Chapter 343: Ironworking Association Joins Qinglian, Soul Tools of the Future
The three women's expressions turned icy, each eyeing Miles with undisguised disgust. He was twisting the truth, trying to claim them as his servants, and would have succeeded with such a scheme if they were ordinary people. Disdain flooded Ning Rongrong's face, and Dugu Yan and Feng Wutong had already begun channeling their spirit power, ready to act.
Just then, Dai Yao moved.
In a flash, his fist crashed into Miles, shattering his defenses with terrifying speed. In the astonished gaze of Miles's attendants, Dai Yao's punch sent Miles flying backward. He crashed into the wall, face bloodied, teeth scattered, leaving an imprint of Dai Yao's fist on his bruised skin.
Dai Yao calmly withdrew his fist, wiping away the blood as he glanced at the barely-breathing Miles. "How foolish," he muttered to himself. He wasn't about to hold back against anyone brazen enough to covet his women. Through his knowledge of the original events, Dai Yao already knew that Miles, head of Wuhun Hall in Gengxin City, was greedy and lecherous. He had avoided alerting Miles to his arrival to avoid drawing attention, but this reckless man had forced his hand.
The VIP room was frozen in silence. Miles's remaining guards, their faces paling, looked to their leader embedded in the wall, before glaring angrily at Dai Yao.
"Young man, you've made a grave mistake. You won't be leaving the Ironworking Association alive!"
"Oh? After trying to harm me and abduct these three women, I'm expected to stay silent? Am I even allowed to defend myself? Is there no justice?" Dai Yao replied with cold composure.
Struggling to his feet, Miles's wounded body radiated spirit energy as he activated his spirit form, stabilizing his injuries. He pointed at Dai Yao furiously, snarling,
"In Gengxin City, I am the law! I might spare these women if they submit, but you? You're dead."
His gaze flicked to the three women, and an unpleasant grin spread across his battered face. They were simply too beautiful to let slip away, and he was determined to savor their company. But Dai Yao's strike had caught him off guard, stirring anger and disbelief—nobody had ever dared treat him like this.
With a nod from Miles, his remaining guards surrounded Dai Yao, activating their spirits, revealing that they were all Spirit Kings. They moved closer, believing the situation was now fully in their control.
Watching them approach, Ning Rongrong's voice shook with anger,
"These people are outrageous! How can they behave so lawlessly here?"
Beside her, Dugu Yan crossed her arms, one pale hand emitting a barely visible green mist that floated silently toward the Spirit Hall men. She had no intention of sparing them. Her spirit power, which had evolved into a Qinglong martial spirit, allowed her to retain and enhance her poisonous abilities. The pale mist, without scent or warning, would bring them down silently within a month, undetectable by even the most skilled healer.
Dai Yao's icy gaze fell upon the advancing spirit masters. Wanting to avoid unnecessary attention, he pulled out the platinum token gifted to him by Fei Dinan. Holding it up, he said with disdain,
"Spirit Hall may be powerful, but that doesn't give you the right to abuse it. Here in Star Luo's territory, your actions reflect only lawlessness and contempt. If you dare to take one more step, you'll find only death awaiting you."
"A platinum token?" Miles's attendants stopped in their tracks, eyes fixed on the token in disbelief. Their confidence waned as they looked back at Miles, uncertain.
Miles wavered as he stared at the token in Dai Yao's hand. He almost offered some excuse like "a family misunderstanding" to defuse the situation, but the sight of those three extraordinary women—beautiful beyond comparison—rekindled his lust. He clenched his teeth, his eyes flashing red with greed.
"It's probably fake! This guy's just bluffing! Kill him," he snarled, urging his men forward.
Hesitating, one of the guards whispered,
"But Lord Miles… that token looks real…"
Miles roared back,
"Idiots! If he takes this to the Platinum Bishop, we're all dead! Kill him now, and no one will ever know what happened!"
Spurred by his command, the guards let their spirit energy surge, launching their techniques toward Dai Yao.
"Fools," Dai Yao sighed.
Dugu Yan sneered, her fist clenching tighter. Immediately, her toxic mist took effect. Miles and his guards froze mid-attack, clutching their chests as if an invisible hand squeezed their hearts. Their bodies stiffened, and they collapsed, eyes losing focus, dead before they hit the floor.
Feng Wutong raised a delicate hand, and five flames flickered into existence, consuming the bodies where they lay. Within moments, they were reduced to nothing but ash.
All that remained was a single guard who hadn't participated in the attack. Trembling with fear, he backed against the wall, his eyes darting from Dai Yao to the women in terror.
Dai Yao regarded him coolly, reaching into his storage and pulling out a second token, this one bearing the mark of the Holy Crown—Wuhun Hall's fabled Papal Seal, a gift from Bibi Dong to aid him in his endeavors.
