All rights reserved to the respective authors.
"Dialogue": Represented in double quotes for conversations between characters.
'Thoughts': Represented in single quotation marks, indicating the characters' internal reflections.
[Diary]: Represented in square brackets, used for messages intended for the heroines or entries written by Tenshin.
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When Tenshin left the academy, he wasn't in a hurry to buy bedding. Instead, he first walked around Nuoding City and asked the street vendors about the locations of the blacksmith workshops in the lower town. The school uniform he wore made him stand out, and the vendors were particularly enthusiastic in assisting him.
There were four large blacksmith workshops in the city. The largest one was near the city's defense army station, catering mainly to military personnel and nobles, making its business the most stable. Another was located near the Academy, primarily serving the Academy's needs. Most of the residents in that area were wealthy, many of them parents of students at the Soul Master Academy, giving it the feel of a school district.
The last two workshops were situated in the bustling residential area where civilians gathered. Although the distance was a bit far, business thrived due to the dense population. One workshop specialized in detailed orders, such as small parts for clocks and gears for doors and gates, while the other handled more general orders.
'Tang San will probably go to the one near the academy,' Tenshin thought as he walked toward the residential area.
Even before he reached the gate, the rhythmic sound of hammering echoed from within the building. "Ding ding ding ding," the metallic clanging resounded clearly.
A sign with a hammer drawn on it hung above the gate. As Tenshin approached and looked inside, he saw several brick buildings with wooden roofs lined up side by side. A chimney was attached to the forging room, ablaze with sparks.
Several blacksmiths were working together, their synchronized hammering filling the air. Nearby, a wooden rack was stacked with all kinds of ironware.
This was a small blacksmith workshop, but it had everything one would expect, as it handled more general orders.
Tenshin walked straight in and headed toward the nearest blacksmith.
"Little friend, it's dangerous here! Stop right there and don't come any closer!"
Seeing Tenshin walking toward the forging hall, a stout man standing beside the wooden rack—who had been conversing with a customer—quickly rushed over. He frowned slightly as he looked down at Tenshin, who had already stopped and turned around.
"Where are the adults of your family? Didn't they tell you that it's dangerous to be near the smithy's forge?"
In this kind of civilian gathering area, it was common to see people sending their children to buy ironware, but it was rare to see one as young as him. The temperature of the forging furnace inside the smithy was extremely high, and there were many scattered objects around. If a young, uninformed child were to stumble into the forge by accident, the consequences could be disastrous.
Moreover, the child in front of him was still wearing the school uniform of Nuoding Academy. If something happened, the blacksmith workshop couldn't shoulder the responsibility. 'Could it be a phoenix rising from the ashes? How could there be a student from Nuoding Academy in a place like this?' The man couldn't help but think with trepidation in the back of his mind.
"Hello, Uncle!" Tenshin greeted politely, his tone serious. "I'm here to apply for an apprenticeship."
"Little friend, don't cause a ruckus. This is no place for you. Judging by your age and this outfit, you must be a student who just joined Nuoding Academy, right? Becoming a Soul Master is a remarkable achievement—hurry back. Studying hard and becoming a true Soul Master as soon as possible is the right thing to do." The man smiled softly. He could tell that the child in front of him was born into a commoner's family, just like himself, and was likely short of money. Otherwise, he wouldn't be here seeking a blacksmith apprenticeship.
On this continent, blacksmithing was considered the lowest of professions, and people with any status wouldn't even think of becoming a blacksmith.
"Uncle, my martial soul is a Book, and it doesn't have any combat applications. To counter this weakness, I train with a spear. If I want to master this weapon, I need to exercise my body properly. I feel that blacksmithing is a good way to both exercise and make money at the same time." Tenshin explained, his tone sincere. "In addition, I'm very strong. I've watched the village blacksmith working sometimes when I was a child. Although I can't cast iron yet, I can hammer raw iron without any problem, and I've always been interested in forging."
"Uncle, if you don't believe me, I can hammer a piece of raw iron right here and show you. Also, I'm a work-study student at the academy, and I have time every afternoon."
The man was momentarily stunned after hearing this, thinking that what Tenshin said made sense. Forging metal was originally a physical job; one had to work a lot and eat a lot, and it did exercise one's waist and arm strength. Just look at his own colleagues—who among them didn't have big arms and thick hips?
However, how could such a small child lift the forging hammer? And hammer raw iron?
"Boss, why don't we let this child give it a try?" The blacksmiths in the forging room also paused and laughed with interest.
One of the blacksmiths looked at the man, nodded slightly, and slowly walked forward with a forging hammer.
"Little friend, if you can swing this forging hammer, I'll let you try."
