"..."
Meanwhile, in Dormitory 123.
"I'm back."
"Boss, why are you back so soon? Where's that girl?"
When Tang Luochuan returned, Zhang Yangzi and the others wore puzzled expressions, unable to resist asking.
After all, their boss had gone out with a girl...
And came back this quickly?
"She went back too."
Tang Luochuan paused slightly before smiling. Did they expect Gu Yue to come back with him or something?
"Huh?"
"Boss, she seemed to like you quite a bit. Didn't you two walk around the school together?"
Wang Jinxi's eyes sparkled with curiosity as he gossiped.
Though usually a loner, he was clearly invested in this kind of juicy topic.
Not to mention, the two were so well-matched—both 28th-ranked Grand Soul Masters in the same class. One could even say they were destined to be connected.
Shouldn't they spend more time together?
"Jinxi."
"Your thoughts are far from pure."
Hearing this, Tang Luochuan could only shake his head with a wry smile.
What did he mean by "liked him quite a bit"?
His relationship with Gu Yue was still perfectly innocent. After all, they were only nine years old. Were kids on the Douluo Continent really this precocious?
At nine years old, back in his past life...
That would've been a very questionable age.
"..."
The next day.
"Good morning, Tang Luochuan."
In Class One of the first grade, Tang Luochuan had just taken his seat when Gu Yue naturally sat down beside him, a faint smile on her lips.
"Hm?"
"Morning."
Tang Luochuan responded softly, polite as always.
"..."
Staring at the boy before her—whose aura was captivating yet left her at a loss for words—Gu Yue felt a wave of silence wash over her. Her time living as a human was still too short; she didn't even know how to start a conversation.
"This afternoon."
"Do you have time to go out?"
Only when the dismissal bell rang did she finally turn to him and ask quietly.
This wasn't without reason.
She would have a connection with Tang Luochuan—that much was certain. But the process had to start somewhere, and it seemed she'd have to take the initiative...
Today's classes only lasted half a day, so the afternoon was perfect for spending time together. Of course, calling it "building affection" wouldn't be wrong either.
"This afternoon?"
"Actually, no."
Hearing this, Tang Luochuan shook his head. It wasn't that he didn't want to agree—he genuinely had plans.
That afternoon, he and Wu Lin were scheduled to visit the Forging Master Association for certification. There was no way he could go out with her instead.
Aolai City didn't have a Forging Master Association, and before this, Mang Tian had kept them from getting involved too early due to their young age.
But now that both had surpassed the third rank, there was no need to hold back anymore. It was time to show their brilliance.
Of course, he knew full well that the moment the two appeared at the Forging Master Association, it wouldn't just be a simple display of talent—it would shake the entire Soul Master world.
"..."
"Really no time at all?"
Hearing these words, Gu Yue was momentarily stunned. A pensive look crossed her face as she gazed at the person before her with indifference, yet an inexplicable emotion stirred within her heart.
"Mm."
"I have to go out this afternoon, so I won't have time to do anything with you."
Tang Luochuan offered no further explanation, speaking slowly.
"Alright."
"Then I'll head back first."
Listening to this, Gu Yue wore a silent expression, sighing helplessly before waving goodbye and walking away alone.
"Okay, I'll be leaving too."
"Mm…"
Gu Yue forced a faint smile.
But inwardly, her emotions were anything but calm—she had been rejected.
This was the first time since her existence as a human that a man had turned her down. Tang Luochuan…
How dare you!
With that thought, her pace quickened, and soon she vanished without a trace.
"Boss."
"What's this…"
"You rejected that girl?"
Wang Jinxi couldn't help but ask, his face solemn.
Gu Yue's attempt to strike up a conversation with Tang Luochuan hadn't been quiet—at the very least, he had heard every word. The girl had clearly invited the boss out, so why had she left just like that?
"It wasn't exactly a rejection."
"I just happened to have something to do this afternoon."
"I won't stay here much longer either."
Tang Luochuan didn't agree with that phrasing, shaking his head to correct it before heading toward Class Five of the first grade, where his younger brother was.
"But it's still a rejection."
Left behind, Wang Jinxi muttered under his breath, his expression unreadable.
"Wu Lin, let's go."
Arriving at the door of Class Five, Tang Luochuan's gaze was momentarily drawn to Wu Zhangkong inside the classroom before shifting to Tang Wulin, his tone calm.
"Coming!"
Tang Wulin's eyes sparkled with anticipation. The Forging Master certification—he'd been looking forward to this for a long time!
"…"
Only Wu Zhangkong observed the scene quietly, his gaze unconsciously lingering on Tang Luochuan. So this was Tang Wulin's older brother—truly a dragon among men.
"…"
"Xiong Jun, keep an eye on him."
"I want to see what he's so busy with."
Meanwhile, after arriving at a secluded spot, Gu Yue's expression turned icy as she spoke softly.
"As you command, my Lady."
From the shadows, a black-clad figure nodded before vanishing in a flash.
Not long after, at the East Sea City Forging Master Association.
It was a gray building, about thirty stories tall, adorned with a massive hammer emblem—so distinctive that no signboard was even needed to identify it.
Passing through the glass doors of the first floor, they were met with a ten-meter-high glass wall bearing a golden hammer relief at least eight meters tall.
"Little brothers, what brings you here?"
The receptionist looked at Tang Luochuan with curiosity—such handsome young boys.
"We're here for the Forging Master rank evaluation."
Tang Luochuan replied steadily.
"Kids your age shouldn't joke about such things. Forging Masters aren't something you can become so young…"
"Is President Mu Chen available? We were referred by Master Mang Tian. Here's our letter of introduction."
The staff member was about to tease them a bit when Tang Luochuan shook his head and pulled out two recommendation letters from his pocket, handing them over.
One was addressed to Tang Luochuan, and the other to Tang Wulin. Though the contents might differ greatly, there was no doubt about one thing...
They both confirmed the exceptional forging talent of Tang Luochuan and Tang Wulin.
"This..."
Seeing the distinctive recommendation from a Level 6 Forging Grandmaster on the letters, the woman hesitated before finally making a phone call.
"Hello, who is this?"
A deep voice came from the other end of the line.
"President, it's Xiao Xing. There are two young boys here with recommendation letters from Master Mang Tian..."
"Mang Tian referred them?"
"Bring them up."
Hearing this, Mu Chen immediately spoke up. In the privacy of his unseen office, his face lit up with excitement.
The two brothers had finally arrived!
(End of Chapter)