Upon hearing this, Chu Chengzhou shook his head and said, "Uncle Ning, this is a secret family technique and is not for sale."
After thinking for a moment, he felt such a blunt rejection might not be polite, so he added, "Forging is a profound art. Even if you had the secret technique, an average craftsman would struggle to reach the spirit forging level. Actually, even a level below that, thousand-forging, is extremely difficult to attain.
Forging requires not only talent in comprehension but also a certain level of soul power. Compared to soul masters, blacksmiths are a lowly profession. How many soul masters would be willing to become blacksmiths? And of those, how many actually have the talent for forging?
Also, even with the secret technique, practicing on your own is not enough. I'm already very busy with my own cultivation—I don't have time to waste teaching others."
Ning Fengzhi hadn't expected such a firm refusal. As the saying goes, "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime." He fully understood this.
Spirit-forged armor was indeed excellent, but since Chu Chengzhou wouldn't sell the technique, and the price he'd heard from his daughter was so steep, even if he was willing to pay that hefty sum, wouldn't the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan be forever dependent on Chu Chengzhou in this field?
"Then, dear nephew, would you be willing to sell the spirit-forged armor itself? If so, how much would it cost? Also, I'd like to ask if you still have any of the Beautiful Silk Tulip or Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma left. If you do, no matter the cost, I'm willing to trade for them!"
Ning Fengzhi asked tentatively.
He couldn't get the forging secret, but if the armor price was acceptable, buying it wouldn't be out of the question. The armor's effectiveness spoke for itself.
Of course, what he really valued more than the armor were the two spirit herbs.
His daughter's martial spirit had evolved into the Nine Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda because of the Beautiful Silk Tulip, and his own had evolved into the Eight Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda thanks to the Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma, breaking the soul power cap and advancing to an eight-ring Soul Douluo. Naturally, Ning Fengzhi desperately wanted more of these treasures.
After all, he wasn't alone—he carried the entire Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan on his shoulders.
Even though the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda had its flaws, it was still a top-tier martial spirit. Those who awakened it usually had great cultivation potential, and there were many in the clan just like him in the past—support-type Soul Sages limited by their martial spirit.
"I'm out of both the tulip and the ganoderma," Chu Chengzhou replied. "As for the armor, Uncle Ning, I'll be honest—I don't really want to sell it.
Forging takes time, and I don't need money that badly. But if you want some, as long as you have the materials, I can forge a few sets for you free of charge."
He shook his head as he spoke.
Gold soul coins meant nothing to him. His system wasn't the pay-to-win kind—money was useless to him.
As for the Beautiful Silk Tulip, even if its roots could propagate, that would take ten thousand years.
The Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma? Even with the near-perfect conditions of the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Well, it would still take over a thousand years to grow.
Such a long time—only gods with infinite lifespans could wait for that.
Seeing how Chu Chengzhou practically had "I'm not short on money" written on his face, Ning Fengzhi couldn't help but scowl.
Damn, he came here not just to express thanks, but also with some real goals—and yet he's leaving empty-handed?
"Fengzhi, why not just kidnap this brat? Once he's in our hands, let's see if he doesn't behave," Chenxin transmitted telepathically to him.
Ning Fengzhi slightly shook his head.
Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan is righteous and proper (self-proclaimed), not some evil soul master cult—how could we persecute someone who has done us such a favor?
He glanced at his daughter, then sent Chu Chengzhou a voice transmission: "Kid, I know all about you and Rongrong. Now, tell me—how much for that armor?"
Ning Fengzhi decided to bluff.
As the saying goes, "When someone is overly friendly for no reason, they're either a traitor or a thief."
He didn't know the exact nature of Chu Chengzhou's relationship with his daughter, but he was sure it wasn't just classmates.
Otherwise, why would she bring him a Nine-Grade Purple Ganoderma?
Immediately, Chu Chengzhou's pupils shrank.
Ning Fengzhi knew about him and Rongrong?
Impossible! Not even Xiao Wu knew—how would he?
Unless Rongrong let something slip?
Thinking this, he looked toward Ning Rongrong.
Ning Rongrong: "???"
Seeing Chu Chengzhou looking at her, Ning Rongrong was confused but gave him a sweet smile.
"Uncle Ning, don't play matchmaker here. Rongrong and I are just classmates. I have a girlfriend, you know!"
Chu Chengzhou transmitted back.
Ning Fengzhi's expression turned serious.
Soul power voice transmission was a basic trick—plenty of soul masters knew it—but Chu Chengzhou, who was only a three-ring Soul Elder, could already use it? That's some impressive control!
