In a private forging room at the Blacksmith Association, the furnace blazed, sending out rolling waves of heat.
Tang Wulin had just finished purifying a batch of rare metal, and fine beads of sweat covered his forehead. Though he was no longer the frail little boy he had once been and had shot up considerably, looking tall and strong, his frame still seemed a little slight before his two elders.
"Teacher, Martial Uncle." Tang Wulin wiped away his sweat and respectfully bowed to the two men entering the room.
They were none other than Zhen Hua, president of the Blacksmith Association and a Divine Craftsman of his generation, and his junior martial brother, the Level Eight Saint Craftsman Mu Chen.
Zhen Hua looked at his disciple, who was nearly up to his shoulders now, with eyes full of satisfaction. Though Tang Wulin was still two heads shorter than an adult, his steady bearing already carried the beginnings of a master's poise.
"Wulin, come here." Zhen Hua beckoned, a hint of solemnity in his expression.
Tang Wulin stepped forward, looking at his teacher in puzzlement.
Zhen Hua opened his hand. An exquisite badge lay in his palm, dark gold all over and engraved with intricate patterns, symbolizing the highest glory of a Blacksmith.
"This is for you." Zhen Hua placed the badge in Tang Wulin's hand. "You passed the Level Eight Blacksmith assessment earlier, but you've been cultivating in seclusion, so I haven't had the chance to formally give it to you. I made this badge for you myself."
Holding the badge, which still carried his teacher's warmth, Tang Wulin felt warmth fill his heart. He knew what a Level Eight Saint Craftsman's badge meant—it marked someone standing at the pinnacle of the continent's forging world, second only to the legendary