Joining the Blacksmith Association?

A flash of light flickered in Elder Charlotte's eyes. His shock was like a stone cast into a lake, sending ripples across the surface, but it was quickly suppressed beneath his deep gaze, returning to calm.

He had lived for so many years, seen far too many geniuses, and knew well that everyone had their own opportunities and secrets.

Forcing an investigation would not only likely yield nothing, but might also create enmity.

Although the child before him was dressed in rags, his eyes were clear and resolute, and his Soul Power was a genuine Level 10. Both his talent and the tenacity that had brought him here alone earned Elder Charlotte's admiration.

"Level 10 Soul Power, confirmed."

Elder Charlotte withdrew his hand, and a warm smile returned to his face, as though his earlier lapse had never happened.

"Little friend Lin Xia, although you have yet to obtain your first Soul Ring and advance from a Soul Scholar to a Soul Master, I imagine it will not be long. So I shall make things convenient for you. Starting today, you may use this badge to collect one Gold Soul Coin in Soul Master subsidies from Spirit Hall every month."

Charlotte turned and took a small badge from the cabinet behind him, engraved with crossed sword and hammer patterns, then solemnly handed it to Lin Xia.

Lin Xia accepted the badge, which still carried a trace of warmth. It felt slightly heavy in his hand, and a sense of security rose within him.

One Gold Soul Coin!

In Nuoding City, that was enough for a Work-Study Student like him to live frugally for several months.

Of course, Lin Xia was not so pathetic that a single Gold Soul Coin would blind him. He was only acting this way out of necessity!

"Thank you, Elder Charlotte."

Lin Xia thanked him sincerely.

As Elder Charlotte watched Lin Xia put away the badge, his gaze grew fervent once more. He leaned forward slightly, his tone carrying undisguised recruitment intent.

"Lin Xia, your talent is unprecedented in all my years. Innate Level 8 Soul Power, reaching Level 10 in half a month—such speed is unheard of!"

"Join our Spirit Hall! With your aptitude, you will receive the highest level of training, the finest cultivation resources, and the best guidance for obtaining Soul Rings! Your future will be limitless!"

Lin Xia's heart jolted.

Spirit Hall's olive branch carried enormous weight.

Resources, protection, knowledge—these were all things he desperately desired.

But Bibi Dong's cold face beneath the Pope's crown and Yu Xiaogang's relentlessly entangling figure flashed through his mind.

After thinking for a moment, Lin Xia took a deep breath and suppressed the stirring in his heart. An apologetic, shy smile fitting his age appeared on his face.

"Thank you for your high regard, Elder! Naturally, this Kid knows of Spirit Hall's great reputation. It is only that... this Kid has just arrived in Gengjin City and still has some personal matters to handle, so I cannot make a decision immediately. Could you... allow this Kid to settle these trivial matters first, then give you an answer afterward?"

The eager smile on Elder Charlotte's face stiffened slightly, and a faint, nearly imperceptible disappointment flashed through his eyes.

Having lived so many years, how could he fail to hear the refusal hidden behind those tactful words?

This child had a firm will and ideas of his own.

A forcibly picked melon was never sweet. Especially when it came to geniuses, excessive pressure would only backfire.

Looking into Lin Xia's clear yet stubborn eyes, he finally let out a long sigh. The smile on his face faded somewhat, but it remained gentle.

"So be it. It is a good thing for young people to have their own ideas. Remember, Spirit Hall's doors will always be open to you. No matter when, if you change your mind, you may come find me, Charlotte, at any time. The Gengjin City Martial Soul Branch Hall will always welcome you."

"Thank you for understanding, Elder!"

Lin Xia inwardly breathed a sigh of relief and bowed again.

Elder Charlotte's attitude improved his impression of Spirit Hall considerably.

Besides, it was not that he did not wish to join Spirit Hall. Shouldn't one compare one's options before choosing?

And nobody said he could not join two factions at once!

After bidding farewell to Elder Charlotte, Lin Xia held the weighty Gold Soul Coin subsidy, feeling as though even his steps had become lighter.

Lin Xia did not delay and headed straight out of the solemn, majestic Spirit Hall.

Walking through the bustling streets of Gengjin City, Lin Xia first found a clothing shop.

He had truly had enough of the strange looks cast his way by passersby.

Using part of the Gold Soul Coin, he bought himself a plain but clean, well-fitting set of coarse cloth clothes and a pair of sturdy cloth shoes.

After changing, he was still simply dressed, but he had finally shed the image of a "little beggar." He no longer stood out so much when mingling with the crowd.

After finishing all that, Lin Xia asked a passerby for the location of the Blacksmith Association and headed there directly.

The closer he got to the Blacksmith Association, the stronger the scent of scorching heat, metal dust, and sweat became.

The clanging and booming sounds of forging beat like the city's pulse, powerful and rhythmic.

At last, he stopped before a rugged-looking building.

It lacked Spirit Hall's exquisite grandeur, yet it was filled with a Sense of Power.

Massive stone pillars were carved with hammer and flame totems. Waves of heat poured from the open doors, mixed with the thunderous clash of metal and the shouts of men.

Lin Xia steadied himself and walked inside.

Beyond the doors lay an exceptionally spacious hall, more like a massive open workshop.

Blazing furnaces stood like Giant Beasts, their raging flames illuminating the bronze skin and streaming sweat of the craftsmen.

Beside enormous anvils, bare-chested Strong Men swung heavy hammers. Every blow sent sparks flying and produced deafening booms.

The air was filled with the distinctive smells of molten iron, sweat, coal, and metal.

Various half-finished weapons, armor, and Farm Tools were piled in the corners in a dazzling array.

The sight made Lin Xia hungry again!

Lin Xia's arrival did not attract much attention.

People came and went here. There were merchants placing orders, laborers transporting Mineral Ore, and young people like him who seemed to have come to try their luck.

He looked around and saw a middle-aged man in a leather apron, who appeared to be a supervisor, directing several apprentices as they carried iron ingots. Lin Xia walked over and spoke politely.

"Uncle, excuse me. If I want to join the Blacksmith Association, who should I speak to?"

The middle-aged man who looked like a supervisor turned at the sound and looked Lin Xia up and down.

Although Lin Xia had changed clothes, he was simply too young and thin. No matter how he looked at him, Lin Xia did not seem like someone capable of swinging a sledgehammer.

"Join the Association?"

The middle-aged man's brows furrowed slightly, his tone carrying a trace of impatience.

"Kid, how old are you? Do you know that blacksmithing is hard labor? This is not a place for children to play in mud. Go on, get out of here. Don't cause trouble."

Lin Xia was not discouraged. He straightened his back and met the other man's eyes.

"Uncle, I am quite strong, and I know a great deal about Mineral Ore... I want to serve the Association and learn Forging Skill, as well as some basic knowledge about Mineral Ore."

"You know about Mineral Ore? You just said you wanted to learn the basics, yet you claim to know about it?"

The middle-aged man snorted.

"Anyone can make empty claims. Kid, if you want to join the Association, you must pass an assessment!"

"The most basic requirement is being able to swing a ten-jin hammer and forge a standard iron billet one hundred times in succession, producing the rough shape required by the Association! With your little body..."

He shook his head, clearly unconvinced.

Just then, a somewhat aged yet vigorous voice came from nearby.

"Old Li, what is going on? Why all the noise?"