Getting Rich

The gentle smile on Mu Chen's face gradually faded, replaced by a grave seriousness and regret.

He took a light sip of tea, the faint sound of the cup touching his lips unusually clear in the office's sudden silence.

"Wu Lin,"

Mu Chen's voice was low and solemn, every word carrying immense weight.

"Your talent is extraordinary. As your master, I am naturally overjoyed to have accepted you as my disciple."

"To watch an uncut jade destined to shine with boundless brilliance before my eyes..."

"That is an opportunity every blacksmith dreams of."

His tone shifted, and a shadow of concern clouded his brow.

"However, child, you must also understand: the tallest tree in the forest is the first to be felled by the wind."

"Today's Federation may appear peaceful on the surface, but beneath it, undercurrents rage. The various factions are deeply entrenched, all gathering strength and searching for a chance to break the deadlock."

"Once a talent like yours is fully revealed to the public, it will be like throwing a boulder into a tranquil lake. It will inevitably draw countless eyes, and perhaps even..."

"Ruthless attempts to seize you or destroy you."

Mu Chen's gaze was as sharp as a blade as he looked directly into Bai Lin's clear eyes.

"No one would overlook a future Divine Blacksmith. This represents more than personal achievement; it means unimaginable strategic resources and influence."

"I am unwilling, and I absolutely cannot allow you to be exposed to such a spotlight before you possess the strength to protect yourself—to become the center of a storm and be drawn into conflicts beyond your imagination."

He paused, seemingly choosing more precise words. His fingers unconsciously tapped against the smooth rosewood desk, producing soft tapping sounds.

Only after a moment did he continue.

"Therefore, after the most careful consideration..."

"I have decided that the fact you passed the Level 4 blacksmith assessment today..."

"Will be classified as the Association's highest secret, known only to the core members present today."

"For now, we will not disclose your true rank to the outside world."

Mu Chen raised a hand, and a badge gleaming with a gentle silver light appeared in his palm.

The badge bore two crossed forging hammers, their handles entwined with intricate vine patterns. Beneath the hammerheads were two clearly engraved, shining stars—this was the emblem of a Level 2 blacksmith.

"This Level 2 blacksmith badge will serve as your identification when you travel outside."

Mu Chen solemnly held the badge out to Bai Lin.

"It will provide you with the necessary conveniences without drawing too much attention."

"However."

His tone grew firmer, carrying an unquestionable promise.

"Within the Association, you will receive all the core benefits equivalent to those of a Level 4 blacksmith!"

"Whether it is consulting forging blueprints and secret techniques requiring Level 4 authorization, using high-level forging rooms and rare equipment, or accepting the highly paid assignments reserved for high-level blacksmiths, you will face no restrictions."

"The Association will fully guarantee every resource and form of support you need, just as it would for a genuine Level 4 blacksmith."

Mu Chen's gaze softened, filled with inquiry and respect.

"This is the most beneficial and secure method of protection I can think of for your growth under the current circumstances."

"Wu Lin, do you think..."

"Would this arrangement be acceptable?"

Bai Lin met Mu Chen's concerned and wise gaze, his heart surging with gratitude and agreement.

He was already intelligent and understood well the danger of possessing a priceless treasure.

His teacher's actions were not only sheltering him from the storm, but also creating a safe haven where he could focus on growing and build up his strength before making a name for himself.

"Teacher..."

Bai Lin's voice carried heartfelt respect. He accepted the slightly cool Level 2 badge with both hands and bowed deeply.

"This disciple fully understands your painstaking intentions and wholeheartedly agrees!"

"This arrangement could not be better."

"This disciple is indeed still too weak. I need time and space to settle myself and improve."

"Thank you, Teacher, for your thorough consideration!"

His clear eyes were full of sincere gratitude and appreciation for this protection.

Within the sea of spirit, Hei Lin was also watching everything.

Though he longed for the attention and sense of conquest that power brought, he clearly recognized the wisdom of Mu Chen's strategy.

"Power is still just power..."

"Bai Lin, we are too weak to even display our own talent as we please..."

"Look..."

"This is how the world is..."

"Pitch-black..."

Seeing how sensible Bai Lin was, Mu Chen's eyes filled with even greater satisfaction.

He said no more and took an item from his storage soul guide.

It was a bracelet of deep, dark blue, its surface flowing with faint silver starlight. Its design was ancient and grand, and it faintly radiated spatial fluctuations.

"Take this."

Mu Chen handed the bracelet to Bai Lin.

"This is a ten-cubic-meter storage soul guide. Its internal space is stable and has enough room for you to store quite a few things."

"Inside are some gifts I prepared for you."

Bai Lin accepted the bracelet, and his spiritual power instinctively probed inside.

Even with his steady disposition, the sight before him made him tremble slightly in shock!

Inside the bracelet, Federation currency carrying the scent of fresh ink had been neatly stacked into small mountains. There had to be more than a million in total!

That alone was already an astonishing fortune.

Yet what drew a blacksmith's attention even more were the various rare metal ingots piled beside it—

Heavy Silver's restrained, weighty luster, Refined Gold's razor-sharp gleam, Mithril's strange, waterlike texture, Magic Copper's deep blood-red darkness, and even several pieces of exceedingly rare Starfall Iron, glittering with mysterious points of starlight!

The value of these metals likely far exceeded that million Federation credits. They were treasures every blacksmith dreamed of.

"This..."

Bai Lin was at a loss. This gift was far too valuable.

"There is no need to refuse."

Mu Chen waved a hand, his tone allowing no argument.

"Now that you have entered my school, these resources are my investment in your early cultivation."

"To do good work, one must first sharpen one's tools."

"With these, you can devote yourself wholeheartedly to studying the path of forging."

"Go. Make good use of them."

Bai Lin felt the heavy weight of the storage bracelet in his hand. It was not merely material wealth, but also his teacher's weighty trust and expectations.

He bowed deeply once more, condensing a thousand words into a single sentence.

"This disciple will certainly not disappoint you, Teacher!"

After bidding Mu Chen farewell, Bai Lin left the chairman's office carrying his hidden secret, his new badge, a soul guide filled with precious resources, and the weighty promise between master and disciple.

The door gently closed behind him, cutting off the office's stillness.

He walked outward with steady steps, the Level 2 badge on his chest reflecting a subdued gleam beneath the lights.

Next, it was time for him to return to the academy.