Astral Douluo

Looking at the piece of metal in front of him, Mu Chen admired its beauty. It was a perfectly shaped ingot, ready to forged, shaped and used. With no sharp edges, the metal itself was covered in draconic patterns created by stars which seemed to faintly roar out.

Thinking to himself, Mu Chen thought, 'This kid…he may not know it, but it seems that he just forged m=himself something good enough to be called a piece of battle armour.'

Chuckling in his seat, the staff member looked at the president with a confused face.

<-----------------------the next day--------------------->

"Take your seats." The youthful teacher said coldly. Every single time he spoke, it always gave off a feeling of iciness.

Tang Wulin and Tang Xingxi picked a desk on the side. Xie Xie followed behind and sat next to Tang Xingxi. Simultaneously, Tang Xingxi started to hide his presence, while Yun Xiao and Zhou Zhangxi dropped into the seats before and after him respectively. Thus, the six roommates were together again. Save for Zi Hui.

Scanning through the faces of the students before him, the chatter stopped and the classroom regained its silence.

"My name is Wu Zhangkong!" The youthful teacher introduced himself plainly. "For the next six years, you will all be under my tutelage."

"I would like to emphasize a point – you may disregard whatever Director Long Hengxu had mentioned at the ceremony. Even if you are a bunch of trash, I will train you into the strongest students within your cohort. That is unless you choose to drop out; otherwise, that shall be your aim for the next six years."

While the words were full of arrogance, Wu Zhangkong spoke with a plain tone and it still attracted the attention of all the students within the class.

"You shall introduce yourselves – your name, martial soul, soul power rank, and your aspirations. Tell me all of it. You may begin!"

The area Tang Wulin and his roommates sat happened to be the side-most row of the room and Wu Zhangkong happened to be pointing towards their direction.

And so, Yun Xiao broke the ice and started his introduction; "Hello everyone, my name is Yun Xiao. My martial soul is an Astrolabe, and my soul power is at rank 12. My goal is to become an intelligence-support-type soul master." He started and ended his introduction in a dignified manner, though there was a hint of trembling in his voice.

Tang Wulin was next in line, and so he stood up.

"Tang Wulin, Bluesilver grass Martial Soul; soul power is rank 11. My aspiration is…" halting when introducing his aspirations, he then continued, "I don't have one yet."

"That's a trash soul, no wonder you have no aspirations." A said someone from the mass of students seated within the classroom.

Sou! Sou! Sou! Pieces of chalk flew precisely into the mouth of said student, like a guided missile being aimed at its target.

"Ou!" The chalk had some spiralling force as it went into the throat of the student and filled his mouth to the brim.

Wu Zhangkong started to speak ruthlessly as the student retched, "There is no trash martial soul in this world. Rather, there are only trash people. Consider your own morals first before calling others trash. If you aren't a piece of trash yourself, would you have landed in class five?"

The whole class quieted down in fear. Tang Xingxi, on the other hand, was smiling. 'As expected of Wu Zhangkong,' he thought.

"Proceed." (WZ)

<-------------------------some time later------------------------->

"Xie Xie. Light Dragon Dagger Martial Soul; soul power at rank 18. Agility System Battle Soul Master." (XX)

When the words 'rank 18' came out, the whole class was instantly shocked. A nine-year-old child with rank 18 soul power. This was truly a genius! Anyone capable of getting rank 20 soul power and becoming a Soul Grandmaster before twelve years old was qualified to be called a genius and this kid was super freaking close to it.

Smiling and thinking of everyone's reactions, Tang Xingxi stood up and said, "Tang Xingxi. Starlight Orb and Myriad Formation Emperor's Arms Martial Souls; soul power at rank 21. Agility-Control-Power System Battle Soul Grandmaster. Also, for those of you looking at me like I'm a treat, I'm a boy got it. B-O-Y, BOY!"

"Hah?" everyone shouted except for Tang Wulin who already knew about it and Wu Zhangkong who managed to keep his composure.

Inside, however, Wu Zhangkong was racking his brain. 'How the hell did he hide his presence? That's supposed to be a skill that soul kings have. And his last name, Tang…Is the blue-silver grass kid his brother?'

"Impossible! You're lying! No one here can be a soul grandmaster! If they were, they'd already have been put in class 1! And your spirits! They sound to glorious to be true!" said a student, unknowingly interrupting Wu Zhangkong's thoughts.

