Starry Sky Fireworks

"Mr. Long, the Earl began his secluded cultivation ten days ago, and we don't know when he will emerge..."

In the foyer of the City Lord’s Mansion, Edgar, with a polite smile on his face, sincerely explained to Si Long, who had come to deliver the invitation.

Two days ago, the Tie Futu and his group of eight, who had gone out to hunt for the Eighth Soul Ring, returned to Gengxin City.

Less than half an hour later, explosive news spread throughout the entire Gengxin City. From the patriarchs and elders of various Soul Master families to ordinary people like peddlers, everyone knew that Tie Futu, the former president of the Blacksmith Association and one of the only two Divine Craftsman in the Douluo Continent, had become Eight-Ring Soul Douluo!

After two days of rest and preparation, early this morning, invitations were sent by the three disciples of the Blacksmith Association, Si Long, Si Yu, and Si Kai, to various powerful figures in Gengxin City.

Si Yu and Si Kai's situation is going very smoothly. Although they are only junior members, with their master Tie Futu's advancement to Soul Douluo, their status as grand-disciples has naturally risen, and no one will neglect them.

On the other hand, Si Long, in order to show his respect and importance to the city lord, not only chose the City Lord’s Mansion as the first stop, but also specially arranged for Si Long, the eldest disciple of the guild leader Lou Gao, to deliver the invitation.

Who knew I'd be met with a cold shoulder and get turned away?

Why go into seclusion now, instead of earlier or later?

Besides, since he went into seclusion ten days ago, why can't he come out now?

Fortunately, before setting off, Uncle Ling Yi had instructed him to be careful with his words and actions when traveling, and not to casually reveal his own wishes and attitudes. Si Long suppressed his dissatisfaction and complaints, and, imitating Edgar, politely and courteously said:

"That's a real shame. Well then, I'll leave the invitation here. Once the city lord emerges from seclusion, please have Supervisor Edgar pass on his message..."

"Yes, yes, yes—" Edgar nodded hastily, his politeness subconsciously carrying a hint of sincerity. Fortunately, years of training allowed him to quickly adjust his expression, a bright smile spreading across his face, "Old Master Tie Futu has become the first and Weiyi Soul Douluo in our ' Gengxin City.' I'm sure that after His Excellency the Earl emerges from seclusion, he will visit the Blacksmith Association as soon as possible—"

At this moment, even Si Long, who was standing face to face with him, thought that Edgar's change was an expression of respect to Tie Futu, who had become Soul Douluo.

Watching Si Long's departing figure, Edgar frowned, glanced around at the maids and guards, said nothing, and turned to head towards the backyard.

A corner of the garden in the backyard of the City Lord’s Mansion.

Edgar reached out and twisted open an irregularly protruding stone on the artificial hill, and looked at the previously flawless stone wall beside him, where a doorway slowly opened.

Without hesitation, Edgar stepped inside. After walking down the slope for several dozen meters, he stopped in front of a thick, dark stone door and respectfully recounted how Si Long had just come to visit and deliver the invitation.

"..."

There was silence behind the stone door for a moment, then a hoarse voice broke the silence. "I know about this. Ron... is he back?"

Although the person wasn't in front of him, Edgar maintained his respectful posture meticulously. "Earl Excellency, the Second Young Master's school, the [Parasol Tree Advanced Soul Master Academy], is in [Red Maple City]. The letter we sent out earlier should have just reached the Second Young Master's hands..."

"Then..." Arthur Candir's hoarse voice rang out again, "Let Harry go in my place..."

Before he could finish speaking, Arthur Candir stopped, paused, and then continued, "Never mind, Harry is only nine years old. If he says something wrong, it will be the Kandil Clan that loses face..."

"Sigh—never mind—" Arthur Candir's voice was filled with obvious hesitation and doubt as he said, "Let Kuku go. Edgar, you go with him. Don't let that idiot say anything out of line, but don't let the dignity of the Kandil Clan be disgraced, understand?!"

"Understood!" Edgar straightened his back and replied solemnly and earnestly.

Go then—

"Yes!"

Emerging from the dimly lit passageway, Edgar squinted instinctively in the added bright light, and the door behind him, which had only been half-open, slowly closed again.

Turning his head, Edgar glanced at Kuku Candir leaning against the artificial hill, Edgar said nothing and continued walking forward.

"You heard that," Edgar said in a low voice as he walked, "The Second Young Master won't be back anytime soon, and the Third Young Master, Fourth Miss, and Fifth Young Master are all too young. The City Lord’s Mansion now needs you, Eldest Young Master, to hold it up—"

"When is Ron coming back?"

Kuku Kandir, who had followed us unnoticed, also asked in a low voice, getting straight to the point.

"The second young master's talent is the best in the Kandil Clan. His Innate Soul Power is at level seven, and although he is only twenty-two years old, he has already cultivated to level forty..."

Edgar gave an irrelevant answer.

After nearly half a year of instruction from Ling Yi, Kuku Kandir not only became a master blacksmith, capable of forging weapons of the Hundred Refinement level, but also received some subtle influence on his thinking and logic.

"Which Soul Beast Forest is it?"

"Mist Coffin Canyon".

"The one near the ' Lost Track Grand Canyon '?"

"Um."

"How long have you been gone?"

"Ten days."

"What a coincidence."

"It's quite a coincidence."

"..."

"..."

A moment of silence followed until they reached the garden's exit. One went forward, the other turned right, and they no longer walked the same path.

When they were about ten meters apart, Kuku Candir heard a soft voice again. "I thought the Earl wouldn't be back for ten days."

The veranda outside the garden was silent, except for the faint, rhythmic footsteps that were distinct and meticulous.

[Blacksmith Association Headquarters], 5th Floor, Foundry Room No. 1.

Ling Yi raised his hand and touched the newly built wall, then asked the Lou Gao behind him without turning his head, "Senior brother, do you think I should write a piece of calligraphy or paint a picture to hang here? Otherwise, this place looks a bit out of place—"

Indeed, the entire No. 1 foundry was dark in color due to years of furnace fires and the presence of fine carbon ash and metal dust. The walls, ceiling, and floor all had a dull hue.

But at this moment, on the wall in front of Ling Yi, there was a square section about one meter in size. Although it was made of the same brownish-black raw material as "turtleback rock," its color was much lighter than the surrounding areas.

"Alright." Lou Gao nodded, directly supporting his master, and said, "Your carving skills are so good, I bet your calligraphy and painting are just as impressive..."

"There's just one thing..." Lou Gao paused, hesitated for a few seconds, and then continued, "You placed a ' Starry Sky Fireworks ' on the wall of each of the thirty-six foundry rooms on the fifth floor... Who encountered this one?"