Chapter 211
I am the city lord of Gengjin City!
"And these five years."
Lin Xia's voice carried a sense of confidence that she was in control of the situation.
"Thanks to the tireless efforts of our disciples, the Blacksmiths' Association is now vastly different from what it once was. Branches have spread like wildfire, reaching every major city and transportation hub on the continent, and even penetrating deep into major mining areas!"
"More than 90% of blacksmiths on the mainland, whether they are masters with independent lineages or ordinary blacksmiths who are scattered and unknown, have been incorporated into the association system!"
"They receive standardized technical training, including basic soul guidance knowledge, enjoy the association's welfare benefits, abide by the association's rules and regulations, and contribute their strength and creativity to the association!"
Lin Xia's gaze deepened.
“Teacher, your concern about ‘coveting’ largely stems from our past ‘weakness’ and ‘closed-off’.”
"But today's blacksmiths' association is no longer the closed organization that was confined to a corner and guarded its technical secrets."
"It's like a giant network, its roots have penetrated deep into the soil of the entire continent!"
"It provides more than just soul tools. From the most basic farm tools and building components to the soul energy cores that maintain the operation of cities and transportation facilities, to civilian soul products that penetrate into every household, and even cutting-edge defense and weapon systems that influence the war situation... The Blacksmith Association and the soul civilization it represents have been completely integrated into the daily lives of everyone on the continent!"
Lin Xia's voice was strong and resonant.
"Its influence has long since silently permeated every corner of society, becoming one of the cornerstones supporting the operation of the entire civilization!"
"Anyone who tries to touch Gengjin City, anyone who tries to plunder soul guidance technology, will not only face the resistance of a single city, but also a violent upheaval of the entire continent's operating system, the collapse of the daily lives of hundreds of millions of people, and the very foundation that has been touched by all those who have vested interests!"
"The Spirit Hall needs our technology to maintain its advantage, the Star Luo Empire needs our support to consolidate its national strength, and the Heaven Dou Empire needs to cooperate with us to avoid being left behind... A single move can affect the whole situation! This is our moat!"
Lou Gao was completely speechless.
In his molten gold eyes, shock surged like a tangible wave, crashing against the beliefs he had held for decades.
Lou Gao understood every word Lin Xia said, but when they were put together to depict that vast, meticulous, and profound blueprint, his mind went blank, as if he were in a completely unfamiliar space and time.
Five years?
Only five years?
How did they develop a closed blacksmiths' guild into a behemoth with roots all over the continent, technology integrated into the lifeblood of civilization, deep ties with top powers, and pervasive influence?
Is this...is this really something that human beings can do?
This is no longer a simple "growth", but a complete "reshaping"!
He felt as if he were listening to a bizarre myth, yet he knew with absolute clarity that the dazzling, vibrant city of the future outside the window was the most powerful proof of this myth!
After a long while, Lou Gao finally managed to find his voice, his voice filled with disbelief and disorientation.
"Xia...the Spirit Hall...the Star Luo Empire...how could they...how could they agree? This...this is practically handing over a part of their lifeline to you?"
He still found it hard to believe that those behemoths would be so "generous".
Upon hearing this, Lin Xia revealed a knowing and profound smile.
Instead of answering the question directly, he did something that surprised Lou Gao even more.
A flash of light appeared on Lin Xia's wrist, revealing a palm-sized token, skillfully forged from deep black gold and mithril.
The token has a simple and dignified design. The front is embossed with the iconic anvil of Gengjin City and a surrounding gear pattern, while the back features a simple and ancient character "令" (command).
The token itself seemed to contain powerful energy fluctuations, and at its core was a small crystal that emitted a soft starlight!
He held up the token, letting it bask in the neon light streaming in from the window.
The dazzling soul-guiding light shone on the token, making the anvil and gears seem to come alive, exuding a majestic and profound aura.
"Teacher." Lin Xia's voice rang out calmly and powerfully, as if she were proclaiming an established fact.
"You asked them why they agreed?"
He flipped the token over, clearly displaying the word "command" before Lou Gao's wide, molten gold eyes.
"Because of Gengjin City..."
Lin Xia's eyes shone as brightly as stars, and a smile of complete control curved her lips.
"...Now, it's mine."
He paused slightly, his tone carrying absolute confidence and an unquestionable declaration:
"I am the holder of the City Lord's Token of Gengjin City!"
"And also the master of Gengjin City!"
Boom!
Lou Gao felt as if his head had been smashed hard by a phoenix diamond chisel!
He gasped sharply, his body stiffening uncontrollably as he stared intently at the token that symbolized the highest power in Gengjin City!
A city lord's decree?!
Xia Xia... has become the city lord of Gengjin City?!
That position, symbolizing the blacksmith's highest honor and responsibility?!
Seeing the teacher's shocked and almost disoriented appearance, Lin Xia put away the token, a deep smile still on her lips.
"As for why the Spirit Hall, the Star Luo Empire, and even the future Heaven Dou Empire are 'willing'..."
His voice was soft, yet it contained a power to see into people's hearts.
"Teacher, do you still remember what you taught me? 'The spirit of craftsmanship' lies not only in forging objects, but also in understanding the texture of materials and following the laws of nature."
His gaze seemed to pierce through the carriage, looking out at the magnificent starry sea composed of soul-guided light.
"The world is bustling, all for profit; the world is bustling, all for gain! This is an eternal truth."
"The Spirit Hall needs soul tools to consolidate its superior position and deal with potential threats; the Star Luo Empire needs technology to enhance its national strength and gain an advantage in the future continental landscape; the Heaven Dou Empire needs cooperation to avoid falling behind or even being annexed... And I need their resources, markets, and deterrent power to protect and develop Gengjin City and realize the ideal of soul tool civilization benefiting the continent."
Lin Xia's tone was resolute.
"As long as the interests of both parties are significant enough and aligned enough, there is nothing that cannot be agreed upon, and nothing that cannot be accomplished! The key lies in whether you can provide value that the other party cannot refuse, and... whether you can firmly grasp the initiative that comes with that value!"
A long silence fell over the carriage.
Outside the window, the dazzling neon lights of Gengjin City, like a flowing galaxy, cast a soft glow on Lin Xia's young yet profoundly wise face, and also on the face atop the building, which was filled with awe-inspiring emotions that eventually settled into a complex and indescribable feeling.
He looked at his disciple, who was only twelve years old.
Looking into his calm, deep, starry eyes, at the composed curve of his lips that seemed to control everything, at the Sandstorm King beside him—a figure symbolizing terrifying power yet also deeply attached to him—and then through the car window at the futuristic city, brightly lit and brimming with the aura of a soul-guided civilization…
In Lou Gao's golden pupils, the last trace of doubt and worry slowly melted away like ice and snow.
Instead, there was an unprecedented, intense shock, pride, and relief, like the core of a furnace, along with a hint of... awe, as if truly recognizing the disciple before him for the first time. (End of Chapter)