Douluo Continent: Conflict descends, gods are slain and gods ascend!

In the East China Sea Forging Masters Association, in Mu Xi's private forging room, came her somewhat anxious explanation.

"That's not how it is, oh dear, how can you be so silly?"

"How about this? Why don't you demonstrate for me, senior?" Yun Chen asked helplessly.

Since Yun Chen gained some understanding of the rhythm of forging under Mu Xi's guidance, the two often practiced together at the Forging Masters Association. However, both were only Level 2 Forging Masters; Mu Xi's knowledge was primarily theoretical, and she lacked practical experience. Therefore, when Yun Chen asked her to demonstrate, Mu Xi immediately showed some embarrassment.

"Sigh, I never imagined that refining a thousand times would be so difficult," Yun Chen sighed.

The thousand-times forging process is a crucial step in the entire forging technique. Only metal that has undergone a thousand forgings is worth making into battle armor.

However, Yun Chen and Mu Xi were only level two blacksmiths, and hadn't even completed the level three assessment, so naturally they couldn't achieve the thousand-fold forging skill. Today's attempt was merely prompted by Mu Xi's sudden interest.

"How about we try again from the beginning?" Mu Xi suggested. She felt that she was only one step away from the Thousand Refinements stage, and that she would definitely succeed if she worked hard.

She usually studies on her own, so naturally, she can't figure out many things. Maybe talking with Yunchen today will help her break through?

Just then, the blacksmith's door was pushed open, and Mu Chen's figure came into their view.

"Xiao Xi, and Xiao Chen, are you practicing Thousand Forging?" Mu Chen asked with a smile.

In fact, the old father had been squatting outside the forge for half a day, listening to the conversation. At first, he was worried that something might happen between Mu Xi and Yun Chen when they were alone, but later he was attracted by the topics they were talking about.

"Dad? What brings you here?" Mu Xi was taken aback. "You weren't eavesdropping outside again, were you?"

"No, no, I just happened to be passing by," Mu Chen said.

Mu Xi looked at her elderly father with suspicion, which almost made Mu Chen lose his composure.

"President Mu Chen, we are practicing the Thousand Refinements forging technique. Would you like to demonstrate it for us?" Yun Chen said.

He wasn't trying to help Mu Chen out of a predicament, but rather he genuinely felt he was about to master it. If this master craftsman were willing to personally instruct him, he might just succeed.

Upon hearing Yun Chen's words, Mu Chen immediately nodded: "Okay, I'll demonstrate for you. Watch carefully."

After saying that, Mu Chen took out his forging hammer and heated a brand new piece of metal. A moment later, when the red-hot metal was placed on the anvil, Mu Chen swung the forging hammer and began forging.

At first, Mu Chen wanted to show off by fast-forwarding through the hundred-times-forging process. But after thinking about it carefully, he realized that doing so during the teaching process wouldn't offer any other benefits besides looking cool, so he gave up the idea and began forging one hammer blow at a time.

Even so, the hundred-fold forging didn't take Mu Chen long. After the metal had been forged a hundred times, Mu Chen reminded him, "Watch carefully. The key to the thousand-fold forging isn't just the rhythm, but also the further purification of the metal and 'awakening' its vitality. The most crucial part is capturing the feedback the metal gives during the forging process."

Mu Chen's words immediately piqued Yun Chen and Mu Xi's interest. They watched Mu Chen's forging carefully, and gradually gained some understanding from his precise rhythm.

Suddenly, a luster appeared on the metal that Mu Chen had forged. It was the outward radiance of spiritual light, a manifestation of the quality of a thousand-times-forged metal.

"Forging is not just about hammering with force; it's also a process of nurturing." Mu Chen put away the forging hammer and continued explaining to the two, "From Hundred Forging to Heaven Forging, it all illustrates this nurturing process. In this process, the metal's feedback is extremely important."

"You may have grasped the rhythm of forging by now. But you still lack a lot in capturing the feedback from the metal. You should focus more on this; only by mastering this can you successfully complete the Thousand Forging."

Hearing Mu Chen's words, Yun Chen nodded silently. He had always felt that he had overlooked something, but now he realized that he had never paid attention to the metal feedback.

"Alright, a thousand forgings can't be completed in a short time. It's getting late, let me take you to eat first," Mu Chen said.

Hearing Mu Chen's words, Mu Xi finally realized she was hungry. Forging was physically demanding, and she and Yun Chen had spent most of the day practicing in the forging room; how could she not be hungry?

"Well, I won't come along. I'll just eat at home. It's a rare day off, I can't just not eat at home," Yun Chen said.

Hearing him say that, Mu Chen didn't try to persuade him any further. Mu Xi, standing to the side, was a little disappointed. She had wanted to talk to Yun Chen some more during dinner. However, since he had accompanied her to practice for so long, she felt bad about forcing him to stay, so she didn't say anything more, just greeted Mu Chen and saw him into the elevator.

Just as the elevator reached the first floor and the doors opened, Mu Xi saw someone she found somewhat repulsive.

While not stunningly beautiful, Mu Xi was certainly among the most attractive women. She had many suitors, both at school and in the Blacksmith's Association. However, Mu Xi wasn't interested in any of them; she preferred to focus on blacksmithing and diligently improve herself. But her blacksmithing talent and social standing were also part of her allure.

Mu Xi's aversion and the repeated rejections by her suitors did indeed discourage many. But there are always some people in the world who are overconfident and think they can win someone over with a single move. Cheng Yue was one of them. Despite Mu Xi's clear rejections many times, he continued his pursuit with unwavering enthusiasm.

Cheng Yue's eyes lit up when he saw Mu Xi in the elevator, but his face darkened the next moment. He saw Mu Xi intimately linking arms with the man beside her as they walked out of the elevator.

"Senior, what are you doing?" Yun Chen asked in confusion.

"Help me out of this trouble, and I'll treat you to a big meal next time," Mu Xi said through gritted teeth.

You see, Yun Chen has an extraordinary obsession with food. He can be vague about other things, but when it comes to food, he's absolutely meticulous. Mu Xi would have to sacrifice her allowance to make this offer.

"What a coincidence, Mu Xi, you're here to practice at the association today too?" Although Cheng Yue was a little provoked by Mu Xi's actions, he still shamelessly came up to her.