Chapter 56: Black Market

Third Soul Technique, Thousand-Weight Shift!

Fifty percent increase in strength, defense, and attribute amplification, greatly boosting resistance.

Tie Li still thought the Third Soul Technique only amplified strength and defense, but didn't expect the attribute to be amplified this much.

Could it be that the level of life energy is too high?

It seems that this is the only explanation.

Absorbing this Thousand-Year Soul Ring, the largest proportion of the attached attributes is vitality, followed by the increase in physique.

Under the boost of the Third Soul Ring, the First Soul Technique Lightning Hammer's Lightning Armor covering the arm can already spread to the shoulder.

"A very powerful soul technique effect," Yu Can said, looking at Tie Li in the Third Soul Technique state, his tone mixed with a hint of shock.

His physique became robust, blue‑white lightning light interweaving and flickering over his body; even a simple punch now carries extra lightning damage.

"Indeed quite good," Mu Xin nodded, saying in agreement.

But the Thousand-Year Soul Technique consumes too much soul power; the current Tie Li certainly cannot maintain the Thousand-Weight Shift for long.

Back in Geng Xin Cheng, Yu Can separated from Mu Xin and Tie Li.

"The orders from the past two days must have piled up; let's hurry back and clear them,"

"Alright."

Their steps quickened, and upon returning to the forge, they indeed saw Mu Qianqian's plaintive gaze.

She had been rushing the work these two days, but as a girl, her strength and stamina were certainly lacking.

Although she inherited Mu Xin's Earth Hammer martial soul, the first added Soul Ring was neglected, and its attached attributes leaned more toward an Agile Attack-type Soul Master.

The second Soul Ring pulled the deviated attributes back, yet it was still lacking.

Mu Xin and Tie Li each wielded a Forging Hammer, and amid a clatter of "ding ding dang dang," they completed order after order.

One night, Tie Li, wrapped in a black robe and wearing a mask to conceal his face, appeared at the Black Market in Geng Xin Cheng.

"How's it going, got everything?"

"All set, here are the Soul Master Handbook and Imperial Certificate you need."

Tie Li feigned hesitation as he took the Soul Master Handbook, opened it, and indeed it matched his requirements.

Soul Master, Wan Li; martial soul, Thousand‑Tungsten Hammer.

That's right, Tie Li fabricated a false identity for himself.

During his three years in Geng Xin Cheng, Tie Li kept a constant watch on the original situation; after picking up the slightest clues, he realized his original identity could no longer be used.

He specifically commissioned the Black Market to create a false identity for him.

But the Soul Master Handbook and Imperial Certificate are genuine, only the Gold Soul Coins required are a sizable sum.

Fortunately, Tie Li's finances are ample, and he can produce the money.

He examined the Imperial Certificate again, confirming it is authentic.

"As for the rest..." the Black Market merchant rubbed his fingers, the meaning unmistakable.

Tie Li didn't hesitate, handing over the remaining two hundred Gold Soul Coins.

"Thank you, sir, hope we can cooperate again in the future," he said, then left the Black Market.

With this new identity, he no longer has to worry at all.

Over three years, Tie Li's appearance has matured; he now stands at 1.8 meters, and prolonged time by the forging furnace has given his skin a healthy bronze hue.

According to the Soul Master Handbook, he became a One Ring Soul Master at nine, and a Great Soul Master at twelve.

A few months later, when he turns sixteen, he will report to the Spirit Hall that he has become a Three Ring Soul Honorable.

Thus, he can receive a Soul Master stipend of one hundred Gold Soul Coins per month.

In this way, everything becomes reasonable.

As for the Great Soul Battle arena, how could they keep remembering a dead person? Even if he goes to the Great Soul Battle arena, he'd register a new identity.

Of course, he should also avoid Longxing City as much as possible; perhaps Fu Zhuguan and Kaiqi still have an impression of him.

For now, Tie Li does not intend to leave Geng Xin Cheng.

The next day back at the forge, Tie Li resumed forging, but more for himself.

Items like knee guards and wrist guards will have metal infused with Thunder Attribute during forging.

Unfortunately he still cannot master Hundred‑Forge; if he could also master the Chaos Cloak Hammer Method, that would be great.

Wait... Chaos Cloak Hammer Method?

In a few months, Tang San will attend Nuo Ding Academy, and at that time he will apply to a forge and demonstrate the Chaos Cloak Hammer Method.

He could steal the technique; although he might not grasp its true essence, with his current perspective, picking up a few nuances may not be hard.

After all, he's been learning beside the master‑level blacksmith Mu Xin for so long.

The Chaos Cloak Hammer Method is hailed as the highest‑grade continuous forging technique, suitable not only for forging but also for combat.

But one must be careful during the process.

Not to mention the hidden Tang Hao behind the scenes; even Tang San isn't that easy to deal with.

After all, his own actions already contain a death‑seeking path.

Before that, he needs to get to Nuo Ding City first and become the blacksmith in the forge.

That way everything will appear natural.

If he arrives late, or enters the forge together with Tang San, that would be an entirely different scenario.

A Three Ring Soul Honorable working as a blacksmith in an inconspicuous forge is bound to raise suspicion.

And if he becomes the forge's blacksmith before Tang San arrives in Nuo Ding City, when Tang San comes, he will only be curious about this Three Ring Soul Honorable blacksmith.

To reach Nuo Ding City faster, Tie Li doesn't intend to waste time saying farewell to Mu Xin and Qianqian.

"What, you're leaving?" Mu Xin, flustered, almost knocked the Forging Hammer askew.

Actually he had long known that Tie Li would leave, but he didn't expect it to be so sudden.

Mu Qianqian's face was full of reluctance; they had been together for three years, how could there be not a shred of feeling?

"Will you still come back after you leave?" Mu Qianqian looked at Tie Li and asked carefully.

"I'm just leaving temporarily; I'll be back after a while." Tie Li realized they had misunderstood the meaning, and from now on he wouldn't come back.

"That's wonderful." Mu Qianqian said happily.

"Alright, it's just this little thing; don't come disturb my work." Mu Xin said, feigning dissatisfaction, then continued striking the forging hammer.

The brief parting also carried a hint of reluctance; Mu Qianqian accompanied Tie Li back to the room to pack his belongings.

Since moving in, all of Tie Li's clothing had been made by Mu Qianqian; he had never bought new clothes.

While packing, Tie Li said that bringing two or three sets would be enough, so they wouldn't get damaged outside, but Mu Qianqian insisted that Tie Li take everything.

"It's fine; I'll make you more when the time comes—this cloth is cheap, not worth much money."

"Alright." Tie Li did not refuse.

After packing, he put everything into the storage ring.

The unfinished knee guards, wrist guards, and the like were all first placed in the blacksmith's shop.

As for the hand guards on both arms, they were complete, each increasing the Thunder and Lightning Attribute by three percent.

(End of chapter)