Level 5 Forging Grandmaster

"Presumably, this is His Excellency Zhen Hua's last disciple, young friend Wang Chuan?"

Cen Yue stepped forward two paces, a warm smile on his face and a booming voice.

Wang Chuan stepped forward and bowed slightly, neither obsequious nor arrogant, gentle and polite.

"Hello, Grandmaster Cen Yue. I'm Wang Chuan."

With Cen Yue's greeting, every young blacksmith in the room immediately turned their eyes toward Wang Chuan.

When their gazes fell upon the badge on his chest, gleaming with its unique luster and representing a "Level 5 Forging Grandmaster," nearly all of them instinctively held their breath, their pupils suddenly contracting!

Level 5!

Grandmaster!

If they remembered correctly.

This disciple of a Divine Craftsman...

Had only just turned ten this year, right?!

A ten-year-old Level 5 Forging Grandmaster?!

What kind of concept was that?!

The oldest among them was nearly twenty and had only barely reached Level 4!

For a moment, amazement, disbelief, and even a trace of barely perceptible envy flickered through everyone's eyes.

Tang Wenhao, Cen Yue's disciple and another Level 4 Blacksmith present, was the first to recover.

With a sincere smile on his face, he stepped forward and spoke to Wang Chuan.

"Junior Brother Wang Chuan, I'm Tang Wenhao."

"If you run into any problems during the competition, feel free to come to me. I'll do my best to help."

His attitude was natural, carrying both respect for a young genius and the intention to befriend him.

The moment he spoke, it was as though he had flipped a switch.

The other young blacksmiths immediately came to their senses and crowded forward to introduce themselves, their tones enthusiastic and their manner even somewhat ingratiating.

No one was foolish. A ten-year-old Level 5 Grandmaster with Divine Craftsman Zhen Hua standing behind him was almost certain to become a Divine Craftsman of the new generation in the future!

If they could leave even a slight impression on him now, it might become a rare opportunity in the future.

Even Zheng Tianlin, the proud and arrogant figure from the original work.

At this moment, he had restrained all his sharp edges, his face full of smiles as he hoped Wang Chuan would remember his name.

In response, Wang Chuan remained calm and nodded to each of them in turn, neither overly enthusiastic nor cold.

He knew that this was simply human nature. Unlike Tang Wulin in the original work, he had not deliberately concealed his own rank.

Naturally, he would not encounter those pointless provocations born of underestimation.

Because strength and status were themselves the best pass and deterrent.

When everyone noticed Tang Wulin following behind Wang Chuan, also wearing a Level 4 Blacksmith badge, another small stir arose in the room.

Another Level 4 Blacksmith so young?!

However, when Grandmaster Cen Yue timely mentioned, "This is Tang Wulin, disciple of Saint Craftsman Mu Chen."

Everyone wore expressions of realization. Their shock lessened somewhat, though they were still impressed.

To be accepted as Mu Chen's disciple and reach Level 4 at such a young age, his talent had to be exceptional as well. It was merely completely overshadowed by Wang Chuan's brilliance.

But no one questioned or looked down on him anymore, because geniuses often gathered around other geniuses. It seemed to have become some kind of law.

Afterward, Grandmaster Cen Yue briefly introduced the procedures, rules, and points of note for this forging competition, emphasizing competition discipline and the spirit of blacksmiths.

He then announced the meeting adjourned, telling everyone to return and rest in preparation for the competition beginning the next day.

On the way back, Mu Xi lowered her head, unconsciously twisting the corner of her clothes between her fingers. From time to time, she secretly raised her eyes to glance at Wang Chuan's straight back as he walked ahead.

It felt as though she were holding a little rabbit in her heart, thumping wildly. Her cheeks burned as a sweet sensation spread through her chest.

Tang Wulin, who had taken all of this in, felt somewhat conflicted.

Looking at Mu Xi's bashful appearance, completely unlike her usual "little devil" image, then thinking of the miserable way he was usually "bullied" by her, he could not help sighing inwardly.

Comparisons really do make people furious!

The treatment Brother Chuan gets...

He probably wouldn't get to enjoy it in this lifetime!

The next day.

The Sky Sea Alliance Grand Competition officially began.

Early in the morning, the Sky Sea Stadium, which could hold eighty thousand people, was already packed to capacity and buzzing with voices.

Teams representing various cities entered in orderly fashion under guidance. Colorful banners fluttered across the stands, and the atmosphere was lively.

After a brief opening ceremony, the drawing of lots for each event was conducted by the teachers leading the teams, while the participating students were temporarily free.

At that moment, a temporary platform was rapidly being erected in the center of the stadium, drawing everyone's attention.

"What are they doing?"

Tang Wulin curiously asked Xie Xie beside him.

With an expression that said, "You don't know this?" Xie Xie lowered his voice.

"There's going to be a main event later—a demonstration match!"

"I heard the Skysea Alliance paid an astronomical price to specially invite a team from Shrek Academy."

"Their opponents will be the champions of our Skysea Alliance's previous Youth Division Seven-Person Match!"

"The alliance is putting this on under the pretense of letting us witness top-tier strength and see the gap..."

"But."

He shrugged and curled his lip.

"I don't think it's a very good idea."

Gu Yue, beside Xie Xie, shot him a puzzled look.

"Why?"

"It's simple."

Xie Xie analyzed.

"If the gap is within a certain range, if you can see it and chase after it, that's encouragement."

"But if the gap is as vast as an abyss and you can't even see the other side, what encouragement is there?"

"It'll only make people feel despair and discouragement, dealing a blow to their confidence."

After saying that, he chuckled and glanced at Wang Chuan, who was sitting quietly nearby with his eyes closed in rest. He added in a certain tone.

"Of course, if Brother Wang Chuan were the one going up there, the outcome would definitely be different. He'd win for sure!"

Hearing this, Wang Chuan merely curled his lips slightly. He neither opened his eyes nor responded.

Xu Xiaoyan, however, asked curiously.

"Why are you so certain?"

Xie Xie looked around. Seeing that not many people nearby were paying attention to them, he leaned toward Xu Xiaoyan and spoke in an extremely low, mysterious voice.

"Because..."

"Brother Wang Chuan is the top of the Youth Wind and Cloud Ranking!"

"Ah?!"

Xu Xiaoyan cried out softly, covering her mouth with one hand as her eyes widened round.

Of course she knew of the Youth Wind and Cloud Ranking and had seen the latest list. She had a deep impression of the name at the top, "Phoenix Wang Chuan."

But she had always assumed it was simply someone with the same name. She had never imagined it was actually the classmate before her!

She knew all too well how significant the top rank was!

"And..."

Xie Xie continued revealing the information, with a trace of pride as though he shared in the glory.

"Brother Wang Chuan is a Four-Ring Soul Ancestor!"

"Four Soul Rings..."

"They're all black Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Rings!"

"I saw it with my own eyes!"

"Ten-Ten-Thousand-Year Soul Rings?!"

"And all four of them?!"

Xu Xiaoyan felt as though her brain was no longer enough to process it. She stared blankly at Wang Chuan's profile, as if she needed to get to know him all over again.

Wang Chuan finally opened his eyes and lightly rapped Xie Xie on the back of the head, his tone calm.

"Quiet."

"Watch more, learn more, talk less."

"Oh..."

Xie Xie covered his head and shrank back with a wronged expression.