"Mmm." Tenshin nodded eagerly, his right hand quickly taking the hammer from the blacksmith's grip, easily swinging it up and down.
"Good lad! You can swing it with one hand," the blacksmith said approvingly.
"A martial soul with spirit power is different. A small child can have this much strength."
"This is naturally born blacksmith material." Inside the forging hall, the group of blacksmiths were utterly astonished and sighed in admiration.
"Alright, little friend, I'll take you as an apprentice." The man smiled and said. "No matter if you truly know how to hammer raw iron, just based on this strength, you're a perfect helper. You should be able to work with just a little teaching, and if you can train as a Soul Master blacksmith, the word will spread. You'll earn a good reputation, and maybe even bring better business to the shop."
It wasn't a losing deal by any means.
"Introduce yourself. My name is Tie Shan, and the one next to me is my brother, Tie Zhu." The man smiled and led Tenshin into the forging hall. He introduced the blacksmiths one by one, then together they pulled the forging table down from the fixed wooden pier to readjust its height. They clamped a piece of red-hot raw iron from the fireplace and placed it on the table. "Tenshin, come and try hammering this piece of raw iron. Show me how solid your foundation is."
After speaking, he retreated to the side with the blacksmiths.
"OK." Tenshin nodded, set the hammer aside, and quickly removed his school uniform, revealing a black short-sleeved shirt. His arms, though obviously thinner and smaller compared to the blacksmiths present, showed the signs of prolonged exercise. The muscles, although less developed than the blacksmiths', were noticeably more defined. These muscles were the result of his training since he was four years old. Two months ago, they weren't so prominent, but with increased control over his soul energy, Tenshin had learned to channel his power to accelerate the recovery and growth of his muscles.
Picking up the hammer again, Tenshin focused on the iron block and slowly raised the hammer.
In the next second, he swung it down with force.
"Dang! Dang! Dang!" The violent, rhythmic sound of hammering rang out repeatedly.
"This is!?" Tie Shan and his brother, along with the crowd of blacksmiths, became even more focused. For a brief moment, it seemed as if the hammer in Tenshin's hand wasn't a hammer at all, but a spear—Each strike felt less like a traditional hammer blow and more like the thrust of a spear—sharp, precise, and relentless, with every movement calculated for maximum impact.
"This child is so powerful?" Although the few customers watching didn't understand the art of forging, they could tell from the reactions of the blacksmiths that Tenshin's performance was exceptional.
Not long after, Tenshin stopped moving and wiped the sweat from his forehead. The iron on the casting table had cooled down considerably by now, and it had shrunk significantly overall.
"Tenshin, your hand—are you alright?" Tie Shan quickly stepped forward, looked down at the iron block, opened his mouth, and then quickly raised his head, staring at Tenshin's slightly reddened right arm as if he were looking at a monster. Such an overbearing and fast-paced hammering technique undoubtedly required an extremely high level of arm strength. Even he wouldn't dare hit the iron like that, yet Tenshin not only dared to, but it seemed like it hadn't caused him any harm at all.
"Uncle Tie Shan, I'm fine, just feeling a bit hot," Tenshin smiled.
Upon hearing this, Tie Shan let out a long sigh of relief and then expressed his excitement: "Tenshin, that blacksmith you observed must be a true master. Honestly, I feel that only the legendary Disordered Wind Hammer technique can compare to what you just did."
He was sure that this wasn't the Disorder Splitting Wind Hammer technique because that technique focuses on borrowing and exerting force. In contrast, Tenshin's technique was much more rigid and overbearing—hammering relentlessly to the end. No, it didn't look like hammering at all; it was more like stabbing and slashing, exerting all the strength to the extreme. Eventually, Tenshin relied on the recoil to unload some of the force, using it to power the next strike and maintain the rhythm, achieving the desired result.
With a smaller recoil to withdraw the movement, he protected his arm while maintaining the consistency of each hammer blow.
Such a subtle technique could only be executed by someone with Tenshin's natural strength, making him a perfect talent for blacksmithing. After all, if Tenshin could reach this level just by observing, Tie Shan couldn't help but wonder how far he could go with proper guidance. Unfortunately, he couldn't figure out exactly how Tenshin generated such force. Tie Shan sighed to himself.
As a person with professional ethics, he could not bring himself to take the initiative to ask to learn that technique. Even if he wanted to learn it, he would need to possess the same strength and endurance as Tenshin.
'However, although Tenshin's power generation and refining skills are superb, his knowledge of forging materials and his experience in exerting force while swinging the hammer are clearly lacking. He hammered in the wrong places, thus wasting his strength.'
'If I teach him what I know, wouldn't I be considered a type of master or guide to him? And in the future, when Tenshin becomes famous all over the world... Damn, I'll be able to brag about it for the rest of my life.'
