Join Spirit Hall? Preparing to Hunt Soul Beasts!

For a long, long time.

Lou Gao slowly opened his eyes.

The pain, struggle, and confusion in his gaze receded like a tide, finally settling into an almost tragic resolve.

It was as though an invisible mountain had collapsed within him, only for a new pillar to rise stubbornly from the ruins.

Lou Gao drew a deep, deep breath. The sound was long and heavy, as if he wanted to inhale all of Gengjin City's iron-tinged air into his lungs.

Lou Gao looked at Lin Xia, his expression immensely complicated—relief, emotion, helplessness—but in the end, only determination remained.

"...Perhaps,"

Lou Gao's voice was exceptionally hoarse, yet it carried the force of breaking the cauldrons and sinking the boats.

"Perhaps... you are right."

Lou Gao raised his rough, massive hand and pressed it heavily onto Lin Xia's shoulder. The force was as weighty as a mountain, conveying silent trust and entrustment.

"For the Association... for the countless mouths that depend on this trade for their livelihood..."

Lou Gao's gaze passed beyond Lin Xia toward the Association's front courtyard, as if it pierced through the walls and saw those anxious craftsmen.

"These old bones, this little bit of reputation, and... the brotherhood between us..."

Lou Gao's voice lowered, carrying a faint, nearly imperceptible tremor. Then it abruptly rose again, firm and final.

"None of it matters anymore!"

Lou Gao's final words, "None of it matters anymore," carried the exhaustion of setting down a burden weighing a thousand catties, yet also held the resolve to break the cauldrons and sink the boats.

The complexity in his eyes finally settled, becoming a calmness burdened with heavy responsibility unlike anything Lin Xia had ever seen from him.

Lin Xia watched his teacher's slightly stooped yet mountain-like back, his throat tightening.

Lin Xia wanted to tell his teacher that perhaps things were not as tragic or complicated as he imagined. Joining Spirit Hall for protection was not betrayal, but a way to ensure more people could survive.

But Lin Xia ultimately did not say it.

Lin Xia understood that, standing in Lou Gao's position, bearing his bond with Tai Tan, the responsibility for the safety of the Association's hundreds of members, and decades of persistence in opposing Spirit Hall's local forces, making this decision now was no different from personally tearing apart the beliefs he had upheld. The torment and sacrifice in his inner heart were far heavier than Lin Xia could imagine.

This was not simply "cooperation." It was actively entering a system that had once been hostile, for the sake of survival and the future.

Lou Gao seemed to sense the heaviness and understanding in Lin Xia's gaze. He turned around and forced out a reassuring smile, then firmly patted Lin Xia's shoulder, as though he wanted to pass his strength on to him.

"Alright, Xiao Xia."

Lou Gao's voice regained some of its usual resonance, though a trace of hoarseness remained.

"Don't look at your teacher like that. The sky isn't falling! Your teacher hasn't gone senile yet. I know what needs to be done."

Lou Gao paused, his gaze turning resolute and full of expectation.

"I will write the letter myself and send Si Long, carrying my token and the Association's resolution, secretly to Spirit City to present it directly to His Majesty the Pope."

"We will explain our intentions, as well as... the current situation at Gengjin City's Martial Soul Holy Hall. The news of the Blacksmith Association joining the Spirit Hall system will also be formally announced after the Pope gives his approval."

Lou Gao's gaze fell on Lin Xia, the expectation in it nearly tangible.

"What you need to do now is focus wholeheartedly and grow stronger as quickly as possible! Your talent, your Larvitar—those are the true hope and foundation of our Association's future! Don't let these troubling matters distract you."

Having said this, Lou Gao changed the subject. At last, a hint of ease and a teacher's caring smile appeared on his face.

"Also, I have some good news for you. The people we sent out to gather information on the Yellow Storm Rats have returned. They confirmed the locations of several active rat packs, as well as the approximate range of a Thousand Years leader. Once I have arranged the most urgent matters concerning Spirit Hall, I'll personally take you there to hunt a Soul Beast!"

"Yellow Storm Rats!"

Lin Xia's eyes instantly lit up like stars ignited in the darkness!

The gloom that had hung over his heart these past two days was mostly swept away by this sudden good news.

Was his Multi-Characteristic Soul Ring plan, that difficult yet promising path, finally about to take its first real step?

An uncontrollable surge of excitement and gratitude rose in his heart.

Lin Xia immediately composed himself and bowed deeply to Lou Gao, his voice filled with sincere excitement.

"Thank you for making these arrangements, Teacher!"

"Alright, alright, why are you being so polite with your teacher?"

Lou Gao waved his hand dismissively, his face wearing the hearty expression of someone for whom this was only natural.

"You are my disciple. Helping you obtain the most suitable Soul Ring is simply my duty as your teacher! Alright, make your preparations and adjust your condition. Once I handle the urgent matters at hand, we'll set off!"

After speaking, Lou Gao heavily patted Lin Xia's shoulder again, as though making that promise solid, then said no more and strode from the Backyard. That

figure, though carrying the do-or-die resolve of gambling everything, had also cast off the heavy burden he had borne alone for so long. His steps seemed a little lighter.

The next Early Morning.

When the first ray of sunlight, carrying a Metallic Aura, filled the Blacksmith Association's Backyard, Lou Gao appeared before Lin Xia once more.

Entirely unlike the solemn oppression of yesterday, Lou Gao still had a trace of weariness between his brows, but he was clearly much more relaxed. There was even a faint smile at the corners of his mouth, the relief of seeing matters return to the right track.

"Teacher, you're here!"

Lin Xia had already risen. Larvitar, too, was unusually not hugging Mineral Ore and gnawing on it. Instead, it stood energetically by his feet, its Gray-green scales glimmering in the morning light. Extremely faint Purple Arcs flickered around its body before vanishing—residual lightning-element energy from its recent feasts on Purple Lightning Iron that had not yet been fully absorbed.

"Mhm,"

Lou Gao nodded. His gaze swept over the human and beast, both in excellent condition, and the satisfaction in his eyes deepened as he asked directly:

"How is your condition? Are you ready?"

"We can leave at any time!"

Lin Xia's voice was full of fighting spirit.

Lou Gao saw the unconcealable joy and eagerness in Lin Xia's eyes and smiled as well.

"Si Long left secretly for Spirit City last night with my personal Secret Letter and token, escorted by several skilled men. What happens afterward will be for the Pope to decide. Now, it is time to handle the important business of this teacher and disciple!"

Lin Xia's heart stirred at this.

"Teacher, you've already sent someone to Spirit Hall?"

"Mhm."

Lou Gao nodded affirmatively. He did not elaborate on the details, but the relieved expression on his face already showed that he was at ease with the arrangement.

"Alright, let's set aside the matter of Spirit Hall for now. Bring your attention back and focus on what is before you!"

As Lou Gao spoke, he took a finely drawn map of the Ore Veins and wilderness around Gengjin City from an inconspicuous Storage Soul Tool at his waist, pointing to an area marked with a red circle.

"The Yellow Storm Rat pack is seventy li southwest of the city, deep within a vast stretch of shifting sand beside a small abandoned red iron mine!"

"Our people have confirmed it repeatedly. There are several Thousand Years Yellow Storm Rats and more than ten Hundred Years Yellow Storm Rats there, perfect for your first Soul Ring!"

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