"Oh yeah? Well, I'm here and if you want proof, I'll show you proof!" I said. Lifting my right hand, a white ball of starlight exited, twirling around my fingers whilst two rings. One yellow, on the verge of turning purple, and the other, completely purple, rose from my feet as I completely released the pressure of my spirits on the student.

"Ahh," he screamed before sitting down again and muttering, "impossible…" over and over again.

"Alright, that's enough," said Wu Zhangkong who also used his presence to cancel out my spirit's pressure, "Class is dismissed for today. Get ready to fight tomorrow, because I'll have you all sparring each other I can see how good each of you are."

<----------------------30 minutes later---------------------->

Standing in front of the Blacksmith's Association's doors were two youths. One had black hair and big black eyes which radiated brilliance. The youth was jumping up and down as if this was the biggest event to happen to him in his life. The other had short wavy blue hair and beautiful amber eyes. With a thin body figure and feminine face, one could mistake him for a girl. The only thing ruining this image would be the fact that he was listening to some music from a soul-pod. (I'll be calling it a soul pod from now on because apple doesn't exist in douluo dalu)

Yes, these two were Tang Wulin and Tang Xingxi, and they're at the Association to get their badges today.

---------------------------*flashback no jutsu*---------------------------

[Mu Xi POV]

Just I came home after completing my forging and refining, passing all the assessments, thus gaining myself the title of third-rank blacksmith, I found out during my assessment, two nine-year-old kids succeeded in the third-rank blacksmith's test! What's more, is that one of them even managed to get the title of fifth-rank! Fifth Rank!

'Fifth rank and nine years old!? Was that even possible?' I thought to myself, clutching my head.

This was simply unbelievable!

My favourite pastime had been to observe my father as he forged. Even though that dolt had mentioned that this rough and weight-laden process of forging was not suitable for girls, I stood by my choice to become a blacksmith.

I started training at the mere age of five and started crafting small hammers. My dad thought that it was a joke at first. However, persisting for two years, and mimicking his every action, I finally moved the heart of the Eastsea City's Blacksmith's Association President, Mu Chen. My father.

Inheriting my father's martial soul, that alone made it suitable for me to become a blacksmith. I was willing to put in the extra effort.

While I was training to gain adequate strength to become a blacksmith, my figure had taken the toll and turned stockier in the process. I didn't stop, however, so my father decided to get me some precious herbs to maintain my feminine figure. At least he did something right.

I was officially a second-rank blacksmith at the age of eleven. Not long after my twelfth birthday, he took me to the promotion test and passed immediately.

"You have progressed faster than others your age," he said.

"You are worthy of being called a child prodigy in the world of blacksmithing," he said.

"Ugh! How can I share this title of third-rank blacksmith with a nine-year-old boy? And how could I let another nine-year-old boy beat me and get to the fifth rank! Fifth-rank blacksmith? Fine! I'd beat him when I got to that stage. That is, if he actually even got to that stage! And as for the third rank one? He'd also been held in high esteem by the surveyor! Although she didn't mention it, her gaze alone revealed her feelings. In her eyes, the boy was obviously stronger than me! How could I let this happen! Heck! Even my father feels that way!"

Hearing that the boys would be at the Blacksmith's Association sometime today to collect their badges, I felt keen to see who these boys were. Did they have three heads and six arms?

[End POV]

---------------------------*flashback no jutsu* end---------------------------

Opening the doors to the association, the two brothers found the lounge the same as before. Looking towards the reception desk, one could see three women manning the station.

Tang Wulin, looking as if he saw someone familiar said, "Hello big sis Yun!" whilst waving his hand at the girl in the centre.

Blushing for a bit, the woman walked up to them and replied, "Oh, you two finally arrived! The president was getting a bit tired of waiting for you. Come! Let's go!" whilst looking at the two in intrigue.

While she didn't see the results of the night before, she was ordered by her superiors to wait for these two boys due to them reaching third and fifth rank. Naturally, she would be curious to see them.

"Alright! Thanks, big sis!" said a chuckling Tang Wulin before he followed beside her. His brother, still listening to his music, followed behind.

Entering an elevator, the trio went up to the 30th floor.

Finding a staff member, Yun Xiaoling said, "I'll have to trouble you to inform the president that Tang Xingxi and his brother is here."

"Wait for a moment you two," Yun Xiaoling said as she brought them to a sofa which they promptly sat on.

Not too long after, a crowd of footsteps approached.

