Starting the Bait

In the Blacksmith Shop, Jiang Jiu gripped his forging hammer.

Even though he was using his soul power, it felt completely different now.

First, he used the crude method of soul power gathering from before, vaguely concentrating it in his hands, and struck fifty times just as he always had.

After a short rest, he began to attempt the circulation method that traveled throughout his entire body.

Clang, clang, clang—

The force was actually not as great as before.

However, Jiang Jiu felt that the potential was still there.

For instance, if he mastered the Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique and used the strength of his entire body to strike, the resulting explosive effect should be devastating.

Third mode.

The soul power within Jiang Jiu's body followed five major meridians, converging from the sides of his arms into his palms and five fingers, the surging soul power spreading into the surrounding minor vessels.

Clang!

An exceptionally crisp sound rang through the Blacksmith Shop. Shi San, who was busy with his own work, couldn't help but turn his head to watch Jiang Jiu rhythmically and fiercely strike the pig iron.

"How have you improved again?" Shi San had watched Jiang Jiu's blacksmithing foundation grow bit by bit.

He just didn't understand why, compared to learning the craft of forging ironware from him, Jiang Jiu preferred to ponder the basics of forging pig iron.

Could it be that he really wanted to become a master blacksmith?

On Jiang Jiu's side, the fiftieth hammer fell. He let out a long breath and set the forging hammer aside.

"You've worked hard, Xiao Jiu." Xiao Wu leaned in, holding a handkerchief and a water cup.

"Thank you."

As Xiao Wu helped wipe his sweat, Shi San felt it wasn't the right time to approach.

Jiang Jiu drank his water while recalling and comparing the sensations of his previous forging attempts.

Using the same physical strength and soul power, it was clear that the third mode exerted the greatest force, or rather, it required less soul power to achieve the same level of force.

Perhaps this was the benefit of soul power circulation routes?

Compared to ordinary people, it was like an increase in neural recruitment ability; the same muscles could lift heavier objects.

He just didn't know if such techniques were passed down in the families of those noble soul masters.

If that were the case, as he climbed to higher levels, his advantage would disappear again.

Even so, Xiao Wu's Soft Technique remained highly competitive.

"Little genius, your strength is almost catching up to mine, isn't it? I'll have to get you a bigger forging hammer." Seeing Jiang Jiu's breathing gradually steady, Shi San walked over and teased.

He had to admit, the speed at which his breathing recovered was not to be underestimated either.

"Uncle San, you're joking. I'm still far behind you. Though, this forging hammer could indeed be replaced." Jiang Jiu picked up the forging hammer again and gave it a shake.

Even though his soul power level hadn't changed, Jiang Jiu's own strength and his technique for exerting force had become vastly different.

Generally speaking, an increase in soul power naturally leads to an improvement in strength, so Jiang Jiu's pattern of progress was quite strange.

But as long as it didn't affect his soul power cultivation, growth like Jiang Jiu's would only be beneficial; it was a sign of solidifying his foundation and self-discovery.

After chatting for a few more moments, Shi San intended to go back to working on his own piece of pig iron; as a middle-aged man, he wouldn't get in the way of these two youngsters.

"Oh, right, Uncle San. Starting tomorrow, I might come by in the afternoon, just like I told you before."

"Sure thing, no problem at all."

After finishing their shift, Jiang Jiu and Xiao Wu left the Blacksmith Shop.

They had agreed to go shopping together this afternoon, so naturally, they couldn't break their word.

"Xiao Jiu, the clothes you gave me last time seem a bit small."

"Then we can just buy new ones today."

It felt like it hadn't been long since he said, "We'll buy new clothes when you grow taller," and now those words had truly become reality.

Soul rings were like they came with built-in "growth hormones." Even though Xiao Wu's soul ring was self-condensed, she still grew in height after obtaining her first soul ring.

However, Xiao Wu bringing up the clothes wasn't just to point out that she had grown taller, but to have Jiang Jiu buy her new ones.

For this, she had specifically handed her gold soul coin over to Jiang Jiu.

"How about this one?"

"Very cute."

"What about this one?"

"Very cute."

"Then what about this one?"

"..."

Unlike their previous shopping trip, Xiao Wu was much bolder this time, taking the initiative to try on quite a few different outfits.

After all, with grain in hand, one's heart is at ease.

However, this made things difficult for Jiang Jiu.

"Mmm, I like them all." Xiao Wu looked conflicted.

"Then let's buy them all." Jiang Jiu checked the prices and found them acceptable.

Naturally, they wouldn't go to any expensive shops.

"Got it!"

Xiao Wu returned the larger sizes, put together two new outfits, and placed them in Jiang Jiu's hands.

"You have to take me to buy new clothes again in the future, okay?" Xiao Wu made a new promise, unexpectedly practicing delayed gratification.

"Alright."

Jiang Jiu paid the bill. Although it was Xiao Wu's money, she still happily accepted the gifts; as long as she felt like Xiao Jiu had "given" them to her, that was enough.

A lazy afternoon passed. Upon returning to Dorm Seven, Jiang Jiu immediately began his soul power cultivation.

Only now did he truly begin his brand-new soul power meditation practice.

Humming an unknown tune, Xiao Wu lay in her bed, still immersed in a happy mood. She didn't even notice the other work-study students returning—or perhaps, she simply didn't care.

Of course, this also had to do with the fact that those work-study students all remained silent the moment they saw Jiang Jiu meditating.

Xiao Wu had personally decreed that whenever Jiang Jiu was cultivating, no one was to call out to their "boss," and everyone had to keep quiet.

The last to return to Dorm Seven was Tang San, who spent his evenings receiving extra instruction from Yu Xiaogang.

Are they the ones Uncle Shi San was talking about today?

Tang San had enjoyed the benefits brought by Xiao Wu to the work-study students today; he didn't have to clean the garden in the afternoon, so he took the opportunity to search for a Blacksmith Shop in Nuoding City.

The process of joining the Blacksmith Shop was unexpectedly smooth because a child his age had already joined before, so the shop could no longer judge people by their age.

Tang San couldn't be certain based on age alone, but after hearing Shi San mention that the boy was incredibly good-looking and accompanied by a little girl, there was basically no one else it could be.

It could be said that Jiang Jiu and Xiao Wu were the best-looking people Tang San had ever seen in his past or present life.

Although he had thought so much, Tang San's expression remained calm. Soon, he joined the ranks of those meditating, and Dorm Seven fell into silence once again.

By the afternoon of the next day.

As expected.

In the Blacksmith Shop, Tang San saw Jiang Jiu forging iron by the furnace, along with the quiet and well-behaved Xiao Wu. The scene was harmonious and pleasant; for some reason, he felt a sincere sense of envy.

He wanted a "friendship" like that, too.

"Tang San, you're here?" Shi San called out from inside the Blacksmith Shop.

"Uncle San."

"Come, let me introduce you to the peer I told you about yesterday."

"Uncle San, there's no need. We're actually roommates."

"Tang San?"

"Boss Xiao Wu." Tang San greeted Xiao Wu, though his attention was fixed on the piece of iron Jiang Jiu was hammering.