"Do you think that kind of herb grows like cabbages?"
Lu Li chuckled and shook his head. How could he know when the next year increase would come? But as for the other one reaching two hundred thousand years...
That was practically guaranteed.
"Who knows? I'm already not that far from two hundred thousand years now. I can't wait..."
Guang Linglong's figure shimmered on Lu Li's shoulder, glowing as her giggling voice rang out.
That could mean she'd gain the ability to take human form...
When that happened, she'd have a human body!
Heh heh heh. The master never took her along when there was something fun to do. Then she'd turn the tables, put things upside down, and rebel...
"Just keep looking forward to it."
Lu Li nodded slightly, but inwardly he couldn't help sighing. Thank goodness Lingling wasn't that smart...
What kind of Immortal Herb could increase a Soul Beast's age?
Or was that an inherent flaw of the Soul Beasts of this era? After all, all the clever Soul Beasts had died out...
"..."
Several dozen minutes later.
"Gaode Navigation has ended. Your destination is below you."
Heaven Dou City. They'd arrived!
While still outside the city, Lu Li put away his mecha and took a passenger car out of his Soul Tool. He drove toward the city, and before long he'd reached his destination.
It was an enormous high-rise building. A hammer stood atop it, making it easy to spot from afar. Its striking appearance made its status instantly recognizable.
This was the headquarters of the Blacksmith's Association, a sacred place in the hearts of blacksmiths across the continent. It was also where the continent's only Divine Craftsman, Zhen Hua, served as president—a place where blacksmithing had flourished more than anywhere else.
Lu Li didn't linger outside. He walked straight into the Blacksmith's Association, deftly took out a top-level access card, and entered the high-rise elevator. Soon, he arrived at the president's office on the top floor and knocked.
"Knock, knock, knock."
Lu Li knocked on the door, then pushed it open and entered. At that moment, a tall man was sitting not far away, his face bearing a hearty smile.
The man was tall, with a resolute face. He looked to be in his forties, but his eyes held a depth and weariness far beyond those of others his age. He was a man who stood at the very pinnacle of blacksmithing...
A ninth-rank blacksmith, a Divine Craftsman, and a Four-Word Battle Armor Master: Zhen Hua!
"Uncle Zhen, I'm here."
Looking at him, Lu Li spoke with respect.
"You got here pretty quickly. Come, sit down."
Zhen Hua looked at the young man before him, unable to hide his high regard, and spoke with a smile.
Lu Li. What a fine young man.
If he himself was half the sky in the world of blacksmithing, then Lu Li would become the other half, surpassing him in the future. An eighteen-year-old at the peak of eighth-rank blacksmithing, with top-tier Martial Soul talent to boot...
"How could I refuse when you called for me, sir?"
Lu Li sat down nearby with a beaming smile, unable to hide his respect, and answered honestly.
Half of what he felt toward Zhen Hua was admiration. The other ninety-five percent...
Was all anticipation for the Four-Word Battle Armor.
"Couldn't refuse?"
"Whenever I ask whether you're free to come to Heaven Dou City and forge something, it's always either windy or rainy. And you couldn't refuse..."
"You're only here to pick this up, aren't you?"
Zhen Hua shot him an exasperated look. As the leader of the blacksmithing world, he was someone countless people found it near impossible to meet. But this kid, Lu Li...
Made it near impossible for him to get a meeting!
"Uncle Zhen, you're teasing me. The Four-Word Battle Armor is certainly important, but the main reason I came this time was to see you and Uncle Mu. Isn't Uncle Mu here today?"
Lu Li shook his head, then said with a smile.
"You know how much he loves cooking for you. As soon as he found out you were coming, he went to prepare the ingredients."
"He'll be back soon."
Zhen Hua smiled and answered honestly.
"Until then..."
"Why not try it on?"
As he spoke, he merely waved a hand. A complete set of Battle Armor appeared on the table, Soul Power flowing through it as its pieces drew toward each other. He gestured for Lu Li to try it on.
"Sure!"
Lu Li's face lit up with anticipation. Wasn't this exactly why he'd come?
