As Mu Chen's daughter, she had been learning forging since childhood. Of course, her talent far surpassed that of her peers, but she had only just obtained the Level 2 Forging Badge.
Now she's being told that two nine-year-old children have suddenly passed the Level 2 exam.
They completely stole her thunder.
This feeling was like a running race where you thought you had it in the bag, but then someone overtook you just before you reached the finish line, making you feel incredibly upset, like you were holding your breath.
Tang Wulin blushed slightly at the praise and lowered his head somewhat embarrassedly, "Just lucky."
Xu Qing remained calm and said nothing more.
Looking at the two of them, Mu Chen felt increasingly satisfied.
"Alright, now I'll put the badges on you myself!"
At this moment, a staff member came over carrying a tray covered with a red cloth. On the tray, two hexagonal forged badges with blue backgrounds and two white stars were quietly placed.
Mu Chen personally picked up the badge and solemnly pinned it on Tang Wulin's left chest. Then he pinned the second badge on Xu Qing's left chest.
His previously gentle expression instantly turned solemn. "From this day forward, you are all members of our blacksmithing family. As blacksmiths, I hope you remember that forging is not just about forging iron, but also about feeling with your heart. True forging is not about hammering metal, but about creating life."
These few simple words exploded in Tang Wulin's heart like a thunderbolt.
His Thousand Refinement refinements and repeated trials culminated in a sudden, profound understanding, as if a new door to the Great Dao had been opened for him.
Xu Qing's eyes flickered slightly, and she felt the same way.
That's true; creating life is indeed the pursuit of countless craftsmen.
Xu Qing couldn't help but think of the spirit artifacts in the world of cultivation!
If metals can do it, then can other materials? This thought, like a seed, slowly sank into Xu Qing's heart, as if one day it would blossom and bear fruit.
Xu Qing gently touched the badge on his chest, and a cool sensation traveled through his fingers.
The texture looks pretty good; it was made well!
Just then, Mu Xi couldn't help but step forward, looking at the badges on their chests, and said stubbornly, "I want to compete with you two in forging!"
Tang Wulin paused slightly, then subconsciously shook his head. "I won't compete."
Xu Qing shook her head as well, "I'm not interested either."
Seeing this, Mu Xi still wanted to persist.
But Xu Qing had already turned to Mu Chen first and asked, "Guild Master, can Wulin and I go and receive the forging mission?"
Mu Chen glared at Mu Xi helplessly, making her swallow back the words she was about to utter.
Then Mu Chen smiled and said to the two, "Brother Cen, take them to the mission hall to familiarize them with the procedures. From now on, the association will be your support. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, you can apply for help from the association, and the association will do its best to provide assistance."
"Yes, President."
Afterwards, Cen Yue led Tang Wulin and Xu Qing to the second-floor mission hall via elevator.
After the three left, Mu Chen scolded Mu Xi.
There were two main reasons why he reprimanded Mu Xi. First, Mu Xi was too willful. Mu Chen hoped that she would get along well with them rather than cause conflict. Second, both Xu Qing and Tang Wulin were better at forging than Mu Xi, and he didn't want to damage Mu Xi's confidence because of these two geniuses.
The second-floor hall was spacious and bright, with a neat row of counters around the perimeter, each clearly marked with its forging level. Countless soul-guided screens flickered with light, and the entire hall was orderly.
"Blacksmiths can only accept tasks of the same or lower level; they cannot accept tasks of a higher level," Cen Yue explained patiently as they walked. "After all, the forging materials are provided by the client, so the association has to do everything possible to ensure the quality of the finished product."
Tang Wulin and Xu Qing nodded as they listened, keeping it in mind.
"By the way, what kind of mission do you two want to take on?"
Tang Wulin said, "I'll do whatever I can."
Xu Qing: "I'm the same as him."
Soon, the three arrived at the exclusive counter of the Level 2 Blacksmith. Behind the counter stood a staff member. Since accepting tasks was automated, the staff member's main task was to handle any problems that might arise.
There are ten more soul-guided screens ahead.
Under Cen Yue's guidance, the two quickly learned the operating procedures.
Tang Wulin clicked on one and immediately won. The next moment, the Soul Guidance Screen lit up, and rows of tasks were clearly displayed.
Tang Wulin's eyes lit up instantly when he saw the reward for the first task.
[Level 2 Quest: Hundred Refinement Heavenly Dragon Iron ]
[Quantity: Ten pieces]
[Time Limit: Thirty Days]
[Compensation per unit: 2,000 Federation Credits]
[Total Compensation: 20,000 Federation Dollars (The association takes a 10% commission)]
Twenty thousand Federation Dollars!
For Tang Wulin right now, this is absolutely a huge sum of money!
"I'll take this mission!" Tang Wulin selected the mission without hesitation, entered the address as prompted, and inserted the level 2 badge on his chest into the slot.
drop--
A crisp notification sound rang out.
"Congratulations to Tang Wulin, a Level 2 Blacksmith, for successfully accepting the purification task. The materials will be delivered to the designated address within three days."
Xu Qing also stood in front of the screen, selected a suitable level-two forging task, completed the data entry, inserted the badge into the slot, and successfully accepted the task.
Seeing that both of them had successfully completed the task, Cen Yue, observing their joyful expressions, sincerely exclaimed, " Mang Tian has taken in two excellent disciples!"
Then, as if remembering something, a flash of light appeared in his palm, and he took out two simple, light blue storage rings and two exquisite bracelet-style soul communication devices, which he handed to Tang Wulin and Xu Qing.
"This is the association's reward for your first official mission."
Tang Wulin panicked instantly and hurriedly waved his hands and stepped back. "No, Grandmaster Cen, this is too valuable, I can't accept it!"
Xu Qing also frowned slightly, but he didn't say anything.
Cen Yue smiled and placed his hands on their shoulders, stuffing the items into their hands. "Take these, this is a special benefit approved by the guild leader. Cultivate diligently, study hard, and don't neglect your studies. Remember, no matter how strong your forging becomes, your Soul Power cultivation must not fall behind. The two complement each other, and only then can you go far."
Tang Wulin clutched the ring and communicator in his hand, his eyes slightly moist, and bowed solemnly. "I remember! Thank you, Grandmaster, thank you, Chairman!"
Xu Qing also bowed and thanked him, saying, "Thank you, Grandmaster Cen, thank you, Chairman."
He could tell that Mu Chen and Cen Yue genuinely valued talent and wanted to nurture them.
These two ten-cubic-meter storage rings and exclusive soul-guided communicators are not the usual treatment for a level two blacksmith, but rather the exclusive perks of a Master Craftsman Grandmaster.
This favoritism demonstrates how much the association values the two individuals.