Chen An Cleverly Set a Chain of Traps, Mu Xi Accidentally Entered the Roulette Block

The cafeteria was bustling in the afternoon, the clatter of trays mingling with the students' laughter and chatter.

After hearing Chen An's casual explanation, Tang Wulin frowned slightly, disbelief filling her eyes.

The commotion from the training grounds had nearly spread throughout Eastsea Academy. On her way here, she had heard countless people vividly recount that battle, yet when Chen An spoke of it, it sounded like nothing more than an insignificant spar.

"So they were just careless?"

Tang Wulin picked up a bite of food with her chopsticks, still unable to believe it. Those had been genuine Two-Ring Grand Soul Masters.

"Mm."

Chen An responded blandly without offering much explanation. It did not matter if he revealed a little of his strength now. He had already formed an assessment of his own abilities.

Beside them, Li Chushui poked at the food in her bowl, her gaze moving back and forth between the siblings as she let out a long sigh.

"Seriously, you two are way too monstrous. Chen An, you took down all three Two-Ring Grand Soul Masters from Class One by yourself. Wulin, you crushed the other freshmen in Class Five with Bluesilver Grass.

"You both look no different from ordinary kids, but the potential hidden inside you is terrifying. Meanwhile, I'm miserable. I can't beat anyone."

Tang Wulin lowered her head. "I'm surprised by my own strength too. I've been like this since I was little."

"That's a real pity. If your Martial Soul were a little stronger, you definitely could have beaten Class One just like your brother."

As they spoke, the empty bowls and plates they had finished piled into a small stack on the table.

Li Chushui stared at the layered pile of empty bowls, blinking helplessly between laughter and tears.

"You two... is this the price of becoming stronger? Your appetites aren't even in the same league as ours. Is that something you were born with too?"

Chen An had also noticed that after absorbing the Soul Spirit, his appetite had multiplied. It was no longer a matter of simply adding one or two extra bowls.

The three chatted and laughed as they finished lunch. After tidying up their trays, they went their separate ways.

Tang Wulin and Chen An headed for the Eastsea City Blacksmith Association.

As they walked down the street, warm sunlight fell across their shoulders. Shops lined the roadside, while pedestrians streamed back and forth.

"Now that we've finally received our Second-Level Blacksmith badges, we can take official forging commissions at the association and earn money."

Tang Wulin's steps were light, her eyes carrying a trace of anticipation.

"Someday, we have to save up lots and lots of money."

Chen An turned his head to look at the light shining in the girl's eyes and softly agreed, "All right."

"After we have money..."

Tang Wulin tilted her head slightly, falling into thought as she muttered to herself.

"Where should we go after we have money? What should we do? Do you have any ideas? I haven't really thought it through yet."

"I don't either," Chen An said slowly. "The world is so big, and we have plenty of time. We can think about it later."

Because soon, something else that would be difficult to accept was about to happen. Being able to stay optimistic now was already good enough.

Tang Wulin clenched her fists, her voice lowering. "Mm, that's right. I still need to keep working harder."

Chen An suddenly stopped walking.

"What's wrong?" Tang Wulin turned back when she saw him spacing out.

Chen An's Soul Power had risen to Level 22, and something felt slightly off with his body. He opened his panel to inspect it. The age of his first Soul Ring had risen from its initial eight hundred years to nine hundred and ninety-nine years, on the verge of breaking through into a Millennium Soul Ring.

His Soul Power and spiritual power could suppress it, but he could not hide the color of his Soul Ring.

The ages of Soul Rings were automatically configured from the origins of soul beasts after they took human form. How was he supposed to explain it if it suddenly became a Millennium Soul Ring?

She probably would not pry too deeply, right?

"It's nothing. I was thinking about what to eat tonight."

They chatted along the way, and before long, the two arrived at the imposing entrance of the Blacksmith Association.

