Spirit Pagoda Prepares for War, Divine Craftsman Jiu Tian, You Have a New Forging Order

Sea God Tang San!

The Spirit Pagoda reception room abruptly fell into a prolonged silence, so quiet that a pin dropping could be heard. The name carried profound significance. Not only did it belong to a deity who had ascended to the God Realm Twenty Thousand Years Ago, but also to the shared ancestor of Shrek Academy and the Tang Sect, a figure revered and worshipped by tens of thousands across the Douluo Continent.

If the one replacing Chen Xin Jie was the Sea God, then everything indeed made sense. It was only natural for the Tang Sect's founder to reclaim the Tang Sect, and with the War God Hall currently honoring the Sea God Family above all else, it was only right for Tang San to lead it.

"So what if he's Sea God Tang San? He's just some old relic from ancient times. If he dares show himself now and stir up trouble, don't blame us for wiping out him and all three major factions along with him!"

Na'er's voice was bone-chillingly cold. Her silver-white eyes had been dyed a soul-stirring purple. Sea God Tang San could not suppress the Silver Dragon King's Half-Self. As long as he stood in Zhao Xuanzhen's way, she would dare to use the Silver Dragon Spear to poke ten thousand transparent holes through him.

"The God Realm no longer exists. If Tang San has returned to the Douluo Continent in the body of Vast Sea Douluo, then he definitely isn't in the Divine Realm. We won't be facing the Sea God at his peak," Gu Yue analyzed calmly.

Ten years ago, she had ordered the Star Dou Fierce Beasts to attack Tang Wulin in an attempt to strip away the Gold Dragon King bloodline inside him. This had drawn Tang San's Divine Sense into action for the first time. She guessed that this Tang San was much the same, merely a strand of Divine Sense wreaking havoc upon the continent.

Until today, the two Silver Dragon King's Half-Selves had formed a united front. Both had recovered to a level just one step short of Titled Douluo, and through the Martial Soul Fusion Skill, they could bring Silver Dragon King Gu Yuena down into the mortal world.

Coupled With the assistance of the Super Divine Artifact, Dragon God's Heart, Gu Yue held little fear toward Tang San. She was even eager to try, believing this to be a heaven-sent opportunity for soul beasts to give the God Realm a resounding blow.

"For a dignified deity to cast aside all shame and involve himself in mortal disputes..." Leng Yaozhu muttered thoughtfully. She trusted Guan Yue's judgment. As Yun Ming's junior brother and the deputy master of the War God Hall, he would never have identified Tang San as the true culprit without at least seventy percent certainty.

"Ancient texts record that when the Sun Moon Empire fought its decisive battle against the Star Luo Empire Ten Thousand Years Ago, Tang San sent a Divine Sense incarnation to the lower realm and stopped Empress War God Ju Zi from destroying Star Luo City."

"...And forcibly renamed the Sun Moon Empire the Heaven Dou Empire."

The Bai sisters spoke one after the other, reminding everyone that Tang San was not as pure and spotless as the legends sang. The Sea God had a long history of interfering with the Douluo Continent.

"Yaozhu, we have no other choice. We can only entrust all our hopes to the Spirit Pagoda."

Holy Spirit Douluo Yali bowed deeply, her words earnest. "Although Tang San once brought boundless glory to Shrek and the Tang Sect, merit cannot erase wrongdoing. We must eliminate him and Long Yeyue, restoring clear skies to the Douluo Continent.

Setting things right is the greatest wish in the hearts of us old Shrek members, as well as Brother Ming within the Sky Pillar Divine Spear. We are willing to obey the Spirit Pagoda's arrangements and ask only to contribute our meager strength to the peace of the continent."

"Get up quickly."

Leng Yaozhu helped Ya Li to her feet. "Shrek Academy, the Tang Sect, and the War God Hall have jointly declared war on the Spirit Pagoda. Even if you do not join us, Tang San and we are destined to fight to the death.

The great ship of the new era does not need a helmsman from the old era. We have a leader born into this age, one who surpasses all of history."

At these words, all the women of the Spirit Pagoda nodded heavily. They had never believed in any so-called Sea God. Their hearts held only one figure.

