Chapter 25 – Thousand Refinements (2/2)

Mang Tian gave an unenthusiastic reply, “Just because I like this place for its peacefulness does not mean I won't leave this place. The truth is, all of the work that is requested comes from Eastsea City. Your blacksmithing education cannot deteriorate. I also have a workshop at Eastsea City and I will give you your own blacksmithing workshop. Every so often, I'll visit you and give you some instruction.”

Tang Wulin's heart felt a surge of warmth, “Teacher, you…”

Mang Tian's fiery gaze glared at him. “Eastsea City is a truly large city. It is not like here. Before you go, you have to first complete my test. If not, you have no qualifications to continue learning the blacksmithing craft from me there!”

“A test?” Tang Wulin stared blankly at him. “Teacher, what test?”

A ray of light gleamed in Mang Tian's eyes. “The Thousand Refinements!”

Tang Wulin asked in surprise, “Teacher, you are finally going to teach me the Thousand Refinements?”

Mang Tian nodded his head. “You have fused with a spirit soul and your strength has risen sufficiently. You should be able to withstand the Thousand Refinements. Finis.h.i.+ng one execution of the Thousand Refinements will count as you pa.s.sing my test.”

As he said those words, Mang Tian felt a peculiar feeling within his heart. He could still clearly remember that when he had just started practicing the Thousand Refinements, he was already 15 years old and his soul power had surpa.s.sed the 20th rank. In addition, his martial soul was the Earth Hammer and was the one that possessed absolute physical strength. By completing the Thousand Refinements at 15 years old, he was already been seen as a talent in the blacksmithing world.

Unfortunately…

“Teacher, can we begin?” Tang Wulin's excited voice brought Mang Tian out of his reminiscence.

“Hold on a moment, I have to first gauge your strength. These few days you have failed many of your a.s.signments. Firstly, you were not focused on your work. Secondly, it seems as though problems have arisen with regards to your ability to control your strength.” Mang Tian had been silently observing his disciple and thus had determined the root of his disciple's problems.

Indeed, it was not only Mang Tian, but also Tang Wulin who realized that problems seemed to have arisen with regards to his physical strength.

That day, after he fused with the spirit soul, he had tried to apply force through his arm and that had resulted in a resounding crack as his movements split the air apart. His strength had indeed grown immensely.

In the end, since he had been constantly out in search for Na'er, along with the fact that he was still extremely depressed due to her departure, he had not paid any attention to the situation of his body. It was only when Mang Tian reminded him of it that he remembered that there was such a problem that occurred prior to everything that had happened!

Thus for the last few days, as he had attempted to forge his a.s.signed tasks, he had failed several times due to his strength being too forceful.

Mang Tian brought Tang Wulin to his own workshop. His workshop was a lot messier than Tang Wulin's works.p.a.ce. In a large pile of randomly strewn tools, Mang Tian managed to find the tool that was specially designed to gauge one's physical strength.

Strength Testing Tool

While it was a simple act to manufacture such a tool, it still required one to be meticulous in order to ensure that it would be able to accurately gauge a person's strength. This strength testing tool was built using two parts. The lower portion was a flat square base, while the upper portion consists of a round cylindrical pillar. Behind it lies a two meter tall metal pillar, whereas inside the pillar was a long thin tube filled with mercury.

When the blacksmith wishes to test his strength, all he has to do was strike the metal pillar, at that point, the mercury would rise according to the force of the strike and thus gauge the strength.

One would have to use a blacksmithing hammer weighing 50kg for the test; the strength testing tool would automatically deduct the excess force acquired from the hammer's weight.

Ever since Tang Wulin arrived at Mang Tian's workshop, he was required to test his strength each year.

The first time he tested his strength, he could produce a force of 70kg. At that point in time he was only 7 years old. When he was 8 years old, this had increased to a force of 100kg! Although being able to produce this force was largely in part to him constantly swinging the hammer as part of his work, it must still be said that producing such strength was extremely shocking.

He had yet to test his strength at 9 years old, thus, today was the perfect day to do it.

“First start the test with your left hand.” Mang Tian pa.s.sed him the blacksmithing hammer required for strength testing.

Previous Chapter

Next Chapter