The Pinnacle of Forging

Their blood dripped onto the metal shafts of the spears and quickly seeped inside.

As the blood soaked into the shafts, intricate patterns gleamed across them. The spears floated into the air and began to shrink until they were the right length for their owners' current height.

This was Heavenly Forging!

Metal forged through Heavenly Forging could be considered a different kind of life. It possessed immense spirituality, so naturally, it could change itself to suit its master!

Just as Yun Qianzhao and Yun Qianyue were marveling at the wonders of Heavenly Forging, they suddenly felt something strange. The spears before them seemed to be calling to their Martial Souls?

Their expressions turned serious at the same time. They tentatively released their Martial Souls, and Golden Sun and Silver Moon shone brilliantly. The spears floating before them suddenly transformed into streaks of light and flew into the Martial Souls behind them!

"What is this..."

Even Zhen Hua watched the scene in surprise. He had forged weapons compatible with people's Martial Souls before, but nothing like this had ever happened!

As everyone watched in astonishment, the spears that had merged with their Martial Souls flew out once more.

Only now, the two spears had changed! Their patterns, once identical, had become distinctive. Each bore the designs of the sun and moon where the shaft met the spearhead, echoing their respective Martial Souls.

"Wait... They're not quite the same anymore!"

Zhen Hua suddenly furrowed his brow, staring at the scene in disbelief.

The others might have only noticed that the spears now looked more exquisite, but as a Divine Craftsman, Zhen Hua had an exceptionally keen eye and could distinguish even the slightest differences in a forged object.

After being absorbed by Yun Qianzhao and Yun Qianyue's Martial Souls, the spears seemed to have undergone another tempering?

But how was that possible?

Heavenly Forging was already the pinnacle of forging. Anything beyond it was Divine Forging, which only gods could perform!

Yun Qianzhao and Yun Qianyue were so young. How could their Martial Souls temper and improve weapons forged through Heavenly Forging?

Yun Ming watched Yun Qianzhao and Yun Qianyue holding their spears. He took a deep breath and patted Zhen Hua on the shoulder. "Humanity has studied the mysteries of Martial Souls for tens of thousands of years and still hasn't fully understood them. President Zhen Hua, there's no need to get so worked up."

"Your Excellency, I have a small favor to ask."

Zhen Hua suddenly turned to Yun Ming, his expression solemn. "My two martial nephews' Martial Souls can temper and improve Heavenly Forging! This may be an opportunity for human forging to advance! I hope Your Excellency will allow me to discuss forging with them."

Before Yun Ming could reply, Zhen Hua continued, "Of course! If my nephews would rather not come to the Blacksmith Association, I can move to Shrek Academy!"

"I won't make any decisions on their behalf. President Zhen Hua, you should ask them yourself."

Yun Ming shook his head. His gaze at Yun Qianzhao and Yun Qianyue brimmed with pride and delight. These Sun-Moon Twins truly were blessings Heaven had bestowed upon Shrek!

Perhaps it was the special nature of Heavenly Forging, or perhaps the tempering by their Martial Souls had changed them, but the spears felt like extensions of Yun Qianzhao and Yun Qianyue's limbs, responding to their every command.

They could even recall them into their respective Martial Souls with just a thought!

Yun Qianzhao named his spear, tempered by Ultimate Fire and the sun's true power, the Sun God Spear. The one in Yun Qianyue's hands was the Moon God Spear.

Back in the president's office, Zhen Hua explained his idea to the two of them. Faced with Zhen Hua's blazing gaze, as though he were looking at priceless treasures, Yun Qianzhao considered for a moment before finally accepting the invitation.

If this could win him the goodwill, or even the protection, of a Divine Craftsman, Yun Qianzhao thought it was well worth it.

As soon as the two agreed, Zhen Hua began preparing to pack. Yun Qianyue immediately stopped him. "There's no need to move. It'd be a hassle!"

Zhen Hua looked at Yun Qianyue with deep affection and relief. What a good child! So young, yet already considerate of the difficulties adults faced! As president of the Blacksmith Association, he really couldn't openly show his preferences.

He had no idea that Yun Qianyue simply thought moving would be a hassle.

Zhen Hua turned to Yun Ming, his voice full of emotion. "Your Excellency, you've taken two wonderful disciples!"

Yun Ming's smile never faded.

After giving Yun Qianzhao and Yun Qianyue two passes that granted unrestricted access to any facility belonging to the Blacksmith Association, Zhen Hua personally escorted them for a hundred li. He watched the three masters and disciples leave only after they were well away from Heaven Dou City.

"I've never seen you this excited. Are Yun Ming's two disciples really that talented?"

A middle-aged man flew up behind Zhen Hua.

"Mu Ye, you're not a blacksmith. You can't understand how shaken I was when I saw their Martial Souls temper Heavenly Forging a second time!"

Zhen Hua gazed into the distance, his voice full of emotion. "I thought I'd reached the pinnacle of what humanity could achieve in forging! But now I see I still have a long way to go!"

"Shrek Academy's good fortune is truly enviable! Two thousand years ago, it was Sea God Tang San; a thousand years ago, Spirit Ice Douluo. Will this time see the prophecy fulfilled through these twins?"

A trace of frustration and regret flashed through Mu Ye's eyes.

In the past, their Body Sect had been powerful enough to contend with Shrek Academy. Now it had fallen into decline, and he, the Body Douluo, had reached only level ninety-four, without even breaking through to Super Douluo!

Although that was partly because he had chosen to become a mecha pilot, if he'd had the talent to reach Limit Douluo, why would he have chosen that path?

Zhen Hua patted Mu Ye on the shoulder, offering comfort. "Look on the bright side! Don't you have a good disciple, too?"

"Enough! Don't bother trying to comfort me. That kid Ruheng may be far more talented than I am, but I doubt he can measure up to these twins." Mu Ye shook his head and beckoned. "Come on! I'll make you a feast when we get back. Two Heavenly Forgings in one go—you must be exhausted, right?"

"Then I'm in for a treat today." Zhen Hua smiled, and the two headed back to the Blacksmith Association.

By the time Yun Qianzhao and the others returned to Shrek Academy, Ya Li was waiting for them in front of Sea God Pavilion. "You're finally back! Did everything go smoothly?"

"Teacher's wife." Yun Qianzhao and Yun Qianyue greeted Ya Li.

Yun Ming couldn't hide his smile. "Everything went smoothly, Ya Li! You've no idea how surprised the two of them left Zhen Hua at the Blacksmith Association! He nearly packed his bags and followed us back."

Ya Li nodded at Yun Ming's beaming face. "I have a surprise to tell you about, too."

She told them that Qiangu Zhangting wanted to study at Shrek Academy. Yun Qianzhao and Yun Qianyue frowned as soon as they heard. Why wouldn't this guy leave them alone?

Yun Ming's smile faded. "This concerns the relationship between the academy and the Spirit Pagoda. We can't deal with it lightly. Qianzhao, Qianyue, go get some rest first!"

The two nodded and took their leave. After they were gone, Yun Ming gave Ya Li a meaningful look, and they went into Sea God Pavilion together.

However, the twins didn't simply rest after returning to their quarters. They took out the Sun God Spear and Moon God Spear and stood on opposite sides of the courtyard, facing each other.