One hour later.
Before the towering main gate of the Blacksmith Association in Gengxin City—cast from refined iron and engraved with forging hammers and flame totems.
Zhu Yu stood quietly, waiting. Her moon-white gauze dress fluttered gently in the wind carrying a metallic scent, her bare feet still spotless.
Seeing Lin Xia arrive on time with a simple pack on his back and Larvitar by his side, a gentle smile appeared on her face.
She handed a heavy soul tool pouch, emitting fluctuations of soul power, to Si Long.
"Vice President Si Long, this is the deposit for the Empire's commission to your Association for forging the first batch of military core components, along with the list of required rare metals. Please verify it. For follow-up matters, the Empire's Ministry of Works will send a representative to coordinate."
Si Long received it with both hands. Feeling the weight of the pouch and the aura of precious materials within, he replied solemnly,
"Miss Zhu Yu, rest assured. The Blacksmith Association will not fail your trust!"
Zhu Yu nodded slightly and turned her gaze toward Lin Xia.
"Little Xia, let's go."
Lin Xia took one last look at the familiar smokestack silhouettes of Gengxin City and the concerned gazes of his Senior Brothers, then took a deep breath.
"Alright."
From the metal capital, Gengxin City, to the heart of the Empire, Star Luo City, the journey was long.
Even traveling at full speed, it took a full ten days.
For Lin Xia, successfully coming into contact with and studying the mysterious Star Glory Crown would not be difficult, but to fully comprehend it would likely require a great deal of time and hidden knowledge.
Thus, he deliberately made use of their time together, employing emotional intelligence and conversational skill far beyond his age.
At times, Lin Xia acted like a knowledge-hungry youth, asking Zhu Yu about the customs of the Star Luo Empire and anecdotes of soul masters.
At other times, he behaved like a child full of admiration for an elder, sharing amusing stories from the Blacksmith Association and expressing his respect and concern for his teacher, Lou Gao.
He also appropriately showed care for Larvitar's growth, revealing a warm and gentle side as a "martial soul partner."
Lin Xia's speech was proper yet retained youthful sincerity. He was intelligent and perceptive, yet knew how to restrain his sharpness. Occasionally, he revealed a pure longing for powerful strength and unknown knowledge.
Zhu Yu had already thought highly of him due to his heaven-defying talent and his status as Lou Gao's disciple. Coupled with Lin Xia's subtle and deliberate approach, her goodwill toward him grew like spring vines—quietly flourishing and becoming ever more abundant.
The way she looked at Lin Xia gradually shifted from admiration and recruitment intent to a kind of almost doting tenderness unique to an elder.
And within these seemingly warm exchanges, Lin Xia also succeeded in obtaining quite a bit of crucial information—one piece in particular struck his heart like thunder.
It was during a dusk rest. Zhu Yu gazed at the distant mountain ranges, her expression tinged with reminiscence and faint sorrow, as she spoke softly:
"Xia, you know when I see you, it reminds me of my unfortunate child If he were still alive, he would be about your age…"
Lin Xia's heart trembled. Sensing the key point, he feigned surprise and concern.
"Sister Zhu Yu you have a child?"
Zhu Yu gave a bitter smile, one that could break hearts.
"I once did He was a prince of Star Luo, and my only flesh and blood. Unfortunately, fate was unkind…"
She paused, seemingly unwilling to dwell on the painful past, and continued,
"So now, I am both a daughter of the Zhu family and the Empress of His Majesty and also the mother of Mubai and Davis though not their biological mother."
Her tone carried a trace of complexity, clearly indicating that her relationship with Dai Mubai and Dai Davis was rather subtle.
A storm surged within Lin Xia's heart!
Zhu Yu!
She was not merely a core member of the Zhu family!
She was the younger sister of Zhu Zhan, the current head of the Zhu family!
She was the Empress of the current Emperor of the Star Luo Empire!
She was the nominal mother of the First Prince Dai Davis and the Third Prince Dai Mubai!
She had once been the biological mother of a prince who died young!
The nobility and complexity of her identity far exceeded his previous expectations!
No wonder she could represent the Empire in inviting Lou Gao. No wonder she could directly promise compensation on behalf of the Empire!
