*Crack—*
A sound, as if something had shattered, rang crisply in Wang Dong'er's heart.
It was her self-confidence, and her 'forging dream' that had died before it could even begin.
She stared blankly at her own slightly trembling hands, then at the pair of immobile Sunken Silver Hammers on the forging platform, sinking into a profound state of self-doubt.
My strength has skyrocketed recently, so how come I can't even lift someone else's pair of hammers?
And to have that guy say with an innocent face, 'I thought they were pretty light'?
"Alright, little girl," Just as Wang Dong'er's mentality was on the verge of collapse, Feng Wuyu's rough, booming voice rang out again.
With his hands clasped behind his back, he strode onto the forging platform with a duck-footed gait, shot Tang Wulin an annoyed glare, then addressed the students below.
'Don't let this kid scare you off either.'
'This guy...'
Feng Wuyu pointed at Tang Wulin, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness, but even more so an unconcealable pride.
"He's simply not human! He's a complete and utter Little freak!"
"Even the Cloud-Gold Forging Hammers Divine Craftsman Zhen Hua used early in his career only weighed a little over two hundred kilograms each!"
"And those were already considered heavy hammers!"
"But this kid...' Feng Wuyu curled his lip: "Starting at four hundred kilograms per hammer—this isn't a normal Blacksmith's setup at all!"
"This is specially made for freaks like him, born with divine force and vitality so robust they're like humanoid beasts!"
"So, it's normal that you can't lift them. If you could, that would be the real shocker!"
*Huff—*
Hearing this explanation, a uniform sigh of relief instantly swept through the forging room.
Looks of understanding appeared on everyone's faces.
"So that's how it is..."
"That scared me. I thought the bar for Blacksmiths was that high nowadays."
Wang Dong'er also patted her chest, that suffocating sense of defeat finally dissipating quite a bit.
Thank goodness.
It's not that I'm too useless; it's that Tang Wulin is too monstrous!
However, even though the heavy stone in their hearts had landed, when everyone looked at that forging platform again, a trace of fear and hesitation had crept into their eyes.
A few students who had originally wanted to try forging now silently began to reconsider.
No other reason.
Even though they knew Tang Wulin was an exception...Just the thought of having such an insurmountable mountain constantly looming over you in this profession, and that mountain being a classmate of yours...Isn't that just too discouraging?
Who wants to be crushed every day? Who wants to be treated as a mere backdrop every day?
As for Wang Dong'er, she didn't mind. After all... the stronger Tang Wulin was, the more interesting a challenge he'd be. As for the four-hundred-kilogram hammers, she didn't need ones that heavy.
Feng Wuyu had just said that Divine Craftsman Zhen Hua's early hammers were only a little over two hundred kilograms. Even though she didn't know who Divine Craftsman Zhen Hua was, the title itself sounded impressive.
Wang Dong'er decided: her second profession would be a Blacksmith!
Seeing the somewhat shifty looks in everyone's eyes, Feng Wuyu snorted coldly, his expression instantly turning stern.
"What? Scared already?"
"See the gap and want to back out?" Feng Wuyu's gaze swept over everyone present like a blade: "Forging is a tough trade!"
"It's a hard skill that requires millions of strikes of tempering, persistence through monotony and scorching heat!"
"If you don't have a steadfast heart, if you aren't prepared to endure hardship, then I advise you to get lost now!"
"I don't take on softies here! Nor do I accept quitters!"
"If anyone wants to join, you'd better first weigh whether you have that kind of perseverance!"
"Otherwise, once you enter my door, if you dare to speak lightly of giving up..."
"Hmph! This old man will absolutely not go easy on them!"
These words were spoken with extreme severity, even carrying a hint of intimidation.
Right at that moment.
*Tap, tap, tap.*
A series of light, confident footsteps sounded from the entrance of the forging room.
Everyone followed the sound and looked over.
They saw a tall, beautiful figure striding in.
It was a young woman.
She had a head of dazzling golden hair, simply and neatly tied into a high ponytail that swayed gently with her steps, full of vitality.
The form-fitting silver-black Blacksmith uniform perfectly outlined her already well-developed, lovely figure.
Most striking were her large, bright eyes, brimming with confidence and pride.
"Feng Wuyu, I've come to apply for the use of Forging Room Number Four," the young woman walked up to Feng Wuyu, bowed generously, her voice clear and pleasant.
"Huh?"
Immediately after, the young woman's gaze fell on Tang Wulin beside the forging platform, and a look of pleasant surprise instantly appeared on her face.
"Wulin?''What are you doing here?"
"Senior Sister?"
Tang Wulin was also taken aback upon seeing the newcomer, then grinned, revealing a mouthful of white teeth:
"My classmates and I are here for the second profession trial class."
"Se... Senior Sister?!"
Hearing this address, everyone present was stunned.
"Oh, it's Mu Xi," Seeing the young woman, Feng Wuyu's previously stern expression softened slightly as he nodded and said: 'Go ahead, Room Four is free."
After speaking, Feng Wuyu turned to the curious crowd and introduced:
"This is Mu Xi, also a member of our Blacksmith Association."
"Although young, she's already a Third-Rank Blacksmith!"
"Third-Rank Blacksmith?!"
The crowd gasped in surprise once more.
Though there was a gap compared to Tang Wulin's Fifth-Rank, Third-Rank was still incredibly impressive!
Another genius!
Yang Nianxia also wanted to speak up and say that he was actually a Third-Rank Blacksmith too, but his light had been completely overshadowed by Tang Wulin.
"Wulin, I heard you broke through to Fifth-Rank?"
Mu Xi paid no mind to the onlookers' gazes. Instead, she walked directly to Tang Wulin's side, reached out, and patted his shoulder in a somewhat intimate manner, her eyes holding a mix of envy and an unwillingness to lose.
"Not bad, kid. You've quietly left your senior sister so far behind."
"But don't get cocky. I feel like I'm about to break through soon too. I'll catch up to you in no time!"
"Hehe, do your best, Senior Sister!"
Tang Wulin scratched his head with a simple, honest smile.
Watching the familiar interaction between the two, Wang Dong'er, standing to the side, found her brow unconsciously furrowing.
She didn't know why.
Looking at Mu Xi's hand resting on Tang Wulin's shoulder, looking at the somewhat doting and affectionate look in Mu Xi's eyes as she gazed at Tang Wulin...
A strange, indescribable feeling of irritation suddenly welled up in Wang Dong'er's heart.
'What... what is this feeling?'Wang Dong'er pressed a hand to her chest, somewhat bewildered.
She was sure it definitely wasn't the kind of romantic feeling like affection or jealousy.
After all, she and Tang Wulin had only known each other for just over half a month, and they had even fought before.
But...That feeling, it was like...It was like seeing your own silly younger brother being eyed by those flashy, bad women from outside! An impulse to protect what's yours!
So strange!
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A/N:
5 Power Stones = 1 Extra Chapter
I hope all of you are enjoying this story so far. I would appreciate some Power Stones if you can spare any. Leave a review if you like the story. Thank you.