes as well.

No wonder his wooden sword had been smashed apart. The weight of this hammer...

Tang Wuyang explained, "Each one weighs about one hundred and eighty kilograms."

Wu Changkong handed the hammer back to him. "Those three bursts of force it released just now—did you control those?"

Tang Wuyang took the Thousand Refinements Sinking Silver Hammer and paused before answering, "That's the hammer's own ability. After metal undergoes Thousand Forging, it develops certain special effects."

"My Sinking Silver Hammer has one too. It's called Stacking Hammer."

"You said Tang Wulin has two as well?" Wu Changkong asked.

Tang Wulin, who was directly involved, immediately replied, "Yes."

As he spoke, silver light flashed in his right hand. The next instant, a hammer almost identical to the one in Tang Wuyang's hand appeared in his palm.

"This is my Thousand Refinements Sinking Silver Hammer. It looks the same as Wuyang's, but my special effect is Vibration Hammer."

Although Wu Changkong knew nothing about forging, he could still tell how valuable the Thousand Refinements Sinking Silver Hammers held by the two brothers were.

"You two are very talented at forging? I looked into it. Mu Xi, who came to challenge you in forging today, is the daughter of the president of the East Sea Forging Master Association."

The brothers looked at each other and smiled, then answered in unison, "Yes, we're Forging Masters."

A thoughtful look appeared in Wu Changkong's eyes. He raised both hands toward Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin. "Come. Hold my hands and pull with all your strength. Let me see exactly how strong you are."

Tang Wuyang grabbed Wu Changkong's right hand, while Tang Wulin grasped his left at the same time.

Wu Changkong's hands were large, with long, powerful fingers. Though they felt somewhat cold, they were not rough in the slightest.

"Begin."

Hearing that, the brothers took deep breaths in unison. Both exerted force through their arms and pulled backward as hard as they could.

Wu Changkong was fully prepared this time. He stood there like a nail driven into the ground, utterly motionless.

Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin's little faces flushed red from the effort.

Though Wu Changkong did not move, the faint Soul Power Fluctuation around him showed that he was not as relaxed as he appeared.

"That's enough."

A moment later, Wu Changkong called for them to stop.

The brothers obediently withdrew their strength and released Wu Changkong's hands.

A strange expression flashed over Wu Changkong's cold face. He patted Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin on the shoulders. "With strength like yours, our tactics for the Promotion Tournament will be interesting."

By the time Tang Wuyang, Tang Wulin, and Xie Xie returned to their dormitory, they were already completely exhausted. Forget forging again—the brothers could barely sit cross-legged and enter Meditation.

Starting the next day, Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin were specially exempted from physical training.

In Wu Changkong's view, his physical training was useless for freaks like Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin, who possessed extraordinary talent in strength.

It would be better to spend that time cultivating Soul Power and controlling their Soul Skills.

On the third day of physical training, the other students of Grade One Class Five finally could not endure any longer. A large number collapsed across the training field.

From that day onward, the schedule returned to physical training in the morning and theory classes in the afternoon.

With only half a day of physical training, the students actually felt much more relaxed, and no one complained during those classes anymore.

Tang Wuyang, Tang Wulin, Gu Yue, and Xie Xie were brought by Wu Changkong for Spirit Power testing, and the results were shocking.

Xie Xie's Spirit Power was twenty-nine. That was already an excellent result among children his age, close to the Spirit Origin Realm Intermediate Stage.

Tang Wulin's Spirit Power was fifty-one, nearly reaching the Spirit Origin Realm Advanced Stage.

Tang Wuyang's Spirit Power made Wu Changkong's eyes light up even more. His Spirit Power was sixty-two, which had already reached the Spirit Origin Realm Advanced Stage.

The three had already brought Wu Changkong some pleasant surprises, but compared with Gu Yue, their Spirit Power immediately seemed far less remarkable.

Gu Yue's Spirit Power was as high as one hundred and nineteen, directly reaching the Spirit Connection Realm.

The Spirit Connection Realm meant that the mind communicated with the spirit, and intention arrived with thought. Once one reached the Spirit Connection Realm, one had begun to master Spirit Power, truly controlling it for one's own use. It could support two Yellow Soul Spirits or one Purple Soul Spirit.

Only then did Wu Changkong confirm that Gu Yue's Martial Soul, Elemental User, was most likely actually a rare spirit-type Martial Soul. Through her powerful Spirit Power, she communicated with the elements and wielded them for her own use.

Spirit Masters were the rarest and most sought-after Soul Masters in the current world because they were the most compatible with mechas. This made Wu Changkong value Gu Yue even more.

Of course, there was no difference in the harshness of training. The more Wu Changkong valued someone, the greater their training load became.

After a week like that, Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin had not found any time to visit Mang Tian's Workshop, so naturally they had been unable to complete their Forging Tasks.

Beep beep! Having just finished that day's special training, the four were walking back to the dormitory when Tang Wuyang's Communication Soul Tool suddenly rang.