'Especially since Tenshin is still a Soul Master!'
'When I travel to the Blacksmith Association of Gengxin City to attend the Blacksmith Conference one day, my name will be honored because of him.'
Thinking of this, the smile on Tie Shan's face deepened.
"Ah? I just followed what I know in beating; I don't know the other things," Tenshin said with some hesitation.
"It's okay. In the future, that Master will take the initiative to show you the rest." Tie Shan laughed and then grew solemn. "Tenshin, although your hammering technique is exquisite, your forging experience is mostly insufficient, especially in the knowledge of forging materials. In addition, there's also a lack of judgment regarding the force application when swinging the hammer. All of these need to be slowly accumulated through practice."
"In the future, you will learn from me and the uncles in this shop. If you don't understand anything, don't be polite—just ask. Also, regarding your wages, for now, how about one Silver Soul Coin per month, just like the other uncles? If business is good, we'll add a commission."
"Thank you, Uncle Tie Shan." Tenshin nodded repeatedly. "However, Uncle Tie Shan, the academy has an opening ceremony tomorrow. I might only be able to come the day after tomorrow."
"Tenshin, so you're a new student. Then wouldn't you only just start this year..." Tie Shan was surprised, secretly sighing at Tenshin's diligence and willingness to work hard. At the same time, he was even more convinced that Tenshin would be a good talent for blacksmithing and that he would have to be taught properly!
With a smile, he nodded slightly. "It's fine. Just come back when you've taken care of things at the Academy."
"Well, Uncle Tie Shan, then I'll go back to the academy first."
Saying goodbye to the crowd, Tenshin put on his school jacket and walked out of the blacksmith workshop, heading straight toward the Academy.
Halfway through, he bought bedding and ran back to the dormitory, carrying it on his back.
When he walked into the dormitory, it was empty; the others hadn't returned yet.
"School hasn't officially started, so they must have gone out to play after lunch," Tenshin muttered, finding an empty bed not far from Tang San's. He laid down the bedding, his mind wandering. Tang San had probably been taken away by Yu Xiaogang. As for Xiao Wu, she wouldn't be idle on her first day at the academy. She must be exploring, perhaps asking Wang Sheng to guide a few students around the campus.
'Now's the perfect time to hear what Yu Xiaogang and Tang San are discussing,' Tenshin thought, activating his sensory skill. He soon realized that Tang Hao wasn't around."He's probably with Ah Yin and will come here in the next few days at the latest."
Happily, he advanced his soul power enough to perform the tree-walk exercise. He went out through the dormitory window and walked along the exterior wall until he reached the balcony outside Yu Xiaogang's room. Tenshin suppressed his presence and stayed by the side of an open window to listen to the conversation between Tang San and Yu Xiaogang.
From what he perceived of the conversation, after a series of suggestions from Yu Xiaogang on the direction of Tang San's Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul development, Tang San had complete trust in Yu Xiaogang and had already told him about his Twin Martial Soul. Now, Yu Xiaogang was blushing with some excitement, mixed with a bit of afterthought.
"Xiao San, fortunately, you hid your second martial soul during your martial soul awakening and weren't seen by the people from the Spirit Hall. That child named Tenshin also didn't think that you had a Twin Martial Soul at all. Otherwise, your second martial soul might have already been exposed. It was my carelessness before."
"It's fine, Master." Tang San smiled and shook his head. "Misfortunes and blessings come hand in hand. That messy analysis by Tenshin did give me a reason to hide the existence of the Twin Martial Soul. From a certain perspective, I still have to thank him."
"This boy is undoubtedly intelligent, but it's a pity his martial soul has no combat application," Yu Xiaogang said, shaking his head with indifference.
Tang San nodded. "No one in Tenshin's ancestry has ever had their spirit power awakened from their martial souls, and when it was his generation's turn, his parents passed away early after suffering a disaster. After he was adopted by our village chief, now that he can awaken a mutated martial soul that possesses spirit power, it can hardly be considered a blessing."
"Previously, I also thought that with his intelligence, it should be quite good for him to devote himself to learning theories. I even asked him why he didn't worship you as his master along with me."
"However, because of Old Jack's instructions, he seems to be more wary of you."
Speaking of this, Tang San shook his head and recounted the process of his previous inquiry with Tenshin once more.
After listening, Yu Xiaogang, who had originally felt that Tenshin was a bit pitiful, immediately felt a hint of displeasure. He indifferently said, "What is most necessary for researching theories is to have sky-high and unconstrained ideas. This child has no subjective opinions. Even if he is enthralled with theoretical research, he will still falter because of other people's trivial remarks and give up his original ideas. It's hard to become a great man."
