New story! Please support by adding to your collection! Thank you :)
--------------------
The week of classes quickly came to an end—and Sunday arrived right on schedule.
Unlike ordinary schools, Soul Master Academies operated on a single-day weekend system. Only on Sundays were students free to manage their own time.
Even the ever-strict Teacher Wu Zhangkong had—rarely—assigned no special training tasks.
Morning sunlight filtered through the dorm curtains as Fang Yang and the others gradually woke up.
Xie Xie stretched with a loud yawn and perked up. "Hey, Fang Yang, Wulin—today's a rare day off. Shouldn't we go out and relax?"
Tang Wulin shook his head. "Sorry, Xie Xie—I've got to go to the Blacksmith Association."
"Again?!" Xie Xie frowned. "Wulin, every time you have free time, you're off to that place! Aren't you exhausted?"
Tang Wulin hesitated, then explained: "Forging is my secondary profession. And… well…"
He paused, then admitted softly: "I still owe Fang Yang for the soul spirit."
"What?!" Xie Xie whipped around to glare at Fang Yang, eyes full of accusation. "Fang Yang! Wulin's family isn't well-off—how could you—"
"Xie Xie! You've got it all wrong!" Tang Wulin cut in sharply, voice rising.
He spoke earnestly: "My family's ordinary—we couldn't afford a soul spirit. So I learned forging. For three years, I saved up 30,000 credits… only to find out that wasn't even enough for the cheapest soul spirit."
The dorm fell deathly silent—even breathing seemed loud.
Tang Wulin's voice grew heavy, laced with lingering bitterness:
"In the end… I spent it all on a random draw… and got a defective artificial Grass Snake soul spirit."
His fists clenched unconsciously.
That crushing despair—after three years of relentless effort—was still fresh in his memory.
"It was Fang Yang," Tang Wulin continued, lifting his head, eyes shining with gratitude, "who gave me a hundred-year soul spirit without hesitation. That's why I owe him."
He didn't say it aloud—but without Fang Yang's timely help, he might never have awakened his twin martial souls.
Zhou Changxi, listening from the sidelines, was visibly moved. He patted Tang Wulin's shoulder—wanting to comfort him, but words failed him.
Xie Xie finally understood. He scratched his head awkwardly. "Fang Yang… I'm sorry. I misjudged you. You're a true friend."
Fang Yang chuckled, waving it off. "It was nothing. Don't mention it."
Just then, Xie Xie's eyes lit up with curiosity. "Wait—Wulin, you still haven't told me! What's your forging rank? You always dodge the question!"
"I'm a Rank 2 Smith," Tang Wulin said calmly.
Xie Xie's jaw dropped. He turned to Fang Yang, incredulous. "Rank 2?! You're a Master Smith?!"
"Wow!" Zhou Changxi gasped too—even he knew what that meant.
Though he didn't understand forging, he knew professional ranks well:
- Rank 2: Enough to live independently—financially self-sufficient.
- Rank 3: A qualitative leap—entry ticket to high society.
- Rank 5: True elite, hailed as a "Master Craftsman"—respected across all professions.
(T/N: Before Rank 5, they are called 'smiths' but after Rank 5, they are referred to as Craftsmen)
Among the four roommates:
- Xie Xie, heir to Donghai's Xie Family, was obviously the wealthiest—born into a famed mecha pilot legacy.
- Fang Yang came next—his spending habits clearly marked him as well-off. After all, the Spirit Pagoda was legendary for its lavish investment in Core Disciples.
- Zhou Changxi and Tang Wulin were ordinary—but Tang Wulin was already self-reliant through forging, while Zhou Changxi still depended on family support.
A clever glint sparked in Xie Xie's eyes. He suddenly slung an arm around Tang Wulin's neck. "Wulin—we're brothers, right?"
Fang Yang immediately saw through him. "Xie Xie, don't think I don't know what you're scheming."
As scion of a renowned mecha family, Xie Xie dreamed of becoming a top-tier mecha pilot.
And mechas required high-quality metal components—so befriending a promising smith was strategically brilliant.
Caught red-handed, Xie Xie just grinned. "What? I'm innocent!"
He turned to Tang Wulin and pounded his chest. "Wulin—help me forge some mecha parts someday? I'll pay top market rate—no one's getting shortchanged!"
Tang Wulin couldn't help but laugh. "Alright—once I'm skilled enough, I'll help you."
"Brothers for life!" Xie Xie cheered, squeezing Tang Wulin's shoulder—face beaming with genuine warmth.
And so, Xie Xie married Tang Wulin, and they lived happily ever after.
Ahem—just kidding! That's obviously fake.
"Alright, I'm off to the Blacksmith Association," Tang Wulin said, wriggling free of Xie Xie's "clutches" and heading out.
Xie Xie's eyes immediately locked onto Fang Yang—with mischievous intent.
Fang Yang took a quick step back, crossing his arms defensively. "Damn! Xie Xie—I'm not interested in guys! I've got Gu Yue!"
"Pfft! Women? They'll only slow down my cultivation!" Xie Xie scoffed, feigning disdain.
Fang Yang adjusted his collar, unable to hide his smile. "Perfect—because I'm meeting Gu Yue."
"TRAITOR!" Xie Xie hissed, shaking a fist. "Fang Yang—you betrayer of the Single Dog Brotherhood! We swore to stay single until graduation!"
Laughing, Fang Yang strode out—leaving Xie Xie fuming in the dorm.
Sunlight bathed the room as Xie Xie turned—only to see Zhou Changxi, the last man standing.
He shrugged dramatically. "Well… guess it's just us again."
Zhou Changxi visibly stiffened.
He inched toward the door, sweat beading on his brow.
Before Xie Xie could speak, Zhou Changxi blurted: "Ah! I just remembered—I've got an urgent matter!"
And with that—he sprinted out like an Olympic runner.
"Wait! Hold on!" Xie Xie reached out, hand frozen mid-air—staring in disbelief as Zhou Changxi vanished. "I didn't even finish my sentence…"
The door clicked shut. Xie Xie stood alone—his expression shifting from confusion to utter bewilderment.
"I was just going to ask where we should hang out… Why'd he run?!"
He scratched his head, muttering, "Am I really that scary?"
He even checked the mirror. "I'm clearly handsome…"
In the empty dorm, Xie Xie sighed and flopped onto his bed, limbs sprawled. "Guess I'm doomed to spend the day alone…"
But then—he bolted upright, eyes gleaming.
"Wait… what if I meet my destined love today?!"
------------------------------------------------------
Join my Patreon to read an exclusive novel – 'Douluo: Rebuilding Hao Tian Sect'
Double Chapters Chapters Ahead: patreon.com/EphemeralShadow
There's something for free patrons too! Free Patrons receive 1 chapter in advance :)