"I know you harbor resentment towards me, but I don't care. I don't know how to love someone, I don't know how to keep you by my side. I'm sorry, Jun Yi."
Bibi Dong's voice was slightly hoarse, as if she had used all her strength to say these words.
Jun Yi felt a pang in his heart. He looked up at Bibi Dong, a hint of heartache in his eyes. He hadn't expected Bibi Dong to be so humble when it came to love.
He didn't know what to say. His heart was filled with complicated emotions. His feelings for Bibi Dong had always been so tangled and agonizing, but he could never let go of these feelings.
He took a deep breath, calmed himself down, and then gently embraced Bibi Dong. His voice trembled slightly as he said, " Sister Dong'er, I will always be by your side. No matter what happens to you, I will always be there for you."
As she spoke, Bibi Dong's tears flowed again. She used her tears to feel Jun Yi's heartbeat, and her hands gripped Jun Yi's shoulders tightly, as if she were using her strength to protect Jun Yi.
"I plan to stay here for the rest of the time and strive to break through to level 85 within two years. If I'm lucky, I might even be able to condense a second God Ring, which would give me enough confidence when facing the Divine Realm in the future."
"Really, Jun Yi?" A hint of joy flashed in Bibi Dong's eyes.
"Mm." Jun Yi nodded.
"My Soul Hunting Plan is scheduled for two years from now. We can discuss the details then."
"Alright, then let's set the day for attacking the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect as the day Tang San and Ning Rongrong are engaged. Turning a happy occasion into a funeral is exciting to think about." Jun Yi revealed a cruel smile.
"I'll do whatever you say."
After the two had spent a passionate night together in the Papal Palace, there was a sudden, urgent knocking on Bibi Dong's door.
" Your His Holiness the Pope, a person of extremely high status has arrived at the Papal Palace, saying that he has urgent business to Jun Yi."
Hearing that someone was disturbing her, Bibi Dong's face showed displeasure.
Who is it?
"The man held Elder Token of the Spirit Hall and called himself the Divine Craftsman Lou Gao."
Upon hearing the name " Lou Gao," Jun Yi immediately got out of bed and prepared to get dressed to see him.
" Jun Yi, are you already planning to abandon me? Men are all the same; they don't know how to cherish what they have."
Bibi Dong's tone carried a hint of coquettishness and reproach. "Stop it, Sister Dong'er. My new force needs a leader, and that person is Senior Lou Gao. He came to see me this time most likely because of the Soul Tool, so I definitely have to go see him."
"Besides, it's not like I was completely unconscious from beginning to end. You say I got what I wanted from you? I don't believe it."
After saying that, Jun Yi dashed out of Bibi Dong's room.
Bibi Dong was left alone on the bed. "Fine, since you say you're unconscious, then tonight I'll give you a conscious one."
In the reception room of the Papal Palace, a short, stout old man was walking around, observing the various Soul Tool in the room. He was only about 1.6 meters tall, but his waist was probably also about 1.6 meters. He had protruding ears, small eyes, and a head of messy short hair. He was wearing a loose robe.
"You must be Senior Lou Gao." Jun Yi greeted Lou Gao as he walked in.
"Hmm? You're Jun Yi, the one who created the Soul Tool?" Lou Gao said, sizing up Jun Yi.
"Yes, senior, I am Jun Yi." Jun Yi smiled slightly and replied.
"You came up with all those Soul Tool blueprints all by yourself? Truly, a young hero emerges!" Lou Gao walked up to Jun Yi, patted him on the shoulder, and exclaimed in admiration.
"Senior, you flatter me. I don't have such great abilities. I only managed to achieve this level by chance after obtaining a portion of the inheritance related to Soul Tool."
Jun Yi still held Lou Gao in high regard because, in his eyes, Lou Gao was a very pure person. He loved forging and everything related to forging. In the original novel, he even used his own Life as a material to help Tang San forge the Torrential Pear Blossom Needles. Such a spirit was truly moving.
Unfortunately, Tang San couldn't revive him in the end, and the Torrential Pear Blossom Needles didn't have much effect either. "Senior, what brings you to see Jun Yi this time?"
"I'll be frank, I've come to ask you to be my master."
Jun Yi's face showed surprise. He hadn't expected that Senior Lou Gao's purpose in coming was to become his disciple. "Senior, are you joking?" Jun Yi looked at Lou Gao in front of him, somewhat unable to believe his ears.
"I've come to become your apprentice, Jun Yi. I want to learn how to forge Soul Tool from you," Lou Gao repeated, this time more clearly.
"Senior, you are a recognized master craftsman, and your honor and reputation are unmatched. Why would you lower yourself to learn from me?" Jun Yi said slowly, his heart in turmoil, unsure how to respond to this request.
Lou Gao gave Jun Yi a deep look, then smiled and said, "Because I have reached the end of the blacksmith's path in this era. In my opinion, the future of blacksmiths is bleak. But I want to go further. I see possibilities in your Soul Tool. I see a realm I have never explored before. So I want to learn from you. Becoming your apprentice is the simplest way to learn."
Jun Yi didn't rush to answer. He gave Lou Gao a deep look, inwardly marveling at the craftsman's dedication and pursuit. He understood that Lou Gao wasn't learning from him, but exploring a path no one had ever walked before, a path that could change the fate of blacksmiths.
"Senior, I will certainly consider your request carefully," Jun Yi said in a deep voice, "But before that, I would like to ask you a question."
"You say it," Lou Gao said, looking at Jun Yi with curiosity and anticipation in his eyes.
"Have you ever regretted choosing the path of a blacksmith?" Jun Yi's tone was full of respect and emotion.
Lou Gao paused for a moment, then burst into laughter. "Regret? I've never regretted it. Blacksmithing, this is the path I chose, and the career I love. Although this path is full of hardships and challenges, I've never had the slightest regret. Because I know that only by constantly moving forward can I find the true way out."
After his laughter subsided, he looked at Jun Yi, his eyes gleaming with unwavering determination. " Jun Yi, your appearance has shown me the future of the blacksmithing industry. I believe you will lead us into a new era. Therefore, whether you are willing to take me as your apprentice or not, I will take the lead and dedicate my efforts to us blacksmiths."
(End of this chapter)