Bibi Dong's Attitude, the Possibility of Forging Firearms!

Si Long held his breath and lowered his head even further, awaiting fate's judgment.

He could not see the Pope's expression, but he could feel that invisible gaze moving line by line across the letter.

Though Si Long had not personally read its contents, he knew a little of what it said.

Seconds ticked by.

Si Long felt the clothes on his back already soaked through with cold sweat.

At last, a faint, nearly imperceptible cold snort came from above.

The sound was soft, yet it pierced Si Long's eardrums like an ice pick, making him feel as though he had fallen into an icy abyss.

Si Long seemed to feel a chilling cold instantly spread through the entire side hall.

Then came the Faint Sound of paper being folded again.

"Divine Craftsman Lou Gao, you have put much thought into this."

Bibi Dong's voice rang out once more, still cool and imposing, betraying little emotion. Yet Si Long keenly caught an indescribable... chill within it?

Or perhaps it was the calm killing intent that came after confirming a certain suspicion?

"I am fully aware of what the letter states."

Bibi Dong's gaze seemed to pierce through the letter and fall upon distant Gengjin City.

"The Blacksmith Association stands at the pinnacle of the continent's craftsmen. Its skills are exquisite, and its contributions benefit the realm. Divine Craftsman Lou Gao understands the greater good and is willing to lead the entire Association in joining Spirit Hall to achieve great things together. This is a blessing for Spirit Hall, and also a blessing for the continent's forging world."

At those words, the huge weight in Si Long's heart finally fell away. Overwhelming joy surged through him, nearly bringing tears to his eyes.

It had worked!

The Association's crisis could be resolved!

His teacher's life's work had not been in vain!

However, Bibi Dong's next words made Si Long's heart leap into his throat again.

"As for Miles Garcia, the bishop of the Martial Soul Holy Hall in Gengjin City..."

Bibi Dong's voice paused slightly. At last, a clearly visible glint of frost flashed through those deep Phoenix Eyes, like a crack beneath a ten-thousand-year ice field—cold and piercing to the bone.

Bibi Dong parted her red lips and issued her order, each word incomparably clear.

"Elder Ghostly Shadow."

An elderly man standing in the shadows beside the throne, dressed in a Black Ceremonial Robe with a stern face and eyes as sharp as a hawk's, immediately bowed.

"Your subordinate is here!"

"Take my writ and depart at once. Travel secretly to Gengjin City."

Bibi Dong's voice held not the slightest warmth.

"Thoroughly investigate every matter from Miles Garcia's tenure. Remember, every matter—what he has done, what he has taken, what he has said, whom he has met... I want the most detailed and conclusive evidence. Do not falsely accuse, but do not spare anyone either!"

"Your subordinate obeys! I will not fail Your Holiness's trust!"

Ghostly Shadow nodded deeply, his voice resolute.

"Go."

Bibi Dong waved a hand.

Ghostly Shadow's figure silently withdrew from the side hall and vanished in an instant.

Having dealt with these two crucial matters, Bibi Dong's gaze returned to Si Long. The suffocating chill had already receded, replaced by unfathomable calm.

"Si Long."

"Your subordinate is here!"

Si Long hurriedly responded with respect.

"I grant your master's request."

Bibi Dong's voice seemed to soften slightly.

"As for the Blacksmith Association joining Spirit Hall, once Salas has uncovered the truth in Gengjin City and purged its accumulated corruption, I will issue a decree and announce it to the world. Until then, let everything remain as it is. Do not make this public for now. Remain in Spirit City and await orders."

"Yes! This disciple respectfully obeys Your Holiness the Pope's decree! On behalf of my master and all craftsmen of the Blacksmith Association, this disciple kowtows in gratitude for Your Holiness's grace!"

Si Long was overwhelmed with emotion. He pressed his forehead to the ground and performed a grand bow.

He knew that the day Miles, the malignant tumor that had weighed upon the Association for years, was destroyed was not far off!

"Mm."

Bibi Dong nodded faintly, her gaze returning to the documents on the desk.

"You may leave."

"Thank you, Your Holiness! Your subordinate takes his leave!"

Si Long kowtowed once more. Suppressing the excitement and shock in his Inner Heart, he carefully rose to his feet and, led by the Palace Guard Knight, kept his head lowered as he respectfully withdrew from the council hall that symbolized the pinnacle of power.

The heavy hall doors slowly closed behind him, shutting out that suffocating majesty.

Only when Si Long left the Pope's Palace and stood beneath the enormous angel statue, bathed in the sunlight over Spirit City, did he feel alive again. His back had long been drenched in cold sweat.

Recalling everything that had happened in the hall, especially the Pope's icy gaze and decisive orders when she mentioned Miles, Si Long's heart was filled with awe—and an enormous sense of hope.

"The Association... can be saved!"

Si Long clenched his fists, gazed toward Gengjin City, and let out a long breath.

Naturally, Lin Xia and the others had no idea that Si Long had already arrived in Spirit City, much less that the Secret Letter was stirring up such a storm.

Lin Xia was still reading all kinds of books.

Just then, Lou Gao's signature booming voice broke the courtyard's tranquility. He strode up to Lin Xia, who was studying a forging blueprint, a thoughtful smile on his broad face.

"Xiao Xia! How is it? Have you fully grasped those manuals on forging fundamentals, mineral identification, and heat control?"

Hearing him, Lin Xia looked up and set down the blueprint in his hand. His face held the modesty of a beginner, but his eyes were clear and confident.

Lin Xia did not hide anything. He clearly listed each book he had worked through during this period and concisely recounted their key points.

The thoroughness of his understanding and the precision of his memory Far Exceeded Lou Gao's expectations.

As Lou Gao listened, the appraisal in his eyes gradually gave way to immense delight. Even his thick beard trembled slightly with his smile.

He slapped Lin Xia hard on the shoulder, producing a crack.

"Good! Good kid! This new brain of yours really works well!"

A Flash of Light gleamed in Lou Gao's eyes as he said grandly,

"All talk and no practice is worthless! How can a disciple of mine merely theorize on paper? Today, this Old Man will see for himself whether the skills you learned from books can be put to use on an anvil! Do you dare give it a try?"

The moment Lin Xia heard this, intense interest and the urge to give it a try surged within him.

In this world, forging was an extension of strength and the foundation of creation.

Yet in the understanding of his previous life, it also held the potential to change the nature of warfare—firearms!

Those precise components, that powerful kinetic force—the principles were crystal clear in his mind. He had simply never attempted it due to laws and restrictions.

Now that he had the chance to Temper steel with his own hands, how could his heart not surge with excitement?

"Of course, Teacher!"

Lin Xia's eyes shone brilliantly as he nodded Without Hesitation.

"I've been wanting to experience the feeling of this thousandfold Tempering for myself!"

"Hahaha! You've got guts! Come with me!"

Lou Gao laughed heartily and led Lin Xia toward the beginner Forging District specially set aside on one side of the front courtyard.

The furnace flames burned brightly here, while the ringing of metal never ceased.

Lou Gao personally selected a standard-sized pig iron ingot, dark, rough, and carrying the cold, heavy feel unique to metal.

He then took down a hefty one-handed Forging Hammer from a nearby rack. Its hammerhead was black and gleaming, clearly having seen frequent use.

Lou Gao steadily handed the handle to Lin Xia.

"Use this."

Hidden weapons can slay gods, but can firearms?