"With the heart as the hammer, the Martial Soul as the guide, mind and spirit as one, and a thousand refinements bringing life—Xiao Xiu is heading toward the level of Spirit Forging!"
Zhen Hua's eyes were full of astonishment. He looked around, wanting to share his excitement with someone, but he had to hold back the surging emotions within him so as not to disturb Jiang Xiu, who had already entered a focused state.
And Spirit Forging was the very mark of a master-level blacksmith!
"Does this metal have some kind of peculiar preference? The more Jiang Xiu hits it, the happier it gets."
Feeling the changes in the person and the metal, Na'er murmured thoughtfully.
"Na'er, the most important thing for you right now is to throw away those storybooks that are poisoning your mind!"
Hearing Na'er's muttering, Zhen Hua glared at her. Na'er giggled and scratched her head sheepishly.
But soon, the Kan-Gold Hammer in Jiang Xiu's hands gradually slowed. His breathing grew more labored, and sweat began to seep from his skin, soaking through his white martial outfit. The clearly defined muscles beneath became faintly visible.
"Clang!"
With the final hammer blow, Jiang Xiu's arms stopped swinging. The Deep Sea Nether Silver on the table let out a mournful cry, then its blue glow withdrew completely into its body.
"Phew! Still a little short..."
Looking at the metal before him, Jiang Xiu said regretfully. He had entered the special state of Spirit Forging and touched upon a glimmer of opportunity, but in the end, something was still missing.
"Clap, clap, clap!"
Zhen Hua applauded, gazing at Jiang Xiu with admiration. Smiling with deep satisfaction, he said,
"Very good, Xiao Xiu. You've far exceeded my expectations. This piece of metal has reached the Half-Step Spirit Forging level. I can see that you've already touched upon the opportunity to achieve Spirit Forging, too. Keep practicing, and you'll definitely manage it soon!"
"Teacher, I'll definitely do better next time. It's just a shame about this piece of metal. I failed to give it a soul."
Jiang Xiu sighed. Spirit Forging was precisely the process of granting metal a soul, allowing it to bond closely with a Soul Master.
"Jiang Xiu... you-you-you don't have to make such a huge leap, okay? You're making me look like an idiot."
Na'er came to Jiang Xiu's side and tossed him a white handkerchief to wipe away his sweat. Then she crossed her arms and huffed. She was desperate to find a word for Jiang Xiu's effortless showing off.
The most infuriating thing was, he really had pulled it off!
"Na'er, what are you mumbling about over there? It's your turn. If you can't complete a second-grade Thousand Refinement, I'll ban you from eating your favorite tangerines for a month."
Zhen Hua frowned. This little one, Na'er, always managed to interrupt him whenever he was in a good mood. He then placed a piece of Sinking Silver on the table.
"Nooo! I'll forge it, okay?"
Na'er's lips drooped as she headed toward the Forging Table. But the moment she reached it, she entered a special state.
A flash of silver light, and two small silver hammers appeared in her hands. A hint of silver gleamed at the bottom of her violet eyes, and faint wisps of light flickered across the hammers.
My super-intelligence tells me it's time to use my super-strength!
Na'er murmured to herself. The silver hammers in her hands began to swing, striking the Sinking Silver like nimble silver dragons. Her blows were light, but her speed was astonishing.
The clanging of hammer against metal rang out.
Zhen Hua nodded in satisfaction. Na'er might have been a little lazy most of the time, but there was no denying her talent.
Soon, half an hour passed in the blink of an eye, and a piece of second-grade Thousand Refined Sinking Silver lay on the table.
"I'm out of strength!"
Na'er put away her silver hammers and spoke weakly, as if she had used up every last bit of strength and every trick she had.
Zhen Hua nearly blacked out at the sight. Although he was a Divine Craftsman and cultivation wasn't his specialty, he still had the cultivation of a Titled Douluo. He could tell at a glance that Na'er still had strength to spare, but simply wasn't using it.