She herself stood at the very pinnacle of the Empire's power structure!
The aunt of Zhu Zhuqing and Zhu Zhuyun!
The "mother" of Dai Mubai and Dai Davis!
This entire web of relationships instantly became clear in Lin Xia's mind.
What alarmed Lin Xia even more was that the way Zhu Yu looked at him became increasingly unusual as the journey progressed.
The gentleness and concern in her gaze had already gone beyond an elder's admiration for a talented junior. Mixed within it was a deep, compensatory affection almost like a mother gazing at a child she had once lost and somehow regained, filled with attachment and tenderness.
Lin Xia realized that he had overdone it while building goodwill!
The closeness and excellence he had deliberately displayed had precisely struck the enormous void and regret left deep within Zhu Yu's heart after losing her child.
On the tenth day, as the morning sun cast golden light across a vast and boundless plain far more prosperous than Gengxin City the silhouette of Star Luo City, like an ancient beast lying across the horizon, finally came clearly into view.
The towering city walls, hundreds of meters high and built from massive blocks of black basalt, exuded an aura of iron-blooded authority and majesty.
Banners fluttered atop the walls, and imperial guards in full armor stood like statues.
Within the city, countless grand and magnificent buildings stood in dense rows. Broad streets crisscrossed in all directions, filled with bustling traffic and endless noise. The air itself seemed to carry a unique aura woven from power, wealth, and formidable soul power.
In the distance, a vast palace complex of dazzling gold and jade shone brilliantly in the morning light, that was the core of power in the Star Luo Empire: the imperial palace!
Zhu Yu did not take Lin Xia and Larvitar directly to the palace. Instead, they stopped upon reaching the outer city area.
"The palace has strict rules. You are an external youth bearing an important responsibility, it would be inconvenient for you to stay within the inner palace rashly."
Zhu Yu explained in a gentle tone.
"I have already made arrangements. You will stay at the Zhu family residence for now. It is not far from the palace and will also make it convenient for you to access the Ministry of Works' secret vault to study the Star Glory Crown."
Lin Xia had no objections to this arrangement.
The Zhu family residence was located in one of the most central areas of Star Luo City's inner district, adjacent to the imperial palace grounds. Its vast size and prominent status were self-evident.
When Lin Xia stood before the grand gates of this residence, even he who was accustomed to the rugged grandeur of the Blacksmith Association in Gengxin City could not help but feel inwardly astonished.
The first thing that caught his eye was a pair of enormous gates, over fifteen meters tall, forged entirely from an unknown dark-purple metal!
Instead of the usual beast-head ring knockers, the doors were adorned with exquisitely crafted relief carvings of a massive Netherworld Hellcat, so lifelike it seemed ready to pounce at any moment!
The Hellcat was pitch black, its form sleek and powerful. Its eyes were set with two deep black gemstones, like the night sky itself, silently observing all who approached and radiating a mysterious and overwhelming pressure.
An ancient, profound, restrained, yet immensely powerful aura belonging to a martial soul clan rushed forward.
On either side of the gates stood two enormous guardian beasts made of the same material. Rather than the usual lions or qilin, they were two black panthers, their gazes sharp and bodies poised to strike, echoing the Netherworld Hellcat motif on the gates and adding an even greater sense of solemn authority.
Vermilion walls extended endlessly to both sides, covered with intricate glazed tiles that shimmered softly under the sunlight.
Above the walls, the crowns of towering ancient trees could be faintly seen stretching outward, their lush greenery adding a touch of vitality to the otherwise imposing residence.
Zhu Yu did not enter through the main gate. Instead, she led Lin Xia toward a slightly smaller yet still spacious side entrance.
Several guards dressed in uniform dark-green attire, their auras steady and disciplined, were already standing in wait.
Upon seeing Zhu Yu, all of them immediately dropped to one knee in perfect unison, their voices filled with utmost respect.
"Welcome back to the residence, Your Majesty the Empress!"
Zhu Yu nodded slightly.
"You may rise. This is Young Friend Lin Xia, the direct disciple of Master Lou Gao and also an honored guest of this palace. He will be staying here for a period of time. Attend to him well, there must be no negligence."
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