A Choice: Blacksmith Guild or Spirit Hall?

Near the outskirts of Gengjin City, Lin Xia stopped.

Lin Xia took a deep breath, taking in the increasingly pronounced Metallic Aura in the air—a unique scent mixed with mineral dust, the High Temperature of furnaces, and the residue of countless polished metal tools. He lowered his head to look at Larvitar, which was following closely by his feet.

"Larvitar, come back."

Lin Xia spoke softly, his tone carrying a trace of apology, but even more caution.

"Larvi?"

Larvitar tilted its little head, confusion in its red eyes. It seemed unable to understand why it had to go back when they were so close to their destination.

"Be good. There are too many people in the city, and too many eyes. We need to be careful."

Lin Xia crouched down and rubbed the Blunt Horn atop Larvitar's head.

"Once we find somewhere safe, I'll let you out for a big meal. All right?"

Though somewhat disappointed, Larvitar obediently nodded. Its body turned into a gray-green streak of light and entered Lin Xia's body, returning to the Martial Soul Space.

Lin Xia could clearly feel their connection, as well as Larvitar's anticipation for the coming feast.

Recalling Larvitar was not because he disliked it, but because caution was necessary.

Lin Xia understood his own situation very well.

He was merely an orphan with no one to rely on. He had neither Yu Xiaogang's background nor Tang San's hidden Titled Douluo father.

Once Larvitar's unusual form and abilities were exposed to those with ulterior motives—especially factions obsessed with studying rare Martial Souls or driven by an overwhelming need for control—the consequences would be unthinkable.

A common man was innocent, but possession of a treasure invited disaster.

Before he possessed enough strength to protect himself, keeping a low profile was the only rule for survival.

Standing beneath Gengjin City's towering gatehouse, Lin Xia looked up. This city, known as the Metal Capital, Far Exceeded anything he had imagined.

The city walls were not built from ordinary bricks and stone, but from massive boulders that gleamed with the cold, hard luster of metal.

The surfaces of those boulders were not smooth. They were covered in hammer and chisel marks and strange metallic patterns, as though the walls themselves were a colossal, unfinished work of metal art.

Under the sunlight, the walls glimmered with a dark, weighty radiance, faintly showing shades of blue-gray, dark red, and even Purple Copper. Rare Metal ores had clearly been fused into them, turning the entire wall into an impregnable metal barrier that radiated a suffocating pressure capable of causing Heart Palpitation.

Lin Xia was practically drooling at the sight.

What if I could eat this entire city?

The gatehouse rose high overhead. Its upturned eaves and bracket sets were not made of wood, but cast from Fine Iron, rough and imposing, brimming with a Sense of Power. A huge metal plaque hung above it, engraved with the three bold, sweeping characters: "Gengjin City." Every stroke seemed to contain the will of countless hammer blows.

At regular intervals along the walls stood enormous metal sculptures—some were burly warriors wielding massive hammers, some were giant metal birds poised to take flight, and others were roaring Metal Behemoths. They were both decorations and something like totems, silently proclaiming the city's reverence for the power of metal.

The city gates stood wide open. The two huge metal doors were incomparably heavy, covered in rivets and reinforced metal bars. As their hinges turned, they produced a deep, lingering sound of Metal Friction, like the breathing of a Giant Beast.

The gateway tunnel was deep, its light shifting between brightness and shadow. Streams of people and carriages passed through it, stirring gusts of wind laden with metal dust.

Lin Xia's gaze passed over the city walls, allowing him to see the dense rows of buildings within.

Unlike the wooden or brick-and-tile structures found in other cities, most of the buildings here were stone-based, with metal used extensively in their main frames and even their outer walls.

Their roofs were covered in dark metal tiles, their windows fitted with metal grilles, and their chimneys were thick metal pipes. Many buildings also had metal reliefs or enormous gear-like decorations embedded in their walls.

The entire city gleamed with a cold sheen beneath the sunlight. The air was filled with metal's distinctive, faintly bloody odor, along with the distant, intermittent clanging of hammers and heavy forging booms drifting from deep within the city.

The sounds went on without end, as if the heart of the entire city were beating, filled with the power of industry.

"As expected of the Metal Capital..."

Lin Xia murmured in admiration, deeply shaken.

The grandeur and uniqueness of this city fully lived up to its title.

It was like a Metal Behemoth lying dormant upon the earth. Every brick, every stone, every wisp of air was steeped in metal's will.

Yet after the awe came the practical question once more—which faction should he join?

The Blacksmith Association?

That was Lin Xia's most desired destination.

Its current President, Lou Gao, was the third greatest Divine Craftsman of the age. The rare mineral ore resources in his hands were nothing less than an unparalleled treasure for both Larvitar and Lin Xia!

By joining, he could not only secure a Stable Ore Source, but also gain access to top-tier Forging Skill. He might even have a chance to learn about Rare Metal and Ore Veins, knowledge that would be crucial for finding "buffets" in the future.

But its fatal weakness was equally obvious. Though the Blacksmith Association held a special status, it was still fragile before the colossal Spirit Hall.

Lou Gao's fate in the original story was a warning.

Once he joined, he would likely be dragged into Spirit Hall's future targeting. The risks were extremely high.

Spirit Hall, meanwhile, was unquestionably a colossal powerhouse, with backing as solid as it could possibly be.

So long as he revealed Larvitar's terrifying potential, gaining their attention and an abundance of resources would practically be guaranteed.

Spirit Hall's foundation was sufficient to provide any Soul Beast knowledge, cultivation resources, or protection he might need.

But... whenever Lin Xia thought about entering the sight of that madwoman, Bibi Dong, a chill ran through him.

Bibi Dong's thoughts were profound and unfathomable, while her methods were ruthless and merciless.

Although Yu Xiaogang himself might not publicize the fact that Lin Xia had rejected his offer to take him as a disciple for more than ten days straight, with Spirit Hall's intelligence network, there was no guarantee it would not reach Bibi Dong's ears.

How would she view him, someone so ungrateful that he had rejected the person she cherished in her Inner Heart?

Would she admire his independence?

Or would she see it as a challenge to her authority?

Lin Xia did not dare gamble, nor did he want to try to fathom that woman's thoughts.

Once she set her sights on him, he would likely never have freedom again. He might even become a pawn on her chessboard.

"Haah..."

Lin Xia let out a helpless sigh, the scales in his heart swaying violently between immense temptation and potential danger.

The Blacksmith Association's resources were close at hand, yet dangers lurked everywhere. Spirit Hall's protection was powerful, yet it was like stepping into a dragon's pool and tiger's den.

"I'll take it one step at a time..."

In the end, that was all Lin Xia could tell himself.

His top priority was to enter the city, learn more about the situation, and then make his decision.

Of course, there was one more thing—he needed to get some money first!

Lin Xia touched his completely empty pack. Even the last scraps of mineral ore had been consumed.

The "dirt-eating training" along the way might have kept him from going hungry, but who did not want something better to eat?

And right now, he did not have a single coin to his name. He could not even afford a decent change of clothes!

"I have to find a way to make some money..."