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As Titan spoke, he stepped aside and took the initiative to introduce Wang Li and Dugu Yan to Lou Gao, saying:
"Let me introduce you first—I've joined a sect. This is the Sect Master, and that is the Sect Master's wife. Our Sect Master is renowned across the continent, the youngest Titled Douluo, the Blue Silver Douluo, Wang Li."
"This isn't the place to talk. Let's head inside, and we can discuss things slowly."
Lou Gao had originally wanted to tease Titan a bit, but upon hearing that the Sect Master was the Blue Silver Douluo, he was utterly shocked. After all, Wang Li's name was now extremely well-known.
Although Lou Gao was a Divine Blacksmith, he was also a Soul Saint-level soul master. The fact that Wang Li had become a Titled Douluo at just twenty years old left him both stunned and full of admiration.
Curious, Lou Gao examined Wang Li for a moment, praising him inwardly—indeed, so young and handsome. While stepping back, he spoke:
"I've heard of your great name, Your Excellency. Please, come in. The place is a bit messy. I usually live here alone while researching weapon design and forging."
Wang Li, Dugu Yan, and Titan entered one after another. Glancing around, they saw the room was indeed as Lou Gao described—cluttered. Various weapons, armor, finished and half-finished products, as well as metals and ores, were piled messily all around.
Wang Li gave an admiring nod and said:
"Divine Blacksmith Lou Gao, your dedication to forging is evident. I see I haven't come to the wrong person. I've brought two weapons for you to examine."
Hearing this, Lou Gao's curiosity was immediately piqued. Any weapon brought by a Titled Douluo surely held some special qualities. He rolled up his sleeves, wiped his hands, and said:
"Then I must take a good look."
With a flip of his hands, Wang Li produced a Zhuge Divine Crossbow and a Soaring Divine Claw, then handed them over, saying:
"These two weapons—one fires bolts powerful enough to kill a Soul Ancestor; the other shoots out an iron claw attached to a steel cable. Whether for seizing enemies or scaling mountains, both are exceptionally effective."
As Lou Gao took the weapons and listened to Wang Li's explanation, his eyes widened in astonishment. In a few quick steps, he rushed to his workbench.
He meticulously examined the Zhuge Divine Crossbow and the Soaring Divine Claw, inspecting the external details before dismantling them to study their internal mechanisms. As he worked, he muttered:
"Amazing… so intricate… I didn't know something like this could even be made…"
Excitement surged through him. He gently handled each component, feeling the materials and specifications with his expert touch. As one of the top Divine Blacksmiths, a simple touch was enough for him to discern everything he needed. A complete structural blueprint had already formed in his mind.
After a long while, he reassembled the Zhuge Divine Crossbow and Soaring Divine Claw with ease, effortlessly overcoming several hidden mechanisms.
Holding the two weapons, Lou Gao turned to Wang Li, his expression filled with excitement, and said:
"Your Excellency, these two weapons are truly ingenious. Though they may not look impressive at first glance, they unleash tremendous power and have greatly inspired my own research."
"Would it be possible for me to keep them? I can pay with gold soul coins, or fulfill any other request within my ability."
Wang Li, observing Lou Gao's excitement, replied calmly:
"Divine Blacksmith Lou Gao, I'm afraid that won't do. Our sect currently relies on these weapons for profit. If I left them with you and you reproduced them for the market, our sect—over a thousand people strong—would be left with nothing to live on."
Lou Gao understood. It made sense; stealing another's livelihood would surely provoke retaliation. Still, he was reluctant to return the weapons.
Moreover, since Wang Li had brought these weapons personally, it couldn't be just for evaluation. There had to be more. Gritting his teeth, Lou Gao said:
"Your Excellency, just speak plainly. What would it take for me to keep these two weapons? I'm one of the three Divine Blacksmiths and President of the Blacksmith Association. I hold some influence here in Gengxin City."
Wang Li knew from this question that Lou Gao had already considered the worst possibilities, so he got straight to the point:
"Divine Blacksmith Lou Gao, I can't let you keep the weapons. But if you join my sect, all future weapon research will be in your hands."
