Douluo Continent III Haotian Wulin

Tang Wulin said in a low voice, "I want to practice Thousand Forging more, and I also want to earn more money through it. Only in this way can I accumulate resources faster to improve myself. Also, there are those foods in the academy that are good for the body... I have a huge appetite, and if I really eat them, it will cost a lot."

Mang Tian looked at him quietly.

It had only been three months, but the child seemed to have grown taller, and his shoulders were straighter than before. Yet, his eyes held so much more than before he left Aolai City: pressure, urgency, and a heaviness that shouldn't be present at his age.

He sighed softly.

"Perhaps I've misunderstood."

Tang Wulin was taken aback and looked up at his teacher.

Mang Tian slowly said, "Actually, from the moment you completed the Thousand Refinements, you already possessed the qualifications of a Level 3 Blacksmith. Your soul power is indeed not strong, but your innate divine strength is enough to make up for it. More importantly, at this age, you are already able to truly calm your mind, enter a forging state, feel the metal, and get close to its pulse. This kind of talent cannot be acquired simply through hard work."

As he said this, his gaze darkened slightly.

"I've always been against you taking the Level 3 exam. One reason is that I'm afraid you'll stand out too much and become arrogant. Another reason is that I'm afraid you'll be praised too early and become conceited, ruining your future."

"But I forgot that whether you're a Soul Master or a Blacksmith, you need a lot of resources to advance. You can only rely on yourself."

"I was selfish in this matter."

Tang Wulin paused for a moment, then almost blurted out:

"Teacher, do you mean... you agree to let me take the Level 3 Blacksmith exam?"

Mang Tian nodded.

"Go."

"Since my disciple is destined to shine on the path of forging, why should I suppress him from taking the lead?"

Tang Wulin felt a sudden surge of warmth in his heart, and even his voice brightened instantly.

"Thank you, teacher! Thank you, teacher!"

Mang Tian raised his hand to suppress it, his expression turning serious again.

"Don't get too excited yet. Just because I agree to let you take the exam doesn't mean you can get carried away."

"Only after becoming a Level 3 Blacksmith will you truly be considered a master in the blacksmithing world. At that time, I will ask the association to keep it a secret for the time being, and you should also try to keep a low profile when you come and go from the association."

"Remember, don't let yourself become arrogant or complacent just because you've become a master blacksmith. If I find out, I won't let you off easily."

"Yes, teacher!" Tang Wulin immediately straightened up and answered earnestly.

Mang Tian nodded slightly and continued:

"Wu Lin, I've been stuck at the sixth-level blacksmith level, unable to advance to the Saint Craftsman level. It's not because I haven't worked hard enough, nor because I lack talent."

"What truly traps me is soul power."

Tang Wulin was taken aback.

Mang Tian put his hands behind his back, his voice low and steady.

"As the Douluo Continent has developed to this point, soul tool technology has completely changed the world. Ordinary people can also have considerable combat power with the help of soul tools. The absolute dominance that soul masters once had is no longer as obvious as it was ten thousand years ago."

"But you must remember, when you reach the very top, all professions will ultimately return to the essence of the Soul Master."

"Soul power is always fundamental."

"For example, a god-level mecha pilot must have at least an eighth-ring cultivation level and must reach the Soul Douluo level before they are truly qualified to touch that threshold."

"The same applies to blacksmiths. Once they reach a higher level, without sufficiently strong soul power and stable mental strength, they simply cannot support higher levels of forging. To become a Saint-level blacksmith, a seven-ring Martial Soul True Body is almost an unavoidable requirement."

"The reason I'm stuck here is because I can't take this step."

He spoke calmly, but Tang Wulin could tell that beneath that calm lay a deep-seated regret that had lingered for many years.

"That's why, after you arrived in Donghai City, I didn't push you too hard in forging. Instead, I hoped you would focus your efforts on cultivating your soul power."

"Right now you can rely on your body and your innate strength to move forward. But when you truly reach the level of a master craftsman, or even higher, what matters will not be just physical strength, but also soul power, mental strength, comprehension, and the foundation of your entire being."

