Chapter 11: Meet Tang Hao

A week has passed since then. Nian Zhen has been swiftly practicing the basics of blacksmithing. His understanding and skill impressed Gu Lao so much that he was already planning on teaching the clan's technique to Nian Zhen.

"Boy. I had said yesterday that I am going to pass on my Technique to you. This technique has been passed down in my family for many generations. I hope you don't go around revealing it and hope you pass it down to someone who you think is suitable to obtain it." Gu Lao said to Nian Zhen.

"Yes, Master." Nian Zhen said. Due to his ocular abilities, Nian Zhen was able to quickly and efficiently learn basic blacksmithing. Just yesterday he refined an extremely sturdy sword out of the heart chilling iron.

"Good. The technique I am giving you is known as the 'Advanced Forging Ritual of One-Thousand Weapons'." Gu Lao said taking out a strand of soul power from his temples and imprinting it in Nian Zhen's memory.

[Detected foreign soul power. No malice present. A skill has been transferred to the Host. Learn "Advanced Forging Ritual of One-Thousand Weapons"?]

"Yes" Nian Zhen whispered. It would do him no harm to learn the technique.

[Learned the Technique 'Advanced Forging Ritual of One-Thousand Weapons'.]

"Today you do not have to forge anything. Go back home and start to comprehend. I will ask you what you felt tomorrow. Go. I have some guests to greet" Gu Lao said.

"Yes Master. Have a nice day."

Outside the Gu Lao's Forge.

"It is shocking to know how many spirit masters this city has. It in itself is big too." Nian Zhen sighed. After staying in Dragon City for a week, Nian Zhen found that many spirit masters were laying around here. One of them included his own master.

Following Nian Zhen's departure a black robed figure came to the shop. Feeling the familiar strength, Gu Lao had already opened the door.

"Hmm, it's been a long time, Tang Hao."

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"Enron did you feel that?"

[Yes host. That energy is from one of the four Titled douluo we perceived a week ago.]

"Do you have any idea why that person is here?"

[It is not clear, host. They may just be a guest like Gu Lao said.]

"Ok. Just be alert. The amount of spirit masters here makes me feel like something is going to happen. Do you perceive any other Titles Douluo."

[No host. After that day the other three have completely vanished. There are two possibilities for this. One may be that they have already left the city. Another reason may be that they may have some tool to hinder the MAPS radar.]

"Huh? How are they able to hinder your search?"

[The host must know that many things are still not completely available for the use of Host. Due to that people who are hiding using some advanced tools may not be able to be detected.]

"If that is the case then I will not be able to relax at all…."

[The host need not to worry. No matter which or how strong a Titled Douluo. They will not shoot freely in others' domains unless they have the valid reason to do so.]

"..." Nian Zhen thought for a while before nodding.

That night, Nian Zhen started to comprehend the Technique as soon as he arrived at his room.

[Advanced Forging Ritual of One-Thousand Weapons: It allows the user to use unique methods in order to create various weaponry from given materials & the user's spiritual power. Weapons forged from this magic are much more powerful than weapons forged through other means. Possesses unique ability to customize existing weaponry or newly created ones.]

"This technique is rather useful huh?"

The next day Nian Zhen woke up rather early and drifted towards Gu Lao's Forge.

[Host. It seems the person is still there.]

"It doesn't matter. Gu Lao seems to have some kind of relation with this person. It means that the person can at least be trusted for once." Nian Zhen said, already barging in the forge without knocking.

"Who!?" A surprised voice came from inside the forge. Gu Lao peeped out of the room just to see Nian Zhen entering.

"It's you boy. Aren't you early today. What's the matter. Couldn't comprehend the technique." Gu Lao said mockingly. He knew that even the most talented blacksmith may have difficulties to comprehend the technique. Even if Nian Zhen has a terrifying comprehension ability, it may take him months to be able to comprehend even 10% of the technique.

"No Master. The boy has already understood some things regarding the technique. Just came here to ask the Master some questions." Nian Zhen said. 'Old man, you are 10 years too early to mock me.' Nian Zhen thought.

