Suppressing the confusion in his heart, Old Jack shook his head and answered Xiao Yan's question, "That's not necessarily the case."
Xiao Yan furrowed his brow. Could it be that the title of Grand Soul Master wasn't just a rank for Soul Masters?
Seeing Xiao Yan's confusion, Old Jack smiled and explained, "A Soul Master is one of the most noble professions in our entire continent. They can be powerful warriors or auxiliary Soul Masters with unique abilities.
Therefore, not every Soul Master has immense combat strength. But regardless of their type, Soul Masters are ranked by the same titles."
"I see now," Xiao Yan nodded thoughtfully.
He hadn't realized that Soul Masters were this complex. He was also wondering what kind of Soul Master that old dog Tang Hao was.
Seeing that Xiao Yan was quite interested in Soul Masters, Old Jack continued explaining.
"Soul Masters have their own soul power, and based on the strength of their soul power, they are divided into ten ranks. Each rank has ten levels. The initial entry level is called Soulist. When soul power reaches level eleven, they move on to the next rank, which is the Soul Master. A Grand Soul Master is the third rank in this series. Reaching the Grand Soul Master realm means they are already a very powerful Soul Master."
"A Grand Soul Master is already quite powerful?" Xiao Yan became even more interested in his upcoming soul awakening.
Since his transmigration, he had been in this small village. While he practiced powerful martial arts, he never had the chance to fight anyone.
The old dog Tang Hao might be his enemy, perhaps even the one who killed his father.
If he could compare himself to a Grand Soul Master, he would know his own strength, making it easier to plan for eliminating Tang Hao, venting his resentment, and maybe even avenging his adoptive father.
Old Jack nodded. "Soul Masters are divided into ten overall ranks: Soulist, Soul Master, Grand Soul Master, Soul Honored, Soul Sect, Soul King, Soul Emperor, Soul Saint, Soul Douluo, and Title Douluo. Our continent is named Douluo for this reason.
In the legends, Title Douluos who are above level ninety can give themselves a title, and they are practically invincible beings!"
Xiao Yan inwardly sighed. Title Douluos could really be considered invincible! Could they have the ability to move mountains? This Douluo Continent was more complicated than he thought.
Old Jack's eyes glowed with pride as he continued, "Little Three, a hundred years ago, our Holy Soul Village produced a Soul Saint of the eighth rank. That was incredibly rare in all of Notting City, and even in the entire Fasno Province."
"Old Jack, that's just a legend." Tang Hao, who had been standing nearby, curled his lips and spoke for the first time.
"What do you mean by 'just a legend'? Legends come from the truth.Tang Hao, you've been in the village for six years. You should understand the place of that Soul Saint in our hearts. If I hear you insult that Soul Saint again, I'll expel you from the village. Don't think I'd want to come to your doghouse if it weren't for Little Three!**"
Old Jack was furious and stopped talking when Tang Hao touched a nerve.
Tang Hao became silent after Old Jack's outburst and began hammering on farming tools with the iron hammer in his hands.
"Little Three, don't be like your drunkard father. Be more determined. I'm leaving now. In three days, I'll come to take you for your soul awakening."
After saying that, Old Jack left the blacksmith shop in a huff.
Xiao Yan couldn't help but feel a bit regretful. He had wanted to learn more about Soul Masters and Soul Souls, but now he would have to wait and experience it himself in three days.
He was feeling down for a moment, then he walked to the anvil and picked up the small hammer Tang Hao had prepared for him, continuing to strike the iron ore that had grown the size of a fist.
The ore still contained some impurities. After a little more hammering, it would be ready for forging as a concealed weapon.
The clanging sound of the hammer caught Tang Hao's attention.
The once impure iron block had shrunk to a fifth of its original size and now appeared to shine with a glossy dark light. It looked completely different from how it had been before.
Seeing Xiao Yan's proficient and strong strikes, a gleam of light flashed in Tang Hao's eyes.
"Little Three's strength is impressive. I haven't taught him the Chaotic Hammer technique, yet he has already refined this scrap metal into something so sleek and shining. His talent surpasses many, even more than I did back in the day."
"Such talent shouldn't be wasted. He might even be a great blacksmith in the future."
Tang Hao paused his actions, walked toward Xiao Yan, and asked, "What are you planning to forge with this iron?"
"Has the old dog Tang Hao changed today?" Xiao Yan was a little surprised. Normally, this guy didn't speak much to him.
Xiao Yan put down the hammer and wiped the sweat from his forehead. "I plan to forge some fine needles."
"Fine needles?" Tang Hao had expected something like a knife or sword but didn't expect him to want something so inconspicuous. "Well, that's better."
Tang Hao said, "With your forging technique, it will probably take at least half a year to forge these fine needles from this piece of iron."
"Half a year?" Xiao Yan was somewhat surprised.
Despite the old dog Tang Hao being unremarkable, his words had some merit.
As the saying goes, "Each trade has its own expertise."
Although Xiao Yan understood the essentials of Tang Sect hidden weapons, the initial forging techniques weren't something he knew.
Using brute strength could reduce the time, but it would still take several days, not half a year.
However, since Tang Hao had rare words of wisdom, there must be something more to it.
Xiao Yan asked, "Then what should I do?"
Tang Hao coldly replied, "Tell me, when you swing the forging hammer, where does the force come from first?"
"The power comes from the ground, naturally starting with my feet."
Tang Hao gave Xiao Yan a surprised look. He hadn't expected this little kid to have such insight. Most people would say it was from the waist or arms.
Tang Hao paused for a moment, then asked, "Now tell me, how many hearts does a person have?"
Xiao Yan was taken aback. His heart skipped a beat. This old dog Tang Hao had probably gotten drunk and was talking nonsense. Everyone only had one heart, though it could be on the right side for some people.
"Answer me!" Tang Hao's cold eyes stared at Xiao Yan, and suddenly an overwhelming aura burst from him.
Xiao Yan's heart raced. This pressure was no joke! The old dog Tang Hao's strength was at least above his own.
Fortunately, Xiao Yan hadn't impulsively attacked earlier.
(End of Chapter)