“Sure.” Tang San slowly raised his left hand, a blue glow quietly bubbled forward.
Tie Xin looked closely at Tang San, waiting for the spirit rings that follow the appearance of the spirit.
Maybe the Spirit Master Letter could be forged, but spirit rings couldn’t be faked. That was the real proof of a Spirit Master’s rank.
Lustrous purplish blue Blue Silver Grass milled out of Tang San’s palm, instantly spreading out, hanging down onto the ground and quickly covering the entire room’s floor. At the same time, three beautiful spirit rings appeared and levitated from his feet, two yellow and one purple. Three very distinct spirit rings revolved around his body rhythmically bobbing.
At this time, the air seemed as if it solidified, everything in the room became ethereal.
Tie Xin’s mouth gaped open, eyes staring rigidly at the spirit rings on Tang San. His hands unconsciously shuddered.
“You. You…..”
Tang San said:
“I just got my third spirit ring. I haven’t had time to register it at Spirit Hall, so the Spirit Master Letter doesn’t have the record of me becoming a Spirit Elder.”
Three, was that really three? Tie Xin’s heart was shaking. Twelve years old, Spirit Elder, over level thirty, blue silver grass. These words constantly circled around in Tie Xin’s mind. His mind blanked, an indescribable feeling filled his chest.
From Tang San, Tie Xin felt a pressure, the pressure of a higher ranked Spirit Master.
“Are you really only twelve?”
Tie Xin asked difficulty.
At that moment, suddenly the door opened. A tall figure walked in from outside.
“Dad, I heard the people at the front say that there is a big customer? Ah!? This is….”
The tall figure suddenly froze. Under the pressure of the blue silver grass, he immediately released his spirit, two yellow hundred year spirit rings rising from his feet.
“It’s you.”
It was Tie Long who came in. When he saw Tang San, he cried out in surprise. Especially after he saw the purple third spirit ring on Tang San, his expression changed abruptly.
Tie Xin after all had been through a lot. He already recovered from his shock.
“A Long[ (阿龙) He uses an “ah” prefix particle that implies familiarity.], you recognize Spirit Elder Tang San?”
Tie Long opened his eyes wide open, staring at Tang San’s third spirit ring. Slightly dejected, he said:
“Dad, you still remember the time my brother and I lost to two children in the Spirit Arena? It was Tang San and another girl’s group called the Three Five Combination. That time Tang San even stopped Xiao Wu from heavily injuring us. Tang San, you actually broke through rank thirty?”
Tang San retracted his spirit, the blue silver grass and the spirit rings disappearing at the same time. Smiling and nodding towards Tie Long, he said,
“Big brother Tie, greetings. Last time we were battling at the Spirit Arena, I was already rank twenty nine. A couple of days ago, I had a bit of fortune and broke through rank thirty.”
Tie Long laughed bitterly,
“Compared with you, my brother and I are simply useless. The people at the front said a big customer came. Is it you?”
Tang San chuckled and said
“How is it not me? This time I intentionally came to inconvenience you. Only I didn’t realize it was your family’s smithy.”
Tie Xin sighed in his mind. His gaze towards Tang San had changed entirely. Maybe he wasn’t sure what a twelve year old Spirit Elder really meant, but even if he had no foresight he could see that Tang San’s future was immeasurable.
“Spirit Elder Tang San, I apologize for the doubt I had. I have no problem with working together. Let’s do it the way you said before.”
Tang San secretly let a breath out. He finally agreed to the cooperation. This way, Tang San could have more time to cultivate and create stronger hidden weapons.
“Uncle Tie, I still want to buy a set of blacksmithing tools of the best quality. Please help me deliver it to the academy. I’ll tell you the address later.”
Tie Xin decisively said: “No problem, whatever you need in the future, just come to us for it. If it is within our ability, we’ll give it to you. Don’t worry, I will let Tie Long and Tie Hu take it over, so the quality won’t be a problem. Those two kids were taught by me. Their skills are the best in the smithy.”
Tang San said: “Then sorry for the inconvenience, Tie brothers.”
