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Did Xu Yuan not know what his uncle's intentions were?
It was nothing more than showing off.
Although Zhen Hua hadn't revealed anything, Xu Yuan already knew about the relationship between Zhen Hua and Mu Chen, the president of the Donghai City Blacksmiths Association.
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Donghai City
Blacksmiths Association
"Hello, I'd like to register for blacksmith certification."
Xu Yuan and Tang Wulin arrived at the association together. Tang Wulin didn't need certification—he was already a fourth-grade blacksmith—but Xu Yuan did.
"Alright, may I ask what level blacksmith you currently are, young man?"
"Third-grade." Xu Yuan spoke indifferently as he took out his blacksmith badge.
"Third-grade?" The person in charge of receiving Xu Yuan widened his eyes, staring at the badge in Xu Yuan's hand.
"Hold on a moment. I'll arrange the fourth-grade blacksmith certification exam for you."
The third floor of the Blacksmiths Association was specifically designed for fourth-grade blacksmith certification exams. It was usually quiet due to the lack of candidates, and each forging room was equipped with the most advanced forging equipment.
The fourth floor was reserved for fifth-grade and higher blacksmith certifications.
Above that were floors where association members could rent private forging rooms.
---
Fourth Floor
Xu Yuan was guided to the testing location.
There, a rather stern-looking middle-aged man had been waiting for a while.
"Teacher?" Tang Wulin exclaimed in surprise.
"Wulin, who is this?" Mu Chen nodded at Tang Wulin before turning to look at Xu Yuan, his gaze softening.
"Teacher, this is Brother Xu Yuan. He's from Shrek Academy."
"Oh?"
From Shrek Academy?
Then why was he here at the Donghai City Blacksmiths Association for fourth-grade certification?
And how did he know Tang Wulin?
Mu Chen harbored doubts but didn't ask directly. Instead, he turned to Xu Yuan.
"Brother Xu Yuan, this is my teacher and also the president of the Donghai City Blacksmiths Association."
"President, it's an honor. With the help of Wulin, I've gained deeper insight into forging, which has given me the confidence to attempt fourth-grade certification." Xu Yuan humbly replied.
Following his uncle's instructions, he didn't mention his "school."
"Mm, begin your assessment," Mu Chen said. Seeing that Xu Yuan didn't volunteer more information, he refrained from pressing further and decided to observe Xu Yuan's forging techniques instead.
Generally speaking, anyone capable of teaching such a talented blacksmith must be a prominent figure in the forging world. A mere fifth-grade blacksmith could teach a ten-year-old to become a fourth-grade blacksmith?
At the very least, one would need to reach the level of a Sacred Craftsman to have that ability.
Xu Yuan lit the forge and began melting rare metals.
Compared to Tang Wulin's seasoned techniques, Xu Yuan's methods emphasized variability.
Though still young, Tang Wulin had never neglected the foundational aspects of forging. All his achievements stemmed from the rigorous basic training provided by Mu Chen and Mang Tian earlier. Despite his age, his forging techniques were remarkably mature.
As for Xu Yuan, his techniques weren't clumsy either, but they focused more on adaptability.
His hammer movements were unpredictable, yet every strike carried full force.
Overall, the impression he gave was—
He could seamlessly substitute at any time!
That's right. Depending on the progress of the metal forging, whether it was the force of the hammer, the angle, or the timing of the strike, everything was constantly changing to find the optimal solution.
Mu Chen narrowed his eyes.
On the surface, his style seemed unpredictable and erratic, but Xu Yuan's application of force techniques and the rhythmic steps required for each strike followed a clear pattern.
This could also be seen as the sequence of steps for processing rare metals.
This was what was known as a forging lineage.
The more Mu Chen watched, the more familiar it felt.
Faintly, he seemed to see a figure in his mind.
His expression grew darker.
Bang!
Xu Yuan brought his heavy hammer down, and a golden light erupted from the sunken silver before him, lasting for over ten seconds before fading.
"Thousand Refinements, First Grade!" Mu Chen exclaimed in shock.
He let out a bitter laugh and said, "Thousand Refinements, First Grade—you can directly receive your fourth-grade blacksmith badge."
According to the association's rules, a fourth-grade blacksmith first needed to successfully forge Thousand Refinements metal twice consecutively and shape it. Achieving Thousand Refinements, Second Grade would qualify one as a fourth-grade blacksmith.
Xu Yuan hadn't truly met the threshold for fourth-grade until now.
Under Tang Wulin's influence, he had unwittingly grasped the threshold for Thousand Refinements, First Grade—a leap forward. Though Zhen Hua was thrilled upon hearing this and urged Xu Yuan to show off in front of Mu Chen, he still sternly reminded Xu Yuan not to neglect his foundational training.
"Who is your forging teacher?" Mu Chen asked, though he already had some guesses.
"I don't have a forging teacher. I learned my forging techniques from my uncle." Xu Yuan replied.
Mu Chen frowned, his eyes flickering. After a moment, realization dawned on him.
"You're from the Body Sect?"
"Yes."
Mu Chen nodded.
Looking at Xu Yuan again, he could only sigh in resignation.
"What a pity. You've learned auxiliary forging techniques—why not study orthodox forging methods?"
Auxiliary forging?
Tang Wulin was initially confused, but then he remembered what auxiliary forging meant.
Brother Xu Yuan practices auxiliary forging?
No wonder their coordination was so seamless the other day.
But even with just auxiliary forging, he had already achieved Thousand Refinements, First Grade.
Tang Wulin felt unprecedented pressure.
"Wulin, your forging talent is impressive. You two should work together more often—it might complement each other in forging," Mu Chen suggested.
Having a compatible auxiliary forging partner could indeed make significant improvements in a blacksmith's skills much easier.
Xu Yuan didn't respond directly to this suggestion.
The idea of practicing forging daily with another man was something he resisted.
Even if he were to find someone compatible, Xu Yuan would prefer to collaborate with a certain prodigy from the Star Luo Continent—a girl with equally monstrous forging talent.
With his goal achieved, Xu Yuan exchanged a few more words with Mu Chen before leaving the Blacksmiths Association.
As Xu Yuan departed, Mu Chen glared fiercely at Tang Wulin.
"Wulin, look at Xu Yuan—he's already achieved Thousand Refinements, First Grade. You need to work harder on your forging!"
Tang Wulin weakly replied, "Teacher, I've actually also reached Thousand Refinements, First Grade. That's why I came to the association—to inform you of this."
"What? You've achieved Thousand Refinements, First Grade too?"
Mu Chen was shocked and delighted, urging Tang Wulin to demonstrate.
"Uncle, I've already completed the certification."
"Mm, did you meet the president of the Donghai City Blacksmiths Association?"
"Yes, he oversaw my assessment."
"Mm, did he ask about your identity?"
"I said I studied under my uncle and am from the Body Sect."
"Huh? You know about my relationship with him?"
"Yes, Uncle mentioned it."
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Tian Dou City, Blacksmiths Association Headquarters, Office
Zhen Hua's lips twitched slightly, feeling as though he had lost some entertainment.
After hanging up the call, he patiently waited for the communication to ring again.
But no matter how long he waited, Mu Chen's soul-guided communication never came.
"Since when did this guy become so patient?"
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