Sorry, Only 3 chapters today. I lost track of time due to reading this masterpiece
https://www.webnovel.com/book/is-it-reasonable-for-me-to-start-a-sect-at-12_30533031700550305
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Shrek Academy suffered greatly because of Leng Yaozhu, and Long Yeyue was determined to get revenge.
Upon hearing that Zhen Hua had arrived at Shrek Academy, she immediately sought him out, hoping he would help drive a wedge between Xia Yi and Leng Yaozhu.
Since Leng Yaozhu was so intent on defending her student, Long Yeyue wanted to turn that very student against her. She wanted to see the expression on Leng Yaozhu's face when the student she protected so fiercely began to doubt her.
However, they seemed to have chosen the wrong person.
If not for wanting to earn Leng Yaozhu's favor, Xia Yi wouldn't have even bothered playing along with their act.
Not long after Xia Yi slammed the door and left, Zhen Hua and Mu Chen also departed from Shrek Academy.
Upon returning to the Blacksmith Association headquarters in Shrek City, Zhenhua contacted the head of the association to apply for a reward for Xia Yi's Celestial Fox Fusion Forging Method.
Since he had agreed to help Long Yeyue, he would see it through to the end.
Now, by treating Xia Yi well, he could make him believe what he had said before.
Under Zhen Hua's supervision, the approval process moved quickly.
He even had the association's clerks draft a speech for Xia Yi.
The speech expressed how Xia Yi was deeply troubled by the dwindling resources of the Douluo Continent and the significant waste of metals that could not be reforged. After much pain and contemplation, he dedicated years of tireless research to develop the Celestial Fox Fusion Forging Method, allowing metals of the same type to be fused together.
Since this matter was personally handled by the Divine Craftsman Zhenhua, the Federation gave it great importance.
On the same day, the method was broadcasted and praised on soul television.
Not only did key parliamentary members commend Xia Yi, but even the royal family acknowledged his contribution.
To leave a good impression on Zhenhua, the Federation granted an extensive reward package to Xia Yi.
The rewards included rare treasures, precious metals, federal currency, and a Universal Pass.
This Universal Pass could be installed on a mecha or carried personally, allowing Xia Yi unrestricted access to most places—only military bases were off-limits.
Even the royal palace was open to him.
Additionally, the royal family awarded Xia Yi a soul bone.
The Blacksmith Association also rewarded him, primarily with rare metals.
Zhenhua personally proposed that the association's instructors teach the Celestial Fox Fusion Forging Method first when introducing students to fusion forging.
Fusion forging of the same metal type was not only easier but also prevented material waste during practice.
When forging two different metals, if the fusion rate did not reach 60%, the process would fail, rendering both metals useless.
However, fusion forging with the same metal was different.
Even if it failed, the metal remained intact and could still be used.
In fact, the same piece of metal could be reforged multiple times.
Many blacksmiths at the late-stage of the fifth rank scoffed at the Celestial Fox Fusion Forging Method.
To them, forging metals of the same type was far easier than combining different metals.
Since they could already fuse two or even three different metals, they viewed the fusion of the same metal as trivial.
Seeing Xia Yi receive widespread praise for such a simple method, they were both dismissive and envious.
Especially after hearing about Xia Yi's rewards, their jealousy only grew.
However, mid-stage fifth-rank blacksmiths—those still struggling with fusion forging—treated Xia Yi like a god.
With the Celestial Fox Fusion Forging Method, they could drastically reduce the amount of metal wasted during practice, allowing them to master fusion forging much faster.
Beyond blacksmiths, many battle armor masters and mecha engineers were also grateful to Xia Yi.
With this method, the cost of upgrading battle armor and mechas would be significantly reduced in the future.
A Federation councilor even made a rough estimate on television.
The Celestial Fox Fusion Forging Method would increase the reuse rate of rare metals by 20% and reduce the overall consumption of metal by 8%.
That night, Xia Yi's rewards were delivered to Shrek Academy's entrance.
"A soul bone that's nearly 100,000 years old… The royal family is quite generous." Even Gu Yue was a bit surprised when she saw the soul bone.
The soul bone was pure white, shaped like an arm bone, with five slender finger bones pointing upward. Each fingertip emitted a faint, icy blue glow.
