At the entrance of the Blacksmith's Association in Heaven Dou City, a large crowd had gathered.
Zhen Hua's expression was as dark as it could be.
As the current president of the Blacksmith's Association and a Divine Craftsman of his generation, he had never imagined that the association would one day be challenged at its own doorstep.
Being challenged was one thing.
But they had lost.
Losing was one thing.
But they had lost to a blacksmith from the Star Luo Continent.
Even among their peers, Mu Xi had been defeated by this young girl from the Star Luo Continent.
Zhen Hua immediately contacted Mu Chen, urging him to bring Tang Wulin to Heaven Dou City. But Tang Wulin had just been severely injured by a single punch from Xia Yi.
With no other options, Zhen Hua had to reach out to Xia Yi.
However, after several attempts, Xia Yi's soul communicator remained unanswered.
Left with no alternative, Zhen Hua finally called Leng Yaozhu instead.
"Xia Yi? He's in seclusion. But since it's something important to the Divine Craftsman, I'll have him come out right away," Leng Yaozhu replied earnestly.
Hearing her agree so readily, Zhen Hua felt a bit ashamed on the other end of the call.
Back when Leng Yaozhu sought his help to forge a four-word battle armor, he had made things difficult for her because of the relationship between the Spirit Pagoda and the Blacksmith's Association.
A year ago, he had also been the one to execute Long Yeyue's plan to drive a wedge between them.
Now that the Blacksmith's Association needed help, Leng Yaozhu had agreed to assist without hesitation.
Despite his embarrassment, he still turned to face the challengers—Eighth-Rank Saint Craftsman Chang Gongyan and his student, Lin Yuhan—and said solemnly, "We're all blacksmiths here. It's fine to have a friendly competition, but you didn't notify us in advance. Right now, the most talented blacksmiths of the Heaven Dou City Association aren't here. We'll need some time."
"Oh? And how long will that take?" Chang Gongyan asked with a smile.
"Before nightfall, I promise they'll be here," Zhen Hua replied firmly.
Xia Yi was in seclusion. Although Leng Yaozhu had agreed to wake him up, she hadn't specified how long it would take, so Zhen Hua could only stall for time as much as possible.
"Alright, we'll wait," Chang Gongyan laughed heartily. At this point, they had already won.
Lin Yuhan had secured four consecutive victories. Even if they lost a match, it wouldn't matter.
"Thank you for your patience," Zhen Hua cupped his fists. His biggest fear was that Chang Gongyan would refuse to wait and leave immediately.
That would mean Lin Yuhan would walk away with four straight wins.
The Blacksmith's Association would have been completely defeated.
"There's no need to be so polite, Divine Craftsman. Since your association's talents will only return by nightfall, why don't we take this opportunity to exchange blacksmithing insights? Although blacksmithing techniques in Douluo and Star Luo are similar, we should still learn from each other to advance together," Chang Gongyan suggested.
This was the real reason he had agreed to wait.
Exchanging insights with a Divine Craftsman was a rare opportunity that many Saint Craftsmen would dream of.
"Alright," Zhen Hua nodded. To keep Chang Gongyan here, he had no choice but to agree.
Spirit Pagoda
An hour later, Xia Yi had finally finished bathing under the care of Leng Yaozhu and her sister, Leng Yulei. He changed into an icy-blue ceremonial robe.
"Big Sis, is it really okay to keep Zhen Hua waiting like this?" Leng Yulei asked anxiously.
Right now, Leng Yaozhu and Xia Yi needed as much support as possible.
Shrek Academy was already on their side, and if they could gain the Blacksmith's Association's backing, they would be firmly established.
"I'm deliberately making him wait," Leng Yaozhu smirked. "I want this situation to build up momentum, to give journalists and media time to react. I want the entire Federation to know that blacksmiths from the Star Luo Continent came to challenge us, that the Blacksmith's Association was powerless, and that it was our Xia Yi who upheld Douluo's honor."
The fact that Zhen Hua had called her meant he had run out of options.
So she wasn't worried about anyone stealing Xia Yi's moment.
Leng Yaozhu also changed into a fiery red gown.
She then activated her four-word battle armor, soaring into the sky with Xia Yi.
The terrifying wings of the Heavenly Phoenix spread open, instantly dyeing the entire sky a crimson hue.
Like a blazing sun, she streaked across the sky.
Xia Yi only felt a dizzying sensation. By the time he regained his senses, he and Leng Yaozhu had arrived over the Heaven Dou City Blacksmith's Association.
She displayed her Extreme Douluo-level strength to its fullest.
"Your Eminence, there was no need to make such an entrance," Zhen Hua immediately stepped forward to greet her.
"When blacksmiths from the Star Luo Continent come to challenge us, as a citizen of the Sun-Moon Federation, it's my duty to step up and defend our honor. And since the Divine Craftsman personally invited me, how could I delay?"
Leng Yaozhu and Xia Yi descended hand in hand. Though she had deliberately stalled for an hour, she still wanted to give the impression that she had arrived as fast as possible.
The moment they landed, the gathered crowd instinctively stepped back, making way for them.
Seeing this red-and-blue pair, so striking together, a strange thought surfaced in everyone's minds—these two looked like they were meant to be together.
Leng Yaozhu had meticulously prepared their outfits.
Dressed in an icy-blue ceremonial robe, Xia Yi's long black hair cascaded like a waterfall, his slender figure exuding elegance. His gaze was clear, his demeanor gentle and approachable.
As for Leng Yaozhu, she typically dressed in black. The sudden shift to red caught many off guard.
She was already stunning—her jade-like complexion, fiery aura, and bold yet playful personality made her stand out.
With her fiery red gown and long, flowing red hair, she exuded the air of a queen.
