Hearing Xu Yuan's words, Fang Yuan smiled.
"Brother Yuan, don't worry. I understand all of this."
The ultimate goal of battle armor was to achieve synchronization with the soul master. Each of the four professional systems had its own unique way of increasing compatibility with battle armor.
As a mech designer, Fang Yuan's method of enhancing his compatibility with his battle armor—and gaining its recognition—was to continuously refine its blueprints. These refinements were based on the needs of both the soul master and the spiritual essence of the battle armor itself.
Especially when it came to designing the blueprints for battle armor, it was best for the soul master to personally complete the design. Only then could the armor be more attuned to them.
After all, subsequent improvements to the design would face many limitations if the initial template wasn't created by the soul master themselves.
It was like solving a complex math problem. Even if the answers written by others weren't fundamentally different, they still felt awkward to work with. One's own solutions were always clearer and easier to internalize, while someone else's work was harder to fully grasp.
Soul-guided arrays were even more personalized, with much of their individuality tied to foundational structures. They easily bore lifelong imprints.
Therefore, the foundational blueprints for battle armor were best designed by the mech designer themselves.
Previously, Fang Yuan had already crafted eight pieces of battle armor. Back then, there had been some urgency due to the competition on the Star Luo Continent, so the foundational arrays for his battle armor were designed by Xu Yuan.
Now, as his complete battle armor was nearing completion, he couldn't continue relying on Xu Yuan's designs.
"I've already completed the design for my battle armor's arrays. As for Xinglan, I plan to ask her to help me repair the internal arrays of these current battle armor components," Fang Yuan said.
Upon hearing this, Xu Yuan nodded.
As the leader of the Shrek Seven Monsters, even if the other six couldn't keep up with his pace, they couldn't afford to neglect their cultivation.
"I still remember the Spirit Alloys for your previous battle armor. If I have time, I'll forge them for you as well," Xu Yuan said.
Among the Seven Monsters, only Tang Wulin forged his own Spirit Alloys. The other six could use the ones forged by Xu Yuan.
As for how they chose, there was no need to elaborate.
Xu Yuan had essentially mastered the technique of forging dual-combination Spirit Alloys infused with soul fusion. He could practically supply them with Spirit Alloys at the level of divine alloys.
This alone was something they couldn't pass up.
"Thank you, Brother Yuan," Fang Yuan said gratefully before hurrying off. He was likely heading to find Ye Xinglan.
Watching Fang Yuan leave, Xu Yuan wasn't envious of his opportunity, though curiosity lingered.
After pondering for a moment, he shook his head.
"Fang Yuan has caught up from behind, and judging by his current state, he's undergone a qualitative transformation. The eighth position among the Seven Monsters will change."
What interested Xu Yuan was who Fang Yuan would challenge next.
Meeting Fang Yuan and witnessing his transformation, Xu Yuan didn't rush to explore further. Instead, he first sought out the members of the Seven Monsters within the city.
Tang Wulin had previously returned to the Douluo Plane with Xu Yuan but left after observing Feng Wuyu's forging demonstration. He hadn't been seen in the city for over half a month.
Yuan'en Yehui was cultivating in Yuan City.
The remaining four—Yue Zhengyu, Wu Siduo, Ye Xinglan, and Xu Lizhi—were all in the city.
Xu Yuan gathered the four of them.
"Brother Yuan, how did it go? I heard that Master Feng's forging has already taken on the shadow of heavenly forging. Wulin mentioned he gained quite a bit. What about you?" Xu Lizhi asked curiously upon seeing Xu Yuan.
"I can now perform soul forging," Xu Yuan said calmly.
Xu Lizhi's eyes widened.
The other three also looked shocked.
What?
You can already perform soul forging?
Doesn't that mean you're already a Saint Craftsman?
Among the countless soul masters on the Douluo Continent, there were many blacksmiths, but only a few had achieved the rank of Saint Craftsman. There were only four Eighth-Rank Saint Craftsmen and perhaps a dozen Seventh-Rank Saint Craftsmen. Not every major city could boast even one.
(T/N: Both 7th and 8th ranked blacksmiths have the title of Saint Craftsman on the wiki.)
And yet, Xu Yuan was already a Saint Craftsman at just seventeen years old?
Xu Lizhi turned around and gave Xu Yuan a thumbs-up.
"Truly worthy of being Brother Yuan! Your future is set to become a Divine Craftsman!" he said cheerfully.
The other three, however, looked a bit deflated.
They had lost their bet.
They had learned about the three stages of soul forging from Tang Wulin and secretly wagered whether Xu Yuan had completed the first two steps—soul forging resonance and soul forging solidification.
Little did they expect that Xu Yuan had already completed all three steps and could truly perform soul forging.
Still, this was all good news.
At the very least, it meant their future three-word battle armor was secured.
Moreover, when it came to the Spirit Alloy fusion forging for their current one-word battle armor, Xu Yuan might already be capable of laying the groundwork for their future soul forging.
"How's the crafting of your battle armor going?" Xu Yuan asked Yue Zhengyu and Wu Siduo.
These two had already reached Level 50 before arriving in the Demon Plane. Now, half a year later, the final pieces of their battle armor should be complete, right?
Yue Zhengyu's expression turned somewhat awkward.
"I'm still short a bit."
Xu Yuan looked puzzled.
"Mainly, I wanted to see if there might be rare metals in the Demon Plane better suited for me."
Lan Muzi's success had sparked ideas in many people's minds.
Perhaps this new plane contained metals that were more suitable for them.
"Your martial soul is the Holy Angel. Do you really think the Demon Plane will have metals suited for you?" Xu Yuan said, exasperated.
Even if there were, they'd be more suited for Yuan'en Yehui.
"Isn't it logical to think that extremes reverse? Just like how poisonous plants are often surrounded by antidotes, this Demon Plane is teeming with demons. Who knows? Maybe there's something here that can counteract demonic forces," Yue Zhengyu argued confidently.
"The academy is currently exploring this plane. If there are any metal types suitable for you, they'll definitely notify you. For now, focus on completing your battle armor. New metals can always be added later."
Though Yue Zhengyu was older than Xu Yuan, he didn't refute Xu Yuan's words.
He obediently agreed.
Xu Yuan then turned to Wu Siduo.
"My battle armor is complete, but due to the mutation of my Netherworld Spirit Cat martial soul, adjustments are being made to the armor," Wu Siduo said softly. "Um… I might need Class Leader to forge new Spirit Alloys for me."
"Forging Spirit Alloys isn't a problem. Has the mutation of your Netherworld Spirit Cat martial soul affected your martial soul fusion techniques?"
Xu Yuan had heard about this but wasn't clear on the specifics, so he took the opportunity to inquire.
Wu Siduo shook her head, her gaze brightening.
"My martial soul fusion techniques haven't been affected. In fact, their strength has significantly increased, and I've gained another form."
In front of her teammates, she didn't hide her situation.
"Another form?" Xu Yuan asked curiously, waiting for her to continue.
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