Metal Capital (5k)

The gleam of metal was the city's only true melody.

From afar, Gengxin City resembled an iron-gray beast crouching upon the earth. Its heavy walls were not made of ordinary bluestone, but special bricks forged from a mixture of metal ores, gleaming with a cold, hard light beneath the sun. Every hundred paces along the walls stood an arrow tower, where soldiers in light metal armor held their weapons and watched the passing crowds with chilly eyes.

The city gates stood wide open, and the flow of people was endless.

Merchants driving carriages, lone travelers carrying bundles, blacksmith apprentices traveling in groups, and Soul Masters who looked difficult to provoke—all kinds of people mingled together as they entered and exited the city gates. It was bustling beyond measure.

"This is Gengxin City?"

Qian Ren Jun stood before the gates, tilting his head up at the iron-gray walls, his mouth wide enough to fit an egg.

"Why is everything made of iron? The walls are iron, the gates are iron, the soldiers' armor is iron, even the halberds in their hands are iron—did they grow up eating metal?"

"Possibly." Qian Ren Duo nodded solemnly. "Maybe people here eat metal as food from childhood. That's why it's called the Metal Capital."

"Brother, stop joking..."

"I'm not joking. Look at that fat guy. His belly is so huge, he must've eaten too much Black Iron and gotten indigestion."

Qian Ren Jun followed his gaze and saw a round-faced blacksmith squatting by the roadside, gnawing on a steamed bun. He was instantly speechless.

"Brother, enough."

Huo Yuhao stood nearby, listening to the brothers' usual bickering without a hint of expression on his face.

His gaze fell upon the merchant caravans coming and going. Carriage after carriage was loaded with goods. Some were entering, while others were leaving. The incoming carts carried charcoal and ore, while the outgoing ones held all manner of finished metal products—swords, armor, farming tools, and components.

The Metal Capital.

The largest metal trading hub on the continent.

It was also home to the headquarters of the Blacksmith Association.

"Let's go," he said.

The group stepped through the city gates.

Nearly every shop lining the streets was a blacksmith's workshop.

The clanging of hammers rang from morning until night, rising and falling like a peculiar kind of music. The air was thick with the scent of burning charcoal and the metallic tang of iron, the two odors mixing into a distinctive atmosphere.

Qian Ren Jun covered his nose as he walked a few steps, then realized it was useless and simply gave up.

"This smell..." he muttered. "I'll need to bathe for three days after going back."

Qian Ren Duo ignored him and merely looked curiously at the blacksmith shops. Some displayed swords and blades outside their doors, others displayed armor, while some hung all sorts of strange components. Every now and then, one could see a bare-chested blacksmith standing at a doorway, muscles bulging, drenched in sweat, a hammer still in hand.

"A work-funded vacation," Qian Ren Jun suddenly said.

Qian Ren Duo looked at him.

"Comrade Qian Ren Jun, watch your wording." Qian Ren Duo put on a stern face. "We are here to carry out an important mission, not to sightsee."

"Yes, yes, an important mission." Qian Ren Jun rolled his eyes. "Then tell me, Brother, what exactly is our mission?"

"To bring the Blacksmith Association under our control," Qian Ren Duo said.

"And then?"

"What do you mean, and then?"

"How do we bring them under our control?"

Qian Ren Duo fell silent.

He looked toward Huo Yuhao.

Huo Yuhao said nothing and simply kept walking forward.

Qian Ren Duo shrugged and followed.

Wang Qiu'er walked at the rear, her long golden hair shining beneath the sunlight, her red eyes calmly sweeping across the surroundings. The assistants inside the blacksmith shops could not help staring at her a few times when they saw her, only to quickly lower their heads in fright under her icy gaze.

"Yuhao." Qian Ren Duo caught up to Huo Yuhao. "Where are we going first?"

"The main hall of Spirit Hall," Huo Yuhao said.

"Oh." Qian Ren Duo nodded, then asked again, "And then?"

"We'll find the Blacksmith Association."

"And after that?"

Huo Yuhao glanced at him.

"I don't know."

Qian Ren Duo: "..."

Fine. They would take it one step at a time.

The main hall of Spirit Hall in Gengxin City stood in a relatively quiet area in the east of the city.

Compared with the noisy blacksmith shops, the environment here was far more pleasant. The streets were paved with bluestone, and trees of unknown species grew along both sides. A few leaves occasionally drifted down, lending the place a certain elegance.