"Is that so? Seems I misunderstood. Anyway, I'm planning to marry Rongrong off to a talented disciple within the clan. She doesn't know yet, so don't bring it up. But I expect you to attend the wedding banquet!"
Ning Fengzhi smiled.
One tactic failed? Time for the next.
If there was something going on between them, Chu Chengzhou would definitely react to this.
Chu Chengzhou: "..."
This daughter-con actually thinks he can marry Rongrong off without her knowing?
If she even says "no," Sword Douluo and Bone Douluo—those granddaughter-spoiling maniacs—would flip the whole clan upside down.
"Uncle Ning, no need for games. Just tell me how much you're willing to pay. If the price is right, we'll deal."
Seeing how badly Ning Fengzhi wanted the armor, Chu Chengzhou didn't want to keep refusing.
"100,000 gold soul coins per set!"
Ning Fengzhi nodded and replied via transmission.
"I'll give you ten sets for free. Keep your money!"
Chu Chengzhou rolled his eyes. 100k per set? Are you kidding me?
"How much do you want then?"
"At least a million!"
Chu Chengzhou clicked his tongue.
Ning Fengzhi's face darkened. Sure, it was cheaper than the 5 million price tag he'd heard before, but still way too expensive.
There were hundreds of direct clan disciples with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda. If each needed a set, that would cost billions!
"Kid, take your Uncle Ning's advice—don't be too greedy. I am Rongrong's father, remember?"
A gentle reminder—veiled threat detected.
Chu Chengzhou felt threatened.
Was Ning Fengzhi hinting that if the price was too high, he'd block his daughter?
Face twitching, Chu Chengzhou replied, "Silly me, how could I charge you? Rongrong and I are very good friends! I'll forge 100 sets for you, free of charge!"
He never planned on taking money anyway. Gold soul coins were useless to him—it was better to have Ning Fengzhi owe him. That way, when it was time to ask for his daughter's hand, he'd be on solid ground.
Ning Fengzhi raised his brows in surprise. This money-hungry kid suddenly not asking for payment?
"Can't accept it for free. I'll give you ten million as compensation for your effort!"
He couldn't just accept free gear. A lesson from experience—there's no such thing as a free lunch.
"Don't sully my noble soul with your filthy gold! I said I won't take it, and I won't!"
Chu Chengzhou firmly refused.
I care about a measly 10 million? You taking these free armors means Sword and Bone Douluo owe me. If I ever need protection, your clan has to back me. And when I come to propose, you won't dare make it hard for me.
"Kid, you still say you and Rongrong have nothing going on?"
Ning Fengzhi was furious. You won't even take ten million and still claim you're not eyeing my daughter?
"Do you want the armor or not?"
Chu Chengzhou didn't want to argue anymore. Take it or leave it—Rongrong's already half his. Even if Daddy Ning wanted to separate them, he was too late.
Ning Fengzhi: "..."
Damn. He's got me cornered.
"Dad, what are you and Senior Chu staring at each other for?"Ning Rongrong asked curiously.
Chu Chengzhou: "..."Ning Fengzhi: "..."
"Dear nephew, I heard from Dean Liu that you're quite skilled. I'll have Sword Uncle give you a few pointers!"
Completely ignoring his daughter, Ning Fengzhi smiled.
Trying to control me, are you? Let's see how you handle a "lesson" from Sword Douluo!
"Cough, Uncle Ning, don't listen to Dean Erlong's nonsense. I'm a support-type soul master—fighting's not my strength."
Chu Chengzhou waved his hands.
You think I don't know your so-called "pointers" are just a beatdown?
If it was a five-ring Soul King, maybe. But a Titled Douluo? Forget it—I'm not into masochism.
"Support-type?"
Ning Fengzhi looked at him in disbelief.
Didn't his intel say this guy's soul skill summons soul beasts? That white lion could even beat someone like Dai Mubai, who had higher soul power. And you call that support?
"Of course! I don't have offensive or defensive soul skills—my martial spirit's strength lies entirely in the summoned beasts. Definitely support-type."
Chu Chengzhou said righteously.
Ning Fengzhi: "..."
This kid's got zero shame.
Half an hour later, Ning Fengzhi and Chenxin left Blue Tyrant Academy.
The proud Clan Master didn't accept the 100 sets of free spirit-forged armor.
No way. That would be like selling his daughter!
"I, Ning Fengzhi, will never sell my little girl!"