She merely took one step forward while holding Xia Yi's hand, and the crowd instinctively held their breath.
Her dominant presence perfectly complemented Xia Yi's gentle elegance.
Click!
A photographer snapped a picture, immortalizing the moment.
Soon, other journalists followed suit, scrambling to capture the scene.
Leng Yaozhu ignored them and instead turned to face Chang Gongyan.
Chang Gongyan appeared to be in his sixties or seventies, with graying hair and a tall, sturdy build. His eyes were unusually deep, showing no sign of aging cloudiness.
"This isn't a challenge. We're here for an exchange," Chang Gongyan quickly clarified. He was sweating under Leng Yaozhu's gaze—it felt as if his life was entirely in her hands.
"An exchange, is it? Then tell me, how exactly do you want to 'exchange'?" Leng Yaozhu asked coolly.
Chang Gongyan gestured to the young girl beside him and respectfully introduced, "Your Eminence, this is my disciple, Lin Yuhan. A fair blacksmithing duel—one-on-one. If any blacksmith under twenty from your association can defeat her, we'll concede."
Leng Yaozhu sneered, "Under twenty? You think too highly of yourselves. This is my husband, he's fourteen. If your disciple can beat him, we'll admit defeat."
"Uh…" Chang Gongyan turned to Zhen Hua, as if to confirm whether she had the authority to make such a decision.
Zhen Hua sighed. "Let's do it this way."
If Xia Yi lost, he had no other options left.
As he watched the striking couple, he turned to the staff and said, "Prepare two forging stations."
"No need for two," Xia Yi interjected, bowing slightly to Zhen Hua. "One is enough—I don't need a forging station."
Zhen Hua's eyes gleamed with intrigue.
Leng Yaozhu had given Xia Yi a task—not only to win but to win beautifully, to prove to the world that he was worthy of her.
That he was not just her accessory.
And Xia Yi was ready to show them all.
Let everyone witness it with their own eyes.
He was worthy of Leng Yaozhu, worthy of the Heavenly Phoenix Douluo.
Not just a decorative vase by Leng Yaozhu's side.
"Then, one platform it is." Zhen Hua glanced meaningfully at Xia Yi and Leng Yaozhu before turning to the staff and giving instructions.
Setting up a forging platform in the Blacksmith Association was the easiest thing in the world. In no time, a forging platform was placed in the center of the hall.
Zhen Hua looked at Xia Yi and Lin Yuhan, saying, "Following the previous competition format, you will undergo two rounds of forging. In the first round, one of you will choose a type of metal, and both of you will forge it. In the second round, the other will pick a different type of metal for forging. At the end of both rounds, we will compare the quality of your final products, and whoever produces the better-forged metal will be the ultimate winner."
As soon as Zhen Hua finished speaking, Lin Yuhan suddenly spoke up. She glanced at Xia Yi and said, "I think we don't need to go through all that hassle this time. How about we each display our own skills and choose the metal we are best at working with? Whoever forges the highest-quality product wins. However, let me clarify in advance—fusion percentage using the Heavenly Fox Fusion Forging Technique won't count."
"I'm fine with that," Xia Yi responded, surprised that the Heavenly Fox Fusion Forging Technique had already spread to the Star Luo Continent.
The fusion percentage of the Heavenly Fox Fusion Forging Technique was always one hundred percent when measured by machines, so naturally, it couldn't be used as a criterion for judging.
"You agreed just like that?" Lin Yuhan was surprised by Xia Yi's quick acceptance, but at the same time, a hint of joy flashed in her beautiful eyes.
Soon, Lin Yuhan chose her metals—Blue Infused Copper and Thundercloud Fine Gold.
Two metals, clearly intended for fusion forging.
Xia Yi didn't hold back either. He casually tossed out two pieces of metal—Life Crystal and Starfall Iron.
"I'll borrow your fire." As Xia Yi spoke, his second soul ring lit up. At that moment, in Lin Yuhan's forging furnace, a ball of fire suddenly burst into life, enveloping the Starfall Iron in mid-air.
Then, including Zhen Hua, everyone witnessed a forging technique unlike anything they had ever seen before.
Everyone, including Zhen Hua, was utterly stunned.
In the air, two Creation Hammers continuously struck the Life Crystal.
Strangely enough, no one was holding them.
They were forging entirely on their own.
Their master, Xia Yi, was already sitting with Leng Yaozhu, hand in hand, carefully peeling an apple for her.
It seemed like the forging happening in the air was less important than this apple.
"Here, wifey, open your mouth."
"Hubby, you're the best. Come here, let me give you a kiss."
Xia Yi carefully fed a piece of apple to Leng Yaozhu.
Leng Yaozhu ate it, then hugged Xia Yi's head and kissed his face.
This was completely a lovestruck young girl—where was the domineering queen she used to be?
Watching this red-and-blue couple publicly flaunting their affection, a large group of people wished they could rush over and punch Xia Yi twice.
We came to watch forging, not to be force-fed your romance!
We get it—you managed to woo the most beautiful woman in the world. But did you have to rub it in like this?
Before long, the Starfall Iron finished heating up, but Xia Yi didn't even glance at it. He remained fully immersed in his little world with Leng Yaozhu.
However, the onlookers didn't complain. One of the Creation Hammers, as soon as the Starfall Iron was fully heated, automatically moved over and began forging it on its own.
"I wish I had a soul skill like that," a large group of people stared at Xia Yi's glowing second soul ring, envious beyond measure.
Forging and picking up girls are both possible.
"Even if someone had a soul skill like this, they wouldn't be able to achieve this level of control without incredibly powerful spiritual strength. As expected of the youngest Lingyuan Realm expert. Just his level of control alone is beyond what ordinary people could ever achieve." Someone spoke in a solemn tone.
......
(End of this chapter)