Tang Wuyang had nearly forgotten he even had this thing. As a Soul Master, he did not need to buy Soul Guidance Batteries at all. Whenever it ran out of power, he only needed to infuse it with Soul Power.

A special number was displayed on the communicator.

"Hello!" Tang Wuyang answered the call.

"What have you two been doing?" A familiar voice came from the other end. Upon hearing it, Tang Wuyang stopped walking.

Tang Wulin, Gu Yue, and Xie Xie noticed and stopped as well.

"Teacher." Hearing Tang Wuyang's response, Tang Wulin leaned closer to listen.

"What's going on with you two? You still haven't finished a Second-Level task after an entire week?" Mang Tian's tone was extremely stern.

Tang Wuyang hurriedly explained, "No, Teacher. We've had classes and training every day recently. We really haven't had time to visit your workshop."

Tang Wulin hurriedly cut in from beside him. "That's right, Teacher. Tomorrow is the weekend. Wuyang and I were planning to come over tomorrow."

Mang Tian was silent for a moment. "You're only first-year students at an Intermediate Academy. Are you really that busy?"

Tang Wuyang explained everything in detail, from enrolling in the academy to receiving Teacher Wu's special training for the upcoming Promotion Tournament.

Gu Yue and Xie Xie's attention was drawn over to Tang Wuyang as well.

"Fine. Come over tomorrow, then. I'll be there too!" Mang Tian hung up immediately after saying that.

Tang Wuyang put away the Soul Guidance Communicator, only to hear Xie Xie say irritably beside him, "Hey, didn't you two say you had no money? You actually have a Communication Soul Tool!"

Tang Wulin said, "It was an association benefit. We couldn't afford one ourselves."

Xie Xie said, "Come to think of it, you said you were Forging Masters. The kind that can refine metal?"

Tang Wulin nodded.

Xie Xie said, "Yeah, Forging Masters have a promising future if they make it."

"I remember my father bought a component for a Mecha Core that had undergone Thousand Forging. It seemed pretty expensive."

"When you reach Master Level, how about refining metal for me too?"

Hearing that, Tang Wuyang asked, "What? Do you want to become a Mecha Master in the future?"

Xie Xie said proudly, "Of course. Our family is a famous Mecha Master family. Naturally, I'll become a Mecha Master in the future."

Tang Wulin immediately became interested. "Then tell us quickly. What are real Mecha Masters like? Are there any requirements?"

After the past few days, Xie Xie's relationship with the Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin had improved considerably.

"After so many years of development, Soul Guide Mechas went from initial miniaturization to large-scale designs, and now back to miniaturization again."

"After going through that entire cycle, individual combat strength has grown increasingly powerful."

"A truly powerful Mecha Master wears a mecha about the size of a suit of armor, but its enhancement is enormous. Combined with the Martial Soul, it can turn someone into a Super Warrior."

"I heard that God-level Mecha Masters all craft their own mechas."

Tang Wulin asked curiously, "Does that mean God-level Mecha Masters are all Forging Masters?"

Xie Xie rolled his eyes. "Of course not. By crafting, I mean a God-level Mecha Master personally inscribes the arrays onto their own mecha, making it more compatible with them."

"Of course, if they can forge as well, that compatibility will naturally be even higher."

"Anyway, how good are you two at forging? What level have you reached?"

Gu Yue, standing nearby, also turned her gaze toward them.

Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin looked at each other. They hesitated, but still felt they should not deceive a friend.

Ever since Xie Xie had threatened Mu Xi for them that day, the brothers had considered him a friend.

Tang Wulin spoke first. "We can barely do Thousand Forging."

Others might not understand much about forging, but how could Xie Xie, who came from a Mecha Master family, not understand?

Hearing that they could perform Thousand Forging, Xie Xie could not help revealing a shocked expression. "Doesn't that mean your Forging Level has already reached Master Level?"

Tang Wuyang shook his head and denied it. "Not yet. We've only just become Second Rank Forging Masters."

Gu Yue looked at them, her voice carrying a trace of surprise. "So you're only nine years old, yet you're already Second-Level Professionals?"

Xie Xie's eyes shifted as though he had thought of something. He slung an arm around Tang Wulin and Tang Wuyang's necks. "Wulin, Wuyang, we're brothers, right?"

Tang Wulin shot him an annoyed glance. "Unsolicited kindness hides a scheme. What do you want?"

Xie Xie chuckled. "Nothing. How about you help forge mecha components for me in the future? What do you say? Don't worry, I'll pay you market price for everything."

Tang Wuyang asked doubtfully, "Do you really need to come to us? Can't you just post a task at our Forging Master Association? It would still be market price anyway."

Tang Wulin nodded repeatedly in agreement.

Xie Xie looked at the brothers in surprise. "It seems you still don't truly understand the Forging Master profession!"

