Taking Zhen Hua as Master, Evil Eye External Soul Bone!

The two elders walked ahead, discussing matters within their own understanding.

"Hey."

Ye Xinglan gently bumped Nan Liujing with her shoulder.

Nan Liujing looked at her. "What is it?"

Ye Xinglan asked softly, "I'm guessing there were at least a thousand people just now. Were you nervous up there?"

"It felt alright," Nan Liujing said.

Ye Xinglan glanced at Na'er, who was licking her lollipop with her tiny tongue. "After we finish eating, I have something to tell you."

Nan Liujing was puzzled. "Can't you tell me now?"

"No." Ye Xinglan shook her head like a rattle drum, her fair ears faintly reddening. "It's a secret. More people can't know about it."

"Whatever you say." Nan Liujing was hungry now and held out his hand to Na'er. "Na'er, give your brother a piece of candy."

"Mmm!"

With the lollipop still in her mouth, Na'er hurriedly rummaged through her pockets with both hands. After feeling around, she took out a strawberry-flavored lollipop and handed it to her brother.

"I bought that for Na'er." Ye Xinglan's eyes widened.

Nan Liujing elegantly tore open the wrapper, tossed it into the trash, and said blandly, "Spar with me tonight."

Ye Xinglan paused. "I still have candy on me. Come to me if you run out."

"Alright."

As a Divine Craftsman, Zhen Hua was qualified to have his own small dining hall.

It was not large, only around thirty square meters, and looked extremely plain.

The moment they stepped inside, a rich fragrance washed over them. Na'er instantly found the lollipop in her mouth tasteless.

"Old Mu, we have a few more guests today. Make a few extra dishes," Zhen Hua called out casually.

"Who did you invite?"

At that moment, a figure walked out of the kitchen.

He was gaunt and wore a white chef's hat. His appearance was unremarkable, with only one notable feature: his hands were as smooth as jade, no worse than Zhen Hua's.

The current sect master of the Original Body Sect, Mu Ye—a Four-word Battle Armor Master and God-tier Mech Master. Unfortunately, he was too single-minded and obsessed with mechs, making it difficult for him to break through to Rank 95.

Nan Liujing observed him quietly.

"Oh." Mu Ye noticed Ye Changming and said with a faint smile, "A rare guest. What brought you here with a few kids today?"

Zhen Hua smiled. "I invited them. Just make a few dishes, and don't make them too nourishing. These three children can't handle that yet."

"Alright. Sit down while I make a few home-style dishes." Mu Ye nodded to Ye Changming, then returned to the kitchen.

"I need to make a call. Sit down first." Zhen Hua turned and left the small dining hall.

Once outside, he released his Spiritual Power and sealed off the surroundings. Then he took out his phone and called a friend who had faced life and death alongside him.

"Hello." A weary voice came from the other end of the phone.

Zhen Hua went straight to the point. "Sun Kong, aren't we brothers who've lived and died together?"

Sun Kong, far away in Mingdu, was momentarily stunned. "What's gotten into you?"

Zhen Hua smiled. "You have a nephew, right?"

Sun Kong did not stand on ceremony. "Get to the point."

Zhen Hua explained his intention. "I want to take your nephew as my disciple."

The pen in Sun Kong's hand stopped moving.

Zhen Hua said solemnly, "You saw what I looked like when I performed Heavenly Forging, and you know how much Heavenly Forging harmed me. Ever since then, I've wanted to find a suitable successor to train. But your nephew can actually communicate directly with the instinctive spirituality of metal. You're a Rank Seven Saint Craftsman. You should know what that means."

"He can communicate with metal?" Sun Kong could no longer sit still.

"I only discovered this talent of his by chance," Zhen Hua said. "He's with me right now. I called to ask for your opinion. If you agree, I'll arrange a set of Four-word Battle Armor for you. Whether you use it yourself or give it to someone else, it's up to you. I'll cover the material costs."

The Four-word Battle Armor popular on the market today generally relied on pseudo-Heavenly Forged Metal jointly forged by six Saint Craftsmen, or on special methods of gradual nurturing.

Other than Zhen Hua himself, no one possessed a set of Four-word Battle Armor made entirely from Heavenly Forged Metal.

Sun Kong fell into brief silence on the other end.

His original plan had been to personally teach Nan Liujing forging once he returned to Mingdu. Even if the boy did not like forging, he could arrange for him to learn another profession and build a foundation early.

But unexpectedly, the boss had first brought in Sky Phoenix Douluo Leng Yaozhu, and now Divine Craftsman Zhen Hua was stepping in as well.

Sun Kong completely ignored the reward Zhen Hua offered. Four-word Battle Armor was indeed tempting, but it was nowhere near as important as a child's future. After thinking it over, he replied, "I won't hide it from you. Sky Phoenix Douluo came looking for me just now. Her target is also my nephew. If you want to take him as a disciple, you might run into her."

"Sky Phoenix Douluo?" Zhen Hua frowned and pondered for a moment. "If she comes, we'll discuss it then. In any case, I'll only take him as a disciple if you agree."

Sun Kong rubbed his brow. "What else can I say?"