Lou Gao's heart skipped a beat. So this had been aimed at him from the start. His expression shifted repeatedly. Was it worth abandoning everything he had in Gengxin City for the sake of these weapons?
In the end, he made his decision. Though he had wealth and status in Gengxin City, he had no hope of further progress. These weapons, however, held the key to elevating his forging skills. There was no reason to hesitate.
A gleam of fervor flashed in Lou Gao's eyes as he solemnly said to Wang Li:
"Your Excellency, I agree. I'll join your sect. Now I can study these two weapons, right?"
Wang Li smiled and said to Lou Gao:
"Divine Blacksmith Lou Gao, you won't regret your choice today. In time, your name will echo across the continent."
As he spoke, Wang Li brushed his hand across his storage soul tool, producing a large stack of blueprints, which he slapped onto the workbench, saying:
"This one's called Peacock Plume, this one Buddha's Fury Tang Lotus, and this one Storm Pear Blossom Needles. Each is superior to the two you just saw. The Zhuge Divine Crossbow and Soaring Divine Claw are most effective below the Soul King level, but these three—once forged—can slay Soul Saints, seriously wound Soul Douluos, and even give Titled Douluos pause."
"But they're incredibly difficult to create. That's why I came to you. With your help, these weapons will one day see the light, and that alone will etch your name into history."
"In the future, I hope you can modify them further. These weapons, no matter how powerful, have limits. If they can be activated by soul power instead of mechanical means, imagine their potential."
"I have high hopes for you, Divine Blacksmith Lou Gao. Otherwise, I wouldn't have come all this way."
Lou Gao's eyes widened in awe, stunned. The Zhuge Divine Crossbow and Soaring Divine Claw now paled in comparison. Grabbing the three stacks of blueprints, he examined them one by one, his face alight with excitement and zeal.
Clutching the blueprints tightly, he could already imagine the sensation these weapons would cause if successfully forged—they would shock the entire continent.
Gazing at the blueprints, then at Wang Li, Lou Gao said, exhilarated:
"Your Excellency, say no more. From now on, I'm following you. Even if you told me to leave, I wouldn't!"
At that moment, Lou Gao turned and shouted:
"Si Long!"
Hearing his voice, Si Long quickly ran in from outside, respectfully saluting Lou Gao:
"Teacher!"
Holding the blueprints in one hand, Lou Gao clapped Si Long's shoulder with the other and said:
"Si Long, from now on, you're the President of the Blacksmith Association. Unite the other disciples, manage the association well, and continue to protect all blacksmiths."
"I'm leaving. I'm going to follow His Excellency and pursue my own path. In my lifetime, I, Lou Gao, will forge a divine weapon!"
"Ha!"
Si Long was dumbfounded. How had he suddenly become President?
"Teacher… I'm afraid I can't handle this…"
Lougao's expression turned stern as he looked at Silong and said in a low voice:
"Stop being so timid. I told you to do it because I believe you can. If you keep doubting yourself, that's when you'll truly fail as president. Be confident, stand tall. As long as you apply the same focus and passion you have when forging to anything you do, you'll succeed."
Hearing this, Silong's expression gradually firmed up. He straightened his back and responded loudly:
"Yes, Teacher! I will do my best!"
Only then did Lougao smile. Among his disciples, Silong was the eldest and most capable. As long as he could unite his fellow disciples, the Blacksmith Association would be fine even after Lougao's departure.
Then Lougao looked at Wang Li with eagerness and said:
"Your Excellency… no, Sect Master, when do we depart? My disciple will manage the Blacksmith Association after I leave—I'm ready to go anytime."
Seeing how eager Lougao was, Wang Li chuckled and replied:
"No need to rush. Let's wait another day or two. This is Gengxin City—before we leave, we need to stock up on rare metals. You and Titan should decide together. Work out exactly which rare metals are needed to craft the Peacock Plume, Buddha's Fury Tang Lotus, and Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle. Also, determine what our sect needs and make one large purchase to bring back."
Wang Li wasn't skilled in forging, but he had meticulously drawn the blueprints and labeled every important detail. The rest he left to Titan and Lougao, the two master smiths.
Lougao agreed, finding the plan reasonable. Titan also nodded. The two Divine Blacksmiths then began examining the blueprints together, discussing which parts required which metals, and how each should be refined—everything carefully recorded.
