Douluo Continent: Martial Soul Young Gilas, Sandstorm King!

The wheels rolled over the last stretch of smooth obsidian road, making a low, rhythmic sound that broke the silence inside the carriage, which had been maintained by Bangiras's slumber.

Half a month has passed since we left the edge of the Norton Volcanic Group. After a brisk journey, we finally arrived at our destination—Gengjin City—on this night when the city lights were just coming on.

Inside the carriage, Lou's tall and imposing figure leaned forward slightly, lifting the heavy curtain on the side wall of the carriage.

His golden eyes held a mixture of eagerness to return home and the weariness of having endured divine trials. He couldn't wait to see if the blacksmith's capital, which he had left five years ago, was still the same as he remembered.

However, when the new outline of Gengjin City came into clear view under the night sky, Lou Gao froze as if petrified.

"This...this is...Gengjin City?!"

His deep voice was filled with an incredible tremor, each syllable seeming to be squeezed out with difficulty from the depths of his throat.

He subconsciously rubbed his eyes, almost thinking he was seeing a phantom in a dream.

In my memory, Gengjin City was a furnace of steel and fire, an ancient fortress where the clanging of forging never ceased day or night.

The city's chimneys spewed black smoke, and the air was filled with the rough smell of rust, burning coal, and sweat.

The streets are narrow, the houses are low and practical, and the color scheme is mainly dark iron gray and mineral brown. At night, there is only the light of a few oil lamps and the fire of the forge.

The city standing before him under the starry sky had completely overturned all his understanding!

The first thing that catches the eye is the majestic city wall that surrounds the entire city.

It is no longer a rough, massive pile of stones, but is cast from a special alloy that is smooth as a mirror and shimmers with a cold metallic light, with faint energy patterns flowing on its surface.

The city walls were no longer only guarded by patrolling soldiers; at intervals stood sleek, precisely structured soul-guided sentry turrets, their dark blue energy cores flickering rhythmically in the night, silently testifying to their formidable defensive capabilities.

The city gates are tall and wide, no longer heavy wooden or iron-clad giant gates, but two huge gates made of energy fields and solid alloys, shimmering with light and full of a futuristic feel.

Above the city gate, a huge soul-guided projection screen constantly changed soft light and shadow, alternating between displaying "Gengjin City Welcomes You," "Blacksmith Association - Leading the Future," and some guidance information and announcements. The font was clear and bright, and the colors were gorgeous.

Passing through the spacious and brightly lit city gate passageway, the real awe-inspiring experience is just beginning.

The main road, wide enough to accommodate ten carriages side by side, is no longer lined with low blacksmith shops and messy houses.

Instead, there are rows of multi-story buildings that are uniform in style yet distinctive.

These buildings extensively utilize metal frames, high-strength glass curtain walls, and special stone materials, featuring clean and crisp lines.

The most dazzling and mesmerizing thing is the soul-guided lights that are spread throughout the city!

Along both sides of the street, elegantly designed streetlights emit a soft yet bright white light, illuminating the street as bright as day.

The outline of each building was delineated by exquisite soul-guided light strips, shimmering with various colors such as crimson, silver, gold, and dark blue.

The huge signs are no longer painted wood, but are inlaid with soul guide crystals or use soul power projection technology, making them colorful and dynamically changing.

The lights in the shop windows of countless stores reflect each other, displaying all kinds of soul tools.

From exquisite household soul-guided stoves and constant-temperature soul-guided devices, to communication soul-guided device models shimmering with complex light paths, and dynamic light and shadow displays showcasing the properties of various new alloys...

The entire city seemed to be draped in a dazzling coat woven from countless stars and neon lights, with flowing light and shadow, vibrant colors, and a sense of vitality and technology.

The familiar smell of rust and coal smoke in the air has long been replaced by a scent that blends fresh air, a kind of ozone-like energy, and the aroma of street food. The monotonous clanging of blacksmithing has been replaced by a vibrant, bustling atmosphere.

The wide streets were bustling with people, most of whom, dressed in various styles, wore expressions of satisfaction or busyness.

The hissing of steam and the rolling of wheels filled the air—the sound of public carriages and freight vehicles driven by Soul Guidance Power moving in an orderly fashion.

The street stalls are no longer simple stalls, but neatly planned shops and exquisite mobile stall carts.

The sounds of vendors hawking their wares rose and fell, creating a vibrant and bustling atmosphere.

"Freshly baked Soul-Guided Oven Bread! Warm, soft, and full of energy!"

"The latest 'Swift Wind' series personal mobility skateboard! Saves effort and time, experience the thrill of speed!"

"A specialty of Gengjin City, mithril-forged jewelry! Master craftsmanship, enhanced with soul-guided constant temperature!"

"Iced Soul-Guiding Cold Drinks! A must-have for cooling down in summer! Don't miss out!"

"Check out this 'Rock' brand home-use Soul Guidance Shield Generator! Safe, affordable, and protects your home!"

Even more interestingly, some small engineering soul-guided puppets are busy on the street corner, cleaning the road and maintaining public soul-guided facilities.

Street performers also use portable soul-guided devices to project light and shadow, performing novel stories.

The children chased after the small, soul-guided toy balls that shimmered with a soft light, their laughter ringing out.

The entire city is like a vast and sophisticated soul-guiding matrix, efficient, bright, and full of vitality, completely different from the rugged, fiery, and noisy forging city in his memory!
Lou Gao stared wide-eyed, his molten gold pupils contracting violently from shock, his gaze sweeping greedily and bewilderedly over every inch of the upheavals.

His hands, which could accurately sense the temperature of the divine fire and understand the mysteries of metal, were trembling slightly at this moment.

An indescribable sense of unfamiliarity and a tremendous shock swept over him.

"This……"

Lou Gao's Adam's apple bobbed laboriously; his voice was dry, carrying a sense of bewilderment bordering on aphasia.

"...Who did this?!"

He turned his head sharply, his gaze fixed firmly on Lin Xia, who was sitting opposite him in the carriage, gently comforting the shrunken, shrunk-up version of her who was nestled beside him, her eyes still a little dazed.

Zhu Zhuqing, standing beside him, had a hint of relief on her usually cool face as she looked out the window with a gentle gaze.

There's absolutely no need to answer!

Lou Gao already had the answer in his heart!

five years ago!
Soul Guidance Device Technology!
Inheritance of core forging knowledge!
Of these three key elements, apart from his tower height, only his disciple Lin Xia, who was only seven years old at the time, possessed them on the entire continent!
Moreover, Lin Xia inherited all of his forging memories and experience!

The earth-shaking changes before his eyes, the soul-guided civilization that has seeped into the very marrow of the city, the results of the fusion of alchemy and forging that far exceeded his imagination—who else could it be but him, this monstrous disciple?!

The shock exploded in Lou Gao's heart, but instead of turning into pride, it instantly ignited a huge worry buried deep in his heart!
His golden eyes flashed with a sharp, knife-like light, piercing Lin Xia directly. His voice was urgent and thunderous, carrying an undeniable question.
"Lin Xia! Xia!" (End of Chapter)