"You're a Divine Craftsman. If this child likes forging too, wouldn't it be better to leave him to you? Besides, with your current status, all kinds of resources fly your way like scraps of paper. I believe you won't be stingy with your own disciple."

"Of course not." Zhen Hua smiled confidently. "Tell me later who will use the Four-word Battle Armor. I need to prepare suitable materials. A promise made cannot be taken back."

"Fine." Sun Kong did not stand on ceremony either. "The child is with you. You can handle the rest."

The two did not chat much. Once their business was settled, Zhen Hua hung up and returned to the small dining hall.

Everything was as usual.

The meal officially began.

Mu Ye's cooking stunned everyone without question. It was hard to imagine that if he had devoted his energy to cultivation, he could have reached at least Rank 97. Unfortunately, his obsession with a red God-tier Mech had caused him to squander his time.

There were seven dishes on the table, and every single one was cleared by the end.

Na'er kept praising the chef uncle. Seeing her delicately carved, adorable little face, Mu Ye laughed heartily and made several desserts on the spot.

For a chef, seeing someone savor food with the greatest enjoyment was undoubtedly the highest praise.

In the original timeline, Tang Wulin's seriousness when eating had moved Mu Ye. Otherwise, he would never have taken out the precious Red Jade Shrimp.

This Red Jade Shrimp was nothing like the kind sold in seafood shops in Aolai City. It was a top-grade ingredient with powerful blood and qi-nourishing effects.

After the meal, Na'er and Ye Xinglan leaned back in their chairs contentedly. Ye Changming pulled Mu Ye aside to discuss cooking.

Only Nan Liujing was brought to Zhen Hua's office.

Zhen Hua got straight to the point. "I want to take you as my disciple."

Nan Liujing remained calm. "Because I heard the voice of metal?"

Zhen Hua nodded. "Perhaps you still don't understand what it means to hear the voices of metal, but I can tell you clearly: if you are willing to learn forging from me, I'm confident I can make you a new generation Divine Craftsman before you turn twenty-five."

"I've already spoken with your uncle. He said he would respect your choice."

After speaking, Zhen Hua waited eagerly for Nan Liujing's decision.

"Teacher." A wise man submitted to circumstances. Nan Liujing immediately made his stance clear.

"Good!"

Zhen Hua burst into laughter. He had originally been thinking that if Nan Liujing dared refuse, he would tie him up and lock him in a little dark room until he agreed. Unexpectedly, the process went rather smoothly.

He patted Nan Liujing's shoulder. "You must remember not to publicize this matter of becoming my disciple."

Remembering the assassination attempt Zhen Hua suffered in the original timeline, Nan Liujing said gravely, "Are you afraid that people will target me and try to assassinate me?"

Surprise appeared on Zhen Hua's face. Nan Liujing's maturity exceeded his expectations. He sighed.

"From the moment I became a Divine Craftsman, the balance of the Soul Master world was broken. If news of me taking a disciple gets out, certain people who see me as a thorn in their side will definitely make a move when the chance arises. They cannot easily assassinate me, but you are different. You have not yet grown up, and your ability to protect yourself is far from sufficient."

Nan Liujing said seriously, "Rest assured, Teacher. I understand."

Zhen Hua's tone softened. "Because of your teacher, you've been passively dragged into danger. Naturally, you should receive some compensation."

"By coincidence, there's an order in Mingdu. The item offered in exchange is an exceptionally pure Evil Eye External Soul Bone. It's only a thousand years old. Once I get it, I'll give it to you."

Evil Eye External Soul Bone?

Nan Liujing's heart stirred.

By now, only the core region of the Star Dou Great Forest remained. The Demon Forest was in an even worse state, having long become a happy construction site for the construction crews.

"By the way, Teacher, do you have any particularly high-grade metals here?" Nan Liujing had not forgotten his dazed state when he sensed the spirituality of deep silver. He wanted to test it.

Zhen Hua was puzzled. "Naturally, I have no shortage of them. Do you want some?"

Nan Liujing explained, "When I saw the deep silver, its spirituality sought me out on its own, and I was dazed for a moment. Other metals did not cause that. Considering that this happened despite my mid-stage Spirit Connection Realm Spiritual Power, I'm wondering whether higher-grade metals require higher Spiritual Power for me to communicate with their spirituality."

"You have mid-stage Spirit Connection Realm Spiritual Power?"

Zhen Hua grew interested and casually took out a radiant golden piece of metal from his storage ring.

"Try sensing it with your Spiritual Power."

Nan Liujing focused his mind. His Spiritual Power quickly wrapped around the radiant golden metal. He could sense a special presence, but he could not communicate with it.

He opened his eyes again and shook his head. "I can sense its spirituality, but my Spiritual Power isn't enough to communicate with it."

Zhen Hua understood. Then he took out another reddish-brown piece of metal.

Nan Liujing sensed it again. This time, he felt something.

After the spirituality within the metal sensed his Spiritual Power, it became as lively as a child finding a toy. It constantly sent him friendly messages. Although the exchange was more spiritual in nature, it was extremely harmonious, and there was clearly a sense of closeness.

Nan Liujing immediately told Zhen Hua.