The main hall was not especially large, but it was still imposing. White stone walls, golden emblems, and two Soul Masters standing guard at the entrance, their eyes vigilantly examining every passerby.

The four of them reached the entrance. Before they could speak, the two guards froze.

They had seen the badge on Huo Yuhao's chest.

It was the exclusive badge of Spirit Hall's Hall of Enshrined—a golden Six-Winged Angel spreading its wings, representing the identity of an envoy from the Hall of Enshrined.

"My... my lords, please wait!" One of the guards' voices changed pitch as he turned and ran inside.

Not long afterward, an old man in a purple robe hurried out to greet them.

Miles, the black-clad bishop of the main hall of Spirit Hall in Gengxin City.

He was no longer young. His hair was gray, his nose hooked, his eyes small, and his mouth wide. The skin on his face was as rough as dried orange peel. Whenever he smiled, his eyes narrowed into slits, hiding his pupils completely. He jogged all the way to Huo Yuhao and the others, bending at the waist with a smile plastered over his face.

"Oh my, oh my! My lords have come from afar, and I failed to welcome you properly. My apologies, my apologies!"

His voice was shrill and thin, carrying an enthusiasm that made people uncomfortable.

Huo Yuhao looked at him without speaking.

Miles did not seem embarrassed in the slightest and continued smiling obsequiously. "Please come in, my lords, please come in! This subordinate has already had tea and refreshments prepared. Please rest your feet first. Whatever you require, just give the word!"

As he spoke, he turned sideways to lead the way, keeping his posture extremely humble.

Qian Ren Jun muttered quietly from behind, "This old man... isn't he being a little too polite?"

Qian Ren Duo whispered back, "Obviously. We're from the Hall of Enshrined. To him, we're imperial envoys."

"Oh..."

The group followed Miles into the main hall and took seats in the reception room.

Miles personally served tea and poured water, bustling about with such attentiveness that he seemed less like a bishop and more like a waiter. His little eyes kept darting around, examining Huo Yuhao and the others as though they were rare curiosities.

"May I ask what business has brought my lords to Gengxin City?" he asked cautiously. "This subordinate has been in Gengxin City for over ten years. I know the people and the terrain well. If there is anything you need, please instruct me."

Huo Yuhao glanced at him.

"Where is the Blacksmith Association?"

Miles paused for a moment, then hurriedly nodded. "The Blacksmith Association? It is in the west of the city, in the largest building there. President Lou Gao lives there, and Vice President Titan is often there as well."

He paused, then added, "However, my lords, the people of the Blacksmith Association are not easy to deal with. They monopolize the metal trade, so they are extremely wealthy and have terrible tempers. Titan in particular, the clan leader of the Clan of Strength, is an eighty-sixth-ranked Soul Douluo with a very violent temper. He picks fights with everyone he sees."

Huo Yuhao nodded and rose to his feet.

"Thank you."

With that, he headed outside.

Miles was stunned.

"My lord, you're leaving already? Won't you rest for a while? This subordinate still has many things to ask..."

Huo Yuhao did not turn back.

As Qian Ren Duo passed Miles, he patted him on the shoulder. "Brother, you've worked hard. But we're pressed for time. We'll come back for tea another day."

Miles stood where he was and watched the four figures disappear beyond the doorway, the smile on his face slowly fading.

The west side of the city.

The farther west they went, the denser the hammering became and the stronger the metallic smell in the air grew. Blacksmith shops stood side by side along both sides of the street, their endless clanging nearly deafening.

"We should be close," Huo Yuhao said as he looked ahead.

Not far ahead stood a pavilion clearly taller and larger than all the surrounding buildings. It was built entirely from bluestone and stood three stories high. A massive plaque hung above its entrance, bearing three large characters—

Blacksmith Association.

Just then, a rough voice rang out from the side.

"Stop!"

Huo Yuhao halted.

A burly old man stepped from a nearby alley and blocked their way.

The old man looked to be sixty or seventy, yet there was not the slightest trace of frailty about him. He stood over two meters tall, his body covered in knotted muscles as though he had been cast from molten iron. He had a square face, thick brows, large eyes, a full beard, and short gray-white hair that stood upright like steel needles. Standing there, he resembled an iron tower.

His gaze fell upon Huo Yuhao and the others' chests—upon the golden angel-wing badges.

In that instant, his eyes changed.

They became cold, sharp, and filled with hostility.

"People from Spirit Hall." His voice rumbled from his chest like muffled thunder. "What are you doing in Gengxin City?"

