As the trio made their way through the bustling crowd and towards the blacksmith guild, a man caught Ace's and Alexander's attention.
It was his calm composure and the confidence eluding from him that caught Ace's attention,
It was the aura of someone who has a valiant soul and has spent his years fighting against enemies.
Those two young fellows actually still managed to locate me through the crowd. Still, that youth who is older seems like a changed person.
"The two young men and lady here, why don't you three share your dreams with me?"
"Senior, sorry for interrupting your peaceful moment just now." Realising that the man held no malicious intent towards them, the trio heaved a sigh of relief.
"It's fine, I'm just surprised that the two of you managed to catch my eye and even noticed that I stand out from the crowd. As for this young girl, you might want to sort out your thoughts first."
Shaking her head, Charlotte said, "I do not understand what you mean?"
"You'll understand in the future. Just remember, walk out a path which you truly want to, don't allow yourself to be restricted by what is taught to you."
"Yes, senior." Even though Charlotte was only able to barely understand what the man meant by that, she had a feeling that she would benefit from it one day.
"You guys may leave, we might meet again one day soon enough."
"Thank you senior, may I have the honour of knowing your name?" Ace being the "leader" of the trio, took the initiative to do the greetings. As for knowing the man's identity, it was because Ace could sense that he wasn't simple.
"Of course, I'm the general of this city, Jax."
Even though Ace and Charlotte were surprised, it didn't trigger much of a reaction within their hearts.
But it was different for Alexander who's dream was to become a man of the battlefield.
Hesitating for a moment, Alexander still opened his mouth. "General Jax, is it possible for your army to take me in?"
"Oh? You're interested in becoming a soldier?" Jax asked as he suddenly threw a fist towards Alexander who dodged towards the side almost instinctively while making use of this opening to strike towards the man's abdomen.
The man however had already anticipated this move and with a simple wave of his hand, he easily blocked the attack.
"No, I do not plan on becoming a soldier. My dream is to become a general whose name and title resound across the seven continents and beyond that."
"Young man, do you know how big that ambition of yours is?" Jax asked solemnly.
"If my heart can't even contain such an ambition, then how am I qualified to reach the peak one day? I do not desire to be the best in the eyes of others, I just know that the battlefield is where I truly belong." Even though Alexander was confident, it changed Jax's idea immediately.
"Hahahaha! Very well, but I'm afraid that I'm unable to take you in."
"Why is that?" Alexander asked before his mind could process his thoughts, but Jax didn't pay much notice to this impolite behaviour of his.
"Even though you're interested, you're someone qualified to lead an army already. Me taking you in would only impede your progress. One month from now would be the day where registered rogue cultivators known as adventurers are given the opportunity to follow someone, join a sect, or join a family as an honoured elder."
"Senior, are you implying for me to use that opportunity?"
"That's right, I hope that the next time we meet, you would be qualified to exchange moves with me."
Soon after, the trio were left alone with Arith in the meeting room.
"Arith, I have the intentions to create a sect and I hope that you'll join me."
Even though Ace was sincere and Arith understood that only with Ace can he fully utilise his potential for forging, he was still unconvinced by what Ace said.
"I'm sorry Ace, but it was the blacksmith guild that raised me and I do not have the slightest intentions to leave them."
Arith sighed, wondering to himself, is this what I truly want?
"Arith, I understand that it was the blacksmith guild who raised you, but they only did so because they saw potential in you, am I wrong about that?"
"Aren't you recruiting me because you see potential in me as well? What makes you so different from them?"
Was it anger? Was it anxiety? Even Arith himself couldn't understand his own thoughts as he flared up against Ace.
Why must this youth who was still a kid in his eyes be this mature? Just how much did he experience to become someone like this?
"It's your passion for forging that caught my eye. You may have potential, but to be honest with you, a 4th grade blacksmith is nothing but useless for the development of my sect. You're in your twenties, but your growth speed is still too slow for me."
Ace sounded calm, too calm that Arith felt afraid. How was a youth able to stay this calm regardless of the situation he was in? From the first time Arith met him, he had a feeling that Ace wasn't simple, but even until now he couldn't understand this child.
"Then why are you trying to pull me in?"
"Because you're the only blacksmith that will catch my eye. I don't seek those with unlimited potential, I seek those with passion and ambition to do what they want regardless of how slim the chances of success are."
"I see...please give me some time to think about it."
"Sorry Arith, but I need an answer right now. If you have any worries, voice them out, I'll settle it for you."
Should I take up the offer? But what about those who have been learning under me and if I leave, wouldn't that mean that there won't be anyone capable of forging equipment up to the high uncommon grade in the guild?
"But if I leave, the standing of the blacksmith guild in the Glutton city will fall."
As expected, that's more of a reason for me to rope him in.
"Why are you always following Ace?" Alexander asked Charlotte who was seated beside him on the chair some distance away from Ace and Arith.
"It's because I'm his junior."
Haha, to think that she doesn't realise her true feelings yet. Even though Alexander wanted to explain things to Charlotte, he understood that some things in life aren't to be forced.
*Clench*
With great determination, Arith finally opened his mouth to speak again.
"If I were to join your sect that has yet to be established, can you ensure that the blacksmith guild in the Glutton city has another blueprint unique among the cities here to ensure that they won't fall and have the time to groom another leader?"
"That's simple, take this and pass it to someone. Take note, not the one with the highest forging skill, but one you can fully trust and has potential to become the next leader."
Deep down within his heart, Ace spent a long time contemplating before taking out this blueprint as well. It was one of the top ten weapons which he knew of from the foundation blacksmith experience he purchased from the system shop.
"Ace, are you sure about this? You should know that if this is reserved for the sect…"
"It's fine, I need to show my sincerity after all."
With a wave of his hand, Ace easily brushed Arith off as he explained the blueprint in detail.
"Similar to the energy grenade, this energy pistol may be simple and while it's only capable of targeting one at a time, even a late stage Martial Master might not be able to defend against it and another difference is that, it's fast."
Arith nodded his head, but there was still something he was curious about, asking out of curiosity, "Ace, what about the ammo needed for this energy pistol?"
"A group of 30 ammunitions would be one magazine that is sold for about 40 spirit stones, the pistol itself would be worth around 1500 spirit stones and to ensure safety, only produce it in low amounts."
"I understand, please give me three days to settle everything. I'll look for you at the Nirvana pavilion after everything is settled."
Nodding his head, Ace left the meeting room and called towards Alexander and Charlotte as they stepped out of the meeting room.
Now, I just need to persuade Clarissa to join me...