"Moreover, because of the lack of power in his martial soul, throughout his life, even with his talent at level 7, he will at most reach Spirit King. No one, be it a force or person, will invest resources in a soul master who has no combat application. Instead of wasting time on researching theories, it would be better for him to take advantage of his youth and properly cultivate his spirit power, lest he delay his cultivation and fail to even reach Spirit King in the future."
"That's right." Tang San nodded. This was just like learning martial arts in his previous life—youth is the most crucial time period for cultivation. Otherwise, as one grows older, the body's functions gradually deteriorate, the meridians become obstructed, and it becomes hard to cultivate any further.
Seeing Tang San listening intently, Yu Xiaogang added, "Xiao San, due to the lack of power in Tenshin's martial soul, his achievements in this life are limited. But you're different. With your qualifications, it is entirely possible for you to attain even the Titled Douluo state of cultivation. The difference between the two of you is like the difference between mortal earth and the white moon—unattainable. For the sake of Tenshin's well-being, I advise you to have less interaction with him in the future, to avoid putting pressure on him and affecting his cultivation."
"Mm, disciple understands." Tang San also felt this was reasonable. From Yu Xiaogang's words, he already had an understanding of the relationship between soul master rank and social and political power. It was just like the inner and outer sects in the Tang Sect in his previous life—there was a clear distinction between the superior and the inferior.
The difference between Tenshin's talent and qualifications and his own was just too great, and in the future, they would not be in the same world at all. Standing at different heights, there would be a huge difference between their perspectives, and their conversation wouldn't be on the same level. So how could they become friends? Forcing their positions would only add to each other's worries.
While listening to them talk, Tenshin started writing in his diary:
[This Yu Xiaogang, his mind is really narrow. I am speechless.]
[After discovering that Tang San actually has twin martial souls, Yu Xiaogang must be very displeased with me—because of my interruption earlier today. He probably thinks he almost lost a talented disciple like Tang San. He's probably wishing to drive me out of the academy.]
[Because of this, I can't imagine meeting Yu Xiaogang in the future to ask for a warrant to obtain my first spirit ring. Even if, for some harebrained reason, I did ask, I don't see him accepting.]
[He even told Tang San to have less interaction with me in the future, using the excuse of the difference in talent between Tang San and me, and the innate lack of combat application of my martial soul. He told Tang San that, for my well-being, he should avoid putting pressure on me, as it could affect my cultivation.]
[Thinking about it, I guess the sense of superiority in Tang San's heart was built up at this time. Knowing that he had a Twin Martial Soul and Innate Full Spirit Power, his natural talent was outstanding, and he started to look down on Soul Masters who were inferior to him.]
The heroines, upon reading Tenshin's diary, were shocked and appalled by Yu Xiaogang's behavior.. They had already known some of his shortcomings, but the pettiness and lack of self-awareness in his actions were more blatant than they'd imagined. It was clear from Tenshin's entry that Yu Xiaogang's narrow-mindedness had led him to mask his true feelings about the situation, disguising his dissatisfaction with Tenshin by pretending to offer advice for his well-being. His actions made it evident that his concern wasn't for others, but for his own pride and ego.
Liu Erlong felt a sharp sense of betrayal as she read through the entry. She had once placed her trust in Yu Xiaogang's intellect and convictions, but this latest revelation shattered the image she had of him. His pettiness, particularly in his attempts to manipulate Tang San, left her stunned. The more she read, the more her disappointment grew—Yu Xiaogang's lack of shame in masking his true feelings, coupled with his attempt to manipulate Tang San for his own benefit, was beyond what she had anticipated. Her mind raced, trying to reconcile her past admiration with this new, much darker side of the man.
Bibi Dong, though typically composed, couldn't hide her shock. The way Yu Xiaogang masked his true feelings, pretending that his advice to Tang San was for Tenshin's benefit, felt beneath the level of someone she had once respected. His manipulative behavior reminded her of the darker, more calculating side of people, something she had seen before in those who used others for personal gain. She had expected a certain level of wisdom and integrity from him, but his actions had left her disappointed and wary of his character.
Tang Yuehua was irritated beyond measure as she read through the diary entry. Her feelings about Yu Xiaogang quickly turned to anger. How dare he try to influence her nephew this way? She was certain that this was the same man who had led Tang San astray in the original timeline, influencing him to become arrogant and dismissive of others. With each line, Tang Yuehua's irritation only deepened, and she couldn't help but place all the blame on Yu Xiaogang for the flaws she now saw in her nephew's character. She tried to divert her attention from the core of the problem by focusing on what she perceived as his detrimental influence, but her growing frustration with him was undeniable.