Chapter 1: Xiu Ye
The divine realm has disappeared, soul beasts are on the brink of annihilation and humanity are quickly advancing technology.
It was a world on the path of inevitable destruction if nothing was to be done.
So what does the world need when it's in danger?
Simple, a Hero.
But this isn't about a story of saving people, the world, or even bringing peace to all species. To end immeasurable years of bad blood.
No. This was a story of fire and steel.
.....
Glorybound City, a small town located on the border between the ocean and the eastern coast of the Sun-Moon Federation.
The moment dawn arrived, the streets in front of the Red Mountain Academy were packed. The streets were flooded with parents and their children who had come to participate in the Awakening.
"Alright everyone," A middle aged man of average looks wearing a simple cheap suit appeared before a crowd of parents and their kids. He was a teacher at Red Mountain Academy. "Just like the previous years, we're doing this a orderly and organized way by your children's surname. So could Aa Oie come up please..."
"Hey, Dad?" A boy that was around six years old said. He had a head full of short red hair, a pair of amber-gold eyes, slightly tanned skin and a stature slightly taller than others of the same age. However, his most attractive feature was his calm demeanor.
While most kids were either excited or nervous at this current situation, he was the most calm amongst all of them.
"Yeah Xiu Ye?" Mang Tian, the boy's foster father, a middle-aged, tall and tanned man replied back with a grunt. With his full beard, he appears somewhat fierce and tough.
"What do you think my martial soul is going to be like?"
"Don't know. Until you undergo your awakening ceremony, nobody knows what your martial soul is going to be like."
"I see..." Xiu Ye calmly looked back at the front of the line and nodded, ending the conversation.
Mang Tian huffed and went silent as well, imitating a rock as he quietly stood beside his foster son.
'I wonder if I'll get a hammer like father or some kind of fire-type martial soul to help with my blacksmithing...' Xiu Ye thought to himself as he patiently waited for his turn.
It didn't take long before his name was called and both Xiu Ye and Mang Tian stepped forward with calm and expressionless looks on their faces.
The buildings within the academy were all simple and unadorned with white roofs and red walls. The academy grounds were exceptionally clean.
Awakening Day was right before the start of a new term. In comparison to the clamor outside of the walls, the academy seemed unusually peaceful.
Xiu Ye looked around in awe. This was the first time he'd ever been to a school building.
The teacher brought them to the front of a circular building before telling Mang Tian, "Would the child's parent or guardian please wait here for a while until the ceremony concludes?"
Mang Tian nodded his head and told his son, "Listen to the teacher's commands! No matter what your martial soul is, always be firm with your beliefs and ambitions in life. For true success in life is when you accomplish your goal, and do you know what your goal is?"
"Yes! Becoming the next Divine Craftsman in the continent!" Xiu Ye replied with determination.
Mang Tian smirked proudly and patted Xiu Ye's shoulder. "That's right, kid. Now, get in there and awaken a martial soul that'll help your dream!"
"Yes, sir!"
With those words of encouragement, Mang Tian left Xiu Ye in the hands of the teacher and returned to the waiting area with the other parents.
There wasn't just a single awakening area within the Awakening Chamber, rather there were seven floors and within each one was an Awakening Chamber. Xiu Ye was brought to the Awakening Chamber on the third floor.
As soon as he entered the Awakening Chamber, Xiu Ye was dazzled. All of the floors, the walls, and even the ceiling had wonderful inscriptions carved into them to create an elegant, decorative design.
'I wonder what kind of technique the craftsmen used when making this important building,' Xiu Ye wondered, examining every inch of the Awakening Chamber and it wasn't long till he realizes that he wasn't alone.
Within the Awakening Chamber was a middle aged woman wearing a simple purple robe, that featured the embroidered form of a Qilin.
The middle aged woman had a kind smile on her face. "Come child, stand in the middle."
Xiu Ye respectfully nodded and calmly walked over to stand in the middle. He couldn't help but ask, "Lord Soul Master, what kind of martial soul will I have?"
The Soul Master giggled at his cute expression and replied, "Ah, I don't know either! After you've awakened, you'll naturally be able to see what it is. Anyway your eyes are so pretty, it would be just perfect if you got a martial soul related to your eyes."
