Zhen Hua

Several days passed in the blink of an eye.

Over those days, Tang Hao passed on every bit of forging theory he had learned throughout his life to Tang Wulin, holding nothing back. From identifying metals to controlling heat, from wielding a hammer to channeling force, Tang Hao made profound principles easy to understand, every word a pearl of wisdom. Though Tang Wulin was still young, his extraordinary comprehension, combined with the immense strength within his body, allowed him to absorb this theoretical knowledge remarkably quickly.

Yet theory was only theory, after all. Looking at the mountain of notes and diagrams before him, Tang Hao felt rather helpless. He had lived in seclusion for years, and his hands had long grown accustomed to the tremors of swinging the Clear Sky Hammer, not the meticulous craftsmanship required at a forging bench. Teaching theory was fine, but if he actually tried forging a delicate Soul Tool component, he would probably smash the material straight into scrap iron.

"It looks like these old skills of mine aren't enough." Tang Hao rubbed his chin, watching Tang Wulin recite the mnemonic for purifying metal, his brow slightly furrowed. "This child needs a real teacher for hands-on training."

Just as Tang Hao was fretting over this, Yun Ming came to see him.

"Still worrying about finding Wulin a forging teacher?" Yun Ming saw through Tang Hao's thoughts at a glance.

Tang Hao sighed and tossed the notes in his hand onto the table. "You know these hands of mine can only destroy things, not make them. Wulin is a promising seedling. I can't let him wither in my hands."

Yun Ming smiled faintly, a gleam of wisdom flashing in his eyes. "I do have someone in mind."

"Who?"

"Zhen Hua." Yun Ming slowly spoke the name. "The current president of the continent's Blacksmith Association, its only ninth-rank Blacksmith—the man people call the 'Divine Craftsman.'"

Tang Hao raised his brows slightly. "Zhen Hua? I've heard of him. But would such a lofty figure take Wulin as his disciple? Besides, don't most Blacksmiths have low soul power? I don't want Wulin to neglect his soul power cultivation because he's studying forging."

Yun Ming shook his head with a smile. "Zhen Hua is an exception. He's not only a Divine Craftsman, but also a rank ninety-one Titled Douluo. Among Blacksmiths, cultivation like his is as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns. With him teaching Wulin, his forging skills will advance by leaps and bounds without holding back his soul power cultivation."

Surprise and approval flashed in Tang Hao's eyes. A rank ninety-one Titled Douluo who was also a Divine Craftsman—such a combination was rare indeed. If they could persuade him, he would certainly be the best choice.

"Good. He's the one." Tang Hao made up his mind. "I'll go ask him."

Yun Ming patted his shoulder. "Zhen Hua is aloof and proud, but he cherishes talent as dearly as his own life. Take Wulin to the Blacksmith Association in Heaven Dou City. You might have a chance."

And so, on a bright, sunny morning, Tang Hao once again slung the enormous Clear Sky Hammer onto his back and set out for Heaven Dou City with an eager Tang Wulin.

Their goal was clear—to visit that legendary master of two paths, the Divine Craftsman Zhen Hua.

Tang Wulin knew nothing of the difficulties this journey might hold. He only knew he was one step closer to becoming a true Blacksmith. Tang Hao tightened his grip on the hammer's handle and thought, This old man may no longer be up to the task, but I can't afford the slightest carelessness where this child's future is concerned.

In the early morning of Shrek City, the thin mist had yet to fully disperse, and a fresh chill lingered in the air.

In the Tang family's little courtyard, Tang Hao was busy checking the enormous Clear Sky Hammer in preparation for departure. Beside him, Tang Wulin bounced about excitedly, tightly clutching the forging notebook Tang Hao had given him.

"Is everything ready?" A gentle voice came from the doorway.

Tang Wutong walked in, wearing a pale purple dress, her long hair draped over her shoulders like a fairy stepping out of a painting. She glanced at the grandfather and grandson, both ready to leave, and the corners of her lips lifted slightly.

"Wutong, what brings you here?" Tang Hao was a little surprised.

Tang Wutong walked up to Tang Hao and said softly, "Grandpa, Grandma has only just started feeling better lately. You should stay home and keep her company. After all... vast as heaven and earth may be, neither is more important than your own wife."

Tang Hao froze at her words, then his weathered face reddened. He scratched his head and chuckled. "My granddaughter knows best. All right, I'll listen to you. I'll leave the boy in your care, then. Be careful on the road."

