A semester passed in the blink of an eye. Class One remained peaceful throughout, with no further incidents. Even Dai Huabin, who had been thoroughly beaten by Su Yunlin, surprisingly kept a low profile.
As for the first-year curriculum, there was honestly little that Su Yunlin could learn. When it came to coordination, having Wang Dong was enough. Once one's cultivation reached a certain level, brute force alone could overcome everything.
Besides, Su Yunlin specialized in soul tools. In the Spirit Master world of the Douluo Continent, it was widely acknowledged that before reaching seven rings, soul engineers held a greater advantage than traditional Spirit Masters.
...
Dorm 108,
Su Yunlin stared at several pieces of metal in front of him. They had already been forged, but he wasn't satisfied with their quality.
"Sigh… looks like I don't have much talent for forging."
Bang—!
The dorm door was pushed open violently as Wang Dong walked in, carrying several food packages.
"Yunlin, I'm back! I brought dinner for you!"
Su Yunlin turned, setting aside what he was holding.
"Hm? What's that in your hands? Deep Silver, Magic Silver, Netherworld Iron? Aside from the Deep Silver, those are all rare metals."
Wang Dong placed the packed food on the table, then picked up a piece of Magic Silver and examined it.
"This piece has reached Thousand Refinements, but not First Grade Thousand Refinement—barely Second Grade."
Su Yunlin looked at her in surprise. "You understand forging?"
Wang Dong placed her hands on her hips proudly. "Hmph, you wouldn't know. Our Clear Sky Sect's Clear Sky Hammer isn't just for smashing people—it's perfect for forging. It has a special trait: when it strikes metal, it softens most materials. When it comes to removing impurities, it has a natural advantage.
"But hardly anyone in the sect truly loves forging. My grandfather, though, is extremely passionate about it. When I was little, I often watched him forge—just one hammer strike could imbue metal with spirit. Do you know what metal is called after gaining spirit through Thousand Refinements?"
"Huh? Spirit-infused metal? What about it?"
Wang Dong looked like she had finally found her moment to shine. She cleared her throat.
"Ahem, let me explain the classification of forging levels. Metal forging is divided into Hundred Refinements, Thousand Refinements, Spirit Refinement, Soul Refinement, Fusion Refinement, and the highest level—Heaven Refinement!
"Spirit Refinement gives metal life and spirit. Soul Refinement goes further, granting it innate abilities along with life and spirit. Fusion Refinement is combining multiple metals into one.
"As for Heaven Refinement… that's beyond the realm of 'humans.' I don't remember much about it, but it's basically divine-level metal. As far as I know, only my grandfather can achieve it."
Wang Dong shared everything she knew about forging.
Su Yunlin fell into a brief daze. He remembered that these forging theories were supposed to appear ten thousand years later… or did they already exist now?
Picking up a piece of metal, he sighed. "I probably don't have the talent for forging. With my current Rank 40 cultivation, my success rate for First Grade Thousand Refinement is less than forty percent. Advancing in soul tools is going to be difficult."
Wang Dong understood what soul tool cultivation required—not just Spirit Power, but also spiritual power, forging, carving, and array inscription.
Su Yunlin had exceptional talent in inscription, but forging was his weak point.
After thinking for a moment, Wang Dong said, "How about I forge the metals you need in the future?"
Su Yunlin raised an eyebrow. "You know how to forge?"
"Nope."
"Then why say that?"
Wang Dong scratched her head and grinned. With a flick of her delicate hand, a small black hammer appeared.
"If I don't know, I can learn! I have the Clear Sky Hammer Martial Soul— forging will be twice as effective for me!"
Su Yunlin looked at the small black hammer in her hand. Ever since she revealed her identity, there were basically no secrets between them. For example, both of them had twin Martial Souls, and they knew each other's abilities.
Wang Dong had shown off her Clear Sky Hammer more than once, even claiming it was specifically for dealing with perverts—anyone who dared approach would get their head smashed in.
"Oh right! Do you know the Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique? If not, I can teach you—it's the best forging hammer method!" Wang Dong suddenly remembered.