Xiu Ye furrowed his brows, "Eyes? I heard that the first master of that heretic sect had spirit eyes..."
The Soul Master interrupted him, "Quiet down. I'm about to begin."
Right at that moment, a gentle white light shone from the Soul Master's hands. The white light vibrated before flying off towards the sky and blossoming into fireworks that illuminated the Awakening Chamber with its splendor.
Starting from the ceiling, the inscription lines filled with light as it moved towards the walls. It was as if it possessed a strong and revitalizing energy, as well as a life of its own. The lines kept lighting up until they converged below Xiu Ye's feet.
A comfortably numbing energy crept up his legs before entering his body from his heart. Xiu Ye's body couldn't help but tremble as he struggled to hold on. It felt as if his body was being electrocuted.
Everything blurred before his eyes, and an unclear image unceasingly flickered within his mind. He wanted a clear look at it, but he could only feel its flowing shadows.
In the end, he was able to see it, but he couldn't remember what it was.
However, something inside of him told him that those flowing shadows were swords.
Not just any normal steel swords that people in the ancient era before soul tools became a commodity had used or soul masters who awakened bladed weapons, but swords of legends and mythical tales.
These were weapons that held immense power and carried with them a legacy of heroes and warriors.
U̮̘̕͟҉ņ̴̥̗͋ͯ̀l̶̴̢̫̊ͭ́͠҉i̷̭̱͓͗͘͜͝͝m̷̞̥͌͘͢͞i͉͉̣͉ͦ̉͐͛ͅt̺͉͙̿҉̸͢e̟͇͕̥͆d̡̖͔̲̀̍̒͂̀͢͝ͅͅ ̖̮̮̎ͫ̎B̶̴̳̺̝͓̥ͬͣͨͅl̛͐ͦ̂͆a̸̡̧̭̒ͮͭ̀d͒͌̅͏͡e̛̖̼̭̪͔ ̹͉͑ͧ̄̕͏W̭̻̦̳͚҉̴̸̧̀͢o̢͙̝̺͍̰ͤͣ͘r̩̦̝͐̿͛̿ͮk̸̗͎̻̽͊̎͋̓̑͘s̸̷̡̫͓̝̈ͩ̑́͏ ̠̬
"Hngh!" Xiu Ye groaned, as some strange static words entered his ears and overwhelmed his senses for a moment.
Suddenly, he felt a strange scraping feeling wiggling under his skin. The taste of iron suddenly appeared in his mouth and it took him a moment to realize that it was blood.
'I-Is the awakening ceremony supposed to be this horrible?!' Xiu Ye gritted his teeth, trying to calm the panic rising in his heart and take control of his body.
But no, feeling this much pain to the point of bleeding when awakening one's martial soul wasn't normal. This was an extremely unusual case as the middle aged woman looked on in worry when she saw blood dripping out of the corners of Xiu Ye's lips.
As the numbing and electrifying sensation gradually faded away, Xiu Ye blinked his eyes open and found himself back in the Awakening Chamber.
The inscriptions on the walls and floors had dimmed, returning to their normal state. The middle aged woman in the purple robe was looking at him with a mix of concern and curiosity.
"Are you alright?" she asked, her voice filled with genuine worry.
Xiu Ye wiped away the trickle of blood from his lips and gave her a small smile. "I'm fine, thank you. I guess awakening my martial soul was a bit more intense than I expected."
The middle-aged woman nodded and sighed in relief. "That was indeed quite unusual. I have never seen someone bleed during the awakening ceremony before. But fret not, it doesn't necessarily mean anything negative.
It might just be a sign of a unique and powerful martial soul. Your body probably couldn't handle it... it's usually the case for people with amazing martial souls."
The Soul Master inwardly let out a sigh of relief and then cheered; as those with a powerful martial soul would have innate soul power. It would seem that today's luck was pretty good. The only question was: what was his martial soul?
Xiu Ye looked down at his right hand, raising it, he flinched as a sudden image of a hammer of a gun aimed at his head going off and numerous blue circuit-lines covered his right arm.
