Douluo Continent: Martial Soul Young Gilas, Sandstorm King!

Chapter 95 Our dream is temporarily entrusted to you!

Five years!

We cannot leave Norton Volcano even for a moment!

Lin Xia's thoughts raced instantly.

After the initial shock, reason began to analyze the pros and cons.

There is no doubt that this is a crucial opportunity for Lou Gao himself.

The foundational stage of the divine test must be solid; otherwise, the more difficult divine tests that follow will be nothing more than castles in the air.

Although the Phoenix God's requirements are strict, they must have a profound meaning, so that the teacher can truly inherit his legacy.

However, this timing... is just too delicate!
Lin Xia's gaze involuntarily swept over the traces left by him and Young Gilas when they ate ore in the corner of the mine, as well as the various sketches of their ideas about soul tools that they had discussed along the way.

Most importantly, Lou Gao's research on soul guide devices, to which he has devoted half his life, especially the soul guide mecha that he envisions as a game-changer, is at a critical juncture of theoretical breakthroughs and practical exploration!
Lou Gao, as one of the world's top craftsmen, possesses irreplaceable expertise, vision, understanding of core magic arrays, and forging skills, which are the driving force behind the entire research.

Without him overseeing the research, the progress will inevitably suffer a devastating blow!

Lin Xia's brows furrowed tightly, her fingers unconsciously twitching.

Although yesterday in the Soul Forge, he unexpectedly and forcibly received all of Lou Gao's lifelong insights and memories about forging and weapon crafting—the vast knowledge about metal texture, heat control, power transmission, and the profound mysteries of balance was imprinted deep in his consciousness like a brand—this was undoubtedly an unimaginable treasure.

With these memories and his vision that was ahead of his time, he was confident that he could independently design and manufacture many soul tools, and might even go further than Lou Gao.

However, the soul-guided mech, especially the epoch-making creation they envisioned that integrates attack, defense, mobility, and energy core, is a massive and complex system engineering project.

It requires massive resource allocation, forging and assembling of precision components, micro-carving and debugging of the core magic array, and countless failed attempts and adjustments.

Lou Gao's on-site guidance, his masterful hands that can turn the ordinary into the extraordinary, and his unparalleled prestige and resource mobilization ability in the blacksmith association are all things that Lin Xia cannot completely replace at present.

If you try to figure it out on your own, your efficiency will inevitably be greatly reduced, and in five years, the progress will probably be far below expectations.

Time...it's time again!
The divine test takes five years, and the golden period for the development of soul tools is also in these crucial years!

Lin Xia was filled with immense inner conflict.

On one side is the necessary journey for a teacher to become a god and undergo a complete transformation; on the other side is his own grand blueprint to change the world and drive the revolution of soul tools.

Both are crucial, yet they create a sharp time conflict at this juncture.

Lou Gao kept a close eye on Lin Xia's expression, taking in the shock, contemplation, struggle, and deep-seated worry in his eyes.

He knew his disciple all too well, and he was also very clear about the importance of soul tool research in Lin Xia's heart, as well as its significance for the future.

Seeing Lin Xia remain silent, Lou Gao felt even more apologetic and guilty.

The divine trial was his opportunity, but this opportunity came at the cost of delaying his disciple's grand plan...

"Xia..."

Lou Gao was about to speak when his voice became hoarse.

Just then, Lin Xia suddenly raised her head, and the brief gloom and struggle on her face seemed to be instantly dispelled by a powerful will.

He took a deep breath, and the scorching air seemed to ignite a flame in his eyes.

Lin Xia took a step forward, and a bright and determined smile bloomed on her face again, a smile that was even more dazzling than the remaining divine fire in the mine.

"teacher!"

Lin Xia's voice was resolute, filled with unwavering determination. "What are you thinking? The Divine Trial is your path to heaven, the Phoenix God's recognition of your unwavering dedication! Five years? Don't even mention five years, even if it takes ten or twenty years, you must stay here and complete it! This is the fortune you deserve, and the path you must take!"

