Departure for Skysea City

The next morning, sunlight filtered through the lattice windows of the Blacksmith Association's old-fashioned building, casting dappled light and shadow across the floor. With a trace of anticipation, Tang Wulin arrived alone at the Blacksmith Association in Eastsea City.

He pushed open the heavy doors, and the familiar scent of metal greeted him. In the office on the association's top floor, his master—the Divine Craftsman Zhen Hua, who enjoyed the highest renown on the Douluo Continent—stood with his hands behind his back, gazing out the window with profound eyes. Beside Zhen Hua stood his junior fellow disciple, Mu Chen, who was also Tang Wulin's martial uncle.

"Master, Martial Uncle." Tang Wulin bowed respectfully.

Zhen Hua turned around. His usually stern, piercing eyes were now full of warmth. He looked Tang Wulin up and down, making no attempt to hide his admiration. "Wulin, your talent truly is remarkable. Even I never imagined you could achieve so much at your age."

Mu Chen smiled and nodded as well, a hint of pride in his voice. "Senior Brother is right. That's precisely why we have a more important task for you."

Tang Wulin raised his head, his eyes shining with eagerness to learn.

Zhen Hua walked up to him and said earnestly, "I want you to go to Skysea City and enter the blacksmith competition being held there. This isn't just a chance to gain experience. It's an opportunity for our Eastsea Blacksmith Association to show its strength to the entire continent."

"A blacksmith competition?" Excitement surged through Tang Wulin. As a blacksmith, nothing thrilled him more than displaying his skills on a bigger stage. Of course he wanted to go!

But his brows soon drew together slightly, and hesitation appeared on his face. "Master, Martial Uncle... I also want to enter the