"So don't be stingy with money. Eat the healthy food available at the academy. Don't be reluctant to spend money on your cultivation."

"Yes," Tang Wulin replied softly.

Mang Tian was usually a man of few words, but this time he spoke so much, which made Tang Wulin feel a little uneasy.

He knew that his teacher was seriously telling him just how difficult the road ahead would be.

In terms of soul power cultivation, he was already inferior to the truly top-tier peers. To catch up, or even surpass them, he could only put in more effort than others.

Mang Tian paused for a moment, then suddenly reached into his robes, took out a letter, and handed it to Tang Wulin.

"There's one more thing I wanted to do this time."

Tang Wulin took it instinctively.

"This was written to you by your father."

Tang Wulin was taken aback.

"Why didn't Dad just call me via soul communication?"

These days, he has devoted almost all his time to training, honing his skills, and competing in promotion tournaments. The last time he contacted his family was more than a week ago.

Mang Tian looked at him, his eyes seeming to hold a hint of something indescribable.

"Take a look first."

Tang Wulin's heart suddenly tightened for no apparent reason.

He bent down and opened the envelope; inside were two cards and a letter.

He first pulled out the letter.

On it were words that my father knew all too well.

Tang Wulin's breath hitched slightly as he read just the first line.

Wu Lin, my son:

By the time you read this letter, your father and mother will have already gone to a very far place.

Over the years, your father has lived a very selfish life. To escape some things he didn't want to face, and to seek a seemingly peaceful life, he brought you and your mother to Aolai City. But this peaceful life has ultimately caused you so much suffering at such a young age.

Dad has always known in his heart that you are more sensible and patient than other children your age. But the more you are like that, the more Dad is reluctant to let you go.

That night, seeing you standing there, Dad actually cried. Not because you were weak, but because Dad was incompetent, unable to pave the way for you. In the end, you had to grit your teeth and move forward by yourself.

Actually, Dad used to be a mecha designer. Years ago, because of a design drawing, he attracted the attention of some powerful forces who wanted to steal his design and control him. Dad wasn't brave enough back then, so he chose to run away. He took your mother and fled to Aolai City, hiding as an ordinary person.

But now it seems that an ordinary life might not be right for Dad. For you, Dad is willing to go back down this path.

Inside the envelope, there's your ID card and a bank card valid throughout the continent. There's one million Federal Credits inside, a resettlement allowance for your father. Your father knows this amount is nothing on the path to true strength, but at least it can secure some resources for you.

From now on, Dad will continue to earn money and will try to transfer it to your account again.

My child, your journey shouldn't end here. Don't look back, just keep looking forward. Do you remember what your father said? In this world, the only person you can truly rely on is yourself.

Dad believes in you. No matter how difficult the journey may be, you will definitely make it through.

Don't come looking for us. At least not until we're sure it's safe enough. Dad remembers your soul communication number. Dad will contact you once everything is settled.

Mom and Dad love you. We will always love you.

When Tang Wulin saw the first sentence, his heart felt like it was being gripped by something.

After reading the letter, his hands were trembling.

My father's handwriting is not ornate, it is even quite plain, but the plainer it is, the more the love that is pressed down between the lines makes it hard to breathe.

"Dad... Mom..."

Tang Wulin suddenly shouted and rushed out.

But the next moment, he crashed into a body that was as solid as a copper wall.

Mang Tian was already blocking the doorway, his hands firmly pressing down on his shoulders.

"They're alright!" Mang Tian said in a deep voice, "They're just temporarily away! Wu Lin, you have to hold on!"

"It's all because of me..." Tang Wulin's voice trembled, tears streaming uncontrollably down his face. "It's because of me... it's all because of me..."

For myself.

For money.

In order to go further, Dad and Mom left again, and went far away.

At this moment, all the longing, grievances, and anxiety that he had suppressed in his heart for more than three months surged up like a burst dam.

He clutched the letter tightly, crying so hard he could barely speak a complete sentence.

"Dad... Mom..."

Tears fell drop by drop onto the letter, blurring everything before my eyes.

Mang Tian neither scolded him again nor let go of his grip.

She just stood there silently, holding up the sky that was about to collapse for this nine-year-old child.