The Soul Master woman widened her eyes, she recognized the energy emitting from those lines; it was soul power! Looks like her guess was correct, this boy is a Soul Master!
'And judging by its aura, it's certainly high! Oh yeah! Momma's getting that bonus when I report this to the higher-ups~'
But Xiu Ye was oblivious to the excited thoughts of the Soul Master. His gaze was set on the...steel blade? Yes. It was a steel blade, with no handle or guard, just a one-edged steel bade that looked as if it were just finished being forged as the blade had an orange hue.
"Your martial soul, hm... Well this is the first time I'd ever seen a sword type martial soul that looks to be half unfinished." The Soul Master woman said, analyzing Xiu Ye's martial soul.
"...Do you know what it is, Lord Soul Master?" Xiu Ye asked.
The woman smiled and said, "Cute kid, call me big sis. As for your martial soul, I am not sure. This is the first time I'd ever see something like yours before."
"Now let me test out your soul power...oh?! Innate soul power five!" The soul master excitedly cried out.
Xiu Ye tilted his head, confused. "Is that... Is that good?"
"Yes, yes. It's good. With an innate soul power five, you can become a true Soul Master in a couple of years."
Xiu Ye's eyes lit up.
'In a couple of years, I can get a spirit soul which gifts me a skill that can help me with my blacksmithing!'
If the soul master woman knew what he was thinking, she would've coughed up blood.
In Xiu Ye's mind, all he ever thought about was blacksmithing, forging steel products, and... creating the ultimate sword...
Xiu Ye blinked, 'Why did I think of creating the ultimate sword?' he then looked down at his martial soul, which let out a soft glow.
After giving Xiu Ye some encouraging words and promises of support from the academy if he becomes the woman's personal student, which he politely decline and said that he'll think about it, Xiu Ye then left the chamber and met up with his dad.
To his surprise, he found Mang Tian chatting with a familiar man.
"Hey Mang Tian, I'm done." Xiu Ye said as he came over. He then turned towards the other man and politely bowed. "Hello uncle Ziran, good afternoon."
Standing beside his muscular father was a middle aged man with short black hair and black eyes. He had a medium build and an average height, everything about him was just average.
He was Tang Ziran, Mang Tian's junior brother due to working on a certain project together a couple of years back. Because of that, they became as close as brothers and that's why Xiu Ye calls him uncle.
"Hello little Ye, did you finish your awakening ceremony?" Tang Ziran asked with a warm smile.
"Yes, uncle Ziran. I just awakened my martial soul," Xiu Ye replied, his eyes shining with excitement.
Tang Ziran chuckled and ruffled Xiu Ye's hair affectionately. "That's great, little Ye. I'm sure you'll become a powerful soul master with your talent."
Mang Tian grunted. "The kid's path is his own, said he wanted to become a blacksmith more than being a soul master."
Tang Ziran was stunned. He had interacted with Xiu Ye a bunch of times and knew the kid had took on Mang Tian's passion for blacksmithing. But never would he have thought he'd prefer being a blacksmith than being a soul master!
This was a dream of every children in the world! He also had once dreamt of becoming one but sadly...
"Is Wulin here as well, uncle Ziran?" Xiu Ye's voice snapped Tang Ziran out of his thoughts and he replied.
"Ah, yes, yes. Wulin is here as well, in fact, he probably went in right after you."
"Huh? But I didn't see him on the way..." Xiu Ye muttered, confused.
"He's probably in a different room."
"Dad!"
Right at that moment, a youthful voice was heard and Xiu Ye, Mang Tian and Tang Ziran turned their heads.
Walking up towards them was a six year old child, black hair and beautiful eyes that would make a woman jealous, he was about the same height as Xiu Ye.
As Xiu Ye saw him, his vision momentarily turned gold and suddenly several images behan to appear in his mind.
An image of a divine land, wrought with danger and devastation.
Of a vast and powerful ocean, of flying dragons that covered the heavens as they let out terrifying roars throughout the heavens and earth.
The final image showed of a beautiful field of Blue Silver Grass and a golden scaled dragon with red bloodthirsty eyes.