After leaving the address of Shrek Academy and paying one hundred gold spirit coins, Tang San, under the escort of the Tie family, left the smithy.
“Uncle Tie, Tie Brothers, you don’t have to see me off anymore. I’ll put my purchases in your care. After you finish forging them, let someone notify me and I will come retrieve it. Sorry for the inconvenience, but try to send the blacksmithing tools to me as soon as possible, as well as the minerals I specified.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll tell someone to send those things to you tomorrow. By the way, Spirit Elder Tang San, does your school still accept students? If my two useless sons can go to your academy, I think their abilities will grow very quickly.” Tie Xin saw with his own eyes Tang San’s abilities. An academy that can educate spirit masters like Tang San was definitely something enticing.
Tang San said: “I’m afraid not, my academy has high standards and only admits people under twelve. The Tie Brothers are already too old.”
Tie Long said: “It’s fine dad. Being at Suotuo Advanced Spirit Master Academy also works. We will try hard to get to rank thirty as soon as possible.”
When they came Ma Hongjun already told Tang San to not wait for him. After Tang San left the smithy, he didn’t linger in Suo Tuo City and immediately went back to the academy. To him, the rest of the day will be past through cultivating. Tang San never thought he was a prodigy. He only brought the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record to this world. The innate full spirit power and the fast cultivation was all due to the Mysterious Heaven Treasure Record. So, he must not slack off.
The next morning, Tang San habitually climbed to the rooftop to cultivate his Purple Demon Eyes, breathing in the purple air from the east brought by the morning sun.
The sky was clear. Looking at the gradually rising orange sphere and the golden sky far away, Tang San slowly breathed out impure qi, his eyes full of purple. The three essences of his spirit almost simultaneously reached their peaks. he knows, he improved again. Coming back from Star Dou Great Forest up to now, he finally recovered all his power.
Although everyday he had to wake up early to cultivate, he didn’t actually cultivate for long. The purple air from the east only maintained for a very short period.
It was time to eat. Tang San flipped down from the roof, going straight to the dining hall.
Without even going inside, Tang San smelled an overwhelming smell, a thick fragrance of meat with a few other smells wafted over, alluring Tang San.
Going into the dining hall, Tang San was immediately shocked by the sight. He was definitely the earliest of the students, but there was already a busy figure.
He continuously watched the pot, controlling the fire and busily managing all kinds of food, wearing a white chef’s hat. Sweat dripped down the stiff face. It was Grandmaster. Unexpectedly, he was making everyone breakfast.
“Teacher.”Tang San stepped into the cafeteria.
Grandmaster looked up and when he saw Tang San, he smiled. “You are never late.”
Tang San quickly walked to the side, washed his hands, and returned to Grandmaster’s side. “I’ll help you.” He knew, whenever Grandmaster did things, he did it to the end. There wasn’t room for giving up halfway, so he didn’t ask Grandmaster why he wanted to make breakfast for everyone, nor did he try to stop Grandmaster.
Grandmaster shook his head, “No need, I already finished everything. Come, try my workmanship.”
* * *
[1] The Chinese characters are (tie ji
ang pu 铁匠铺) which translates literally to “Iron Craftsman Shop”. The chapter title is then “‘Iron’ Craftsman Shop”.
[2] (tie 铁)
[3] (Tie jing 铁精) Doesn’t seem to have a real world counterpart. Google will suggest it’s forge ash, which is supposed to have medical implementations, or hematite powder.
[4] (铁心) “Iron Heart”. So the English equivalent of this would be for a smith named Smith to run a smithy called Smith’s.
[5] (阿龙) He uses an “ah” prefix particle that implies familiarity.
Chapter 040: Special Training First Stage Start
Part 1
Grandmaster picked up a big bowl, ladling up two big scoops from the pot constantly emitting meat fragrance and handing it to Tang San, from the side picking up two steamed buns and two eggs and setting them on a tray before Tang San.
