A Blacksmith Shop? No, This Is Umbrella Corporation! Tang San, Welcome to the Nightmare Factory

Nuoding City, Iron Heart Blacksmith Shop.

It was the largest blacksmith shop in the city, with the most complete equipment. Its daily clang of hammering could be heard two miles away.

But today, it was as quiet as a funeral hall.

"So this is what you call... forging?"

Qin Feng casually picked up a freshly forged iron sword and gently pinched it between two fingers.

"Crack."

The supposedly "tempered a thousand times" premium iron sword, which cost five Gold Soul Coins, snapped in two like a crispy biscuit.

The blacksmith shop's owner was a muscular hulk named Tie Shan, and a Soul Grandmaster to boot. At that moment, he was sweating profusely, holding the forging hammer he'd always been proud of, but he couldn't bring himself to swing it.

A cold, buzzing High-Frequency Particle Cutting Blade was hovering over the artery in his neck.

The man holding it wore a purple kimono. His long hair framed a face pale as paper.

"Boss, your heart's beating awfully fast."

Orochimaru flicked out his long tongue and gently licked Tie Shan's ear. The cold, slippery touch nearly made Tie Shan wet himself on the spot.

"I want this place."

Qin Feng sat in the owner's original armchair, his feet propped on the soot-covered table. He toyed with a purple crystal core taken from inside the Thunder Tyrannosaurus.

"All the equipment, all the stock, and all of you... workers."

"I want it all."

Tie Shan swallowed and tried to muster what little dignity he had left. "Th-this shop is certified by Spirit Hall! You're forcing a sale! I'll report you to the authorities!"

"Report us?"

Qin Feng smiled, his grin radiant.

He snapped his fingers.

"Brother Wolf, show this clueless boss what an 'Industrial Revolution' looks like."

"Coming right up! Watch closely!"

Grey Wolf snickered and pulled a metal cube about the size of his palm from behind his back, casually tossing it into the enormous furnace.

"Beep—program initiated."

"Miniature Anti-Gravity Forge, deploy!"

"Rumble—!"

A grating mechanical transformation filled the room. The little cube instantly expanded and unfolded, countless precision mechanical arms blooming like a lotus.

In just three seconds,

a sleek, silver-white automated machine tool with a sci-fi look had completely replaced the clumsy, coal-burning furnace.

Grey Wolf casually picked up a chunk of unrefined iron ore and tossed it into the feed port.

"Bzzzz—"

Blue laser beams flashed—plasma smelting at extreme temperatures.

Then came the muffled thump of a hydraulic press.

"Clang!"

In less than five seconds,

a standard military saber slid out of the discharge port, its blade gleaming. It was entirely free of impurities, and so sharp it could split a hair in two. It stuck into the ground in front of Tie Shan.

It sank three inches into the stone, leaving a cut as smooth as a mirror.

The whole shop fell silent.

Every blacksmith stared, wide-eyed, as if they'd seen a ghost.

They'd spent their whole lives hammering iron. Even after a full day of backbreaking work, they could make only two swords.

And this thing... made one every five seconds?

Its quality was even better than the finest hundred-forged steel they'd ever seen!

"This is called an assembly line."

Qin Feng stood up, pulled out the saber, and casually twirled it.

"Starting today, this place is no longer called Iron Heart Blacksmith Shop."

"Take down the sign."

"Put this one up instead."

Qin Feng tossed out a blueprint.

It showed a red-and-white umbrella emblem, with a line of imposing text beneath it:

[Umbrella Corporation · Notting Branch]

"Whether it's the City Lord's Mansion or Spirit Hall,"

"from today onward, anyone who wants weapons or equipment will have to answer to me, Qin Feng."

"Understood?"

Tie Shan looked at the blade stuck in the ground, then at the man beside him whose eyes were like a snake's, and finally at the monster wolf adjusting the machine.

"Thump."

He dropped to his knees.

"Boss! From today on, you're my own father! Tell me who to beat up, and I'll beat them up!"

In this world, where the strong ruled, the truth was always in the hands of those with stronger fists and better technology.

At the same time.

Notting Academy, Dorm Seven.