Xiu Ye was overwhelmed by the sudden flood of images, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and excitement. He couldn't understand why these images were appearing in his mind when he saw Wulin.
He wanted to ask his dad and uncle Ziran if they saw it as well but then Tang Wulin appeared before them and said.
"Eh? Uncle Mang Tian? Xiu Ye?! Are you also here having your awakening ceremony?"
"Uh, yeah. What did you think I was doing here?" Xiu Ye slowly replied, still trying to process the images that had just overwhelmed him.
Tang Wulin's eyes lit up in excitement. "What's your martial soul? Oh, wait! Do you have innate soul power?"
Xiu Ye forced a smile and the two kids began to talk, thinking to talk about the images he had seen to his father later on.
As well as about his martial soul, was it possible to have innate skills?
....
[F̵̪̥̫̳̤̙̙͓̽̎ͯ͟͡͏̵̵̷̛̀͢͞į̴̨̻̗̑̅̂̃ͯ̑͊̓̓́͟͢n̸̶̨̛͕̼̥̐ͣ͂ͣ̋ͬ͒̈́̓͟͜͞͝ͅd̸̴̨͇̞̠̥̗̎͂͒̕͏̷̷̨̧̛̕̕͟͠ ̵̸̸̶̡̛̮̦̼̭ͨ̌̿͒̋̒ͬ̀̀̕͟͝͠͞͠t̡̲̟͕̮̰̙̞͍͉̐ͮ̊͐̃ͯ̍͏̵̧̡̢h̴̴̞̙̹͈̲̳̫̬̭̞͗̔̽̈́̊̅ͤ̈͏҉̷̵̶̛͡͝͏̸͝҉e̵̡̡̻̘͈͇̊̇̃ͪ́̓͘͠͞ ̵̵̸̶̶̷̘͖̹̗̥̼̺͌̀ͮ̋ͫ̕̕͟͢͢͟͝͠͠Ţ̶̧͇̬̙̲͎̻̞̆ͭ҉͞͏̶̷́͝͝R̴͍̩̪͓̝̘̱̫̯ͣ̌̋̌́ͣ̋̑̈ͮ͝͞Ư̛̼͕̼̳̣̣̐ͧ̀͆̃҉̴̷̶̧̨̛́̕̕͝͝͏T̷̶͔̱͇̤̩̲ͪ̒̃͝ͅ҉̶̢̧̨́͜҉H̴̴̶̴̛͎̣̲̻͙͎̾͗́͘͟͢͝͞]
....
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Chapter 2: Genius Blacksmith
"..." Xiu Ye held a straight face despite profusely sweating as he handed his father a purified iron ingot. His skin, unlike most kids his age with white tenderness fitting of a child, was a tanned bronze color from constantly working in the workshop.
He wore only black pants and wooden slippers, revealing his toned muscles and developing abs despite only being six years old.
In his right hand he held a Black Iron Hammer, his first ever hammer he created on his own after learning Hundred Refinement. Made with Black Iron, a common but resilient ore, it was a simple yet well-crafted tool.
"Good work, Xiu Ye," Mang Tian said with an expressionless face, inspecting the ingot. "Your hammering technique has improved significantly. With more practice, you'll soon be able to do Thousand Refinement in a little under... three years." he said after a brief pause.
"Thank you, Father," Xiu Ye replied, bowing his head, trying his best to hide his exhaustion.
Mang Tian nodded with pride, trying every self-control that he had to hold himself back from falling over from shock.
His boy Xiu Ye, merely six years old, had reached the level of a peak Rank 2 Blacksmith in less than a year of teaching him! That was a unprecedented record in the blacksmith community throughout many centuries, even millennia!
In probably within ten, no, five years he'll probably near his own skills.
'Moreover, unlike me, he has great potential of being a soul master as well. He'll reach a higher realm of blacksmithing than me in the future, I just know it!' He inwardly said, pride swelling up inside of his heart but then, anxiety kicked in.
With such a talented kid, how could he raise him right? His parent wasn't a great example, look at him! So bad at social communication, he remained single even when he's 30 years old with a great physique and stable job!
As a Master Craftsman, he had the skills and opportunities to get with almost any women that he would want. Yet, look at him!
