Heaven Dou City, headquarters of the Blacksmith Association.
Zhen Hua's office was on the association's highest floor, spacious and quiet.
A wall of floor-to-ceiling windows offered a sweeping view of most of Heaven Dou City. Roofs stretched into the distance, while streets and alleys wove through the city below.
Yet the room's décor was not luxurious. Instead, it had a weighty, industrial feel, as if it had weathered the years.
Various blacksmithing tools hung on the walls, and the bookshelves were crammed with texts and design blueprints.
Han Tianyi led Fang Lin and Na'er through the door.
Behind a wide desk sat a burly, middle-aged man.
He was the divine craftsman, Zhen Hua.
Fang Lin took a closer look. The man had black hair and black eyes, and was extremely handsome.
He looked no older than his thirties, yet his eyes were filled with the depth and weariness of age—things a man that young could never have possessed.
His temples were completely white, sharply contrasting with the black hair on his head.
It was a clear sign that he had expended too much of his vitality.
Most striking were his hands. They were much larger than an ordinary person's, yet their knuckles were not prominent. They were fair and slender.
They looked just like a woman's hands.
Zhen Hua's gaze fell on Han Tianyi, and a warm smile appeared on his face.
"Elder Han, it's been a long time."
He rose to his feet, his voice steady and warm.
"It has, Zhen Hua. It's been a long time."
Han Tianyi gave a slight nod, his tone calm, like an old friend reunited after years apart.
"Come, sit."
Zhen Hua pointed to the chairs in front of the desk, then added, "I know you like tea, so I brewed some for you."
As he spoke, he picked up the purple clay teapot and tilted his wrist slightly.
Clear tea flowed like a thin stream into two white porcelain cups, steam curling upward.
A delicate tea fragrance slowly spread through the air, soothing and refreshing.
"Then I won't stand on ceremony."
Han Tianyi sat down in front of the desk, picked up a porcelain cup, and took a small sip.
He narrowed his eyes slightly, clearly pleased with the tea.
Zhen Hua set down the teapot, turned to Fang Lin and Na'er, who were standing to one side, and waved them over.
"All right, you two don't have to stand there. Sit down."
He pointed to the sofa against the wall, his tone casual and warm. "You don't need to be so formal around me. Make yourselves comfortable."
Fang Lin and Na'er instinctively looked at Han Tianyi. When their teacher gave a slight nod, they sat down on the sofa.
Han Tianyi set down his teacup and asked, "Has that kid Mu Ye still not arrived?"
Zhen Hua leaned back in his chair and shook his head, a trace of exasperation in his voice. "Not yet. Who knows what that fellow's up to now."
As soon as he finished speaking, a voice as loud as a bell rang out from beyond the office door.
"Zhen Hua, who says I'm not here?"
The door was suddenly shoved open from outside, and a middle-aged man in a gray robe strode in.
Seeing him, Zhen Hua's helpless smile deepened. He shook his head. "Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao arrives."
"You rascal, do you always have to wait until people start talking about you before you show up?"
Mu Ye grinned, utterly unbothered by Zhen Hua's teasing.
He turned to Han Tianyi, his voice still booming but a little more restrained. "Martial Uncle."
"Mm."
Han Tianyi gave a slight nod and said, "All right, let's get down to business."
"Mm."
Zhen Hua and Mu Ye nodded at the same time. The casual looks on their faces vanished, replaced by serious expressions.
Han Tianyi called out, "Little Lin, come over."
At his words, Fang Lin stood and went to stand beside his teacher.
Han Tianyi introduced them formally. "These two are the divine craftsman, Zhen Hua, and Mu Ye, the current sect master of the Body Sect."
"This junior, Fang Lin, pays his respects to both seniors." Fang Lin bowed, his manner respectful.
Zhen Hua and Mu Ye nodded slightly, their gazes falling on Fang Lin as they looked him over.
"Elder Han, is this boy your disciple?" Mu Ye asked with interest, curiosity flashing in his eyes.
"Mm."
Han Tianyi nodded slightly, then his tone turned solemn. "Little Lin, although I know the Body Sect's secret art, I can't pass it on to you."
"It isn't mine to give. I can't make that decision."
"Whether you can learn the Body Sect's secret art now depends on whether your senior brother agrees."
As he spoke, he looked toward Mu Ye, his expression calm.
Mu Ye fell into thought.
By rights, Han Tianyi had left the Body Sect long ago and joined the Spirit Pagoda.
According to the sect's rules, he could even be considered a traitor.
However, Han Tianyi had left the sect with the approval of his master, the previous sect master of the Body Sect.
Besides, over the years, Mu Ye had often relied on Han Tianyi's standing and connections in the Spirit Pagoda to make things easier when obtaining Soul Spirits.
So Mu Ye had not refused Han Tianyi's request outright. Instead, he had said he would decide after meeting Fang Lin.
After a moment's thought, Mu Ye said nothing. He stepped forward and grabbed Fang Lin by the arm.
A rich wave of Soul Power flowed from his palm into Fang Lin's body, probing him carefully.
Fang Lin felt a warm, powerful force enter his body, like an invisible stream coursing through his meridians.
It swept through every channel, every bone, and every acupoint.
He did not resist, letting the Soul Power examine him.
Mu Ye's casual expression gradually turned focused, and in the end, he even looked a little surprised.
"Not bad, kid."
Mu Ye released his arm, a glint flashing in his eyes. "Your physical abilities are even better than I expected."
Han Tianyi smiled faintly without speaking, simply lifting his teacup for another sip.
Zhen Hua also looked Fang Lin over with interest and said, "It's not easy to get a compliment out of that rascal Mu Ye."
"Elder Han, your disciple is no ordinary fellow."
"He does have some talent, but he still has a long road ahead." Han Tianyi set down his teacup, his tone calm, though the pride in his eyes was impossible to hide.
Mu Ye looked Fang Lin over once more, then suddenly said, "Come on, release your Martial Soul and let me see it."
"All right."
Fang Lin nodded. Soul Power surged within him. "Golden Dragon King, possess me!"
Dark golden dragon scales instantly covered his body, and his eyes became cold, golden vertical pupils.
His arms transformed into Golden Dragon Claws. His fingers became razor-sharp claws that glinted with cold light, as if they could tear anything apart.
"Ahem."
Mu Ye coughed lightly and cleared his throat. Then he grinned, his smile carrying a peculiar satisfaction.
He thought to himself, Who says a dragon can't be a Body Martial Soul?
Isn't a dragon's body still a body?
The Body Sect's way was to cultivate the body itself to its utmost limit.
No matter what form a Martial Soul took, as long as it was part of the body, it fell within the Body Sect's domain.
"Junior Brother, I can teach you the Body Sect's secret art."
Mu Ye changed the way he addressed Fang Lin then and there, his voice booming with easy confidence. "But there's one thing I need to tell you first."
His smile faded, and his gaze turned serious. "The Body Sect's secret art is extremely arduous to cultivate and puts a tremendous strain on the body. It's no easy task."
"Are you sure you want to learn it?"
At his words, Fang Lin nodded without hesitation. "Please instruct me, Senior Brother."
"Good."
Mu Ye nodded, satisfaction showing in his eyes.
Watching them, Han Tianyi's lips curved slightly upward.
He knew the matter was settled.