Join my Patreon to be 30 chapters ahead of the webnovel releases:
patreon.com/ZeroMoney
*****
"Father, Master Lou Gao has personally promised to forge firearms for the Star Luo Empire. Please, Father, agree to raise the status and benefits of the blacksmiths!"
"Hmm..." Dai Pojun nodded thoughtfully. "You're right. The blacksmiths have created such powerful weapons, so their treatment should be improved. Here's what I'll do: in a few days, I'll personally travel to Gengxin City and announce my decision to the blacksmiths of the Blacksmith Association.
At the same time, I will recruit blacksmiths from all over the continent to create grenades for the imperial army of the Star Luo Empire. With such formidable weapons, I'm eager to see how the Spirit Hall will continue to dominate on our empire's territory!"
By the end of his speech, Dai Pojun's whole demeanor radiated a powerful aura of authority, with the majesty of an emperor on full display.
"That sounds ideal."
Dai Weisi smiled. With enough firearms, the overall strength of the Star Luo Empire would certainly rise to a whole new level.
After bidding farewell to his parents, Dai Weisi went to the Zhu family residence to check on Zhu Zhuyun and Zhu Zhuqing. After exchanging greetings with the two women, he returned to his own residence.
Now that he had taken control of the Blacksmith Association, it was time for him to resume his intensive training. While firearms were terrifyingly powerful, they were ultimately external forces. Only by strengthening his own abilities would he have the true foundation for his confidence.
"I need to focus and get my soul power to level 50," he resolved, entering a meditative state to silently improve his soul power.
A week later, Star Luo Emperor Dai Pojun, accompanied by his wife, Empress Zhu Yaqin, personally traveled to Gengxin City to meet Master Lou Gao.
This gesture left Master Lou Gao both honored and astonished. He never imagined that the emperor of an entire nation would travel so far just to meet him.
Not only he, but all the members of the Blacksmith Association also felt extremely proud.
At the entrance of the Blacksmith Association, Dai Pojun officially made a public announcement:
"From this moment on, the Blacksmith Association will officially be renamed—The Star Luo Royal Blacksmith Association!"
"Anyone whose forging skills reach the level of 'Blacksmith' will be granted the title of 'Junior Blacksmith' by the Star Luo Empire, along with a royal medal."
"Those who achieve the skill level of 'Blacksmith Master' will be given the title of 'Intermediate Blacksmith,' and so on."
"And those who reach the legendary level of 'Divine Blacksmith' will be awarded the title of 'Divine Blacksmith!'"
"Furthermore, from now on, blacksmiths in the Star Luo Empire will enjoy the same status and benefits as soul masters, with Divine Blacksmiths holding a rank just below the emperor."
"They will be responsible for creating all sorts of weapons for the Star Luo Empire."
In addition, Dai Pojun announced that the empire would encourage commoners from across the continent to become blacksmiths and learn the craft.
Anyone who passed the Blacksmith Association's examination would be able to join the association, further honing their skills to become esteemed blacksmiths!
The announcement sent shockwaves throughout the continent!
Many commoners picked up hammers and began learning the art of forging from nearby blacksmiths. Especially for those who had awakened the Hammer Spirit but lacked soul power, becoming a blacksmith was an ideal path.
Some had been downhearted and dispirited after failing to become soul masters, but this announcement gave them a golden opportunity—one that could change the course of their lives!
Becoming a Divine Blacksmith was far easier than becoming a Titled Douluo.
As more and more people flocked to their village blacksmiths to learn the trade, the status of blacksmiths naturally began to rise. To become a noble blacksmith, these artisans even began to teach one another, improving together.
In essence, Dai Pojun's royal decree fundamentally transformed the position of blacksmiths. In just six months, the profession had surged in popularity.
In a mere half-year, blacksmiths had become the second most popular profession on the continent, just behind soul masters.
Even in terms of sheer numbers, blacksmiths now outnumber soul masters by far. After all, the number of soul masters has never exceeded six digits, whereas the number of blacksmiths on the continent has already surpassed seven digits.
Many blacksmiths who had reached the "Blacksmith Master" level passed the Blacksmith Association's examinations and were awarded the title of Junior Blacksmith along with a royal medal.
In just six months, the Star Luo Empire had produced 1,000 Junior Blacksmiths, 100 Intermediate Blacksmiths, and 30 Senior Blacksmiths.
As for Divine Blacksmiths, there was currently only one—Lou Gao.
All blacksmiths who received titles were taken by Lou Gao and brought to the Forging Divine Mountain Range, located southwest of Gengxin City, where they worked alongside Dai Weisi to develop even more powerful firearms.
At present, only Dai Weisi, Emperor Dai Pojun, Empress Zhu Yaqin, and a select group of blacksmiths knew about the firearms. Given their immense power, Dai Weisi had to take precautions.
Even the entrance to the Forging Divine Mountain Range had been heavily guarded by Dai Pojun's elite forces.
In the wild mountains and wastelands surrounding the area, a 10,000-strong cavalry force lay in wait. If any suspicious individuals were to approach, they had the authority to take immediate action.
Apart from Titled Douluo skilled in agility, no one would be able to infiltrate the secret base where the firearms were being developed.
Thus, the Star Luo Empire's weapon factories were steadily moving forward. In just six months, the number of grenades produced exceeded 50,000, and more powerful land mines had been developed. Production was still expanding.
Spirit Hall City.
This place was magnificent and dazzling, its brilliance shining even at night.
Home to more than a dozen Titled Douluo, it was the holy land of all soul masters and the strongest force on the continent, without a doubt.
Among the buildings in Spirit Hall City, the most eye-catching was the Pope's Palace. Towering into the clouds and made entirely of gold, the palace featured a majestic statue of an angel outside. It was said to represent the legendary Angel God.
Soul masters would always pay homage to it.
Inside the Pope's Palace, Bibi Dong sat upon her throne, gazing down at the two figures—Ghost Douluo and Chrysanthemum Douluo—whose brows were furrowed with concern.
As the Pope of Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong had a flawless, porcelain-like face. Her bright, shining eyes resembled two sparkling amethysts. Her sensuous crimson lips made every man long to kiss them.
She wore a purple gown that accentuated her alluring figure, and her long, snowy white legs were enough to make anyone drool. Elegant, dignified, and coldly beautiful... every word used to describe her seemed perfect.
The two standing below her were no ordinary individuals. One was dressed in splendid golden armor, indicating his high rank.
With his long golden hair flowing behind him, he had a face more delicate than any woman's. This was one of the two Titled Douluo, Chrysanthemum Douluo, Yue Guan.
Next to Yue Guan stood a figure in black—Ghost Douluo, Gui Mei. Compared to the noble Yue Guan, Gui Mei appeared far more understated. Dressed in black soft armor, his grim expression made him look like a demon straight out of hell.
"Both of you, Elder Douluo, what do you think the Star Luo Emperor is up to?" Bibi Dong murmured, her eyes narrowed. "While other forces are recruiting powerful soul masters, this Emperor doesn't bother with soul masters. Instead, he's attracting blacksmiths. What exactly is he trying to do?"
(End of Chapter)