Douluo Continent: Martial Soul Young Gilas, Sandstorm King!

Lou Gao practically roared, his burly body leaning slightly forward with excitement. His powerful soul force unconsciously made the air inside the carriage a bit hotter, startling the just-awakened Baneling, who instinctively shrank his neck and looked at the old man who had just been feeling sorry for him with confusion.

"Five years ago! What did I repeatedly emphasize before I went into seclusion?! The technology for manufacturing soul tools! That's a huge treasure that could shake the continent's格局 (geju, overall situation) and drive all forces mad with envy! It must be kept secret! It must be kept tightly in our hands! Even releasing it little by little must be done with utmost caution! We must guard it like we're guarding against a thief!"

Lou Gao became more and more excited as he spoke, and slammed his large, fan-like hand heavily on the sturdy metal handrail inside the carriage, making a dull thud.

"But look at it! Look at Gengjin City now! Look at all these soul-guided lights, soul-guided vehicles, soul-guided signs, and soul-guided tools!"

"And what about those sold in shops and used by vendors! This isn't a secret; it's like opening the doors to the entire treasure trove and announcing to the whole world with fanfare: 'Come and see! There are countless pieces of chalcedony here!'"

He was breathing heavily, and crimson flames flickered deep within his pupils, filled with profound worry for the safety of his disciples and the future of the association.

"Five years! Only five years! And you've already revealed all your trump cards?! You're playing with fire! A raging inferno! What will those jackals of the Spirit Hall think? Won't those ambitious royal nobles of the Star Luo Empire be envious? Will the Heaven Dou Empire be willing to fall behind? And what about those sects, families, and evil spirit master organizations hiding in the shadows!"

The sound from the tall buildings was like a hurricane carrying sparks:
"Xia, tell me! How many eyes are fixed on Geng Jincheng right now? How many greedy hands have already reached out? And how many deadly conspiracies are being woven in the shadows?"

"No matter how strong the Blacksmiths' Guild is, can it withstand the covetousness of the entire continent? You're simply... you're practically putting yourself on the hottest volcano!"

The carriage fell silent instantly.

Only the hustle and bustle of the city outside the car window continued to drift in, and the neon lights cast dappled shadows on Lin Xia's calm face through the gaps in the window.

Faced with the teacher's barrage of questions and undisguised concern and worry, Lin Xia did not immediately refute or defend herself.

He first patted Bangiras, who was tense again due to the excitement of the tall building, and then looked up to meet his teacher's eyes, which were as hot as molten gold and filled with anxiety and confusion.

Instead of showing anger and panic at being reprimanded, a gentle smile slowly bloomed on his face, revealing a calm demeanor and even a hint of confidence.

That smile, as calm as the deep starry sky, made Lou Gao's anger and worry seem to crash into an invisible, flexible barrier.

"teacher."

Lin Xia's voice was clear and steady, penetrating the storm of emotions raging in Lou Gao's room.

"All of this that you're worried about..."

He paused slightly, his smile unwavering, but his tone carried absolute certainty:
"Now, none of that is a problem anymore."

"It's not a problem anymore?!"

Lou Gao almost thought he had misheard, his brows furrowing tightly into a knot.

"What nonsense are you spouting, brat? Your soul tools, flaunted all over the city, are practically announcing to the entire continent, 'This is a piece of meat!' How can this not be a problem?! Do you really think you can rely on your meager strength..."

"teacher."

Lin Xia gently interrupted him, her tone still calm, yet containing an undeniable force.

"My strength is only at the Soul King level."

Before he finished speaking, a soul power aura as steady as a mountain and as vast as a starry sea naturally emanated from his body.

This aura was far beyond that of an ordinary Soul King. The weight and profundity contained within it even made Lou Gao, a candidate for godhood, feel a sense of pressure!
“But if we coordinate with Tyranitar and unleash our full power…” Lin Xia’s gaze swept over his companion nestled close to him. Tyranitar sensed its master’s intention, and its dark red eyes instantly turned sharp as knives. A dormant, primordial ferocity quietly emerged, and the air inside the carriage instantly became thick and heavy, as if the power of the earth was gathering.

"...Even an ordinary Contra-level powerhouse."

Lin Xia's voice was resolute.

"They might not even get the better of us!"

Lou Gao's pupils suddenly contracted.

He had personally experienced the terror of Tyranitar's drunken rage, and he had also witnessed Lin Xia's almost unsolvable five-attribute soul skill system.

Lin Xia's words were by no means unfounded!

A twelve-year-old Soul King, paired with a Sandstorm King with the potential to become a divine beast, their combat power is indeed enough to intimidate the region!
But that's not enough!
Lou Gao shouted in his heart.

Individual strength still appears weak in the face of real power struggles and the machinery of the state!

Lin Xia clearly understood his teacher's doubts; his smile deepened as he continued:
"Moreover, Geng Jincheng and the Blacksmiths' Association are no longer fighting alone."

He held up one finger, his tone clear and firm:
"First, we have reached a deep strategic cooperation with the Spirit Hall. The Spirit Hall's vast resource network, its intelligence system covering the entire continent, and the deterrent power of its top spirit masters are important external barriers for us. They provide rare materials, some ancient knowledge, and certain support for the security of their branches in various regions."

"In return, we grant them priority access to customized cutting-edge soul-guided weapons, auxiliary training equipment, and some civilian soul-guided technologies. This is a win-win situation."

"second."

Lin Xia extended her second finger.

"We have established a solid alliance with the Star Luo Empire. Thanks to my successful repair of the 'Starry Crown' and its subsequent strategic significance in the supply of soul tools, His Majesty Dai Tianxing is well aware of the importance of Gengjin City."

"The Empire has provided us with a vast market, preferential policies, some military orders, and mining rights to key minerals. In return, the Empire enjoys priority and preferential pricing in the fields of military soul tools and basic civilian soul tools. The stability of the Empire's western border is also closely related to the soul tool defense system provided by Gengjin City."

"third."

Lin Xia's tone carried a hint of amusement.

"Even the Heaven Dou Empire has already extended an olive branch to us, expressing a strong desire for cooperation. Emperor Xue Ye is no fool. Seeing the Star Luo Empire's national strength growing day by day with the support of soul tools, how could he possibly sit idly by?"

"Although the highest-level alliance has not yet been formally signed, blacksmith branches have already been established within the Tiandou territory, and many basic soul guidance technologies have begun to circulate in Tiandou. Cooperation is only a matter of time and details."

Lou Gao was stunned.

Wuhun Palace?
Star Luo Empire?

Heavenly Dou Empire?

These three behemoths, any one of which would have been enough to make the former Blacksmiths' Guild look up to them, have now all established such close ties with Gengjin City.

Has a certain balance even been subtly formed? (End of Chapter)