When the iconic silhouette of Gengxin City—permeated with the scent of metal and coal finally appeared on the horizon, a sense of returning home rose within Lin Xia's heart.
Massive chimneys spewed gray-white smoke, and even from afar, the rhythmic clanging of forging could be heard from within the city, clang, clang like an ancient battle song belonging to craftsmen.
Without wasting any time, Lin Xia carried Larvitar and quickly passed through the familiar streets, heading straight toward the core area of the Blacksmith Association, the exclusive forging workshop and council hall of the Divine Craftsman Lou Gao.
The moment he stepped into the building constructed from heavy black ironstone and radiating intense heat, he saw four familiar figures seated around a wide metal worktable, discussing something with grave expressions.
They were his four senior brothers.
"Junior Brother!"
With sharp eyes, Si Kai was the first to notice the movement at the entrance. He cried out in surprise and immediately stood up to greet him.
The other three also turned at once, relief and genuine joy appearing on their faces.
"Xiao Xia! You're finally back!"
Si Yu's loud voice was filled with concern.
"Where's Teacher? Didn't he come back with you? We've been worried, he's been out for quite a while this time!"
Si Long quickly stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over Lin Xia's entire body. Seeing that he was travel-worn but in good condition, and that Larvitar was safely resting in his arms, the worry in his eyes lessened slightly, but his expression still carried a questioning look.
"Xiao Xia, Teacher…?"
Si Di also came closer, glancing at Larvitar in Lin Xia's arms with some surprise.
"The little one seems a bit different? Its aura feels stronger?"
Feeling the undisguised concern from his senior brothers, Lin Xia's heart warmed.
He walked to the worktable, set down the small bundle on his shoulder, then looked solemnly at the four of them. Taking a deep breath, he spoke clearly:
"Eldest Senior Brother, Second Senior Brother, Third Senior Brother, Fourth Senior Brother. I'm back. Teacher for now, he can't return."
"What?!"
Si Yu's voice shot up instantly, his face filled with anxiety.
"Can't return? What do you mean? Did something happen to Teacher?"
He stepped forward in one stride, his large frame carrying a sense of pressure.
A flash of shock passed through Si Long's steady eyes, but he quickly suppressed it. Raising his hand, he stopped the impulsive Si Yu and asked in a deep voice.
"Xiao Xia, don't panic. Explain clearly. Where is Teacher now? What trouble has he encountered? Why can't he return?"
Si Di and Si Kai also stared at Lin Xia anxiously. The already scorching air inside the forging workshop seemed to freeze, leaving only the crackling of the furnace and the heavy breathing of everyone present.
Lin Xia's gaze swept over his four senior brothers' anxious and concerned faces as he quickly weighed his options.
Lou Gao accepting the inheritance of the Fire God. That information was far too shocking and involved too much.
On the continent, all kinds of strange and unpredictable soul abilities existed. There was no guarantee there weren't methods to spy on information.
If the news were to leak, not only could it bring unimaginable danger to his teacher, who was in the midst of receiving the inheritance, but it might also drag the entire Blacksmith Association into the center of a storm.
He could not take that risk.
A trace of difficulty appeared on Lin Xia's face, along with a hint of apology and unwavering determination in his eyes as he slowly shook his head.
"Senior Brothers, I'm sorry. It's not that I don't want to say. It's that Teacher's situation is extremely special and of great importance."
He paused, his tone growing heavier, each word enunciated clearly.
"This matter concerns Teacher's own future path, and even more so, the future fate of our entire Blacksmith Association."
"Teacher is not trapped. He has chosen to remain there voluntarily to handle something extremely important. This matter requires his full focus and time, he cannot leave for now."
"Keeping this a secret is Teacher's request to me and to all of us."
Lin Xia met Si Long's sharp gaze calmly.
"Teacher personally instructed that during the time he cannot return, all matters of the Blacksmith Association, big or small, daily operations, and dealing with all parties are to be discussed and handled jointly by the five of us brothers!"
These words struck the four senior brothers like a heavy hammer.
The sharpness in Si Long's eyes gradually turned into deep contemplation.
He looked at the young junior brother before him, only seven years old, yet those dark golden eyes held none of the timidity or hesitation of a child. Instead, they were filled with a composure, solemnity, and decisiveness far beyond his age.
Then he recalled Lin Xia's unbelievable strength as a Level-ranked Soul Ancestor at just seven years old, as well as his equally mysterious martial soul, Larvitar.
Si Long was already more than half convinced.
Their teacher had always acted unpredictably. For something to require such importance, so much so that he would personally remain away for years, and even demand strict secrecy, it must be no trivial matter.
Si Yu opened his mouth, as if wanting to press further, but upon seeing Lin Xia's resolute gaze and Si Long's grave expression, he ultimately swallowed his words. He let out a heavy sigh and slammed his fist onto the forging table, producing a dull boom that revealed his inner anxiety and concern.
Si Di frowned, his fingers unconsciously tapping the tabletop, clearly processing the sudden news and the immense implications behind it.
The youngest, Si Kai, looked at his senior brothers in slight confusion before turning his gaze back to Lin Xia and asking softly:
"Then Teacher is he safe?"
Lin Xia nodded without hesitation, his tone firm and decisive.
"Rest assured, Senior Brother! The place where Teacher is is extremely hidden and safe. There is absolutely no danger to his life. He simply needs time."
This assurance eased the tension in Si Long and the others slightly.
Si Long took a deep breath, as if making a decision.
He glanced at his three junior brothers before fixing his gaze on Lin Xia. His voice was low yet powerful, carrying a solemn sense of duty in the face of responsibility.
"Understood. Since Teacher has given his orders, and this matter is of great importance, we will not ask further."
He stepped forward, placing his broad and powerful hand firmly on Lin Xia's shoulder.
"Junior Brother, Teacher entrusting the Association to the five of us is both trust and responsibility!"
He turned to Si Yu, Si Di, and Si Kai, his gaze as sharp as a blade.
"During the five years Teacher is away, Gengxin City and the Blacksmith Association are the home that the five of us brothers must protect with our lives! The thousands of craftsmen in the Association, the countless industries behind us, and Teacher's lifelong efforts and expectations—there must not be even the slightest mistake under our watch!"
Si Yu immediately straightened his back, the anxiety on his face replaced by a fierce determination as he said in a booming voice:
"Don't worry, Eldest Senior Brother! If anyone dares to target the Association at a time like this, I'll be the first to smash his head with my hammer!"
Si Di pushed up the nonexistent glasses on his nose, his expression calm.
"Eldest Senior Brother, Junior Brother, I'll take charge of coordinating the Association's internal forging orders and the production scheduling of precision components to ensure smooth daily operations."
Si Kai also nodded vigorously, his eyes firm.
"I may not be able to do much, but running errands, passing messages, and keeping an eye on those suspicious people outside, I can definitely handle that!"
Looking at his four senior brothers, whose fighting spirit had ignited in an instant, Lin Xia felt a surge of warmth and a strong sense of responsibility.
He extended his small hand, placing it atop the hand Si Long had on his shoulder, his gaze burning as he looked at them all.
"Senior Brothers, together we will protect the Blacksmith Association and wait for Teacher's return!"
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