Zhuo Shi was introducing a piece of Star Silver in the arena to Yun Jingheng when the door was suddenly pushed open.
Tang Wulin walked in, followed by Xie Xie, Xu Xiaoyan, and Gu Yue.
Shen Yi walked at the very end. She nodded to Zhuo Shi and led the four members of Zero Class to the candidates' waiting area.
Tang Wulin's blacksmithing assessment had been arranged for this round.
Zhuo Shi frowned slightly. The smile on his face faded somewhat, though it did not disappear entirely.
He glanced at Tang Wulin, then at Yun Jingheng, but said nothing.
Yun Jingheng noticed Tang Wulin as well and nodded at him.
Then he winked at Shen Yi.
"You know him?"
"We met during the Sky Sea Grand Competition. He's from Eastsea Academy."
Eastsea Academy... was that... his student?
Zhuo Shi's gaze lingered on Tang Wulin for a moment before returning to the candidate in the arena.
"Eastsea Academy..." he murmured, lightly tapping his fingers against his knee twice.
He recalled that stubborn retreating figure, the one who had walked out of Shrek's gates without looking back all those years ago.
He had thought that brat would return, but he never had.
Now his student had come, but he himself had not appeared.
Zhuo Shi gathered his thoughts and looked back into the arena.
Tang Wulin was already standing before the Workbench. He selected a piece of Sinking Silver, set it on the forging platform, and picked up his hammer.
His movements were textbook-perfect. He raised the hammer, brought it down, and turned his wrist in one smooth motion.
Zhuo Shi narrowed his eyes. The hammer's impact rang crisp and clear.
Zhuo Shi's fingers paused on his knee, then resumed tapping.
The rhythm, strength, and angle were all good.
He glanced at