Su Chen: Senior Sister, You Smell So Good...

"Come on, inhale... raise the hammer..."

Mu Xi's arms guided Su Chen's, lifting them slowly, the sensation of their bodies pressed together becoming even more pronounced.

"Engage your core... extend your arm... flick your wrist... strike!"

Under Mu Xi's forceful guidance, Su Chen's arm descended.

"Clang!"

This time, the sound was much crisper.

"Did you feel that? That's the force, that's the rhythm!"

Mu Xi became more and more engrossed in her teaching.

She realized that although Su Chen was clumsy, his foundation of strength was truly excellent, and under her forced guidance, the coordination of his arms seemed to be improving bit by bit.

She felt as if she saw hope, so she taught him hand-in-hand even more diligently, repeating those basic movements over and over again.

"Inhale... raise the hammer... exert force... strike!"

"Clang!"

"Again! Watch your wrist! Flick it out!"

"Clang!"

It was unknown how much time had passed.

Only then did Mu Xi let go of Su Chen and ask, "How does it feel?"

"Hmm, very fragrant and soft."

Su Chen took a breath and answered truthfully.

Mu Xi: ...

"Bastard!"

Mu Xi's face flushed red instantly; she lunged forward, grabbed Su Chen's face, and began to knead it.

"I was talking about forging! Who asked you if it was fragrant or soft!!!"

Mu Xi was exasperated.

"Mmph... Senior Sister, listen to my excuse..."

"!!!"

"..."

After some horseplay.

Mu Xi still dragged Su Chen along to continue learning.

Under Mu Xi's forced instruction, it wasn't until nightfall that Su Chen finally learned the most elementary forging technique.

Su Chen had to admit that once he learned the most basic forging technique, his forging efficiency soared; it was truly the icing on the cake.

Before, forging was like doing it with his eyes closed, relying purely on feeling without any technique.

But now, he finally knew a little technique, and combined with his powerful talent, his progress was naturally rapid.

Such terrifying talent made even Mu Xi cry with envy.

"Alright, alright, let's stop here for today. Considering your decent progress, Senior Sister will treat you to a late-night snack."

Mu Xi suppressed the envy in her heart and waved her hand.

After tossing about for most of the day, her stomach was flat with hunger.

"Great, thank you, Senior Sister~"

Su Chen was also hungry, as forging consumed a lot of physical energy.

"Let's go."

Mu Xi was clearly in a good mood. While leading Su Chen out of the Blacksmith Association, she took out her communicator and sent a message to one of her friends.

"Whoo-hoo—"

The Soul Guidance Sports Car roared. Su Chen sat in Mu Xi's sports car, weaving through the bustling night market.

Finally, the Soul Guidance Sports Car stopped in front of a shop.

The shop's facade was not large, but it was brightly lit, with four flamboyant characters engraved on it—"Yuhao Grilled Fish Shop".

"This is a time-honored brand. That legendary Spirit Ice Douluo from ten thousand years ago started his career with this craft. Branches are opened all over the continent, and the taste is absolutely authentic!"

Mu Xi introduced it proudly, clearly very familiar with this shop.

She didn't need to queue; she took Su Chen directly and, familiar with the layout, pushed open the door to a private room with a "Bamboo Rhyme" sign hanging on it.

Someone was already sitting in the private room.

As they entered, the person immediately stood up, a bright smile on their face.

It was a young girl around Mu Xi's age.

She was wearing a well-fitting pink tracksuit with shorts, revealing long, slender, fair legs.

Her smooth, long blue hair was tied into a high ponytail, swaying gently with her movements, giving her a clean, neat, and energetic appearance.

Her features were exquisite, especially her large, bright, and lively eyes, which were currently looking at Su Chen with curiosity.

The girl was Ouyang Zixin.

"Zixin! You haven't been waiting long, have you?"

Mu Xi greeted her with a smile as soon as she entered, then stepped aside to let Su Chen go in front. "Here, this is my junior disciple, Su Chen. Xiao Chen, this is my best friend, Ouyang Zixin."

"Hello, Sister Zixin," Su Chen said politely.

Ouyang Zixin's gaze fell on Su Chen, filled with undisguised admiration.

His face was handsome and refined, with a calmness beyond his years in his eyes, yet he still possessed the vigor of youth.

"Mu Xi, your junior disciple is truly a fine young man!"

Ouyang Zixin praised sincerely, her voice clear and pleasant.

"Heh, of course!"

Mu Xi felt a strange sense of pride.

"Zixin, if you ever want a Battle Armor in the future, just say the word. I'll have my junior disciple 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, full of anticipation.

"Sister Zixin is Sister Mu Xi's friend, so of course, it's no problem." Su Chen nodded.

"Then I'll thank you in advance, little brother Xiao Chen~"

Ouyang Zixin giggled.

Although she didn't know if she would ever reach the level where she needed a Battle Armor, with Su Chen's guarantee, she wouldn't have to worry about the materials for it in the future.

This was something many high-level soul masters wouldn't even dare to dream of, yet she had obtained it so easily.

Thinking of this, Ouyang Zixin found Su Chen even more pleasing to the eye.

Su Chen checked his favorability ratings.

He found that Ouyang Zixin's favorability towards him had instantly surged, reaching 20 points.

Mu Xi's favorability towards him had reached 30 points.

The higher the favorability, the slower the increase; it was still very easy to increase before 40 points.

Soon, the steaming hot grilled fish was served.

A special charcoal stove was placed in the center of the table, with a large fish grilled to a golden crisp on top, covered in various secret spices.

A rich aroma instantly filled the private room, making one's mouth water.

"Let's eat, let's eat! Don't be shy!"

Mu Xi was the first to pick up her chopsticks.

The three young boys and girls of similar age quickly became familiar with each other, chatting as they ate.

The grilled fish lived up to its reputation. The fish was tender and flavorful, with just the right amount of spice and a unique smoky aroma from the charcoal grill. The three of them ate until sweat beaded on their foreheads, exclaiming with delight.

Mu Xi and Ouyang Zixin chatted about interesting and gossipy things at the academy, while Su Chen occasionally chimed in, creating a relaxed and happy atmosphere.

Mu Xi poured a glass for Ouyang Zixin and herself, the deep red liquid swirling gently in the cups.

This was soul master wine.

As she was about to pour for herself, Su Chen pushed his empty cup forward.

"Senior sister, can you pour some for me too?"

Su Chen blinked, a hint of expectation in his eyes.

"No! What's a child drinking alcohol for!"

Mu Xi flatly refused.

Su Chen pouted, a little unconvinced. "How am I a child? Besides, I have a high tolerance for alcohol."

In his previous life, he had abstained from alcohol due to health reasons. In this life, with his powerful physique, he naturally wanted to drink his fill.

"Tch~" Mu Xi scoffed. "A little brat like you, how good can your tolerance be?"

"Then let's have a competition?"

Su Chen raised an eyebrow, his tone sly. "Whoever gets drunk first has to pay for tonight's meal~"

"Bring it on, who's afraid of who~ Don't you dare go back on your word then!"

Mu Xi was naturally competitive, so she would not refuse.

Ouyang Zixin watched this pair of senior sister and junior brother bicker from the side, finding it incredibly amusing.

She picked up her wine glass and gave it a gentle swirl.

"Since Little Brother Chen is so confident, this sister can't dampen the mood. I'll play along with you~"

She had some confidence in her own tolerance for alcohol; she occasionally enjoyed a drink, and those young boys at the academy were no match for her.

"Good! It's a deal~"