"Breakthrough?"
The smile on Zhu Yu's face instantly froze, replaced by deep shock.
"Master Lou Gao is about to break through? A breakthrough at the Soul Saint level?"
Zhu Yu clearly remembered that Lou Gao had been stuck around Level 74 or 75 for many years. How difficult was a breakthrough at the Soul Saint level?
Each increase in level represented a qualitative leap, let alone advancing toward the Soul Douluo realm!
If this news were true, it would be enough to shake the continent's blacksmithing world and even affect the balance of power between empires!
"Yes."
Lin Xia nodded firmly, his gaze steady.
"Teacher sensed that his bottleneck had loosened. He said he needed to find a place highly suitable for him among soul beast habitats and carry out a prepared soul hunt, in order to achieve success in one go."
"As for where exactly he went, he did not say. He only mentioned that his return date is uncertain at the shortest, a few months; at the longest perhaps one or two years. He instructed us to guard the Association and wait for his return."
Lin Xia cleverly concealed the earth-shattering truth of Lou Gao receiving the Fire God's inheritance within the more reasonable explanation of "seeking a breakthrough and hunting a soul ring," which could also explain his prolonged absence.
Zhu Yu's red lips parted slightly, taking a long moment before closing again. The expression on her exquisite face shifted unpredictably.
A seven-year-old Soul Grandmaster was already shocking enough, and now even his teacher a long-renowned Divine Craftsman was seeking to break through to the Soul Douluo level at this age?
This master and disciple pair truly seemed intent on overturning all common sense on the continent!
Amid the shock, a strong sense of disappointment surged within her. With Lou Gao absent, the main purpose of her visit had almost entirely fallen through.
Zhu Yu let out a soft sigh. In the quiet reception room, it sounded especially clear, carrying a hint of helplessness from a high-ranking imperial official facing an obstructed plan.
"Sigh this is truly unfortunate."
She rubbed her temples and looked at Lin Xia, as well as Si Long and Si Di beside him.
"Since that is the case, I won't hide it from you. This visit is under the command of His Majesty the Emperor of the Empire."
Zhu Yu paused and straightened her posture. The natural grace and faint pressure of someone in authority emanated from her—still gentle, yet impossible to ignore.
"First, the Imperial military urgently needs to update a batch of standard equipment core components, especially heavy defensive armor and certain weapon systems. Looking across the Star Luo Empire, and even the entire continent, only the Blacksmith Association of Gengxin City under Master Lou Gao's leadership possesses craftsmanship refined enough to take on this responsibility and ensure absolute reliability."
Upon hearing this, Si Long and Si Di's expressions immediately turned serious.
Military orders especially those involving core technology, often came with immense responsibility and potential political risks.
With Lou Gao absent, could they accept it?
And if they did, could they complete it perfectly?
The pressure instantly fell upon their shoulders.
Zhu Yu did not pause. She continued, lowering her voice slightly, carrying a trace of gravity.
"Second and this is His Majesty's greatest concern is the repair of a national treasure, a symbol of imperial authority the 'Star Glory Crown.' Even restoring its appearance alone would be acceptable!"
"The Star Glory Crown?"
Si Long and Si Di exclaimed at the same time, their faces filled with shock.
As Lou Gao's direct disciples, they had naturally heard of this legendary soul tool.
It was said to be an item worn by the founding emperor of the Star Luo Empire, symbolizing supreme imperial authority and the blessing of the stars. Its historical significance and symbolic value were immeasurable!
And now it was damaged?
And needed repair?
Lin Xia's pupils suddenly contracted!
A national treasure!
A symbol of imperial authority!
A soul tool!
The combination of these three words instantly ignited a blazing thought in Lin Xia's mind.
Wasn't his mecha, Divine Craft, currently stuck at the stage of its energy core and soul power resonance matrix?
This so-called Star Glory Crown, as a treasured imperial heirloom, must represent the pinnacle of soul tool technology of this era, perhaps even containing certain ancient methods that had long been lost!
Its internal structure, the way its energy circuits were constructed, and especially the design of a stable and powerful energy core that might exist within all of these could become the key to breaking through his current bottleneck!
"Repair the appearance?"
Lin Xia keenly caught the key point in Zhu Yu's earlier words. Suppressing the excitement in his heart, he asked in a tone carrying the curiosity of a young boy, probing carefully:
"Sister Zhu Yu, where exactly is the crown damaged? What kind of repair does it need? Is it only about restoring its appearance?"
Lin Xia needed more information!
Zhu Yu gave Lin Xia a deep look, seemingly a bit surprised by the strong interest he showed in this matter, but she still explained:
"The main structure of the crown is intact, but fine cracks have appeared around the 'Star Core Tear' gemstone embedded at its core. This has caused the gemstone's light to dim and its flow to become unstable, affecting its dignity as a symbol of imperial authority."
"More importantly, His Majesty hopes that after the repair, it can restore even if only slightly the phenomenon it once had of 'drawing in starlight and resonating with the Emperor's soul.' Even a trace of that would be of great significance."
"The difficulty is extremely high. His Majesty only trusts Master Lou Gao's craftsmanship."
Zhu Yu's tone was filled with admiration for Lou Gao's skill, as well as helplessness toward the current situation.
"Drawing in starlight? Resonating with the Emperor's soul?"
Lin Xia's heart began to pound uncontrollably!
Wasn't this an extremely advanced and highly targeted form of soul power resonance?
Although its target was a specific "Emperor's soul," the underlying principles and technical approach were absolutely worth studying!
If he could see this national treasure with his own eyes, or even personally participate in analyzing it then the soul power resonance matrix problem that had troubled him for so long might finally be solved!
As for the energy core, since the Star Core Tear could be regarded as the core of a national treasure by the Empire, its energy properties must be extraordinary!
The energy of the dragon bone and Sun Essence was violent and unruly—perhaps… this kind of star-attributed energy gemstone could become the key medium to balance or even stabilize them?
A bold, almost crazy idea took shape in Lin Xia's mind.
An opportunity!
This was the chance he had been desperately searching for!
Lin Xia suddenly raised his head. A light never seen before burst from his dark golden eyes—sharp, blazing, filled with confidence and desire, completely unlike that of a seven-year-old child.
"Sister Zhu Yu! Even if Teacher isn't here, I can do it!"
"You?"
Zhu Yu's brows furrowed slightly. Although she admired Lin Xia's talent, repairing a national treasure of the Empire was no trivial matter.
She gently shook her head, her tone carrying the tolerance of an elder along with a trace of barely noticeable doubt.
"Little Xia, your talent is something I know well it is astonishing. But the path of blacksmithing, especially the repair of soul tools, requires years of accumulated experience and the ability to control materials and the flow of soul power as if they were extensions of one's own limbs. You are still young, this…"
"Sister Zhu Yu!"
Lin Xia's voice was firm and decisive. He stood up, his small figure radiating an unquestionable presence.
"I am not speaking recklessly! Before Teacher left, he passed down all that he had learned in his lifetime to me, every blueprint, every insight, his unique forging techniques, and the essentials of soul tools! Though I am young, everything of Teacher's, I have already mastered in my heart!"
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