Zhen Hua said nothing and took out another piece of metal, one extremely similar to deep silver.

This time, Nan Liujing had difficulty communicating, but it was far better than the radiant golden metal. Its spirituality at least reacted, though their exchange was laggy, like a poor network connection.

The three tests produced entirely different results.

"The radiant golden metal is called Dragon Pattern Gold and is among the highest-grade metals. The reddish-brown metal is called Red Copper, and its grade is similar to deep silver. The third piece is called Deep Sea Deep Silver, two grades higher than ordinary deep silver." Zhen Hua spoke thoughtfully. "It seems your guess was right. Although you have a great affinity with metal and can even cause metal spirituality to seek you out proactively, insufficient Spiritual Power prevents you from communicating with it properly."

Just as Nan Liujing was about to speak, Zhen Hua suddenly smiled. "In that case, this Evil Eye External Soul Bone has arrived at the perfect time. With its help, it won't take you long to reach the Spirit Sea Realm."

"From now on, come eat at my place every Saturday and Sunday. I'll have Uncle Mu prepare more ingredients that strengthen Spiritual Power."

Dietary supplementation was common on Douluo Continent. Nearly every major Soul Master family did something similar. However, what Soul Masters consumed while young had to be truly converted into their own strength. Otherwise, overindulgence would harm the body instead.

Nan Liujing did not refuse. "Thank you, Teacher."

Zhen Hua smiled. "Why thank each other between teacher and disciple? What is your Martial Soul?"

Nan Liujing clenched his right hand, and an azure-black Coiled Dragon Staff condensed in his grasp. Blinding lightning flowed along the staff like tiny snakes.

Zhen Hua raised a brow. "What Dragon Soul is it?"

"Thunder Dragon Soul," Nan Liujing said.

"A top-grade true dragon soul." Zhen Hua suddenly understood why Sky Phoenix Douluo had come looking for him. However, since he was a Coiled Dragon Staff Soul Master, why had no one from the Qian Gu Family come to take him as a disciple?

"Actually, I have another Martial Soul." Nan Liujing did not conceal it. Under Zhen Hua's slightly astonished gaze, a golden soul ring rose. Dreamlike radiant golden light emerged from his left palm, and strands of Heaven and Earth Origin Energy flowed into it. Half a minute later, a piece of candy patterned with dragon scales appeared in his hand.

"You also have a Food System Martial Soul?"

This time, Zhen Hua was truly shocked.

"Would you like to try it?" Nan Liujing offered it to him.

Zhen Hua did not stand on ceremony. He took it and tossed it into his mouth.

The moment it went down his throat, his expression changed slightly. As a Titled Douluo, the Golden Dragon Candy Nan Liujing currently produced could not provide him with much of a boost. The lack of faint dragon scales emerging on Zhen Hua's body made that clear.

But the rich energy flowing into his body, and the comfortable sensation of it nourishing every part of his flesh and blood, were entirely real. It felt as though he had received a full-body massage, leaving him refreshed from head to toe.

Not to mention its hidden passive effect of increasing spiritual concentration. That was the real pinnacle, enough to turn the tide at a critical moment.

Zhen Hua asked, "What rank is your Soul Power now?"

"Rank 13," Nan Liujing replied.

Zhen Hua's expression became solemn. "Though it may be somewhat impolite, your teacher still wants to ask: how many of these candies can you make each day, and how long can they be stored?"

Nan Liujing sensed the Golden Dragon King Bloodline activated within his Candy Martial Soul and made a rough estimate. "It's best not to make more than ten a day, and they can only be stored for one day."

In truth, the effects of Golden Dragon Candy differed completely depending on whether Nan Liujing himself used it or someone else did.

It was like the difference between Da Gu using the Sparklence and his son using the Sparklence.

"A top-grade Food System Martial Soul." Zhen Hua praised him, not continuing to ask about the golden soul ring. "Now I can guarantee that the time it takes for you to become a Divine Craftsman will be reduced by at least another two years."

As he spoke, he took out a thick, weighty book and handed it to Nan Liujing, instructing him, "This is the Metal Encyclopedia. It records every type of metal on the market. Memorize them first. As a blacksmith, you must understand these things, just as Soul Masters of the ancient and primordial eras had to memorize the varieties of soul beasts."

"Yes!"

Nan Liujing accepted it and placed it in his storage ring.

The original setting for Divine Craftsmen was revised. At first, there were said to be three Nine-Star Divine Craftsmen, but later it became just Zhen Hua.

So I simply set it that currently, no one on Douluo Continent possesses Four-word Battle Armor made from purely Heavenly Forged Metal. Instead, there are pseudo-Heavenly Forged Four-word Battle Armors jointly forged by six Saint Craftsmen, as well as Four-word Battle Armors upgraded through nurturing methods.

Only after Zhen Hua appeared did the genuine kind exist. That is precisely why the Holy Spirit Cult has always wanted to eliminate him, which also corresponds with the assassination attempt in the original work.

After all, everyone else has Four-word Battle Armor of roughly the same level and similar improvements. You, Zhen Hua, are the only one making something overpowered. If they don't kill you, who would they kill?