"Ah!!!"

A strangled roar forced its way out of Tang San's throat.

He shot upright in bed, both hands clamped over the black Cursed Seal on his neck.

Pain!

Pain that burrowed deep into his bones!

"Hah... hah..."

Tang San was drenched in cold sweat, his eyes bloodshot. Three strange black tomoe were slowly spinning in his formerly black pupils.

Power.

An unprecedented, savage power rampaged through his body.

The power of his Mysterious Heaven Skill had actually broken through the bottleneck of the first level, spurred on by this force!

Soul Power Level... fifteen!

He'd advanced four levels overnight!

"So this is... the 'Blessing of Science' that lunatic mentioned?"

Tang San stared at his hands.

His fingernails had turned sharp and black, and black patterns seemed to writhe beneath his skin.

The power was evil and cold, and it made him sick.

But... it was strong!

"Qin Feng..."

Tang San gritted his teeth, a murderous gleam flashing through his eyes.

"The humiliation you inflicted on me—I'll repay it a hundredfold with this power!"

He needed to vent.

If he didn't release this power, he felt like he would explode.

Besides, his Sleeve Arrow had been damaged in last night's fight, and he'd used up all his Bone-Piercing Nails.

He needed metal.

A lot of high-quality metal!

If he could just forge stronger Hidden Weapons, then combine them with his rapidly increased Soul Power and the strange Cursed Seal's power...

"Qin Feng, the next time we meet will be the day you die!"

Tang San grabbed a coat and threw it on, hiding the Cursed Seal on his neck. He picked up his money pouch and stormed out of the dormitory, his eyes shadowed with menace.

His destination: the biggest blacksmith shop in Nuoding City.

Half an hour later.

Tang San stood outside "Iron Heart Blacksmith Shop"—no, it should be called "Umbrella Corporation" now.

He froze.

The shop, once filled with the warmth of a working forge, had vanished.

In its place stood a strange building encased in silver-white metal panels.

Two-meter-tall guards stood at the entrance, holding strange black tubes and wearing sunglasses.

They were "T-001 Tyrant Guard" units remodeled by Grey Wolf. (They were really just the blacksmiths in powered exoskeletons.)

"Stop!"

One of the guards thrust out a mechanical arm and blocked Tang San.

"No entry for unauthorized personnel! This is a military zone!"

Tang San furrowed his brows, suppressing his irritation. "I'm here to buy iron essence. Get your boss."

"Buy iron essence?"

The guard looked Tang San up and down through his sunglasses, sneering at his shabby school uniform.

"Which penniless beggar are you? We only take bulk orders. No retail."

"Get lost, and quit blocking the shipments."

The guard reached out to shove Tang San.

"You're asking for it!"

The tomoe in Tang San's eyes spun sharply.

Even a clay figurine had a temper, let alone Tang San, whose mind had been corroded by the Cursed Seal!

"Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track!"

Tang San darted aside like a phantom, slipping past the mechanical arm. His right hand turned jade-white as he slammed his palm into the guard's chest.

Mysterious Jade Hand!

With the Cursed Seal amplifying his savage Soul Power, this strike could shatter a stone tablet!

"Bang!"

A dull thud rang out.

Tang San felt as though he'd struck a half-meter-thick steel plate. His palm throbbed from the impact.

The guard didn't move an inch. Instead, a blue light flashed across the metal armor on his chest.

"Beep! Attack detected! Counterattack mode initiated!"

The black tube in the guard's hands snapped up, pointing straight at Tang San's forehead.

"Boom!"

A huge blast of air exploded.

It wasn't a bullet—it was a High-Pressure Air Cannon!

Tang San only had time to turn his head before the force hurled him away. He slammed into the wall on the other side of the street, leaving a human-shaped dent.

"Cough, cough..."

Tang San struggled to his feet, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

Damn it!

Even the guards were this strong?

What kind of place was this?

Just then, the gates slowly opened.

Qin Feng emerged in a white lab coat, carrying a cup of freshly brewed coffee. He strolled out at an unhurried pace.

Orochimaru followed behind him, staring greedily at the Cursed Seal on Tang San's neck as if he were a lab rat.