“Eat, you children are all in a growth period, you certainly need abundant nutrition. The body is the foundation of cultivation, without a good body, how could you support tremendous spirit power? Yesterday I carefully reflected on the encounters you had in Star Dou Great Forest this time, most of all absorbing the Man Faced Demon Spider surpassing your rank. You being able to succeed is admittedly related to your firm willpower, but your sturdy body also had a significant effect. Very many Spirit Masters only focus on cultivating their spirit power and technique, but neglect to fundamentally train their body. Perhaps in the short term nothing can be seen, but after a long time like this, it will inevitably have a restraining effect on advancing to the higher levels.”
Taking the breakfast Grandmaster handed over, Tang San didn’t purport to fast, the rich meat broth clearly had been boiling for a very long time already, little chunks of sliced meat had already been thoroughly stewed, the contents also had a faint medicinal fragrance. From just one whiff, Tang San felt his stomach make a rumbling sound.
Grandmaster’s cooking was better than imagined, the meat broth smelled delicious, the well cooked meat practically melting in the mouth, along with the two steamed buns and two eggs, ever since coming to Shrek Academy, this was the first time Tang San ate breakfast until he was so full. A warm feeling continuously spread from his belly through his whole body, indescribably comfortable.
Tang San had just finished eating when Xiao Wu’s voice sounded from outside,
“Such a good smell, it seems that today we have something tasty.”
Two people walked into the dining hall. Apart from Xiao Wu there was also her roommate Ning Rongrong. Other people might not know Grandmaster’s character, but how could Xiao Wu be ignorant. Tang San was Grandmaster’s disciple, after being influenced for all these years, she could also be considered having some understanding of Grandmaster.
“Grandmaster, hello.”
Xiao Wu respectfully greeted Grandmaster.
Grandmaster nodded to her, but lacked the smile he had for Tang San. To be precise, apart from Tang San, there were very few people who were able to see Grandmaster’s smiling expression.
Ning Rongrong’s nose twitched. She had been forcefully dragged here by Xiao Wu and was right now still hazy from sleep, but that rich meat fragrance made her gradually wake up.
Grandmaster gave them each a bowl of meat broth, a steamed bun and an egg, half of what he gave Tang San, the girls after all required somewhat less food.
“Eat quickly, no time to also talk.”
Xiao Wu and Ning Rongrong’s hunger was awoken by the meat broth’s aroma, immediately digging in, eating their breakfast.
Seeing Xiao Wu bring Ning Rongrong, Tang San immediately started. Yes, he also should have called Oscar here. He understood Grandmaster even better than Xiao Wu, and naturally knew Teacher’s temper wasn’t as calm as on the surface, the uncompromising nature towards others was like his name, extremely firm[ His name is Gang, which translates as firm.].
Thinking of this, Tang San hastily took his leave of Grandmaster. He didn’t only have to wake Oscar, he also had to deal with the others.
Under Tang San’s efforts, everyone ate breakfast. If they in the beginning called Tang San some resentful words at being woken up, after eating the sumptuous breakfast, they unendingly praised Grandmaster.
After an hour, the bell sounded start of class, time for assembly.
The sunlight brought a fresh and exuberant vitality, all living things thriving in the sunlight, the new day had begun.
Grandmaster with both hands behind his back stood in the center of the grounds, looking at the seven students arranged before him by age. Today’s class only had one teacher. Flender had said, from now on the Academy’s teachers would all comply with Grandmaster’s education.
Grandmaster’s cool gaze swept across everyone,
“For tomorrow’s breakfast, I hope to see you all show up even earlier at the dining hall. Eating food requires a period for digestion afterwards, one can’t immediately conduct strict exercise. I will prepare a good breakfast at dawn, if you haven’t come to eat in one hour, you needn’t eat at all.”
Grandmaster’s sharp gaze swept over all the students. He naturally saw some had not listened, but he still didn’t repeat himself.
“I have already understood each of your spirits and capabilities. Starting from today, I will start your strengthening training. Dai Mubai, step forward.”
Dai Mubai took one step forward, light pulsing in his evil eyes. He might not be too restrained in private, but when in class he absolutely was a good student. To him a teacher’s words were law.
Grandmaster looked at the tall Dai Mubai, saying.
“I will give you one task. Starting from now, without causing any injuries, you will knock down those six one by one.”