As he spoke, he pressed the thick notebook into Tang Wulin's hands and patted his shoulder, saying earnestly, "Wulin, go with your sister. Don't make trouble, and study hard."

Tang Wulin nodded, only half understanding, and obediently stood beside his sister.

And so, Tang Wutong took Tang Wulin with her, bid Tang Hao farewell, and set off for the Blacksmith Association in Heaven Dou City.

The two boarded the island-loop train unique to Shrek City. It raced along the coastline, with an azure sea and golden beaches outside the windows. The sea wind whistled past, carrying a salty, damp scent.

Tang Wulin leaned against the window, watching the scenery rush backward, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. Tang Wutong sat beside him with a travelogue in her hands, occasionally looking up at her little brother, her eyes full of affection.

"Sis, how much longer do we have to ride?" After amusing himself for a while, Tang Wulin grew bored and asked.

"Not much longer. When the sun sets, we'll be able to see Heaven Dou City's walls." Tang Wutong closed her travelogue and stroked his head. "Once we're there, I'll take you to eat the best candied hawthorn skewers in Heaven Dou City."

The train sped onward and finally arrived in Heaven Dou City toward evening.

Heaven Dou City's Blacksmith Association stood in the city center. It was a magnificent building constructed entirely of dark red stone. From a distance, it looked like an enormous furnace, radiating a scorching heat.

Holding Tang Wulin's hand, Tang Wutong entered the association's main hall. People in Blacksmith robes bustled to and fro, and the scent of metal and flame filled the air.

"Excuse me, is the Divine Craftsman Zhen Hua here?" Tang Wutong approached the reception desk and asked politely.

The young apprentice at the desk looked up. At the sight of Tang Wutong's exquisite beauty, he fell into a daze and stammered, "P-President Zhen Hua is in the Forging Room on the top floor. But he's currently in seclusion, researching new forging techniques, and isn't receiving visitors..."

Tang Wutong smiled faintly, took an antique badge from inside her clothing, and gently placed it on the desk. "Sorry for the trouble, but please give this to President Zhen Hua. Once he sees it, he'll meet with us."

Though puzzled, the apprentice took the badge and hurried upstairs.

Before long, hurried footsteps came from the staircase. A handsome, refined middle-aged man in a red robe strode down. His eyes blazed as he stared straight at the badge in Tang Wutong's hand, his gaze filled with surprise and excitement.

"This badge... you're..." Zhen Hua's voice trembled slightly.

Tang Wutong inclined her body in a slight bow. "I'm Tang Wutong. At His Excellency Yun Ming's request, I've brought my younger brother, Tang Wulin, to pay you a visit, President Zhen Hua."

Zhen Hua's gaze left the badge and settled on Tang Wutong. After looking her up and down, his pupils abruptly contracted, and disbelief appeared on his face. He remembered that legendary name, the woman who stood alongside the current God of Emotion and Shrek Academy's Sea God Pavilion Master.

"You... you're Tang Wutong?" A trace of reverence entered Zhen Hua's voice.

Tang Wutong nodded and replied gently, "I am."

Zhen Hua took a deep breath, then bowed respectfully, his tone becoming solemn. "Zhen Hua, president of the Blacksmith Association, pays his respects to Miss Tang. To meet a descendant of a Divine Craftsman today is truly a blessing earned over three lifetimes."

Towering waves surged through his heart. This seemingly young woman before him was actually a God King's daughter, as well as the wife of the current supreme God King. In terms of seniority, she was someone he ought to address as "great-grandmother." He had never expected the person Yun Ming spoke of to have such an exalted identity.

"You're too kind, President Zhen Hua." Tang Wutong quickly helped him straighten. "I'm sorry for intruding today. We've come about my younger brother's forging."

At her words, Zhen Hua turned his gaze toward Tang Wulin, who was curiously looking around nearby. He collected himself, a glimmer of anticipation flashing in his eyes:

"If His Excellency Yun Ming recommended him, this little fellow must have something exceptional about him. Rest assured, Miss Tang. Since he wishes to learn, I, Zhen Hua, will hold nothing back."

Though Tang Wulin was startled by the enormous furnace fire, his sister's encouraging gaze gave him courage, and he stepped firmly into that fiery-red world.

