Master Lou Gao

"That's right. We're here to find Master Lou Gao." With that, Dai Weisi took the lead into the Blacksmiths' Association, with Li Hu close behind.

The Blacksmiths' Association headquarters had five floors in total. The first floor was the ordinary trading area, where blacksmiths brought their proudest works and various metals to trade. Many merchants also came here specifically to sell all kinds of metal.

The second floor was the high-end trading area, where valuable rare metals were generally traded.

The third floor was the blacksmith registration and assessment area. There were countless blacksmiths across the Douluo Continent, far more than there were Soul Masters, so naturally many wanted to join the Blacksmiths' Association.

However, just as only powerful Soul Masters could join Spirit Hall, the Blacksmiths' Association was the same. Only highly skilled blacksmiths could join. Otherwise, if the blacksmiths within the association varied wildly in quality, the Blacksmiths' Association would become a joke.

The fourth floor was the VIP area, used to receive distinguished guests, such as important figures from the imperial capital and wealthy merchants with vast fortunes.

It was also the auction area, where auction houses were frequently held. Particularly precious and rare forged items were auctioned here.

The fifth and final floor was the office area of the Blacksmiths' Association. Master Lou Gao usually rested there.

After entering the Blacksmiths' Association headquarters, the two headed straight for the fourth floor. There were two guards stationed in every stairwell between floors, and the two guards on the fourth floor were Master Lou Gao's two most accomplished disciples.

One was named Si Long, and the other Si Yu. Both possessed the strength of Soul Emperors, and their forging skills were second only to those of Divine Blacksmiths.

When Si Long saw Dai Weisi and Li Hu approaching, he waved a large hand to stop them and asked, "Halt! Who are you? What are you doing here?!"

"How dare you—"

On the territory of the Star Luo Empire, they actually dared to stop the Crown Prince of Star Luo Empire. Li Hu was about to teach them a lesson, but Dai Weisi suddenly stopped him.

He had come to ask for help this time, and also to win over Lou Gao and the Blacksmiths' Association behind him. Naturally, he could not act arrogantly and had to treat them with courtesy.

Dai Weisi stepped forward, took out the White Tiger Token symbolizing royal status, and handed it to the two of them with a smile. "Masters, I am Dai Weisi, the current Crown Prince of Star Luo Empire. I have long heard that Master Lou Gao's forging skills are unrivaled in the world, and I have admired him for a long time. I have come specifically to request an audience.

"Furthermore, I happened to obtain an item and would like to ask Master Lou Gao to forge a weapon for me. I hope the two masters can make an introduction."

Dai Weisi was polite and refined, but when Si Long and Si Yu saw the White Tiger Token in his hand, their expressions changed drastically. They had not expected the Crown Prince of Star Luo Empire to appear in Gengxin City.

They had no doubts about Dai Weisi's identity. On Star Luo Empire territory, anyone who dared impersonate royalty was simply finding creative ways to court death.

The two hurriedly bowed respectfully. Si Long said, "We did not know the Crown Prince had arrived and failed to welcome you properly. Please come with me!"

Si Long immediately led Dai Weisi and Li Hu to the reception room on the fifth floor, then said, "First Prince, my master is currently forging a suit of armor. Please wait a moment. We will go invite him at once."

Listening to the rhythmic clangs coming from the corridor, Dai Weisi slowly nodded. "No matter. We came without notice this time. If we disrupted Master Lou Gao's work, we would feel bad about it as well."

With that, Si Long and Si Yu hurried into a Forging Room to invite Lou Gao out.

In the reception room, Li Hu frowned. "First Prince, aren't you being a little too courteous to these blacksmiths? Lowering yourself like this does not suit your status!"

"Haha, it doesn't matter." Dai Weisi smiled calmly and sat down on the sofa, though his eyes burned with ambition.

He had read quite a few novels in the past, yet emperors and the like seemed to hold no appeal for any transmigrator.

People who said such things were like those wealthy businessmen who kept claiming, "I'm not interested in money," despite earning so much of it.

Dai Weisi was different. Since he had transmigrated, he would obediently enjoy a different life. Besides, he was the Crown Prince of Star Luo Empire and had the responsibility to lead Star Luo Empire toward greatness.

"As long as that weapon can be forged, what does it matter if I wait here for three or five days?"

Li Hu was even more puzzled. Frowning, he said, "First Prince, what weapon exactly are you planning to forge? Those spears and halberds... forgive this old servant's poor eyesight, but I truly cannot see what is so special about them. No matter how sharp a weapon is, can it really be more useful than a martial soul?"

"Hehe, Uncle Li, you'll find out soon enough!"

Upon learning that the Crown Prince of Star Luo Empire had come to the Blacksmiths' Association, Lou Gao was greatly shocked. Without further delay, he came to the reception room and bowed. "I did not know the First Prince had arrived. Please forgive my poor hospitality, Your Highness."

"Hehe, no matter, no matter! I came uninvited, and I only hope I have not disturbed Master Lou Gao."

As he spoke, Dai Weisi secretly studied the short, fat old man before him.

Lou Gao was only about one meter sixty tall, but his waistline was likely just as wide. He had protruding ears, small eyes, and a messy head of short hair that looked as though it had not been washed in days.

He wore a filthy, oversized robe, and his chubby face was still dusted with what looked like metal powder.

"First Prince, Si Long said you wished to have me forge a weapon. What kind of weapon do you wish to make? A longsword, a spear, or armor?"

Master Lou Gao asked bluntly, his tone brimming with confidence.

Setting everything else aside, when it came to forging, no one in the entire Douluo Continent could surpass him.

Even Tang Hao and Ti Tan, who were also Divine Blacksmiths, could merely stand on equal footing with him.

"Master Lou Gao truly speaks frankly. But that works well, as I will not waste words either. Before forging that weapon, I would like to show you something."

"Oh?" Master Lou Gao revealed a puzzled expression and asked in surprise, "What does the First Prince wish to show me?"

"This item is too dangerous. I ask that you find us a relatively safe place."

"Very well. Then please follow me." With that, Lou Gao led Dai Weisi to his private Forging Room and introduced it. "First Prince, this is this old man's private Forging Room. The entire room is made of hardened steel. The walls are filled with steel, and even beneath the floor lies a layer of iron plates.

"This old man is not boasting, but even a Power Attack System Soul Emperor would never be able to break through a single wall here!"

"As expected of Master Lou Gao's Forging Room. It truly has opened my eyes."

Dai Weisi examined the room's layout. Aside from basic blacksmithing tools such as bellows, iron blocks, and hammers of various sizes,

there were also all kinds of longswords, knight lances, powerful bows and heavy crossbows, as well as various suits of armor and soft armor. It was practically a miniature armory.

Dai Weisi found an iron bucket and took out two taels of Black Powder mixed with White Sugar, placing it inside. After lighting the Black Powder, he covered it with an iron plate, then hurriedly left the Forging Room together with Master Lou Gao!

Lou Gao had no idea what was going on, but he still did as instructed. The instant he shut the door, a thunderous BOOM suddenly erupted from within the Forging Room!