NOVEL WEB Chapter 74: Seeking a Spokesperson
"No way!"
Lou Gao pondered deeply, but still couldn't fathom what leverage the Blacksmith Association could offer that would entice a Titled Douluo to lower their status to join a meager third-rate power on the Douluo Continent, even as its leader.
Lou Gao believed that if a Titled Douluo were willing to genuinely join the Blacksmith Association and protect its members, his master, the great artisan Iron Pagoda, would gladly offer up his presidency.
Even if Lou Gao himself were to become the association's president in the future, he wouldn't hesitate to give up the title for an opportunity that could change the fate of blacksmiths.
"But!"
Neither he, Lou Gao, nor the Iron Pagoda, nor the Blacksmith Association as a whole, could afford the cost of recruiting a Titled Douluo.
For such a being, unless there was a profound indebtedness or deep friendship, almost no force on the current Douluo Continent could compel a Titled Douluo to serve them.
Even the Spirit Hall, known for granting Titled Douluos immense respect, built an Elder Hall above the Pontiff Hall just for them, thus attracting free Titled Douluos to become elders within the Spirit Hall.
The Spirit Hall, recognized as the foremost power on the Douluo Continent, surpassed even the Haotian Sect, reputed to be the foremost sect under the heavens, which boasted the peerless ninety-ninth level Douluo, Tang Chen!
Only such a powerful entity would succeed time and again in recruiting Titled Douluo-level powerhouses.
Beneath it, neither the Haotian Sect, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, nor the two empires could recruit a single Titled Douluo without allegiance ties.
If one were to ask who in the Douluo Continent specializes best in recruiting free soul masters, aside from the Spirit Hall, it would undoubtedly be the sect named Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, with the Ning Clan as the core members, possesses the auxiliary-type spirit, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Tower. For spirit amplification effects alone, it ranks among the continent’s finest!
Since the core members are all auxiliary spirit masters, their survival strategy involves cooperating with combat-type spirit masters. Hence, ever since the Ning ancestors founded the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect with their partners, they established an ancestral rule: every descendant of the Ning family must have a partner who is a battle-type spirit master with formidable strength!
Take, for instance, the current head of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, Ning Mofan. His three wives are comprised of a fierce assault-type battle soul Sage and two control-type battle soul Sages!
With the assistance of Ning Mofan, also at the soul Sage level, the quartet can face the mightiest soul Douluo without losing ground, also being capable of defeating ordinary soul Douluo!
Moreover, the previous sect leader and their partner are still alive. Although Ning family members due to their spirit's inherent flaw can never break past the 80th level and are stuck at the 79th level as soul Sages, their partners can continue their cultivation, making it no issue to become soul Douluo.
Therefore, despite their core branches being auxiliary-type spirit masters, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect remains one of Douluo Continent's premier forces, ranking just below the Spirit Hall, Haotian Sect, Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, and the two great empires, standing alongside forces like the White Armored Earth Dragon Sect, Xiangjia Sect, which all have soul Douluo, even slightly edging them out in strength!
Thinking along these lines, Lou Gao had to admit, their Blacksmith Association neither had a powerful auxiliary spirit like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Tower nor had any core members who could marry or be married to a potential soul Douluo or even a Titled Douluo prodigy…
No, that’s not right!
Lou Gao shivered, his eyes suddenly lighting up as he glanced at Ling Yi. His gaze lingered especially long on Ling Yi's extraordinarily handsome face, scrutinizing him from head to toe.
As he observed, he made a curious ‘tsk tsk’ sound.
Feeling somewhat uncomfortable under Lou Gao's gaze, Ling Yi shifted awkwardly, taking two unobtrusive steps back and seated himself on a long-vacant recliner, his expression a blend of embarrassment and polite cheerfulness.
