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Next, Chu Chengzhou began testing the thousand-refined property of the Heavy Silver hammers.
All thousand-refined metals developed unique properties, and these properties weren't fixed. Their effects could vary greatly, ranging from excellent to useless.
Of course, it wasn't appropriate to judge them simply as "good" or "bad." It was better to evaluate them based on suitability.
For example, if a metal with the thousand-refined property of "sharpness" was used to craft a hammer, that property would be utterly useless… unless it was a hammer designed for piercing armor.
TING—!
Chu Chengzhou lightly tapped the forging table with the hammer in his right hand and immediately sensed a faint Shockwave spreading across the surface.
"Shockwave? Not bad, not bad at all!"
After carefully sensing it, Chu Chengzhou nodded in satisfaction.
The Shockwave property meant that when forging metal, the point of impact wouldn't be limited to where the hammer struck. Instead, the force would spread across the entire surface—or even the entire piece of metal. Additionally, the range and intensity of this Shockwave could be controlled by him.
This meant he could now avoid the tedious process of striking different spots repeatedly. By controlling the Shockwave and letting it spread throughout the metal, he could focus on delivering powerful blows.
"Young Master Chu, now that your hammers are ready, can we take a break?"
Glancing at Chu Chengzhou, who seemed quite pleased with himself, Ma Hongjun spoke weakly.
He had been utterly exhausted that afternoon. Chu Chengzhou had practically treated him like a slave to some noble lord.
If heating the metal hadn't required intermittent bursts of fire rather than continuous burning, his two-ring Great Soul Master foundation wouldn't have been able to endure such exploitation.
"Alright, let's call it a day. We'll resume tomorrow and finish up!"
Seeing that it was already late and that Ma Hongjun, whose stamina was clearly depleted, was nearing his limit, Chu Chengzhou nodded.
"Tomorrow again?"
Ma Hongjun's eyes widened in shock.
You bastard Chu Chengzhou, do you really think I'm your personal slave? Even noble lords feed their slaves!
Under the cover of darkness, two figures exuding formidable auras emerged from Shrek Academy and headed toward Suotuo City.
"Boss Flender, have you chosen a target yet?"
On the way, Zhao Wuji, clad in black night attire with only his eyes exposed, asked Flender, who was dressed similarly.
When doing something shady, one didn't act openly. Even if their identities might be guessed, they still needed to maintain a facade to protect their reputations.
"Don't worry, I already investigated during the day!
There's a gang in Suotuo City called the Axe Gang, named after its leader Li Chen's Black Axe martial soul.
This Li Chen is a five-ring Soul King. Relying on his sister being the city lord's concubine, he's claimed an entire street in eastern Suotuo City and collects protection money without restraint. We'll 'borrow' from him."
Flender spoke confidently.
"Alright, him it is!"
Zhao Wuji nodded.
Early the next morning, after completing their morning meditation and washing up, Chu Chengzhou and Xiao Wu headed to the academy cafeteria for breakfast.
Before entering, they caught a whiff of a delicious aroma.
"Hmm? It smells so good! Could it be that Principal Flender has finally struck it rich?"
Sniffing the air, Xiao Wu asked suspiciously.
"Most likely!"
Chu Chengzhou smacked his lips, guessing that Flender had successfully "borrowed" some money yesterday.
Otherwise, based on Shrek Academy's usual food standards, breakfast would likely consist of steamed buns and plain porridge, perhaps with a side of pickles.
Today's breakfast at the cafeteria was indeed lavish. There was fragrant meat porridge, large meat buns, and even eggs—all served in unlimited quantities.
If yesterday's meal standard was akin to poverty, today's was a leap into moderate prosperity.
DING DING DING—!
A crisp bell rang through Shrek Academy.
Soon, the academy's five teachers—including Principal Flender—and five students gathered on the field.
Looking at the five students before him, Flender adjusted his glasses and said, "Yesterday, two new students enrolled. On behalf of Shrek Academy, I, Principal Flender, welcome you!
I assume you've all met each other, so I won't waste time.
Chu Chengzhou, Xiao Wu, let me introduce you to the academy's teachers!"
Hearing this, Chu Chengzhou and Xiao Wu turned their attention to two tall, elderly men and a short, stout middle-aged man standing beside Flender and Zhao Wuji.
Flender pointed to a man in his sixties: "This is Teacher Li Yusong, martial soul: Dragon Pattern Staff, 63rd-level offensive-type Soul Emperor."
Then, he gestured to another elder, likely over seventy: "This is Teacher Lu Qibin, martial soul: Star Luo Chess, 66th-level control-type Soul Emperor."
"This is Teacher Shao Xin, martial soul: Jelly Beans, 71st-level food-type Soul Sage—one of our academy's three Soul Sages."
As Flender introduced Shao Xin, he couldn't help but straighten his back, feeling a bit proud.
Food-type soul masters were rare among soul masters, and due to the difficulty of cultivating their soul power, high-level food-type soul masters were far fewer compared to other types.
A seven-ring Soul Sage-level food-type soul master, if joining a major faction, would hold a status no less than an ordinary eight-ring Soul Douluo.
Having such high-level talent join was undoubtedly a testament to Shrek Academy's "prosperity"!
After everyone exchanged greetings, Flender said, "Alright, go rest and recover to your best condition. Tonight, I'll take you to class.
Oscar, continue your physical training as usual today!"
Instantly, Oscar's face fell. He clearly detested this so-called physical training.
Unfortunately, food-type soul masters had no rights. With Flender assigning the training, he had no choice but to comply.
"Fatty, come!"
Chu Chengzhou called out to Ma Hongjun, preparing to forge the unfinished Heavy Silver bow from yesterday.
"Young Master Chu, why don't we skip it for today? We still have evening classes!"
After some hesitation, Ma Hongjun reluctantly spoke.
"Are these evening classes about heading to Suotuo City's Great Spirit Arena for battles?"
Chu Chengzhou asked.
"How did you know?"
Ma Hongjun was surprised.
"Don't worry about that! It's still early until evening—plenty of time for you to recover!"
Not giving Ma Hongjun a chance to refuse, Chu Chengzhou immediately dragged him toward the blacksmithing shed.
After forging the Heavy Silver hammers yesterday, there was still plenty of thousand-refined Heavy Silver left. Before advancing his forging skill to the spirit-refinement level, the thousand-refined Heavy Silver bow would serve as his ultimate weapon—it had to be completed as soon as possible.
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