Douluo Dalu 3: The Legend of the Dragon King

Chapter 201: The Tournament Begins

The next day.

At the first glimmers of dawn, Tang Wulin set forth to meet with the delegation from the Blacksmiths Association.

The blacksmiths competition kicked off the start of the tournament. After participating in that event, he would have to rush to the individual competition. Following that would be the team battle in the afternoon. Tang Wulins schedule was packed full. As such, there was no time to spare; he hurried to find Cen Yue right after cultivating the Purple Demon Eyes and eating a heaping pile of breakfast.

Sporting a sixth-rank blacksmiths badge on his chest, Cen Yue led the procession of blacksmiths like a hen leading its chicks. Because they were the youngest, Tang Wulin and Mu Xi stood at the back of the line.

Senior disciple sister, do we have to wear our badges? Tang Wulin asked softly.

Mu Xi was currently flaunting her own. Dyed in blue hues, it was adorned with two striking white stars, signifying her status as a second-rank blacksmith. Once she reached the third rank, Mu Xi would be bestowed a badge dipped in the orange glow of dusk, decorated with three yellow stars. The outline of a blacksmiths hammer was a constant theme among the ranks.

As a fourth-rank blacksmith, Tang Wulins badge was orange and displayed four yellow stars.

Oh, thats right. Dad told me to tell you that you must not wear your badge. If possible, hide the fact that youre a fourth-rank blacksmith. He only wants you to place in the top three. That way, youll qualify for advanced competitions in the future. Mu Xi lowered her voice as she answered.

Zheng Tianlin faced her and smiled. Junior sister Mu Xi, youre still worried about your placement? Lets go compete in the Shrek Citys Comprehensive Blacksmiths Tournament later.

The moment Zheng Tianlin spoke, the girls arrogant demeanor vanished like a dream. The tense wrinkle on her delicate brow transformed into a gentle smile. It was quite flattering.

Mu Xi said, Mn. Sounds good! Good luck senior disciple brother! Zheng Tianlins teacher was Eastsea Blacksmiths Associations other Saint Blacksmith. He was also the vice-president of the association. However, since he was a seventh-rank blacksmith, his strength was a slightly less than Mu Chens. Acknowledging his talent, Mu Chen had given Zheng Tianlin some pointers in the past. Mu Xi treated him like a senior disciple brother because of this.

Zheng Tianlin laughed, shifting his gaze at Tang Wulin. Why are we bringing this brat? Is it so he can experience the world? Anyway, can he even lift a forging hammer at his age?

Tang Wulin cursed Zheng Tianlin in his heart. Even if youre trying to talk yourself up, you dont need to belittle me. Despite feeling indignant, Tang Wulin kept silent since he didnt want to cause trouble for his teacher.

Mu Xi couldnt ignore this. Even though she constantly picked on him, Tang Wulin was still under her fathers personal guidance. With a cold snort, she said, Senior disciple brother, are you questioning my dads decision? Wulin is my dads direct disciple. So, do you still think he cant lift a forging hammer?

Zheng Tianlin gawked. Never had he expected Tang Wulin to be Mu Chens disciple. After gathering himself, a trace of jealousy flashed through his eyes like an electric bolt. Mu Chen was an outstanding figure in the continents blacksmithing world. Including those who hid their status, there were no more than a dozen Saint Blacksmiths. Similarly, eighth-ranked blacksmiths totaled to four individuals,

He wasnt only kissing up to Mu Xi because he liked her. Her fathers lofty position was also factored in. Since his own teacher was a Saint Blacksmith, acquiring the aid of Mu Chen would greatly increase his chances of reaching a similar level.

It was preposterous to believe that that the ten-year-old boy was actually the direct disciple of Mu Chen. This was the same Mu Chen who had refused to accept a student for several years. In Zheng Tianlins thoughts, this legendary figure only intended to nurture and guide his daughter.

No way! You look just like a little kid! Well, Ill be awaiting your performance. The corners of Zheng Tianlins mouth quirked up in an imitation of a smile, but his eyes revealed his hostility.

Whys this guy acting like this? I dont remember offending him in any way!  Tang Wulin was baffled, but soon he understood how his teacher had been protecting him. The tasks he accepted came from a special channel. Such preparation was made to shield him from the eyes of jealous hawks.

The only way to solve this problem is for me to become stronger! Once Im strong enough, then what do I care if others are jealous?

The blacksmiths competition was held in a small gym near Skysea Stadium. Tang Wulin trembled like a newborn calf when he entered the area.