“Ah?”
Dai Mubai was startled, looking shocked at Grandmaster.
The expression on Grandmaster’s face was rigid,
“You have thirty seventh rank spirit power. They are at most thirty first rank. Is there a problem?”
Dai Mubai turned his head to look at everyone, his gaze first falling on Tang San. The others didn’t concern him, but he couldn’t be fearless towards that virtuoso of hidden weapons Tang San.
“Tang San step forward.”
Grandmaster’s voice echoed once again.
Tang San immediately stepped forward, standing at Dai Mubai’s side.
Grandmaster looked at Tang San, saying:
“You can’t use your third spirit ability or those peculiar weapons. You can begin.”
“Wait a moment.”
The speaker was Dai Mubai,
“Grandmaster, this isn’t fair, if Tang San can’t display his full strength, then, what is the meaning to us fighting? His rank is lower than mine, if his spirit abilities are also restricted, then this makes my advantage too big. Although Tang San’s third spirit ring was a powerful Man Faced Demon Spider, I have confidence in myself.”
Grandmaster calmly said:
“If he uses his third spirit ring, you won’t have any chance. A control system Spirit Master, unless encountering countering spirits, are the most powerful in a duel. Since you asked for it, let Tang San use his third spirit ring. As comrades, you also have to understand each other.
The others all subconsciously retreated. Grandmaster was also no exception. Over thirtieth ranked Spirit Elders’ strength was already powerful, and without flawless control they might very easily injure bystanders.
Dai Mubai’s evil eyes gradually reddened, although compared to him his opponent was a full six ranks lower, he didn’t dare be the least bit careless. Shrek Academy’s students were all intense, but the only monster who could make him afraid was Tang San.
“Little San, take care. I will not be lenient.”
Tang San only nodded, without saying anything. He could clearly sense the muscles over Dai Mubai’s body already going completely taut, his appearance like a coiled spring or mountain tiger.
Pale white light abruptly burst from Dai Mubai’s body, both arms simultaneously stretc
hing to either side, chest sticking out, the bones all over the body making cracking sounds. Muscles swelling in a flash, filling up the clothes of his body, the atmosphere around him already seeming to become wild and impatient.
Dai Mubai’s spirit White Tiger completed its Body Enhancement.
Blue light rushed out from Tang San’s body. Somewhat transformed by the Man Faced Demon Spider’s spirit ring, already a bit more slender Blue Silver Grass quietly spread out from under Tang San’s feet.
Slowly raising his right hand towards the tightly wound Dai Mubai, Tang San seriously said:
“Mubai, if you can break my third spirit ability, then consider it your win.”
Dai Mubai’s mind was shaken. Not just he, but even the other students observing the fight also watched Tang San attentively. They all wanted to see, after experiencing such violent pain, just how formidable Tang San’s third spirit ability actually was.
The double pupils in Dai Mubai’s evil eyes momentarily merged. Without even thinking about it, the third spirit ring over his body, that sparkling purple released in a flash. The third spirit ability White Tiger Vajra Transformation activated.
The body already made powerful by Spirit White Tiger Body Enhancement once again swelled, his muscles swelling exaggeratedly, his clothes completely bursting, exposing a terrifying muscle outline. On his skin appeared black striation, a pair of tiger paws again enlarging, the sharp blades ejected on top all became bright silver, his whole body enveloped in a layer of golden light, like he was gilded. Blood red eyes expressing a bloodthirsty light, his whole body giving off a kind of king of beasts tyranny.
Originally when Dai Mubai first fought Tang San, it was by relying on White Tiger Vajra Transformation that he could instantly break Tang San’s second spirit ring ability. Right now once again confronting Tang San, he also used his strongest spirit ability. His goal was to rely on his sharp tiger claws to cut open Tang San’s Blue Silver Grass.
“Take care.”
The Blue Silver Grass under Tang San’s feet moved in a flash, countless vines milling out. Some rising into the air, some sliding along the ground, some arcing around the sides, rushing towards Dai Mubai from all directions.
Douluo Dalu - Volume 01-48 Page 73