A "Treasure" Picked Up

Heaven Dou City, outside the Blacksmith Guild headquarters.

Lin Qingzhou tilted his head back and gazed at the building before him. It was an entirely different beast from the little roadside shop in Aolai City.

The whole exterior was built of dark gray granite. Four stone pillars stood in the portico, each thick enough for two people to wrap their arms around.

A massive metal emblem hung above the main entrance: the Blacksmith Guild's insignia, cast from some alloy he didn't recognize. Under the sunlight, it reflected a muted, dark golden sheen.

Several hovercars were parked out front. Most of the people coming and going wore blacksmith robes, with rank badges pinned to their chests. They hurried along, though every so often someone stopped to give him a glance, probably wondering why some kid in ordinary clothes was standing around gawking at the entrance.

Mu Ye walked ahead of him. He'd changed out of his chef's uniform, but still wasn't much for dressing up: a dark gray shirt, its sleeves—as always—rolled up to his elbows.

He greeted the security guards at the entrance. He didn't even take out his credentials, yet they stepped aside at once. He clearly wasn't a first-time visitor.

"That old rascal Zhen Hua..."

Mu Ye spoke as they walked, a touch of disdain in his voice, though it was the kind of disdain only the closest of friends could get away with.

"The only Divine Craftsman on the continent, a Rank Nine Blacksmith. A ninety-fifth-level Super Douluo."

"President of the Blacksmith Guild, in charge of blacksmith rank assessments and resource allocation across the whole continent, not to mention that bunch of old-timers who can argue all day over a few pieces of rare metal."

"To put it plainly, he's the ceiling of the blacksmithing world. Anyone who wants a set of Four-Character Battle Armor has to go begging to him."

He paused, then glanced back at Lin Qingzhou. "You studied blacksmithing in Aolai City?"

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

"Mang Tian?"

Mu Ye thought for a moment, as if searching through a mental list of blacksmiths he knew.

"Mang Tian from Eastsea Academy? The one who nearly made it into the Blacksmith Convention?"

"That's the one."

"Good. At least you've got some foundation."

A rare trace of approval crossed Mu Ye's face.

"Blacksmithing isn't something just anyone can pick up. Since you've got some experience, you'll have something to show old Zhen Hua when we see him."

"He's a Divine Craftsman, and he's picky about taking on disciples. If you'd never even touched a hammer, he might not give you a second glance. But since you've studied it—even if you only know the basics—he'll at least give you a chance to try your hand."

They crossed the lobby, took the elevator, then walked down a corridor laid with thick carpeting.

At the end of the corridor stood a double wooden door, its panels inlaid with the Blacksmith Guild's golden insignia. Mu Ye didn't even knock; he simply pushed it open and went in.

The office was almost absurdly spacious, with an entire wall of floor-to-ceiling windows. Sunlight streamed in at an angle.

The opposite wall was lined with display shelves holding all kinds of metal ore specimens and finished blacksmithing pieces. Several Battle Armor components, still unfinished, sat casually on the shelves, each gleaming coldly.

By the windows stood a set of leather sofas and a tea-colored glass coffee table. A set of purple clay teaware rested on it, and steam still curled from the tea in the cups.

Zhen Hua sat behind his desk, flipping through a stack of files. At the sound of the door opening, he looked up. When he saw Mu Ye, his expression immediately shifted from "Guild President mode" to something much more relaxed.

He looked to be in his forties, with regular features. He wore a dark blue robe with a subtle pattern. The authority of someone long accustomed to high office showed between his brows, but his gaze was warm, and he looked at Mu Ye with unconcealed amusement.

"Well, if it isn't Sect Master Mu!"

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

"I thought you'd run off to some ship to man the wok again. What happened? Didn't burn yourself to a crisp this time?"

"Burn your head."

Mu Ye strode over, plopped down on the sofa, crossed one leg over the other, and pointed at Lin Qingzhou.

"Come here. Let me show you someone. This kid's Lin Qingzhou. I picked him up off a ship."

"Picked him up,"

Zhen Hua repeated, his tone growing even more amused. "What, were you out at sea netting seafood?"

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

Mu Ye made it sound like nothing, but the smugness in his eyes was impossible to miss.

"Body Martial Soul."

Only then did Zhen Hua's gaze settle on Lin Qingzhou. He didn't size him up as bluntly as Mu Ye did; his manner was gentle, like he was examining a piece of metal stock he hadn't yet had the chance to handle.

After watching him for a few seconds, he nodded slightly.

"Kid, have you studied blacksmithing?"

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

"He has! His former master was Mang Tian, from Eastsea Academy. You should remember him."

Zhen Hua thought for a moment.

"Mang Tian... I met him once at the Blacksmith Convention. Solid technique, just not much luck. How long did you study under him?"

"A few months."

Lin Qingzhou didn't elaborate. Mang Tian hadn't wanted to acknowledge him as a formal disciple, so he wasn't about to claim otherwise.

"Master taught me the basics. He also showed me quenching and finishing, but I only got halfway through a formal apprenticeship."

"That stubborn streak of Mang Tian's..."

Mu Ye cut in, picking up the teapot from the coffee table and pouring himself a cup as if he were in his own home.

"He probably didn't take you on because he thought you were too young. But there was nothing wrong with his technique. Back at Eastsea Academy, he was one of the best. Too bad his Soul Power never climbed very high."

Zhen Hua nodded and let the subject drop. He stood and walked over to the display shelves, taking down a fist-sized piece of dark silver metal. He weighed it in his hand, then turned back to Mu Ye.

"You say you picked up a treasure. So where's the treasure in him? You can't expect me to take your word for it."

"Why the rush? You'll see soon enough. First, let's talk business."

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

"This kid isn't just a promising talent; he's studied blacksmithing, too. You're a Divine Craftsman. When you meet a promising talent, shouldn't you bring him into the Blacksmith Guild? It'd be hard to justify otherwise."

Amused by Mu Ye's tone, Zhen Hua turned to Lin Qingzhou.

"Kid, your master brought you here to ask me to take you on as a disciple."

Lin Qingzhou stood properly, without interrupting.

He could tell that Mu Ye and Zhen Hua were more than just "good friends." They trusted each other enough to tease one another freely and speak without thinking twice.

Mu Ye had carried himself one way when he'd killed a Hundred-Thousand-Year Soul Beast with a single palm strike outside Aolai City. Now he lounged on the sofa with his legs crossed, sipping tea. The way a person relaxed most easily often revealed who they were closest to.

Zhen Hua had no intention of making more small talk. He set down his teacup and beckoned Lin Qingzhou over.

"Mu Ye didn't bring you here so you could listen to us bicker. I'll take you to do a test and see just how solid your foundation really is."