Lou Gao repeated the word "good" three times, his voice trembling slightly with excitement.
He slapped his thigh hard, the wrinkles on his face smoothing out as his expression grew animated.
Without the slightest hesitation, he carefully took out two pieces of ore from an inconspicuous leather pouch tied around his waist.
The moment the two ores appeared, they instantly drew everyone's attention.
They were only fist-sized, yet each emitted a soft, noble golden glow, as if liquid sunlight flowed within them. Their surfaces were dotted with naturally formed, star-like silver speckles that shimmered dreamily in the reflection of the furnace flames.
A rich and pure metallic aura spread outward, making the surrounding air feel several degrees heavier.
Lin Xia's gaze locked firmly onto the two pieces of ore in Lou Gao's hand.
The instant that aura entered his nostrils, his stomach spasmed violently. A hunger surged forth from the very origin of his life—so intense it nearly burned away his reason.
This was no ordinary temptation.
It was at least a hundred times stronger than the craving of a traveler who hadn't eaten in three days suddenly smelling roasted meat.
At the same time, deep within his Spirit Space, the craving transmitted by Larvitar surged like a tangible tide. Urgent "you ji, you ji" cries echoed, and the phantom image of those ruby-red eyes flickered restlessly in Lin Xia's mind.
It wanted to come out.
It wanted to eat!
After sensing Larvitar's intense desire, Lin Xia fell silent for a moment. He glanced at Lou Gao's flushed face, noting the undisguised fanaticism and appreciation in his expression. Recalling how the old man had exclaimed "good" three times in succession, Lin Xia knew—
Joining the Blacksmith Association was practically a foregone conclusion.
With Lou Gao and the association as temporary backing, there was no longer any need to hide.
After all, he would have to face this sooner or later. He couldn't keep Larvitar concealed forever.
"Come out, Larvitar."
Lin Xia took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the churning desire, and gave the command softly.
A stream of gray-green light shot out from between Lin Xia's brows, landing on the ground and transforming into the small dinosaur-like creature.
Rocky gray-green plating, a pair of blunt horns atop its head, and glowing red eyes.
The moment Larvitar stabilized, its small nose twitched violently. Its ruby-like eyes locked onto the ore in Lou Gao's hand. Its short claws waved excitedly as it let out rapid, joyful cries.
"You ji! You ji!"
"A Spirit Beast?!"
"Where did that monster come from?!"
"Protect the President!"
Larvitar's sudden appearance and strange form instantly shattered the silence in the hall.
Gasps and alarmed shouts erupted!
Several burly blacksmiths nearby reacted on instinct. Veins bulged along their thick arms as they grabbed heavy hammers and iron tongs. Spirit power flared, the weapons whistling through the air as they prepared to strike!
The atmosphere froze solid, killing intent spreading instantly!
"STOP!!!"
Lou Gao's voice thundered out like a lightning strike, carrying unquestionable authority.
He didn't move, but the imposing aura accumulated from years of forging metal suddenly erupted. His blade-sharp gaze swept over the impulsive blacksmiths.
"Why are you panicking?! Look carefully! This is not a Spirit Beast!"
His tone was decisive and absolute.
"This is an externalized beast spirit—a living spirit!"
Lou Gao had lived many years, devoted entirely to metal and forging. Though he had never personally seen an externalized beast spirit in this form, such phenomena were recorded in spirit theory texts and continental records.
The aura emanating from this little creature was identical to Lin Xia's spirit power origin. There was none of the savage ferocity unique to true spirit beasts!
Lou Gao's reprimand was like a bucket of cold water.
The blacksmiths froze in place, staring at Larvitar with faces full of shock and uncertainty.
The hall fell completely silent once more, save for the roar of the furnaces and Larvitar's excited "you ji" cries.
Countless gazes focused on the strange little dinosaur, filled with disbelief, confusion, and astonishment.
A spirit?
A spirit that could leave its master's body, possess independent awareness, and appear so lifelike?
This completely overturned everything they thought they knew about spirits.
Yet when they remembered that Lin Xia himself could chew raw ore—
Somehow, it no longer felt impossible.
Even Lou Gao was seeing an externalized beast spirit like this for the first time.
His gaze swept over Larvitar—from the blunt horns on its head, to the diamond-shaped red scales on its abdomen, and finally to its short tail wagging excitedly back and forth. His eyes were filled with pure curiosity.
But he only spared it a few quick glances.
There were far more important matters at hand.
Retracting his gaze, Lou Gao handed the two pieces of ore directly to Lin Xia without hesitation.
"Little friend," he said fervently, "taste these two pieces of ore. Then tell me their functions—and their strengths and weaknesses!"
He paused, eyes burning with scrutiny.
"Don't be fooled by appearances. Their luster, speckles, and even weight are exactly the same. Even the most experienced veteran blacksmiths and miners would struggle to tell them apart…"
"Yet their internal effects are worlds apart!"
"One of them is a rare Companion Ore!"
Lin Xia reached out and accepted the two heavy pieces of ore, both radiating irresistibly tempting energy fluctuations.
The moment they touched his hands, Larvitar immediately pounced at his feet. Its short claws clutched tightly at Lin Xia's pant leg as it lifted its head, eyes shimmering with moisture.
It stared up at him pitifully, mouth pouting as it let out an elongated, pitiful whine.
"You you~ji~~~~"
That expression—like someone had stolen its most beloved treasure—was enough to soften anyone's heart.
Lin Xia looked down at the little fellow clinging to him and sighed helplessly, though the corners of his mouth lifted unconsciously.
"Alright, alright."
He rubbed Larvitar's blunt horns and softened his voice.
"Don't rush. I'll save some for you later."
With that, Lin Xia took a deep breath and forcibly calmed the desire raging within him.
He picked up the ore in his right hand first—and without the slightest hesitation, opened his mouth and bit down!
CRUNCH—!!!
The sharp, bone-jarring sound echoed once more through the silent hall!
Everyone's hearts jumped violently at the sound.
Lou Gao was completely stunned.
Even when infused with spirit power, this type of ore would require three full days and nights of continuous forging in raging flames just to soften enough to work with!
Yet Lin Xia had crushed it with a single bite!
Before Lou Gao could even process that thought, Lin Xia picked up the ore in his left hand and took another massive bite!
Crack! Crunch! Snap—!
He stuffed the fragments from both ores into his mouth at once, cheeks bulging as he chewed forcefully.
Dense cracking sounds rang out from within his mouth, like beans being stir-fried in a pan. Each grinding sound made the onlookers' scalps tingle and their stomachs twist.
But the instant Lin Xia began chewing—
His expression changed dramatically.