Chapter 215
Even the most senior teacher was starting to question his existence.
Surrounding the central exhibition area are tiered VIP boxes.
These private rooms are made of one-way guided glass, appearing completely dark from the outside, mysterious and prestigious.
The top-floor private rooms are particularly large, with excellent views, and you can even see the vague outlines of the furnishings inside.
"This is the Celestial Platform, our Blacksmiths' Guild Auction House."
Lin Xia explained.
“We hold an auction once a week for invited clients. The items up for auction are all rare treasures of the same caliber as those in the second-floor Pavilion of Essence, or unique soul tools that are extremely rare, have special historical significance, or possess strategic value. Some are even one-of-a-kind.”
At this moment, light shone on the central platform, and a dark gold arm armor, shrouded in soft white light and with an ancient and majestic design, slowly rotated and emerged.
The auctioneer's passionate voice resounded throughout the hall through the amplified soul guide.
"The next item up for auction is the Titan Barrier Heavy Soul Guidance Armguard, produced by the City Lord's Direct Research Institute! It combines deep-sea silver, star gold, and a trace amount of divine meteorite iron, with the core inlaid with the soul bone energy amplifier of the King of the Earth for ten thousand years!"
"Physical defense surpasses conventional limits, and it comes with a 'Gravity Field' area control soul skill! Starting bid—eight million gold soul coins! Each bid must be at least five hundred thousand!"
Before the words were even finished, dozens of bidding lights instantly lit up in the seats and private rooms below, with bids rising and falling, and prices soaring like a rocket.
Lou Gao stood in the shadows at the entrance, watching the grand scene where money and desire intertwined, and the blurry figures behind the glass of the private rooms—he could imagine that those sitting inside might be princes of the Star Luo Empire, cardinals of the Spirit Hall, royal representatives of the Heaven Dou Empire, or even the heads of some reclusive families.
An immense sense of power washed over me.
Geng Jincheng, relying on these unique treasures, firmly holds sway over the nerves and wallets of the continent's top powers.
“Those private rooms…”
"The three private rooms with the best views from the top floor belong to the Blacksmiths' Association, the City Lord's Mansion, and our most important strategic partner."
Lin Xia explained calmly.
"Other private rooms require extremely high levels of identity and proof of assets to book."
Lou Gao was speechless for a moment, his heart filled with mixed feelings.
The status of the blacksmiths' association has far exceeded the limits he could have imagined back then.
He silently watched the fierce bidding for a while, and finally spoke:
"Let's go, it's too noisy here."
Stepping onto the floating staircase once more, and passing through a significantly thicker energy gate inscribed with protective soul-guiding arrays, the hustle and bustle and extravagance were instantly shut out.
The scene before me offered a gentle comfort to my tense nerves and shaken soul for the first time.
This place is no longer a cold, magnificent, and powerful steel palace, but a sky garden and residential community full of life.
The light was bright and soft, like a natural dawn. Underfoot was a soft lawn path with a faint fragrance of grass and trees, and all around were meticulously maintained flowerbeds planted with many exotic flowers and plants that would not survive even in the desert, clearly relying on a sophisticated soul-guided constant temperature and irrigation system.
The stream flows gently down from the cleverly designed artificial rocks and into a crystal-clear pond.
Several detached courtyard houses, each with a different style but full of design sense, are scattered in a well-organized manner on this lush green platform.
Some feature huge floor-to-ceiling windows and viewing balconies, while others offer greater privacy and tranquility.
The air was filled with the fragrance of flowers and plants and a sense of peace and tranquility, like being at home.
"The top three floors are the core functional areas of the association, and this is our 'home' in the steel fortress."
Lin Xia's voice softened, carrying a hint of relaxation. "My four senior brothers, Si Long, Si Di, Si Kai, and Si Yu, along with Zhu Qing and I, all live here. When we're tired from research and work, we can relax here. Teacher, your residence is also ready over there."
He raised his hand and pointed to a courtyard not far away that was noticeably larger, had a wider view, and incorporated classical forging elements in its design.
Lou Gao stood on the lawn path, looking around.
On one side lies Gengjin City, a future city with brilliant lights and flashing neon signs, symbolizing boundless power and wealth.
On one side is this tranquil and cozy aerial home, filled with the fragrance of flowers and the songs of birds.
The ultimate rigidity and the ultimate softness are perfectly unified at the pinnacle of this incredible building.
He remained silent for a long time, so long that Lin Xia thought he needed time to process it. Finally, Lou Gao slowly and deeply inhaled the fragrant air, turned around, and his golden eyes churned with unprecedentedly complex emotions—the lingering shock, the bewilderment of witnessing a miracle, the pride in his disciple's achievements, the感慨 about the great changes of the times, and even a hint of unreality as if he were in a dream.
He raised his large hand and vigorously rubbed his young, handsome face, which had been tempered by divine fire. His voice was low and slow, carrying a rare, almost weary, sense of awe, as he slowly spoke to Lin Xia:
"Xia...you...you brat..."
He paused, seemingly searching for the most appropriate words, before finally letting out a long sigh:
"The shock you gave me... was just too great, too great..."
"The big one..."
Lou Gao gave a bitter smile, a smile filled with countless emotions.
"Even the senior teachers are starting to... question their existence..."
He looked up at the deep, star-studded night sky, as if trying to find a familiar coordinate from the unchanging stars.
"I only went into seclusion once... It felt like I took a nap, and when I woke up... the world was no longer the world I knew. Blacksmith... Association... Home... This..."
He looked at Lin Xia with an incredibly complex expression: "Everything you've done... it's like bringing a myth into reality."
Seeing Lou Gao, the once steely and fearless king of blacksmiths, reveal such a vulnerable shock and bewilderment, Lin Xia felt a surge of warmth in her heart.
He offered no explanation, no boasting, but simply responded with a calm and warm smile.
The smile contained understanding, respect, and heartfelt joy at the teacher's return.
He knew that words would be inadequate at this moment; the teacher needed time to adjust to the miraculous city he had created with his own hands.
However, this tranquility did not last long.
Just as Lou Gao was still reeling from the immense emotional shock, the gate of a courtyard in the distance was suddenly pushed open!
"Junior brother! Is that you, junior brother, back?"
"There was such a loud commotion downstairs just now, I guessed it..."
"Wait! That...that red-haired guy is...?!"
Accompanied by several shouts of surprise and delight, several familiar figures rushed out like a whirlwind, with the leader being none other than Senior Brother Silong!
Sisi, Sikai, and Siyu followed closely behind him. They had initially appeared to have come out to investigate after hearing the commotion downstairs, but when their gazes passed over Lin Xia and landed on the tall, imposing figure beside him—a man with red hair, golden eyes, and a familiar yet unfamiliar air—they all froze in place, as if struck by a spell!
The soul-guided metal ingot that Si Long was holding, which was still slightly glowing, fell to the soft lawn with a "clang," but he didn't even notice.
Sisi's mouth gaped open, wide enough to fit an egg. Even the usually composed Sikai's eyes widened, his hand holding the tool trembling slightly. The most lively Siyu covered her mouth, letting out an incredulous, tearful gasp.
"Master...Master?! Is it Master?!" (End of Chapter)