Lou Gao repeated three "Excellent!"s in succession, his voice slightly trembling with excitement.
He slammed his thigh, and the wrinkles on his face smoothed out from the sheer thrill.
Without a moment's hesitation, he carefully took two pieces of ore from an inconspicuous leather pouch at his waist.
The instant the two ores appeared, all eyes in the hall were drawn to them.
They were only about the size of a fist, but emitted a gentle, noble golden glow, as if sunlight flowed within them.
The surfaces of the ores were dotted with natural, star-like silver specks that shimmered with a dreamlike radiance under the furnace's firelight.
A strong, pure metallic aura immediately spread out, making the surrounding air feel denser.
Lin Xia's gaze locked onto the two ores in Lou Gao's hands.
The moment the aura reached his nose, Lin Xia's stomach convulsed violently, and an instinctive, nearly mind-consuming hunger surged through him!
This was no ordinary ore—it was a temptation far stronger than the scent of meat to a traveler who hadn't eaten for three days, magnified a hundredfold!
At the same time, deep within his Soul Space, the desire transmitted by the Larvitar surged like a tangible wave, accompanied by eager "Larvi! Larvitar!" cries, and the red-eyed shadow flickered restlessly in Lin Xia's mind—it wanted out!
It wanted to eat too!
After sensing the Larvitar's intention, Lin Xia paused briefly, his gaze sweeping over Lou Gao's face flushed with excitement, his unrestrained fanaticism and admiration, and recalling how he had just repeated "Excellent!" three times…
Joining the Blacksmiths' Association now seemed inevitable.
With Lou Gao and the association as temporary support, there was no need to hide anymore.
After all, sooner or later he would have to face it—it wasn't possible to keep the Larvitar hidden forever!
"Come out, Larvitar!"
Lin Xia took a deep breath, suppressing the surging desire, and whispered.
A gray-green stream of light shot from his brow, hitting the ground and manifesting into a small dinosaur-like figure with gray-green, rock-like skin, long blunt horns, and red eyes.
The baby Larvitar had barely stood firm when its small nose twitched, its ruby-red eyes fixed on the ores in Lou Gao's hands, and its tiny claws waved excitedly. Its mouth emitted rapid, joyful "Larvitar! Larvitar!" cries.
"A Soul Beast?!"
"What kind of monster is that?!"
"Protect the President!"
The sudden appearance and unusual form of the Larvitar instantly ignited the previously silent hall.
Shouts and roars erupted!
Several nearby blacksmiths, strong and quick to react, veins bulging on their muscular arms, instinctively swung the heavy hammers and tongs beside them. Soul energy glimmered on their weapons, accompanied by whistling winds, ready to strike the Larvitar!
The air froze instantly, filled with murderous intent!
"Stop!!!"
Lou Gao's voice exploded like thunder, carrying undeniable authority, instantly quelling the disturbance.
He remained still, but the aura of someone who had spent a lifetime forging metals, imbued with immense power, suddenly surged. His gaze, sharp as a blade, swept over the impulsive blacksmiths.
"What are you panicking for? Look carefully! This is not a Soul Beast!"
Lou Gao's words were decisive.
"This is a detached-body Beast Soul! A living, breathing Martial Soul!"
Having lived such a long life and obsessed with metal forging, Lou Gao had never personally seen a detached-body Beast Soul in this form. However, Soul theory records and tales across the continent were not without precedent.
The aura emanating from this small creature perfectly matched the essence of Lin Xia's Soul Power, completely unlike the violent wildness of a Soul Beast!
Lou Gao's reprimand acted like cold water on the impulsive blacksmiths, freezing them in place, uncertain and wary as they looked at Larvitar.
The surrounding crowd fell into silence. Only the roaring furnaces and the excited "Larvitar!" cries of the Larvitar echoed through the hall.
Countless eyes focused on the strange little dinosaur, filled with shock, bewilderment, and disbelief—a Martial Soul? A Martial Soul that could detach from its master, with independent consciousness, alive and moving?
This completely overturned their established understanding of Martial Souls!
However, once they connected it to Lin Xia—the one who could bite ore they no longer found it entirely unbelievable.
It was also Lou Gao's first time witnessing a detached-body Beast Soul in such a form.
His gaze swept from the blunt horns atop the Larvitar's head, down its red, diamond-patterned belly, and to its excitedly wagging tail. His eyes were filled with pure curiosity, though he only cast a few glances, knowing there were more pressing matters.
After a brief moment, Lou Gao withdrew his gaze and handed the two ores in his hands to Lin Xia without hesitation.
"Little one! Taste these two ores and then tell me their properties and which is better!"
He paused, his eyes burning, adding with a tone of scrutiny.
"Although they look identical—their luster, specks, and weight exactly the same—even the most experienced blacksmiths and miners might not be able to tell them apart… Yet their internal properties are worlds apart!"
"One of these is a rare co-existing ore!"
Lin Xia reached out and took the two heavy ores, both radiating tempting waves of energy.
The moment he held them, the Larvitar leapt to his feet, wrapping its tiny claws tightly around Lin Xia's pant leg. It lifted its small head, ruby-red eyes glistening with moisture, looking at Lin Xia pitifully. Its little mouth pouted, whining in an elongated, coaxing tone.
"Larvitar~ Larvi~~~~"
It looked as though its most treasured possession had been taken away, melting the hearts of anyone who saw it.
Lin Xia looked down at the little creature at his feet, sighed helplessly, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl slightly.
"Alright, alright!"
He gently rubbed the blunt horn atop the Larvitar's head, his voice softening.
"Don't worry, I'll save some for you in a moment."
With that, Lin Xia took a deep breath, calming the desire surging within him. He first picked up the ore in his right hand. Without any hesitation, he opened his mouth and bit down!
"CRACK——!!!"
The crisp, teeth-gritting sound of shattering rang out through the silent hall once again!
Everyone's hearts skipped a beat at that sound.
Lou Gao was dumbfounded. Even using Soul power, this kind of ore would require three days and nights of forging in intense flames to soften it enough for shaping! And yet Lin Xia had bitten it in one go!
Before Lou Gao could fully process it, Lin Xia picked up the ore in his left hand and bit down just as decisively, taking a large chunk!
"CRUNCH! CRUNCH! CRUNCH——!"
He stuffed the fragments of both ores into his mouth simultaneously, cheeks bulging, and began chewing with great force.
The hard ores cracked and crunched like roasted beans in his mouth. Each bite made the onlookers' scalps tingle and their stomachs churn.
Yet, at the very moment Lin Xia began chewing, his expression underwent a dramatic change!
----
For additional chapter's
Join pateron.com/Translaterappu