"..."
"So Jiang Yan agreed?"
"Holy crap!"
The excitement on Wei Xiaofeng's face intensified. He made as if to bow again, but Jiang Yan quickly caught and steadied him. The other two, who had been about to follow suit, were also hurriedly stopped by Jiang Yan.
"There's no need for such a grand gesture. Where did you even learn this?"
Jiang Yan said helplessly.
"Hehe."
"Isn't this how they always do it in TV dramas?"
Wei Xiaofeng blinked and giggled.
"?"
Jiang Yan smiled helplessly.
No wonder the guy had such unusual ideas.
"By the way, Boss."
"Can we see your Martial Soul?"
At that moment, Zhang Yangzi's eyes lit up.
The Holy Dragon King—just hearing the name made it sound incomparably sacred. How could they not want to see it for themselves?
"No problem."
Looking at the three little fans blinking eagerly at him, Jiang Yan nodded. In the next instant, the nine-colored dragon silhouette, enough to make the whole world tremble in fear, silently descended.
Although Jiang Yan had already tried his best to restrain it, the slightest trace of its lingering might still stunned everyone into place, leaving them unable to utter a word.
"Boss's Martial Soul..."
"Jin Xi, I'm certain this is a Dragon King above your True Dragon bloodline. Forget you—even I've been suppressed until my attributes are practically gone."
Zhang Yangzi looked at Wang Jinxi beside him, who was trembling slightly, and pursed his lips. The hierarchy among dragon-type Martial Souls was strict, so it was perfectly normal for Jin Xi to be frightened like this. But he...
He was merely a Dark Illusory Demon Eagle passing by.
"You're an eagle. What are you talking about?"
"I'm a snake..."
"I've already felt like I'm suffocating."
Wei Xiaofeng's breathing had quickened as well. A Flood Dragon Python had to transform into a dragon before it could become a draconic beast; snakes being suppressed was what truly hurt.
For a moment, the respect in his heart was impossible to conceal. At this point, he did not understand that this was called... loyalty!
He only knew one thing.
Boss was seriously cool!
"..."
As the three little ones stood there too stunned to say anything, a new special mission activated in Jiang Yan's mind:
[Congratulations on becoming the sincerely admired boss of Eastsea Academy's three great geniuses. Hidden mission achieved: A True Leader] [A true leader is not merely a title. You must lead your companions to grow and reach the pinnacle step by step.] [For every companion you help break through a major realm, you will receive generous rewards.]
"Breaking through a major realm... Wei Xiaofeng and the others are only Soul Warriors now. Does that mean the rewards will be coming soon?"
Jiang Yan clicked his tongue in wonder and swept his gaze over the three goofy-looking little ones before him, feeling rather moved.
If that was the case...
Then in the future, he would give them a little shock.
"..."
After leaving Eastsea Academy, Jiang Lingli had already been waiting for him by the entrance. He waved at him.
After bringing him into the car, he smiled slightly.
"Yan'er, there's no rush to go home today."
"You wanted to complete your blacksmith assessment as soon as possible. I made an appointment with Mu Chen, a Saint Craftsman from the Blacksmith Association, today. I'll take you there now. You aren't nervous, are you?"
Jiang Lingli asked with a smile.
"Hm?"
"Of course I'm not nervous, Uncle Li."
"I'm actually looking forward to it."
Jiang Yan was momentarily stunned, then the corners of his lips rose as anticipation flashed in his eyes.
The image of Na'er worrying that he would not have enough money to spend flashed through his mind, followed by the four completed missions!
The four growth missions for the Star of Forging, from First-Level Blacksmith to Fourth-Level Blacksmith—he had been waiting a long time for those rewards!
"Sit tight."
"I'll take you there now."
"..."
The Blacksmith Association was located near the Soul Master Association, not far from the Spirit Pagoda. Thanks to the status blacksmiths held in this era, it was also a landmark building in Eastsea City.
Upon entering the association, Jiang Yan followed closely behind Jiang Lingli. They took the elevator straight to the top floor and arrived at the president's office, where a tall, burly middle-aged man was already in view.