"Everyone, there is one more matter." Guan Yue frowned. "Tang San seemed to have been busy with something important recently. He only came near the Spirit Pagoda twice to probe around in haste, as though he were looking for someone."

"Looking for whom?"

The idea of Tang San coming to the Spirit Pagoda to find someone was truly baffling. As everyone stood at a loss, Gu Yue suddenly had a flash of insight.

The Myriad Beast Platform project was being carried out in full swing. The Sky Azure Bull Python and Titan Giant Ape had already entered the Myriad Beast Platform to guard its space, cutting off contact with the outside world. Tang San might have been trying to contact those two soul beasts and call on them to act together.

Fortunately, the Invincible Civil Engineering Team had always guarded the Spirit Pagoda. Tang San could not force his way into the Myriad Beast Platform space. The two soul beasts had failed to learn of the Sea God's return, sparing the Spirit Pagoda two formidable enemies.

"Da Bai, Xiao Bai, notify every branch across the three continents. The Spirit Pagoda is entering an emergency wartime state." Leng Yaozhu issued her combat orders. "Gu Yue, be ready at any time to open a Space Tunnel and bring over Phantom Brain, Xue Si, Xue Qi, and the other Titled Douluo.

We must maintain the highest level of vigilance against a deity. If the Myriad Beast Sect has the strength to spare, then at the critical moment, ask Black Dragon Douluo to cooperate with the Spirit Pagoda."

"The Myriad Beast Sect vows to fight the Sea God to the end!" Gu Yue declared resolutely.

"Once Xuanzhen returns, we will discuss whether to strike first and gather our forces to attack the Tang Sect."

Leng Yaozhu had just about finished her arrangements when Gu Yue's Soul Guide Communication device suddenly rang. It displayed a message from Zhao Xuanzhen.

"Come get me at Heaven Dou City.

The continent's second Divine Craftsman has emerged."

Late at night, atop the Blacksmith Association's rooftop terrace.

Above lay an ink-black night sky, stars glittering and moonlight flowing. Divine Craftsman Zhen Hua stood with his hands behind his back, his clothes gently stirring in the night wind. Beside him stood a burly young man with sharply defined features, his face a standard pentagon as though carved by blade and axe, his dark skin glinting with a cold, steely sheen.

Zhen Hua sighed. "The world knows only Tai Chi Douluo, who overlooks all living beings like the blazing sun overhead, and the Dragon Spear Goddess and Element Goddess, like twin moons sharing the sky. The three are called peerless monsters unseen in Ten Thousand Years. Yet everyone overlooked you, Jiu Tian.

Blacksmithing has never been the first choice of genius Soul Masters. On average, blacksmiths possess inferior Cultivation Talent compared with the other three Secondary Professions. Yet at your age, you have already broken through to Titled Douluo. Across the Douluo Continent's Twenty Thousand Years of history, you are second only to Zhao Xuanzhen."

Jiu Tian shook his head. "I have never cared about fame. I only focus on forging."

"That is what I like most about you—steady and composed, unmoved by the judgments of the outside world." Zhen Hua smiled. "That is why, upon breaking through to Titled Douluo, you managed to step half a foot into the realm of Divine Craftsmen.

"I am getting older. By the lifespan standards of a Titled Douluo, I am not truly old, but my prime has already passed.

"As I perform Heavenly Forging more and more often, I have begun to feel the strain. After all, my cultivation was hastened by medicine. You are different from me. Your foundation is extraordinarily deep. Forging Metal has never delayed your cultivation. In combat strength, vitality, attributes, spiritual power—in every aspect—you have left me behind.

"There is an unspoken rule acknowledged by the forging world: only one Divine Craftsman may exist in the world. I always believed in that rule, until I witnessed your growth with my own eyes. Only then did I realize that the student can surpass the master. Rules exist to be broken by monsters.

"I intended to take you to the Ascension Platform in Mingdu and help raise your Success Rate of Heavenly Forging by ten percent, but you refused. Then let your first Heavenly Forging as a Divine Craftsman of the New Generation take place here, on the rooftop terrace of the Blacksmith Association Headquarters."

As his words fell, the two walked to the center of the rooftop. Zhen Hua released a surge of Soul Power, and a low mechanical rumble sounded as a metal structure slowly rose from below.