Xiu Ye's adopted by the way, dropped in front of Mang Tian's door with just a letter about how they can't handle raising a baby and that the baby's name is Xiu Ye...
Bitch, just because he was the town's only blacksmith, doesn't mean he was rich! He put most of the money he gained back into his own work.
'Should I contact Cen Yue and send Xiu Ye to Eastsea City's Blacksmith Association? I'll be stunting Xiu Ye's growth if I don't let him go study under a more skillful and experienced blacksmith; preventing him from reaching his true potential.' Mang Tian thought to himself, his worry overshadowing his previous burst of pride.
He knew that his own limitations as a blacksmith, and as a parent, he understood that he was holding his son back from truly flourishing.
But at the same time, he was worried that his son wouldn't experience a normal childhood.
Although Xiu Ye wasn't like most children; having that sense of maturity and calmness you'd typically see from an adult, he's still a child. He should learn how to socialize with others first, enjoy playing and have fun like any other kid his age.
Mang Tian sighed, feeling conflicted. He wanted the best for his son, but he also didn't want him to miss out on the joys of childhood like he did. Not because he had shitty parents or were poverty-stricken, but simply because he was an introvert and was laser-focused on blacksmithing.
He knows that sending him to study at the Blacksmith Association would undoubtedly benefit his skills, but he also feared that it would isolate him from his peers.
Or worse, develop a nasty personality that would hinder his growth as a blacksmith.
"Huuu..." Xiu Ye let out a long breath, his gaze focused on a fistful-sized of unrefined Heavy Silver. Flames danced along his fingertips as he manipulated the flames from the furnace, with expert precision and fluidity, the flames enveloped the unrefined ore as he began the process of purifying it.
Mang Tian was still deep in thought that he didn't notice the abnormal behavior of the flames. But Xiu Ye had already told him about his strange innate skills. The former was shocked but didn't dug into it.
If it didn't harm him, then there's no point in thinking about it!
Xiu Ye could feel the intense heat radiating from the flames. He remained calm and focused, his concentration unwavering.
For the flames couldn't hurt him. As he had awakened the unique innate skill called "Flame"; using one's whole body and Soul to work the forge, to the point of burning himself alive, as if he were the incarnation of Fire itself.
He is the one who rules over fire, a blacksmith.
Xiu Ye's eyes flashed a blue light, imagining all the limitless possibilities of crafting with the Heavy Silver in a split second.
*Bang* *Bang* *Clang* *Clang*
Sounds of a hammer striking the Heavy Silver echoed throughout the room, creating a melody.
Mang Tian stared at Xiu Ye's back who was now diligently working on another ingot.
He made up his mind.
There was a bright light as Xiu Ye finished hammering the Heavy Silver, turning it into a gleaming, purified metal bar.
A successful Hundred Refinement!
'I-I did it! I did a Hundred Refinement twice in a row!' He inwardly cheered, he would've danced around in joy but his excitement was put to the side as exhaustion overwhelmed him, making him dropped to his knees. Heavy breathing and perspiration covering his face and naked torso.
"Ha... Ha..."
Despite his elation at his accomplishment, Xiu Ye couldn't ignore the weariness that weighed heavily on his young shoulders. The hours spent laboring over the forge had taken their toll, leaving him drained both physically and mentally.
"Xiu Ye! Come here, son. I got you." Mang Tian rushed to his son's side, concern etched into every line of his face. He knelt down beside Xiu Ye, helping him sit up against the nearby wall.
"Easy now, son. You've pushed yourself too hard," Mang Tian said gently, his voice filled with worry. Patting his back for comfort.
Xiu Ye leaned heavily against the wall, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. Despite the exhaustion that threatened to overwhelm him, he couldn't help but feel a surge of gratitude for his father's unwavering support.
"T-Thanks, Dad..." Xiu Ye managed to say between ragged breaths. "I... I just wanted to see my limits. I know that I should keep a steady pace and go slow, develop and refine my blacksmithing skills to perfectly mold my foundation."
"But...in that moment, I just felt that I could do it, you know?"
Mang Tian's expression softened with understanding as he listened to his son's words. He knew all too well the drive and determination that burned within Xiu Ye, a flame that matched the fires of the forge they worked in.
