Douluo Continent: Martial Soul Young Gilas, Sandstorm King!

Chapter 7: The Choice – Blacksmith's Guild or Spirit Hall?

As Lin Xia approached the outskirts of Gengjin City, she stopped.

Lin Xia took a deep breath, sensing the increasingly distinct metallic scent in the air. It was a unique smell, a mixture of ore dust, high furnace temperatures, and the aftermath of countless metal tools being polished. She looked down at Young Gilas, who was following closely at her feet.

"Youngkiras, come back."

Lin Xia spoke softly, her tone carrying a hint of apology, but more so of caution.

"Yo-ji?"

Young Gilas tilted its little head, its red eyes filled with confusion, seemingly not understanding why it had to turn back when it was almost at its destination.

"Honey, there are too many people and too many eyes in the city, we have to be careful."

Lin Xia squatted down and rubbed the blunt corner on Young Gilas's head.

"Once we find a safe place, I'll let you out for a big meal, okay?"

Although the young Gilas was somewhat disappointed, it still obediently nodded, its body transforming into a gray-green stream of light that entered Lin Xia's body and returned to the Martial Soul Space.

Lin Xia could clearly feel the connection, as well as the anticipation for the upcoming feast that Young Gilas was conveying.

Taking back the young Gilas was not out of disdain, but out of a necessary precaution.

Lin Xia was well aware of her situation.

He was just a helpless orphan, without a background like Yu Xiaogang's or a hidden Title Douluo father like Tang San's.

If the unique form and abilities of Young Giras were exposed to those with ulterior motives, especially those forces with a penchant for researching rare martial souls or a strong desire for control, the consequences would be unimaginable.

Every husband is not guilty, and he is guilty of his crime.

Before you have enough strength to protect yourself, keeping a low profile is the only rule for survival.

Standing beneath the majestic city walls of Gengjin City, Lin Xia looked up in awe. This city, known as the Metal Capital, was far more magnificent than he had imagined.

The city wall was not an ordinary brick and stone structure, but was made of huge stones with a cold, hard metallic luster.

The surface of the boulder is not smooth, but covered with hammer marks and strange metallic patterns, as if it were a huge, unfinished work of metal art.

Under the sunlight, the city wall shimmered with a dark and heavy light, faintly revealing shades of bluish-gray, dark red, and even copper. It was clear that it had incorporated a variety of rare metal ores, making the entire city wall resemble an indestructible metal barrier, exuding a chilling sense of oppression.

Lin Xia's mouth watered at the sight of it.

If we could eat this city...
The towering city gate, with its eaves and brackets not made of wood but cast from refined iron, has a rugged and powerful shape. A huge metal plaque hangs above it, engraved with the three large characters "Gengjin City" in a vigorous and elegant style. Every stroke seems to contain the will forged through countless trials.

On the city wall, huge metal sculptures stand at intervals—some are strongmen holding giant hammers, some are metal birds about to take flight, and some are roaring metal beasts. They are both decorations and totems, silently telling the story of the city's worship of metal power.

The city gates were wide open, revealing two massive, heavy metal doors covered with rivets and reinforcing metal strips. The hinges turned with a deep, resonant metallic scraping sound, like the breath of a giant beast.

The doorway was deep, with light alternating between light and shadow, and people and vehicles moved through it, stirring up gusts of wind carrying metallic dust.

Lin Xia's gaze passed over the city wall, revealing the rows of buildings within the city.

Unlike the wooden or brick structures of other cities, the houses here are mostly made of stone, with metal used extensively in the main frame and even the exterior walls.

The roofs were covered with dark metal tiles, the windows were inlaid with metal grilles, the chimneys were thick metal pipes, and many buildings were decorated with metal reliefs or huge gears on their walls.

The entire city shimmered with a cold luster under the sunlight, and the air was filled with the distinctive, slightly fishy smell of metal, as well as the faint, intermittent clanging of blacksmiths and the heavy rumble of forging, which came from the depths of the city.

The sound was continuous, like the beating heart of the entire city, filled with the power of industrialization. "Truly worthy of being called the Metal Capital..."

Lin Xia sighed in admiration, deeply moved.

The city's grandeur and uniqueness fully justify its title.

It is like a colossal metal beast lurking on the earth, every brick and every breath of air imbued with the will of metal.

However, after the initial shock, the practical question resurfaced – which faction should we join?
Blacksmiths' Association?

This is Lin Xia's most desired target.

The current president, Lou Gao, is the third greatest master craftsman in the world. The rare mineral resources he controls are an unparalleled treasure for Young Gilas and himself!
Joining this program not only provides access to a stable source of ore but also exposes you to top-notch metal forging techniques. You might even have the opportunity to learn about rare metals and mineral veins, which is crucial for finding your "self-service restaurant" in the future.

However, its fatal flaw is equally obvious: although the Blacksmith Association holds a special position, it still appears vulnerable in the face of the behemoth that is the Spirit Hall.

Lou Gao's fate in the original novel serves as a cautionary tale.

Once you join, you are likely to be targeted by the Spirit Hall in the future, which is extremely risky.

The Spirit Hall is undoubtedly a behemoth with an incredibly strong backing.

As long as Young Gilas displays its terrifying potential, gaining attention and preferential treatment in resources is almost a certainty.

The Spirit Hall's resources are sufficient to provide him with any knowledge of spirit beasts, cultivation resources, and even protection he needs.

But... the thought of entering the sight of that crazy woman Bibi Dong sent a chill down Lin Xia's spine.

Bibi Dong's thoughts are deep and unpredictable, and her methods are ruthless and merciless.

Although Yu Xiaogang himself might not publicize the fact that she had refused to accept Yu Xiaogang as a disciple for more than ten days, given the intelligence capabilities of the Spirit Hall, it was hard to guarantee that the news wouldn't reach Bibi Dong's ears.

How would she view herself for being ungrateful and rejecting the person she cherished?
Is it appreciating one's own independence?

Or should it be seen as a challenge to authority?

Lin Xia dared not gamble, nor did she want to try to figure out what that woman was thinking.

Once she sets her sights on you, you'll likely have no freedom left, and you might even become a pawn on her chessboard.

"Ugh……"

Lin Xia sighed helplessly, her heart swaying violently between immense temptation and potential danger.

The Blacksmiths' Guild's resources are within easy reach, yet fraught with danger; the Spirit Hall's protection is powerful, yet like a dragon's den or a tiger's lair.

"Let's take one step at a time..."

Lin Xia could only tell herself this in the end.

The most urgent task is to enter the city, understand the situation, and then make a decision.

Of course, there's one more thing: we need to make some money first!
Lin Xia touched the empty package; even the last bit of ore fragments had been used up.

Although the "dirt-eating training" along the way relieved our hunger, who wouldn't want to eat something better!
Moreover, he was penniless at the moment and couldn't even afford a decent set of clothes!
"We have to find a way to get some money..."

(End of this chapter)