The entire hall, rather than being the entrance of the Blacksmith Association, was more like a top-tier museum where futuristic technology and the aesthetics of traditional weapons had been perfectly integrated!
It was an exhibition hall showcasing both power and wisdom!
Quiet, bright, orderly, and filled with an extraordinary sense of sophistication, it completely overturned Lou Gao's understanding of what a "blacksmith's headquarters" should look like.
Just as Lou Gao's mind was still trembling from the overwhelming sight before him, an even more touching scene occurred.
Whether they were staff members wearing standardized work uniforms with badges representing different levels of authority, or distinguished guests dressed in luxurious clothing who had clearly come for negotiations or a visit, the moment they saw Lin Xia entering the hall, they immediately stopped whatever they were doing or discussing.
Countless gazes gathered toward him at the same time.
There was no trace of distraction in their eyes, only pure, extreme respect and genuine reverence from the depths of their hearts!
Then, as if pushed forward by an invisible wave, everyone, from those closest to those farther away, whether they were designers operating Soul Tool terminals, engineers hurriedly carrying blueprints, or sales representatives explaining products to customers, all stopped in their tracks naturally and simultaneously.
They straightened their backs and respectfully bowed toward Lin Xia's direction!
Their movements were perfectly synchronized, as if they had practiced them thousands of times.
For a moment, the only sounds remaining in the hall were the low hums of Soul Tool devices operating and the silent yet incredibly weighty collective salute!
"City Lord!"
"Greetings, City Lord!"
The deep voices filled with respect rose one after another, like sincere prayers.
Standing beside Lin Xia, Lou Gao truly felt this wave of admiration that seemed almost tangible.
The eyes of those who bowed could not lie.
There was no false flattery or forced submission within them. Instead, there was sincere trust, gratitude, and the reassurance of seeing the person they relied upon most.
What Lin Xia had said about "bringing benefits to everyone," "taking root in the soil of the continent," and "becoming a foundation supporting its operation".
At this moment, it was perfectly reflected through this silent collective gesture of respect!
A difficult-to-describe sense of pride, like warm molten lava, instantly washed away the remaining shock and unfamiliarity within Lou Gao's heart, surging violently through his chest.
His disciple had not only gained control over power and authority, but had also won the hearts of the people!
This was true strength!
At that moment, several elderly men standing at the edge of the hall, who had originally been discussing a new alloy formula in low voices, were attracted by the collective salute.
They wore old-fashioned work clothes covered with obvious traces of blacksmithing.
When they habitually looked toward City Lord Lin Xia, their gazes unintentionally swept over the tall, muscular red-haired, golden-eyed man standing beside him.
The few of them froze at the same time.
One of them was an old blacksmith with white hair and a deep burn scar across his face.
His cloudy eyes suddenly widened as he stared at Lou Gao's face.
The man looked much younger and more heroic than before, yet the familiar facial features and those molten-gold eyes remained unchanged.
Five years!
An entire five years!
President Lou Gao had disappeared without a trace!
How many times had they dreamed at midnight, reminiscing about the glorious days when their president had wielded his massive hammer and led them through countless challenges?
The person before them.
Those eyebrows.
Those eyes.
That unyielding and passionate spirit within his gaze.
"Like too much like him."
The old blacksmith muttered to himself, his voice trembling with disbelief.
The companions beside him also realized something was wrong and carefully examined Lou Gao.
That upright figure as straight as a spear.
Those molten-gold eyes that carried both majesty and a probing sharpness.
That familiar temperament, as if he would burst into loud laughter the very next moment.
Although his skin was no longer old and loose, his wrinkles had almost disappeared, and his entire appearance had become young and heroic, like a man in his prime.
But that presence, that aura engraved deep within his bones.
The scarred old blacksmith's breathing became hurried.
He instinctively stepped forward, then suddenly stopped, afraid that he might disturb something.
He raised his calloused hand and pointed at Lou Gao.
His voice became hoarse and stammering from overwhelming excitement and uncertainty.
"May I ask this esteemed lord."
He swallowed, gathering all the courage he had accumulated throughout his life. His eyes were filled with anticipation, confusion, and a trace of anxiety that came from fearing that his hopes might be shattered.
Trembling, he finally asked the unbelievable yet heart-stirring question that was buried in the hearts of all the old companions present:
"Are... are you President Lou Gao?!"
That single question was like a huge stone thrown into a calm lake, instantly causing everyone who had just returned to their work to once again turn their shocked gazes toward Lou Gao!
President Lou Gao?!
That legendary president who had secluded himself for five years, disappeared without any news, and whom many people had secretly wondered whether he had already.
Could this heroic and imposing red-haired man before them really be that old president?
The same person who had once led the Blacksmith Association through countless hardships, whose temper was explosive yet who deeply cared for his subordinates, and who had been an old man with a slightly hunched figure and a white beard?
Countless gazes moved back and forth between Lou Gao's youthful face and his iconic molten-gold eyes, filled with disbelief and shock.
Looking at the old subordinate before him, who was so excited that he could barely stand, and then looking around at those familiar yet unfamiliar faces filled with awe and respect, Lou Gao felt countless emotions surging through his heart.
The five years of divine trials, along with the rebirth power of the Phoenix Divine Fire, had long since reshaped him from the inside out.
He was no longer the aging blacksmith master he once was.
He had been reborn through flames and had become a Phoenix Divine Trial successor approaching the divine realm!
Looking at the expectation in the old blacksmith's eyes, which had nearly been extinguished but was now reignited, a smile filled with endless emotion appeared in Lou Gao's molten-gold eyes.
He did not answer whether he was or was not.
Instead, he suddenly stepped forward and stretched out his enormous hand, which resembled a fan and contained terrifying strength, before heavily patting the old blacksmith's shoulder.
"Hahahaha!"
A thunderous and heroic laugh instantly filled the entire magnificent hall.
It carried that familiar, scorching aura that seemed capable of melting metal.
"Scarface Chen! Five years have passed, and your eyesight still hasn't been ruined by the furnace flames! Apart from this old man, who else could have these fiery eyes? Who else could possess this strength?!"
That unmistakable booming voice that made people's ears buzz!
That strength of the slap that nearly made one's body fall apart!
That arrogant and fearless laughter that looked down upon the world!
Most importantly.
Those molten-gold eyes that contained undisguised familiarity and affection toward an old companion!
"President! It's really the President!!"
"Good heavens! The President has returned!!"
"President, you have become... so... so..."
The several old blacksmiths instantly became overwhelmed with emotion, tears flowing down their faces as they struggled to speak clearly.
The scarred old blacksmith was even more excited. His entire body trembled, and he could not say a single word. He only tightly grabbed onto Lou Gao's arm, as if afraid that he would disappear once again.
The surrounding members of the Blacksmith Association, both old and new, erupted into thunderous cheers and excited discussions after their brief moment of shock.
"The President has returned!"
"Good heavens! The President has become so young!"
"Standing together with City Lord Lin Xia, this is truly unbelievable!"
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