A moment later, a voice rang in Mu Chen's ear: "It's truly rare; you actually took the initiative to contact me."
There was a hint of surprise in the voice, and the owner of that voice was none other than Divine Craftsman Zhen Hua!
Mu Chen gave a habitual cold snort. "I also didn't expect that you, a Divine Craftsman who looks down on everyone, would quietly take on such a... good Disciple."
"Hmm?" Zhen Hua's voice betrayed obvious astonishment. "You've met Yuhao?"
But that surprise soon returned to normal. "He is currently studying in Eastsea City. It is only natural for him to run into you, the President of the Blacksmith Association."
"Hahaha!" Zhen Hua's voice carried a few hints of undisguised pride and pleasure as he asked, "How is it? Does my Disciple meet your eyes?"
Even though the two of them had always been at odds due to certain past events and had been competing for many years...
...facing the world-shaking talent shown by Huo Yuhao, Mu Chen could not bring himself to dishonestly belittle or nitpick him.
After a moment of silence, Mu Chen spoke somewhat reluctantly, his tone complex. "He's more than just 'not bad'... You've truly struck gold to be able to take in such a Disciple."
Hearing this, Zhen Hua's tone became even more triumphant. "What do you mean 'struck gold'? It was Yuhao who came to my door personally to request apprenticeship before I accepted him."
He changed the subject and habitually jabbed at his old rival. "Furthermore, although you are an Eight-Star Saint Craftsman, your reputation is still a bit lacking compared to a Divine Craftsman like me."
Mu Chen's fist tightened unconsciously, and his breathing became slightly hurried.
He suddenly felt that perhaps he shouldn't have made this call just to look for trouble.
"Phew!"
He let out a long breath, suppressing the bit of unpleasantness in his heart.
"Speaking of which, it's a coincidence. I recently took on a new Disciple as well, and he happens to be Huo Yuhao's classmate."
"Currently... he is already a Level Four Blacksmith."
On the other end of the communication, a flash of surprise also crossed Zhen Hua's eyes.
Huo Yuhao's classmate?
Doesn't that mean they are around the same age, only about ten years old?
A ten-year-old Level Four Blacksmith was also an extraordinary talent, enough to cause a sensation in any era.
This fellow Mu Chen had actually found such a piece of unpolished jade?
While Zhen Hua was deep in thought, Mu Chen's voice came through again: "Right now, your Disciple is one step ahead, but the road ahead is long, and no one can say for sure."
"Perhaps my Disciple will be the first to become the continent's... next Divine Craftsman."
Hearing this, Zhen Hua completely understood Mu Chen's purpose for taking the initiative to contact him this time.
On the path of Forging, it was an indisputable fact that Zhen Hua had always been one step ahead of Mu Chen.
And now, based on Mu Chen's meaning, he wanted their successors to compete again and see who was superior!
However, these words also proved Mu Chen's absolute recognition of Tang Wulin and Huo Yuhao's talents.
He believed that both of these youths possessed the potential and qualifications to strike for the title of 'Divine Craftsman' in the future!
Zhen Hua let out a hearty, joyful laugh. "Hahaha! Good! Then let us wait and see!"
His laughter was filled with confidence and anticipation. "I believe that day... won't make us wait too long."
After the call ended, Zhen Hua, far away in another city, still wore that confident and gratified smile on his face.
He murmured to himself, "The next Divine Craftsman..."
...
A month's time passed in a flash.
The Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition, a triennial event encompassing dozens of coastal cities, finally raised its curtains.
As a key academy in Eastsea City, Donghai Academy naturally sent a team to participate in various events in the youth and junior divisions.
Normally, since the average age of Class Zero students was only ten, they wouldn't need to participate in a competition of this scale so early.
However, at the request of their homeroom teacher Wu Changkong, Class Zero would also participate in the junior division's three-person team battle this time.
And their goal... was the championship!
After arriving at Tianhai City, the group was arranged to stay in a luxury hotel built by the sea.
The sea breeze carried a salty, damp scent, but it could not disperse the tension and excitement in the hearts of the youths.
The next morning, as the sky was just beginning to brighten, Wu Changkong led the five members of Class Zero to join the Donghai Academy team, heading majestically toward the main venue of this competition—Tianhai Stadium.
At exactly eight o'clock in the morning, accompanied by stirring music and brilliant fireworks, the opening ceremony of the Tianhai Alliance Grand Competition officially began.
On the rostrum, several high-ranking officials from the Alliance's core cities took turns giving speeches.
The content was nothing more than diplomatic pleasantries like welcoming, encouraging, and wishing for success. It was long and tedious, making the young contestants below drowsy and unable to resist whispering to one another.
Fortunately, the opening process did not last too long, and it was immediately followed by the match drawing phase.
The leading teachers went up to the stage one after another to determine their teams' first-round opponents and schedules.
As for the youths about to compete, they had nothing to do for the moment.
Just then, everyone's attention was drawn to the movement in the central area of the stadium.
Many staff members were busy, and a square high platform was being assembled at a speed visible to the naked eye.
Tang Wulin craned his neck curiously to watch and couldn't help but ask, "What are they doing? Doesn't the competition start tomorrow?"
Beside him, Xie Xie raised his small head slightly and explained, "You don't know? I've heard some inside information! I heard the organizing committee spent a fortune to specifically invite experts from Shrek Academy to come!"
"In a moment, there will be an opening exhibition match against the champion team from the previous Grand Competition! This is the main event!"
"Shrek Academy?!"
Tang Wulin and Xu Xiaoyan cried out almost simultaneously, their voices filled with unbelievable excitement.
In their hearts, Shrek Academy was a legendary symbol with a twenty-thousand-year Legacy, the number one academy on the continent, and the ultimate goal dreamed of by countless Spirit Masters!
Tang Wulin's eyes sparkled with anticipation. Having the chance to personally witness the style of Shrek Academy's experts made him feel that this trip to Skysea City was not in vain.
His teacher, Wu Changkong, hailed from Shrek, and he had always been curious about just how strong those orthodox Shrek students, whom his teacher called 'monsters', could be in actual combat.
Just then, a weak and listless voice, mixed with the surrounding noisy chatter, drifted intermittently into his ears.
"Hungry... so hungry... who... who has food..."
Tang Wulin turned his head toward the sound and saw a round little Fatty, who looked about the same age as them, wandering aimlessly through the gaps in the crowd.
As a veteran foodie, Tang Wulin reacted almost reflexively. A light flashed from the spirit tool on his left hand, and a piece of dried fish appeared in his palm.
He didn't hesitate and was about to step toward the little Fatty.
However, just as he lifted his foot, his arm was gently pulled from the side.
Tang Wulin turned his head in confusion and found that the one holding him back was Huo Yuhao.
Meeting Tang Wulin's gaze, Huo Yuhao asked, "Where are you going?"
Tang Wulin pointed at the little Fatty who was still looking around for food and said as if it were a matter of course, "He looks like he's really starving. It's quite pitiful. I'm going to give him something to eat."
Huo Yuhao's gaze was calm as he glanced at the little Fatty not far away.
He sometimes felt that although Tang Wulin had a resilient personality, he was truly naive at times, speaking and acting like a child who didn't use his brain.
But on second thought, they were only ten-year-old children right now.
It was only his own unique experiences that made him more steady and mature.
Huo Yuhao did not let go of Tang Wulin's arm, analyzing in a steady tone, "Looking at that little Fatty, he should also be a contestant. With classmates and teachers by his side, how could he truly be starving? Stop worrying unnecessarily!"
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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.