Chapitre 579: Chapter 579: The Blacksmith Association and the Excitement of Lou Gao

As Su Ming pondered, he realized how to persuade Lou Gao to bring the Blacksmith Association into the Spirit Hall's fold. Since both empires undervalued blacksmiths, perhaps Spirit Hall could be the one to truly appreciate them.

If Lou Gao agreed, Su Ming would appoint him as the Hall Master of the Spirit Hall's Blacksmith Hall. After all, Taino, despite his efforts, didn't match Lou Gao in skill or experience.

Su Ming and his group stood before Gengxin City's gates. While they waited to pass inspection, Su Ming took in the "City of Metals." The city walls had a steel-gray hue, making them seem as if they were entirely constructed from metal. Even from outside, one could feel the city's metallic aura.

Once inside, the city's air was thick with the scent of metal, creating an atmosphere unique to Gengxin. Taino explained, "I once came here with my father for training at the Blacksmith Association, so I'm quite familiar with Gengxin City. It's the city with the most blacksmiths, and it's really only here that blacksmiths are properly respected."

Su Ming asked curiously, "Then why is the Power Clan based in Tian Dou City instead of near Gengxin? Of the four single-attribute clans, only yours is in the Heaven Dou Empire, while the other three are in the Star Luo Empire."

Taino shook his head. "I'm not entirely sure, but perhaps the fewer blacksmiths in Tian Dou City allowed the Power Clan to stand out more, giving us a better advantage to make a living."

Su Ming doubted this explanation. The Power Clan didn't seem to enjoy any special treatment in Tian Dou City, so whether it was due to Titan's pride or some other reason, it was strange they weren't closer to Gengxin. As both a renowned master craftsman and Vice President of the Blacksmith Association, Titan would've had far more opportunities here.

After moving through the bustling city, the group soon reached the imposing building of the Blacksmith Association, occupying an area as large as the Soto Arena. A hammer and chisel symbol, rather than words, marked the building's facade.

"Here we are," said Taino. "This is the main headquarters of the Gengxin Blacksmith Association."

As Taino led the group to the entrance, a man named Ren Yuan stepped out, surprised to see so many people, especially some dressed in the distinctive attire of the Power Clan.

"Hey, Taino, what brings you here? Where's your father? And wait… why are the representatives from all four single-attribute clans here?"

Sensing a strange vibe, Ren Yuan looked suspicious.

Taino's face fell at the mention of his father, but he quickly composed himself. "Ren Yuan, we're here on urgent business with Master Lou Gao. Is he in his office on the fifth floor?"

Ren Yuan nodded but looked wary. "He's there, but what are you all here for? If you can't explain, I can't let you through."

Growing anxious, Taino pleaded, "Ren Yuan, this really is urgent…"

Su Ming stepped forward, understanding Ren Yuan's caution. "Could you kindly let Master Lou Gao know that we're here on behalf of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, regarding the blueprints for soul tools? He'll understand."

Ren Yuan's gaze shifted to Su Ming, slightly reassured by his polite manner. "Very well. Please wait here."

As Ren Yuan walked away, Niu Gao's temper flared. "Did you see that? Even without Old Gorilla, he knows who we are and still won't let us in! If it weren't for White Bird holding me back, I'd have knocked him down myself!"

Upstairs on the fifth floor, Ren Yuan cautiously knocked on Lou Gao's office door.

A gruff voice answered, "Who is it? I told everyone not to bother me unless it's urgent!"

Ren Yuan quickly replied, "President, all four single-attribute clans are here and said they're here on urgent business. One of them specifically asked me to relay a message to you, saying it would explain everything."

Lou Gao, puzzled, asked, "What message?"

Ren Yuan responded, "They mentioned the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan… and soul tool blueprints."

"What did you just say?"

In a flash, Lou Gao flung open the door, his eyes wide with excitement as he grabbed Ren Yuan's shoulder. Ren Yuan, stunned by the reaction, wondered who could stir such a reaction from the president—a young stranger claiming ties to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan? This had to be someone important.

Without waiting, Lou Gao bolted down the stairs, his mind racing. Was this the person Ning Fengzhi had mentioned—the one who provided the soul tool blueprints? He'd only been told that someone close to the clan would eventually seek him out, though Ning Fengzhi had kept the identity a mystery.

