Chapter 189 - The Halo And The Fourth Rank Blacksmith (1/2)

The clock slowly ticked by. It was normal for the Thousand Refinements to take a few hours, but the relentless storm of Tang Wulin's twin hammers had already reduced the Blue Coppert.i.te to one-third of its original size in only a quarter of an hour. Its blue hue grew brighter and brighter while the ripples on its surface began to slow down and stabilize.

He's almost done?

So fast!

The Stacked Hammers effect may have helped Tang Wulin, but it was his strength, judgement, and understanding of the metal that allowed him to finish so quickly.

Having already become one with his hammers, Tang Wulin's concentration could not be broken. Surprisingly enough, he was actually beginning to resemble his hammers.

Bang bang bang!

The final hammer strike descended, and an azure halo that was a third of a meter in diameter burst from the Blue Coppert.i.te, fusing back into the metal a moment later and disappearing.

“A halo emerged!” Cen Yue cried.

Only metals at the second-grade and above could release a halo. Furthermore, the appearance of a halo signified the degree to which spirit was imbued into the metal. This was the origin of the name, “Half-Spirit Refinement.”

That halo just now wasn't an ordinary second-grade halo! Cen Yue wiped cold sweat from his forehead. Did this boy just forge a first-grade metal? Is he trying to astonish us even more?

Mu Chen's eyes lit up. He raised one hand to stop Tang Wulin and used his other to grab the metal. “You don't need to do anything else. We're ending the test here. You've succeeded at Thousand Refining a second-grade Blue Coppert.i.te and officially pa.s.sed the fourth rank test.”

Since Tang Wulin could forge a second-grade Blue Coppert.i.te, they didn't even need to check if he could do the same with lesser metals.

“It isn't of the first-grade?” Cen Yue asked Mu Chen.

Mu Chen shook his head. “It falls a bit short, but it's nearly there. You'll make a lot of money off of this Blue Coppert.i.te the next time you accept some tasks. Go back and prepare for the Grand Banquet of the Sea and Sky. It begins in one month.”

“But... teacher, don't I still need to attend cla.s.s?” Tang Wulin asked.

Mu Chen said, “You don't need to worry, the a.s.sociation will help you take care of that. You need to spend the remaining time forging. I'll continue to teach you once a week. It seems like I need to start teaching you the technique needed to forge first-grade metals.”

Tang Wulin smiled. “Yes, thank you, teacher.”

“I'll go with you.” Mu Xi took the initiative to accompany him back to the academy.

After the two left the Blacksmith's a.s.sociation, Mu Xi suddenly pinched Tang Wulin's cheek.

“Ow! Senior disciple sister, what are you doing?” Tang Wulin complained.

Mu Xi snorted. “I'm checking if you're even human. Isn't everyone supposed to be equal? You don't have another face, so how are you able to progress so quickly?”

“Senior disciple sister, I don't have a second face,” Tang Wulin said in embarra.s.sment.

Mu Xi suddenly became all smiles. “I know. Can I talk to you about something? If no one ends up being better than me at the Skysea Alliance Tournament, can you let me win? I'll give you the prize money too, and then you'll have the money for both first and second places. I'll even give you the metals that are awarded as well. How about it?”

Tang Wulin stared at her in a daze. “Okay.”

Okay? Mu Xi thought she misheard him. He agreed so easily?

“Hey, do you even understand the significance of the Skysea Alliance Tournament? How can you agree so easily?”

Tang Wulin said, “It's just fame. The difference between first and second place can't be that large anyway. If I can earn more money by giving up first place for second place, then I'm all for it!”

“I'm convinced now—you really only think about money!” Mu Xi smacked the top of his head lightly. “I'm just joking with you. If I stole first place from you, dad would kill me!”

A trace of a smile appeared on Tang Wulin's lips. “Teacher wouldn't do that. He actually looks at you with doting eyes. I'm serious, senior disciple sister. If no one is better than you, I'll give you first place. I'll be taking that prize money though.”

Tang Wulin's earnest insistence left Mu Xi in a daze. “I don't want you to do this for my dad.”

With her intelligence, she immediately realized what Tang Wulin intended. He was doing a favor to Mu Chen.