He was Mu Chen, president of the East Sea Blacksmith Association, an Eighth-Level Saint Craftsman, and an eight-ring Soul Douluo.
For some reason, he currently wore a somewhat awkward expression.
"President Mu, I've brought my nephew."
Jiang Lingli stepped forward first and spoke calmly.
"Tower Master Jiang, welcome."
"This must be Young Master Jiang Yan. I had long heard that not only were your forging skills refined, but your appearance was exceptional as well. Now that I see you, the rumors were indeed true."
Mu Chen smiled as his gaze fell on Jiang Yan. The anticipation in his eyes could not be concealed at all.
This was not the first time he had heard of him.
Mang Tian of Aolai City had informed him more than once that he had encountered a five-year-old prodigy capable of Hundred Refinement. Tower Master Jiang had also mentioned that his nephew was especially fond of forging.
Now that he could see him in person, how could it not be an honor?
"Xiaoxi, why don't you greet Young Master Jiang?"
As he thought this, Mu Chen turned his gaze toward a golden-haired girl in the distance who seemed to be sulking. His tone was somewhat complicated.
"Oh."
"He's here?"
The girl turned around silently and snorted.
She looked around ten years old. Her golden hair was gorgeous, and her eyes were filled with frustration. She was clearly in a foul mood.
Her name was Mu Xi, Mu Chen's daughter. She had loved forging since childhood, and her goal was to become the greatest female Divine Blacksmith in the world!
"You're the one from Aolai City..."
"You're Jiang Yan?"
Mu Xi looked toward the newcomer. At first, she was still unconvinced, but the moment she saw Jiang Yan, the anger on her face melted away like cream.
She had only been teasing him.
And the reason was simple.
She remembered a line often found in storybooks: some people had already won just by standing still.
The person before her was exactly that kind of person. Though he was only a little brother, still...
Why did he make people want to cherish him so much?
"Greetings, President Mu, Miss Mu Xi."
Jiang Yan smiled gently and greeted them both.
"Hello."
Mu Xi smiled slightly in response.
Yet in the next instant, her competitive spirit returned. Looking at Jiang Yan, she gave a light snort.
"You're Jiang Yan, right? I heard you've already mastered Thousand Refinement, but you're so young..."
"I don't think that's true."
Mu Xi spoke calmly.
She was the daughter of Saint Craftsman Mu Chen. Her maternal grandfather was also an established Saint Craftsman, while her eldest uncle was the Divine Blacksmith Zhen Hua. She came from a genuine forging family.
She had begun wielding a hammer at five and started forging officially at six. Yet even so, she had only just become a First-Level Blacksmith and could not even skillfully produce First-Grade Hundred Refinement.
The person before her was only a little brother.
How could he possibly do it?
"Whether it's true or not, Sister Mu Xi will know once she sees it."
Jiang Yan did not mind. He turned his gaze toward Mu Chen and said with a smile,
"President Mu, I came today to certify as a Fourth-Level Blacksmith. I hope you will serve as my judge."
"Certainly."
Mu Chen naturally would not refuse. Whether it was Tower Master Jiang or Mang Tian, both were honest and straightforward people. They could not possibly have deceived him.
But naturally, he wanted even more to see it with his own eyes.
"A six-year-old wants to certify as a Fourth-Level Blacksmith?"
"Hmph, what a ridiculous fantasy..."
"..."
"I'm not dreaming, am I?"
Ten minutes later, in the president's workshop.
Looking at another freshly forged piece of First-Grade Thousand Refinement Blue Progesterone beneath Jiang Yan's hands, Mu Xi's expression shifted from initial surprise, to shock, to confusion, and finally to complete numbness.
One hammer, Hundred Refinement Spirit Formation!
Ten hammers, Thousand Refinement Spirit Ascension!
In ten minutes, he had already produced three pieces of First-Grade Thousand Refinement.
Was he really even human?
"This kind of ability..."
"No, it can't be possible!"
Mu Xi anxiously lowered her head and pursed her lips.
Why...
Why had she been born in the same generation as this monster?!
With such a freak around, she would probably spend her entire life beneath him, unable to ever rise again...
"..."
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