Mu Chen was at the forefront. Mu Chen had arrived very early that day but hadn't even stepped foot into his workshop yet, all for the sake of waiting for the boy who was able to bring him such a great surprise.

Cen Yue was also in his office and was following right behind him. If the others in the Blacksmith's Association knew that these two figures had waited a whole day for a child, they wouldn't even know what to think.

And right behind these two figures, was Mu Xi.

"President!" Yun Xiaoling stood up and greeted Mu Chen respectfully.

Mu Chen smiled and nodded. The next moment, his gaze fell on the two brothers.

Standing up, Tang Wulin said, "Hello, President" whilst bowing while his brother, lazily took off his earphones and turned off his soul-pod before standing up and doing the same thing.

"It's you?" An astonished voice came from Mu Xi, who was at Mu Chen's side. To Mu Xi, these were the guys who had stolen all of the limelight from her. They were the guys who stole the limelight from all the blacksmiths of her generation.

Mu Chen looked at his daughter in surprise. "Xi Xi, are you acquainted with each other?"

Mu Xi looked at Tang Wulin, the Tang Xingxi and said, "We're not acquainted. But it seems we attend the same academy."

Mu Chen smiled. "Tang Wulin, Tang Xingxi, what grade are you in at Eastsea Academy?"

Tang Wulin said, "We entered the academy as new students this year. We're in the first grade, class five."

When she heard the two words 'class five', Mu Xi's expression immediately revealed a trace of disdain. Naturally, she knew what class five represented. It was a class full of good-for-nothings who could never become a Soul Grandmaster.

However, Mu Chen's attitude didn't change when he heard what class Tang Wulin was in. "I heard from Cen Yue that you passed the second rank test. That's truly a wonderful achievement. You should know that you've set a new record in the Blacksmith's Association. We truly feel that you are worthy of being our successor!" he said.

Tang Wulin's small face grew red in embarrassment. He had no clue as to how he should respond when faced with praise from others.

Before being able to say anything, his brother asked, "Uncle President, can my brother and I get our badges now and begin taking forging tasks?"

Slightly startled, Mu Chen laughed and said, "Of course you can."

Cen Yue smiled. "The President waited for you the whole day in order to personally give you your badges."

Yun Xiaoling had already walked over from the side, carrying a silver tray with a red cloth on top. And on top of the cloth, were two badges.

The badges were in the shape of a hexagon. One of them had an orange background, a protruding hammer and three yellow stars embedded into it. The other one had a white background, yet it seemed to shine with a slight tinge of red. On it, were five beautiful purple stars.

Personally placing the badge on Tang Wulin's right b.r.e.a.s.t, and doing the same for Tang Xingxi, his smile vanished and he turned solemn.

He then started to chant, "From henceforth, you are members of the Blacksmith's Association. As blacksmiths, I hope that you will earnestly complete all your forging work. Use your soul to perceive, and your life to gain enlightenment. A true blacksmith doesn't just forge metal, rather, they will birth life to it. And as for the one who has already given life to it, I hope that from there, you will give it strength and power to truly complete its birth into something truly supreme."

Tang Wulin and Tang Xingxi gently touched their badges. The simple coldness they felt, causing an unprecedented sense of accomplishment to ignite within them. At last, they had officially become blacksmiths.

Mu Chen was just about to take out the piece of chromium that Tang Xingxi forged before his daughter suddenly interrupted, "I want to compete with you!"

An unconvinced face looked at Tang Wulin and Tang Xingxi. It was only now that Tang Wulin noticed that on her stomach, there was an identical badge. About to say something, he opened his mouth before feeling a hand grasp his shoulder. Turning around and seeing that the hand belonged to his brother, he stopped doing what he was doing.

Putting his hand down from his brother's shoulder, Tang Xingxi walked out in front of his brother for the first time today. Before Mu Chen could say anything, Tang Xingxi said, "Alright. My brother and I accept. You don't seem to acknowledge us, so we shall prove to you our abilities through our actions rather than words," whilst throwing out a white glove from his pocket that he prepared beforehand for dramatic effect.

Her face, turning from surprise to one full of fighting spirit replied, "Alright then, two days from now, we shall compete. Right here, in this building." (MX)

"Alright! Deal!" Tang Xingxi said before the two walked forward and shook hands.

Meanwhile, during this confrontation, Mu Chen was clutching his head and was screaming furiously in his mind. 'Dammit daughter! Do you even know who you just f***ing challenged!?'