Su Yunlin blinked. "You know the Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique? I've never even seen you use the Clear Sky Hammer."
Wang Dong giggled. "Of course I do! I'm the young sect master of the Clear Sky Sect! Not only am I incredibly talented and powerful, but even my beauty can make the gods themselves—"
"Alright, alright, stop being narcissistic. Just teach me already," Su Yunlin cut her off.
Ever since Wang Dong stopped pretending, she had completely let herself go—saying whatever she wanted. Su Yunlin had now fully experienced what a true "little demoness" was like.
Wang Dong's eyes darted as she revealed a sly smile. "I can teach you… but you have to call me Master. Only then can this master pass down the Clear Sky Sect's secret technique."
Su Yunlin twitched at the corner of his eye. So that was her plan—pushing her luck.
He suddenly stood up. "You want to be my master? Learned that attitude from Tang Ya? Then today, I'll be the rebellious disciple who defies their master!"
He lunged forward, pinning Wang Dong's hands with one hand while the other tickled her waist.
"Hahaha—! Re—rebellious disciple! Stop! Hahaha—it tickles!"
"Admit you're wrong!"
"I'm not wrong! Hahaha—!"
"Still not wrong? Say it!"
"Okay, okay! I'm wrong! Stop tickling!"
"Call me Dad!"
"In your dreams! Hahaha—stop! I'll say it, I'll say it—!"
…
A few days later, Su Yunlin's first academic year at Shrek Academy was coming to an end. The academy operated on a one-year, one-semester system—eleven months of study, followed by one month of break.
After the holiday came the promotion exam. For other students, this was not a time to relax—failing meant immediate expulsion. The first-year break was famously known as the most "intense" holiday.
...
Dorm 108,
Su Yunlin was packing his belongings, preparing to return home. Wang Dong sat on the bed, chin propped on her hands, looking reluctant.
"What's wrong? Can't bear to part with me? Ah, my irresistible charm…" Su Yunlin said with an exaggerated pose.
Wang Dong couldn't help but laugh, but soon sighed. "We'll be apart for a whole month… it feels so long."
Su Yunlin ruffled her hair. "It's not like we won't come back. Next semester will be our time to shine. The Continental Advanced Spirit Master Academy Elite Tournament is next year.
"I'm guessing the academy will give the outer court some spots as substitutes. We might get a chance to see the world."
Wang Dong flopped onto the bed. "Just substitutes, not main team members. Hmph! That's annoying. With our Martial Soul Fusion, we could sweep the tournament. But you insist we can't use it casually."
Su Yunlin chuckled. "Of course we can't. The more trump cards we have, the better. Besides, the higher-ups at Shrek definitely already know about our Martial Soul Fusion. So next semester, we'll be under a lot of pressure."
Wang Dong sat up. "Pressure? What pressure?"
"I have a contact in the inner court. He told me there are quite a few experts under twenty years old this time. He didn't even qualify to participate."
"Contact? Male or female?" Wang Dong's focus was clearly elsewhere.
"Male. He's from the Night Duke's Estate as well—the son of the estate steward. His name is Li Muchen, seventeen years old, with Spirit Power at Rank 52. He's not weak—actually quite good among inner court disciples.
"But among those eligible, he's not the best. He was eliminated during the selection for this generation's Shrek Seven Monsters.
"We might have a chance to become reserve members—candidates for the Shrek Seven Monsters. In the next tournament, we'll be the new generation."
Wang Dong rubbed her chin. "Shrek Seven Monsters… I really want to be one. What about you, Yunlin?"
"No interest."
Wang Dong puffed her cheeks. She found him incredibly boring. Whether it was joining the Tang Sect or competing to become one of the Shrek Seven Monsters, he showed little to no interest.
Even studying at Shrek didn't excite him like it did for others.
"What are you interested in then?" she huffed.
Su Yunlin looked at her, a smile curling on his lips. "You, of course."
"Hmph—don't think saying that will make me happy!"
Even as she said that, the smile on her face was impossible to suppress.