Recently, he'd immersed himself in the intricacies of creating soul tools, pushing thoughts of this promised visit to the back of his mind. Yet here they were, and his heart raced at the prospect of finally meeting this mysterious individual.

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Chapitre 580: Chapter 580: Persuasion

As Lou Gao thought about it, he suddenly realized the value of the plans Su Ming had brought. With the blueprint for the Charged Soul Tool Gun, he had already managed to create the first level of its capabilities, and he wanted to show Su Ming his progress. Descending to the main floor, Lou Gao's gaze immediately locked onto Su Ming.

Among the group, Su Ming was the only one who looked like a young man, while most of the others were familiar faces, including the clan leaders of three single-attribute clans. Noticing Titan's absence, Lou Gao felt curious but suppressed his question. There were more pressing matters to attend to.

"It was you who provided the plans for the soul tool, wasn't it?" Lou Gao's eyes bore into Su Ming, showing a mixture of excitement and nervous anticipation.

Su Ming nodded with a smile. "Yes, Lou Gao. We finally meet in person. Those were my plans. May we go inside to discuss further?"

Lou Gao quickly nodded. "Yes, yes! Let's head to the fifth floor. And don't mind Ren Yuan earlier; he didn't know any better."

As they ascended, Su Ming noticed that Lou Gao looked every bit the part of a dedicated craftsman, his hair disheveled as if he hadn't left his workshop in days, his robe dusted with metallic residue.

In the fifth-floor office, Lou Gao excitedly displayed a partially completed soul tool gun. "Su Ming, look! Using your blueprints and samples, I've managed to make a prototype with a single setting—the power equivalent to a full strike from a Soul King."

Su Ming nodded, impressed. Lou Gao's skill was unparalleled, allowing him to grasp soul tool manufacturing so quickly. Even in the original story, Huo Yuhao, a soul tool prodigy, took years to reach this level. With a grin, Su Ming said, "Incredible work, Lou Gao! If you've achieved this already, I imagine production will only become more efficient as you refine the process."

Lou Gao laughed modestly. "It's all thanks to you, Su Ming. But I doubt you came all this way just to see an old man and his work."

Su Ming met his gaze directly. "Master Lou Gao, I'm here to formally invite you and the Blacksmith Association to join Spirit Hall."

Lou Gao's brow furrowed. "The whole Blacksmith Association? And have you all joined Spirit Hall as well?" He glanced at Taino, Bai He, and the others, recalling the enmity that had existed between Spirit Hall and the single-attribute clans.

Taino scratched his head and nodded. The four clans were, indeed, aligning with Spirit Hall. Bai He then explained the events that had led to their decision.

Understanding the situation, Lou Gao looked sympathetically at Taino. "I'm sorry for your loss, Taino. We never wanted it to come to this."

Taino nodded, accepting the condolences. Lou Gao, while saddened by Titan's fate, felt no obligation to resent Spirit Hall for it, particularly after the recent reforms Spirit Hall had made in Gengxin City, which allowed him to focus on his craft without interference.

After a thoughtful pause, Lou Gao said, "Su Ming, I'll join you personally. However, I'd prefer to keep the Blacksmith Association independent. I don't want to disrupt the balance of the continent by pushing the Association into this conflict."

Su Ming expected this reaction and continued with a gentle but direct appeal. "Master Lou Gao, wouldn't you want to see the Blacksmith Association reach its full potential?"

"Without the Association's official support, I can't let you share soul tool plans. If you do join alone, the Association could struggle without you, possibly declining without its revered master. Your guild's reputation stems in large part from your presence. Could you trust the current masters to uphold its legacy?"

Lou Gao fell silent, considering Su Ming's words. His departure would indeed leave the Association vulnerable, especially since it had just begun to recover. As he wrestled with the moral dilemma, Bai He spoke up, his tone calm.

"Lou Gao, are you afraid that if you join Spirit Hall, you'll be contributing to the war and indirectly causing harm?"

Lou Gao nodded. "Yes, to be honest. I don't wish for Spirit Hall to wage war on the empires if it means countless innocent lives lost due to the tools we provide."

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