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"That's right, we're here to see Master Lou Gao." With that, Dai Weisi led the way into the Blacksmith Association, with Li Hu following closely behind.
The Blacksmith Association's headquarters was divided into five floors. The first floor served as a general trading area, where blacksmiths displayed their prized creations and various metals for trade. Many merchants also came here specifically to sell different kinds of metal.
The second floor was the high-end trading area, where rare and precious metals were typically exchanged.
The third floor functioned as the blacksmith registration and examination center. The number of blacksmiths on the Douluo Continent far exceeded the number of Soul Masters, so it was natural that many aspired to join the Blacksmith Association.
However, just as only powerful Soul Masters could enter the Spirit Hall, the Blacksmith Association held similarly high standards. Only those with exceptional forging skills were allowed in. Otherwise, the Association would be overrun with mediocrity and lose its prestige.
The fourth floor was the VIP section, used to receive important guests—such as dignitaries from imperial cities—or immensely wealthy merchants.
It also served as an auction venue. High-level auctions were held here regularly, featuring rare and valuable forged items.
The fifth and final floor was the administrative area of the Blacksmith Association. On most days, Master Lou Gao could be found resting there.
After entering the Association's main hall, the two men headed straight for the fourth floor. Each staircase between floors was guarded by two men, and the two guards stationed on the fourth floor happened to be Master Lou Gao's top disciples.
One was named Si Long, the other Si Yu. Both were Soul Emperors, and their forging skills were second only to the Divine Blacksmith himself.
When Dai Weisi and Li Hu arrived, Si Long raised his arm and blocked their path. "Halt! Who are you? What's your business here?"
"How dare you! You—!"
On Star Luo Empire territory, to block the Crown Prince was sheer audacity. Li Hu was about to reprimand them when Dai Weisi suddenly held him back.
They were here to request a favor and, ideally, to win over Master Lou Gao and the powerful Blacksmith Association behind him. Arrogance had no place here—courtesy was the proper approach.
Dai Weisi stepped forward, took out the White Tiger Token that symbolized his royal status, and handed it to the two men with a calm smile. "Gentlemen, I am Dai Weisi, Crown Prince of the Star Luo Empire. I've long admired Master Lou Gao, whom I've heard is the greatest blacksmith in the world. Today, I've come hoping to meet him in person."
He continued politely, "I also happened upon a certain item and would like to request Master Lou Gao's assistance in forging a weapon. I hope the two of you can make an introduction."
Though Dai Weisi spoke respectfully, the moment Si Long and Si Yu saw the White Tiger Token in his hand, their expressions changed dramatically. Never would they have expected the Crown Prince of the Star Luo Empire to show up in Gengxin City.
There was no reason to doubt his identity. In the Star Luo Empire, if anyone dared impersonate royalty, it would be no different from lighting a lantern in a toilet—just asking for death in the dumbest way possible.
The two immediately bowed in deference. Si Long said respectfully, "We didn't know His Highness was arriving—please forgive our failure to welcome you. This way, please!"
Without delay, Si Long led Dai Weisi and Li Hu to the fifth floor's reception room. Then he said, "Your Highness, our master is currently in the middle of forging a suit of armor. We ask for your patience—I'll notify him right away."
The rhythmic clang, clang, clang of hammer on metal echoed down the hallway. Dai Weisi nodded calmly. "No problem. We arrived without notice—if we disrupt Master Lou Gao's work, we'd feel quite guilty."
With that, Si Long and Si Yu quickly went off to fetch their master from the forging room.
Inside the reception room, Li Hu furrowed his brows and muttered, "Your Highness, aren't you being a little too respectful to these blacksmiths? This kind of submissiveness doesn't suit your royal status."
"Haha, it's fine," Dai Weisi replied with a carefree smile as he sat on the couch, though his eyes gleamed with ambition.
He'd read many novels in his previous life, and it always struck him as odd how transmigrators—especially those born into royalty—often seemed uninterested in claiming the throne.
People who said things like that were no different from rich merchants who claimed they had no interest in money—yet somehow made obscene amounts of it anyway.
Dai Weisi, however, was different. Since he had transmigrated, he was determined to embrace this new life to the fullest. And as the Crown Prince of the Star Luo Empire, it was his duty to lead the empire toward greatness.
"As long as I can have that weapon forged, I don't mind waiting three to five days if I have to."
Li Hu still looked puzzled. "Your Highness, what kind of weapon do you intend to make? If it's just spears or halberds, forgive my ignorance, but I really don't see what's so special. No matter how sharp a weapon is, can it really be more useful than a martial soul?"
"Heh… Uncle Li, you'll find out soon enough."
When Master Lou Gao heard that the Crown Prince of the Star Luo Empire had come to visit, he was completely shocked. Without hesitation, he rushed to the reception room and bowed deeply. "I didn't realize Your Highness had arrived. Please forgive the poor reception."
"Heh, no worries at all! I came here uninvited—I only hope I haven't disturbed Master Lou Gao."
As he spoke, Dai Weisi quietly sized up the short and stout elder standing before him.
Lou Gao stood at barely 1.6 meters tall, but his waistline looked to be just as wide. With his large protruding ears and small beady eyes, he looked rather disheveled. His short, messy hair hadn't seen a wash in who-knew-how-many days.
He wore a loose, oversized robe that was stained and grimy, and his chubby face was smudged with what looked like metal dust.
"Your Highness," Lou Gao said directly, "I heard from Si Long that you want me to forge a weapon. What kind are you looking for? A longsword, a spear, or perhaps a suit of armor?"
There was unmistakable confidence in his tone as he got straight to the point.
Say what you will about him, but when it came to the art of forging, no one across the entire Douluo Continent could surpass him.
Even Tang Hao and Titan—renowned as Divine Blacksmiths in their own right—could only match him at best.
"Master Lou Gao, you certainly speak with refreshing directness. All the better—I'll get straight to the point too. Before we discuss the weapon I need forged, there's something I'd like you to take a look at first."
"Oh?" Lou Gao raised a curious brow. "And what might Your Highness wish to show me?"
"This item is extremely dangerous," Dai Weisi replied. "If possible, could you take us somewhere more secure?"
"Very well. This way, please." Lou Gao led Dai Weisi to his private forge and gestured toward the room. "Your Highness, this is my personal forging chamber. The entire room is reinforced with hardened steel. The walls are layered with iron, and even the floor is plated with a thick sheet of metal.
I'm not one to boast, but even a powerful offense-type Soul Emperor would have a hard time breaking through a single wall in here!"
"As expected of Master Lou Gao—this forge is truly an eye-opener."
Dai Weisi looked around, taking in the layout of the room. Aside from the usual blacksmith tools—bellows, iron blocks, and a wide array of forging hammers—there were also all kinds of weapons neatly displayed.
Longswords, knightly lances, powerful bows, heavy crossbows, along with both hard and soft varieties of armor—this place looked like a compact arsenal.
Dai Weisi grabbed a metal bucket, took out two ounces of black powder mixed with white sugar, and poured the mixture into the bucket. He then lit the powder, placed a thick iron plate over the top, and quickly exited the room along with Master Lou Gao.
Though he didn't understand what was going on, Lou Gao complied. And just as he shut the door behind them—
BOOM!
A thunderous explosion erupted from within the forge, the deafening sound shaking the entire floor!
(End of Chapter)