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--- Chapter 505 ---
A few months passed in the blink of an eye.
Han Yuan maintained his daily routine, balancing spirit power cultivation with learning and mastering multiple secondary professions.
Yes, under the umbrella of a Spirit Guidance Engineer, he didn't stop at Blacksmithing, but he also dove headfirst into Designing, Making, and Repairing.
Xu Deming had repeatedly cursed whoever had foolishly broken the true discipline of Spirit Guidance Engineering into three separate professions merely to accommodate mediocrity. In his eyes, this era's technological progress was regressing.
That was precisely why Xu Deming took it upon himself to guide Han Yuan in these fields. Though rather than traditional teaching, their interactions were more like an exchange of high-level concepts.
After all, with the vast, hyper-dense knowledge and conjecture on Spirit Guidance technology provided by Alpha, Han Yuan could effortlessly wear a badge of Rank 9, or even Rank 10, Spirit Guidance Engineer, depending on the manufacturing complexity.
Exchanging theories with Xu Deming also allowed Han Yuan to improve at a staggering pace. He had already forged several Rank 9 Spirit Guidance Devices purely for personal defense.
Together, Han Yuan and Xu Deming also completed the core components needed to broadcast the Douluo Network Domain Realm across the entire planet.
Xu Deming had even successfully launched numerous Class-12 satellites into deep space to support the second phase of their plan.
A few of which got intercepted by a stray Divine Force, courtesy of Tang Hao's annoying interruption, but the former Clear Sky Douluo was just a rigid brute from twenty thousand years ago. His way of thinking stayed rooted in ancient traditions, much like his son.
Calling him an ancient boomer wasn't an exaggeration.
That exact rigidity allowed Xu Deming and Han Yuan to quietly establish an operational relay base on the dark side of the moon.
Slowly but surely, Xu Deming also embedded Gnosia's digital signature into the more general Spirit Guidance infrastructure across Douluo Star, allowing him to gather global intelligence instantaneously.
He continually stoked controversy around Shrek Academy, keeping the arrogant institution far too bogged down in public scandals and political pressure to meddle in their affairs.
This calculated distraction allowed Xu Deming to scout key prospects that could change the future of the world, the same bright seeds that Spirit Pagoda Master Qiangu Dongfeng was gathering for the upcoming Youth Genius Training Camp.
Qiangu Dongfeng remained oblivious to the fact that his world-breaking, wisdom-making decisions were subtly steered by Xu Deming. Yet, had the Pagoda Master known, he would have been thrilled to see Shrek's golden age coming to its final halt.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Inside the forge, Han Yuan struck a glowing piece of metal with measured strength and precision. Beside him, an older, blonde-haired girl watched every movement with wide, enthusiastic eyes.
She was Mu Xi. daughter of Saint Craftsman Mu Chen and the niece of Divine Craftsman Zhen Hua. She had arrived in Heaven Dou City two weeks ago for a vacation.
The moment Mu Xi met Han Yuan, she had taken an immediate liking to him. Over the past fourteen days, her fondness and interest had only deepened.
Not only was he an absurdly gifted young Blacksmith, but he also looked like the adorable, capable younger brother she had always wished for.
Naturally, this rapid affinity was also indirectly influenced by Han Yuan's innate connection to the stars. Mu Xi's Martial Soul was the Shining Sun, a celestial spirit possessing a potent, conceptual fire element.
To Mu Xi, being around Han Yuan didn't just feel comfy. His presence felt like home, a haven that her sun spirit naturally wanted to remain in for eternity.
It was why she kept hovering close to him, subtly trying to coax him into calling her "Older Sister" over the past two weeks.
"Xiao Yuan... Xiao Yuan, why did you fold Gold-Copper into the Platinum Star Ore?" She asked, leaning in with bright, curious eyes.
Han Yuan glanced at her before returning his hammer to the anvil. "Gold-Copper possesses extreme structural plasticity. It stabilizes the volatile core of Platinum Star Ore during high-temperature forging."
