Douluo Dalu 3: Legend of the White Fox

"What do you mean? You don't want me to forge metals for soul beasts, do you?" Xia Yi asked curiously.

"Of course not. It's just that the rules of Douluo Continent only allow for one god-level blacksmith, known as the 'Divine Craftsman'. If you become a god-level blacksmith, humanity will not have a divine craftsman for a long time," Gu Yue said solemnly.

Blacksmiths are the foundation for soul armor masters; without blacksmiths, soul armor masters cannot exist. A divine craftsman, or god-level blacksmith, is the foundation for the four-character soul armor.

Although a group of saint-level blacksmiths can work together to create a four-character Battle armor, it won't be as powerful as one made by a divine craftsman. Furthermore, creating a four-character battle armor with multiple saint-level blacksmiths requires an astronomical amount of manpower and resources, making it practically impossible to mass-produce.

This is why, although there are many four-character soul armor masters on Douluo Continent, they are mostly associated with Zhen hua, the current divine craftsman.

It's also why the Holy Spirit Sect desperately wants him dead.

"Blacksmithing, huh? Maybe I should give it a try," Xia Yi said after finishing his meal. He went to find Ye Yingluo, and when she heard Xia Yi wanted to learn blacksmithing, she was startled.

"What are you talking about? Blacksmithing is the hardest second occupation to learn. Besides, there are no blacksmithing teachers at East Sea Academy. If you want to learn, you'll have to go to the Blacksmith Association in East Sea City, if it doesn't work, go find the 5th year Senior Mu Xi, her father is the current president of thee Eastsea City Blacksmith Association" Ye Yingluo said seriously.

"Can't I just go straight to Senior Mu Xi?" Xia Yi asked curiously.

"Unless it's absolutely necessary, it's best not to go to her. I heard that Tang Wulin from Class Zero has a close relationship with her. Since you fought with Tang Wulin, going to her might actually lower your chances of joining the Blacksmith Association," Ye Yingluo said helplessly.

"No wonder," Xia Yi nodded. It made sense now why Gu Yue had shook his head when he asked if he could learn blacksmithing at East Sea Academy.

The Blacksmith Association in East Sea City wasn't too far from the academy—only a half-hour's walk.

Since blacksmiths are indispensable for every soul armor master, advanced blacksmith metals are priceless, and blacksmiths are incredibly wealthy. Even in a city like East Sea City, the Blacksmith Association's building was towering, gray, and about thirty stories tall, with a giant hammer symbol on top. This hammer symbol alone made the building easily identifiable.

"Blacksmith Association!" Xia Yi murmured as he looked around. He noticed that most people walking past this unique building cast a respectful glance at the massive hammer symbol. Some even gave Xia Yi puzzled looks as he stood motionless outside the building.

Ignoring the curious stares, Xia Yi strode into the Blacksmith Association's main entrance. The front was a ten-meter-high glass wall with a giant golden hammer relief at least one meter high.

Walking through the glass doors, the lobby was vast, with only two young women dressed in gray professional attire standing at the reception.

"Little brother, who are you looking for?" one of the sweet-looking receptionists stood up and greeted him.

Xia Yi scratched his head and said, "I'm here to join the Blacksmith Association."

The receptionist looked at Xia Yi, who seemed a bit sickly, and immediately smiled. "Are you a blacksmith?" she asked.

Though he was handsome, Xia Yi didn't look like a blacksmith at all.

"No, but I can learn," Xia Yi said seriously.

"Alright, little brother, blacksmithing isn't something you can just learn. Don't be ridiculous, go back. Also, joining the Blacksmith Association requires a recommendation letter. I can tell you don't have one, or you would've shown it by now," the receptionist chuckled.

"Recommendation letter?" Xia Yi was taken aback. Neither Gu Yue nor Ye Yingluo had mentioned anything about this.

It made sense though—Ye Yingluo's salary was so low she probably couldn't afford to buy rare metals, let alone have any dealings with the Blacksmith Association. As for Gu Yue, she wouldn't know either.

As Xia Yi was still lost in thought, the door behind him suddenly opened. A disdainful voice rang out, "Who is this country bumpkin, trying to join the Blacksmith Association without even knowing that you need a recommendation letter? Go home and plant some crops."

Before Xia Yi could respond, an elderly voice followed, "Sigh, girl, how many times have I told you not to be so arrogant? He's just daydreaming. It's already pitiful enough that he doesn't know his own limitations, but you still have to make fun of him."

Xia Yi coldly turned around. An elderly man in his sixties and a young girl around eleven or twelve stood before him.

The old man had the same level of aura as Ye Yingluo, probably a Soul King, but he wore a very special badge on his chest.

The young girl had an average face but a nice figure. Her long black hair was tied with a purple ribbon that fell all the way down to her waist. As she moved, her hair lightly swayed, brushing her rounded hips. Her aura was similar to Xia Yi's.

The receptionist who had been attending to Xia Yi immediately showed respect when she saw the badge on the old man's chest. "A level-four blacksmith!" she said with awe.

"Heh, no need for such courtesy. I'm just here to bring in a new disciple for the first-level blacksmith test," the elderly man chuckled, seemingly enjoying the receptionist's respectful gaze. He puffed out his chest to make the level-four blacksmith badge even more noticeable.

"Understood, respected level-four blacksmith. Please follow me," the receptionist quickly led them away.

Once they had left, Xia Yi turned to the remaining receptionist and asked, "It looks like you didn't ask them for a recommendation letter either?"

"The blacksmith badge can only be issued by the Blacksmith Association. With a blacksmith badge, you naturally don't need a recommendation letter," the receptionist explained.

"What about that girl?" Xia Yi asked.

"She's here for a blacksmithing test. The Blacksmith Association offers free testing for all blacksmiths. Therefore, she doesn't need a recommendation letter," the receptionist patiently explained.

"Alright, in that case, I'll take the blacksmithing test too. Please take me to it," Xia Yi suddenly smiled.

Since the test was free, even if the Blacksmith Association didn't accept him, he could still come every day to observe how others forged, learning bit by bit. Sooner or later, he would become a level-one blacksmith.

Once he became a blacksmith, joining the Blacksmith Association would likely be much easier.

After all, since he was already here, it would be a waste not to give it a try. Who knows, he might pass the test today.

(End of Chapter)