Instead of returning directly to the academy, Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena went back to the Mecha Master Association. As soon as they arrived, however, they were intercepted in the lobby by the new president, Xia Haoxuan.
"Yuhao, when do you plan to take the rank-4 test?"
Xia Haoxuan looked at Huo Yuhao exasperatedly. "If you keep holding back, don't blame me for bumping you up directly. Everyone in the association knows your skill is more than enough; nobody's going to object."
This little fellow truly didn't care about professional ranks at all. He clearly could have advanced long ago, yet showed not the slightest urgency.
Huo Yuhao might not be in a hurry, but Xia Haoxuan was!
Fame was best achieved early. He was still waiting to introduce Huo Yuhao and Gu Yuena to the teachers at headquarters. The more talented the two were, the better, for only then could he secure more resources for them.
Besides, they were geniuses of the Spirit Pagoda. Who would dare touch them?
If anyone dared lay a hand on these two, heaven and earth might well be overturned.
Huo Yuhao paused in surprise, then smiled. "All right, let's do it today then."
The staff, designers, and onlookers watching quietly nearby: "..."
A rank-4 professional at this age... When headquarters found out, someone was bound to lose their mind.
No, someone among them had already gone crazy.
Several people glanced toward a certain corner.
Over there, Xia Haoxuan's disciple was trudging silently toward his workshop, his thoughts in turmoil.
What would Teacher Xia Haoxuan say after today?
Now that Huo Yuhao was rank 4, would he be expected to break through too?
But he couldn't do it!
Then again, he didn't actually feel all that much pressure.
Huo Yuhao was simply a monster. What was the point of comparing himself?
Just lie flat, slack off, and go at his own pace!
In the end, under Xia Haoxuan's watchful eyes, Huo Yuhao completed the design and manufacture of a rank-4 soul tool, receiving two rank-4 profession badges from him.
To this, the members of the Mecha Master Association showed total understanding.
After all, they had long grown used to it.
***
At the Forging Association, Zheng Tianlin had forged in his workshop for a while, but simply could not settle his mind.
He had always been proud; smiling fawningly at others was never his habit. Besides, what was so great about a rank-3 Maker and disciple of the former president? The gap between him and that kid wasn't even that big...
Thinking this, Zheng Tianlin walked out of the forging room with a sullen expression. Just as he stepped outside, he overheard chattering nearby.
"Have you heard? That Tang Wulin achieved Thousand Refined!"
"You mean that nine-year-old kid? How is that possible?"
"It's true! The president personally awarded him a rank-3 badge!"
Zheng Tianlin froze. Looking down at the rank-3 badge on his clothes, his mind fell into disarray.
What were they saying? Why couldn't he comprehend it? Achieving Thousand Refined and becoming a rank-3 Forging Master at that age... Are you kidding me?
Then what did that make him?
Stepping out of another forging room, Mu Xi also heard the discussion, her expression turning complicated.
Why did she keep running into monsters?
Huo Yuhao was one; that Gu Yuena she had heard of—a nine-year-old rank-3 Designer—was another freak of nature; and then there was Tang Wulin, whom she had regarded as her rival...
Suddenly, she felt that comparing herself was utterly meaningless.
There were far too many monsters in the world. She couldn't possibly compete with them all.
***
Holding his rank-3 forging badge, Tang Wulin walked out of the Forging Association. Remembering how Mu Chen had tried to retain him moments ago, and his own stiff expression when he declined, he offered a silent apology in his heart.
He was a member of the Spirit Pagoda now, and he had to hold his ground!
Thinking thus, Tang Wulin looked down at the rank-3 Forging Master badge in his hand.
Thousand Refined was something he could actually have achieved long ago.
It was just that Teacher Mang Tian had told him to keep a low profile until he had sufficient strength, lest he attract the covetous eyes of malicious people.
Yet after joining the Spirit Pagoda, when he was placed under a Forging Master named Teacher Wu Yu to study, the man immediately recognized his solid foundation.
Later, when they chatted and Wu Yu learned the reason, Teacher Wu Yu had said:
"We don't stir up trouble, but we don't fear it either!"
