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Chang Gongyan wore an expression of utter disbelief.
He watched as Xu Yuan began the fusion forging of Blue Pregnant Copper and Spirit Crystal.
Fusion forging after Spirit Forging was more challenging than starting at the Thousand Refinements stage, requiring a higher level of control over force. However, it was also simpler in some ways, as the spiritual energy of Spirit-Forged metals was far denser.
Xu Yuan wasn't fusing his most proficient Jade Silver but instead working on fusing Blue Crystal. The Blue Pregnant Copper had been chosen by Lin Yuhan, while the Spirit Crystal was selected by Xu Yuan.
Xu Yuan had previously practiced fusion forging with these two rare metals and had even achieved a fusion rate of 94%. Although he hadn't managed to create Divine Alloy, his familiarity with the process made this attempt smoother.
With each hammer strike, the spiritual energies of the two Spirit-Forged metals merged further.
Using his essence, energy, and spirit as a catalyst, Xu Yuan had imbued the metals during their Spirit Forging stage. Now, guided by that same essence, the fusion process proceeded smoothly.
Additionally, Xu Yuan's familiarity with both metals allowed him to locate their points of compatibility and gradually expand the fused area.
Strike after strike, the two metals finally fused completely.
Boom!
A resonating sound echoed throughout the hall as Xu Yuan's final hammer blow landed.
On the forging platform lay a perfectly fused Blue Crystal.
"Fusion rate: 90%!"
Zhen Hua stepped forward, using an instrument to test and confirm the result.
This was Xu Yuan's first attempt at fusion forging after Spirit Forging, and achieving a 90% fusion rate was extraordinary. His previous 94% fusion rate had been achieved during the Thousand Refinements stage, aided by the Heaven and Earth Furnace Method.
This time, relying purely on forging skill, Xu Yuan successfully fused Spirit-Forged Blue Pregnant Copper and Spirit Crystal for the first time, achieving a 90% fusion rate—an undeniable display of exceptional talent.
Zhen Hua turned to Chang Gongyan.
"Esteemed blacksmith from the Star Luo Continent, are you convinced now?"
For hours, Chang Gongyan had arrogantly boasted within the Blacksmith Association. Even with Zhen Hua's renowned patience, he couldn't help but feel irritated. Now that Xu Yuan had saved the day with his astonishing fusion forging, Zhen Hua couldn't resist a sarcastic jab.
"We have lost," Chang Gongyan muttered, his gaze dimming.
He hadn't expected such a monstrous genius to exist on the continent.
Lin Yuhan's eyes gleamed with an indescribable light as she stared at the young man.
Could there really be a genius in forging more talented than her?
Lin Yuhan prided herself as the strongest forging prodigy on the Star Luo Continent. Yet, here on the Douluo Continent, a single visit had revealed someone far superior to her.
This wasn't arrogance.
At her current age, she was already a fifth-rank blacksmith capable of Spirit Forging. With consistent practice, she could potentially challenge Soul Forging before the age of twenty-five.
Moreover, Lin Yuhan wasn't just a forging prodigy—her cultivation in soul power was equally impressive. By thirty, she had a high chance of achieving Soul Forging. Afterward, with dedicated effort, reaching the eighth rank of Sacred Craftsman was entirely foreseeable.
As long as nothing went wrong, her future was undeniably brilliant.
Even becoming a Divine Craftsman might not be out of reach.
Of course, all this assumed her progress wouldn't stall at a bottleneck.
Still, her potential was undeniable.
Compared not only to talents across the Star Luo Continent but also those on the Douluo Continent, she was among the very best.
The numerous blacksmiths in the association breathed a sigh of relief.
Chang Gongyan and Lin Yuhan both appeared dazed.
At that moment, without warning, a streak of crimson light shot out from beside Chang Gongyan's neck and instantly reached Zhen Hua's face.
This crimson streak came so suddenly and without any forewarning that even someone at Zhen Hua's level had no premonition of danger.
In an instant, the crimson light was already in front of his face.
However, Xu Yuan had been vigilant.
In that split second, a silver glow appeared in his hand.
The silver light flashed, and Zhen Hua vanished.
The crimson streak redirected toward the crowd. At that moment, a large hand reached out and caught it. The crimson streak turned out to be a thin sword, which disappeared the instant it was grabbed.
The one who caught the sword was Mu Ye.
Mu Ye's expression darkened as he coldly snorted and pursued the assassin with his aura flaring.
Meanwhile, Zhen Hua erupted in fury, summoning his four-character battle armor.
An awe-inspiring aura surged from his body, accompanied by blinding red light. A powerful oppressive force immediately enveloped the entire hall.
Zhen Hua seemed to collapse inward for a moment before being fully clad in his magnificent battle armor. The terrifying presence caused the entire Blacksmith Association building to tremble.
"Don't move!"
Zhen Hua roared, releasing his soul power. Most of it concentrated around Chang Gongyan.
This was undoubtedly a meticulously planned assassination attempt.
Had Xu Yuan not been prepared, Zhen Hua would not have been able to dodge that attack.
Without the protection of his four-character battle armor, Zhen Hua's raw strength was still lacking. He couldn't guarantee surviving that strike.
At his level, he should have sensed impending danger. However, he had felt nothing—not only because of the attack's speed but also due to the assassin's overwhelming strength. Their skill masked every trace of their movement, even shielding their mental presence.
Such an explosive strike from an assassin would have surely been lethal.
Four-character battle armor.
This was Zhen Hua's self-forged four-character battle armor, crafted from Heavenly Forged metal. However, the internal enchantments hadn't fully unleashed the full potential of the metal, though it was still quite formidable.
It wasn't a lack of craftsmanship but rather a deliberate choice to lower the difficulty of fusion, allowing the armor to surpass three-character battle armor while remaining slightly inferior to standard four-character battle armor.
Even so, Zhen Hua could still leverage his connection with the Heavenly Forged metal to temporarily unleash power equivalent to that of a Limit Douluo.
However, unlike Mu Ye, he lacked the endurance for prolonged combat.
Under Zhen Hua's oppressive soul power, Chang Gongyan involuntarily released his martial soul. Eight soul rings—two yellow, two purple, and four black—rose into the air. An eight-ring Soul Emperor!
Yet, even as an eight-ring Soul Emperor, under the pressure of Zhen Hua's four-character battle armor, beads of cold sweat formed on his forehead.
He clearly possessed battle armor but hadn't summoned it, instead relying solely on his martial soul to resist Zhen Hua's overwhelming presence, allowing him to speak.
"President Zhen Hua!"
His voice carried a hint of shock and anger.
He had no intention of assassinating Zhen Hua and knew he had been framed. With his life now in Zhen Hua's hands, how could he not feel fear and rage?
The surrounding blacksmiths glared at him with hostility, shouting threats to kill him.
Chang Gongyan faced not only Zhen Hua's oppressive soul power but also immense psychological pressure.
He understood that if he couldn't explain himself properly, he would die here.
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