NOVEL WEB Chapter 72: The Blacksmith’s Role
When Ling Yi spoke, his eyebrows and eyes were filled with a strong sense of confidence.
Hearing Ling Yi's unequivocal judgment, Lou Gao's expression involuntarily turned serious. His previously comedic, rotund figure, unable to rise, suddenly became agile. He sat up, gaze fixed intently on Ling Yi, who was seated on the ground before him.
With a smile on his face, Ling Yi calmly met Lou Gao's sharp gaze, his voice carrying a convincing charm:
"Senior Brother Lou Gao, you should know the status of soul masters on the Douluo Continent.
Ever since we awaken our martial souls at the age of six, we each possess a martial soul unique to us, whether it's a beast martial soul or a tool martial soul!"
"For the vast majority of soul masters, their martial soul is both the best and most suitable weapon!"
"Although some tool souls may not initially match up to, or even seem inferior to, a blacksmith's, or a high-level blacksmith's crafted hundred-refine weapons, as the soul master's power increases, coupled with the boost of soul rings, even the most ordinary stick can contend with a refined steel rod!"
"The martial soul's growth potential, self-repairing, and internal storage abilities are attributes that cannot be matched by weapons meticulously forged by ordinary blacksmiths—"
Upon hearing Ling Yi's words, Lou Gao's expression flickered between light and shadow, an oppressive mix of frustration, resentment, and unwillingness brewing in his heart—for himself, for his master, for the blacksmithing trade.
He knew that his master, Iron Pagoda, the only divine craftsman of the current age, still had to swallow his pride to utter flattering words to a nameless boy from the Tang family.
Outside 'Geng Xin City', across the Star Luo Empire, and anywhere on the Douluo Continent, the respect Lou Gao received wasn't because he was a Master Blacksmith, nor because he was the direct disciple of Iron Pagoda, but simply because he was a Soul King!
However, Lou Gao knew within himself that if it really came to fighting, this Soul King title of his would only suffice against some ordinary Soul Sect opponents; against other Soul Kings of normal combat caliber, he probably wouldn't last many rounds before being defeated.
Every time Lou Gao displayed his capabilities, just revealing the luxurious soul ring combination of two yellow, two purple, and one black was usually enough to prevent any further real combat.
After all, he was but a blacksmith traveling the continent in search of his own divine craftsman's path, not a combat-focused soul master seeking out duels everywhere.
In Douluo Continent, blacksmiths are genuinely not that valued.
At least, as far as soul masters are concerned, this certainly holds true!
In Lou Gao's heart, he had always understood this fact, which is why he was so eager to elevate the status of blacksmiths, hoping for their recognition by the world.
He truly loved the profession of blacksmithing and was genuinely passionate about crafting all sorts of instruments. Seeing one perfect work after another come to life in his hands gave him a sense of satisfaction and achievement that battles of soul masters and the increase in soul power could never provide.
Over the past six months, from interacting closely, Lou Gao had come to realize what kind of genius the youth before him was, though he was still two months shy of turning fourteen.
He had a knack for seeing things clearly and incisively, always able to summarize a series of patterns from events and find paths that were advantageous for himself.
It could be said that as long as Ling Yi was given a goal, a starting point foundation, and enough time, the boy would undoubtedly reach that goal!
And now, hearing Ling Yi's words, Lou Gao discovered that this young man seemed to be discussing the relationship between blacksmiths and soul masters, as well as the significance of blacksmiths to soul masters?
Lou Gao spoke, his eyes gradually glowing with excitement.
Ling Yi listened, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth as he nodded and continued: “Since I entered 'Wooden Plant City' and enrolled in [Green Leaf Junior Soul Master Academy] at seven, I began learning forging under my master's tutelage. From then on, I've paid close attention to every soul master who came to commission weapons and tools, frequently asking my teachers and fellow students at the academy what kind of tools they would like to have, as auxiliary equipment for using their martial souls—"
"Seven years old..." Lou Gao blinked, his expression becoming peculiar.
Ignoring Lou Gao’s change in demeanor, Ling Yi continued to speak nonchalantly, "At the age of ten, I acquired my first spirit ring and successfully became a soul master. I applied for early graduation and sought an introduction from my master to a blacksmith, Master Fu Shan, who worked for the principality's military. With his recommendation letter, I came to this Cold Wind Camp and have stayed here for three years..."
"Over these three years, I've observed over twenty thousand people in the Cold Wind Camp, from soldiers, squad leaders, section leaders... to captains, colonels, and even the camp supervisors, Marquis of Cedar, and General Song Yao!"
"Among these twenty thousand people, the overall ratio of beast spirit masters to tool spirit masters is about 4.5 to 5.5. Less than a tenth of them possess spirit power.
Not considering those without spirit power, among the nearly two thousand with spirit power, the demand for weapon-related tools is relatively higher among beast spirit masters compared to tool spirit masters, but not by much.
Because their spirit ring techniques often require them to manifest their spirits, they themselves become powerful weapons!"
"For tool spirit masters, it's even more apparent. Their first choice of weapon in battle is always their own spirit, not the weapons forged by us blacksmiths.
For instance, Captain Jiang Yuan, despite how proficient he is with his spear, potentially surpassing many great spirit masters and rivaling those gun spirit masters, in combat, he still uses his 'Iron Fist Glove' spirit."
"Only the 'Iron-Hand Gauntlet' spirit can unleash the full potential of Jiang Yuan, the school lieutenant!"
"So..."
Hearing this, Lou Gao's round face showed a mix of joy and sorrow, and he continued in a somewhat raspy voice, "So for a spirit master, the role of us blacksmiths should be supportive, focusing on defensive tools to compensate for the deficiencies when spirit masters use their martial spirits?"
"Precisely!" Ling Yi nodded seriously and said, "Blacksmiths are not a combat profession, and we are not suited to compete with those spirit masters who specialize in fighting to see who is better at it. We should consider ourselves as a kind of supportive spirit master, like healing or food spirit masters, becoming a defensive type that doesn't need to enter the battlefield, and sometimes even an attack enhancement type spirit master..."
(End of Chapter)