"There is no need to hide your Thousand Refined. Display your talent to your heart's content! The geniuses of the Spirit Pagoda are well within our power to protect!"
"You can go back and ask your forging teacher. He will agree as well."
And just as Teacher Wu Yu said, upon learning that he had formally joined the Spirit Pagoda, Teacher Mang Tian's voice became conflicted, yet he still said gently:
"Wulin, listen to him. Since you've joined the Spirit Pagoda, do your absolute best and don't hide your talent! But remember, never grow arrogant or complacent, and do not let vanity sway you!"
And so, Tang Wulin decided to hold back no longer, coming to the Forging Association to earn his rank-3 Forging Master badge.
"If things progress at this rate, in a few years, I should be able to help everyone..."
Tang Wulin muttered to himself, beginning to count on his fingers.
According to Teacher Wu Yu, Teacher Mang Tian was a rank-6 Forging Master, but was currently only taking low-rank commissions. He had likely suffered hidden injuries while attempting Spirit Refined, requiring Precious Heavenly Treasures brimming with vitality to nourish the body damaged by his Spirit Refined attempts...
Members of the Spirit Pagoda who reached a certain level could apply for the Water of Life, an item supposedly produced in the Star Dou Great Forest, which ought to help Teacher Mang Tian. However, that would require him to attain that rank first.
As for the Storage Ring for his Spirit Pagoda Master uncle, the largest spatial soul tools were beyond his reach right now, but by taking on more Spirit Pagoda forging commissions, he could afford a smaller one to give him when the chance arose, making daily life much more convenient...
Captain Guang Long had joined the Mecha Battalion and needed a mecha; later on, he could try helping forge one for him.
Captain Guang Biao was already a black-rank mecha pilot... Could he ever forge the legendary red-rank mecha?
At this thought, Tang Wulin let out a wry smile and reined in his thoughts.
Honestly, aiming too high again—and right after his teacher had warned him against becoming arrogant and complacent.
Arriving at the residential building near the Spirit Pagoda, Tang Wulin walked up to his front door and called out:
"Dad, Mom, I'm home!"
His parents had already moved into the Spirit Pagoda staff housing and secured jobs within the organization.
Not far from this building stood the East Sea Spirit Pagoda, and word was that the Pagoda Master was the sole Titled Douluo in East Sea City!
This was the safest place in East Sea; his family would never suffer the kind of incident they had faced before!
Tang Ziran opened the door and smiled at Tang Wulin. "You're back? Come on in. Your mother has finished making lunch. Eat before heading to school."
Tang Wulin's eyes lit up. "Okay!"
Father and son walked inside together. Tang Ziran lagged a step behind, looking at Tang Wulin in high spirits, his feelings conflicted.
Who would have thought that in the end, it was Wulin protecting them? As a father, he truly felt ashamed.
Sighing inwardly, Tang Ziran spoke:
"Wulin, you've been working so hard to earn money—is there something you want to buy? Mom and I are doing very well at work lately, so we can help you out."
Tang Wulin paused, his expression stiffening.
Oh no, the Golden Dragon King seal!
He had gotten so comfortable here that he nearly forgot all about it!
At this realization, Tang Wulin hurriedly took stock of his personal savings.
The money he had earned recently, the Spirit Pagoda allowances, the Spirit Pagoda Forging Master subsidies for purchasing spiritual items to improve physical fitness, the reward for advancing to rank-3 Forging Master... and so on.
Calculating his total funds carefully, Tang Wulin breathed a sigh of relief.
The subsidies from the Spirit Pagoda were generous, and added to the money he had earned from several months of forging, it was enough. He would go buy them soon.
After all, Spirit Pagoda personnel might lack other things, but they certainly never lacked money!
'Still, when I buy the spiritual items, if the Spirit Pagoda seniors ask what I need them for, how should I answer?'
Tang Wulin felt conflicted.
"Old Tang" had never harmed him, and he was just a pitiful man with amnesia. Exposing him wouldn't be right, would it?
Yet lying to the Spirit Pagoda seniors who had taken such good care of him weighed heavily on his conscience as well...
Chapter 61