Huo Yuhao looked at him without speaking.

Qian Ren Duo stepped forward and cupped his hands. "May I ask who this senior is?"

"I am Titan." The old man raised his head, his tone filled with disdain. "Vice President of the Blacksmith Association and clan leader of the Clan of Strength."

Huo Yuhao's eyes narrowed slightly.

Titan.

The Clan of Strength.

He suddenly recalled a few things.

The Clan of Strength had originally been a subordinate clan of the Clear Sky Sect. Their clan leader, Titan, had once been a loyal follower of the Clear Sky Sect. Later, after Tang Hao got into trouble and was expelled from the Clear Sky Sect, Titan led the Clan of Strength away from the sect and followed Tang Hao.

Although Tang Hao had later vanished without a trace, Titan's loyalty to the Clear Sky Sect had never changed.

Nor had his hostility toward Spirit Hall.

"So it is Senior Titan." Huo Yuhao spoke calmly. "We are envoys from Spirit Hall's Hall of Enshrined. We have come to visit President Lou Gao of the Blacksmith Association to discuss an important matter."

"Lou Gao?" Titan sneered. "Lou Gao is currently obsessed with forging and refuses to see anyone. He said so himself. Other than me, he won't see anyone."

Huo Yuhao looked at him.

Titan stared back, his eyes full of provocation.

"What? You don't believe me?" Titan lifted his chin. "Then let's make a bet."

Without drawing attention, Huo Yuhao stopped Tuoba Xi behind him, who was eager to act.

"Senior, we may need you later," Huo Yuhao said in a low voice, turning slightly. "Please conceal your identity for now."

Tuoba Xi, a ninetieth-ranked Titled Douluo, sect master of the Saint Dragon Sect, and possessor of the White-Armored Earth Dragon martial soul. He was the true trump card accompanying them this time. At the moment, he wore standard Spirit Hall armor and followed behind Huo Yuhao's group like a lurking beast, ready to pounce at any moment.

Huo Yuhao withdrew his gaze and exchanged looks with the three people beside him.

Wang Qiu'er nodded slightly.

Qian Ren Duo raised a brow, a playful smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

Qian Ren Jun was already itching for action, practically ready to roll up his sleeves and charge in himself.

Huo Yuhao looked at Titan and spoke.

"Go ahead."

Titan grinned, his smile carrying both mockery and contempt.

His martial soul was released in an instant.

A massive ape phantom appeared behind him—the Mighty Gorilla, a strength-type martial soul embodying pure power. The ape pounded its chest with both fists and roared toward the sky, its violent aura spreading in all directions.

Six Soul Rings rose from beneath his feet.

Two yellow, two purple, and two black.

An eighty-sixth-ranked Soul Douluo.

Titan clenched his fists, and his knuckles cracked sharply. He looked at the four young people before him as though they were four ants ignorant of the vastness of heaven and earth.

"I will only use my first soul skill," he said, his voice brimming with confidence. "It is a defensive soul skill. If any one of you can force me to retreat five steps within three moves—"

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the four of them.

"Then I will help you find Lou Gao and make him come out to meet you."

"Three moves?" Qian Ren Jun could not help speaking. "Old man, aren't you thinking a little too highly of yourself?"

Titan burst into laughter.

His laughter rolled like muffled thunder, causing the blacksmith shops on both sides of the street to fall silent for an instant. Several blacksmiths poked their heads out to watch, then quickly withdrew again.

"Young brat, you've got quite the mouth." Titan stopped laughing and looked at Qian Ren Jun. "Why don't you give it a try?"

Qian Ren Jun rolled up his sleeves and was about to step forward.

A hand stopped him.

Wang Qiu'er.

She stepped out from the rear of the group and stood before Titan.

Her golden hair shone beneath the sunlight, while her blood-red eyes were as calm as still water. Her figure was slender, and compared to Titan's iron-tower-like body, she was like a deer standing before an elephant.

"There is no need to make it so troublesome." Her voice was cold and clear. "One move will be enough."

Titan froze.

Then he laughed even harder.

"One move? Little girl, do you know who I am? I am the clan leader of the Clan of Strength, an eighty-sixth-ranked Soul Douluo, one of the strongest power-type Soul Masters alive! You, a little girl, even if you possess the Clear Sky Hammer martial soul, you would only—"

He did not finish.

Because Wang Qiu'er moved.

Golden light burst forth.

The Golden Dragon martial soul possessed her body.

