"This is a special ability of my other Martial Soul. I call it Enchanting."
Tang Heng said unhurriedly, then took out another Enchanted Book, this one with Protection IV, and handed it to Mu Chen.
Mu Chen took the Enchanted Book and examined it carefully, then channeled his Soul Power. He, too, was able to see through its mysteries.
"Simply put, I can use forging to add different enchantments to rare metals, giving the metal—or the parts made from it—different properties."
On top of the properties the metal gained from Thousand-Refinement, this added another layer of effects.
"The properties of each part can even stack with one another."
"W-what?"
Mu Chen exclaimed. If what Tang Heng said was true, then this ability called Enchanting would be enough to affect every mecha and Battle Armor forged from then on.
After all, neither Battle Armor nor mechas were cast or stamped from a single piece of metal.
They were made by assembling and fitting together individual parts to form a complete whole.
"Uncle Mu..."
Tang Heng had barely started speaking when Mu Chen raised a hand and cut him off.
"Don't call me uncle. The one with the greater ability comes first. From now on, let's treat each other as equals."
Mu Chen edged closer, his voice taking on a faintly ingratiating tone. "I've decided you're my good brother. We can share our knowledge of forging, right? I can teach you Spirit Forging, Soul Forging, Fusion Forging, and the like."
"And you can show me that Enchanting technique of yours."
Mu Xi froze.
No, Dad, what are you doing?
Her beautiful eyes widened in surprise as her gaze darted between Mu Chen and Tang Heng.
You two are equals, so where does that leave me?
I've been bumped down a generation, just like that?
If Tang Heng and I ever... wouldn't that violate the rules of propriety?
Tang Heng was too busy dealing with Mu Chen to notice that Mu Xi's mind had already wandered into some wildly unrealistic fantasies.
If he had noticed, he surely would have made a cutting remark:
The Continent of Romance lived up to its name; the power of the God of Love was unfathomable.
Seeing that Mu Chen was practically pressing himself against him, Tang Heng hurriedly pushed him away and said, "Stop, stop, stop. I can't use Enchanting whenever I want. Even if you begged me, Brother Mu, I couldn't do it right now."
"Is it related to your other Martial Soul?"
Tang Heng nodded. Well, this was Douluo Continent—anything strange could be blamed on a Martial Soul.
As long as it wasn't some old, outdated ancient Martial Soul like the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon or the Seven Treasure Glazed Pagoda, who could say what abilities some bizarre awakened Martial Soul might have?
The final say still belonged to the person who had awakened it.
Catching sight of the evaluator, who had gone completely rigid beside them, Mu Chen realized he had lost his composure. He cleared his throat and put on a serious expression.
"In that case, once Wulin's evaluation is over, you should go home and get some rest, good brother."
"I've already made arrangements with the Primary Academy. If you don't want to stay in the dorms, I can send a private driver to take you and your brother to and from school."
Tang Heng waved away Mu Chen's kind offer.
Since he'd come to Douluo Continent, he had to experience academy life, didn't he?
"Once you're done, upload the evaluation records and report them truthfully," Mu Chen reminded the evaluator, who had been standing there in a daze for quite a while. "As for this forging rank evaluation, set it at Six-Star Grandmaster. I, Mu Chen, will personally vouch for Tang."
"Y-yes, President! I'll take care of it right away!"
The evaluator snapped out of it, grabbed the files from the desk, and dashed out.
He'd just witnessed the juiciest gossip of the year!
A seven-year-old Spirit Forging master, a brand-new forging technique, and someone on equal terms with President Mu Chen.
Wouldn't that set social media ablaze?
The remaining evaluations were over quickly, and the results were pretty good. Tang Wulin successfully passed the second-level blacksmith evaluation.
After more than a year of training under Tang Heng, his Soul Power Level had reached eight. He was also absorbing the Golden Dragon King Bloodline far faster than in the original story, and even at such a young age, he could already lift over a thousand jin.
Seeing how talented Tang Wulin was, Mu Chen decided that since he had missed out on Tang Heng, he couldn't let this promising boy slip through his fingers too.
Besides, Tang Wulin was Tang Heng's younger brother. Building a closer relationship with him could only be a good thing.
Tang Wulin knew what was going on. He understood that Mu Chen had taken him on as a disciple because of his brother, and he didn't dare refuse. He completed the apprenticeship ceremony on the spot.
"From now on, you need to practice diligently. Don't bring shame on your brother."
"Yes, Master! I'll work twice as hard from now on!"
Tang Wulin nodded excitedly, then turned to look at Tang Heng, who was sitting off to the side, flirting with the Spirit Sheath. His heart filled with gratitude.
If it weren't for his brother, how could he have had the chance to become the disciple of a Saint Craftsman?
He could never repay his brother's kindness!
Suddenly, he noticed that Senior Sister Mu Xi, who had been acting so imperiously just moments ago, had actually approached his brother of her own accord. Her hands were clasped behind her back, and she wore the bashful expression of a shy little girl.
Tang Wulin narrowed his eyes, inwardly muttering:
There it is—the homewrecker.
She already had me and Na'er... and Miss Spirit Sheath.
Meanwhile, Tang Heng was wiping down the Spirit Sheath's blade as he answered Mu Xi.
"Are you free Saturday morning?"
"Sorry, I need to cultivate."
"Th-then what about the afternoon?"
"I have to spend time with my younger sister."
"What about Sunday? Surely you'll have time then? Cultivation and forging both require steady progress. You have to rest sometime—you can't keep pushing yourself too hard, right?"
Tang Heng looked up and put on a thoughtful expression.
Mu Xi felt her heart race. She had to lower her head to avoid meeting Tang Heng's eyes.
"Hmm... you do have a point. It's important to balance work and rest."
"S-so..."
Mu Xi lifted her head, looking at Tang Heng expectantly.
Tang Heng smiled and replied, "So I'll set aside one day of the weekend to spend with my sister. I'm away from home Monday to Friday, so I imagine she gets pretty lonely."
"You—what is wrong with you?" Mu Xi stomped her foot in anger, puffing out her cheeks like a pufferfish. "Are you a siscon or something?"
Tang Heng furrowed his brow and said with a perfectly serious expression:
"Don't go making wild accusations, little niece. I'll sue you for slander."
"Exactly! Xi'er, how can you talk to your Uncle Tang like that? Where are your manners? He just cares about family, understand? He's a loyal and affectionate man."
Mu Chen chimed in from the side, leaving Mu Xi completely speechless.
"Dad, you're such an idiot!"
Mu Xi stormed out and slammed the forging room door behind her.
Mu Chen shook his head helplessly and sighed. "Girls are always so impatient. I spoiled her too much."
The two men chatted for a while longer, then Mu Chen had his driver take Tang Heng and his brother back to their villa in the East Sea in his private car.
"Wow—" Tang Wulin stared at the exquisitely beautiful house ahead. It was just as grand as the little house Tang Heng had built in the Minecraft Plane. "Brother, is this going to be our home from now on?"
"Of course. The property's already been transferred to Mom and Dad. If this isn't our home, then what is?"
As soon as he rang the doorbell, a little silver mochi ball came rushing out from the entryway and threw herself into Tang Heng's arms.
Na'er tipped up her little face, smiling sweetly. Her voice was soft and sweet too.
"Big brother~ welcome home!"
Before you continue