Nuoding City
sat at the border between the Heaven Soul and Star Luo Empires.
It had originally relied on grain trading for most of its income year-round.
But over ten thousand years ago, Sea God Tang San had stayed here for a very long time, drawing countless people to admire the traces of a god's passage.
In the end, the city transformed, opened up its tourism industry, and promoted it heavily, becoming a must-visit destination for countless travelers.
By now, it had grown prosperous indeed.
Nuoding Academy in the city drew countless parents, officials, and nobles hoping to bask in a little of its good fortune.
They sent their own children and nephews there. It could even be called a miniature Shrek Academy.
"Uncle Erniu, just drop me off here. The entrance fee is so expensive, and I know the roads inside!"
After hopping down from the ox cart at the city gate, Fang Le said to Uncle Erniu, who had wanted to accompany him into Nuoding City. His little face wore an exaggerated expression.
The expression made Uncle Erniu burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! All right, I know you're worried about the money! You can go the rest of the way by yourself! Don't worry, I'll help look after things with the village chief.
"Just focus on your studies. Once you become a Soul Master, you can make your grandpa proud. I'll head back now!"
At the city gate, Fang Le watched Uncle Erniu leave, then slowly made his way toward Nuoding City.
After paying the entrance fee and walking quite a distance, he spotted a crowd gathered around a statue, pointing and whispering.
The statue depicted none other than Tang San, who had long since ascended.
By now, he was practically Nuoding City's golden signboard.
Three tenths of the city's entire economic income came from the spending of travelers who visited to see the place.
That was why decorations meant to attract tourists like this one could be found on almost every corner of Nuoding City.
Tang Buddha, I hope I don't provoke you, and you don't cause me any trouble!
Fang Le looked at the statue surrounded by the crowd, pondered for a moment, then continued on toward his original destination alone.
Before long, he arrived at a blacksmith shop with a sign proclaiming "True Inheritance of the Sea God."
That's right, he wasn't going to the famous Nuoding Academy.
He was going to a blacksmith shop not far from it.
He really had no idea why these places were still around after ten thousand years.
He'd heard that this family's genealogy had remained unbroken ever since ten thousand years ago.
Was that golden signboard really enough to keep the whole family safe and sound?
Even the neighboring Tang Sect didn't enjoy that kind of treatment.
"Whoa, that's some hammering! The blows just keep coming, one after another. Did the shop owner really learn a bit of the Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique back in the day?"
Fang Le watched the man hammering at the shop entrance. Each blow followed seamlessly after the last, and the metal block grew smaller with every strike.
He was amazed that the blacksmith had really learned a proper skill! It might not measure up to the Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique, but he was definitely heading in that direction.
Tang San: Stealing my blacksmithing skills and flaunting them like this? You have a death wish!
"Boss, how much is the best sword you've got?"
Though impressed, Fang Le hadn't forgotten why he'd come. When the boss set down his hammer to get a drink,
he raised his voice and called out.
The bright, innocent voice of a child rang straight in Shi You's ears.
When Shi You turned to look, he saw a smiling child, about six or seven years old, looking at him.
The child's clothes were clean, but clearly had been washed so many times they'd faded.
They were also dotted with little patches. He was probably from one of the nearby villages.
But he was alone? How could his parents let him go out by himself?
Nuoding City was fairly stable, but there were plenty of child traffickers around. If the boy got kidnapped, there'd be nowhere to turn for help.
"Kid, where are your parents? If you want to buy a sword, have them come talk to me.
"And with your little body, even if I had a good sword, could you lift it?"
Shi You was quite patient with children.
He wiped the sweat and grime from his face with the towel over his shoulder, walked over to Fang Le, and asked in a kindly manner.
As he spoke, he couldn't help poking Fang Le's slender frame.
"I don't have parents. My grandpa's getting old, so I didn't want to make him travel all this way!
"Besides, I'm really strong! Lifting an ox is as easy as splashing water.
"And Uncle, it's not that I'm too skinny. You're just too muscular!"
Fang Le smacked Shi You's mischievous hand away and retorted with a childish air.
He'd explained his family situation to win sympathy, while also sneaking in a compliment for Shi You.
That was Fang Le's way with words.
Sure enough, Shi You's expression shifted from red to pale, then back to red.
So the child had lost his parents long ago... And he'd just gone and said that. He really was a terrible person!
"Ahem! I've got plenty of swords in my smithy, and my forging techniques were passed down from the Sea God himself. The quality's guaranteed.
"But do you have the money for one, kid?"
Shi You felt guilty for a moment, then cleared his throat and asked.
"Hehe! I don't have much. This is all of it! Can I make up the rest with my face?"
Fang Le pulled five Gold Soul Coins from his clothes and laid them in his palm, then said awkwardly.
His embarrassed little expression made Shi You grin.
But he wasn't about to earn a single coin less. Let the kid try to charm his way into getting something for free? No chance!
"What are you thinking? The swords here cost at least ten Gold Soul Coins!
"You may be cute, but I'm not taking even one coin less! If you want a sword, go save up some more money!"
He stood with his arms crossed, looking utterly unmoved.
But Fang Le was determined to get a discount today.
"Aw, you just said I'm cute! Can't you make it a little cheaper? Think of it as an investment!
"I'll tell you, I've got incredible talent. Twin Martial Souls! You're guaranteed not to lose if you invest in me.
"Once I make a name for myself, you can hang up a sign here and have me endorse your shop. Then you could open a blacksmith shop all the way in Heaven Dou City!"
Fang Le made full use of his advantage as a child to bargain with Shi You.
"If your talent were really that great, the person who awakened your Martial Soul would've taken you away already. You wouldn't have ended up here trying to buy a sword on credit!
"But..."
Shi You was a clear-eyed man. If the child really had awakened Twin Martial Souls, some major power would already have invited him to become a disciple.
He'd have been equipped with a Soul Tool by now. Why would he need to buy a sword from Shi You, let alone on credit?
But there was one thing about him: he liked to gamble.
"But what?! Uncle, if you can give me a good sword, I promise I'll pay you back tenfold within three months."
Seeing that Shi You seemed ready to give in, Fang Le quickly made his promise.
"I'm a kind man. I don't need you to repay me tenfold. You say you're a genius, so I won't check your Martial Soul—that's your secret.
"You said you were strong, right?
"My hammer weighs 120 jin. If you can lift it, you can pick any sword in my shop for five Gold Soul Coins."
Shi You looked at Fang Le, who was anxiously waiting, and thought that he was still just a child after all.
But the boy had plenty of spirit and ambition.
Shi You pointed at the big iron hammer he'd set down and spoke to Fang Le.
Ambition was all well and good, but the boy still had to be able to make something of it.
Fang Le looked only six or seven years old. He'd probably awakened his Martial Soul not long ago.
Whatever else, he was bound to be stronger than an ordinary person.
If he could even budge that big hammer, Shi You would be willing to make the investment.
It was only a few Gold Soul Coins. What was there to lose by befriending a future Soul Master?
"Really?"
"I wouldn't lie! Go ask around the city if you like. My word is as good as gold."
"Great! I'm getting one of your swords!"
As he spoke, Fang Le walked toward the nearby anvil. Then, under Shi You's horrified gaze,
he lifted the iron anvil—at least 600 jin and as tall as he was—high over his head with one arm.
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