Investing time to forge good foundational metal was better than forging new metal later on. Tang Wulin understood this. However, forging spirit alloys was no walk in the park, and forging ninety percent harmony rate pieces was even harder. Every success was birthed upon a mountain of failures.

Yue Zhengyus Holy Angel clan might have the resources to burn, but Tang Wulin didnt! Fortunately, Yue Zhengyu was providing him with raw materials for practice, not to mention he would pay for pieces with a ninety percent harmony rate or higher. That said, what Tang Wulin truly wanted wasnt money. It was more metal.

After blacksmithing for an entire afternoon, Tang Wulin took a break to meet his friends for dinner. He had worked up an appetite.

Wulin, dont push yourself too hard. Concern flashed in Gu Yues eyes as she took in his his exhausted expression.

Gu Yue, I came up with an idea recently. Lets call Wu Siduo and Luo Guixing after were done eating so I can tell you guys all at once, said Tang Wulin.

Okay, said Gu Yue, nodding.

True to his word, Tang Wulin summoned them to his workshop after their meals.

Class president, whatd you call us for? Luo Guixing was quick to voice this question the moment they gathered.

Although Tang Wulin managed to gain some measure of respect from Luo Guixing and Wu Siduo, enough to make them behave, there was still a wide distance between them. Both were prodigies with their names etched onto the Genius Youths Rankings. Their pride made it difficult for them to accept Tang Wulin just yet. At the very least, they didnt acknowledge his strength.

So heres the deal. Ive got an idea I want to present to you guys. Ive been forging metal for a second-grade student whos also preparing to make battle armor, and compared to us, hes going about it in a completely different way. His way seems like itll lay down a better foundation. If we borrow his method, I think itll really help us as once we become battle armor masters.

Tang Wulin explained Yue Zhengyus plan. Yue Zhengyu had neither sworn him to secrecy nor was this method feasible for just anyone. It required a skilled blacksmith and a mountain of raw materials.

Is that even possible? Luo Guixing was unconvinced. Just how much resources will it take to create a set of one-word battle armor made of spirit alloy? I cant approve of such a method.

Wu Siduo shook her head. Your alloy forging success rate is low enough, but your chances of producing a piece with a ninety percent harmony rate is even lower. Ill admit Im shocked that you can forge spirit alloys, but well have to bet on luck if we choose this method. Once we start on our battle armors, theres no going back. Beginning with ninety percent harmony alloy means using the same material for the entire set. Do you really think you can produce that much? If we go through with this and you cant, then even if were only short one part, itll be all for nothing. We wont even be able to graduate like that.

She frowned. The sooner we finish our battle armors, the higher our chances of entering the inner court. Are you telling us to all gamble on your forging success rate?

Tang Wulin couldnt help but nod at their words, his brow furrowing. It seems I was too eager and didnt think things through.

Their criticisms were reasonable. Yue Zhengyu was wealthy enough to take this approach, but they werent.

Lets just stick with our original plan. Gu Yues nearly done with the hand and forearm armor designs and Im ready to start making them the moment she is.

I think what Wulin said makes sense, Gu Yue interjected. Itll be challenging to create our armors with alloys, but the rewards will be great if we succeed. It'll be far easier for us to upgrade our armors in the future. Are you telling me you two arent planning on using spirit alloys for your two-word battle armor? Youll never become a three-word battle armor master otherwise. If you have to do it eventually, then why not get a head start? I know itll be tough for us, but its worth the risk. I say we do as Wulin suggested.

Gu Yue moved to stand by Tang Wulins side.

Wu Siduo stared her down cooly. If you want to gamble, then do it yourself. Since were split on what to do, how should we resolve this? How will our group proceed from here on?

Luo Guixing remained silent, but it was clear he agreed with Wu Siduo.

Tang Wulin patted Gu Yues shoulder. Forget about it. Lets just go with the original plan. I was letting my imagination get the better of me. Making our armors with alloys would be too expensive, and Im not confident I could produce that much spirit alloy anyway.

No. I want to use alloys for my battle armor, declared Gu Yue.

Tang Wulin was taken aback by her stubbornness, then warmth filled his heart. He understood that this was her way of supporting him!

Wu Siduos expression blackened. So are you saying we should disband?

Gu Yue snorted. If you want to disband, then well disband. You two didnt like us from the beginning anyway.

Wu Siduo sneered. Fine! Were disbanding! Just remember that this is what you wanted! Dont regret this later. Lets see how you make your battle armor with just you two. With this said, she turned around to leave.

Before Tang Wulin could call out to her, Gu Yue stopped him with a tug of his sleeve.

However, Luo Guixing ran in front of Wu Siduo, barring her from leaving. Youre all so impulsive! This is no good for any of us. We were put in a group together by the Academy to make mechas or battle armor as a test. How do you think well be evaluated if our group breaks up? Itll crush out chances of getting into the inner court! Everyone, just take a moment to calm down. How about this: Ill continue with the original plan with Wu Siduo. You two will forge and design as was planned. But on my side, Im not skilled enough to work with spirit alloys, so youll have to find another maker.

Wu Siduo looked like she swallowed a lemon. She didnt leave, but she didnt say anything either.

Staring Luo Guixing in the eye for a moment, Tang Wulin gestured his approval. Alright. Well do that then. Ill first-grade thousand refine your metals and Gu Yue will finish the designs for your armor. As for our own armor sets, well find someone good enough to make them.

Luo Guixing smiled. Its settled then. Lets end things here today. Give me a call when the designs are finished so I can start as soon as possible.

After watching Wu Siduo and Luo Guixings figures disappear into the distance, Gu Yue turned to Tang Wulin with fury. Why did you agree to that? That Luo Guixing is no good! Hes just taking advantage of us now. Were forging and designing for them, but theyre not doing anything for us!

Tang Wulin gave her a reassuring smile. Just because I didnt fight back doesnt mean I dont understand whats going on. First-grade thousand refining is as easy as cake for me now and designing for them will also serve as valuable practice for you. Luo Guixing was right about us being a group. Even if we have conflicting views, we have to do our best to work together. Dont forget were the leaders of the class. We cant let the other students see us fighting with each other.