In the Blacksmith Association's lobby, Zhen Hua personally pinned a fifth-rank blacksmith badge, engraved with intricate forging patterns and gleaming with a metallic sheen, onto Xiao Chen's lapel.
Xiao Chen stood tall in the center of the lobby, his expression calm and composed, without the slightest air of a youth flushed with success.
He glanced at the badge on his lapel without paying it much mind. Compared with his own strength, his status as a blacksmith was merely another flower added to the brocade.
The more Zhen Hua looked at his newly accepted personal disciple, the more satisfied he became, the admiration in his eyes almost overflowing.
"Xiao Chen, from today onward, you are a fifth-rank blacksmith in every sense of the word."
After saying that, Zhen Hua shifted the conversation and brought up the matter at hand.
"By the way, the Skysea Alliance Grand Competition is coming up soon. I'll register you, so just take part when the time comes."
At those words, Xiao Chen's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. He wasn't interested.
Since he had already become Zhen Hua's disciple, there was no point in entering this competition. He looked at Zhen Hua.
"Teacher, since I've already become your disciple, there's no need for me to enter this sort of competition anymore, is there?"
His thinking was simple. The Skysea Alliance Grand Competition was only a local competition, and it offered him no challenge whatsoever.
Whether in Soul Master combat or forging, entering would be like "blasting fish in a pond." Winning would bring no sense of achievement, while costing him time and energy. There really was no need.
Zhen Hua waved a hand, his expression brooking no argument. "Just take part. There's no need to decline."
He paused, then slowly explained, "After I arrived in Skysea City, the organizers of the Skysea Alliance Grand Competition came to visit me in person."
"I originally had no wish to get involved in these matters, but thinking that my disciple would be competing, I specially put up rare metals only discovered by the Federation in recent years as prizes. Consider it paving the way for you."
"All you need to do is compete with peace of mind. There's no need to feel any pressure."
"It will also let more people see your talent for forging and lay the groundwork for you to establish yourself in the forging world. It offers you a hundred benefits and not a single harm."
After hearing Zhen Hua out, Xiao Chen understood that he wanted to use the competition to make a name for him. He could hardly keep refusing, so he nodded slightly. "Then I'll follow your arrangements."
Once Xiao Chen agreed to compete, Zhen Hua gave him a few more reminders about things to watch out for during the competition, then left the lobby with him and Na'er to await the opening of the Tianhai Grand Competition.
Over the next few days, aside from cultivating according to his usual routine, Xiao Chen studied forging under Zhen Hua.
In the blink of an eye, the opening day of the Skysea Alliance Grand Competition drew near.
Xiao Chen was cultivating in the hotel when the soul communicator in his hand suddenly lit up, and a message popped onto the screen.
"Chen, I'm about to arrive in Skysea City. Are you free for a meal?"
The sender was none other than Gu Yue.
Xiao Chen didn't give it much thought. Ever since Gu Yue had asked for his contact information at the Spirit Pagoda, his phone had been bombarded with messages all day long.
He didn't understand why Gu Yue wasn't focusing on being the Soul Beast Co-Ruler instead of being so attentive to him, treating him like Tang Wulin from the original story.
This Gu Yue wasn't the Gu Yue from the original story. Shouldn't she have been colder and more hostile toward humans?
He had no idea what earth-shattering scheme Gu Yue was cooking up now.
Xiao Chen's fingertips moved, and he sent a reply. "Not free. Next time."
As soon as the message went out, Gu Yue replied. "What a shame. Let's meet when we have time. It's been months."
Looking at Gu Yue's plaintive words, Xiao Chen replied indifferently, "Sure. We'll talk when there's time."
After sending it, he switched off his phone.
Seeing this, Na'er leaned over from beside him, her little face full of curiosity. "Who are you chatting with again, brother?"
"Gu Yue. She wants to ask me out for a meal," Xiao Chen said truthfully, hiding nothing.
Na'er immediately puffed out her cheeks and shook her head like a rattle drum, her tone resolute.
"No, absolutely not!!"
"Even I've only gone out to eat with you a few times. Gu Yue absolutely can't."
Looking at Na'er's angry little dumpling of a face, Xiao Chen smiled helplessly and reassured her, "I turned her down."
At that, Na'er immediately beamed, her eyes curving into crescents. She hugged Xiao Chen's arm, her voice light.
"I knew it! You love me most, brother. You'll always be on my side!"
Watching Na'er behave so childishly dispelled much of Xiao Chen's irritation. He stood up and said, "Come on, Na'er. Let's explore Skysea's food street."
"Time to eat?!!"
Na'er perked up instantly and followed Xiao Chen out of the hotel with a skip in her step.
They made their way to Skysea City's busiest food street and found a seafood restaurant with an excellent reputation. They had barely sat down before Na'er eagerly picked up the menu and called out to the owner.
