Forging Test

The short-haired girl was the first to react, her voice carrying a trace of barely perceptible respect:

"Then, little brother."

"Did you make an appointment with or contact Master Cen Yue in advance?"

Bai Lin shook his head:

"No."

"Teacher only told me to come find Master Cen Yue and give him his name."

The short-haired girl took a deep breath, and the smile on her face became exceedingly solemn and warm:

"Alright! Please wait a moment!"

"I'll contact Master Cen Yue's office to confirm right away!"

She swiftly picked up the internal communication Soul Tool, connected to a specific number, and reported in a respectful low voice.

A moment later, she set down the communicator. The way she looked at Bai Lin had completely changed, filled with enthusiasm.

She quickly came around from behind the reception desk, walked up to Bai Lin, and bowed slightly, her face bearing an incomparably brilliant, heartfelt smile:

"Little brother, Master Cen Yue happens to be free right now!"

"Please come with me."

The silver-gray soul power elevator rose silently and steadily, its smooth metal walls reflecting Bai Lin's calm face and Master Cen Yue's thoughtful gaze.

The indicator for the fifteenth floor lit up, and the doors slid open. A unique scent, mingling aged metal, high-grade leather, and faint soul power incense, rushed toward them.

Master Cen Yue's office was spacious yet understated.

Beyond the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows lay the bustling streetscape of Eastsea City. There were not many decorations inside, only several huge locked metal cabinets placed against the walls.

There was a broad dark-red solid wood desk, along with several exquisite oil paintings on the walls depicting ancient forging scenes.

The air was suffused with a quiet, weighty sense of power.

Cen Yue turned around, his gaze falling upon Bai Lin like the most precise measuring probe.

His eyes held undisguised curiosity and scrutiny.

That fellow Mang Tian had been vague over the communicator, only hurriedly mentioning,

"My youngest disciple is exceptionally talented. I'll have to trouble you, old brother, to assess his rank," before immediately changing the subject, as though afraid Cen Yue would ask another question.

This unusual behavior left Cen Yue feeling as though a cat's claws were scratching at his heart.

For Mang Tian—that arrogant fellow with absurdly strict standards for taking disciples—to be so serious, even displaying the caution of someone guarding a treasure, what secret could this little fellow possibly be hiding?

"Greetings, Master Cen."

"Teacher asked me to convey his regards."

Bai Lin stepped forward and bowed slightly. His voice was clear, his manner respectful but neither servile nor overbearing.

"Mm."

"Mang Tian is thoughtful."

Cen Yue nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on Bai Lin for a moment as if trying to discern something beneath that calm exterior.

"Come. I'll take you to the testing area."

Suppressing his curiosity, he turned and led the way out.

No matter how exceptional the "extremely high talent" Mang Tian had mentioned was, the forging platform and metals in the testing room would provide the truest answer.

Could it be...

Was Eastsea City truly about to produce another prospect with the potential to become a Saint Craftsman?

Cen Yue secretly shook his head, casting aside that overly startling thought.

On the way to the testing area, Cen Yue asked casually:

"Little fellow."

"Did Mang Tian ever mention what level of Forging Master you were approximately at now?"

Bai Lin shook his head:

"Teacher never specified."

"He only told me that after passing the Association's rank assessment, I could accept assignments on my own."

"Accept assignments on your own?" Cen Yue's steps paused almost imperceptibly, and understanding dawned on him.

Being able to independently accept assignments issued by the Forging Masters Association meant one had reached at least the level of a second-rank Forging Master!

A nine-year-old second-rank Forging Master...

The curiosity in Cen Yue's heart instantly transformed into tangible astonishment.

This talent truly deserved Mang Tian's vague description of "extremely high"!

Across the entire Federation forging world, those who could reach this level at such an age were exceedingly rare!

He continued, "Then you should know the classification of Forging Master ranks, correct?"

"I do, Master Cen." Bai Lin nodded and recited clearly,

"Forging Master ranks are divided from first to ninth rank, from lowest to highest."

"The first rank is foundational, allowing one to independently complete basic metal forging;

the second rank requires mastery of Hundred Refinement, allowing one to work with common alloys;

the third and fourth ranks require mastery of Thousand Refinement, allowing one to grant metal initial spirituality, as well as achieve a higher degree of purification and forging;

the fifth rank involves Spirit Refinement and earns the title of Grandmaster;

the sixth rank involves Fusion Refinement and earns the title of Grandmaster;

the seventh rank involves Soul Refinement and earns the title of Saint Craftsman;

the eighth rank requires one to integrate one's own talent into the metal, granting it life and spirituality, and earns the title of Saint Craftsman;

the ninth rank, Heavenly Refinement, requires drawing upon the power of heaven and earth for forging, and earns the title of Divine Craftsman."

His explanation was organized and perfectly accurate.

A trace of approval flashed through Cen Yue's eyes. Not only might this child be highly skilled with his hands, but his theoretical foundation was also exceptionally solid.

As they spoke, the elevator arrived at the testing area on the third floor.

Cen Yue led Bai Lin toward a service counter.

The staff member on duty was a capable-looking man in his thirties.

Seeing Cen Yue personally bring someone over, he hurriedly stood and greeted him respectfully:

"Master Cen!"

"You're here!"

His gaze landed curiously on Bai Lin beside Cen Yue. This youth looked far too young, and he could not help asking:

"Master Cen, this is..."

"Your disciple?"

"He truly looks like a promising young talent!"

Cen Yue did not answer directly. He merely picked up a Forging Master Rank Assessment Application Form from the counter and handed it to Bai Lin. "Fill this out first."

"Alright." Bai Lin took the form and pen, walked to a writing desk nearby, and began filling it out carefully.

Name: Tang Wulin

Place of origin: Aolai City

Age: 9

Affiliation: First-year student, Intermediate Division, Eastsea Academy

Recommender: Mang Tian (assessed by Cen Yue)

...

When Bai Lin clearly wrote "9" in the "Age" field, the air seemed to freeze instantly!

The staff member behind the counter sharply sucked in a breath, his eyes widening round and his mouth falling open unconsciously as he stared fixedly at that number, as though he had seen something unbelievable!

He instinctively rubbed his eyes and looked again carefully—

That was right, nine years old!

Master Cen Yue's gaze was likewise locked onto that "9"!

Even though he had been mentally prepared and knew Bai Lin was young, seeing those words "nine years old" written in black and white still struck his heart like a heavy hammer!

In the elevator, he had only speculated that Bai Lin might be at the second-rank level, but the shock brought by this age now far surpassed any speculation!

Nine years old!

Nine years old, and he was here to take the Forging Master rank assessment?!

A name flashed through Cen Yue's mind like lightning—

He was the youngest record holder in the history of the Forging Masters Association!

When he had first passed the Forging Master rank assessment, he had been eight years and six months old!

That had already been shocking to the world, hailed as a genius seen only once in a century!

Yet this youth before him...

He was nine years old!

But he was testing for the second rank!