It was an exceptionally broad forging platform, dazzling silver-white from end to end. It was comparable to five ordinary forging platforms combined, and it contained a wondrous power, as though communicating with Heaven and Earth Elemental Power.

Even if its might did not equal that of the Ascension Platform, this forging platform was unquestionably second in the world.

Before the forging officially began, Zhen Hua gave one final reminder. "Heavenly Forging differs from Soul Forging. Beyond understanding the metal itself, one must comprehend the Laws of Heaven and Earth, drawing upon the power of heaven and earth to thoroughly transform the metal as though remaking it from within.

"Every Divine Craftsman has his own path of Heavenly Forging, based on his own understanding of the Laws of Heaven and Earth. Jiu Tian, you must use your understanding to draw the elements of heaven and earth into the Heavenly Forged Metal. Through the baptism of the laws of lightning tribulation, let the metal undergo a qualitative transformation."

Jiu Tian's gaze was solemn and unwavering as iron and stone. He took out a platinum-colored block of metal one foot square. A hazy radiance flowed across its surface like starlight and moonlight. It was Star Luo Holy Gold, the Star Luo Empire's unique top-grade rare metal.

The process of upgrading Three-character Battle Armor into Four-Word Battle Armor was special. A blacksmith did not need to forge the Three-character Battle Armor itself. Instead, they forged Heavenly Forged Metal to be incorporated into the battle armor, fused it with the original Three-character Battle Armor, then re-engraved the core formation to complete the Four-Word Battle Armor's ascension.

Star Luo Holy Gold was one of the two metals incorporated into Tai Chi Dao. Yet Jiu Tian's heart ultimately leaned toward the Lord of Qimen. Moonlight shone upon the metal's surface, spreading a circle of magnificent glow. The forging platform squirmed faintly like a living creature and swallowed the Star Luo Holy Gold in an instant.

When it emerged again, the entire block of metal glowed a blazing white, having reached the perfect temperature for forging.

Jiu Tian flipped his hands, gripping a pair of Dry Metal Hammers in his palms. He Took a deep breath, his chest and abdomen expanding with it. A stream of white vapor burst from his mouth like a long dragon. The next moment, his left hammer crashed down like a meteor striking the earth!

Bang—

With that single blow, the Star Luo Holy Gold burst with brilliance, its internal structure ascending. Thousand Refinement was complete!

A sharp glint flashed through Zhen Hua's eyes. To an eighth-rank Saint Craftsman, Thousand Refinement was no more than a simple warm-up. Yet Jiu Tian's one-hammer Thousand Refinement undoubtedly displayed absolute control over strength, rhythm, and material perception. Even if he, a Divine Craftsman, acted personally, he would probably achieve no more than this.

Jiu Tian's waist and back curved like a drawn bow, his legs rooted into the ground like tree roots. His Soul Power burned wildly as his right hammer followed the left. When it fell, a platinum pillar of light shot into the sky. Dense life force surged like a tide. Spirit Refinement Creation was accomplished with two hammers!

His pentagonal face tightened, and lightning seemed to explode within his iron-gray eyes. Both hammers fell together, striking the nodes of heaven and earth's rhythm. The Star Luo Holy Gold hummed endlessly, life force flourishing as it crossed into the realm of Soul Refinement in a single step!

Zhen Hua could not help applauding, pride filling his eyes. This was the successor he had personally nurtured, a blacksmith unprecedented in all the ages of the Douluo Continent!

Three-hammer Soul Refinement. Yet the true challenge had only begun.

The force of the Dry Metal Hammers abruptly changed, shifting from earth-shattering power to silent subtlety. The twin hammers rose lightly and fell gently, their ringing like pearls falling onto a jade plate as they guided the minute ripples of the metal's spirituality. As hammer shadows constantly rose and fell, the skies above the Blacksmith Association rooftop suddenly changed!

Seven-colored halos emerged in the air. Earth, water, wind, fire, light, darkness, and space—the Seven Elements answered the summons and gathered in the sky above the metal, forming an enormous seven-colored funnel. Dark clouds layered upon one another as they pressed downward, while streaks of seven-colored lightning snakes slithered through the clouds, their thunderous roars fierce and resonant.