As they stepped into the lobby, the female receptionist recognized them at once, a gentle smile appearing on her face.

"You're here. President Mu Chen is already waiting for you inside."

Mu Chen, an Eight-Star Saint Craftsman. The last time the siblings had come to the association for their forging test, he had happened to pass by. Upon hearing that they were two nine-year-old children, he had been deeply shocked and had personally arranged to meet them.

After passing through the hall and entering the reception room, they found Mu Chen seated there in a plain-colored robe.

He was tall and powerfully built. Years of forging had given him solid, compact muscles, broad shoulders and back, and strong bones and sinews. He naturally carried the imposing aura of a forging master.

Several others from the Blacksmith Association stood nearby, including Cen Yue.

"This is President Mu Chen of our Eastsea City Blacksmith Association, and also one of the Federation's most renowned Saint Craftsman-level forging masters," Cen Yue said.

"Hello, President." The two children spoke in unison.

Mu Chen's gaze settled on them. He stood, accepted two brand-new Second-Level Blacksmith badges from someone beside him, and spoke in a solemn yet gentle voice.

"From today onward, you are members of our association."

The tall man knelt on one knee and pinned the badges onto Tang Wulin's and Chen An's lapels respectively.

The metal badges touched their clothes with a faint chill.

"Forging has never been as simple as hammering metal. With every strike, you grant metal new life and create life itself.

"Congratulations. You have become the two youngest Second-Level Blacksmiths in the history of the Forging Association."

The surrounding association blacksmiths all looked over, offering quiet congratulations filled with admiration.

Chen An's gaze swept inconspicuously across a corner of the room.

A young girl stood there, her features lovely but her expression dark, her face plainly filled with defiance.

She was none other than Mu Chen's daughter, Mu Xi.

Before Chen An and Tang Wulin arrived, Mu Xi had become the youngest Second-Level Blacksmith in the association's records after passing the examination at thirteen.

The glory that had belonged to her had now been taken by two children only nine years old. Jealousy and unwillingness were written all over her face. With her arms crossed and lips pressed tightly together, she looked thoroughly awkward.

Chen An knew that proud, competitive little girls like her were the easiest to coax. All it took was a few well-placed compliments and enough admiration from a junior to satisfy their vanity.

He raised his eyes toward Mu Chen and asked in a tone filled with a young boy's sincere admiration.

"President, that older sister is your daughter, Mu Xi, right?

"I heard her name back at the academy. Seeing her today, she truly lives up to her reputation. She's very pretty, and I'm sure her forging skills are outstanding as well."

Hearing praise from a junior so suddenly, Mu Xi's body stiffened slightly. Her face had been full of anger, but she looked over in surprise.

"You've heard of me?"

Chen An nodded solemnly, his expression sincere.

"I started learning forging three years ago. Back then, I heard about many people around my age making progress in this field. I always hoped that one day, I could stand in the same hall as exceptional blacksmiths.

"Today, not only did I meet a famous forging master like you, President, but also such an outstanding senior as Sister Mu Xi. My wish has come true. From now on, I'll work even harder to catch up to all of you."

His words somewhat resembled Tang Wulin's usual manner of speaking, but to Mu Xi's ears, they were especially pleasing.

She huffed and raised her proud little head.

The tension in her face visibly softened. Most of the resentment in her heart over having her spotlight stolen dissipated, and she secretly felt pleased with herself. At least there are juniors who know how impressive I am.

Chen An silently thought, Plan successful.

The badges had been pinned on, and the president's meeting had ended. Chen An looked toward Mu Xi and extended his hand.

"Sister Mu Xi, may I have the honor of shaking your hand?"

At his words, Mu Xi lifted her chin slightly. She still maintained a cold and aloof appearance, but she could not hide the faint delight in her eyes. Pretending to be reserved, she slowly extended her hand.

"All right."

Their palms lightly touched, and the Roulette began to spin because Chen An had deliberately approached her.