Douluo Continent: Martial Soul Young Gilas, Sandstorm King!

Chapter 148 My treasure trove is at your disposal!

Lin Xia narrowed her eyes.

"Yes, special materials are needed to repair the Starry Crown!"

He sat up abruptly, still weak, but his eyes shone with an astonishing brightness.

“If the Star Luo Empire’s own treasury doesn’t have it, then as the ‘only’ person who can repair it, it’s perfectly reasonable for me to request to go out and find special materials! As long as it’s done properly, the purpose of delaying time will be achieved! I might even… be able to ‘incidentally’ find the Illusionary Star Glaze!”

This excuse exploited Dai Tianxing's eagerness to repair the artifact and also fit his identity as a member of the Blacksmith Association.

The key is how to make this requirement seem real and believable, and how to cleverly link "finding repair materials" with "exploring the characteristics of star core fragments".

"Little one, we must go and pay our respects to His Majesty the Emperor."

Lin Xia took a deep breath, suppressing the still churning dizziness, her eyes gleaming with a desperate light.

"Success or failure depends on this!"

Without the slightest hesitation, he endured the discomfort in both his body and mind, quickly tidied his appearance, put away the floating soul power array projection, and solemnly placed the Starry Crown back into the specially made soul tool box.

Young Kiras immediately jumped onto his shoulder, warily watching his surroundings, as if to protect his master from any possible danger.

Pushing open the door to the quiet room, Lin Xia straightened his back. The pallor on his face, a result of his weakness, only added to his air of dedication and hard work.

He found the palace attendant standing outside the courtyard and made a request in a calm but unquestionable tone.

"Please inform Your Majesty that Lin Xia's preliminary investigation into the Starry Crown has yielded results. There is an important matter that needs to be reported in person, concerning the key material needed for its restoration... a special material."

The servant dared not delay and immediately obeyed the order respectfully and left.

Lin Xia stood under the corridor, gazing at the palace deep within the Star Luo Imperial Palace that symbolized supreme power, her eyes calm and serene.

In the Star Luo Imperial Palace, the air was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood in the Imperial Study, but it couldn't suppress the solemn look on Dai Tianxing's face caused by the damage to the divine artifact.

When the guards announced that Lin Xia was requesting an audience and mentioned that there was progress in repairing the Starry Crown, a glint flashed in the eyes of the emperor who controlled the vast empire, and he almost immediately put down the vermilion brush that represented supreme authority.

"Please!"

Dai Tianxing's voice carried a rare hint of urgency.

Before long, Lin Xia entered the study, led by a guard.

His face still bore a hint of pallor from excessive mental exertion, but this only added to his air of intense focus.

Beside him, Young Gilas's scarlet eyes warily scanned the imposing surroundings, the dark gold dragon mark on his chest slightly warming, conveying an instinctive vigilance against the powerful aura around him.

Dai Tianxing's gaze was sharp and immediately fell on Lin Xia. Before Lin Xia could even bow, he spoke directly, his tone filled with undisguised expectation.

"Xia, you found a way to fix it so quickly?"

He was well aware of the complexity of the Starry Crown, and Lin Xia's ability to make progress in such a short time was impressive in itself, regardless of the outcome.

Lin Xia had already prepared his answer in his mind, and at this moment, he displayed a perfectly timed expression of humility and caution, indicating progress but not yet maturity. He bowed slightly and replied:

"Your Majesty, I dare not claim to have found a definitive method. I have only conducted preliminary investigations and found some possible clues, and have some vague ideas about the direction of the repair."

Lin Xia paused, then looked up at Dai Tianxing, her eyes open and filled with the earnestness of a "researcher".

"But this lead still needs to be verified. I dare to ask Your Majesty for some specific materials to conduct experiments to verify my idea. I wonder if Your Majesty would grant me permission?"

Upon hearing this, Dai Tianxing was not disappointed; instead, a hint of approval flashed in his eyes. In his view, Lin Xia's cautious request for experimental materials, rather than taking on too much responsibility, was a sign of responsibility.

Finding a clue is already a pleasant surprise, but experimental verification is an essential step.

"Yes! There's nothing wrong with that!"

Dai Tianxing waved his hand, his imperial majesty tinged with undeniable generosity.

"It's excellent that you've made a breakthrough! Just tell me what materials you need! As long as they're useful for repairing the Starry Crown, no matter how precious they are, you can take whatever you want from my treasury!"

Upon hearing this, even though Lin Xia had already made up her mind, a genuine look of surprise couldn't help but flash across her eyes!

The Star Luo Royal Treasury is a place that gathers the wealth accumulated by the entire empire over thousands of years. Its richness and rarity of treasures are unimaginable.

Dai Tianxing was so generous, saying "Take whatever you want," his boldness and the importance he placed on repairing the artifact far exceeded Lin Xia's expectations!
'What a big deal!'

Lin Xia's mind raced.

'It seems the Starry Crown holds a heavier significance for the Star Luo royal family than I imagined. In that case…'

A hidden glimmer of light flashed deep within his dark golden pupils.

"Then there's no need to be so polite. Besides searching for clues about the Illusionary Star Glaze, this is a good opportunity to replenish my 'little treasury' and contribute to the mecha project!"

Thinking of this, Lin Xia suppressed the turmoil in her heart, and showed a look of "gratitude" and "overwhelmed with gratitude" on her face. She immediately bowed and said, "Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty!"

With Your Majesty's words, I will certainly do my utmost! There is no time to lose; would Your Majesty be so kind as to take me to the treasury now? If the treasury happens to contain the necessary items, we can begin the experiment immediately. If not…”

He then changed the subject, adding a perfectly timed sense of urgency.

"Young man, you probably need to go out and search as soon as possible, lest you delay the important repair work!"

Seeing that Lin Xia was so attentive and had such a good reason, Dai Tianxing was even more satisfied and had no doubts. He laughed heartily and said:

"Good! Brother Xia, you are decisive and efficient, which pleases me greatly! Come, I will personally take you there!"

He stood up, his black dragon robe fluttering without wind, exuding an invisible aura of majesty.

"Prepare the carriage, Starry Sky Treasury!"

"Yes! Your Majesty!"

The palace steward, who was standing to the side, immediately bowed and accepted the order, and quickly went to make arrangements.

Under Dai Tianxing's personal guidance, Lin Xia passed through layers of strict guards and several heavy alloy gates guarded by experts at the Soul Emperor level or above, finally arriving at an inconspicuous side hall deep within the palace.

The exterior of the hall appeared simple and unadorned, but when Dai Tianxing took out a key inlaid with a star gem and pressed it into a groove in the center of the hall door, a strange change occurred!
Om-!
The entire surface of the palace gate instantly lit up with countless intricate and profound soul-guiding runes, flowing and shimmering like the veins of stars.

With a dull creak of machinery turning, the seemingly ordinary, heavy stone doors slid silently open to both sides like liquid metal, revealing a deep passage behind them, gleaming with a cold, metallic sheen.

The inner walls of the passage were as smooth as a mirror, with subtle spatial ripples.

"Follow."

Dai Tianxing was the first to step into the passage.

(End of this chapter)