"Boss, fifty portions of Red Jade Shrimp, a hundred East Sea King Crabs, and a hundred kelp rolls!"
The moment she finished speaking, every other diner in the restaurant turned to look at them, their faces filled with shock.
Even Skysea City's locals had never seen anyone order food like this.
The sheer quantity of Na'er's order left the owner dumbstruck too. He stood stunned for a good while before recovering and hurrying over to confirm.
"Y-young lady, are you sure you want that much? I'm afraid the two of you won't be able to finish it."
Na'er waved a hand and said carelessly, "Don't worry about all that. Just bring it out!"
Xiao Chen didn't stop Na'er. He merely nodded to the owner, signaling for him to serve the food as she had requested.
Just like in the original story, Na'er's stomach was like a black hole, its depths impossible to fathom.
Just then, footsteps sounded at the restaurant's entrance, and several familiar figures walked in. They were the members of Shrek Academy's Class Zero-Tang Wulin, Xie Xie, Gu Yue, and Xu Xiaoyan.
They had evidently come to eat at this restaurant too, and the moment they entered, they spotted Xiao Chen and Na'er sitting by the window.
Na'er had been eagerly anticipating the food, but the instant she saw Gu Yue, her face fell. Her brows knitted tightly, her eyes filled with displeasure, and she instinctively edged closer to Xiao Chen.
Gu Yue also spotted Xiao Chen. A gentle smile instantly appeared on her previously expressionless face, and a flicker of delight crossed her eyes. She strode toward him, naturally pulled out the empty chair beside him, and sat down.
"Chen, what a coincidence. I didn't expect to run into you here."
Xiao Chen's eyelid twitched slightly, but his expression remained unchanged. "Quite a coincidence."
It was a little awkward, but there was no need to panic. As long as he wasn't embarrassed, the embarrassment belonged to someone else.
He glanced over the members of Class Zero and noticed two familiar figures were missing, prompting him to ask,
"You're missing two people?"
At his question, Gu Yue said calmly, "They've already left Class Zero."
The moment those words fell, Tang Wulin lowered his head, his face full of self-reproach and guilt, his fingers curling slightly. Clearly, the matter still weighed on him.
As Class Zero's class leader, he had never been able to let it go.
Xiao Chen was somewhat surprised by this.
Tang Wulin no longer had the Golden Dragon King Divine Core, yet he could still affect Wang Jinxi through the power of the Golden Dragon Claw alone. That was beyond his expectations.
Still, it had nothing to do with him, and he had no intention of getting involved in Class Zero's affairs.
Seeing this, Xie Xie gave a light laugh. "That's all in the past. No need to bring it up."
Xu Xiaoyan also came forward and greeted him with a smile.
Xiao Chen inclined his head slightly, nodding to everyone by way of greeting.
Na'er, meanwhile, kept her little face taut and said nothing, pressing close to Xiao Chen like she was guarding her food.
Seeing that Gu Yue had sat down, the other members of Class Zero took the nearby empty seats without standing on ceremony.
After all, a chance meeting was a thread of fate. Back at the Spirit Ascension Platform, their skills had simply been inferior, so there was nothing to complain about in being eliminated. They were also the same age, and soon grew familiar with one another.
Before long, the servers began bringing out the dishes Na'er and Class Zero had ordered.
Bright red Red Jade Shrimp, plump, succulent East Sea King Crabs, and savory kelp rolls covered an entire large table. Their fragrance wafted in every direction, instantly whetting everyone's appetite.
Immediately drawn to the food, Na'er picked up her utensils and tucked in, eating with boundless enjoyment.
Tang Wulin's appetite also surged, and he joined Na'er in wolfing down the food. The sight of these two bottomless stomachs at work left everyone dumbstruck.
They hadn't expected anyone to eat even more than Tang Wulin. This seemingly petite girl before them had an appetite that was not the slightest bit inferior to his, leaving them all rather dazed.
Watching the two of them, Xiao Chen shook his head helplessly, then picked up his utensils and began eating slowly.
Just then, Gu Yue picked up a tender piece of crabmeat with her chopsticks and naturally placed it in Xiao Chen's bowl-using her own chopsticks, no less.
"This crabmeat tastes good. Try some."
That sight instantly silenced the entire table.
Na'er's chopsticks froze in midair, and her little face immediately darkened. She stared at Gu Yue with unfriendly eyes full of hostility.
Still competing? Can't we just eat a meal in peace?
Xie Xie's eyes widened in shock, and the crab claw in his hand nearly dropped onto the table as he stared at Gu Yue in disbelief.
He wasn't asleep, was he? In his memory, Gu Yue had always kept everyone at a distance. He had never seen her be so considerate and gentle toward anyone.
Now she was actually taking the initiative to serve Xiao Chen food. It was far too unusual.
He seriously suspected Gu Yue had been slipped a love potion.
For a moment, the atmosphere at the table turned subtle.
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