Gengxin City, the City of Metal

Yao Yan did not reveal his thoughts to Zhu Zhuqing. He merely told her to rest for another day and accompany them to Gengxin City the next day.

Naturally, Zhu Zhuqing refused. She still wanted to find an opportunity to leave.

Yao Yan directly tied a strand of Blue Silver Grass around her wrist, making it impossible for her to leave his sight. He then took several herbal medicine books from his Soul Tool and sat at the table, studying them carefully.

After several improvements, his body-tempering Medicinal Bath was the reason his Soul Power had increased so quickly.

Yet he was vaguely worried. These prescriptions were all made from ordinary herbs. Now that his body had been transformed by those three forces, he did not know whether they would still work.

He would have to find time to test it. If they were ineffective, he would need to start making plans for Immortal Herbs.

Unable to break free, Zhu Zhuqing could only close her eyes and meditate.

And so, the two busied themselves with their own matters, and the day quickly passed.

The next morning, at dawn.

The sky had only just begun to brighten when the carriage was already traveling down the road.

Inside the carriage, Zhu Zhuqing raised her bound hand and waved it in front of Yao Yan, saying helplessly, "Yao Yan, you can untie me now, right? I promise I won't run."

Yao Yan turned a page in his book, glanced at her, and said, "No. What if you slip away? You're so fast—I might not be able to catch you."

Zhu Zhuqing could not help rolling her eyes. "Keep pretending. If you couldn't catch me, how did you catch me in midair yesterday?"

At that, Yao Yan's lips curled into a smile. Suddenly remembering something, he put down his book. "Right! We haven't started today's treatment yet. Hold out your hand."

"No need. I'll just apply some ointment," Zhu Zhuqing said quickly, waving her hand. Even though the Star Luo Empire was relatively open-minded, people were still somewhat particular about relations between men and women.

"How could that do? You're my patient." Yao Yan plopped down beside her, took her fair hand, and slowly infused it with life force.

Zhu Zhuqing only felt a warm current flow through her body, and her cheeks could not help flushing red.

"This man... is really overbearing."

Yet strangely, she did not feel repulsed. Instead, a trace of warmth rose in her heart. During all her years in the Zhu Family, few had ever cared for her like this.

"All done." With the treatment temporarily finished, Yao Yan released her hand. He took out several more herbal books and placed them on her lap. "If you're bored, you can look through them."

The carriage continued onward. Yao Yan occasionally went outside to chat with Wang Xiaobo and pass the time.

Two days later, after crossing a high mountain, a city gate forged from steel suddenly appeared before them—Gengxin City. They had finally arrived!

Gengxin City was known as a paradise for blacksmiths. Rare metals from all over the world were gathered here, along with vast quantities of common metals.

Blacksmith shops could be seen everywhere in the city, and blacksmiths of every rank gathered here.

The headquarters of the Blacksmith Association was located here, overseen by the divine blacksmith Lou Gao.

There were only three divine blacksmiths in the world: Lou Gao, Titan of the Strength Clan, and King Tang's father.

These two divine blacksmiths could be said to have inseparable ties to Tang San.

The moment Yao Yan's group entered Gengxin City, the scent of metal rushed toward them. The streets were filled with the clang of hammering and burly men coming and going.

He immediately tightened the Blue Silver Grass, pulling Zhu Zhuqing close to him.

Gengxin City was full of burly men. With Zhu Zhuqing's looks, she could easily attract trouble. One careless mistake could lead to unimaginable consequences.

Sure enough, quite a few burly men around them had already cast heated looks her way, openly sizing her up.

"That waist, that ass—she looks like she'd bear children well!"

"Who's that kid beside her? Having such a beauty with him, he's really lucky!"

"Such a stunning beauty—why isn't she mine? Heaven is unfair!"

The comments rose one after another. Many of the burly men who had been forging stopped their work and stared straight at Zhu Zhuqing. Some even openly wiped the drool from the corners of their mouths.