Though all his goals had failed—he didn't get the secret, the herbs, or even buy the armor—he didn't look too disappointed.
As long as Chu Chengzhou still had eyes for his daughter, Ning Fengzhi believed the secrets would eventually fall into the clan's hands.
If the kid still had a girlfriend but was after his daughter?
Once he became a top powerhouse and paid the bride price—sure.
No problem. He'd get the secrets then.
If not, or if they broke up?
Heh~ then Ning Fengzhi wouldn't need to care about his daughter's feelings anymore. He'd kidnap the brat straight to the clan and squeeze out everything.
That afternoon at Blue Tyrant Academy:
Liu Erlong, Flender, and Zhao Wuji stood proudly on the training field, looking at the energetic group of seven.
Xiao Wu: 45th-level Power Attack Soul Sect
Chu Chengzhou: 37th-level Support Soul Elder
Ning Rongrong: 36th-level Support Soul Elder
Zhu Zhuqing: 37th-level Agility Attack Soul Elder
Oscar: 37th-level Food-type Soul Elder
Ma Hongjun: 34th-level Power Attack Soul Elder
Dai Mubai: 38th-level Power Attack Soul Elder
Over the past half month, Chu Chengzhou and Xiao Wu had each gained one level.
On paper, the oldest among them were 18-year-olds Chu Chengzhou and Xiao Wu, followed by 16-year-old Dai Mubai. The youngest was 13-year-old Zhu Zhuqing.
But Liu Erlong and Flender knew the truth: Chu Chengzhou and Xiao Wu were really only 14 and 13 years old.
So the oldest was 16, and the youngest 13—but they were all at least Soul Elders, with one Soul Sect among them.
In past tournaments, a team like this—one four-ring Soul Sect and six three-ring Soul Elders—would already be considered impressive.
And that's without accounting for the fact that the tournament age cap was 25—they were far below that.
With about a year left until the tournament, Chu Chengzhou and Dai Mubai would certainly reach the Soul Sect level.
At that point, even if they couldn't win the whole thing, qualifying for the finals would be easy.
What Flender and Liu Erlong didn't know was that—except for Xiao Wu and Dai Mubai—the other five had all taken rare immortal herbs, and their cultivation speed was anything but ordinary.
By the time the tournament rolled around, the team would likely have six Soul Sects and one Soul Elder.
Maybe even a Soul King and six Soul Sects by the finals.
If possible, Chu Chengzhou didn't want to team up with Dai Mubai at all. But alas, he didn't control the academy, and Dai's strength guaranteed him a core position, even without the immortal herbs.
"Ahem!" Liu Erlong cleared her throat and stepped forward.
"You all know the All-Continent Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament will start in about a year. According to Dean Flender, most of your experience has been in one-on-one or two-on-two fights—no team combat.
So, I've decided—we'll spend the next year focusing on team combat training. Zhu Zhuqing, step forward!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
Zhu Zhuqing stepped forward.
"As far as I know, your Netherworld Civet Spirit can form a Spirit Fusion Technique with Dai Mubai's White Tiger Spirit: the Netherworld White Tiger. I wonder if the two of you can actually use it?If you can, that would undoubtedly be one of our academy's trump cards in the Soul Master Tournament."
Liu Erlong asked curiously.
Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhuqing glanced indifferently at Dai Mubai, then said to Liu Erlong, "Dean Erlong, not every Netherworld Civet Spirit Master can form a fusion technique with a White Tiger Spirit Master. It's merely a possibility. Cases of spirit fusion techniques are still very rare."
The implication was obvious: they couldn't.
"Is that so?"
Liu Erlong raised an eyebrow, though Zhu Zhuqing's answer was within her expectations.
After all, the two of them were practically strangers—being able to perform a spirit fusion technique would be more shocking.
"Dean Erlong, don't worry. Even without a spirit fusion technique, the championship of this Soul Master Tournament is ours!"
At that moment, Chu Chengzhou declared confidently.
"Don't get cocky just because you've got a bit of strength," Liu Erlong said irritably. "The continent is full of soul master geniuses. In past tournaments, there have been participants at the Soul King level with five soul rings."
There were many advanced soul master academies on the continent, considered cradles of the strong and gathering places for most of the talented soul masters.
With such a large pool of talented soul masters, it was inevitable that a few would reach Soul King level before the age of 25.
Especially the Spirit Hall, which almost always sent Soul Kings to participate.
Chu Chengzhou didn't argue with Liu Erlong's lecture.
