Douro Continent

Chapter 161 The Blacksmith's Shop (Part 2)

Seeing that Tang San was paying attention to them, Tie Xin couldn't help but chuckle smugly and said, "These two lads are getting stronger and stronger. What do you think? The blacksmiths here are all pretty good, aren't they? They are my twin sons, one named Tie Long and the other Tie Hu. Although they are not very old, they have truly inherited my skills and are the best blacksmiths in the shop."

That's right, the two people Tang San saw were the Tie brothers, the Iron-Blooded Duo, who had lost to him and Xiao Wu on the Soul Arena last time. Back then, their desperate attack had even injured Tang San.

Hearing Tie Xin's explanation, Tang San immediately understood why Tie Xin was experiencing soul power fluctuations. Judging from these fluctuations, Tie Xin's strength wasn't very high, even weaker than his two sons. Clearly, Tie Long and Tie Hu's martial souls had undergone some degree of mutation. At their age, possessing soul power levels over twenty would make them quite formidable students even in an advanced soul master academy.

"If our cooperation is successful, then I'll have them forge these things." Tang San was both a blacksmith and a Soul Master, so he knew perfectly well that forging items with Soul Power as a backing was far superior to that of an ordinary blacksmith. The evenness of the power during forging, and the control over that power, were things that ordinary people couldn't achieve.

Tie Xin gave Tang San a deep look, smiled calmly, and said, "If the cooperation is successful, there's no problem." He led Tang San to a room behind the workshop.

The room contained a table, seven or eight chairs, and a simple wooden bed, clearly serving as the boss's office. It could also be used for resting. The window offered a direct view of the work area outside.

Tie Xin walked directly behind his desk and sat down, gesturing for Tang San to sit as well. From his first impression of the young man, Tie Xin quite liked Tang San's simple and honest nature, but when it came to business cooperation, he found it more laughable. He wouldn't have let Tang San in if he hadn't held onto a one in ten thousand chance.

What kind of business could a boy who looks no more than fifteen years old bring me? And what he's talking about is iron essence.

"Young man, you said you used to be a blacksmith?" Tie Xin asked.

Tang San smiled bitterly to himself. He understood Tie Xin's mentality to some extent. After all, he was too young. At this moment, it didn't seem like a business negotiation, but rather like an interrogation.

"Yes, I used to be a blacksmith. My father was also a blacksmith, and I learned my skills from him."

Upon hearing that Tang San came from a family of blacksmiths, Tie Xin felt a surge of goodwill towards him. "I see. Judging from your accent, you're probably not a local. Did you move to Soto with your family?"

Tang San shook his head. "No, I'm here to go to school."

"Going to school? Are you a Soul Master?" Tie Xin looked at Tang San with a hint of expectation. Although there are various academies on the continent, Soul Master academies are undoubtedly the most prestigious. Generally speaking, it's rare to travel to other places to study other subjects, but Soul Master academies are different. Advanced Soul Master academies are only found in big cities.

Furthermore, Tie Xin noticed that although Tang San's clothes and appearance were ordinary, his speech and mannerisms clearly surpassed his age, indicating that he had seen some of the world, hence his question. He naturally hoped Tang San was a student at a Soul Master academy. Although Tang San appeared to be only a recent graduate of an intermediate Soul Master academy, the status of a Soul Master was different; they were all recorded in the Spirit Hall. When doing business with Soul Masters, as long as one had verified their Soul Master level with the Spirit Hall, there was no need to fear any tricks they might try.

Tang San nodded and said, "Yes, I've just started studying at the academy. Do you have any other questions?"

Tie Xin took out the blueprints and laid them flat on the table. After examining them carefully, he said, "Judging from the blueprints, the items you requested are all very intricate and not easy to forge. Moreover, this is a substantial transaction. Although our blacksmith shop is of a certain size, four hundred and forty gold coins is still a considerable sum for us. How do you plan to cooperate with us?"

Tang San had already thought of the cooperation method on his way here. "Uncle Tie, here's the arrangement. I'll pay a deposit first, and I'll ask you to make a set of these things. If the quality is fine, then we'll continue production. The initial amount of gold soul coins I can pay is about one hundred."

Tie Xin frowned and said, "Young man, since you used to be a blacksmith, you should know that many intricate items require molds for production. These molds are also the largest component of the production cost. If we're only making one set, not only can I not give you a discount, but we'll actually lose money. A deposit of one hundred gold coins is enough, but I'd like to add an extra layer of security. Since you're a Soul Master, could you let me see your Soul Master's Manual? Once I confirm everything is in order, our cooperation can begin."