Over a hundred forging tables were set up as far as the eye could see. Moreover, they were all from the newest generation, flaunting features superior to the one he usually used. His prior experience with this technology stemmed from the advanced tables of the association.

Although the Skysea Alliance lacked in powerful individuals, it still possessed overwhelming economic influence.

There werent many spectators in the stands. To the public, blacksmithing was neither interesting nor important. People were more drawn to soul master battles, mecha crafting and other exciting things.

Forging was a dry and dull affair in the eyes of the general populace.

Considering Mu Chens status, such an event was too insignificant for him to attend. However, the stage was filled with blacksmiths that Tang Wulin didnt recognize. What was more amazing was that they were all blacksmiths of the fifth rank and up.

Cen Yue had already explained to him that the first round required proficiency in the Hundred Refinements. As long as he forged like usual, he would pass. Tang Wulin didnt feel any pressure at all since he was already a fourth-rank blacksmith.

The junior divisions competition was held first since hundred refining was a short process.

Still, when the metals to be forged were delivered onto the stage, Tang Wulin was startled.

It was a metal he was familiar with and was the one used in his fourth-rank blacksmith exam. The metal was blue coppertite.

Among uncommon grade metals, blue coppertite was one of the hardest to forge. As expected of the junior division competition!

Junior division participants, pay attention. Your objective is to hundred refine this metal. Anyone who fails to do so will be eliminated. Of those who succeed, the best will be selected to continue to the next round.

Regardless of the particular event, everyone attending the Skysea Alliance Tournament had their eyes peeled for the adult divisions competitions, as those contenders were the most formidable. For this reason, the arrangements for the junior division were simple and fair.

Indeed, requiring the competitors to hundred refine blue coppertite would weed out the sparrows from the eagles. Since they would be picking the cream of the crop, the number of individuals advancing to the second round wouldnt be large.

I wonder how many people will make it to the next round?

Tang Wulin glanced at Mu Xi whose station was next to his. Mu Xis brows were creased, but her aura was as serene as a flowing river. She had already been somewhat successful in the Thousand Refinements, so hundred refining blue coppertite wasnt a challenge for her.

Let the competition begin!

Following the proclamation from the stage, all of the young blacksmiths participating took out their hammers.

If he wasnt in a rush, Tang Wulin would have wielded his tungsten hammers, but he needed to register for the the individual competition right after. He unleashed his heavy silver hammers instead.

He lightly tapped the blue coppertite lightly with his left hammer, issuing out three crisp notes. His next strike followed afterward, smashing the metal with considerable force.

A loud bang resounded throughout the gym.

Without a doubt, Tang Wulin was the first to begin.

Situated next to him, Mu Xi was not concerned. She was familiar with this freaks surprises and expected him to possess a thorough understanding of blue coppertite. The big shots on the stage, however, couldnt help but wrinkle their brows, foreheads scrunched up like prunes.

An energetic, white-haired old man frowned. Children will be children. Doesnt he know that he needs to thoroughly understand blue coppertite before beginning? Just who is his teacher?

Thats right! From the sounds of it, he shouldnt be lacking in strength yet hes so impatient. But I guess its to be expected considering his age.

Regardless of their disapproval, they soon witnessed Tang Wulin forging at full steam.

As soon as Tang Wulin begins forging, he would lose sight of the rest of the world. Trapped in this tunnel vision, he would devote his entire focus to his craft. He failed to realize that no one else has started forging besides him. Nevertheless, Tang Wulin was already unleashing a tempestuous shower of hammer strikes on the blue coppertite.

A queer expression slid across Mu Xis face. This guy! I shouldnt have picked the spot next to him.

Every blacksmith had their own rhythm. They would suffer from any outside disturbances. Cramming so many participants in a single stadium to forge simultaneously was to test their focus. If Mu Xi was this disturbed, then wouldnt all the other blacksmiths nearby be troubled too?

Tang Wulins hammers were as swift as the wind, each strike carrying over 600 kilograms of force. With each hit, a boom reverberated throughout the gym, the sonic waves piercing the air.

Mu Xi paused and sat cross-legged, biding time.

Although the competition had a time limit, she knew that Tang Wulin would finish soon. She might as well wait for his hundred refining to complete. That way, his forging would not affect her concentration.

Mu Xi was able to retain her composure, but the same couldnt be said of the other junior participants. Some chose to steel themselves and forge anyway. This kind of impatience would be their downfall; in the end, Tang Wulins influence manifested as defects in their forging.