She wasn't wrong. In this tournament, Spirit Hall would send a team of Soul Kings known as the "Golden Generation," each with five soul rings.
What's more, two of them—team captain Xie Yue and his sister Hu Liena—could perform a spirit fusion technique.
When two Soul Kings launched a fusion technique together, their power could leap a full level, and most Soul Emperors with six rings wouldn't stand a chance.
Despite their opponents' strength, Chu Chengzhou wasn't worried at all.
If his plan went smoothly, by then he would have the Ten-thousand-year Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear as his summoned spirit—actually, not just ten thousand years.
In his plan, the Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear would be one of his most powerful trump cards in the early stages of growth.
Until its spirit age reached one hundred thousand years, or until his body couldn't handle a higher-aged spirit ring, he would leave it in the auto-upgrade slot to keep leveling up.
Given that even a Titled Douluo would avoid clashing head-on with a ten-thousand-year Dark Gold Dreadclaw Bear, even if the opponent had a powerful spirit fusion technique and was top-tier among Soul Sages, he'd still win!
Chu Chengzhou: Victory is mine!
"Alright, enough talking.
I've decided that from now until the start of the Soul Master Tournament, Vice-Dean Zhao Wuji and I will take turns every three days to lead you all in real combat training."
Clapping her hands, Liu Erlong made the announcement.
As for team combat experience? That's easy—just do it enough times and you'll get it.
Including herself, there were four Soul Sages in the academy.
Excluding Shao Xin, who had little combat power as a food-type Soul Sage, the others were all experienced and powerful soul masters who could clearly point out the students' weaknesses.
Of course, considering that Flender could fly, and the students didn't have any effective counters against high-level flying soul masters, Liu Erlong excluded him from the training rotation—otherwise, it would've been a one-sided beatdown.
"Dean Erlong, we're going to fight you and Teacher Zhao?"
Upon hearing that their upcoming training opponents would alternate between Liu Erlong and Zhao Wuji, both Soul Sages, Xiao Wu's eyes widened in disbelief.
Are you sure you're not overestimating us?We're just one Soul Ancestor and six Soul Elders—this sounds less like training and more like asking for a beating!
"Don't worry, your Teacher Zhao and I will hold back our strength and won't use any soul skills beyond the fourth ring."
Waving her hand nonchalantly, Liu Erlong dismissed her concern.
Before Xiao Wu could voice another complaint, Liu Erlong cut her off:
"Alright, get ready. Today's training starts with Teacher Zhao!"
Old Zhao, give these brats a taste of reality, so they stop being so full of themselves.
Liu Erlong sent a voice transmission to Zhao Wuji.
She knew that geniuses were usually proud. For the first round of team training, she didn't expect much in terms of results—she just wanted to crush their arrogance first.
Zhao Wuji grinned wickedly and nodded.
Beating up students? That's Old Zhao's favorite pastime!
On the training field—
After a quick vote to choose a captain (Chu Chengzhou: Who else but me?), they briefly discussed tactics and released their spirits—yellow and purple rings flaring up.
"Strength-type Vajra Bear, possess!"
Taking a few steps forward, Zhao Wuji activated his spirit. His already burly muscles swelled even more, and his seven soul rings gleamed: yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black.
"Alright, little ones, come at me!"
He slapped his solid chest, grinned widely, and beckoned to Chu Chengzhou and the others with a finger—radiating pure malice.
"First Soul Skill: Spirit Summon – Azure Tree."
"Second Soul Skill: Spirit Summon – Radiant Lion."
"Third Soul Skill: Spirit Summon – Fire Phoenix."
As spirit power surged, Chu Chengzhou's three soul rings lit up in turn. With a shake of his large flag, a tree, a lion, and a phoenix materialized one after another.
"Xiao Wu, Zhuqing, Fatty, Da Bai, Xiao Hong, Xiao Bai—go!"
Pointing his flag at Zhao Wuji, Chu Chengzhou began issuing orders.
As for the Azure Tree spirit summon "Little Qing"? That was a healing unit—not suited for frontline combat, but ideal for staying in the back and healing or supporting other units.
Dai Mubai: ??? I'm Da Bai?
T/N: Da means big
Glancing at the 5-meter-long Radiant Lion beside him, Dai Mubai felt like being called "Xiao Bai" would've made more sense.
Wait—nonsense! I am Dai Mubai, prince and rightful heir—not "Xiao Bai," and definitely not Da Bai!
T/N: For up to 20 chapters ahead and twelve chapters ahead on my other translation, become a p@tron at [email protected]/LordHipposApostle