"Well, if it isn't our 'Chosen One.'"

Qin Feng blew on the hot coffee, his face full of mockery.

"What's the matter? You got a little power and couldn't wait to come here and die?"

Tang San glared at Qin Feng, fists clenched so tightly his nails dug into his palms.

"Qin Feng! You own this shop?"

"Correct. No prize, though."

Qin Feng pointed to the sign behind him.

"Starting today, I control all metal distribution in Nuoding City."

"You want to buy iron? Make Hidden Weapons?"

Qin Feng's lips curled into a cruel smile.

"Sorry, you're on the blacklist."

"Forget iron essence—even if it's a rusty nail, I won't sell it to you."

Despair.

A sense of being completely locked down enveloped Tang San.

Without materials, his Tang Sect Secret Arts were useless.

Without Hidden Weapons, how could he fight this lunatic with his terrifying technology?

"You've gone too far!"

Tang San roared as the Cursed Seal on his neck instantly turned bright red.

His reason shattered.

Bloodlust boiled over!

"I'm going to kill you!!!"

Tang San pushed off the ground and turned into a streak of black lightning, charging at Qin Feng with everything he had.

He would use the power of the Cursed Seal to tear that loathsome smile right off Qin Feng's face!

But—

Qin Feng didn't move an inch.

He merely took a small sip of coffee, then shot a glance at Orochimaru behind him.

"Doctor, your test subject seems to be getting a little out of control."

"Leave him to me."

Orochimaru extended his long tongue, and his figure vanished in an instant.

The next second—

"Smack!"

A pale hand clamped around Tang San's throat, stopping him in midair.

Orochimaru's cold face was practically pressed against Tang San's nose.

"Shh—"

"Little one, I'm the one who lent you this power."

"And now you want to use my power to attack my business partner?"

"Isn't that... a little disobedient?"

Orochimaru lightly tapped the Cursed Seal with a finger.

"Ahhhhh!!!"

The Cursed Seal that had been giving Tang San power instantly turned into a red-hot brand.

The agony cut deep into his soul, instantly robbing him of his ability to fight. He writhed in midair like a dead dog.

"Throw him farther away."

Qin Feng waved his hand as if shooing away a fly.

"Don't let him dirty the entrance to my company."

"And Tang San, remember this."

Qin Feng walked up to Tang San, who was still twitching, and looked down at him.

"Times have changed."

"Those so-called secret techniques of yours are worse than garbage in the face of my production line."

"Want revenge?"

"Then do your best to stay alive and become a more valuable test subject."

"Thud!"

Orochimaru casually flung Tang San into the filthy ditch beside the road.

The surrounding onlookers pointed and whispered, but no one dared to step forward.

Lying in the filthy water, Tang San stared at the "Umbrella" sign hanging high above. Tears of blood, born of humiliation, streamed from his eyes.

Qin Feng...

I, Tang San, swear!

As long as I'm alive, one day I'll smash every last bit of this to pieces!

After dealing with that pesky fly,

Qin Feng turned and headed back inside the factory.

Grey Wolf was excitedly circling the first batch of finished products.

Rows of neat black firearms gleamed with a cold metallic sheen.

Their structure was simple, but they were products of a new age.

AK-47 Assault Rifle (Douluo modified version).

Firing compressed Soul Power rounds without gunpowder, it had enough force to pierce a Soul Elder's defenses from a hundred meters away.

"Boss! The first batch of one hundred is finished!"

"And five 'Italian Cannons' are being assembled!"

Qin Feng picked up a gun and pulled back the bolt.

"Click."

The crisp sound was a symphony of industrial civilization.

Just then, a Guardian hurried in, holding a gilded invitation.

"Boss! Someone sent you an invitation!"

"They said... the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Fengzhi, wants to meet with you!"

Qin Feng took the invitation and looked at the Seven Treasure emblem, symbol of the wealthiest sect on the continent. He smiled.

The fish had taken the bait.

"Tell him."

Qin Feng tossed the gun to Grey Wolf.

"He can meet me."

"Let him come with sincerity, and... that pampered little princess of his."

"Have him come in person and wait in line."