A "Youngster" Arrives at the Blacksmiths Association... (Please bookmark and keep reading)

[Not sure what to put here this chapter, so here's a little Cyrene.]

"It's not that I don't want you anymore, Na'er. I want to get stronger so I can protect you better."

"But... but I'll miss you when I'm all alone..."

Na'er's eyes reddened.

"I'll come back to see you often."

"Really?" Na'er looked up, her big eyes fixed earnestly on Chen Xing's face.

Chen Xing gazed gently into Na'er's eyes.

"Don't worry, Na'er. No matter how far I go, this will always be my home, and I'll always think of you."

"And if you really miss me, you can write me letters whenever you like."

At that, Na'er wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.

"Mm! I definitely will."

Chen Xing smiled and stroked her head, praising Na'er for being such a good girl.

Na'er immediately lowered her eyes, delight spreading across her face.

Hee-hee, Brother called me a good girl. I'm so happy.

The next day, Chen Xing arrived early at the Blacksmiths Association in Aolai City.

He had come to make his apprenticeship under Zhen Hua official.

The Holy Spirit Cult had already reached Aolai City. He couldn't wait—not even a day.

The Blacksmiths Association wasn't too far away.

Chen Xing reached it after a little over ten minutes on foot.

As soon as he reached the entrance, a guard stopped him.

"Kid, this isn't a place to play."

Chen Xing said nothing. He simply took the Token from his waist and handed it over.

The guard took one look at the Token and froze.

"This is... President Zhen Hua's Token?!"

"Are... are you the president's guest?"

Chen Xing merely nodded calmly.

The guard immediately straightened up, returned the Token with both hands, and then stepped aside.

"Please, go in. The president said a young guest would be coming today."

"Thank you."

Chen Xing took back the Token, fastened it to his waist, and strode into the Blacksmiths Association.

The moment Chen Xing entered, he found the hall packed with people.

Mecha Engineers and blacksmiths, men and women—there had to be at least fifty or sixty of them.

They stood in small groups, talking quietly or looking around.

Quite a few grew curious when they saw Chen Xing enter.

"Huh? What's a kid doing in here?"

"And he's got a Token on his waist... What's that?"

"Wait, doesn't that Token have the character for 'Zhen' on it?"

At those words, dozens of eyes turned toward him.

"A Zhen Token? No way. Isn't that the president's? Who is this kid?"

"The president did mention someone he was meeting today when he got back yesterday."

"Him? A six- or seven-year-old brat?"

"Keep your voice down."

Chen Xing ignored their idle chatter.

He headed straight for the center of the hall.

He had only taken a few steps when Zhen Hua emerged from the inner room with Mu Xi.

The moment Zhen Hua appeared,

everyone's attention shifted away from Chen Xing.

The continent's only Divine Craftsman, a level ninety-two Titled Douluo, president of the Blacksmiths Association...

With all those titles to his name,

Zhen Hua was a dazzling figure to everyone present.

As soon as he stepped out, Zhen Hua spotted Chen Xing in the center of the hall.

To everyone's astonishment, he walked over at an unhurried pace.

"You're here?"

Chen Xing nodded.

The corner of Zhen Hua's mouth lifted, and he beckoned.

"Come over."

Chen Xing passed through the crowd and stopped before Zhen Hua.

"Little one, you told me yesterday that you wanted to learn about Mechas from me."

Chen Xing nodded.

"Then you should know that I, Zhen Hua, have never taken on a mediocre student."

Zhen Hua folded his arms.

"I did see the White-Class Mecha you created in that shop yesterday."

"But seeing it for myself is one thing. Formally accepting you as my student is another."

He glanced around at the crowd.

"Today, show me again in front of everyone."

"All right."

Chen Xing didn't mind showing his Illusory Creation ability in front of so many people.

After all, as he grew stronger, the ability was bound to become public sooner or later.

And he was about to gain a powerful backer.

Revealing this small part of the World-Painting Authority's secrets didn't matter much.

At the front of the hall, Zhen Hua turned to Mu Xi.

Mu Xi pursed her lips, walked up to Chen Xing, and pulled out a rolled-up blueprint.

"Here. A design for a White-Class Combat Mecha. Uncle asked me to give it to you."

Chen Xing took the blueprint, unrolled it, and glanced over it.

It looked a little more complex than the one from yesterday.

This was a White-Class combat Mecha.

"Pam Pam, analyze this blueprint."

"Got it, pam. Analyzing..."

"This White-Class Combat Mecha consists of..."

Chen Xing nodded as he listened.

Seeing how intently he studied the blueprint, the people around him began whispering among themselves.

"Is he really going to build a Mecha?"

"You've got to be kidding. By himself? Without even an assistant?"

"Have any of you noticed... he doesn't seem to have any Soul Power fluctuations at all."

The remark sent a ripple through the crowd.

"Zero Soul Power?"

"No way. How can someone with Zero Soul Power build a Mecha?"

"Why would the president take an interest in a child with Zero Soul Power...?"

The doubts grew louder.

A Purple-Class Blacksmith in the crowd shook his head.

"With Zero Soul Power, he can't even do basic metal shaping. Building a Mecha? That's pure fantasy."

A Mecha Engineer beside him nodded in agreement.

"Exactly. When I was learning to build Mechas, I spent three months just practicing how to channel Soul Power into an Energy Circuit. It's impossible without Soul Power."

"Did the president misjudge him?"

"Don't be ridiculous. With the president's eye for talent?"

"Then how do you explain him asking a child with Zero Soul Power to build a Mecha?"

The arguments rose and fell around the hall.

Some shook their heads, some pondered, and others simply folded their arms and waited for Chen Xing to make a fool of himself.

Listening to them, Mu Xi couldn't help glancing at Chen Xing.

She didn't believe it either.

She had seen it with her own eyes yesterday, but that had been on the boy's home turf. Perhaps his father had rigged some contraption just to amuse him.

If that was what had happened, could he still do it here, in front of everyone?

Unlike the crowd, Zhen Hua remained calm.

He simply looked straight at Chen Xing.

"Ready?"

Chen Xing nodded, set the blueprint on the edge of the table, and summoned his World-Painting Brush.

The instant the World-Painting Brush appeared, everyone's eyes widened.

Zero Soul Power? He really has Zero Soul Power?

Had Zhen Hua gone mad?

Or was this child somehow deceiving Zhen Hua?

"No. I don't think the president would act so recklessly. There must be something exceptional about this child."

Chen Xing paid no attention to the doubtful looks directed at him.

He was already focused.

The next moment, he drew a deep breath and brought his brush down...