As he neared the outskirts of Gengxin City, Lin Xia came to a stop.
He took a deep breath, sensing the increasingly intense metallic aura in the air—a unique scent blended from mineral dust, the scorching heat of furnaces, and the residue left behind after countless metal tools had been forged and polished. He lowered his head and looked at Larvitar, which was following closely at his side.
"Larvitar, come back."
Lin Xia spoke softly, his tone carrying a trace of apology, but even more caution.
"Lar?"
Larvitar tilted its small head, the red light in its eyes filled with confusion, clearly unable to understand why it had to return just as they were about to reach their destination.
"Be good. There are too many people in the city, and too many eyes. We need to be careful."
Lin Xia squatted down and gently rubbed the blunt horn on top of Larvitar's head.
"Once we find a safe place, I'll let you out and you can eat your fill, alright?"
Though a little disappointed, Larvitar obediently nodded. Its body turned into a streak of gray-green light and flowed into Lin Xia's body, returning to the Martial Soul space.
Lin Xia could clearly feel their connection, as well as the anticipation Larvitar transmitted—its eager excitement for the coming feast.
Recalling Larvitar was not out of dislike, but a necessary act of caution.
Lin Xia was very aware of his own situation.
He was merely an orphan with no backing—no background like Yu Xiaogang, and no hidden Title Douluo father like Tang San.
Larvitar's unusual form and abilities—if exposed to those with ulterior motives, especially forces obsessed with researching rare Martial Souls or possessing an overwhelming desire for control would lead to unimaginable consequences.
A man is innocent, but his treasure invites guilt.
Before he possessed enough strength to protect himself, keeping a low profile was the only rule for survival.
Standing beneath the towering city walls of Gengxin City, Lin Xia raised his head and gazed upward. This city, known as the City of Metal, was far more magnificent than he had imagined.
The walls were not built from ordinary bricks or stone, but from enormous blocks that gleamed with a cold metallic luster.
Their surfaces were rough rather than smooth, covered with hammer marks and strange metallic patterns, as if the wall itself were a colossal, unfinished work of metal art.
Under the sunlight, the walls emitted a heavy, subdued glow, faintly revealing hues of bluish-gray, dark red, and even purple-bronze. Clearly, multiple rare metallic ores had been fused into their construction, turning the entire city wall into an indestructible metal barrier that radiated an oppressive presence.
Lin Xia found himself almost salivating.
If only I could eat this entire city…
The city towers soared skyward. The flying eaves and supporting brackets were not made of wood, but cast from refined iron, their designs rugged and brimming with raw power. Suspended above was a massive metal plaque engraved with the three characters "Gengxin City", each stroke seeming to contain the will of countless hammerings.
At intervals along the wall stood enormous metal sculptures—some were mighty warriors wielding great hammers, others were colossal metal birds poised for flight, and still others were roaring metal beasts. They served as decorations, yet also resembled totems, silently proclaiming the city's reverence for the power of metal.
The city gates stood wide open. Two massive metal doors, thick and imposing, were studded with rivets and reinforced metal bars. As the hinges turned, they emitted a deep, lingering grinding sound, like the breathing of some colossal beast.
The gate tunnel was deep, light and shadow alternating within. Streams of people and carriages passed through, stirring gusts of wind laden with metallic dust.
Lin Xia's gaze extended beyond the walls, taking in the densely packed buildings inside the city.
Unlike other cities dominated by wooden or brick structures, most buildings here were founded on stone, with large portions of their frames—and even their outer walls—made from metal.
Roofs were covered with dark metal tiles, windows were set with metal grilles, chimneys were thick metal pipes, and many walls were inlaid with metal reliefs or enormous gear-like decorations.
The entire city shimmered with a cold sheen under the sun. The air was filled with metal's distinctive, faintly bloody scent, along with the barely concealed sounds rising from deep within the city—unceasing clang-clang hammering and the thunderous booms of heavy forging.
The noise was endless, as though it were the heartbeat of the city itself, pulsing with raw industrial power.
"No wonder it's called the City of Metal…"
Lin Xia murmured in awe, deeply shaken.
This city's grandeur and uniqueness fully lived up to its reputation.
It was like a colossal metal beast lying dormant upon the earth—every brick, every breath of air saturated with the will of metal.
But once the awe faded, reality resurfaced.
Which faction should he join?
The Blacksmith Association?
This was Lin Xia's most desired choice.
The current president, Lou Gao, the world's third greatest Divine Craftsman, controlled vast reserves of rare metals, an unparalleled treasure for both Larvitar and Lin Xia.
Joining the association would not only secure a stable source of ores, but also grant access to top-tier metal forging techniques. There might even be opportunities to learn about rare metals and mineral veins—knowledge that would be absolutely crucial when searching for future "buffets."
However, the fatal drawbacks were just as obvious.
Although the Blacksmith Association held a special status, it still appeared fragile when faced with the colossal existence of the Martial Soul Hall.
Lou Gao's fate in the original work was a cautionary example.
Once he joined, Lin Xia would very likely be dragged into the Martial Soul Hall's future suppression of the association, carrying extremely high risks.
On the other hand, the Martial Soul Hall was an unquestionable behemoth, backed by power so formidable it was beyond comparison.
As long as he revealed Larvitar's terrifying potential, receiving attention and preferential allocation of resources would be practically guaranteed.
The Martial Soul Hall's deep foundations were sufficient to provide any soul beast knowledge, cultivation resources, or even protection that he might need.
But…
The moment Lin Xia thought of entering the field of vision of that madwoman, Bibi Dong, a chill ran down his spine.
Bibi Dong was unfathomably calculating, and her methods were ruthless and merciless.
Over the past dozen days, Lin Xia had repeatedly refused Yu Xiaogang's offer to take him as a disciple. Although Yu Xiaogang himself might not publicize the matter, given the Martial Soul Hall's intelligence network, there was no guarantee that it wouldn't reach Bibi Dong's ears.
How would she view someone like him—an ungrateful junior who had rejected the person she held dear?
Would she admire his independence?
Or would she see it as a provocation against authority?
Lin Xia dared not gamble, nor did he have any desire to speculate on that woman's thoughts.
Once he caught her attention, freedom would likely become nothing more than a luxury—he might even end up as a chess piece on her board.
"Sigh…"
Lin Xia let out a helpless sigh, the scales in his heart swaying violently between immense temptation and hidden danger.
The Blacksmith Association's resources were close at hand but fraught with peril, while the Martial Soul Hall's protection was powerful yet resembled a dragon's den and a tiger's lair.
"Let's take it one step at a time…"
In the end, this was all Lin Xia could tell himself.
The priority was to enter the city first, gather information, and then make a decision.
Of course, there was still one more pressing matter.
He needed to get some money.
Lin Xia touched his completely empty pack. Even the last bits of mineral fragments had already been consumed.
The "eating dirt training" along the way had kept hunger at bay, but who wouldn't want to eat something decent?
Moreover, he was now penniless not even able to afford a proper change of clothes.
"I have to find a way to make some money…"