Zhen Hua shifted his gaze from Tang Wutong to Tang Wulin, who stood nearby. He pointed at a tungsten steel hammer beside an anvil a short distance away, specifically prepared for apprentices. Though extremely heavy to an ordinary person, it was only an entry-level tool at the Blacksmith Association.

"Little fellow, go pick up that hammer and give it a few swings for me." Zhen Hua clasped his hands behind his back, his tone carrying a hint of appraisal.

Tang Wulin nodded and walked over to the anvil with small steps. He reached out with both hands, gripped the hammer's handle, which was thicker than his arm, and took a deep breath.

Zhen Hua had initially been watching casually, but in the next instant, his gaze sharpened.

Holding the hammer in both hands, Tang Wulin moved without the slightest stiffness. The tungsten steel hammer, weighing dozens of jin, seemed almost weightless in his grasp. Then he lowered his waist and drove strength through both arms. The hammerhead tore through the air with a whistle and slammed down hard onto the anvil.

Bang!

An enormous crash rang out, seemingly shaking the entire Forging Room. Iron filings scattered, and a shallow dent actually appeared in the hard surface of the anvil.

Zhen Hua's pupils contracted sharply, unconcealable shock flashing in his eyes. This strength... was far beyond anything an ordinary person possessed! What surprised him even more was Tang Wulin's remarkable bodily coordination at the instant he swung the hammer, as though he had been born to forge.

"Again!" Zhen Hua's voice carried a note of excitement.

Without wasting a word, Tang Wulin swung both hammers and began striking like a raging gale and driving rain. A dense, rhythmic series of hammer blows echoed through the Forging Room. Every strike was precise and powerful, showing none of the clumsiness one might expect from his young age.

Watching her little brother's earnest expression, Tang Wutong's lips curved slightly upward, her eyes brimming with pride.

A little while later, Tang Wulin stopped. Fine beads of sweat covered his forehead, but his eyes remained bright.

Zhen Hua stepped forward, looked at the iron block that had been hammered somewhat out of shape, then looked at Tang Wulin. He could not help exclaiming, "Excellent! Such innate divine strength! Such a peerless prodigy!"

He turned to Tang Wutong, his tone carrying a solemn note. "Miss Tang, this child... if he doesn't follow the path of forging, it would truly be a loss for our continent's forging world!"

Tang Wutong smiled faintly. "If you're willing to teach him, President Zhen Hua, it would certainly be his good fortune."

Zhen Hua took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement, then said seriously, "In that case, let me first explain how Blacksmith ranks are divided. Wulin, remember this carefully."

He pointed at the rank chart on the wall and said slowly, "The path of a Blacksmith is divided into nine ranks."

"Ranks one and two are called 'Master Rank,' and focus on 'hundred refinement.' At rank one, you must be able to hammer and purify ordinary metals. At rank two, you must be able to independently craft medium-sized components and purify Rare Metal through hundred refinement."

"Ranks three and four are called 'Grandmaster Rank,' and focus on 'Thousand Refinement.' Thousand Refinement restructures a metal internally, multiplying its toughness. Rank three requires completing Thousand Refinement on any one metal. Rank four requires completing Thousand Refinement on three specified metals in succession and shaping them into designated forms."

"Ranks five and six are called 'Master Artisan Rank,' and focus on 'Spirit Forging' and 'Fusion Forging.' Rank five requires completing Spirit Forging on a metal, bestowing it with spirituality. Rank six requires performing Fusion Forging on various alloys with an extremely high success rate."

"Ranks seven and eight are called 'Saint Craftsman Rank,' and focus on 'Soul Forging' and 'Heaven Forging.' Rank-seven Soul Forging can bestow life upon metal. Rank-eight Heaven Forging requires drawing upon the power of heaven and earth to transform the metal, remaking it down to its very bones."

"As for the highest rank, rank nine, that is 'Divine Craftsman Rank.' It already lies beyond the mortal realm. It requires some understanding of the laws of heaven and earth, drawing upon their power to bestow innate gifts and life upon metal."

After finishing, Zhen Hua looked intently at Tang Wulin. "Wulin, do you understand?"

Though young, Tang Wulin had listened with great concentration. He nodded emphatically. "I understand, Teacher Zhen Hua!"

Zhen Hua smiled in satisfaction. "Good! Since you understand, you'll stay here with me starting tomorrow. Let's see just how far that innate divine strength of yours can take you along the path of forging!"