Douluo: Legend of the Holy Land

Chapter 22 Target – Gengxin City

Three months later, in Xiao Yu's room.

Before the enormous metal table, Xiao Yu focused his mind and held a metal carving knife, carefully carving the metal in front of him.

Nearby, there were metal blocks that had been half-carved and then discarded. Clearly, these were metal materials that Xiao Yu had scrapped after failing to make a soul tool.

Xiao Yu moved slowly, carefully making each cut. As time went by, intricate patterns gradually appeared on the metal block.

After a long while, Xiao Yu finally stopped after making his final cut and picking out some tiny metal shavings.

"Finally finished!"

Xiao Yu let out a long sigh, slowly slumped into the chair, shook his head with a wry smile, and gently rubbed his temples to relieve his somewhat dizzy mind.

This is a level one soul tool!

Xiao Yu had to admit that he had underestimated the creation of soul tools. He originally thought that with the blueprints in hand, the creation would be a natural process. Now it seemed that he had underestimated soul tools. They were the crystallization of the wisdom of the ancients for hundreds or even thousands of years. Without hard work and study, it would be impossible to master them. But did he have that time?

In the past three months, in order to create one soul tool after another, he had hardly had time to cultivate. His soul power did not increase by one level. The only thing that could comfort him was that his mental power had improved considerably.

"I have to think of a way. Although the development of soul tools is very important, I must not neglect my cultivation because of this. After all, the final decision is still made by top combat power. Soul tools can certainly widen the gap in combat power between soul masters of the same level, but it is difficult to threaten level 100 experts."

Xiao Yu's eyes shone brightly, and suddenly he came up with a solution: the Blacksmiths' Association.

The production of soul tools includes forging, shaping, casting, quenching, and polishing. Except for the final core array inscription, it is almost entirely related to the work of blacksmiths. Even the final inscription, although blacksmiths have never been involved in it, Xiao Yu believes that senior blacksmiths must be meticulous in their production and must have done fine carving on the metal. This is similar to the inscription of the core of the soul tool system.

Once common ground is found, the manufacturing process can be mastered quickly, and with detailed blueprints in hand, the blacksmith's path to becoming a Soul Master will be much easier.

In particular, Lou Gao, the master craftsman who created the Buddha's Wrath Lotus, with his talent and hard work, is very likely to step into the threshold of advanced soul master in a very short time.

As for finding a ready-made Soul Master on the Sun and Moon Continent, the difficulty level is simply too high.

First of all, the Sun Moon Continent collided with the Douluo Continent thousands of years later. No one knows how far away the Sun Moon Continent is now. There is no direction in the vast ocean, so where can we find the Sun Moon Continent?

Secondly, even if they were lucky enough to find the Sun Moon Continent, how much time would that take? Tang San became a god at the age of 24, leaving Xiao Yu with little time.

Finally, just like how the original nation of Douluo Continent rejected the Sun Moon Empire in Douluo II, doesn't the Sun Moon Continent also reject outsiders? Why should people travel across the ocean to follow you to Douluo Continent when they are doing well in their own country?

Therefore, at present, the Blacksmiths' Association is Xiao Yu's only option.

In addition, the production of soul tools is a very resource-intensive process that requires rare metals, so Xiao Yu has to go to Gengxin City, the metal capital where the blacksmith guild is located, no matter what.

As if it could detect Xiao Yu's thoughts, the system suddenly issued a task at this moment:

"Ding, red-level system mission issued: Recruit the master craftsman Lou Gao to join the Nine Star Palace and cut off Tang San's opportunities."

In the original story, it was Lou Gao who developed the three peerless hidden weapons of the Tang Sect: the Peacock Feather, the Buddha's Wrath Lotus, and the Rain of Pear Blossom Needles. His assistance to Tang San was considerable, and he certainly deserved a red-level reward.

"Looks like I have another reason to go to Gengxin City!"

Having spent three consecutive months researching the creation of soul tools, Xiao Yu gave himself a short break. After resting for two days to restore his soul power and mental state to their peak, he set off for Gengxin City.

Mu and Xuanwu were to stay behind to guard the sect and handle affairs, while Huihuo was a lone wolf who was neither attentive to nor familiar with sect affairs. Therefore, Xiao Yu's safety was entrusted to Huihuo, the Soul Douluo. In addition to Huihuo, Zilong, Xiewu, Miyimei, and Yi'ao were also accompanying Xiao Yu to Gengxin City. Given their age and cultivation level, they would definitely be participating in the Advanced Academy Soul Master Elite Competition with Xiao Yu in the future, so Xiao Yu naturally wanted to take them around more.

There was supposed to be an Eden as well, but this second male protagonist of Omega is just as aloof as in his previous life. He excuses himself by saying he doesn't like crowds and goes into seclusion to cultivate.

Xiao Yu didn't force the issue. He knew Eden's character from his previous life, and there was no need to force someone to change. He wasn't some selfless god-king who could turn a perfectly good chosen one into a loyal watchdog through a brutal beating and manipulation.

At this moment, in Notting City, thousands of miles away, a certain god-king who had already found a famous master suddenly felt a chill down his spine and couldn't help but sneeze twice.

"Hey, mistress, have you caught a cold because the weather's gotten colder lately?"

Having finally managed to swindle a fool with innate full soul power—oops, I mean, my disciple's master, Yu Xiaogang, dotes on this disciple greatly—he asked with concern upon seeing this.

"It's alright, teacher!"

Tang San wiped his nose and shook his head.

Seeing that Tang San didn't seem to have a cold, Yu Xiaogang began to explain his theory of invincibility to Tang San again.

As for Xiao Yu, after destroying several sects in succession, he was much richer. At least he didn't have to endure the hardships of traveling to the Star Dou Great Forest to obtain soul rings. Before leaving, he had arranged for two carriages to be hired, so he could focus on his cultivation during the journey.

Gengxin City is located within the Star Luo Empire, relatively close to its inland region. The Kingdom of Sylvia, on the other hand, is situated in the northwest corner of the Heaven Dou Empire, a distance of over a thousand miles. By the time Xiao Yu and his group arrived in Gengxin City, it had already taken them nearly a month and a half.

Gengxin City is one of the main cities of the Star Luo Empire, but it's hardly a famous city. Within the main city's territory, it's only considered mid-to-lower tier. Douluo Continent is a world of Soul Masters, and as a metal city, its lack of prominence is quite normal. Blacksmiths' status is the same as commoners. The Blacksmiths' Association's influence is limited to this city. The Spirit Hall, essentially a Soul Master Association, can influence the entire continent's situation. This clearly demonstrates the vast difference between blacksmiths and Soul Masters.

"Phew, we've finally arrived!"

As they were nearing their destination, the group disembarked from the carriage and could see the towering city walls of Gengxin City in the distance.

The walls of Gengxin City were entirely iron-gray, giving the impression that they were cast from metal. Although they had not yet entered the city, the group could already vaguely sense the metallic aura emanating from Gengxin City.

"Young Master, what are the next steps?"

The unicorn evil warrior asked Xiao Yu respectfully. Judging from his behavior in his previous life, this man had some sycophantic tendencies.

"Let's go into the city first and find a guide. We're all unfamiliar with this place, so it's best to get a feel for it first."

Xiao Yu said calmly. Although Xie Wu was trying to curry favor with him, he didn't mind. Moreover, Xie Wu wasn't the kind of sycophant who only knew how to flatter without any real ability. He had been making the most of his time to cultivate along the way. Xiao Yu thought that he should break through level 30 by the time they returned.

(End of this chapter)