The Legend of the Dragon King - Chapter 399

Chapter 399

Chapter 399 - A Powerful Opponent

Tang Wulin’s arms began moving faster and faster, his hammers thundering down upon the titanium crystal like a raging storm . Although forging hammers didn’t have a standard weight, hammers were generally better if they weighed more . Tang Wulin’s hammers certainly weren’t light . In spite of that, he swung them easily, his arms resembling a windmill as he continuously struck the titanium crystal . Crisp metallic notes resounding throughout the arena, and the sounds soon began ringing out so fast that they blended together to form one clear, everlasting note . The music of a craftsman filled the air . It was a wondrous experience for everyone in the audience .  

Tang Wulin circled the metal as he forged it, continuously adjusting the angle of his strikes, but as time passed, no change seemed to occur to the titanium crystal’s mass . It was almost as if Tang Wulin’s strikes were too soft .  

Can you even call that forging? Many of the spectating blacksmiths doubted Tang Wulin’s forging method . Although they were shocked by how precise Tang Wulin’s control was, they didn’t see how such light taps could be effective for refining the metal .  Is he just using a flashy technique to try and show off? All that matters in the end is how much he can purify the metal! He’s only got thirty minutes . There’s no way he’ll be able to finish in time with such a gentle forging technique!

Tang Wulin’s forging astonished He Xiaopeng as well . The rhythmic hammering sent shivers down his spine, but a moment later, he regained his wits and turned his attention back to his own table .  

The worst thing that could happen when two blacksmiths forged in close proximity was one being disturbed by the other . He Xiaopeng was just a youth, but he had started blacksmithing at a young age . His foundation as a blacksmith was impressive, and he easily pushed any distractions out of his mind . He made himself deaf to Tang Wulin’s hammering and focused on his own work .  

Of all the blacksmiths present, only Feng Wuyu subtly nodded in approval of Tang Wulin’s actions, a proud smile forming on his lips .  

“Why is he forging like that?” Zhuo Shi couldn’t help but ask Feng Wuyu . He may have been the powerful Scarlet Dragon Douluo, but he knew little more than the next person when it came to blacksmithing .  

At that moment, possibly because he was overcome with pride in Tang Wulin, Feng Wuyu didn’t just outright patronize Zhuo Shi . “Look carefully . It might look like Wulin is forging it very gently, but each strike carries just enough force to penetrate the titanium crystal . Although it hasn’t reduced in size, the golden threads inside the metal are being manipulated, almost as if he were spinning silk from it . He’s straightening the golden threads first so he can find the veins and life source of the titanium crystal . Once he accomplishes that, he will then awaken its spirit . He’s forging it from inside out! This is the most suitable forging method for a high-quality metal like titanium crystal . Of course, laymen like you would never have heard of this . Only blacksmiths rank fifth and above are capable of using this technique, and even then, not everyone can do it . ”

Feng Wuyu chuckled with satisfaction . “Just you wait . You’ll see how skilled my disciple is!”

Zhuo Shi rolled his eyes at Feng Wuyu’s smug expression, but didn’t bother responding . He was just happy that someone knew how talented his granddisciple was .  

And Feng Wuyu was right . Anyone watching closely would be able to see the golden threads within Tang Wulin’s piece of titanium crystal gradually transforming . The rough edges of the metal started becoming smooth, and most importantly, the golden threads shone brighter and brighter as he continued to hammer the metal .  

It was then that He Xiaopeng finally started his forging process . He pushed the button on the table and a glowing hot piece of titanium crystal appeared . Unlike Tang Wulin’s piece, the golden threads within He Xiaopeng’s couldn’t be seen at all . It simply looked like a ball of fire .  

A pair of pitch-black hammers appeared in He Xiaopeng’s hands, and he struck with both hammers . Two thundering bangs resounded throughout the arena . The titanium crystal quivered from the impacts, but thanks to the calcining process, it didn’t shatter . He Xiaopeng continued forging like so . His method was no different from what other blacksmiths considered the norm . His hammers descended like lightning, the boom of each strike ringing out in unison .  