…
Two days flew by. Wang Li and Dugu Yan spent the time leisurely exploring Gengxin City. When Titan and Lougao returned with a report detailing which metals had been purchased and how many Gold Soul Coins were spent, Wang Li only gave a simple command:
"Alright, let's go. Time to return to the sect."
As they departed Gengxin City, Lougao's disciples came to bid him farewell. Only after a difficult separation did they finally set out on their journey.
Lougao did feel a touch of reluctance but quickly composed himself. While riding in the carriage, he said to Wang Li:
"Sect Master, please forgive that scene. I've taught my disciples everything I can. Whether they become Divine Blacksmiths depends on their own talent and effort. Perhaps my departure will be a good thing for them."
Wang Li smiled and replied:
"It's natural to feel reluctant when parting, but this isn't a final farewell. You can visit them anytime, and they can come see you.
Gengxin City is rich in ores—ideal for the Blacksmith Association's development. Once our sect grows strong, we can establish a branch here and collaborate with the association.
My goal isn't just to reproduce the weapons in those blueprints. I want to radically upgrade them—turn them into soul-powered Soul Tools."
"Sage Lougao, blacksmiths must also evolve with the times. They must not only swing heavy hammers but also wield fine engraving knives. By integrating blacksmithing with soul mastery, we can achieve true progress. Otherwise, in a world ruled by soul masters, blacksmiths will always remain in the background."
Lougao frowned in thought, but his eyes grew increasingly bright. Wang Li's words revealed a clear path: in the world of soul masters, if blacksmiths want to rise, they must ally themselves with soul masters—or better yet, make soul masters seek them out. Then, the status of blacksmiths would be beyond question.
Titan clapped Lougao on the shoulder and laughed heartily:
"Lougao, our sect master has grand ambitions. He aims to spark a revolution across the continent—and perhaps that change starts with us."
Lougao nodded and said:
"The heritage of Soul Tools is nearly lost. I understand many metal properties—resistance to heat, cold, wear, corrosion, and their ability to conduct soul power. But the core issue—transforming soul power into energy—remains unsolved. Without that breakthrough, Soul Tools cannot truly return."
Wang Li replied with a relaxed expression:
"There's always a way. Since they existed before, whether through ancient Soul Tools or surviving texts, we have material to study. Standing on the shoulders of our predecessors, surely we can recreate what they once achieved."
He didn't say the rest aloud—if progress stalled, he would make the effort to find the other continent, the Sun-Moon Continent. As long as he kept flying west, he should eventually reach it.
Wang Li then continued:
"Once we reach the border between the two empires, you'll return to the sect. I need to make a trip to the Star Dou Great Forest."
"You don't need to follow. Just my fiancée and I will go—it'll probably be quicker that way."
Titan and Lougao were curious but didn't question further. With Wang Li being a Title Douluo and Dugu Yan a Soul Douluo, if they entered the Star Dou Forest, it was the soul beasts who needed to worry, not them.
The two replied in unison:
"As you wish!"
A few days later, at the border of the two empires, Titan and Lougao rode back to the Heaven Dou Empire while Wang Li and Dugu Yan headed toward the Star Dou Great Forest.
Holding Dugu Yan, Wang Li flew swiftly at low altitude. With no one else around, he explained:
"Yan Yan-jie, as you know, my mutated Blue Silver Grass martial spirit can continuously evolve. Gathering life force from its kin is one method. The Star Dou Great Forest is filled with Blue Silver Grass. During this process, I must not be disturbed—so I'll need you to protect me."
Gently stroking Wang Li's cheek, Dugu Yan replied with determination:
"Leave it to me."
At the forest's core—the Lake of Life—Wang Li's Blue Silver Domain could fully encompass the entire Star Dou Forest.
However, as they arrived at the lake, a massive black tiger was crouched on the shore, licking its bloody claws. It was at least eight meters long, with crimson eyes and a pungent, bloody aura. Its thick, long tail was made of many bony joints ending in a barbed spike—an ominous and menacing sight.
Wang Li frowned and muttered:
"That's… the Dark Devilgod Tiger…"
(End of Chapter)