Forget it. It's not bad that Na'er can keep up with Xiao Xiu.
Zhen Hua consoled himself, then took out two blue badges with silver bars and pinned one to Jiang Xiu and the other to Na'er.
"Today, I announce that you've both officially become Level Four Blacksmiths. I hope you'll keep moving forward."
Zhen Hua spoke solemnly. Each blue badge bore four silver bars.
"Thank you for teaching us, Teacher. I was just lucky."
Na'er waved dismissively. The minimum requirement for a Level Four Blacksmith was a second-grade Thousand Refinement, and she had just barely scraped by.
"You'd better be."
Zhen Hua tapped Na'er lightly, then continued his advice.
"Next, I'll be returning to the Blacksmith Association for a while. The two of you mustn't slack off. Don't neglect either forging or cultivation. After all, cultivation is essential if you want to strive for a higher level of blacksmithing."
"We understand!"
Jiang Xiu and Na'er replied in unison.
"Good. I'll be going, then. Oh, right, Xiao Xiu, your master has gone to the ocean on business. He asked me to tell you to arrange your own schedule for the next month."
Zhen Hua had just started to leave when he seemed to remember something and turned to Jiang Xiu.
"Understood, Teacher. Take care."
A glint flashed in Jiang Xiu's eyes as he spoke softly.
"Mhm, no need to see me off."
Zhen Hua nodded slightly. The moment he turned away, he could barely keep the corners of his mouth from rising. A ten-year-old Half-Step Master Blacksmith—this was simply unheard of.
"President, please get in."
Outside the Body Sect, a luxurious Soul Guidance Car was waiting. When Zhen Hua came out, someone immediately stepped forward to greet him. He was the vice president of the Shrek City branch of the Blacksmith Association.
"Little Sun, how did you know my disciple had advanced to Level Four Blacksmith?"
Zhen Hua wore a rare smile.
Vice President Sun was taken aback. He was pretty sure he hadn't even asked.
"President, someone from the Qiangu Family is here. They've asked you to forge a Heaven-Forged Four-Character Battle Armor set..."
"Oh, Little Sun, how did you know my disciple had advanced to Level Four Blacksmith?"
"..."
Inside the Body Sect.
As soon as Na'er saw Zhen Hua leave, she relaxed and pulled out a tangerine. She peeled it and popped a segment into her mouth, then thoughtfully offered half to Jiang Xiu.
"Boss, you have some free time coming up, right? Could you come out with me?"
A glimmer flashed in Na'er's eyes as she asked expectantly.
At her words, Jiang Xiu immediately prepared to hand back the tangerine in his hand. So that was why Na'er hadn't guarded her food today and had even given him half—she needed something from him.
"Your little sister Na'er's run into trouble, Boss. You can't refuse to help!"
Na'er pushed the tangerine back, looking pitiful.
"Tell me first."
Jiang Xiu raised an eyebrow and asked. He felt that Na'er was indeed a little different today.
"Well, um, how should I put this? My master discovered a genius in East Sea and wants to go test their abilities, so she's planning to take me along. But you're my boss, so I thought I'd have you come with me and lend me some presence."
Na'er giggled, showing her pearly white teeth. She stuck out her pink tongue, looking embarrassed.
A genius—could it be Gu Yue? That makes sense. This is exactly when Gu Yue appears in East Sea. For the plans ahead, there's no harm in going.
A glint flashed in Jiang Xiu's eyes as he considered it silently.
"So, can you say yes?"
Na'er gazed intently at Jiang Xiu with her beautiful eyes, asking expectantly.
"Sure."
"Boss Jiang Xiu! Your little sister bows to you in admiration!"
Na'er's violet eyes immediately lit up.
"I'm not finished yet. I can go, but, little sister Na'er, you're trying to win me over with half a tangerine? What boss could resist such a test?"
Jiang Xiu said meaningfully.
"Then what do you want?"
Na'er was taken aback and asked tentatively.
"You'll have to pay extra!"
Before you continue