Hand Grenade Debuts

Dai Weisi could not help rolling his eyes at that. Clearly, Lou Gao was praising him, but why did it sound so unpleasant?

Still, he asked, "Master Lou Gao, do you think you can make the hand grenades shown in the blueprints?"

"Heh heh!"

Lou Gao laughed proudly. "First Prince, you underestimate this old man too much. These whatever-they-are hand grenades—forget this old man, even my two disciples could produce them. The prerequisite, however, is that we have enough black powder."

"That won't be a problem. I'll provide the black powder." With that, he took ten jin of pitch-black black powder from his Soul Guidance Ring.

Dai Weisi had also mixed a small amount of white sugar into the black powder as a combustion aid to increase its power.

Before adding the white sugar, however, Dai Weisi had dyed it black with a special pigment so that it looked nearly identical to black powder.

It was a necessary precaution. In this world, black powder mixed with white sugar was practically the equivalent of a nuclear weapon.

It might not be enough to kill a Titled Douluo, but in sufficient quantities, killing several Spirit Emperors or Spirit Sages would not be a problem.

To prevent anyone from using black powder to commit evil deeds, Dai Weisi had no choice but to protect his "patent."

In short, the secret formula of "one part saltpeter, two parts sulfur, three parts charcoal, plus a little white sugar—Big Ivan" could only remain in his hands. Otherwise, if black powder became widespread, one day a cannonball might come flying over and blow him to pieces.

He was only a humble Soul Ancestor now. If he was careless, even hidden weapons like the Godly Zhuge Crossbow and Yama's Invitation could injure him, let alone a powerful cannonball.

At least until he unified the Douluo Continent, Dai Weisi had no intention of teaching the black powder formula to anyone else.

The moment he saw the black powder, Lou Gao's eyes lit up. He carefully cradled it in his palms as though afraid it would melt, then looked at Dai Weisi and smiled. "First Prince, please stay in Gengxin City for a while.

"With this black powder, I believe this old man will figure out those hand grenades within a few days."

"Haha, then I must thank you, Master Lou Gao." Dai Weisi bowed in thanks, then instructed Li Hu, "Uncle Li, let's go. We shouldn't disturb Master Lou Gao and the two masters."

"Yes!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, the two departed the Forging Room. After they left, Lou Gao, Si Long, and Si Yu hurriedly fired up the forge and began crafting.

A man lived not for steamed buns, but for dignity! If they truly could create a weapon capable of killing Spirit Sages and Soul Douluos, the three of them would surely leave their names in history. Why wouldn't they do it?

After leaving the Blacksmiths' Association, Dai Weisi planned to find an inn and get some proper rest. He had spent several days being jostled around in a carriage, and exhaustion had caught up to him. He could also take the opportunity to consolidate his cultivation.

As Dai Weisi searched for an inn, Li Hu suddenly asked from beside him, "First Prince, was what you said earlier true? Can that gunpowder really injure a Titled Douluo?"

"Well..." Dai Weisi shook his head. "To be honest, I'm not entirely sure. I can only say that if there's enough gunpowder, then theoretically, it can injure a Titled Douluo! At the very least, injuring Titled Douluos with Tool Spirits shouldn't be a problem."

In the anime, Dugu Bo had once injured Chrysanthemum Douluo with two Mother-Child Soul-Chasing Life-Snatching Pellets. This showed that Spirit Masters with Tool Spirits were only somewhat physically stronger than ordinary people.

Spirit Masters with Beast Souls were different. Dai Weisi's Evil Eyed White Tiger was a Beast Soul. After Martial Soul Possession, his strength, speed, and resistance to blows increased greatly. Those hidden weapons Tang San tinkered with might not necessarily be able to hurt him.

"First Prince, if Master Lou Gao can truly make hand grenades, then you will have rendered a tremendous service to the Star Luo Empire. The position of Crown Prince will surely be yours in the future!"

Li Hu spoke respectfully. When one man attained the Dao, even his chickens and dogs rose to heaven. If Dai Weisi became Crown Prince, then as the steward of the Crown Prince Residence, Li Hu's own status would naturally soar as well.

Thinking of the good days ahead, Li Hu's heart brimmed with hope. It seemed as if light shone in his deep-set eyes.

"Heh heh, what does the position of Crown Prince amount to? It is already mine for the taking. What I truly want is this world. Under all heaven, is there any land that is not the king's? Within the four seas, is there any man who is not the king's subject? I will lead the Star Luo Empire and bring the entire world into my grasp!"

Li Hu was secretly shocked by Dai Weisi's words, but he hurriedly began flattering him aloud.

"First Prince, you truly are a man destined for great things. Since Your Highness possesses such ambition, this old servant is willing to follow you at all times and contribute what little strength I have to your grand cause!"

"Hehe, Uncle Li, I'm glad you think that way. But your strength is still too weak right now. You must cultivate diligently as well. I look forward to the day you become a Soul Douluo."

"Yes, First Prince. After we return, this old servant will certainly cultivate diligently and never disappoint Your Highness."

The two continued searching the streets for an inn. After finally finding one, Dai Weisi checked in, sat cross-legged on the soft bed, and circulated his Meditation Technique to consolidate his cultivation.

There were less than five years left until the Spirit Master Tournament. In five years, even if Dai Weisi did not consume Immortal Herbs, he was absolutely confident that he could break through level fifty!

If his Soul Power could break through level fifty, then together with Zhu Zhuyun, they would have the strength to fight even Hu Liena and the other three members of Spirit Hall's Golden Generation.

In the days that followed, Dai Weisi entered a state of arduous cultivation. He was practically a cultivation fanatic, spending nearly every day meditating and cultivating aside from eating, while the Soul Power within him steadily climbed.

Just like that, ten days passed in a flash.

On this day, while Dai Weisi was still engaged in Meditation Cultivation, Lou Gao sent someone to summon him to the Blacksmiths' Association at once.

Dai Weisi's heart leaped with joy. He knew Lou Gao must have already produced the hand grenades.

He quickly stopped cultivating, called out to Li Hu, and hurried eagerly to the Blacksmiths' Association. He desperately wanted to know just how powerful the hand grenades of this world were.

In little more than ten minutes, Dai Weisi arrived on the fifth floor of the Blacksmiths' Association and met Lou Gao.

Lou Gao was filthy at the moment, with two huge dark circles under his eyes. He had clearly been busy for several days without sleeping.

Even so, there was not the slightest trace of fatigue on Lou Gao's face. Instead, he could barely conceal his excitement. When he saw Dai Weisi arrive, he began waving his arms and dancing with joy.

"Hahaha, it worked! It worked!"

"This old man did it! This old man did it! Now let's see who still dares look down on us blacksmiths! Hahahaha!"

Lou Gao was so excited that tears filled his eyes, as if he had seen the rise of the blacksmithing profession. Only after a long while did he calm himself and smile at Dai Weisi.

"First Prince, thank you for your guidance. After many days, this old man has finally made these hand grenades. Please inspect them, Your Highness!"

As he spoke, Lou Gao took out five hand grenades and arranged them neatly before Dai Weisi.