Yao Yan quickly took out a black cloak from his Soul Tool and draped it over her.

"Tch, what's wrong with looking? So stingy!" Someone around them grumbled unhappily when the beautiful sight was covered.

Though the cloak concealed Zhu Zhuqing's figure, it added a touch of cold, striking beauty to her. Even Yao Yan could not help looking at her twice in that outfit.

Only after the crowd gradually withdrew their gazes and returned to work did Yao Yan breathe a sigh of relief. Fortunately, they were merely satisfying their eyes and had not made any further moves.

But if they ran into the bishop of the Martial Soul Hall Branch, things would become troublesome.

That was someone who specialized in forcibly abducting women!

"Once we finish our business, it looks like we should leave as soon as possible." Yao Yan had already made up his mind.

The three continued onward and soon arrived at the busiest area of the city, where the Blacksmith General Association stood.

The General Association occupied an enormous area and had five floors. The first and second floors were trading areas, the third was for blacksmith assessments, the fourth was dedicated to receiving distinguished guests, and there was no need to mention the fifth.

As Yao Yan's group stepped inside, they saw metal-forged items everywhere, as well as rare ores being sold in shops.

"What a pity I haven't met Ning Rongrong yet. Otherwise, I could definitely make a fortune here." As Yao Yan walked along and looked at those rare ores, his thoughts began to wander.

But he quickly suppressed those thoughts. That little Witch was probably still cultivating in her sect.

Perhaps in two years, there would be a chance to meet her.

Yao Yan and the other two headed straight for the VIP Area. Since he carried Si Long's letter, the staff naturally did not dare neglect them and respectfully led them into a Private Room.

After serving tea and snacks, they informed them that someone had gone to notify President Si Long and asked them to wait a moment before quietly closing the door and leaving.

Before long, a burst of hearty laughter came from outside, and the door was pushed open with a bang.

A burly young man clad in Blue Armor strode inside.

His gaze swept over the three of them before settling on Yao Yan. He hurried forward and held out his hand. "Brother Xiao! Ever since I learned you were coming, I've been waiting day and night. You're finally here!"

The "Brother Xiao" he spoke of was Xiao Yan, the alias Yao Yan used.

Over the years, Yao Yan had always kept in touch with him under that name.

Yao Yan stood and clasped his hand tightly, smiling. "Brother Si, aren't I here now? I heard you found some new material?"

"Ah, let's not talk about that the moment we meet!" Si Long waved a hand. Then he spotted Zhu Zhuqing, and his eyes immediately lit up. "Could this be your wife? Brother, you're one lucky man!"

The moment the words "your wife" left his mouth, Zhu Zhuqing's face flushed crimson. She quickly shook her head in denial. "You misunderstood. I'm not."

"Not?" Si Long looked at Yao Yan in astonishment, his face full of disbelief.

Such a stunning beauty was willing to travel with him, yet he was saying they were not a couple? Who would believe that?

How could he know that this beauty had actually been "kidnapped" by him?

"Brother Si, she really isn't," Yao Yan explained as well.

Si Long's gaze shifted between the two of them, and he immediately understood. It seemed the final barrier between them had yet to be broken.

"No matter. Sooner or later, we'll all be family!" Si Long waved a large hand. "Come on, I'll show you around."

Thus, under Si Long's enthusiastic guidance, the three of them toured the Blacksmith Association Headquarters inside and out, visiting every functional area on each floor.

Si Long also gave them a detailed introduction to many of the blacksmithing industry's secrets, thoroughly playing the gracious host.

That evening, he took them to visit the Auction on the fourth floor. They saw many rare metals and exquisite forged items, and it was not until night had deepened that the day's itinerary finally came to an end.

Before parting, he told Yao Yan that the Alchemy Furnace was nearly ready and that he could take him to see the finished product in person tomorrow.

He would be able to see the Alchemy Furnace tomorrow.