It was clearly a right arm bone.
The moment it appeared, its overwhelming soul power made the surrounding air dense and oppressive.
A combination of immense pressure and an icy aura, as cold as the Heart of the Ice God, made Xia Yi feel almost overwhelmed.
And this was just from its aura alone.
Xia Yi couldn't imagine how much power he would gain if he absorbed it.
"Little brother, how about selling me this soul bone? Name your price—I won't haggle."
As soon as Xia Yi took out the soul bone, a figure appeared before him.
Looking up, Xia Yi saw an elderly man with a towering, burly frame.
Just by standing there, he commanded the attention of the entire scene, like an indomitable pillar. Even Xia Yi and Gu Yue felt an intense pressure upon seeing him.
This was absolute strength.
This old man was extremely powerful—at least a Super Douluo.
He might even be an Ultimate Douluo.
"Don't sell it! If you do, I'll fight you to the death."
Before Xia Yi could respond, the voice of the Heart of the Ice God suddenly rang in his mind.
"Aren't you supposed to be in seclusion, refining the power of the Golden Ancient Tree? Why are you awake?" Xia Yi asked in frustration.
He strongly suspected that the Heart of the Ice God had never actually been in seclusion—perhaps it had just been avoiding conversation with him.
"Regardless, you must not sell this soul bone," the Heart of the Ice God said coldly.
"Sorry, but I'm not selling it," Xia Yi said firmly, looking at the elder.
For the Heart of the Ice God to speak up on its own, this soul bone clearly held special significance.
Xia Yi wouldn't be foolish enough to sell it.
"Little brother, I am Yuanen Zhentian, grandfather of Yuanen Yehui. A few days ago, you fought against my other grandson," Yuanen Zhentian said gravely.
"The three Titan Giant Apes from that day?" Xia Yi raised an eyebrow.
"That's right!" Yuanen Zhentian nodded before continuing. "My grandson has always been arrogant. I brought him to Shrek Academy to teach him that there are always stronger people out there."
He chuckled and added, "Don't worry—I won't interfere in matters between the younger generation as long as no one gets seriously hurt. I only bring this up to tell you that no one outside my family can absorb that soul bone. Keeping it is useless to you."
"Oh? How so?" Xia Yi asked curiously.
"That soul bone likely comes from the Titan Snow Demon of the Extreme North," Yuanen Zhentian explained. "They possess three attributes—Ice, Spirit, and Earth. Their Earth attribute originates from the Titan God, the same source as our Titan Giant Ape lineage. Only those from my family can absorb this soul bone."
"But it also has Ice and Spirit attributes, doesn't it?" Xia Yi asked.
"To gain a Titan Snow Demon's Spirit-type soul skill, you'd need a skull soul bone. As for Ice—unless your martial soul is Ultimate Ice, you cannot absorb it."
"Oh, really?" Xia Yi smirked as he activated Martial Soul Protection. His third soul ring lit up, and an intense cold burst forth, freezing the air around him.
"Absolute Zero—the pinnacle of Ultimate Ice!"
Yuanen Zhentian was taken aback, but quickly shook his head. "Your Absolute Zero comes from your soul spirit's soul ring, not your martial soul. You're still not an Ultimate Ice Martial Soul user—you cannot absorb this soul bone."
"Well, even if I can't absorb it, I won't sell it," Xia Yi replied.
"Oh? Why not?" Yuanen Zhentian was intrigued.
"This is a gift from His Majesty. Selling it would be an act of great disrespect. If I can't use it, I'll keep it as a family heirloom to pass down as a symbol of honor."
Yuanen Zhentian was momentarily stunned.
Xia Yi's words left him with no way to refute.
He couldn't just outright tell Xia Yi that the royal family was worthless, could he?
The key was that Xia Yi's expression was completely serious, his eyes filled with sincerity, showing no signs of deception.
"Forget it. Since you don't intend to sell it, I won't force you. If you ever decide to sell it, let Yuanen Yehui know—she'll inform me." Yuanen Zhentian shook his head, his figure slowly fading from Xia Yi's sight.
This was Shrek Academy, after all—he couldn't afford to act recklessly here.
(End of Chapter)