"I know, Xiu Ye. And you've shown incredible strength and skill," Mang Tian replied, his voice filled with pride. "But remember, even the strongest flames need time to rest and replenish their energy. And even the most stubborn metal—"
"—can be easily destroyed when overly stressed. Yeah, I know." Xiu Ye said, smiling.
"Atta boy."
With a gentle hand, Mang Tian rubbed the sweat-soaked hair of Xiu Ye, his touch filled with warmth and affection.
He could see the exhaustion etched onto his son's face, a testament to the effort and dedication he had poured into his craft.
They weren't related by blood, but Xiu Ye's dedication and determination on his path of being a blacksmith filled him with immense pride.
He reminded him too much of his younger self, which made them bond well like a true parent and child.
"You've already accomplished so much, my son. There's no need to rush," Mang Tian continued, his voice soft but firm. "Take this time to rest and recover. Tomorrow is a new day, and together, together.... we'll continue to push the boundaries of what you can achieve."
Xiu Ye nodded weakly, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
"Thanks Dad," Xiu Ye whispered, his voice barely above a whisper. "I... I'll do better tomorrow."
Mang Tian squeezed his son's shoulder reassuringly, his heart filled with love and pride for the remarkable young man Xiu Ye was becoming.
"I know you will, Xiu Ye. I know you will."
He paused for a moment and let out a sigh. "Xiu Ye, I've got something to tell you,"
"W-What? Ah, is it about me being adopted? Don't worry about it, I already long knew about this." Xiu Ye waved him off.
Mang Tian stared at him in disbelief. "N-No! That's not what I was going to tell you!"
"Oh."
"...Was it really that obvious?"
"Dad, do we look that similar?" Xiu Ye interrupted, chuckling softly despite his exhaustion. "I mean, it's not like I'm completely oblivious to the fact that I'm adopted."
Mang Tian's expression softened at his son's understanding. "You've always been perceptive, Xiu Ye. But that's not what I wanted to discuss."
Xiu Ye raised an eyebrow, curiosity flickering in his tired eyes. "Then what is it?"
Mang Tian took a deep breath, steeling himself for the conversation ahead. "It's about your future, Xiu Ye. I've been thinking..."
Xiu Ye listened intently as his father shared his concerns about their current situation and the possibilities for his growth as a blacksmith. Mang Tian explained his internal conflict regarding whether to send Xiu Ye to study under more experienced blacksmiths or to allow him to continue learning from him despite his limitations.
As his father spoke, Xiu Ye's admiration for him only grew. Despite his own uncertainties, Mang Tian always put his son's well-being and future first. It was a testament to the love and dedication he held for Xiu Ye.
When Mang Tian finished speaking, Xiu Ye remained silent for a moment, contemplating his father's words. Then, with a determined glint in his eyes, he spoke up.
"Father, I appreciate your concern and everything you've done for me," Xiu Ye began, his voice steady despite his weariness. "But I want you to know that I'm happy learning from you. You've taught me more than just blacksmithing skills; you've taught me the value of hard work, dedication, and perseverance."
Mang Tian listened intently, his heart swelling with pride at his son's words.
"Even if it takes longer for me to reach my full potential, I wouldn't trade the time spent with you for anything else," Xiu Ye continued, a genuine smile gracing his lips. "I believe in us. Together, we can overcome any obstacle that comes our way."
Tears welled up in Mang Tian's eyes as he looked at his son, overwhelmed with emotion.
"Thank you, Xiu Ye," Mang Tian whispered, his voice choked with emotion. "Thank you for being the wonderful son that you are."
He closed his eyes and hugged his son, Xiu Ye was stunned for a moment before reciprocating the embrace, feeling the warmth of his father's love enveloping him like a comforting blanket.
'Scratch that. It feels like a bear is hugging me.' Xiu Ye wryly smiled. Yet, he hugged back even fiercely.
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AN: As compensation for providing little in my exit of seclusion, I show this to you all. I hope it sates your anger for a while....
Now then, I shall enter another seclusion! To comprehend a higher realm of understanding of the Great Dao!