A Hasty Year

Time flew like a white horse passing a crack. For Long Yuan, it felt like only yesterday that Tang Wulin began his apprenticeship in forging, but for Tang Wulin, this past year could be described as nothing short of colorful and significant.

According to Mang Tian, Tang Wulin had made rapid progress over the past year and could now independently complete the forging of large components. Of course, they rarely received orders for such large parts; after all, when it came to costs, many people preferred machine casting due to the high labor fees involved.

Naturally, this did not hinder Tang Wulin's study of forging, and Mang Tian had previously indicated that once he became a true Soul Master, he would begin teaching him Thousand Refinement.

Long Yuan had not been idle either, taking every opportunity when no one was around to "cultivate feelings" with Na'er.

To be precise, however, it was usually Na'er telling him about things that seemed quite childish.

Long Yuan did not mind; after all, having something to talk about was better than just staring at each other in a daze.

By now, Na'er's attitude toward him was completely different from how she treated Tang Ziran and the others. Basically, as soon as he raised his hand, Na'er would place her little head against it like a kitten.

The little girl seemed to thoroughly enjoy her contact with him.

Oh no, I've become catnip!

Of course, harboring a sense of immense guilt, Long Yuan also collected a bit of the stray spiritual origin energy leaking from Na'er's seal. Although he couldn't think of any use for it at the moment, it was just a matter of convenience—might as well keep it.

During Tang Wulin's leisure time from cultivation, Long Yuan would also tell him stories from "the world he used to live in." After all, the child was still young, and it was the perfect time to cultivate his values.

"Teacher! I did it, I broke through to level ten!"

On the bed, Tang Wulin, who had been sitting cross-legged, jumped up in excitement.

It was the weekend, and he didn't have to go to school.

[Not bad.]

Long Yuan was not surprised at all; he had already sensed the fluctuations of the boy's soul power breaking through.

Reaching level ten in two years was a full year faster than in the original story, and his progress in forging had not lagged behind, also accelerating by a year.

Just then, the door was pushed open, and Tang Ziran rushed in.

He had originally been watching television in the living room with Na'er, but he had been startled by the commotion caused by Tang Wulin's breakthrough.

"Linlin, what's wrong?"

"Dad, I've broken through to level ten!" Tang Wulin couldn't wait to share his joy.

Na'er snuck out from behind Tang Ziran and smiled sweetly: "Congratulations, Brother."

"Hehe." Tang Wulin put his hands on his hips. "When I get back from Teacher's place later, I'll buy you some cotton candy."

"Yay! Thank you, Brother." Hearing that there were treats to be had, Na'er smiled even more happily.

Lang Yue, who had been in the kitchen, also walked in. Having just heard the conversation, she was so happy that she hugged Tang Wulin: "Our Linlin is the best."

Tang Wulin hugged his mother back, feeling a warmth in his heart.

Long Yuan watched this harmonious scene, feeling quite moved himself.

After eating, Tang Wulin set off for Mang Tian's studio. Even though he had broken through, he couldn't forget his daily work.

However, upon arriving at the studio, Tang Wulin didn't start working right away; instead, he sought out Mang Tian.

"Teacher, I broke through to level ten today!"

Mang Tian put down the design drawing in his hand: "You broke through so quickly? Come here, let me see."

As he spoke, he grabbed Tang Wulin's wrist.

As a level forty Soul Sect, he possessed enough ability for this, so there was no need to trouble Tang Wulin to go to a testing facility.

A few breaths later, Mang Tian laughed heartily: "Good, good, good! You are indeed the disciple I chose; even your cultivation is so fast."

Although he couldn't quite understand how Tang Wulin could cultivate so quickly with only innate level three soul power and a Blue Silver Grass martial soul, he had just tested him and found his disciple's foundation to be incredibly solid. It was clear he hadn't used any methods that forced growth, so he didn't press for details.

After all, everyone had their own secrets, and he wasn't the type to get to the bottom of things.

"Since you've broken through to level ten, it's time to buy a soul spirit. How much money have you saved?"

Wait, how much does a soul spirit cost at the Spirit Pagoda again? I can't quite remember.

Mang Tian frowned, trying to recall.

"Only a little over twenty-five thousand Federal Coins," Tang Wulin recalled.

"Twenty-five thousand..."

Mang Tian fell silent. Although he couldn't remember the exact price of soul spirits at the Spirit Pagoda, it was definitely more than twenty-five thousand.

"That money of yours is not enough."

Tang Wulin quickly said: "Can you lend me five thousand Federal Coins? Just five thousand. I've asked around before, and thirty thousand Federal Coins should be enough."

"Thirty thousand?" Mang Tian suspiciously opened his desk drawer, but instead of Federal Coins, he pulled out a Soul Guidance Communicator.

He dialed a number, and after a few busy tones, a middle-aged man's voice came through: "Hello, is that Brother Mang Tian? What can I do for you?"

"Pagoda Master Li, I'd like to ask on behalf of someone: how are soul spirits sold at the Spirit Pagoda?"

The person Mang Tian had called was the Pagoda Master of the Aolai City Spirit Pagoda. As a master-level blacksmith, he naturally had the qualifications to speak with the other party as an equal.

Even though the other party was actually nearly twenty years his senior.

"Soul spirits, ah. In a small place like our Aolai City, the Spirit Pagoda only provides three ways to purchase them. Ten-year white soul spirits, hundred-year yellow soul spirits, and random soul spirit draws. They cost seventy thousand, one million, and thirty thousand respectively."

"Hmm..."

Mang Tian nodded. He did not rush to end the call, but instead turned his head to look at Tang Wulin: "How about it? You heard everything, right?"

"Teacher, I only need a random soul spirit."

"Wait a moment, there is still something I must remind you both about."

An urgent voice came through the Soul Guidance Communicator; clearly, Pagoda Master Li had also heard Tang Wulin's words: "Randomly drawing a soul spirit carries the possibility of obtaining a hundred-year soul spirit, but at the same time, it is also possible to draw a defective product. While defective soul spirits can still be fused, they inevitably possess unknown flaws."

As he spoke, Pagoda Master Li paused before tentatively asking: "So, Brother Mang Tian, have you taken on a new disciple? How about I take the initiative and gift him a yellow soul spirit?"

Pagoda Master Li's thoughts were simple. Since this was someone who could catch Mang Tian's eye, his future achievements would surely be high. A mere yellow soul spirit was well within his authority to grant. If he could invest in a forging genius early on, it would be a guaranteed profitable deal.

Mang Tian's gaze sharpened, clearly understanding the other man's intentions: "My thanks to Pagoda Master Li, but it is better to let the child consider this for himself."

Having said that, Mang Tian directly ended the Soul Guidance communication.

"Old fox, always looking for an opening."

However, he still analyzed the situation seriously with Tang Wulin: "You must make this decision yourself. If you accept this gift, you will be branded with the Spirit Pagoda's label from now on. But you will certainly not lack resources for your cultivation, which is much better than working hard to earn money yourself."

"This..."

Seeing Tang Wulin's hesitation, Mang Tian did not urge him further, but instead shifted the topic: "Go and finish today's work first."

"Alright, Teacher." Tang Wulin nodded and left, his mind filled with a thousand thoughts.