Douluo Continent: Martial Soul Young Gilas, Sandstorm King!

Chapter 118 Concealment, Protection!
When the iconic outline of Gengjin City, permeated with the smell of metal and coal, finally appeared on the horizon, Lin Xia felt a sense of peace and security, as if she were returning home.

The huge chimneys spewed out grayish-white smoke, and the sound of blacksmithing could be heard from afar, clanging and banging rhythmically, like an ancient war song belonging to the craftsmen.

Without delay, Lin Xia carried the young Gilas and quickly crossed the familiar streets, heading straight for the core area of ​​the Blacksmith Association—the forging workshop and council hall exclusively for the Divine Craftsman Building.

As soon as Lin Xia stepped into the building, constructed of heavy black iron stone and radiating a scorching heat, she saw four familiar figures sitting around a large metal workbench, discussing something with serious expressions.

These were his four senior brothers.

"Little junior brother!"

Sharp-eyed Sky was the first to notice the commotion at the door. She exclaimed in surprise and immediately got up to greet them.

The other three also immediately turned around, their faces showing relief and genuine joy.

Xia! You're finally back!

Siyu's loud voice was filled with concern.

"Where's the teacher? Didn't she come back with you? We were worried about her; she's been gone for quite a while this time!"

Si Long strode forward, his gaze quickly sweeping over Lin Xia's entire body. He saw that although Lin Xia was travel-worn, he was in good spirits, and the young Gilas was lying safely in his arms. The worry in his eyes lessened slightly, but there was still a question in his brows.

"Xia, what about Teacher...?"

Sisi also came over, looking at the baby Gilas in Lin Xia's arms with some surprise.

"The little guy seems... a bit different? His aura is stronger?"

Lin Xia felt a warmth in his heart from the undisguised concern of his senior brothers. He walked to the workbench, put down the small package on his shoulder, then looked solemnly at his four senior brothers, took a deep breath, and said clearly:

"Eldest brother, second brother, third brother, fourth brother. I'm back. Teacher... he won't be coming back for the time being."

"what?!"

Siyu's voice suddenly rose, and her face instantly filled with anxiety.

"Can't come back? What do you mean? What happened to the teacher?"

He strode up to Lin Xia, his imposing figure exuding a sense of oppression.

A flicker of surprise crossed Si Long's usually composed eyes, but he quickly suppressed it, raised his hand to restrain the somewhat impulsive Si Yu, and asked in a deep voice:
"Xia, don't panic, explain clearly. Where is your teacher? What trouble has he encountered? Why can't he come back?"

Sisi and Sikai also stared nervously at Lin Xia. The already scorching air in the forging workshop seemed to freeze, leaving only the crackling of the furnace and everyone's heavy breathing.

Lin Xia's gaze swept over the anxious and concerned faces of her four senior brothers, and she quickly weighed her options in her mind.

The news that Lou Gao received the Vulcan's inheritance was too shocking and had far-reaching implications.

Various strange and bizarre soul skills are emerging on the mainland, and it's hard to say that there aren't any means of spying on intelligence.

If the news leaks, it could not only bring unpredictable dangers to the teachers who are receiving the training, but could also drag the entire blacksmith association into the center of the vortex.

He couldn't take the risk.

Lin Xia showed just the right amount of embarrassment on her face, her eyes filled with a hint of apology and undeniable determination, and slowly shook her head.

"Senior brothers, I'm sorry. It's not that I didn't want to talk about it. It's just that the situation with our teacher... is very special and of great importance."

He paused, then emphasized his words, enunciating each one clearly:

"This matter concerns not only the teacher's future path, but also the future fate of our entire blacksmith association."

"The teacher was not trapped, but voluntarily stayed there to handle an extremely important matter. This matter required all his energy and time, and he was unable to leave for the time being."

"Keeping this secret is what the teacher requires of me, and of all of us." Lin Xia met Si Long's sharp gaze with composure.

"Our teacher personally instructed that during the period when he is unable to return, all matters, big and small, of the blacksmith association, its daily operations, and the handling of various affairs should be discussed and undertaken jointly by the five of us brothers!"

These words struck the hearts of the four senior brothers like a heavy hammer.

The sharpness in Silong's eyes gradually turned into deep contemplation.

He looked at his junior brother, who was only seven years old, but there was no trace of a child's timidity or vacillation in his dark golden eyes. Instead, there was a composure and solemnity beyond his years, as well as an unquestionable decisiveness.

Then, considering Lin Xia's unbelievable strength as a seven-year-old Great Soul Master, and his equally mysterious Martial Soul, Young Giras...

Silong was already mostly convinced.

The teacher has always acted in a whimsical manner. Something that he would value so much, even needing to stay behind for several years and demanding strict secrecy, must be extraordinary.

Siyu opened her mouth, seemingly wanting to ask for more details, but seeing Lin Xia's determined gaze and Silong's solemn expression, she swallowed back the words that were on the tip of her tongue. She just sighed heavily, slammed her fist on the forging table next to her, making a dull thud that revealed her inner anxiety and worry.

Sid's brows were furrowed, and her fingers tapped unconsciously on the table, clearly processing the sudden news and the enormous amount of information it contained.

The youngest, Sikai, looked at his senior brothers with a somewhat blank expression, finally fixing his gaze on Lin Xia and asking softly:

"Is...the teacher...safe?"

Lin Xia nodded without hesitation, her tone resolute.

"Don't worry, senior brother! The place where our teacher is is very secluded and safe; there is absolutely no danger to his life. He just needs time."

This guarantee eased the tension in Silong and the others' nerves a little.

Silong took a deep breath, as if he had made up his mind.

He glanced around at his three junior brothers, and finally fixed his gaze on Lin Xia. His voice was deep and powerful, carrying a solemn air of being entrusted with a critical mission.

"Understood. Since the teacher has given the order, and this matter is of great importance, we will not ask any further questions."

He stepped forward, his large, strong hand pressing heavily on Lin Xia's shoulder, and said in a deep voice.

"Junior brother, the teacher entrusted the association to the five of us. It is a matter of trust, but even more so, a responsibility!"

He turned to Siyu, Sidi, and Sikai, his eyes sharp as knives.

"In the five years since our teacher left, Gengjin City and the Blacksmiths' Association have become the home that we five brothers must protect with our lives! The thousands of craftsmen in the association, the countless industries behind us, and our teacher's life's work and expectations must not be lost in our hands!"

Siyu suddenly straightened her back, her anxiety replaced by a fierce courage, and said in a deep voice:
"Don't worry, Senior Brother! Anyone who dares to mess with the Association at this time, I'll be the first to smash their head in with a hammer!"

Stitch pushed up glasses that weren't actually on her nose, her gaze calm.

"Senior Brother, Junior Brother, I will be responsible for coordinating the casting orders and production scheduling of precision parts within the association to ensure smooth daily operations."

Sikai nodded vigorously, her eyes resolute.

"I may not be of much help, but I can definitely run errands, relay messages, and keep an eye on those guys peeking out from outside!"

Looking at the four senior brothers in front of her who had instantly mustered their fighting spirit, Lin Xia felt a surge of warmth and a strong sense of responsibility.

He stretched out his small hand and placed it on Si Long's large hand that was pressing on his shoulder, looking intently at everyone.

"Brothers, let's work together! Protect the Blacksmith Association and wait for our teacher's return!"

(End of this chapter)