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*****
Regarding Lou Gao, the old eccentric, Tang San felt helpless. After much persuasion, Lou Gao finally gave up his idea of becoming Tang San's disciple and agreed to consider themselves peers.
So, I call you "Senior," and you call me "Big Brother," each respecting the other.
In Lou Gao's perspective as a master blacksmith, a true master deserves respect regardless of age. Since Tang San refused to accept him as a disciple, Lou Gao decided to call Tang San "Big Brother." This way, Tang San wouldn't neglect his "little brother."
Hehe!
"Big Brother, I'll give you this Endless Wind Furnace as a gift," Lou Gao said, keeping his word.
"Senior, that's really not necessary."
Though curious about the Endless Wind Furnace, taking it would disable the energy system of Gengxin City, a thousand-year-old ancient city that couldn't be left in ruins.
"I said it's a gift, so it's a gift. We can always use the underground boilers," Lou Gao didn't care about the future of Gengxin City. "Besides, after I join Spirit Hall, most of the people here will follow me. We can rebuild a new city near or in Spirit City. I have the blueprints for the entire Gengxin City."
"That's really—"
"Carefree." Lou Gao laughed heartily, stroking his beard braids. "I'm a free spirit. A mere Gengxin City can't hold me down."
Tang San was at a loss for words and finally asked, "Will Gengxin City still function without the Endless Wind Furnace?"
"Of course, the underground boilers will keep running," Lou Gao confidently assured. "We just need to add more coal. Once I move to Spirit City, most of the blacksmiths will follow, and the reduced power won't be a big issue."
Seeing this, Tang San accepted the reality that the Endless Wind Furnace would be moved from Gengxin City.
In just one day, Lou Gao and Si Long dismantled the Endless Wind Furnace from the pipes and, with the help of other members of the Blacksmith Association, transported it to Spirit Hall, where Nora helped ship it to Spirit City.
Upon learning that Tang San had convinced Lou Gao to join Spirit Hall, Nora was full of admiration: "The Holy Son's touch is extraordinary. Even Lou Gao is convinced."
"What can I say? Your Holy Son's forging skills surpass mine," Lou Gao admitted frankly, unbothered by Nora's teasing. "Big Brother, how about a competition to see who reaches the Heaven Forging level first?"
"Senior, you might not stand a chance. Even with spirit forging, you need control like mine," Tang San implied that Lou Gao's strength was insufficient for spirit forging.
In Tang San's view, Lou Gao would need to risk his life to attempt fusion forging unless his strength increased. Otherwise, he could only reach the spirit forging level, which was already impressive, producing metals fit for the second-tier Divine Seal Throne.
"Strength, huh?" Lou Gao mused. "Strength and forging skills go hand in hand. Without strength, I don't even have the qualification to forge... So frustrating!"
"Senior, don't be disheartened. You still have your disciple," Tang San said, nodding at the eager Si Long. "Si Long has great potential. As a teacher, you always hope your student surpasses you."
"Master is right. I'll do my best, don't worry," Si Long promised, thumping his chest confidently.
"True, but I still hope to achieve spirit forging and even heaven forging someday," Lou Gao said wistfully. "Infusing metals with dimensional laws—only a god can do that, right? I dream of forging such metals and creating a true divine weapon."
Three days later, Tang San returned to Spirit City with Ning Rongrong, followed by Lou Gao and Si Long. The other blacksmiths from Gengxin City would arrive later.
Persuaded by Tang San, Bibi Dong personally received Lou Gao and his disciple, designating an area in the city for blacksmiths. However, Lou Gao preferred to build a new Metal City outside Spirit City.
"Is that so?" Bibi Dong pondered whether to approve Lou Gao's proposal. Spirit City was vast, but apart from the area near Spirit Mountain, most places were already inhabited. Forcing a relocation would disrupt current residents, but building a new small city on the outskirts was a viable option.
"I have a proposal for building the outer city."
Tang San suddenly spoke up, "The walls of Spirit City have six sides, so we can build six cities outside, each with a unique feature. For example, the city managed by blacksmiths could be called the City of Forging, while the other five could be known as the City of Medicine, the City of Cuisine, and so on."
"The closer the cities are to the inner walls, the more distinctive their features will be. As the population grows, we can expand outward in a radial pattern."
Bibi Dong nodded, "That's an excellent idea. Spirit City would then occupy the central position, surrounded by these specialized cities."
Due to Tang San joining Spirit Hall, many civilian spirit masters across the continent also chose to join, filling the branches of Spirit Hall to capacity. To maintain the enthusiasm for joining Spirit Hall, Bibi Dong considered relocating some spirit masters to help build these new cities. How did Tang San phrase it?