While Tang Wulin’s forging sounded like the pitter patter of symphonic rain, He Xiaopeng’s was a raging thunderstorm! Each and every one of his strikes rumbled . One blacksmith worked as fast as possible while the other progressed slow and steady . Their forging styles were on the opposite ends of the spectrum .  

The blacksmiths in the audience guessed that Tang Wulin was using some special forging technique, but they couldn’t fathom why he chose a different method from He Xiaopeng .  

“Hey . ” Zheng Yiran nudged Yang Nianxia who stood beside her . “If it were you, would you do the same thing as Tang Wulin?”

Yang Nianxia answered in a hushed tone . “I would do what He Xiaopeng is doing . He’s relying on the strength of his hammer strikes to untangle the golden threads within the titanium crystal and purify it . However, this method is difficult to us because of the metal’s strength and brittleness . The titanium crystal has to be heated to a really high temperature and one has to have perfect control over their hammers to use that method . If He Xiaopeng uses too much strength, the metal will shatter . Too little strength, and nothing will happen . It takes a lot of skill and practice to control hammers that well . He’s definitely a better blacksmith than me . He should be a fourth-rank blacksmith . This will definitely be a good show . ”

“What about Tang Wulin?” Zheng Yiran asked .  

Yang Nianxia furrowed his brow . “I can’t make sense of what he’s doing . It might be accurate to say he’s using gentleness to forge the hardness, but I’m not sure why he’s doing that for titanium crystal . He probably has his own reasons . ” 

“You sure have a lot of faith in his skills . ” Zheng Yiran raised an eyebrow .  “Are you sure we won’t lose this match?”

Yang Nianxia smiled wryly . “I’ve always thought of myself as crafty, but the Class President is just downright two-faced! That guy doesn’t do anything if he isn’t confident he’ll succeed . Besides, blacksmithing is his forte . He can even forge a spirit alloy for a piece of one-word battle armor . Do you really think he could lose? To me, that’s impossible! Oh, right . Don’t you know? He’s a fifth-rank blacksmith . ” 

“I’m not a blacksmith . How would I know?” Zheng Yiran began to stare at Yang Nianxia in astonishment as this news registered in her mind . “Wait, where’d you hear that?”

“Do you really need to ask? He has a spirit alloy! It normally takes a sixth-rank blacksmith to forge a spirit alloy . There’s no way he’s at the sixth rank, so he’s got to be at the fifth! He is really talented after all . ” 

Fifth-rank… The thought made Zheng Yiran feel shame . Tang Wulin was only in the first grade, yet he was a fifth-rank blacksmith! Never before in Shrek Academy history had a blacksmith as talented as him appeared . And, out of all the professions, it was the hardest to advance as a blacksmith! 

Seconds ticked by, and soon enough, fifteen minutes had passed for Tang Wulin . He only had another fifteen remaining .  

Judging by how much smaller each titanium crystal had become, He Xiaopeng was the clear winner . His piece had shrunk by one-tenth of its original size and it showed no signs of cracking . This was a testament to his skill . In contrast, Tang Wulin’s piece was now orange, but it hadn’t shrunk at all . Indeed, such gentle strikes couldn’t possibly reduce the titanium crystal’s mass .  

Tang Wulin didn’t look concerned . His entire being was focused on forging, his eyes narrowed as he swung his hammers at a steady pace .  

All of a sudden, an earsplitting boom shook the arena as He Xiaopeng slammed his hammers into his titanium crystal one final time . A beam of brilliant golden light shot out of it, reaching a foot into the air .  

It had been first-grade thousand refined with spirit! 

Cries of astonishment echoed from off-stage . The appearance of the beam of light signalled a successful thousand refining, and a first-grade one at that! A first-grade thousand refined metal simply couldn’t be compared to normal metal .  

He Xiaopeng put away his hammers and stepped back . His chest moved up and down as he worked to catch his breath . The beam of light persisted for a few seconds then gradually dispersing .  

He Xiaopeng was now finished forging . All he needed to do now was let the metal slowly cool down from its glowing red state .