Taking Mu Chen as Master

Just then, the door to the assessment room was opened from outside. During an assessment, the door was locked tight and could only be opened once the assessment was over.

As the assessment ended and the doors opened, a burly middle-aged man with golden hair, jade-like hands, and plain clothing walked in.

The middle-aged man immediately looked over the three items Li Ziming had forged.

He had already seen Li Ziming's other Thousand Refined First Grade piece outside, but he had not expected him to produce Thousand Refined First Grade four times in a row.

"President!" the evaluator greeted Mu Chen respectfully.

Li Ziming was immediately surprised. He had not expected Mu Chen to arrive so quickly, nor had he expected him to pay such close attention to a younger blacksmith.

"You may leave first. I have something to discuss with this child." The instant Mu Chen saw Li Ziming, he roughly estimated the boy's age. The youthful vigor around him was impossible to hide.

Still, he needed to probe a little further and see whether there were any problems. That was why Mu Chen chose to speak with the boy first.

"Yes, President." After responding respectfully, the evaluator turned and walked out through the door.

Mu Chen carefully examined Li Ziming, and the more he looked, the more satisfied he became. Look at that vitality, then at that appearance—especially those reddish-gold eyes. Mu Chen liked him more and more. When someone's talent in forging was high enough, no matter what they looked like, they would be the most beautiful sight in his eyes.

"President, what did you wish to discuss with me?" Although he had roughly guessed the other party's intentions, Li Ziming still spoke first.

A smile appeared on Mu Chen's face as he showed his most amiable side. "Child, what is your name?"

Ever since becoming a Saint Craftsman, he no longer needed to cater to most people in the world. He only needed to be himself. Today, he had brought out the expression management he had sealed away for years, determined to leave a good impression on the little fellow before him.

"President, my name is Li Ziming."

Mu Chen smiled warmly. "Ziming, how old are you this year? Who did you learn your forging skills from? Could you tell me? Have you taken a master?"

"I am fifteen this year. I learned forging from my father, who was a Level 4 blacksmith. He was my forging teacher, and I have not taken a master." Li Ziming answered his questions neither humbly nor arrogantly.

Hearing Li Ziming's answer, Mu Chen's heart immediately settled. Learning solely from his father meant he had never taken a master. When he heard that the young man before him was only fifteen, his heart grew even more excited. Although his talent was slightly inferior to Mu Chen's own, it was more than enough for him to become a Saint Craftsman and inherit his legacy.

In the end, Mu Chen and Li Ziming enjoyed their conversation more and more.

"It's already noon. You've forged so many times this morning, so you must be tired. If you don't mind, come to my home for a meal. This afternoon, I'll teach you some forging techniques. You should know who I am. On Douluo Continent, the number of people more proficient in forging than me can be counted on one hand." After chatting for a while, Mu Chen invited Li Ziming.

"I don't mind, not at all. Thank you, President!" Li Ziming said excitedly.

At Mu Chen's residence, Li Ziming enjoyed a feast worthy of a glutton's dream. Every dish on the table had been prepared by a top-tier chef, each one a perfect blend of flavor and nutrition. The deliciousness and nutritional value of this banquet far surpassed any food Li Ziming and Liu Tianyi had tasted since arriving on Douluo Continent.

After seeing how much Li Ziming had expended through forging, Mu Chen had the chef prepare two extra dishes specifically to replenish his vitality and Soul Power.

When he saw Li Ziming's Blazing Sun Hammer Martial Soul after its second evolution, along with his cultivation level, Mu Chen praised him repeatedly. He showered Li Ziming with compliments, practically saying all the good things he had said in the past year at once.

Throughout the meal, Mu Chen cared for Li Ziming like a parent caring for a child, attentive and considerate in every respect.

When the topic turned to the changes in his Martial Soul and cultivation level, Li Ziming explained that he had found a thousand-year Blazing Sun Grass in the black market. After consuming it, he had entered deep meditation, and his Martial Soul had undergone a second evolution.

Furthermore, after Mu Chen used his resources to learn about Li Ziming's family circumstances and current situation, he became even more satisfied. His desire to take him as a disciple reached its peak.

A genius like Li Ziming, born a commoner, unentangled with the interests of other major powers, unaffiliated with any organization, possessing proper values and extraordinary talent, was truly a rare candidate for a disciple.

At the same time, a feeling of pity rose in his heart.

This little fellow has lived alone all these years and still managed to grow to this point. It certainly couldn't have been easy. Who knows how much hardship he has endured.

"Ziming, I'm sure you've already realized that your forging talent is exceptionally high. But now that you are already a Level 4 blacksmith, the notes your father left behind can no longer support your continued advancement. If you are willing, I want to take you as my disciple. Are you willing to become my disciple?" Mu Chen straightened slightly. The expression on his face instantly became exceedingly solemn, his eyes filled with unquestionable seriousness as he spoke in a steady, grave tone.

Li Ziming took a deep breath. "This disciple is willing!"

"Good!" Mu Chen slapped his thigh and rose to his feet with a laugh.

Then, Mu Chen brought Li Ziming into the living room and slowly sat down with solemnity.

Li Ziming stood straight, his face full of respect. He carefully adjusted his clothes, then respectfully performed a proper ceremony of apprenticeship before Mu Chen.

Mu Chen nodded slightly and calmly accepted the bow.

Li Ziming had thus taken his first master on Douluo Continent. From then on, he could be considered someone with backing on Douluo Continent.

"Ziming, I am your master, Mu Chen. An 86th-rank Soul Douluo and an eight-star Saint Craftsman blacksmith. I currently serve as the president of the Donghai City Blacksmith Association. From now on, if anyone dares to bully you, give them my name. Even if I can't beat them, even if I have to call for help, your master will stand up for you.

"I also have a daughter. However, your mistress took her to the Spirit Pagoda headquarters in Shrek City today to choose her first soul spirit. When they return, I'll introduce you to them."

"Yes, Master."

Mu Chen then asked further about Li Ziming's cultivation. After learning some of his future cultivation plans, he said, "Since you have nothing to do after returning, you can live here from now on. I have several houses nearby. Cultivating here will definitely be much better than living alone in the outskirts of Eastsea City, and it will also be more convenient for me to guide your forging."

"Alright, Master. I'll move here tomorrow!" Li Ziming naturally agreed to Mu Chen's request.

Mu Chen then gave Li Ziming some pointers on cultivating Soul Power, allowing him to stabilize his cultivation as quickly as possible. He also used his connections to secure a spot for him in an intermediate Ascension Platform, so he could increase his soul spirit's age limit.

His arrangements and guidance were utterly wholehearted. Blacksmiths had always placed great importance on the inheritance between master and disciple. In many cases, a founding direct disciple like Li Ziming could be even closer than one's own children. Between father and son lay the inheritance of bloodline; between master and disciple lay the inheritance of forging techniques and spirit.