The radiant light that rose three zhang into the air was aided by Gu You's martial soul.
The height of spirit awakening was related to the degree of alloy fusion, but also closely tied to the quality of the soul master's martial soul. Generally speaking, achieving even one foot of spirit light was already a great feat—yet Gu You had managed to produce eight feet. For a mere sixth-rank blacksmith, that was nothing short of miraculous.
The tricolored glow—black, blue, and violet-gold—lingered for more than twenty seconds before it slowly faded away.
An elliptical piece of metal now lay on the forging table. Its entire surface shimmered with a starry deep blue hue. Wisps of cloud-like patterns drifted within it, like mist circulating in a night sky. Its aura brimmed with vitality, and it exuded a silver-black glow, like the radiance of starlight on a moonless night.
"Fusion rate: ninety-six percent," Gu You announced as he picked up a nearby device to test the alloy.
Even so, he sighed. It was still a little too low. He had felt sure the fusion was perfect, but apparently it fell just short of a hundred percent.
If any outsiders could hear his thoughts at that moment, they would surely be furious. Ninety-six percent? That was already a level even many Divine Blacksmiths couldn't attain. And here Gu You was, acting dissatisfied.
With the primary alloy settled, it was time to model the battle armor itself. That meant crafting the entire framework and shaping the core design—especially the wings.
Normally, this job would fall to a mecha builder or a battle armor designer. But Gu You, perhaps simply used to doing things himself, took it in stride. For him, it wasn't a burden at all—just part of the process.
Half a month passed.
Bang!
The forge room's door was kicked open. Gu You looked visibly haggard, but there was excitement in his eyes.
He had finally completed it—a suit of battle armor that neared the level of three-word battle armor. Crafted from top-tier spirit-forged alloy, it was wholly his. In the future, upgrading it to a three-word suit would only require reforging it into soul-forged metal.
Now, all he had to do was embed the soul circuits, and it would be ready for use. His martial soul was already linked with the armor, a sign that their compatibility was more than sufficient.
"Finished? That fast?" Feng Wuyu's voice echoed from all directions.
"Of course it's finished."
Gu You held out his hand. His expression made it clear—he was waiting for something.
"Here!" A soul tool ring appeared mid-air, landing squarely in Gu You's palm.
"Now give me your battle armor that still needs the circuits. What do you want the main soul circuits to focus on?"
Gu You's soul power flickered as a beam of light surged from his hand, vanishing into the air.
Far away, Feng Wuyu received it clearly—Gu You's completed but unengraved battle armor had arrived.
"In one sentence: all attack. Every circuit should enhance my own soul formations. The alloy used for this armor is spirit-forged and fully bonded to me. Whoever you brought to engrave the circuits, make sure they don't stray too far. Otherwise, the armor might just return to me on its own," Gu You said confidently.
"I know, I know. Just looking at you makes me envious. You're already a sixth-rank blacksmith. You can pick up your official badge anytime you're free. Once the circuits are carved, someone will deliver the armor to you. Now head back to Shrek. There are people waiting for you—after all, it's been half a month."
Gu You waved farewell and turned to leave.
"Freak of nature," Feng Wuyu muttered. "Another self-created alloy, and he still won't tell me the formula. That kid… and the alloy's traits look insane. With Starfall Iron included? Absolutely god-tier."
Gu You strode down the city streets with the arrogant pace of someone who had just shaken the world. This forging session had taught him a great deal. He hadn't realized even the wings of two-word battle armor required flight formations unless the alloy had reached soul-forged grade. Only at that point did the metal become a true part of the user's life force, making formations unnecessary. Otherwise, they were still required—especially if the alloy didn't perfectly match the soul master's martial soul.
...
"You!" Tang Wulin exclaimed in shock at Gu You's sudden appearance.
"I've got your stuff ready." Gu You waved his hand, and four glowing herbs floated before Tang Wulin's eyes.
"What have you been doing these days?"
"That's none of your business," Gu You replied calmly.
Tang Wulin didn't press further. His gaze remained fixed on the four floating herbs. If it had been left to him, who knows how long it would've taken to gather them. But Gu You had done it so quickly, and with such ease.
Was this the difference between them?
Tang Wulin shook his head. These herbs were meant to unlock his seal, yes, but their medicinal properties would also nourish his body. He wouldn't lose out. While the Golden Dragon King's bloodline was immensely powerful, it was also a ticking time bomb. If he failed to break each seal on time, he would die. But with Gu You around, that threat seemed to vanish.
For now, he could still consider himself lucky. Gu You had forgiven him, and even agreed to help him find his parents. That was already the best outcome he could have hoped for.
As those thoughts swirled through his mind, Tang Wulin stood up and fetched a basin of clean water. He had already broken the third seal, so now he could proceed to the fourth.
The first herb to go in was the Thousand-Year Pine Ganoderma. It soaked in the water for ten minutes. Then, he added the Thousand-Year Qirong Tongtian Chrysanthemum.
As soon as the chrysanthemum entered the water, the liquid turned a faint golden hue. The golden color seemed to activate the Ganoderma, causing it to release a soft brown essence.
Next came the Thousand-Year Purple Cloud Wood. This one was intense—just as it touched the water, the surface rippled and darkened like ink. Within moments, the entire basin turned murky.
Tang Wulin watched as the liquid grew deeper and darker. Then he pulled out the final herb—a string of Thousand-Year Life Fruits.
He didn't place them in the water.
Instead, he popped them into his mouth one by one.
Each fruit was extremely sour, enough to make his teeth ache. But with each bite, waves of vital energy surged through his body. The juice bubbled in his mouth like a spring of life.
Once all six fruits were swallowed, a faint green light began to spread across his skin.
Finally, he lifted the basin and began drinking the dark liquid in massive gulps.
The taste... Gu You, watching silently, couldn't help but cringe.
The Life Fruit was sour. But this basin? It had all five flavors—sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, and salty. Tang Wulin furrowed his brow, forcing it down mouthful after mouthful.
Golden light began to radiate from his body. A layer of blue light emerged next, as if trying to suppress the gold.
But the seal-breaking had already begun.
There was no stopping it now.
He could feel it…
(End of Chapter)
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