After a pause, noticing that Lou Gao still wore that slightly mischievous smile, Ling Yi had to speak up again, "Senior Brother, even though we currently can't recruit a Titled Douluo, we can still benefit from befriending them and leveraging their renowned names to boost the confidence of all blacksmiths."
"Take, for example, 'Haotian Douluo' Tang Chen. Everyone knows under Haotian’s command, the ‘Haotian Hammer’ reigns supreme; his unparalleled might is renowned across the continent alongside the feats of his 'Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique'. Who wouldn't hold such legends in high esteem?!"
"Haotian?" Lou Gao’s drifting thoughts were pulled back by Ling Yi’s words, his demeanor turning serious as he furrowed his brows, contemplating the significance of the name, "The Tang family of [Haotian Sect] isn't the easiest faction to deal with. They're like their martial spirit, the 'Haotian Hammer', dominating and proud, rivaling even the prestigious [Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan]!"
"If they discover our [Blacksmith Association] dares to borrow Haotian's fame, it might not be long before they storm 'Geng Xin City' and tear down our [Blacksmith Association Headquarters]!"
"It's not a big issue~"
Lou Gao's words were dire, yet Ling Yi remained calm, analyzing the situation coolly, "I believe, basking in Haotian’s brilliance, those within [Haotian Sect]—the descendants of the Tang family—will undoubtedly be diligent in practicing the 'Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique'. Among them, there will certainly be individuals interested in blacksmithing."
When such a Tang family descendant makes a name for themselves on the continent, if they’re still interested in blacksmithing, perhaps bestowing the title of esteemed craftsman upon them wouldn’t be misplaced. With the innate advantage of their 'Haotian Hammer' and the profound expertise in metal refining from the 'Chaotic Cloak Hammer Technique', they should not tarnish the esteemed title of master craftsman."
"Uh—" Lou Gao blinked in surprise, staring blankly at Ling Yi. He recalled the letter Titan had sent to his master and his master's reply.
It turned out that his master had foreseen this all along?
In that moment, Lou Gao's admiration for his master's foresight soared, and his confidence in his junior brother, who stood on the same strategic level as his esteemed master and president of the [Blacksmith Association], grew immensely.
Elsewhere, far away at the Iron Pagoda, someone shivered unexpectedly.
Ignoring Lou Gao's wandering thoughts, Ling Yi continued his performance.
"Yet, relying on outsiders is ultimately not stable; we need to rely on ourselves in the end," Ling Yi declared with a serious demeanor, his gaze piercing as he looked at Lou Gao. "Only those strong individuals we cultivate ourselves can truly view situations from the perspective of a blacksmith and think for the benefit of blacksmiths—"
"However, the growth of powerful individuals takes time, and what we should be doing now is creating a suitable environment for their emergence, assisting those promising civilian soul masters, providing them with the support of our [Blacksmith Association] on their journey to strength.
This way, even if they do not reach the highest realms, they form a beneficial rapport with blacksmiths and the [Blacksmith Association]..."
"Who can guarantee that among the children of these ordinary soul masters, there won't emerge a prodigy with the potential to become a Titled Douluo?"
"As the saying goes, a golden phoenix can fly out of a humble valley!"
"Once our Blacksmith Association has multiple Soul Sages and Soul Douluos, we will be recognized as a first-class power on the Douluo Continent!
When we have a Titled Douluo, we will command respect in front of those top-tier factions!"
"Senior Brother, the forging process doesn't hinder the Blacksmith Association from cultivating a good relationship with civilian soul masters, nor does it prevent us from befriending powerful solitary soul masters—"
Listening to Ling Yi's inspiring words, Lou Gao was overwhelmed with enthusiasm and couldn't help but ask, "Then, Junior Brother, what about the second aspect you mentioned earlier, about further integration and strengthening our bonds? How should we proceed?"
Faced with Lou Gao's eagerness, Ling Yi smiled, "Senior Brother, are you familiar with the Great Soul Arena?"
Lou Gao looked puzzled, "Huh?"
(End of Chapter)
