Those were a pair of strange crimson eyes, making Gu You momentarily dazed. Only after snapping out of it did he realize it was Yuanen.
A peculiar feeling lingered—he seemed normal from afar, yet up close, there was an inexplicable pull.
Even so, Gu You instinctively took a step back. He wasn't into heterochromia.
Even though she already had her answer, Yuanen still found it hard to believe that Gu You could perform spirit forging. Throughout history, there had been many geniuses, but blacksmithing prodigies were exceedingly rare.
"One piece of spirit-forged metal, five thousand contribution points. No annual contract. Deal?" Yuanen looked at Gu You.
Five thousand? Gu You was surprised. That was even more than the academy's standard exchange rate. Was this girl a fool?
He sized up Yuanen and shook his head. "I don't lack contribution points. Besides, as a work-study student, where did you even get that many contribution points?"
"I can get them. Just agree, okay? None of the pre-made metals from the academy suit me." Yuanen persisted.
"You… Fine, I'll agree, but I won't take your contribution points. In return, you'll owe me a favor in the future." Gu You spoke solemnly.
No payment? In other words, he wouldn't take her contribution points? Yuanen couldn't understand—what kind of favor could be worth multiple pieces of spirit-forged metal in the future?
"Thank you." Yuanen murmured.
Gu You just chuckled. "I can't forge it for you right now. When I have some free time, tell me what metals you need. I'll make yours along with my own."
Yuanen nodded. She wasn't in a hurry. From her perspective, she was getting an enormous bargain.
As Gu You was about to leave, something occurred to him. "What are you planning to forge?"
Yuanen hesitated. "I don't really know. I want to make a pair of gauntlets. Can you recommend a material?"
Gu You frowned. "Gauntlets? Are you planning to integrate them into your future battle armor's arm pieces? It sounds like a good idea, but the feasibility is questionable."
"That is part of my plan." Yuanen confirmed.
"What's your martial soul? Does it cause any changes to your hands when activated?" Gu You asked.
"Titan Giant Ape." Yuanen hesitated briefly but answered honestly.
Even though he already knew her martial soul, thinking about a girl using it made him inevitably picture a muscular, towering figure.
Yuanen did have a second martial soul, but everyone knew how problematic that one was—surviving with it was already a miracle.
"That's not going to be easy." Gu You answered seriously. He wasn't exaggerating—Titan Giant Ape was a ruler among ancient soul beasts. The sheer explosive power from using this martial soul could crush any metal in an instant.
"Then what should I do?" Yuanen asked.
Gu You replied, "Well, you're lucky to have found me. No other blacksmith could do it. The best solution is to use a first-grade spirit-forged metal. High-grade spirit-forged metal will merge with your body, adapting to any changes you undergo. No matter how much your form shifts, it will change along with you. But there's one condition—you need to offer a blood sacrifice."
Yuanen smiled, satisfied. "Then I'll be counting on you."
Gu You waved a hand dismissively. "It's nothing."
"I have a question—what exactly is the secret behind the work-study students?" Gu You hadn't planned on asking this, but his curiosity got the better of him. Who could possibly remember all the intricate details of the original plot? It was better to know than to stay ignorant.
Yuanen thought for a moment. "We work-study students are a unique bunch. The academy selects us in two ways—either we failed the entrance exam but possess exceptional talent in a specific field, or we have some sort of special condition. Historically, many top figures have emerged from the work-study program. For example, the current head of Shrek's Blacksmith Association, Elder Feng, was once a work-study student.
"Back in the day, he was admitted solely because of his blacksmithing skills. He didn't graduate from the outer court until he was thirty-four. Normally, he wouldn't have qualified for the inner court, but at that age, he broke through the sixth-tier blacksmithing barrier and successfully completed his first soul-forged piece, becoming a seventh-tier Saint Craftsman. Because of that, the academy made an exception and admitted him into the inner court.
"Over the next twenty years, he advanced from a six-ring Soul Emperor to a nine-ring Title Douluo. Now, as an eighth-tier Saint Craftsman, he holds the highest blacksmithing level in the academy and has a prestigious status."
"In the eyes of regular students, work-study students are people they absolutely shouldn't offend, because they don't know what we specialize in. Statistically, thirty percent of work-study students qualify for the inner court—a higher percentage than regular students. Of course, we go through much harsher training."
"The work-study program was originally established to give those with unique talents but weaker overall abilities a chance to enter Shrek Academy. But over time, due to the efforts of past generations, the title of 'work-study student' has become synonymous with strength in the outer court."
Hearing this, Gu You suddenly understood. He chuckled wryly.
"What are you laughing at?" Yuanen asked.
"People always preach about equal education, but I've learned something new today. Even in the continent's number one academy, students are divided into clear social classes." Gu You sighed.
Even if the intent was to nurture geniuses, from the perspective of an ordinary person, it was undeniably unfair. Separating certain people from the larger group, telling them they were special, while the rest were made to feel lesser—what would that do to their minds?
In this world, ordinary people would never be valued as highly as soul masters. That was an unchanging truth in the Douluo Continent.
If the Federation had to choose between saving an entire city of ordinary people or a single Soul Douluo, what do you think it would decide?
Or if you were in that position, what would you choose?
"Do you have any other questions?" Yuanen asked.
"No." Gu You turned to leave.
As she watched him walk away, Yuanen thought back to his words—"Hierarchy and divisions."
"He really is different."
"Wait… I totally forgot! I'm a third-tier mecha designer! Maybe I could actually help him somehow… Oh, forget it. His blacksmithing skills are so high, he probably has top-tier mecha designers on call whenever he needs them…"
Gu You made his way toward the main teaching building, heading toward the work-study dorms.
As he passed through a grove, he suddenly stopped and looked in a certain direction.
At the edge of the grove, facing the work-study dorms, sat a lone figure.
Dressed in the green uniform of Shrek Academy, his blonde hair was slicked back, oily and neatly combed.
The blond youth noticed Gu You as well.
"So, you're here too…"
(End of Chapter)