Douluo Dragon King: I, Huo Linfei, the Mecha Illusionary Lin God

He led Huo Linfei to a corner of the testing area, where there was a safe. Zhenhua entered the password, opened the safe, and took out a metal box from inside.

The box was opened, revealing a set of silver-white shoulder armor. The shoulder armor was not large, but its craftsmanship was extremely exquisite, with its surface engraved with intricate soul-guiding arrays, radiating a faint aura of power.

"This is a component of the One-Word Battle Armor," Zhenhua said. "Although it's a basic battle armor, it already possesses the core functions of battle armor—amplifying soul power, strengthening defense, and most importantly..."

He picked up the shoulder armor and put it on his shoulders.

hum! ! !

The shoulder armor gleamed with silver light, and the soul-guiding arrays on its surface activated one by one. Zhenhua's aura instantly changed; although he was still that gentle middle-aged man, he now possessed a mountain-like solidity.

"Man and armor become one," Zhenhua said.

"Battle armor is not equipment; it is an extension of a Soul Master's body. A one-word battle armor increases strength by 30%, a two-word battle armor doubles that, and a three-word battle armor... that's a qualitative change."

He removed his shoulder armor and put it back in the box:

"Your 'Armor' soul skill just now was very close to battle armor. If you can become a Saint Craftsman, or even a God Craftsman, in the future, you will be able to forge your own true battle armor. At that time..."

Zhenhua looked at Huo Linfei with anticipation in his eyes: "You might be able to create a completely new path."

Huo Linfei looked at the shoulder armor and felt a sense of shock, but more than that, he felt...unconvinced.

No matter how strong the battle armor is, it is still a personal weapon.

His Phantom Scale God is a mecha, a torrent of steel, a war machine capable of changing the nature of warfare.

"Teacher," Huo Linfei suddenly asked, "which do you think is stronger, mecha or battle armor?"

Zhenhua paused for a moment, then laughed: "This question again. Kid, let me tell you, mechs are tools, battle armor is life. A tool, no matter how strong, is still just a tool, but life can grow infinitely."

"But what if mechs could also grow stronger?" Huo Linfei pressed. "What if mechs could resonate with the pilot's soul, like battle armor, and grow stronger together?"

Zhenhua was silent for a few seconds, then shook his head: "That's just theory. In reality, mechs can never match the flexibility and adaptability of battle armor."

Huo Linfei did not argue further.

He will prove it with facts.

"Alright." Zhenhua patted Huo Linfei on the shoulder. "You gave me a big surprise today. As agreed, I'll give you a Level 5 Blacksmith Badge, and..."

He took out a token from his pocket and handed it to Huo Linfei.

The token is entirely silver, with a hammer engraved on the front and the words "Zhenhua" engraved on the back.

"This is my token," Zhenhua said. "With this, you can go to any blacksmith's association and enjoy the highest level of treatment. And if you encounter any problems you can't solve, you can come to me with this token."

Huo Linfei took the token; it was cold to the touch and felt very heavy.

"Thank you, senior."

"Child," Zhenhua took a deep breath, trying to keep his voice steady, "would you be willing... to become my disciple?"

Mu Chen turned his head sharply: "Senior Brother!"

Zhenhua waved his hand, signaling him to be quiet, and simply stared at Huo Linfei:

"I am the only master craftsman on the continent. What I can teach you is not only forging, but also soul power cultivation, battle armor design, and even..."

With each word he spoke, Mu Chen's face paled a little more.

A master craftsman taking on an apprentice is something most blacksmiths would never dare to dream of.

Moreover, Zhenhua is right. As a master craftsman, the resources, guidance, and connections he can provide are incomparable to those of Mu Chen, an eighth-level master craftsman.

Huo Linfei paused for a moment, then shook his head: "I'm sorry, Senior Zhenhua. I already have a teacher."

Zhenhua frowned: "Who?"

"Teacher Mangtian from Aolai City," Huo Linfei said earnestly.