"Do you know what this is?"
Dai Yao replied calmly, his tone unwavering.
Upon seeing the Papal Seal, the remaining attendant's eyes widened, his voice shaking as he answered,
"I... I understand."
"Good. You are to remain silent about everything that happened here today. If you betray this trust, you'll face the consequences. But if you stay silent, you will have nothing to worry about. Understood?"
The attendant nodded quickly.
"Very well," Dai Yao continued, "once you return, delay reporting Miles's absence as long as possible. If you handle this properly, you might find yourself appointed as the next overseer of Gengxin City."
Given how deep he was in Star Luo Empire territory and his sensitive identity, Dai Yao had hoped to avoid complications, intending to recruit the Ironworking Association quietly before returning to Spirit City. However, Miles's arrogance and unrestrained lust left Dai Yao no choice but to eliminate him and his henchmen. He left the lone attendant alive to handle any repercussions and manage the fallout of Miles's disappearance.
The attendant's face lit up with excitement, bowing deeply as he replied,
"I'll make sure to complete the task as instructed, honored envoy!"
"You may go."
Once the attendant had left, the three women appeared ready to speak, but Dai Yao raised his hand, signaling them to wait. He turned towards a concealed door in the room, smiling.
"Since you've been listening for some time, why not step out and join us?" he called.
To the surprise of the three women, two robust figures emerged from behind the hidden door. Leading them was a stocky elderly man with a ruddy complexion that contrasted with his white hair and beard, his skin bronzed from years of physical labor, his sharp eyes radiating strength and wisdom. It was none other than Lou Gao, head of the Ironworking Association.
Behind him stood a middle-aged man clad in silver armor, his presence steady and formidable, with an air of one who'd honed his craft and character to perfection. This was Si Long, Lou Gao's first and most talented disciple.
Lou Gao's face was ashen with anger as he looked at Dai Yao.
"You've got some skill, kid, to sense our presence. But it seems you're part of Spirit Hall."
Having observed Miles's bullying of the Ironworking Association for years, Lou Gao harbored deep disdain for Spirit Hall, and seeing Dai Yao's authority and command over Miles's men had only hardened his resolve against Spirit Hall's influence.
Dai Yao, unbothered by Lou Gao's coldness, offered a respectful smile.
"You must be the Ironworking Association's head, Senior Lou Gao."
Lou Gao nodded, though his expression remained steely.
"Spirit Hall has both good and bad within it. Senior, it seems narrow-minded to let someone like Miles define your opinion of all Spirit Hall members. Can you say that your own association has never seen its share of unsavory characters?" Dai Yao's voice held a note of wry humor.
Lou Gao froze. He was well aware that no organization, his own included, was without its darker elements. And though he despised the oppression the Ironworking Association suffered under Miles, his past had taught him that ideals like absolute purity were far from realistic.
"Quite the sharp tongue on you, I'll give you that," Lou Gao grumbled, his tone softer.
Seeing that Lou Gao's anger had cooled slightly, Dai Yao pressed on.
"Senior Lou Gao, the one responsible for your troubles has already been dealt with. That should settle things between us, right?"
Lou Gao's expression softened a bit more.
"Actually, my companions and I came to Gengxin City not for Spirit Hall's business, but specifically for the Ironworking Association. I'd been wondering how to arrange a meeting with you, and now here you are. Perhaps we can sit and discuss this."
Lou Gao did not sit, instead crossing his arms suspiciously.
"What do you want from the Ironworking Association?"
Dai Yao replied straightforwardly, "I'm here to recruit the Ironworking Association."
"Absolutely not!" Lou Gao's face darkened with fury, his voice rising. "You're just like that snake, Miles, wanting to take over my association!"
Dai Yao suppressed a sigh. He couldn't understand why Lou Gao viewed Spirit Hall as some kind of villainous organization. Rationally speaking, he was sure that the Ironworking Association's best choice for survival and growth was with Spirit Hall. In fact, Lou Gao had hardly hesitated to join Tang Sect in the original story, so why was he so resistant now?
Dai Yao held back his frustration, reminding himself that Lou Gao's mistrust was understandable given Miles's abuses. With a shake of his head, he pulled a bundle of blueprints from his spatial tool and smiled.
"Senior, perhaps you might want to take a look at these before deciding."
Lou Gao was about to reject him outright, but his eyes caught sight of the neatly rolled stack of schematics, and he found himself riveted, as though drawn by a magnetic force. Without hesitation, he rushed forward, grasping the blueprints eagerly and studying them, his face slowly lighting up with elation. After a long, intense moment, he could barely contain his excitement and began muttering to himself.
"Brilliant! Ingenious! So this is the mechanism… I see it now! Whoever designed this must be a genius!" His eyes were glued to the schematics, and his expression softened as if he were admiring the finest masterpiece.
