Lou Gao almost roared the words. His burly body leaned forward slightly in agitation, and his powerful soul power unconsciously heated the air inside the carriage by several degrees. The newly awakened Tyranitar instinctively shrank its neck, looking at the old man in confusion. Just moments ago, this was the same elder who had been worrying over it with such concern.
"Five years ago! Before I entered seclusion, what was it that I repeatedly warned you about?! Soul tool manufacturing technology! That's a treasure capable of shaking the entire continent, something every major power would covet like mad! It had to remain secret! It had to stay in our hands! Even releasing the slightest bit had to be done with the utmost caution! It should've been guarded as if protecting it from thieves!"
The more Lou Gao spoke, the more agitated he became. His fan-sized hand slammed heavily against the carriage's sturdy metal armrest with a loud bang.
"But look! Just look at Gengxin City now! Look at the soul tool lights, soul tool vehicles, soul tool signs, and soul tool equipment all over the streets!"
"And all the things being sold in those shops, the tools the street vendors are using! Is this what you call keeping it secret? You've practically thrown open the doors to the entire treasure vault and are beating drums to tell the whole world, 'Come and see! Countless mountains of gold and priceless jade are waiting here!'"
He breathed heavily, crimson-gold flames flickering deep within his eyes, filled with genuine concern for his disciple's safety and the future of the Blacksmith Association.
"Five years! Only five years! And you've already revealed every one of your trump cards?! You're playing with fire! A fire that could consume everything! What do you think those wolves in the Spirit Hall will do? Do you think the ambitious imperial nobles of the Star Luo Empire won't become greedy? Will the Heaven Dou Empire willingly fall behind? And what about those hidden clans, noble families, and evil Soul Master organizations lurking in the shadows?"
Lou Gao's voice was like a hurricane carrying burning embers.
"Xia, tell me! How many pairs of eyes are fixed on Gengxin City right now? How many greedy hands have already reached toward it? And how many deadly conspiracies are being woven in secret?"
"No matter how powerful the Blacksmith Association becomes, can it withstand the covetousness of the entire continent? You're practically roasting yourself atop the most dangerous volcano imaginable!"
The carriage fell silent.
Outside the windows, the city's lively bustle continued uninterrupted. Neon lights streamed through the gaps in the carriage, casting shifting patches of light across Lin Xia's calm face.
Faced with his teacher's relentless questioning and undisguised concern, Lin Xia neither argued nor attempted to defend himself immediately.
Instead, he first gently patted Tyranitar beside him, calming the Pokémon after it had once again become nervous from Lou Gao's imposing aura.
Then he raised his head and met his teacher's molten-gold eyes, burning with anxiety and confusion.
There was no anger or panic on his face despite the harsh reprimand.
Instead, a calm, gentle smile slowly spread across his face, one that carried complete confidence and absolute composure.
It was as tranquil as the endless starry sky, causing Lou Gao's blazing anger and worry to feel as though they had crashed into an invisible yet unyielding barrier.
"Teacher."
Lin Xia's voice was clear and steady, effortlessly cutting through the storm of Lou Gao's emotions.
"Everything you're worried about..."
He paused briefly. His smile remained unchanged, but his tone was filled with absolute certainty.
"...is no longer a problem."
"No longer a problem?!"
Lou Gao almost thought he had misheard him. His brows knitted tightly together.
"What nonsense are you talking about? You've put soul tools on display throughout the entire city! You're practically telling the whole continent, 'Here's the prize!' How can that not be a problem?! Don't tell me you think your current strength alone is enough."
"Teacher."
Lin Xia interrupted him gently. His voice remained calm, yet carried an unquestionable authority.
"Although my cultivation is only at the Soul King Level..."
Before he could finish speaking, an aura of soul power, as steady as towering mountains and as vast as a sea of stars, naturally spread from his body.
This aura was far beyond that of an ordinary Soul King. The profound depth and overwhelming weight contained within it caused even Lou Gao, a candidate for godhood, to feel a trace of pressure.
"But with Tyranitar at my side fighting at full strength..."
Lin Xia's gaze fell upon his companion leaning against him.
Sensing its master's intent, Tyranitar's dark crimson eyes instantly became as sharp as blades. A dormant aura of ancient ferocity quietly emerged from its body, causing the air inside the carriage to become thick and heavy, as though the power of the earth itself were gathering.
"..even an ordinary Soul Douluo..."
Lin Xia's voice was firm and resolute.
"...would not necessarily be able to gain the upper hand against us."
Lou Gao's pupils contracted sharply.
He had personally witnessed Tyranitar's terrifying drunken rampage, and he had also seen Lin Xia's nearly invincible system of five Ability-based Soul Skills.
Lin Xia was not exaggerating.
A twelve-year-old Soul King fighting alongside a Sandstorm Tyrant with the potential of a Legendary Pokémon truly possessed combat power capable of intimidating an entire region.
But even that wasn't enough.
Lou Gao shouted inwardly.
No matter how powerful an individual was, they still seemed insignificant before the crushing force of true political powers and national machinery.
Lin Xia clearly understood his teacher's concerns. The smile on his face deepened as he continued,
"More importantly, Gengxin City and the Blacksmith Association have long since ceased fighting alone."
He raised one finger and spoke with calm certainty.
"First, we have established a deep strategic partnership with Spirit Hall. Their vast resource network, intelligence system spanning the entire continent, and the deterrence of their top Soul Masters serve as one of our most important external safeguards. They provide us with rare materials, portions of ancient records, and security support for our branch associations throughout the continent."
"In return, we provide them with custom-made high-end soul tools, cultivation support devices, and priority access to certain civilian soul tool technologies. It's a mutually beneficial arrangement."
"Second."
Lin Xia raised a second finger.
"We have formed a stable alliance with the Star Luo Empire. Thanks to my successful restoration of the Star Radiance Crown back then, along with the strategic value of our soul tool supplies afterward, His Majesty Dai Tianxing fully understands the importance of Gengxin City."
"The Empire provides us with a vast market, favorable policies, military procurement contracts, and mining rights for key mineral resources. In return, the Empire enjoys priority access and preferential pricing for military soul tools and civilian foundational soul tools. To a certain extent, the stability of the Empire's western frontier also depends on the soul tool defense systems supplied by Gengxin City."
"Third."
A faint smile appeared on Lin Xia's face.
"Even the Heaven Dou Empire has already extended an olive branch and expressed a strong desire to cooperate with us. Emperor Xue Ye is no fool. Watching the Star Luo Empire grow increasingly powerful with the support of soul tools, how could he possibly remain indifferent?"
"Although the highest-level alliance agreement has yet to be formally signed, Blacksmith Association branches have already been established throughout the Heaven Dou Empire. Many basic soul tool technologies are already circulating there. Full cooperation is only a matter of time and final negotiations."
Lou Gao stood there in complete astonishment.
Spirit Hall?
The Star Luo Empire?
The Heaven Dou Empire?
Any one of these colossal powers had once been an existence that the Blacksmith Association could only look up to.
Yet now, all three had established such close ties with Gengxin City.
They had even, faintly, formed a delicate balance around it.
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