"Come on, breathe in... raise the hammer..."
Mu Xi's arm guided Su Chen's arm upward slowly, making the sensation of their bodies pressed together even more distinct.
"Use your waist and abdomen... extend your arm... flick your wrist... bring the hammer down!"
Under Mu Xi's forceful guidance, Su Chen's arm came down.
"Clang!"
This time, the sound was much clearer.
"Did you feel it? That's the force, that's the rhythm!"
Mu Xi became more and more absorbed in teaching him.
She discovered that although Su Chen was clumsy, his foundation of strength was simply too good. Moreover, under her forceful guidance, his arm coordination seemed to be improving bit by bit.
It was as if she had seen hope. She taught him even more diligently, guiding him hand in hand as she repeated those basic movements again and again.
"Breathe in... raise the hammer... exert force... down!"
"Clang!"
"Again! Watch your wrist! Flick it out!"
"Clang!"
Who knew how much time passed.
Only then did Mu Xi let go of Su Chen and ask, "How did that feel?"
"Mm, very fragrant and soft."
Su Chen took a breath and answered honestly.
Mu Xi: ...
"You bastard!"
Mu Xi's face instantly flushed red. She pounced on him and kneaded his cheeks furiously.
"I was talking about forging! Who asked whether I smelled good or not?!"
Mu Xi was beside herself with anger.
"Ugh... Senior Sister, listen to my explanation..."
"!!!"
"..."
After a round of horseplay.
Mu Xi still pulled Su Chen along to continue learning.
Under Mu Xi's strict instruction, Su Chen finally mastered the most basic forging techniques by nightfall.
Su Chen had to admit that after he learned the most basic forging methods, his forging efficiency truly soared. It was like adding wings to a tiger.
Before this, forging had been like working with his eyes closed, relying purely on feeling without any technique at all.
Now that he finally understood a bit of technique, combined with his powerful talent, his improvement naturally came at an incredible pace.
Even Mu Xi was jealous enough to cry at such terrifying talent.
"Alright, alright, we'll stop here for today. Since you've improved quite well, Senior Sister will treat you to a late-night snack."
Mu Xi forcefully suppressed the jealousy in her heart and waved her hand.
After messing around for most of the day, her stomach was already growling with hunger.
"Okay, thank you, Senior Sister~"
Su Chen had long been hungry as well. After all, forging consumed a great deal of physical strength.
"Let's go."
Mu Xi was clearly in a good mood. As she led Su Chen out of the Blacksmith Association, she took out her communicator and sent a message to one of her friends.
"Wuhu—"
The Soul Guidance Sports Car roared as Su Chen rode in Mu Xi's car through the bustling night market.
In the end, the Soul Guidance Sports Car stopped in front of a shop.
The storefront was not large, but it was brightly lit. Four flamboyant characters were engraved above it—"Yuhao Grilled Fish Shop."
"This is an old-established brand. That legendary Spirit Ice Douluo from ten thousand years ago started out with this craft. Their branches are spread all over the continent, and the flavor is absolutely authentic!"
Mu Xi introduced it proudly, clearly very familiar with the place.
She did not need to queue. She directly led Su Chen over and, with practiced ease, pushed open the door to a private room marked "Bamboo Rhyme."
Someone was already seated inside the private room.
When she saw them enter, she immediately stood up with a radiant smile on her face.
She was a girl about the same age as Mu Xi.
She wore a fitted pink athletic outfit, with athletic shorts below that revealed her long, fair legs.
Her smooth blue hair was tied into a high ponytail that swayed gently with her movements, making her look clean, capable, and full of vitality.
Her features were exceptionally delicate, especially her large, lively eyes, which were currently looking at Su Chen with curiosity.
The girl was Ouyang Zixin.
"Zixin! Sorry for the wait, huh?"
Mu Xi greeted her with a smile as soon as she entered. Then she stepped aside and brought Su Chen forward. "Here, this is my junior brother, Su Chen. Little Chen, this is my best friend, Ouyang Zixin."
"Hello, Sister Zixin." Su Chen immediately greeted her politely.
Ouyang Zixin's gaze fell on Su Chen, carrying unconcealed admiration.
His face was refined and handsome, and there was a steadiness beyond his age between his brows, yet he had not lost a young man's vigor.
"Mu Xi, your junior brother is really quite impressive!"
Ouyang Zixin praised him sincerely, her voice crisp and pleasant.
"Heh, of course he is!"
For some reason, Mu Xi immediately felt a little proud.
"Zixin, if you ever want Battle Armor in the future, just say the word. I'll have my junior brother personally forge the core components for you."
Mu Xi said with a smile.
"Really~"
Ouyang Zixin's eyes curved into crescents as she looked at Su Chen, her gaze full of anticipation.
"Sister Zixin is Sister Mu Xi's friend, so of course that won't be a problem." Su Chen nodded.
"Then I'll thank little brother Little Chen in advance~"
Ouyang Zixin immediately giggled.
Although she did not know whether she would be able to reach the level where she needed Battle Armor, with Su Chen's promise, she would not need to worry about Battle Armor materials in the future.
This was something countless high-level Soul Masters did not even dare dream of, yet she had obtained it so easily.
At that thought, Ouyang Zixin found Su Chen more and more pleasing to the eye.
Su Chen checked his favorability.
He discovered that Ouyang Zixin's favorability toward him had instantly soared to 20 points.
Mu Xi's favorability toward him had reached 30 points.
The higher favorability was, the slower it rose. Before 40 points, though, it was still quite easy to increase.
Soon, steaming grilled fish was brought out.
A specially made charcoal stove was placed in the middle of the table. A large fish with golden, crispy skin rested on top, covered in all kinds of secret spices.
The rich aroma instantly filled the entire private room, making everyone's mouths water.
"Dig in, dig in! Don't be shy!"
Mu Xi was the first to pick up her chopsticks.
The three youths, close in age, quickly became familiar with one another as they ate and chatted.
The grilled fish truly lived up to its reputation. The fish was tender and flavorful, with just the right amount of spice and a distinctive charred aroma from the charcoal grilling. All three of them began sweating lightly on their foreheads as they ate, crying out in delight.
Mu Xi and Ouyang Zixin chatted about interesting stories and gossip from the academy. Su Chen occasionally chimed in, and the atmosphere was relaxed and cheerful.
Mu Xi poured a cup each for Ouyang Zixin and herself, the deep red wine swirling gently in their glasses.
This was Soul Master
Just as she was about to pour herself another cup, Su Chen pushed his empty glass over as well.
"Senior Sister, pour me some too?"
Su Chen blinked expectantly.
"No! What kind of child drinks alcohol!"
Mu Xi refused outright.
Su Chen curled his lips, a little unconvinced. "How am I a child? Besides, I can hold my liquor."
In his previous life, he had quit drinking because of his health. In this life, with such a powerful physique, he naturally intended to drink his fill.
"Pfft~" Mu Xi scoffed. "A little brat like you, how good could your alcohol tolerance possibly be?"
"Then let's compete?"
Su Chen raised an eyebrow, his tone sly. "Whoever passes out first pays for tonight's meal~"
"Bring it on. Who's afraid of who~ Just don't try to skip out on the bill later!"
Mu Xi was naturally competitive, so there was no way she would refuse.
Ouyang Zixin watched the senior sister and junior brother bicker with great interest, finding it extremely amusing.
She picked up her wine glass and gently swirled it.
"Little Chen is so confident, so I can't spoil the fun either. I'll play along with you~"
She had some confidence in her alcohol tolerance. She occasionally drank a little, and none of those young boys at the academy had ever been her match.
"Alright! It's a deal~"
Before you continue