At the sight, Zhen Hua could not help holding his breath, sweat beading in his palms. Even when his vitality had been at its peak, he would not have dared easily attempt Heavenly Forging of such a level during his first attempt!

Boom—

A majestic metallic sound resounded through heaven and earth. An enormous golden phantom rose from the ground, its features blurred but its majesty shaking the heavens. It held a pair of enormous Dry Metal Hammers, its movements perfectly synchronized with Jiu Tian's.

His iron-gray eyes burned like gold. The majesty of the Elephant of Dry Gold bloomed without restraint!

Boom!

The first seven-colored bolt of lightning tore the sky apart, transforming into a ferocious dragon that struck downward. In the world of a Divine Craftsman's Heavenly Forging, the blacksmith had to endure the lightning tribulation alongside the metal. Jiu Tian and the divine phantom behind him raised their hammers to meet it, the Dry Metal Hammers colliding head-on with the elemental lightning tribulation!

Seven-colored lightning instantly wrapped around both man and metal. Lightning snakes darted and coiled as the Power of Rules clashed madly. Golden light seemed to flow beneath Jiu Tian's dark skin. Eight Deceitful Gods relied on a physique stronger than any mortal's to withstand the lightning tribulation head-on, guiding a strand of pure Seven Elements lightning down onto the Star Luo Holy Gold.

Although the elemental lightning tribulation was a catastrophic disaster of destruction, it was also a tempering for the metal. When a blacksmith bore lightning tribulation for the metal, the key was controlling the degree—protecting the metal from being destroyed by the tribulation while allowing it to be tempered as much as possible.

The second bolt, the third... the lightning tribulations continued without end, each more violent than the last. Jiu Tian's twin hammers moved like the wind, while the golden divine phantom roared thunderously, breaking down and transforming the seven-colored lightning.

Boom—

The seventh thunderclap descended, carrying the might to destroy heaven and earth!

The entire rooftop was instantly flooded with gorgeous seven-colored light. The elemental lightning storm nearly tore this space apart. Its brilliance was blinding, and seven-colored radiance broke through the sky, illuminating half the night sky!

The light persisted for several minutes before gradually fading.

Above the forging platform, the Star Luo Holy Gold floated quietly. Its platinum hue was deep and restrained, a stream of seven-colored light winding across it. Its elemental fluctuations were vast and mysterious, as though resonating with heaven and earth.

Heavenly Forging was complete!

The Seven Elements lightning tribulation awakened the blacksmiths resting through the night. One after another, they raised their heads to look toward the rooftop, their faces full of shock.

Because his vitality had declined, Divine Craftsman Zhen Hua no longer carried out Heavenly Forging. They were extremely curious. Had Zhen Hua regained his youthful vigor, or had the Blacksmith Association welcomed an entirely new leader?

The towering divine phantom slowly faded away. Looking at the pentagonal young man who was Imposing like a mountain, Zhen Hua suddenly said for no apparent reason, "Jiu Tian, will you harm the Blacksmith Association?"

"No. I will lead the Blacksmith Association to even greater heights." Jiu Tian's reply was low and resolute.

"Excellent."

Zhen Hua smiled in relief.

"Tomorrow morning, I will announce to the world that, in this era, the forging world has unprecedentedly produced a second Divine Craftsman."

With that, Zhen Hua turned and departed, a smile at the corner of his lips and clarity in his eyes.

In the past, he had sent people to investigate Jiu Tian's origins, only to find nothing but a blank. It was not as though Divine Craftsman Zhen Hua had never considered driving Jiu Tian away, but he could not bear to give up Jiu Tian's Unparalleled in the World forging talent.

Moreover, Jiu Tian had appeared to be a ten-year-old boy back then, and a boy represented the possibility of change. Zhen Hua trusted his own ability to judge and nurture people, and Jiu Tian had never disappointed him. Divine Craftsman Zhen Hua was willing to entrust the Blacksmith Association to this mysterious and powerful Direct Disciple.

"Congratulations on the Elephant of Dry Gold breaking through to Divine Craftsman. Recovering to quasi-divine level is only a matter of days."

Zhao Xuanzhen's clear voice suddenly rang in his mind. Jiu Tian remained silent. He knew that damned Lord of Qimen far too well. This was definitely not congratulations. It was another way of saying:

You have a new forging order. Please process it promptly!