As he thought this, he immediately picked up the Battle Armor that seemed to draw him toward it. The instant he touched it, an intense feeling of closeness washed over him.
It was an upgraded version of his former Three-Word Battle Armor, Holy Dragon King. Even though it had now become a top-tier Four-Word Battle Armor, their bond still gave it a profound affinity for him.
Naturally, Lu Li didn't hesitate. He drew the Battle Armor into his body, then released his Martial Soul and instantly fused with it.
"Golden Holy Dragon King!"
Four black and five red Soul Rings shimmered beneath Lu Li's feet. The majestic figure of a Dragon King rose behind him, and countless golden scales lit up across his body. At that very moment...
The lights of various elements flashed and vanished. In just an instant, the powerful Battle Armor had fitted itself perfectly into place.
Now, Lu Li was clad in a stunning suit of armor—
A sleek, close-fitting Four-Word Battle Armor that felt light and unrestrictive. Its entire surface was a brilliant gold, with crimson-gold patterns tracing its contours. Various lights shimmered across it, while fine Holy Dragon scales were embedded in the armor's surface, as if the scales shed by an ancient Holy Dragon had been remade into a suit of armor.
His head was covered by a half-mask Holy Dragon helmet. Curved golden horns angled toward the sky, and bright-gold Holy patterns wound from his brow to the edge of the helmet. His exposed eyes brimmed with overwhelming might, while the dazzling golden light of his Golden Holy Dragon King Martial Soul quietly spilled through the gaps.
Four-Word Battle Armor: Golden Dragon Holy King!
"How is it? How does it feel?"
Zhen Hua's eyes shone as he stared at Lu Li, his gaze burning as if he were looking at a naked beauty.
It looked...
Pretty good!
No one disliked seeing their own work, especially when he'd put more care into Lu Li's Battle Armor than he had into the armor of any Super Douluo or Limit Douluo he'd made before...
Including Yun Ming.
He'd used seven-elemental metal to create a Heavenly Forge fusion, and had put in a great deal of effort. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that no one but a Limit Douluo was worth such treatment. What's more...
He hadn't charged Lu Li this time.
"I just feel..."
"I'm terrifyingly strong!"
Lu Li took a deep breath and looked at Zhen Hua, answering honestly.
He simply felt terrifyingly strong.
He'd known how powerful the Four-Word Battle Armor's boost was, but only now that he'd truly experienced it did he realize that he'd underestimated it before...
He'd underestimated it. His perspective had been too narrow.
This was ridiculously awesome!
No wonder a Titled Douluo wearing Four-Word Battle Armor could unleash strength comparable to a Limit Douluo. Four-Word Battle Armor really did make you feel powerful. At the very least, it gave a percentage-based boost.
By his rough estimate, this set's compatibility was so high that it probably boosted him by over 400%. Add in the increased effects of his boosting Soul Skills, domain Soul Skills, Martial Soul Avatar, and more...
Was this what pure stats felt like?
[Long-Term Quest · I Must Become a Battle Armor Master (Completed)] [Host, you've actually become an honorable Battle Armor Master. You've experienced a small percentage-based increase for the first time and felt the sheer thrill of a pure stats boost.] [Could it be that you're actually a genius?] [Congratulations, Host, on completing the quest. Reward: All current Battle Armor effects increased by 100%; all parts enhanced by 50%.]
"..."
Lu Li's face froze. He opened his mouth, then stopped.
A 400% increase already placed his Four-Word Battle Armor near the upper limit. It required extremely high compatibility and fusion, and his set had reached that level after years of nurturing...
But a 100% increase now meant...
800%?
P.S.: Golden Dragon Holy King sounds a little better than God King, I think. Of course, I'm still terrible at naming things.
"..."
Many years later, as he looked at Lu Li's Four-Word Battle Armor after it had received four effect increases, God King Tang San furrowed his brow. "Impossible. Where did you get the Dragon God Set...?"
"Oh?"
"Then what do you make of this?"
Lu Li leisurely released the Dragon God Set and donned his God Rank Battle Armor again...
Tang San: "Is this cheating?"
Before you continue