"Do you think someone will definitely accept a task just because you post it? There are very few Forging Masters above Master Level, and even fewer are willing to take on Thousand Forging jobs."

"It's not something just anyone can get in line for. My father spent a full four years replacing all the components of his mecha with Thousand-Forged parts, and that was with his good relationship with the Forging Master Association."

"You can already perform Thousand Forging now. In a few years, you'll surely reach Master Level. If you become my personal Forging Masters, won't I be able to get a Thousand-Forged Mecha much faster? That's a true symbol of nobility."

Tang Wulin nodded helplessly. "Fine. Once I'm skilled enough, I'll definitely help you."

Seeing Gu Yue staring at him, Tang Wuyang could not help agreeing as well. "Once my Forging Level is high enough, I'll definitely forge metal for you."

Only after receiving a satisfactory answer did Gu Yue withdraw her gaze from Tang Wuyang and walk alone toward the girls' dormitory.

Seeing Xie Xie was still excited, Tang Wuyang said, "Aren't you tired? Let's hurry back."

Only then did Xie Xie suppress the surging emotions in his heart and follow the brothers into the boys' dormitory building.

The Intermediate Academy had one day off each week, which students could arrange as they pleased.

Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin had been unable to complete their Forging Tasks for Crimson Gold and Heavenly Dragon Iron all week, and they were somewhat anxious about it.

Mang Tian would be there as well, so they could use the opportunity to finish their respective tasks.

Early the next morning, after breakfast, Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin left the academy and headed straight for Mang Tian's Workshop.

Before they even entered, they heard the clanging sounds of hammering from inside.

Tang Wuyang unlocked the door with his key. When the brothers entered the Forging Room, they saw Mang Tian hard at work.

Mang Tian glanced at them. "Mm, you look energetic. It seems you really have been cultivating diligently."

The brothers scratched their heads awkwardly. Tang Wulin spoke with some apology in his voice. "But the forging..."

Mang Tian waved his hand. "You can already perform Thousand Forging. In forging, that means you've entered another stage. This is no longer something you can improve through practice alone."

"At your age, working hard to raise your Soul Power is what matters most."

"So you did nothing wrong."

"All right. Come here every week during your day off from now on. Go change clothes."

"After that, I'll first teach you how to use your Thousand Refinements Sinking Silver Hammers. In the afternoon, you can complete the tasks you each accepted."

He truly could not bring himself to be harsh with these two disciples. When he got their communication numbers from Cen Yue yesterday, Cen Yue had pestered him for a long time, and even the president had personally come to ask about them.

Although Eastsea City was not a particularly high-ranking city on the continent, Mu Chen was one of the continent's Top Ten Holy Craftsmen.

He was a renowned figure not only in the forging world but throughout the entire continent.

If his wife had not been from Eastsea City, he would never have stayed there.

Yesterday, even Mu Chen had said that if Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin needed any help with their studies, he could lend a hand. How could Mang Tian not be delighted?

However, in his opinion, having himself teach Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin was enough for now. He also had selfish motives. If he handed Tang Wulin and Tang Wuyang over to Mu Chen now, then who would count as their teacher in the future?

Tang Wulin and Tang Wuyang's talent in forging was not merely a matter of being born strong.

Though innate strength was rare, it was not unheard of. Yet among those who truly became top-tier Forging Masters, almost none had relied solely on innate strength.

The higher a Forging Master's rank, the greater the demands on comprehension and Soul Power. In later-stage forging, without sufficiently powerful Soul Power, it was simply impossible to succeed.

Mang Tian had suffered from this limitation himself. Otherwise, he would have been confident in advancing to Saint Craftsman.

Tang Wulin and Tang Wuyang's innate strength made up for their current lack of Soul Power. More importantly, these two children possessed comprehension far beyond ordinary people.

They entered a focused state almost every time they forged. Especially during that Thousand Forging of Deep Sea Silver, they had even sensed the life of the metal.

Mang Tian remembered that he had only occasionally entered such a state after becoming a Fourth Grade Forging Master.

It was clear just what kind of forging talent Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin possessed, and neither of them feared hardship.

Over the past three years, they had never slacked off while studying under him, which was why they had built such a solid foundation.

Mang Tian was unwilling to simply send away two children as outstanding as them.

After the two changed clothes, Mang Tian explained several things to the brothers and led them in familiarizing themselves with their respective Thousand Refinements Sinking Silver Hammers.

That day, Tang Wuyang and Tang Wulin immersed themselves entirely in forging.

That afternoon, they spent some time completing the tasks they had each accepted.

Mang Tian took them to the Forging Master Association, where they submitted their finished products and received twenty thousand Federation Coins.

As the two prepared to return to school after accepting new tasks, Mang Tian said to them, "Remember to come forge at your teacher's place every weekly day off."

"Every month, you must produce one Thousand-Forged finished product. I'll leave materials there, and the Thousand-Forged product will count as payment for the two of you using my workshop."

The two readily agreed, then returned to the academy.