"Since everything's fine, let's go, Tang San," Suifeng called.
Tang San nodded. Xiao Wu immediately stood. "Where are you guys going?"
Suifeng answered, "I'm heading to Spirit Hall for a soul power test—so I can collect a monthly stipend."
Tang San said, "I'm going to the blacksmiths to find work."
Xiao Wu realized she couldn't join either and reluctantly nodded.
Suifeng and Tang San walked together. Since forges weren't centrally located on the Douluo Continent, Tang San planned to take a different route than Suifeng, who needed to go into the city center to reach Spirit Hall. They agreed to have dinner at school later.
Before parting, Suifeng looked slightly awkward—something about their duel with Xiao Wu had felt... intimate. He cleared his throat. "Tang San, don't think I'm heartless—it's just that, well… uh…"
Tang San assumed Suifeng meant the quilt-sharing thing and smiled, patting his shoulder. "Bro, no worries. Don't feel bad—I'm not petty."
Suifeng breathed a sigh of relief. Tang San was good-natured indeed. Pleased, they went their separate ways.
Tang San's Day at the Forge
Tang San found a blacksmith's. The owner chuckled, "You're a kid—what do you expect?"
Tang San insisted, "Uncle, I'm a student at Noddin Academy. I'm free afternoons—and my father is a blacksmith."
That seemed to sway him. The owner responded, "Alright, come in midday. Lunch and dinner included. Ten copper soul coins per day—equal to one silver. Sound fair?"
Tang San nodded eagerly. The blacksmith asked, "So your father taught you forging?"
"My father taught me forging—I'm small, but my strength is plenty."
The blacksmith laughed. "Sorry, kid—crafting isn't just about wanting to do it."
At once, workers laughed. A six-year-old swinging a hammer? Unbelievable.
Tang San didn't argue. He took a hammer, focused his strength from legs through waist to arms—and smashed the iron block on the forge bench.
BOOM.
The laughter froze. Tang San hammered it twenty-seven times—compressing the metal noticeably.
The blacksmith gasped, "Could it be… the legendary Pilo Wind Hammer style?"
Impressed, he raised Tang San's pay to one silver monthly—an absolute steal.
Suifeng's Arrival at Spirit Hall
Suifeng reached Spirit Hall, a massive, stately building. He greeted the guards: "Uncle, I'm from Noddin Academy—here for soul power testing."
They pointed him to Matthew No on the first floor. "Go in there."
Inside, huge crystal windows cast sunlight on glorious spirit-hall murals: fighting dragons, phoenixes, endless spirit-wolf patterns. Wealthy, Suifeng thought—this place radiates power and money.
Before he could locate reception, he noticed Su Yun Tao—his "check-boy" from before—and Sisi, a voluptuous woman, standing by.
"Hey, handsome body-checker!" Suifeng teased.
Su Yun Tao turned, recognizing him. Sisi shrank back, glancing shyly at Suifeng as he had teased about "checking" him before.
He nodded at Sisi, explaining, "She's the assistant. We were… checking soul powers."
Sisi eyed Suifeng, curious—whose soul power is that strong? —her lips glossy, but Suifeng felt uneasy.
Turning serious, he asked Su Yun Tao, "Master Su, where is Mathew No?"
Su Yun Tao hustled him to a door and pressed in without knocking. Inside, an old voice responded:
markdown
"Who—? No manners!"
Su Yun Tao exclaimed, "Master Matthews! It's me. And this boy is here for his advancement test—we suspect his soul power might have... awakened something unusual."
Su Yun Tao dashed off while that gentleman remained.
Master Matthews shook his head. "Always love-struck fools. That woman's too old for him—his mind's bigger than his control."
Suifeng smirked. That was a loaded comment—decided to retort: "Big's fine—just need to control one point."
A sudden sparkle of approval lit Matthews' eyes. He nodded, "Exactly! You, youngster, obviously awakened that area of soul power."
Suifeng cocked his head, puzzled by "that area."
Master Matthews explained: "Reports came in—two kids with innate full soul power. One has the waste spirit—Bluer Silver Grass. Useless! The other awakened in that area, often mistaken when people think testing involves removing clothes!"
Wait, thought Suifeng. That's why I've been stuck. People are misunderstanding.
He smiled inwardly. Let them be careless. Once my power is undeniable, they'll admit me.
Now relieved, Suifeng was ready to prove himself.