Elder Charlotte's eyes flashed with sharp light. The shock that had surfaced was like a stone tossed into a lake, sending ripples outward—yet it was swiftly suppressed, returning to calm beneath his deep gaze.
Having lived for so many years, he had seen countless geniuses and understood well that everyone possessed their own opportunities and secrets.
Forcing an investigation would not only likely yield nothing, but could also forge needless enmity.
The child before him, though dressed in rags, had clear and resolute eyes. His Soul Power was undeniably at Level Ten. That talent, combined with the tenacity required to journey here alone, stirred genuine admiration in Charlotte's heart.
"Level Ten Soul Power, confirmed."
Elder Charlotte withdrew his hand, a warm smile once more appearing on his face, as though his earlier lapse had never occurred.
"Little Lin Xia, although you have not yet obtained your first Soul Ring and officially advanced from Soul Scholar to Soul Master, that moment is clearly close at hand. Therefore, I will make an exception."
"From today onward, you may use this badge to receive a monthly Soul Master subsidy of one Gold Soul Coin from the Martial Soul Hall."
Charlotte turned around and retrieved a small badge from the cabinet behind him, engraved with the emblem of crossed sword and hammer. He solemnly handed it to Lin Xia.
Lin Xia accepted the badge, which still carried residual warmth. It felt slightly heavy in his palm, bringing with it a strong sense of reassurance.
One Gold Soul Coin!
In Notting City, that amount would have been enough for a working student like him to scrape by for several months.
Of course, Lin Xia was not so short-sighted as to be dazzled by a single Gold Soul Coin. Acting this way was merely out of necessity.
"Thank you very much, Elder Charlotte," Lin Xia said sincerely.
Elder Charlotte watched as Lin Xia carefully put away the badge. His gaze grew heated once more as he leaned slightly forward, his tone carrying undisguised intent to recruit.
"Lin Xia, your talent is something I have never seen in my lifetime. Innate Soul Power at Level Eight, reaching Level Ten in half a month—such speed is unheard of!"
"Join the Martial Soul Hall! With your aptitude, you will receive the highest level of cultivation, the best training resources, and top-tier guidance for Soul Ring acquisition. Your future will be limitless!"
Lin Xia's heart skipped a beat.
The olive branch extended by the Soul Hall carried immense weight.
Resources, protection, knowledge—everything he desperately desired.
Yet in an instant, the cold face hidden beneath Bibi Dong's papal crown flashed through his mind, along with Yu Xiaogang's persistent figure.
After a brief moment of thought, Lin Xia took a deep breath, suppressed the turmoil in his heart, and revealed an apologetic, shy smile befitting his age.
"Thank you for your great kindness, Elder. I naturally know of the Martial Soul Hall's prestige. It's just that… I have only recently arrived in Gengxin City and still have some personal matters to attend to. I can't make a decision right away. Could you… allow me to settle these affairs first and give you my answer afterward?"
The enthusiastic smile on Elder Charlotte's face faltered slightly, a trace of barely perceptible disappointment flickering in his eyes.
Having lived so long, how could he fail to hear the implicit refusal hidden within such polite words?
This child had a firm will and his own plans.
Forced fruit was never sweet—especially when it came to geniuses. Excessive pressure would only backfire.
Looking into Lin Xia's clear yet stubborn eyes, Charlotte ultimately let out a long sigh. His smile faded somewhat, yet remained gentle.
"Very well. It is good for young people to have their own thoughts. Remember this—the doors of the Martial Soul Hall will always be open to you. No matter when, if you change your mind, you may come find me, Charlotte, at any time. The Gengxin City Martial Soul Hall branch will always welcome your joining."
"Thank you for your understanding, Elder."
Lin Xia felt a weight lift from his heart and bowed once more.
Charlotte's attitude significantly improved Lin Xia's impression of the Martial Soul Hall.
Besides, it wasn't that he refused to join outright—wasn't it always wise to compare options?
And no one ever said he couldn't join two factions at the same time.
After bidding farewell to Elder Charlotte, Lin Xia held onto the weighty Gold Soul Coin subsidy, his steps noticeably lighter.
Without delay, he left the solemn and dignified Martial Soul Hall.
Walking through the bustling streets of Gengxin City, Lin Xia first found a clothing shop.
He had grown utterly tired of the strange looks cast his way.
Using part of the Gold Soul Coin, he bought a simple but clean set of coarse cloth clothes and a sturdy pair of cloth shoes.
After changing, he still looked plain, but at least he no longer resembled a "little beggar" and no longer stood out so conspicuously among the crowd.
Once that was done, Lin Xia asked a passerby for directions to the Blacksmith Association and headed there directly.
The closer he drew to the Blacksmith Association, the stronger the air became—thick with heat, metal dust, and sweat.
The rhythmic clangs and booming hammer strikes echoed like the city's pulse—powerful and full of life.
At last, he stopped before a building of rough, rugged style.
It lacked the refined splendor of the Martial Soul Hall, yet it radiated pure strength.
Massive stone pillars flanked the entrance, carved with totems of iron hammers and roaring flames. Through the wide-open doors, waves of scorching heat surged outward, accompanied by the deafening clang of metal striking metal and the loud shouts of workers.
Lin Xia steadied himself and stepped inside.
Beyond the doors was an extremely spacious hall, more like a gigantic open workshop.
Blazing furnaces towered like colossal beasts, their roaring flames reflecting off the bronze-colored skin of the craftsmen and the sweat streaming down their bodies.
Beside enormous anvils, bare-chested strongmen swung heavy iron hammers. Each strike sent sparks flying in all directions, producing thunderous booms that shook the air.
The atmosphere was thick with the mixed scents of molten iron, sweat, coal, and metal.
Various half-finished weapons, armor, and farming tools were piled in the corners, dazzling to behold.
Seeing all this made Lin Xia's mouth water again.
His arrival did not draw much attention.
People came and went constantly—merchants placing orders, laborers hauling ores, and young people like him who seemed to be trying their luck.
He scanned the area and noticed a middle-aged man wearing a leather apron who appeared to be a supervisor, directing several apprentices as they carried iron ingots. Lin Xia walked over and spoke politely.
"Sir, excuse me. May I ask—if I want to join the Blacksmith Association, who should I speak to?"
The middle-aged man turned at the sound of his voice and sized Lin Xia up from head to toe.
Although Lin Xia had changed clothes, he was simply too young, and his build was rather slender. No matter how one looked at him, he didn't seem like someone capable of swinging a heavy hammer.
"Join the association?"
The man frowned slightly, impatience creeping into his tone.
"Kid, how old are you? Do you even know that blacksmithing is hard labor? This isn't a place for children to play with mud. Go on, go on—stop causing trouble."
Lin Xia did not feel discouraged. He straightened his back and met the man's gaze directly.
"Sir, I'm quite strong. And I'm very familiar with ores… I want to serve the association and learn forging techniques as well as some basic knowledge about minerals."
"Familiar with ores? You just said you want to learn the basics, and now you claim you're familiar?"
The middle-aged man snorted.
"Anyone can talk big. Kid, if you want to join the association, you'll have to pass an assessment!"
"The most basic requirement is being able to wield a ten-jin hammer and forge a standard iron billet a hundred times, shaping it to the association's required preliminary form. With your little body…"
He shook his head, clearly unconvinced.
Just then, an elderly yet vigorous voice sounded from nearby.
"Old Li, what's going on here? Why all the noise?"