"Although he was only a sixth-level master craftsman, he was my mentor in forging. Without him, I wouldn't be who I am today."

Zhenhua and Muchen exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise and admiration in each other's eyes.

Surprisingly, this child, despite his young age and remarkable achievements, still respects his teachers.

What's admirable is that in this fast-paced era, it's rare and precious to be able to maintain this original aspiration.

"Mang Tian..." Zhenhua murmured the name, looking at Muchen, "You know him?"

"I know him." Mu Chen smiled wryly. "Not only do I know him, we're quite close. He's an old friend of mine from the Blacksmith Association. He's been staying in a small place like Aolai City all these years, saying he likes peace and quiet."

Zhenhua pondered for a moment: "It seems I underestimated him to be able to teach such a disciple."

He looked at Huo Linfei: "Child, respecting your teachers is a good thing. But I ask you, how much further will Mangtian accompany you on your future journey?"

Huo Linfei fell silent.

He knew Zhenhua was right. Mangtian was a sixth-level Saint Craftsman, top-tier in Aolai City, but only considered above average in the entire continent's forging industry.

As for the path he wants to take, the goals he wants to challenge, Mang Tian... truly cannot teach him.

"I see," Zhenhua said.

"I'm not asking you to switch allegiances. You can still acknowledge Mang Tian as your teacher, but at the same time, you can also become my student. On the mainland, it's not uncommon for a blacksmith to have multiple teachers, as long as the teachers acknowledge each other."

Mu Chen's eyes lit up: "That's a great idea! I'll contact Mang Tian right away!"

He walked to the side, took out his communication soul tool, and dialed Mang Tian's number.

A few minutes later, Mu Chen returned with a complicated expression.

"How is it?" Zhenhua asked.

"Mang Tian said..." Mu Chen glanced at Huo Linfei, "He said he had long expected this day to come. Huo Linfei's talent is beyond what a mere sixth-level grandmaster like himself can teach. He agrees to let Huo Linfei find another teacher, and..."

He paused for a moment, then said, "He said to let Huo Linfei choose for himself."

Zhenhua and Muchen both looked at Huo Linfei.

The atmosphere in the testing area suddenly became subtle.

Zhenhua spoke first:

"Child, as I just said, I am a master craftsman. The only master craftsman on the continent. By following me, you will gain access to the most advanced forging techniques, the rarest metals, and the most comprehensive network of connections. In the future, you will at least become a saintly craftsman, and may even strive to become a master craftsman—no, you are guaranteed to become a master craftsman!"

He spoke with great confidence, the confidence that comes from being the top blacksmith on the mainland.

Mu Chen grew anxious: "Senior brother! What are you saying! Mang Tian and I have been friends for decades. When Huo Linfei came to Donghai City, Mang Tian specifically instructed me to take good care of him. What does that mean? It means he's been wanting to entrust Huo Linfei to me for a long time!"

He looked at Huo Linfei, his tone sincere: "Child, although I am an eighth-level Saint Craftsman, one level below my senior brother, I have the resources of the entire East Sea City Blacksmith Association. Moreover, I am young and energetic, and can guide you every day. Your senior brother…" He glanced at Zhen Hua,

"He's elusive, always on the move, traveling all over the continent. How could he possibly have time to teach you?"

Zhenhua laughed: "I don't have time to teach? But a single word of guidance from me is worth a year of your teaching."

"You!" Mu Chen was so angry his mustache stood on end. "Senior brother, you're bullying me just because you're a master craftsman!"

"I'm just relying on my status as a master craftsman," Zhenhua said matter-of-factly. "I'm a master craftsman, and he's destined to become one. It's only natural for a master craftsman to teach another master craftsman."

"I……"

"Alright, alright," Huo Linfei interrupted the two, both amused and exasperated. "Teachers, please stop arguing."

He thought for a moment and said, "How about this, I'll become Senior Zhenhua's disciple. But..."

He looked at Zhenhua: "I have one condition."