Lin Xia patted her chest, her eyes burning.

"As for soul tool research? You don't need to worry at all! Have you forgotten what happened yesterday?"

Lin Xia pointed to her head, a confident glint in her eyes.

"The essence of your lifelong research in the art of craftsmanship, the secrets of creation about 'metal meeting fire to become a vessel,' and the skills and insights honed through countless trials are all here!"

"Although I am dull-witted and cannot fully match your miraculous skills on the spot, I will definitely have no problem inheriting your mantle and continuing to advance our research!"

To put Lou Gao's mind at ease, Lin Xia even walked to the side and casually picked up a relatively hard, dark-colored ore fragment that had broken off earlier.

Lin Xia closed her eyes, seemingly mobilizing the vast torrent of forging memories in her mind.

A few seconds later, he opened his eyes, his gaze becoming incredibly focused, as if a true master craftsman had possessed him.

His level 20 soul power wasn't particularly strong, but at this moment, the way he mobilized his soul power, the technique of applying force with his fingers, and even the angle at which he observed the texture of the ore all carried a craftsman's charm that was exactly the same as Lou Gao's, a charm that was deeply ingrained in his bones.

His right hand was held upright with fingers like chisels, while his left palm subtly channeled his spiritual power, which flowed through his fingertips in an extremely subtle way.

There was no hammering; it was just fingertips seemingly casually tracing, poking, and pressing across the ore.

Surprisingly, the hard ore was softened and shaped by an invisible force. With a slight hissing sound and a few sparks, the surface of the ore was quickly "carved" into the prototype of a soul-guided core array drive gear, which was extremely miniature yet had a clear structure and smooth lines!
Although small and rough, far less exquisite than Lou Gao's works, the control of power, understanding of materials, and grasp of the core magic array structure have clearly imprinted the soul of Lou Gao's forging skills!

"Look!"

Lin Xia held up the small, still-warm metal gear prototype to the top of the building, her smile radiant.

"Although we are not up to the task, with your true teachings, we will never let our hard work go to waste!"

"I also visit the blacksmith association often. With senior brothers Silong and Siyu there, there won't be any problems with basic operations and resource coordination."

"When we encounter critical problems, I will write them down. We, master and disciple, will tackle them together during your break from the divine examination or five years from now when you emerge from seclusion!"

"Perhaps when the time comes, you, the 'Phoenix Craftsman,' can simply point a finger and the problem will be solved?"

Looking at the rough but beginning-formed gear in Lin Xia's hand, feeling the craftsmanship aura emanating from his disciple that was of the same origin as his own, and listening to his confident and responsible words, the heavy boulder in Lou Gao's heart finally fell to the ground.

A warm current, mixed with immense pride and relief, washed away all his worries and guilt.

Lou Gao stretched out his large, dark gold hand, which contained terrifying power, not to catch the gear, but to pat Lin Xia's shoulder heavily and emotionally again. The force was so great that Lin Xia swayed slightly.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Lou Gao said "good" three times in a row, his voice loud and clear, filled with a sense of relief and immense satisfaction, and there was even a hint of excited tears glistening in his eyes.

"I knew I hadn't misjudged you! Xia, with your heart and ability, I can finally rest easy!"

Lou Gao looked up at the mine's dome, as if paying homage to the phoenix god in the darkness, or as if making a declaration to himself.

"Five years! Just five years! I, Lou Gao, will surely forge these divine bones, this martial spirit, and this reborn soul into a foundation truly worthy of the Phoenix Godhood within this furnace!"

"Xia, we entrust the outside world and our dreams to you for now!"

Lou Gao's voice was powerful and resonant, carrying the unwavering determination and resolve of a phoenix chisel, echoing for a long time deep within the scorching mines of Norton Volcano.

(End of this chapter)