Late Spirit Connection Realm, a Pair of Black Eyes

Spirit Awakening.

It awakened a metal's spirituality, allowing one to "communicate" with it more effectively and reduce the difficulty of forging.

At the same time, this "spirit" was also the spirit in Spirit Forging.

Spirit Forging was already the stage of granting life to metal.

Once Rare Metal had completed Spirit Forging, it could resonate with its user and evolve alongside them.

However, at this stage, the metal still relied on the Spirit Master's guidance.

Spirit Awakening could assist with this guiding process and also amplify the effects of "Spirit Initiation."

Moreover, it could provide supporting effects during the "two-way resonance" of Soul Forging.

Simply put, Spirit Forging granted life, while Soul Forging granted a soul.

Both involved "spirit," and Spirit Awakening could be useful in either case.

Although this special effect did not greatly reduce the number of hammer strikes like Stacking Hammer did, its impact ran far deeper.

"You're making even me a little jealous."

Mu Chen looked at Lin Jin with a complicated expression.

At his level, whether he struck a few more times or a few fewer times no longer meant much.

It did not consume much energy, after all.

Spirit Awakening, on the other hand, could truly play a crucial role in high-level forging.

Lin Jin blinked and smiled.

"If you like it, Teacher, I can lend it to you."

Mu Chen rolled his eyes and said irritably.

"It's already undergone Blood Sacrifice. Even if you gave it to me, I wouldn't be able to use it."

Blood Sacrifice was essentially a ritual of acknowledging an owner.

Through certain methods, it could still be used.

However, the Forging Hammer's special effects would not take effect.

Moreover, forcing its use might very well cause the metal itself to collapse outright.

Lin Jin burst out laughing at that.

Naturally, he knew such basic knowledge.

"Alright."

"This time, you completed First Grade Thousand Refinement. Your Spirit Light even reached five feet, so you are actually very close to Spirit Forging."

"Yet despite seeming so close, many people can never reach it in their entire lives."

"Calm your mind and spend some time consolidating your foundation."

"Also..."

Mu Chen paused, and his expression suddenly turned solemn.

Seeing this, the smile on Lin Jin's face faded as well.

"Now, in my capacity as president of the East Sea Blacksmith Association, I formally present you with the Level 4 Blacksmith Badge."

An Orange-Base Yellow-Star badge.

There were four stars in total.

"I forged this personally, and it bears a Calm Heart Array Pattern."

"Wear it on you. It will also benefit your daily cultivation."

Mu Chen spoke solemnly, then personally pinned the badge to the inside of Lin Jin's clothes.

"Thank you, Teacher."

Lin Jin gave him a solemn bow.

"You have earned it."

"From now on, consolidate your foundation properly. If you have any questions, ask me anytime."

Mu Chen patted Lin Jin on the shoulder and turned to leave.

Lin Jin sat cross-legged and watched Mu Chen depart.

After taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes slightly, and crimson-orange flames ignited around him.

Because the Fire Elemental Sprite itself was at the hundred-year level, she could provide two yellow Spirit Rings.

Thus, after his Soul Power reached Level 20, he naturally advanced to become a Two-Ring Great Spirit Master.

At the same time, his advancement into a major realm also caused the Lotus Flower Flame to evolve.

The originally single-colored Crimson Lotus.

Had become the present crimson-orange dual-colored flame.

The purification abilities and other powers originally possessed by the Lotus Flower Flame were all greatly enhanced.

This was also why, after the Lotus Flower Flame's power bloomed, the Cloud Titanium could leap directly to the level of First Grade Thousand Refinement and even produce five feet of Spirit Light.

After that exhilarating burst of forging.

When he closed his eyes to meditate and recovered his Soul Power, it directly surged to Level 24.

Nine years old, Level 24.

"Phew~"

Lin Jin gently exhaled and did not continue meditating.

Instead, he walked over to the forging table and began practicing forging.

Three years had passed, and he had discovered that the Lotus Flower Flame burned within his body at all times.

When forging, his Spiritual Power was highly focused, while his body and Soul Power were mobilized in tandem.

Through that process, the Lotus Flower Flame's power could bloom even more perfectly.

By now, forging had become a form of cultivation for him.

That was why his Soul Power cultivation had not fallen behind in the slightest.

Meditation, forging...

Half of the month-long holiday passed in the blink of an eye.

On this day, Mu Xi knocked on the door of Lin Jin's Forging Room.

Whether as Mu Chen's disciple or as a Level Four Blacksmith.

Lin Jin was naturally qualified to have a Forging Room of his own within the Blacksmith Association.

Mu Xi was the same.

Lin Jin stopped forging, opened the door, and smiled.

"Senior Sister."

Mu Xi rolled her eyes.

"I knew you would be here. You're clearly so handsome, yet all you do every day is lift iron."

"Do you know what balancing work and rest means?"

"Come on, go out for a stroll with me."

As Mu Xi spoke, she reached out to pull Lin Jin's arm without another word.

Lin Jin instinctively wanted to dodge.

He had not completed today's plan yet.

But then Mu Xi glared at him and said.

"This is Dad's idea too."

"He said you're on holiday, yet you lock yourself in your room all day without a shred of youthful spirit."

"So he specifically told me to take you out for a walk."

Helpless, Lin Jin stopped resisting.

After Mu Xi picked out an outfit for him, they left the Blacksmith Association.

She said she was taking him out for a stroll.

But in reality, it inevitably turned into Lin Jin accompanying Mu Xi as she went shopping, buying this and that the whole way.

Lin Jin seriously suspected that Mu Xi had forged an imperial edict.

Fortunately, both of them had Storage Spirit Guidance Devices, so they did not have to carry bags and parcels around.

Only after a shopping spree did Mu Xi link her arm through Lin Jin's and leave the mall.

She said with a beaming smile.

"Such a good boy."

"Alright, what's wrong with accompanying your big sister for a walk?"

"Other people would love the chance, but they don't get one."

"Come on, I'll take you to Eastsea Park for a stroll..."

Lin Jin opened his mouth, staring at Mu Xi with a speechless expression.

So this really was just a casual stroll...

Still, he did not refuse.

Eastsea Park was not far from Eastsea Academy, and he had been there quite a few times.

But he had never truly calmed down and taken a proper stroll through it.

Besides, Eastsea Park itself was considered one of Eastsea City's famous attractions.

It had mountains, lakes, and vegetation of every kind, along with exceptionally complete entertainment facilities.

The moment one entered, it felt as though one had stepped into a world where modernity and wilderness blended perfectly.

Under the combined effects of the Calm Heart Array Pattern on the badge at his chest, Lin Jin felt more tranquil than ever before.

For a moment, even his mind became clear.

Under these circumstances, his Spiritual Power actually made a breakthrough.

Though it was not a breakthrough into a major realm, it was still an unexpected delight.

Lin Jin's eyes lit up slightly as his Spiritual Power spread out of its own accord.

Everything around him entered his mind with perfect clarity.

Faintly, he even seemed able to hear waves surging in the distance.

Of course, the sound only surfaced occasionally.

This jolted his mind once more.

Beyond the Spirit Connection Realm lay the Spirit Sea Realm.

The echoing sound of waves meant that his Spiritual Power had already entered the Late Spirit Connection Realm.

He was already very close to the Spirit Sea Realm!

Just as Lin Jin was immersed in the sensation, a soft sound of surprise rang out within his spiritual perception.

Lin Jin instinctively looked over.

A pair of black eyes entered his sight.