A flash of surprise appeared on Gu Lao's face immediately to be replaced by a bitter smile.

'How many months did it take for me to understand little about the technique. Yet this kid understood some things in a night.' Gu Lao thought.

"Sigh...Well you can ask the questions later. First I have someone I want you to meet. Come with me" Gu Lao said.

[Host be careful. The host must be ready to trigger Dimensional Shift at any moment.]

"I know. You should be ready too. Gather as much Info as you can" Nian Zhen said. Nian Zhen was both excited and nervous to meet his first titled douluo after coming to this world.

After finding out that this is Tang San's era, Nian Zhen and Enron had already readjusted their plan. For the person he was going to meet, Nian Zhen had already guessed a thing or two.

The clear sky douluo, Tang Hao as he was a blacksmith himself. Meaning that Tang Hao must have fellow blacksmith friends.

Entering the inner room, Nian Zhen saw a figure clad in a black robe. The figure was observing him very keenly.

"Hao'er, this is the boy I was talking about. The boy's name is Nian Zhen." Gu Lao said to Tang Hao.

"Junior Nian Zhen greets Senior Hao." Nian Zhen said respectfully. If it was other people, Nian Zhen would not be polite at all. But the one in front of him was a titled douluo.

"Hmm.." Tang Hao nodded. Taking off his robe, Nian Zhen noticed a middle-aged muscular man, his appearance seemingly older. His stature was extraordinarily large and stalwart. His eyes have a sleepy and dazed look. He has messy hair that looks just like a birds nest and a beard.

"Xiao Zhen, this man may not look like it but he is an incredibly skilled blacksmith. It is even possible to call him a divine blacksmith." Gu Lao said to Nian Zhen.

"Hm. Not bad, boy. A level 30 spirit master at just 10 year old. The bastards from the spirit hall must have recruited you already huh." surprise flashed in Tang Hao's sleepy eyes.

"WHAT!? LEVEL 30 SPIRIT MASTER!!?" Gu Lao looked back and forth at Nian Zhen and Tang Hao incredibly. He had vaguely guessed that Nian Zhen's spirit power should be less than 15. Who would have thought that a boy just around 7 years old would have level 30 spirit power.

"Boy did you lie about your age. Aren't you just 7 years old?" Gu Lao said something that made Tang Hao become stiff with shock.

"Uhh. Sorry for lying to you Mater. Actually I am less than 7 years old." Nian Zhen said. Even though he was looking guilty, he was actually trying to hold back his laughter after seeing Tang Hao's and Gu Lao's reaction.

[Host aren't you afraid about revealing your power?]

"Huh? If revealing my power is actually a weakness than shame on my power for being a weakness rather than my strength. Though I said that I know when to show my strength and when not too so you don't have to worry."

[....]

"You! Sigh…."

"I don't know how many secrets you hold." Gu Lao said dejectedly. Tang Hao was now observing Nian Zhen with great interest. A boy actually the same age as his son was already a Spirit Grandmaster. If this news is spread around the mainland then this boy's afte would be completely divided into two directions. One would be getting recruited by Spirit Hall while the other would be to be killed by them.

"Boy, let me warn you about this beforehand. Don't go revealing your power around if you wanna have a peaceful life." Tang Hao said.

"The boy understands."

"Ok. Gu Lao is this all. If that is so I must go. I have other things to look after."

"Wait!" Gu Lao suddenly screamed and pulled Tang Hao aside. After whispering something in Tang Hao's ear, Gu Lao called Nian Zhen.

"Boy. You should be thankful. Hao Er is willing to assist me in teaching you. Though you will not be his direct disciple, you can still learn some things from him. You will study with him for a month. Understood?" Gu Lao said with a big grin on his face.

"Huh!? Who was willing. You forced this on me old man." Tang Hao grumbled.

[Host it will be beneficial if you learn some things from Tang Hao. Even Tang San still has not gotten the privilege.]

"I know." Nian Zhen said to Enron.

"Are you willing?" Tang Hao asked. "Yes." Nian Zhen answered.