A massive golden dragon phantom appeared behind her and roared toward the heavens. The dragon's cry shook the world, carrying supreme majesty, as though an ancient true dragon had truly descended upon the mortal realm.

Fine golden scales emerged across Wang Qiu'er's body, covering both her hands. Sharp claws extended as her hands transformed into dazzling golden dragon claws. In her blood-red eyes, her pupils narrowed into vertical golden slits like a dragon's, coldly staring at Titan.

Six Soul Rings rose beneath her feet.

Two yellow, two purple, and two black.

A Soul Emperor.

Titan's expression changed.

He felt it.

His martial soul, that Mighty Gorilla, was trembling. Under the gaze of that little girl across from him, beneath her dragon might, the gorilla that had always been so violent was actually afraid.

"What is this...?"

Before he could react, Wang Qiu'er had already moved.

Her first Soul Ring flashed—Golden Dragon Body. Golden light enveloped her entire body, and her aura surged.

Her second Soul Ring flashed—Dragon's Strength. That aura rose again, terrifying power coursing through her body.

Her sixth Soul Ring flashed—Golden Dragon Bloodlust. Blood-red hues mixed into the golden light, her eyes turned scarlet, and a chilling killing intent radiated from her entire body.

Three amplification soul skills erupted at once.

Then, her fifth Soul Ring lit up.

Golden Dragon Roar.

Wang Qiu'er opened her mouth, and a dragon's roar burst from her throat as golden light gathered into a massive dragon head.

That roar was no ordinary sound, but power condensed into form. A huge phantom of a golden dragon surged from her body, carrying a world-destroying might as it charged straight at Titan.

Titan's pupils suddenly contracted.

His first Soul Ring flashed wildly, and his hands instantly turned iron-gray, crossing before him in defense.

The golden dragon slammed into his arms.

Boom!

A deafening blast rang out.

Titan only felt an irresistible force crash into him through his arms. It was so immense that his arms went numb in an instant, so immense that his body was flung helplessly into the air.

His entire body flew backward.

Boom!

He smashed into the wall behind him. The bluestone wall caved in dramatically, cracks spreading outward like a spiderweb.

Titan was embedded in the wall, staring blankly at his hands.

They were still trembling.

"Impossible..."

he muttered, his voice filled with disbelief.

"Even Master didn't possess such strength at six rings..."

Qian Ren Jun stepped forward, looked at Titan embedded in the wall, and snorted coldly.

"Clear Sky Hammer?" He curled his lips disdainfully. "A martial soul that only cultivates strength, yet isn't even ultimate strength, and still claims to be the strongest tool martial soul under heaven. Only people like you would treat it like some treasure."

Titan's face instantly flushed red.

"You!" He struggled to pull himself free of the wall, but he was stuck fast and unable to move. "You... You're not allowed to talk about the Clear Sky Hammer like that!"

His voice carried anger, resentment, and something else he could not put into words.

It was the fury of seeing his faith defiled.

But embedded in the wall as he was, anything he said seemed ridiculous.

He raised his head and looked at Wang Qiu'er.

The golden-haired girl had already withdrawn her martial soul. She stood where she was as if nothing had happened, not even looking at him as she lowered her head to straighten her sleeves.

"You... What martial soul do you have?" Titan asked.

Wang Qiu'er ignored him.

She did not even raise her head.

Titan's face turned even redder.

Huo Yuhao walked forward and stopped before Titan.

He looked down at Titan embedded in the wall, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly to reveal a mouthful of white teeth.

"The ancestor of strength—the Golden Dragon."

he said.

Titan froze.

Golden Dragon.

The legendary ancestor of strength, one of the most powerful bloodlines among the descendants of true dragons—a nobler, purer existence than the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon.

He suddenly understood.

Why his martial soul had trembled.

Why he had lost so miserably.

It was not a difference in strength, but the suppression of bloodline.

Like a great ape encountering a true dragon, no matter how powerful it was, it could only crawl in submission.

Huo Yuhao looked at him, his smile unchanged.

"Now," he said, "can you take us to see Lou Gao?"

Titan opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but no words came out.

Embedded in the wall, he looked at the smiling youth before him and suddenly felt that all his contempt, mockery, and confidence from earlier had become a joke.

He lowered his head.

He remained silent for a long time.

Then he gave a bitter laugh.

"This old man... admits defeat."

He raised his head and looked at Huo Yuhao.

"Wait here. This old man will go call Lou Gao out right away."