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"Fusion effects…"
Lou Tai's fingers gently traced the flowing crimson patterns on the surface of the forging hammer. The patterns moved like molten lava across the hammer's body.
"Even in the records of the Blacksmiths' Association, such a symbiotic effect is considered a once-in-a-century marvel. Even among Saint Craftsmen, few can ensure that the awakened spirits of two metals forged simultaneously will resonate with each other."
The forge fire illuminated half of Gu La's face, making it glow red. He could clearly feel the peculiar resonant frequency between the two forging hammers.
When he gripped the "Heavy Pressure Tungsten Steel Hammer" in his left hand, the "Blazing Gold Hammer" in his right would automatically adjust its weight, as if the pair of hammers were the wings of some living creature.
"From today onward, use them to forge three pieces of Thousand Refined metal every day."
Lou Tai turned and retrieved a starlight-gleaming piece of metal from the materials rack. "Forging hammers are like a soul master's soul skills—only through constant practice can you wield them skillfully."
"You should focus more on forging metals with earth and fire attributes in the future. It will help you master the special effects and maintain the sentience of your forging hammers."
From this point on, Gu La's life was divided into two distinct parts.
At dawn, the sound of clashing sword intent always rang out punctually on Donghai Academy's training field. Wood chips and frost flew everywhere as the two combatants refused to give an inch.
Wu Zhangkong had once been a candidate for the leader of Shrek's Seven Monsters. His combat techniques were solid and highly suitable for teaching beginners.
Gu La mastered sword intent through Aura, but his actual swordsmanship was rather average. His favorite approach remained brute force—believing that sheer power often led to miracles.
Wu Zhangkong's swordsmanship was both beautiful and dangerous. Gu La hungrily absorbed his techniques, integrating the essence of sword intent into his own "Forest Sword Array".
Noticing this, Wu Zhangkong silently increased the intensity of the training, providing both refinement and pressure.
"Watch your elbow!" The wooden sword suddenly changed tactics, knocking Gu La's training sword out of his hand at an impossible angle. "Forget that you're holding a sword. Once you achieve unity with your weapon, you must let it flow naturally."
Sweat dripped from his jawline as Gu La stared at the spinning sword hilt on the ground. His earlier mistake stemmed from a sudden burst of inspiration—his "Forest Sword Array" likely required mastery of the Sword Soul realm to succeed. But what if he converted "sword intent" into "hammer intent"? Could it increase his success rate in forging?
It was worth a try!
"Teacher Wu, I'll take a short break."
Wu Zhangkong knew Gu La wouldn't slack off, so he nodded and continued helping Tang Wulin and others with their training.
"Xie Xie, stop slacking off or you'll get ten extra laps!"
---
At noon, the chimes echoed through the top floor of the Spirit Pagoda, and the library filled with a faint scent of ink.
On the twenty-meter-tall circular bookshelves, books on soul-guided arrays floated within anti-dust barriers.
Gu La flipped through Core Mechanics of Mecha Design, his fingertips gliding through the three-dimensional projections of intricate golden circuits. The flowing patterns reminded him of Rotom.
If only he could bring Rotom here—then he wouldn't need to painstakingly study or do any of the labor-intensive tasks himself. He could leave all the forging-related work to Rotom.
In the afternoon, he split his time evenly between learning forging techniques under Lou Tai and studying the other three secondary professions.
Leng Yaozhu was busy with her duties and couldn't teach him and Gu Yue every day. Their studies were mainly self-directed, focusing on reading with occasional practical sessions.
Gu Yue was cold toward everyone except Tang Wulin. The two rarely spoke, even when they were in the library together, quietly minding their own business.
When Gu Yue gave him the silent treatment, Gu La simply chatted with Groudon's split personality: "You've got to step up your game, mighty Legendary! How can you not know how to craft mecha by hand?"
Groudon shot back: "The rules of this world are completely different. What do you expect me to do? Creating life is Arceus's domain—I've tried hundreds of times, but I can't awaken the sentience of metal."
Despite his complaints, Groudon's clone still swung a forging hammer in the underground magma world. After all, he didn't have much else to do besides sleeping and chasing away noisy trainers who disturbed his rest. Learning forging was just a way to pass the time and cultivate some hobbies.
After finishing his rant, Groudon brought up something serious: "Lately, I've been sensing the psychic energy you've shared with me. It seems we'll gradually gain access to each other's abilities. But you're so weak—it took years before I could even sense the abilities you've shared."
Gu La paused, his attention shifting: "So… does that mean you're still Groudon? Or will you become a fusion Pokémon of Groudon and Celebi?"
Groudon replied: "Who knows? Anyway, I feel pretty good lately—I haven't been sleepy at all, and my soul injuries have fully healed."
Gu La pondered thoughtfully. "So it seems we're not exactly a split clone and its original self. More like the difference between the 'I' and the 'other I.' We can learn each other's abilities, but we can't fully share everything. If we could, that'd be amazing."
---
As night fell, Gu La would rush into the basement forging room with his mind brimming with new ideas.
Leng Yaozhu had specially arranged this forging room for him according to the standards of a Rank 7 Saint Craftsman. The space was spacious, and the fire-attribute soul-guided devices embedded beneath the forging table kept the metal at optimal forging temperatures. There were also tools for crafting and mecha mechanics.
At the moment, he was gazing intently at the white mecha spread out on the workbench. This was the Spirit Pagoda's "Frost Crow" training model. Its streamlined chest plate was covered in burn marks caused by energy overloads.
As his mental energy swept over the damaged transmission joints, seven repair solutions instantly appeared in his mind.
Mecha represented the pinnacle of soul-guided technology. By studying mecha alone, one could become a qualified soul mentor without needing to learn about other types of soul-guided devices.
This particular white standard-issue mecha had mediocre performance, making it suitable for beginners. However, unless one was a specialized mecha craftsman, even ordinary fourth-tier professionals would need two or three people working together to complete its construction. Yet, Gu La had already thoroughly mastered every aspect of this mecha's structure.
"First, the energy core."
Gu La took a deep breath, and his psychic energy spread out like a spiderweb.
Seventeen suspended parts began trembling simultaneously. A transmission shaft made of refined steel was precisely inserted into the third lumbar interface under the guidance of soul power.
His right hand held a miniature soul-guided welding torch, while his left performed an entirely different task—his fingertips concentrated red soul power to reshape a deformed chest plate, redirecting the distorted soul power circuits.
Gu La's hands moved faster than the eye could follow. Mecha parts stacked and connected seamlessly, and psychic energy ensured that parts he couldn't control directly aligned themselves automatically. An assembly process that would normally take three to five days was completed by Gu La in just one hour, with all broken components replaced and repaired.
"The technological content hidden within just this energy core alone makes it worth my time to study these secondary professions."
Before his words faded, a brilliant light erupted from the workbench as the final energy circuit was repaired. The energy core finally connected to the conduits, transmitting soul power.
The suspended chest plate components fit together perfectly, and smooth azure light flowed through the seams of the soul-guided array.
Gu La withdrew the psychic energy maintaining the mecha's balance. The "Frost Crow" stood firmly on the floor. Its cockpit door reflected Gu La's still figure as it hissed open.
After a moment of thought, Gu La unleashed a burst of soul power from his feet and leapt into the cockpit.
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