Watching Lou Gao, so enraptured, Si Long couldn't hold back his curiosity any longer. "Master, what's on those pages?"
Without even looking up, Lou Gao replied with a chuckle,
"These, Si Long, are revolutionary. With these designs, we can reshape the role of blacksmiths in society. No longer will we be disregarded by Spirit Masters!"
Si Long's face went blank, astonishment dawning on him as the weight of his master's words sank in.
Dai Yao observed patiently as Lou Gao delved deeper into the blueprints. At times, Lou Gao would pause and ponder, at other moments, his face would break into a wide smile, and at others, he'd raise a fist in passionate exclamation, or sit stock still as though utterly absorbed.
Dai Yao exchanged a look with Ning Rongrong and the other women, signaling them to continue bidding on the precious ores. Even the two Eight-Treasure Wishful Soft Armors were successfully won by Ning Rongrong, bringing a gleam of satisfaction to her eyes as she held up the delicate, wing-like armor pieces.
With these soft armors, Ning Rongrong's defense as a support-type Spirit Master would be significantly bolstered, and the other suit, made for men, would be perfect for her father. Seeing her radiant joy, Dai Yao felt a sense of relief. He knew that in the original story, after Tang San killed Miles, he took both pieces of armor—yet instead of giving the women's armor to Ning Rongrong, who had tirelessly supported the establishment of Tang Sect, Tang San kept it for Xiao Wu. Although Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan had given everything to help Tang San, Ning Rongrong ultimately received nothing for herself.
In this life, however, there was no one to snatch these armors away, and Ning Rongrong, who deserved them, could claim them for herself. After another hour, Lou Gao finally looked up from the stack of blueprints. His eyes were bloodshot from exhaustion as he asked, his voice tinged with amazement, "Kid, where did you get these?"
"Senior, you don't need to worry about where they came from. Just know that they are important to the Ironworking Association." Dai Yao spoke clearly and directly. "I've founded a sect, the Green Lotus Sect, backed by the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan, intending to remain neutral amidst future turmoil. We already have several clans joining us. If you would lead the Ironworking Association to join us, I will offer these blueprints to you."
As he spoke, Ning Rongrong released her spirit, revealing the radiant light of the Ten Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda and confirming her identity as the Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Clan's successor. Colorful rays surrounded Lou Gao, easing his fatigue—a feat only a Spirit Master from her clan could perform.
Clutching the blueprints tightly, Lou Gao hesitated. He didn't want to be under the control of any sect, yet he also couldn't bear to let these designs slip through his fingers. As his apprentice, Si Long, glanced between them with mounting anxiety, Dai Yao saw that Lou Gao was close to a decision. Dai Yao steeled himself to make one last appeal, determined to change the course of history as he envisioned the inevitable future clash with the Sun and Moon Continent, which would render traditional blacksmithing obsolete.
Dai Yao spoke with conviction, "Senior, as valuable as these blueprints are, don't miss the bigger picture. Spirit tools—soul devices—are the true way forward."
Lou Gao's eyes widened in shock. He looked up, voice shaking, "What… did you just say?"
Dai Yao knew he had struck a nerve. In a world ruled by Spirit Masters, tools like soul devices were mere novelties, dismissed as trivial aids. But now, Dai Yao's words struck Lou Gao like thunder from a clear sky. "Senior, spirit tools are the future. While these blueprints are powerful, they have their limits. I hope you'll draw upon the strengths of these designs and incorporate them into spirit tools, setting the stage for a new path for Spirit Masters."
Lou Gao's breathing quickened as Dai Yao's words resonated deeply with his own lifelong yearnings. But could he trust that Dai Yao was genuine and not simply trying to manipulate him? He took a steadying breath, his voice wavering with suspicion.
"How do I know you're not lying?"
Dai Yao smiled slightly, "And how can you know I'm not? I'm here to help lay the groundwork for something that will take generations to develop. You might never live to see soul devices in their full glory. As a mere pioneer laying the foundation, will you still take the risk?"
Lou Gao's face flushed, and veins bulged at his neck. His eyes shone with a fierce determination as he responded, "I will. Boy, I'll take a gamble on you. Even if I lose, your words have convinced me to give my all."
Lou Gao's response echoed with finality. Si Long stood frozen in astonishment, captivated by the grandeur of the vision Dai Yao had painted. To witness the birth of a force that could rival the path of the Spirit Masters—it was a monumental, breathtaking undertaking. Even if all they could accomplish was planting a humble seed, one day, that seed would grow into a towering tree, sheltering the entire Douluo Continent. And their names would be forever etched into its branches.
Dai Yao stepped forward, clasping Lou Gao's hand in a firm embrace.
"Welcome to the Green Lotus Sect."
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