Time seemed to freeze.
Lou Gao turned around and looked at his disciples. They had also gone through five years of change, and their temperaments had become more steady and capable. Yet at this moment, their eyes were filled with overwhelming joy, shock, disbelief, and deep admiration and longing for their master.
The next second, an enormous surprise erupted like a volcano!
"Master!!!"
"It really is Master! Master has returned!!!"
"Master, you, how did you become..."
"Master! Master, you have finally returned!"
There was no hesitation, no delay!
Si Long and the other three rushed over like arrows released from a bowstring. They no longer cared about maintaining their composure and charged forward without holding anything back!
Si Yu was the first to reach Lou Gao. Tears instantly welled up in her eyes as she tightly hugged Lou Gao's sturdy leg, which looked as if it had been forged from steel.
"Master! Wuwuwu where did you go?! We missed you so much!!"
Si Yu cried like a child.
Si Long, Si Di, and Si Kai quickly surrounded him as well. They looked at Lou Gao's youthful face with excitement, wanting to reach out and touch him but hesitating, their eyes filled with tears of joy.
Si Long wiped his face and forced himself to hold back his emotions, his voice hoarse.
"Master as long as you returned safely that's all that matters! That's wonderful! Truly wonderful!"
Lou Gao looked down at the disciple who was hugging his leg and crying, then looked at his other disciples who were too emotional to contain themselves. He could feel the master-disciple bond that had remained burning hot even after five years apart.
The immense shock he had accumulated along the way from witnessing this steel miracle city was now wrapped up and melted away by this deep warmth of human connection.
A faint glimmer of tears appeared in his molten-gold eyes. His originally hardened features completely softened at this moment.
He stretched out his enormous palm and first rubbed Si Yu's hair vigorously. Then, one after another, he heavily patted Si Long, Si Di, and Si Kai on their shoulders. Each pat carried the joy of reunion and countless emotions that were difficult to express.
This time, he did not restrain his strength. His pats made Si Long and the others grimace in pain, yet every one of them wore the brightest smiles on their faces.
"Hahaha! Why are you crying?! Isn't this old man standing right here perfectly fine?!"
Lou Gao's hearty laughter echoed through the garden, causing the leaves on the surrounding trees to rustle.
"Stop standing there like fools!"
Lou Gao boldly waved his hand and pointed toward the new courtyard prepared for him.
"Come on! Let's go to my new home! Tell me everything you little brats have done over these five years, step by step, in complete detail! Especially you, brat!"
He pointed toward Lin Xia, his eyes shining with a complicated light filled with both challenge and anticipation.
He looked at the disciples surrounding him, looked at this home built upon miracles, and then looked down at the dazzling sea of lights below that Lin Xia had created with his own hands.
A thought appeared in his mind with absolute clarity.
The new era belonging to blacksmiths, belonging to Gengxin City, and belonging to all of them had already begun its opening with a brilliance he had never imagined possible.
"Come on! Inside! Bring out the best wine! Tonight, we drink until we drop! Tell me properly about these earth-shaking five years!"
He paused for a moment, then deliberately glared at Lin Xia, his tone carrying a hint of "threat."
"You little brat, don't even think about fooling me! Starting from how you tricked the Spirit Hall into cooperating, tell me every single step clearly!"
Lin Xia smiled, his eyes bright and calm.
"Since Master has commanded it, this disciple will naturally tell you everything without hiding a single thing."
The enormous Soul Tool crystal lamps poured down soft and bright light, illuminating the faces of everyone seated around the specially crafted alloy round table.
The table was covered with empty plates and cups. Large pieces of grilled Soul Beast ribs had been reduced to bones, while the rich aroma of the secret sauce still lingered in the air.
Several jars of amber-colored wheat wine, said to have been treasured by Si Long and specially supplied by the Star Luo Imperial Family, were already completely empty.
There were also various new-style pastries and side dishes from Gengxin City scattered across the table.
Tyranitar had shrunk his body size and curled up like a gentle little mountain in the corner of the living room on a soft cushion. He happily snored, occasionally smacking his lips as if he was still savoring the taste of grilled meat in his dreams.
Lou Gao leaned back against the thick alloy chair. His face was flushed with a healthy redness from the wine and happiness, while his molten-gold eyes swept across every disciple beside him.
There was the steady and capable Si Long, the scholarly Si Di who still carried traces of his bookish temperament, the increasingly composed Si Kai, the lively yet clever Si Yu, and Zhu Zhuqing, who quietly sat beside Lin Xia with her usually cold expression softened.
Finally, his gaze stopped on Lin Xia sitting at the main seat.
The young City Lord wore a relaxed smile on his face. His deep eyes were like a peaceful sea of stars, completely lacking the sharpness he displayed during the day when he controlled an entire city and negotiated with the greatest powers on the continent.
"Good! Good!"
Lou Gao slapped his thigh, his voice booming like a great bell, causing the empty wine cups on the table to tremble and hum.
"This welcoming banquet was satisfying! The conversation was satisfying too! I finally have a rough understanding of just how huge a scene you little brats have created during these five years!"
Earlier, Lin Xia had indeed only mentioned the most important parts: the beginning of the cooperation with the Spirit Hall, the alliance with the Star Luo Empire, the initial negotiations with the Heaven Dou Empire, the expansion of the association's network, the concept behind the city's transformation, and the prosperity brought by the civilian application of Soul Tool technology.
As for the deeper plans, the specific details of the agreements, and those thrilling battles fought beneath the surface, he had casually glossed over them.
At this moment, the atmosphere was one of a warm reunion, an exchange of affection between master and disciples, brothers, and a period of adjustment for Lou Gao as he reintegrated into this completely new world.
"Yes, Master."
Si Long sighed emotionally as he picked up his teacup and took a sip.
"Little Junior Brother has been carrying too much responsibility. In these five years, I almost never saw him truly rest for even a single day."
Si Di also nodded in agreement.
"The association was able to develop to this point, and the reason Gengxin City has reached its current state, Little Junior Brother deserves the greatest credit."
Si Yu was even more straightforward. She smiled mischievously and said:
"Exactly! Master, now that you're back, you have to properly 'manage' Little Junior Brother and let him take a breather! He's either in the laboratory or in the meeting room every day. He's almost turned into a Soul Tool himself!"
Although Zhu Zhuqing did not speak, her cold eyes quietly rested on Lin Xia, carrying a hint of barely noticeable concern and approval.
Listening to his senior brothers' "complaints," Lin Xia smiled. He picked up a cup of slightly cooled tea, his gaze slowly sweeping across everyone's faces.
The relaxed and lively atmosphere in the living room seemed to settle slightly because of his small movement.
He remained silent for a moment, his fingers unconsciously tapping twice on the smooth, jade-like Soul Tool stone table, producing two crisp "knock, knock" sounds.
The sound seemed to serve as a signal. Lou Gao, Si Long, and the others all subconsciously looked toward him, waiting for what he would say next.
Lin Xia raised his head, his eyes clear and calm. His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears.
"Master, Senior Brothers."
He paused for a moment, seemingly organizing his words, before speaking clearly.
"With Master and my Senior Brothers here, I naturally have no worries about the affairs of the association and Gengxin City. However Zhuqing and I are planning to go out and undergo some experience training for a period of time."
"Experience training?"
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