Ah, yes—providing employment opportunities.
Thus, the expansion of Spirit City began in full swing. Personnel from other branches and from within Spirit City itself were mobilized to participate in the construction.
As the building commenced, Spirit Hall's accumulated funds dwindled visibly, causing Bibi Dong considerable distress. She even suspected that Tang San intended to deplete Spirit Hall's already limited resources.
However, following Tang San's suggestion, Bibi Dong announced Spirit Hall's new philosophy to the public: "Establish martial arts for the heavens, and forge souls for all beings!"
"Spirit City is expanding and recruiting talent from across the continent. Whether you are a spirit master or possess other skills—farming, blacksmithing, medicine—you are welcome in Spirit City!"
"Spirit Hall will treat you generously!"
"In addition, to ensure that everyone has enough to eat and wear, Spirit Hall will establish Spirit Academies in every city and even villages."
"In cities, these academies will collaborate with local primary schools to teach literacy. In villages, they will instruct residents in reading, farming, hunting, weaving, forging, and other skills."
"To fund this initiative, the Supreme Pontiff of Spirit Hall will personally visit the emperors of the two great empires, seeking a modest contribution of gold soul coins..."
Bibi Dong felt she must be crazy to follow Tang San's lead on this, likely becoming a laughingstock among the high-ranking officials of various powers.
In Star Luo Empire, Dai Laogao was bewildered when he saw Spirit Hall's projection ad: "Has Spirit Hall gone mad? Or has the current Supreme Pontiff lost their mind?"
The officials in the hall looked at each other, unsure how to react.
Dai Laogao spoke up with his opinion: "Your Majesty, according to my spies, Tang San brought Lou Gao from Gengxin City to Spirit City. Lou Gao proposed building a new city outside Spirit City, and the Supreme Pontiff agreed under Tang San's persuasion. But as we all know, Spirit Hall does not engage in production. Their funds mainly come from our Star Luo Empire and the Tian Dou Empire, as well as some small countries."
"So, Spirit Hall is running out of money?" Dai Laogao felt he had uncovered the truth. "If the Supreme Pontiff visits us, how much gold soul coins should we provide?"
Giving is inevitable; after all, Spirit Hall presented a noble reason—establishing Spirit Academies to improve people's lives. If he refused or offered too little, it would cost him the people's support.
Times have changed. With the advent of soul-guided cameras and recording devices, information spreads rapidly, and the common people's knowledge has increased, making them harder to deceive.
Unfortunately, it's too late to ban these devices now.
Sigh~ Let's hope Spirit Hall doesn't make exorbitant demands. It's not that he's reluctant, but granting once means there will inevitably be a second, third, and countless more requests.
But we can't refuse.
Damn!
This must be Tang San's idea!
"Actually, I think this might not be a bad thing," Dai Weisi said confidently, noticing Dai Laogao's concern. "If Spirit Hall fails to keep their promises, they will be scorned by the public and ensnare themselves in their own trap."
"True, and the amount of gold soul coins Spirit Hall will request won't be small. If I were the Supreme Pontiff, I would surely embezzle it for my own use."
Why was Dai Laogao so certain?
The reason was simple.
In empires like Star Luo and Tian Dou, much of the revenue comes from taxes, especially agricultural taxes, which are crucial.
Where do agricultural taxes come from?
Naturally, from the common farmers who toil in the fields.
Though they might look down on these peasants, insult, belittle, and ridicule them, they ensure that most of them don't starve. They understand that these ordinary people who grow the food are the real foundation of an empire, more so than cities built near spirit beast forests.
And Spirit Hall?
All members are spirit masters.
Spirit masters typically look down on ordinary people.
The spirit masters from major sects have some manners and at least put on a good show. They often act righteously during their travels, earning a good reputation.
But Spirit Hall?
While there are many branches, each one operates independently, with its own style and behavior.
In many small towns, Spirit Hall spirit masters are more considerate towards their own people and indifferent or even openly biased against outsiders in major matters.
True character?
If it were just an ordinary rogue spirit master or a sect disciple on a training journey, this wouldn't be much of an issue. But as members of Spirit Hall, this so-called "righteousness" becomes a point of criticism, often reflecting poorly on Spirit Hall itself.
Officials from the two great empires, when favoring their own people, at least make an effort to find plausible excuses in formal situations.
It's only because Spirit Hall helps awaken the spirits of civilian children and has recently been cleaning up corruption within its branches that they have gained some positive recognition.
Previously, when Bibi Dong began expanding Spirit Hall, the two empires didn't take them seriously, only wary of the titled Douluos in Spirit City.
Now, however, they've truly caught their attention.
On the other side, the high-ranking officials of the Tian Dou Empire had similar thoughts...