[Now she's back, carrying the strength to stay by your side to the very end... You won't let her down, will you?]
When the forging was complete, those words suddenly echoed in Tang Heng's mind.
He looked at the brand-new Spirit Sheath Silver Paper on the forging table, and pride welled up inside him.
In SlashBlade, the special weapon from the Unfinished Business add-on was affectionately nicknamed the "Wife Blade" by players, thanks to its unique traits and backstory.
Now he had forged it himself, using Spirit-Forged Metal from another plane and giving her a true life.
Everyone outside, except Tang Wulin, wore expressions that practically spelled out disbelief.
Watching the figure behind the glass partition, Mu Xi felt a tightness in her chest, along with a strange, indescribable feeling.
The exquisite technique and the intense focus with which he had breathed life into the metal seemed etched in her mind. She had even sensed a hint of—tender affection.
Her heart was beating so fast.
Mu Xi pressed both hands to her cheeks, feeling them grow warm against her will.
What was this strange feeling?
"Ehehe, Sister Mu Xi, don't forget our bet~"
Tang Wulin nudged Mu Xi lightly with his elbow, looking smug.
"I always honor a bet. Cash or a transfer, either is fine." Mu Xi turned to look at him, biting her red lip. A trace of hesitation showed between her brows. "If you don't mind, could you give me your brother's contact information?"
Tang Wulin froze.
Wait, I just want your money, but you want my brother?
No way!
Mu Chen had no time to pay attention to the two troublemakers beside him. He could hardly wait any longer.
The door to the forging room opened, and Mu Chen strode straight over to Tang Heng.
The two met each other's eyes, then burst into hearty laughter.
"Hahaha! That kid Mang Tian did a great job!"
"Spirit Forging at seven, and you can forge on top of that. Kid from the Tang family, your talent is unprecedented—perhaps even unmatched by anyone who comes after you."
"May I take a look at that blade?"
Mu Chen stared intently at the Spirit Sheath Silver Paper on the forging table. Seeing his expression, Mu Xi felt as if her father were looking at her mother.
Oh no! A rival!
Tang Heng snatched up the Silver Paper first. Just as he was about to explain, the blade trembled lightly, and a young girl's voice came from it.
"M-Master~"
In an instant, everyone in the forging room fell silent.
Mu Chen stared at the Spirit Sheath Silver Paper on the table, unable to get his words out properly. "W-was that her speaking just now? I didn't mishear, did I?"
He looked around. Mu Xi and the evaluator both nodded, their expressions matching his.
Even Tang Heng was surprised.
The add-on's original setting had the Spirit Sheath Silver Paper harboring affection for its wielder, which meant the Spirit Sheath had a weapon spirit.
But that was only a game setting.
Had he used the Law of Creation he'd comprehended to give the Spirit Sheath Silver Paper a true life?
Tang Heng gripped the Spirit Sheath, and their thoughts immediately joined as a strange connection formed between them.
"What's going on? Why did you suddenly start talking?"
"Isn't it all thanks to you, Master? You poured your whole heart into hammering me just now~"
The Spirit Sheath's voice was lovely, with an ethereal quality.
"Honestly, I'm not quite sure either. I was surrounded by nothingness, but when I heard you calling for me, Master, I gradually escaped that hazy state."
The Spirit Sheath's explanation cleared things up for Tang Heng.
Facing Mu Chen, who stood frozen in place, Tang Heng said, "Uncle Mu, there's no need to be surprised. I forged the Spirit Sheath as my weapon a year ago, and our hearts have long been in sync."
"Now, the wonder of Spirit Forging has, by sheer coincidence, given the Spirit Sheath life."
Mu Chen opened his mouth, then stopped. Spirit Forging could do this?
Generally speaking, Spirit Forging only awakened the metal's spirituality, allowing it to form a life cycle of its own and stand alongside beings like Soul Beasts.
That alone counted as a successful Spirit Forging. The metal could convey faint emotions, such as joy or sorrow.
But this famous blade in Tang Heng's hand had only just been born, and already possessed such intelligence. It was simply unheard of.
If metal that had just undergone Spirit Forging was like a newly born Soul Beast, then metal capable of human speech was almost on par with the legendary Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast.
Whatever the case, everything that had happened today was enough to go down in the annals of the Blacksmith Association.
A seven-year-old Spirit Forging master, and a famous blade whose intelligence rivaled that of a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast—Tang Heng truly had achieved what no one had before.
Having witnessed this historic moment with his own eyes, Mu Chen felt he could die without regrets.
He had to take this disciple and show off in front of Zhen Hua!
See that? That's my disciple.
Mu Chen collected himself, then crouched down with a kindly expression and spoke with utmost sincerity. "Good child, your talent is the greatest I've ever seen. Calling you a monster wouldn't be an exaggeration."
"To keep your talent from going to waste, I, Mu Chen, president of the Eastsea City Blacksmith Association and an eight-star Saint Craftsman of this age, am willing to take you as my disciple."
"The East Sea Blacksmith Association will provide all the resources you need for your cultivation, without conditions. We'll help you become a Titled Douluo and a Divine Craftsman within twelve years. What do you say?"
The evaluator listened from beside them, so astonished that he couldn't utter a word.
Mu Xi's gaze wandered over to Tang Heng, with a hint of anticipation in her eyes.
Tang Heng happened to notice. Their eyes met by chance.
Mu Xi's pretty face turned red, and she quickly looked away like a guilty thief.
⁄(⁄⁄•⁄ω⁄•⁄⁄)⁄
Come on, big sis. What are you blushing for?
"Master, you mustn't be a playboy, okay? [○･｀Д´･○]"
The Spirit Sheath's voice rang out in his mind, and Tang Heng felt helpless.
He wasn't the slightest bit interested in Mu Xi.
A young girl was one thing, but a little girl... Ahem.
"So that's what Master thinks? That's wonderful! The Spirit Sheath was only born a day ago, so I haven't even passed my expiration date yet."
Spirit Sheath, you've got me all wrong! I'm really not that kind of person.
Tang Heng felt misunderstood, and a pang of distress welled up inside him.
"These terms really are tempting. Becoming a Titled Douluo, a Divine Craftsman... Those are achievements everyone dreams of."
Mu Chen nodded. Hearing Tang Heng say that, he was already preparing to accept the offer.
"But I refuse."
"All right, all right... Wait? W-what did you say?"
Mu Chen stared at him in astonishment, as if he'd just heard something unbelievable.
Tang Heng said, "I appreciate your kindness, Uncle Mu, but I don't want this opportunity. You can give it to my younger brother instead."
"Wulin's about to be tested too. If his talent is good, I won't hold back on him. Are you sure you don't want to think it over?"
Tang Heng nodded. "I've thought it through. I have no plans to take a master or study under anyone right now."
Even without the resources Mu Chen had offered, Tang Heng had an entire plane backing him. Reaching those heights would still be easy.
Mu Chen sighed. Not taking this young man as his disciple was truly one of life's great regrets!
"Uncle Mu, don't be sad. I have another unique forging technique. Would you be interested?"
Mu Chen composed himself and took a moment to calm down before giving a slight nod.
"Oh? Let me see it. Even if fate hasn't made us master and disciple, if you ever have any forging problems, just come to me!"
Tang Heng smiled and took a mechanical component and a leather-bound book shimmering with a purple glow from the forging room.
A short while later.
Mu Chen stared at the test report in his hand, too astonished to speak.
"In less than a second, the theoretical service life of this component increased threefold?"
How was that even possible?!
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