Hearing Tang San say he was willing to pay one hundred gold soul coins upfront, Tie Xin was already somewhat convinced of the young man's abilities. However, he had been running the blacksmith shop for many years, and the items Tang San made were unfamiliar to him. Therefore, to be on the safe side, he naturally wanted to find out more about Tang San's background first. As long as Tang San's identity as a soul master was legitimate, he was willing to take on this big business.

As for the Soul Master's Handbook, it's issued to Soul Masters when they first receive their allowance from the Spirit Hall. It's essentially a symbol of their identity, containing their personal information and a unique Spirit Hall number. By using this number, one can pay a fee to verify the Soul Master's existence through the Spirit Hall's communication system.

Without hesitation, Tang San swept his right hand across the Twenty-Four Bridges Under the Moonlight and retrieved his Soul Master's Manual. He had nothing to hide and was eager to complete this cooperation, so naturally he needed to gain the other party's trust first.

The Soul Master's Manual isn't made of paper or cloth, but rather a palm-sized metal plate. It's said that this special metal is only produced by the Spirit Hall and is very difficult to counterfeit. The manual is made of metal to prevent damage, since it's meant to accompany the Soul Master throughout their life.

On a palm-sized piece of metal, the dates of each Soul Master's advancement are engraved, in ten lines. The first line records the registration time and location, as well as the Soul Master's Martial Soul. The second line begins with the advancement time and the level of the Soul Rings. On the other side of the Soul Master's journal is engraved the first mark of the Spirit Hall: a longsword. All Soul Masters have the same journal, except for those from the Spirit Hall, whose journals differ slightly.

Seeing Tang San take out the Soul Master's Manual and hand it over, Tie Xin quickly stood up and came out from behind the table, solemnly accepting it with both hands. The Soul Master's Manual is a symbol of a Soul Master's identity and a record of their advancement; it is generally not shown lightly. It is as important as a Soul Master's dignity. Although Tang San looked young, Tie Xin still dared not be negligent.

Upon closer inspection of the cold metal plate, Tie Xin's eyes were immediately drawn to the top line of small characters. These engravers were specially trained by the Spirit Hall, and the handwriting was identical regardless of the Spirit Hall location. The inscription read: Name: Tang San, Gender: Male, Year of Birth: 2637 Douluo Calendar, Registered at the Notting City Spirit Branch Hall, Spirit: Blue Silver Grass.

Upon seeing this, Tie Xin couldn't help but feel somewhat disappointed. Although he himself wasn't particularly talented, currently only at level twenty-something, belonging to the category of Great Soul Masters who would never break through to level thirty in their lifetime, he still had some insight. He naturally knew that Blue Silver Grass was a standard useless martial soul. Could it be that possessing the Blue Silver Grass martial soul could also make one a Soul Master?

With these questions in mind, Tie Xin looked at the second line of the Soul Master's Handbook.

Level 10 Soul Master, registered in Douluo Calendar 2637. Registered at the Notting City Martial Soul Branch Hall.

Tie Xin rubbed his eyes. Could he be seeing things? Why is it still 2637? Can the Blue Silver Grass Martial Soul really be cultivated to the Soul Master level? Is there a mistake in the record?

Looking up at Tang San with a questioning gaze, he asked, "Young man, is there something wrong with the records in your Soul Master's Notebook? Why are your registration as a Soul Warrior and your becoming a Soul Master in the same year?"

Tang San smiled slightly, "No, it's not wrong, because I have innate full soul power."

"Innate full soul power?" Tie Xin was taken aback. His gaze towards Tang San changed instantly. Regardless of what kind of martial soul Tang San possessed, the words "innate full soul power" were enough to shock him. At least among the soul masters Tie Xin knew, there wasn't one with innate full soul power. No wonder, no wonder he became a soul master in the same year. How could he not have imagined that such a thing as innate full soul power existed? A Blue Silver Grass soul master with innate full soul power—this was too unexpected.

He looked eagerly at the third line of the Soul Master's Notes, because he had seen three lines of text before.

Level 20 Great Soul Master, registered in Douluo Calendar 2639. Registered at the Notting City Martial Soul Branch Hall.

The Soul Master's Handbook does not record the Soul Ring levels and Soul Skills obtained by Soul Masters at different levels; after all, those are Soul Masters' secrets. Even in the records of the Spirit Hall itself, at most only the Soul Ring levels are recorded; as for Soul Skills, those are things that Soul Masters will not easily reveal.

(End of this chapter)