The "Treasure" I Picked Up

Heaven Fight City, at the entrance of the Blacksmith Guild headquarters.

Lin Qingzhou looked up at the building before him; it was a completely different species from the roadside storefronts in Proud Arrival City.

The exterior walls of the entire building were made of dark gray granite, with four stone pillars at the porch, each thick enough for two people to wrap their arms around.

A massive metal emblem hung above the main entrance—the mark of the Blacksmith Guild—cast from an alloy he didn't recognize, reflecting a matte, dark gold luster under the sunlight.

Several hovercars were parked in front, and the people coming and going mostly wore blacksmith robes with rank badges pinned to their chests, their footsteps hurried. Occasionally, someone would stop to glance at him, likely wondering why this kid in plain cloth clothes was standing at the entrance in a daze.

Mu Ye walked ahead of him; he had changed out of that chef's uniform, but he still wasn't one for appearances, wearing a dark gray cloth shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows as usual.

He greeted the security at the door, and without even pulling out his credentials, the security stepped aside. Clearly, it wasn't his first time here.

"That old brat Zhen Hua,"

Mu Ye said as he walked, his tone carrying a hint of disdain, but it was the kind of disdain only used by those with a rock-solid relationship.

"The only Divine Craftsman on the continent, a Level 95 Super Douluo."

"The President of the Blacksmith Guild, who manages the rank assessments for blacksmiths across the entire continent, resource allocation, and that bunch of old geezers who can argue until the sky falls over a few pieces of rare metal."

"To put it bluntly, he is the ceiling of the blacksmithing world. Anyone who wants to forge a set of Four-Character Battle Armor has to beg at his door."

He paused after finishing, turning his head to glance at Lin Qingzhou: "Did you learn blacksmithing back in Proud Arrival City?"

Lin Qingzhou nodded: "I learned from Master Mang Tian."

"Mang Tian?"

Mu Ye thought for a moment, likely searching through the list of blacksmiths he knew in his head.

"That Mang Tian from Eastsea Academy? The one who almost made it to the Blacksmith Convention back in the day?"

"That's the one."

"Alright, having a foundation is good."

Mu Ye rarely showed a hint of satisfaction.

"Blacksmithing isn't a trade just anyone can pick up casually. Since you have a foundation, you'll have something to say for yourself when you meet old Zhen Hua later."

"He's a Divine Craftsman and very picky about taking apprentices. If you hadn't even touched a hammer, he might not have even given you a second look. But since you've learned, even if it's just the basics, he'll at least give you a chance to try your hand."

The two crossed the lobby, took the elevator, and walked down a corridor covered in thick carpet.

At the end of the hall was a set of double solid wood doors, with the golden emblem of the Blacksmith Guild embedded in the panels. Mu Ye didn't even knock; he pushed the door open and walked right in.

The office was excessively spacious, with an entire wall of floor-to-ceiling windows letting the sunlight spill in at an angle.

The opposite wall was lined with display shelves holding various metal ore specimens and finished forged works. A few semi-finished Battle Armor components were left casually on the shelves, each one emitting a cold glint.

By the window sat a set of leather sofas and a tea-colored glass coffee table, upon which rested a set of purple clay tea ware, the tea in the cup still steaming.

Zhen Hua was sitting behind his desk flipping through a stack of files. Hearing the door open, he looked up, and upon seeing it was Mu Ye, the expression on his face instantly switched from "President Mode" to something much more relaxed.

He looked to be in his forties with regular features, wearing a dark blue robe with subtle patterns. There was a sense of authority in his brow from long-held power, but his eyes were gentle, and they held an undisguised hint of amusement as he looked at Mu Ye.

"Yo, isn't this the great Sect Master Mu?"

Zhen Hua put down the files and leaned back in his chair, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly.

"I thought you'd run off to flip pans on some ship again. What, didn't manage to burn yourself this time?"

"Burn your head."

Mu Ye strode over, plopped down onto the sofa, crossed his legs, and pointed at Lin Qingzhou.

"Come here. I want to show you someone. This little guy is named Lin Qingzhou; I picked him up off a ship."

"Picked him up,"

Zhen Hua repeated the phrase, his tone growing even more playful, "Do you think you're scooping up seafood at sea?"

"Worth a lot more than seafood. I was the head chef on that cruise ship, and this kid was hiding in the cargo hold."

Mu Ye said it nonchalantly, but the pride hidden in his eyes couldn't be concealed.

"Body Martial Soul."

Zhen Hua's gaze finally landed on Lin Qingzhou. He didn't examine people as directly and rudely as Mu Ye; instead, he was very gentle, as if appraising a piece of metal ore he hadn't yet touched.

He watched for a few seconds and nodded slightly.

"Little guy, have you studied blacksmithing?"

Before Lin Qingzhou could speak, Mu Ye answered for him.

"He has! His previous master was named Mang Tian, from Eastsea Academy; you should have an impression of him."

Zhen Hua thought for a moment.

"Mang Tian... I met him once at a Blacksmith Convention. His technique was solid, just a bit unlucky. How long did you study with him?"

"A few months."

Lin Qingzhou didn't offer further explanation on the matter; Mang Tian wasn't willing to acknowledge him as an official disciple, so he wouldn't speak out of turn.

"Master taught me the basics, and he also taught me some quenching and finishing techniques. But the formal apprenticeship was only half-completed."

"That stubborn old mule Mang Tian,"

Mu Ye interjected from the side, casually picking up the teapot from the coffee table to pour himself a cup, acting as if he were completely at home.

"He likely refuses to take on apprentices because he thinks you're too young. Still, his technique is flawless; back in the day at Eastsea Academy, he was a figure of some renown. It's just a pity his soul power could never break through."

Zhen Hua nodded, not continuing the topic. He stood up and walked over to the display shelf, took down a piece of dark silver metal the size of a fist, weighed it in his hand, and turned back to Mu Ye.

"You said you found a treasure, so where exactly is this treasure? Just talking about it won't suffice."

"What's the rush? You'll know soon enough. Let's talk business first."

Mu Ye leaned back against the sofa, crossed his legs, and tapped his fingers lightly against his knee.

"This kid isn't just a promising sprout; he's also studied blacksmithing. As a Divine Craftsman, wouldn't it be inexcusable not to pull such a talent into the Blacksmith Guild?"

Zhen Hua was amused by his tone and turned to look at Lin Qingzhou.

"Little one, your master has come today to solicit a teacher on your behalf."

Lin Qingzhou stood properly and respectfully, not interrupting.

He could tell that the relationship between Mu Ye and Zhen Hua was more than just "good friends"—it was the kind of bond built on mutual trust, where they could tease each other freely without needing to filter their words.

When Mu Ye had struck down that Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast outside Proud Arrival City with a single palm, he had possessed one kind of aura; now, curled up on the sofa with his legs crossed, sipping tea, he possessed another. A person's most relaxed state often reveals who they are closest to.

Zhen Hua had no intention of continuing the small talk; he set down his teacup and beckoned to Lin Qingzhou.

"Mu Ye didn't bring you here just to listen to us bicker. I'm going to take you to run a test to see exactly what your foundation is like."