"Synthesizing them properly creates an alloy at least three times stronger than standard refined star iron."
"I see... I see!" Mu Xi nodded rapidly, scribbling notes in a small leather notebook.
Envy never crossed Mu Xi's young mind. Han Yuan was just too talented, too adorable, and his calm presence put her heart at total ease. All she felt toward the younger boy was pure, unadulterated admiration, and a deep desire to stay by his side.
After a detailed Q&A session, Han Yuan concluded his forging session. He picked up the newly Spirit-Forged alloy from the anvil, inspecting it under the light. "Acceptable, I guess."
"This is... only acceptable?!" Mu Xi blinked her eyes in awe.
High-purity Spirit-Forged Metal like this would be fiercely sought after in any high-end market. Her father forged these regularly, and the revenue alone was enough to fund her allowance for years.
Han Yuan nodded casually. "Mhm, this batch is decent... I can use it as a building block or something."
"..."
Mu Xi clutched her chest, letting out an exaggerated sigh. "Uugh, are you making fun of Sister Mu just because I haven't mastered Thousand Refinements yet, Xiao Yuan?!"
"Of course not. Sister Mu is very talented, and I'm sure you'll become a Rank 3 Blacksmith very soon," Han Yuan chuckled softly. "Though... rather than focusing purely on forging, aren't you going to prioritize cultivating your Spirit Power?"
"Sister, you're ten this year, only two years away from the close of the first golden age for spirit masters. It'd be a waste to fall behind."
Mu Xi lightly tapped Han Yuan's shoulder in annoyance, though the hit carried so little force he barely felt it. "Hmph! Now you're bullying your Older Sister into quitting forging!"
"If you weren't so cute, so skilled, and so entirely to my liking, I would definitely bully you right now!"
"I don't think you could bully me even if you tried, though..." Han Yuan mumbled under his breath. "You're only level 21 right now..."
"I know that! Don't say it to my face! Damn it, you're so aggravating that I just need to hug you! This is the compensation!" Mu Xi wrapped her arms around his shoulder, rubbing her cheek against his face playfully.
"Let me tell you, Xiao Yuan... you really need to learn how to read a girl's feelings. Otherwise, you'll end up single for life!"
Han Yuan gave her a speechless look before shaking his head. "I don't need a random girl... Isn't it fine to have you around, Sister Mu Xi?"
"W-What?! What are you saying?!" Mu Xi froze, unable to believe her ears. A flush of pink spread across her cheeks as she gave him a shy, startled look.
"I said... even if I don't look for anyone else in the future, don't I still have you?" Han Yuan tilted his head innocently.
Mu Xi's heart jolted in a mixture of panic and expectation. She stammered for a moment before clearing her throat loudly. "Y-You're right... Sister Mu Xi will always be there for you!"
"Then let's make a pinky promise! You have to become a powerful figure in the future and support your sister for life!" She immediately struck while the iron was hot, locking him into a childish promise to satisfy her own hopeful heart.
Han Yuan smiled and intertwined his pinky finger with hers. "Okay!"
After making the promise, Han Yuan looked into her eyes, his expression turning surprisingly solemn. "I'm serious about your cultivation, Sister Mu Xi... Even though I can support you and Grandpas when I grow up, don't you want to grow stronger yourself?"
"Of course... I want to!" Mu Xi answered firmly, though her gaze dimmed slightly a moment later. "But my talent... isn't good enough."
"And I've loved forging for so long..."
"I really don't want to give it up here..."
Han Yuan offered her a gentle, reassuring smile. "Then... I will help you."
"R-Really?" Mu Xi looked up at him, her eyes shining with newfound hope.
"Of course!"
Han Yuan possessed a thousand ways to improve Mu Xi's potential and elevate her into a brilliant, rising sun.
Beyond their bond, this was also his calculated investment, securing a loyal and capable ally for his future team.
And with her Shining Sun spirit, Mu Xi fitted his core criteria perfectly.