Chapter 64: First Manifestation

Deng Shan saw Tie Li's optimal Soul Ring Configuration, was momentarily stunned, but when he saw Tie Li not immediately unleash a soul skill, he immediately showed a cold smile.

Another senior disciple steps out for training; your arrogance will make you pay the price.

Deng Shan's Second Soul Ring lit up, his slender limbs suddenly became bulky, and a powerful fist surged toward Tie Li's chest.

"Clang!"

"Your strength is still insufficient," Deng Shan roared, instantly breaking free of Tie Li's Forging Hammer.

But Tie Li's second hammer followed immediately; Deng Shan's strength could not overturn Tie Li, meaning he could not break through Tie Li's assault.

The second hammer's force exceeded the first, so Deng Shan had to abandon his attack and switch to defense.

And that very move caused him to completely lose any chance of a counterattack.

Third hammer, fourth hammer…

Each hammer's force stacked, becoming increasingly terrifying.

Tie Li grasped the essence of the Chaos Cloak Hammer Method and understood its principle of using force against force.

If Tang San were to use the Chaos Cloak Hammer Method, the first hammer's force would be one hundred, and each subsequent hammer would add ten percent to the previous force, eventually reaching a terrifying value.

The portion of the hammer method Tie Li stole and learned, combined with his own skill, only adds five percent per hammer, but Tie Li's speed is greater, and each strike carries high‑frequency vibrations.

Tie Li gave up some of the force stacking, integrating faster speed and vibrations.

If he cannot master the true Chaos Cloak Hammer Method, he must learn to make trade‑offs.

This is the blacksmith world's strongest continuous forging technique; if it could be learned merely by stealing, it would not deserve the title of the strongest forging technique.

Under Tie Li's eleven consecutive hammer strikes, Deng Shan's arms used for blocking became a mass of blood and flesh; besides the ever‑growing force, the high‑frequency vibrations were ravaging the structure of his arms.

"Bastard!"

Deng Shan shouted angrily, his Third Soul Ring lit up; this is a Thousand‑Year level soul skill, whose power far exceeds that of a Hundred‑Year soul technique.

Deng Shan's physique began to surge, and his previously mangled arms started to recover.

"Roar"

With a non‑human roar, Deng Shan, empowered by the Thousand‑Year soul technique, had his attributes massively amplified and transformed into a beast‑person over three meters tall.

Facing Tie Li's stacked twelfth hammer, he chose to meet it head‑on.

"Hum—"

Deng Shan thought that having blocked, he could immediately counterattack, but the thirteenth hammer immediately slammed toward his chest.

If he had used the Thousand‑Year soul technique from the start, Tie Li naturally could not stack the forging hammer's force.

But in a same‑tier match, who would begin with the hugely draining Thousand‑Year soul technique?

Fourteenth hammer, fifteenth hammer…

When Tie Li's eighteenth hammer fell, Deng Shan was violently slammed out of the Soul Battle Platform by the overwhelming force.

The chest tissue that was struck suffered devastating damage.

From start to finish, Tie Li never used any soul skill.

In the eyes of the spectators, Tie Li simply eliminated Deng Shan hammer after hammer, with no highlight at all.

"Dammit, there's a rig, they treated us like fools, right? Just eliminated like that?"

"Even the Grand Soul Battle Arena resorts to such low‑brow tricks? At least show a few soul skills, pretend a bit, okay?"

"Deng Shan, you deliberately made it like this—does that answer us? Fuck you, refund the money."

The audience grew restless; having never faced Tie Li themselves, they couldn't feel that pressure. In their view, Tie Li just hammered ten or so times, and then Deng Shan was eliminated.

Seeing the situation was off, the referee immediately declared Tie Li the winner and then left.

Tie Li returned to the lounge, packed his belongings, and went to the front desk to retrieve the Gold Soul Coin for winning the Soul Battle.

【9】 "Wait a moment."

"Wait a moment."

Just as Tie Li was about to leave, a graceful figure appeared before him.

Her lithe, enchanting posture sparked imagination; even in plain long robes and trousers, she exuded a unique aura, the only flaw being her aloof face.

"Form a team with me for the Second Team 2v2 Soul Battle," she stated directly.

"Why should I agree? I think this is our first meeting," Tie Li found it inexplicable.

"You don't want to?" Ning Ning hadn't expected to be rejected, her tone a bit unnatural.

"Then give me a reason why I should team up with you," Tie Li shrugged; although she was beautiful, to him she was just an attractive stranger.

"Fine."

Ning Ning suddenly summoned her martial soul, assuming Tie Li wanted to gauge her strength and whether she qualified to team with him.

Two yellow, one purple—also an optimal Soul Ring Configuration.

"The wishful one is named: first, Strength; second, Speed."

Two yellow Hundred-Year Soul Rings lit up, and Tie Li felt his strength and speed surge dramatically.

Although it is a Hundred-Year soul technique, it provides a full twenty percent boost.

And her martial soul, in Tie Li's eyes, was unusually familiar.

"Seven‑Treasure Glazed Tower? No, but it looks similar."

"Your support effect is so good, you shouldn't lack teammates; why come to me? We just met, right?" Tie Li asked.

"I want to win, I need Gold Soul Coins. I saw your personal Soul Battle; you're strong. I'll support you, and we can win every 30‑level 2v2 Soul Battle."

A simple, clear reason, but it was only her one‑sided wish; Tie Li preferred to travel the continent, seeking opportunities to advance himself.

Staying in the Grand Soul Battle Arena to join 2v2 Soul Battles can increase combat experience, and if you win consecutively, you can earn a large amount of Gold Soul Coins.

But neither of those is something Tie Li currently lacks.

Her support ability is strong, but she chose the wrong person.

"You should find someone else!"

Tie Li refused her request, passed her from the side, and temporarily left the Great Soul Battle arena.

After leaving the Great Soul Battle arena, Tie Li, when he was about to consider where to stay today, found his stomach just now hungry.

"Just in time, let's find a place to eat first."

Fikesi City is a big city, so it naturally doesn't lack restaurants with local specialties.

With a little inquiry, one can learn from passersby about restaurants with good reputations.

Tie Li chose the most well‑known restaurant; the moment he stepped inside, the aroma that hit him sparked his stomach's craving.

Tie Li now isn't short of money, so of course he's willing to spend it to treat himself.

"Customer, here's our menu; have a look and tell me what you need?"

"Alright."

Tie Li took the menu, examined the descriptions carefully; the prices were cheap, especially the local specialties, which could truly be called very inexpensive.

Tie Li didn't choose a private room; he could see the dishes on other tables, and if something looked good, he would have the server note it.

(End of chapter)