This could no longer be described as mere talent—it was nothing short of a miracle that completely overturned everyone's understanding of ores.
Thinking back to how Lin Xia had casually bitten into metal earlier, they suddenly felt… maybe it wasn't so impossible to comprehend after all.
After all, he had just bitten straight through star essence gold, the treasure President Lou Gao cherished above all else.
Lou Gao glanced at his subordinates, all of whom stood frozen like statues, and the fanatical smile on his face only grew wider. His burning gaze returned to Lin Xia, as if he were admiring an unparalleled piece of uncut jade.
Feeling that gaze upon him, Lin Xia took a deep breath. He forcefully suppressed the faint restlessness caused by his recent spirit power increase and steadied himself. His eyes were clear, his tone sincere and composed.
"President… may I officially join the Blacksmith Association now?"
To everyone's astonishment—including Lin Xia's—Lou Gao shook his head without the slightest hesitation.
The great hall fell into silence once more.
Refused?
Didn't the Divine Craftsman clearly admire him just moments ago?
Lin Xia's heart sank slightly.
But then Lou Gao spoke again, and his words sent shockwaves through the hall.
"Little fellow—tell me your name."
His voice was grave, his sharp eyes filled with a seriousness and expectation never seen before.
"Lin Xia."
The answer was short and clear.
Lou Gao nodded, leaning forward slightly. Staring straight into Lin Xia's calm yet stubborn eyes, he asked with utmost solemnity:
"Lin Xia… are you willing to become my disciple?"
Boom!
The question struck like a thunderbolt.
A disciple?!
Lou Gao—one of the three Divine Craftsmen of the era and President of the Blacksmith Association—was personally asking this unknown youth to become his disciple?!
The surrounding blacksmiths were utterly stunned, their minds blank.
To be personally accepted by a Divine Craftsman was an opportunity countless Blacksmith Spirit Masters dreamed of their entire lives—yet never attained.
Lou Gao's mastery over ore resources and forging techniques was precisely the reason Lin Xia had traveled thousands of miles to Gengjin City.
Joining the association was only a means to an end. What he truly sought was knowledge and resources.
And becoming Lou Gao's disciple?
It meant a guaranteed supply of rare ores.
It meant access to the very pinnacle of forging knowledge.
It meant that every risk he had taken—and the cost of revealing his abilities—had paid off beyond his wildest expectations.
There was no hesitation.
No false modesty.
The moment Lou Gao finished speaking, Lin Xia reacted instantly.
He drew in a deep breath, suppressed the storm of emotions in his chest, and his eyes became resolute and respectful.
Taking a step back, he straightened his posture. Facing the white-haired, soot-covered Divine Craftsman whose eyes burned like furnace flames, Lin Xia clasped his hands and bowed deeply in a perfectly executed, solemn disciple-acceptance salute.
"Disciple Lin Xia—"
His youthful voice rang out clearly, carrying unmistakable firmness as it echoed through the silent hall, overpowering even the roar of the furnaces.
"—greets Master!"
His movements were crisp and decisive, just as unhesitating as when he had bitten into the ore.
That bow contained every ounce of his sincerity.
For a moment, the only sounds in the Blacksmith Association were the crackling furnaces—and that single, resounding declaration.
Lou Gao stared at the bowed youth. On his weathered face, etched by time and fire, a smile finally bloomed—brighter and hotter than molten metal.
"Good! Good! Good!"
"From this day onward, you are my fifth disciple—Lou Gao's!"
Without waiting for anyone to react, Lou Gao seized Lin Xia's wrist. His broad, calloused hand held astonishing strength as he pulled Lin Xia toward the staircase leading to his private workshop on the top floor.
"Come! Come upstairs with your master—we have much to discuss!"
His booming voice carried unrestrained excitement.
But just as he turned—
A gray-green figure suddenly darted between them.
"Lar—lar! Lari—lar!"
Larvitar stomped the ground anxiously, its short claws pointing furiously at the remaining piece of star essence gold in Lou Gao's arms—then at its own mouth. Its crimson eyes brimmed with grievance and accusation.
You promised to leave some for me!
Lin Xia reacted immediately. He gently tugged at Lou Gao's arm, lowering his voice with clear embarrassment.
"Master—wait. My Martial Soul, Larvitar… it's like me. It can grow stronger by eating ore. It's been eyeing those two pieces for a long time. Could you… let it try just a little? Just one bite."
Lou Gao froze.
It was as if time itself had stopped.
He slowly turned around, his short, sturdy frame stiff. The excitement in his eyes vanished, replaced by shock more intense than when he had witnessed Lin Xia bite through star essence gold.
A Martial Soul… that eats ore?
And grows stronger by doing so?!
The idea slammed into his worldview like a warhammer.
Lou Gao had lived for decades, seen countless strange Martial Souls and cultivation methods—but a Martial Soul that actively devoured metal?
This was completely unheard of.
His piercing gaze locked onto the restless little Larvitar. The Pokémon met his stare without fear, eyes clear and eager, utterly lacking the savagery of a spirit beast. Its aura of spirit power perfectly matched Lin Xia's.
But it could eat?
Shock surged through Lou Gao like lightning.
Yet he was, after all, a Divine Craftsman.
The astonishment flashed across his face for only an instant before being forcibly suppressed. The next moment, his composure returned, calm and steady.
"No matter."
His voice was even, unruffled. He nodded, and a faintly inquisitive smile returned.
"That was my oversight. I forgot about this little fellow. Come—let's talk upstairs."
This time, he didn't pull Lin Xia along. Instead, he gestured for him to bring Larvitar and turned toward the stairs, his steps noticeably quicker than before.
---
On the top floor, the heavy doors to Lou Gao's private forging room shut tight, cutting off the distant clang of hammers below.
The room was simple and rugged. Strange tools and rare mineral samples hung on the walls, and the air carried the distinct scent of metal, fire, and oil.
Lou Gao wasted no time.
He strode to a massive anvil and took out a plain, dark-silver ring from his robes. Its surface was engraved with fine hammer-patterns, faint spirit power flowing through the metal.
"Xiao Xia, take this."
He placed the ring directly into Lin Xia's still-dazed hand, his tone leaving no room for refusal.
"This is a storage soul tool I obtained years ago. The space inside is decent. I've stored some fairly good mineral specimens in it, along with a bit of gold. Consider it your welcome gift."
He paused, then added calmly:
"Use it for studying ores—or when you're hungry."