One of Them Was a Rare Companion Ore!

Lou Gao said "good" three times in a row, his voice trembling slightly with excitement.

He Slapped His Thigh, the wrinkles on his face smoothing out with excitement.

Without Hesitation, he immediately took two pieces of mineral ore from an inconspicuous leather pouch at his waist.

The moment the two pieces of mineral ore appeared, they drew everyone's attention.

They were only the size of fists, yet they radiated a gentle, noble golden glow, as though flowing sunlight were contained within them.

Their surfaces were covered in natural silver Spots like stars, gleaming with dreamlike brilliance under the light of the furnace.

A rich, pure Metal Energy aura instantly spread through the air, making the surrounding atmosphere seem several degrees heavier.

Lin Xia's gaze locked onto the two pieces of mineral ore in Lou Gao's hands.

The instant that scent entered his nostrils, Lin Xia's stomach convulsed violently, and a hunger originating from life's instinct—one that nearly burned away his reason—erupted with a roar!

This was not the temptation of Ordinary Ore. This feeling was a hundred times stronger than that of a traveler starving for three days catching the scent of meat!

At the same time, deep within the Martial Soul Space, the longing Larvitar conveyed surged like a tangible tide. Amid urgent cries of "Yō Jī Yō Jī," the phantom of those red eyes seemed to flicker restlessly in Lin Xia's mind—it wanted to come out!

It wanted to eat too!

After sensing Larvitar's thoughts, Lin Xia fell silent for a moment. His gaze swept over Lou Gao's flushed face, over the undisguised fervor and admiration there, then he recalled how Lou Gao had said "good" three times in a row just moments earlier...

Joining the Blacksmith Association seemed all but certain.

With Lou Gao and the Association as temporary backing, there was no longer any need to hide things.

Sooner or later, he would have to face it. He could not keep Larvitar hidden forever!

"Come out, Larvitar!"

Lin Xia took a deep breath, suppressing his surging craving as he called out softly.

A gray-green stream of light shot from Lin Xia's brow and landed on the ground, transforming into a Little Dinosaur with rock-like gray-green skin, a long Blunt Horn atop its head, and red eyes.

The moment Larvitar stood still, his small nose immediately twitched. His ruby-like eyes locked onto the mineral ore in Lou Gao's hands, his tiny Claws waving excitedly as he let out urgent, cheerful cries of "Yō Jī! Yō Jī!"

"A Soul Beast?!"

"Where did that monster come from?!"

"Protect the President!"

Larvitar's strange appearance and sudden arrival instantly detonated the previously Deathly Silence hall.

Cries of alarm and angry roars burst out!

Several nearby Strong Men who were quick to react had veins bulging along their muscular arms. Almost instinctively, they swung up the Heavy Hammers and iron tongs at hand. Soul Power gleamed over their weapons as, accompanied by shrieking Wind Sound, they prepared to pounce on Larvitar and kill him!

The air instantly froze, Killing Intent filling the hall!

"Stop!!!"

Lou Gao's voice boomed like thunder, carrying unquestionable authority as it instantly suppressed all the commotion.

He did not move, yet the imposing aura forged through years of hammering metal—an aura containing Thousand Jin Strength—suddenly erupted. His gaze swept over the impulsive Blacksmiths, sharp as a Blade Edge.

"What are you panicking for?! Look carefully! This isn't a Soul Beast!"

Lou Gao's voice was firm and decisive.

"This is a Detached Beast Martial Soul! A living Martial Soul!"

Lou Gao had lived to such an age and was obsessed with metal forging. Though he had never personally seen a Detached Beast Martial Soul in this form, similar accounts existed in theoretical Martial Soul tomes and strange tales from across the continent.

The aura emanating from this Little Guy shared the same origin as Lin Xia's Soul Power. It was absolutely not the Ferocious Wildness of a Soul Beast!

Lou Gao's rebuke was like Cold Water poured over their heads. The Blacksmiths froze in place, staring at Larvitar with faces full of uncertainty and shock.

The crowd around them fell utterly silent. Only the Hū Hū Sound of the furnace and Larvitar's excited cries of "Yō Jī" echoed through the hall.

Countless gazes focused on the strange Little Dinosaur, filled with shock, confusion, and disbelief—a Martial Soul?

A Martial Soul that could leave the body, possess independent awareness, and seem so lifelike?

This completely overturned everything they thought they knew about Martial Souls!

But after recalling that Lin Xia, the Martial Soul's Master, could chew mineral ore raw, they suddenly did not find it all that strange.

Even Lou Gao was seeing a Detached Beast Martial Soul of this form for the first time.

His gaze traveled repeatedly over Larvitar, from the Blunt Horn on his head to the Rhombus Red Scales on his belly, then to the Little Tail he kept wagging in excitement. His eyes were full of pure curiosity, but he only took a few quick looks. After all, there was something more important at hand!

A moment later, Lou Gao withdrew his gaze and handed the two pieces of mineral ore to Lin Xia Without Hesitation.

"Little friend! Taste these two pieces of mineral ore, then tell me their functions, strengths, and weaknesses!"

Lou Gao paused, then added with a scorching gaze and an investigative tone.

"Don't be fooled by how identical they look. Their luster, Spots, and weight are exactly the same. Even the most experienced old Blacksmiths and miners might not be able to tell the difference... yet their internal effects are worlds apart!"

"One of them is a rare Companion Ore!"

Lin Xia reached out and accepted the two heavy pieces of mineral ore, which emitted tempting Energy Fluctuation.

The moment they reached his hands, Larvitar instantly pounced at Lin Xia's feet. His tiny Claws tightly clutched Lin Xia's Trouser Leg as he raised his little head. Watery Light filled his ruby-like eyes as he looked up at Lin Xia pitifully, his little mouth pouting in grievance while he let out an extremely ingratiating, drawn-out whimper.

"Yō~ Jī~ Yō~ Jī~~~~"

He looked as though someone had stolen his most precious treasure, enough to melt anyone's heart.

Lin Xia looked down at the Little Guy by his feet and sighed helplessly, though the Corners of the Mouth still curved upward.

"Alright, alright!"

Lin Xia rubbed the Blunt Horn atop Larvitar's head, his voice softening.

"Don't rush. I'll save some for you later."

After saying that, Lin Xia took a deep breath and calmed the craving in his Inner Heart. He first picked up the piece of mineral ore in his right hand and, Without Hesitation, opened his mouth and bit down!

"Kā Chā—!!!"

A Crisp, Tooth-Screeching Cracking Sound rang through the silent hall once more!

Everyone's hearts violently clenched along with the sound!

Lou Gao was even more dumbfounded. Even with Soul Power, he would need to temper this kind of mineral ore in blazing fire for three days and three nights before he could soften and forge it!

Yet Lin Xia had crushed it with one bite!!

Before Lou Gao could think any further, Lin Xia picked up the piece of mineral ore in his Left Hand and took another large, clean bite from it!

"Gā Bēng! Gā Bēng! Gā Bēng—!"

Lin Xia stuffed Ore Fragments from both pieces into his mouth at once, his cheeks puffing up as he began chewing forcefully.

The hard mineral ore produced dense Crisp Sounds like Fried Beans in his mouth. Every grind made the onlookers' Scalp Numbness, their stomachs churning violently.

However, the instant Lin Xia began chewing, his expression changed drastically!