The moment Zhen Hua announced this major news, someone could not help saying, "President, this is the foundation of your life's work. You are sacrificing too much by doing this."
Inheritance was the foundation of one's standing.
If Zhen Hua made all his knowledge public, it would be equivalent to every blacksmith receiving his inheritance. For them as blacksmiths, this was naturally beneficial. But for Zhen Hua, it was not a good thing.
He was the Divine Craftsman standing at the pinnacle of blacksmithing. The techniques mastered by others meant little to him. If he wanted them, he could easily obtain them from others. This reform had no benefit for Zhen Hua himself.
Of course, the fact that the person announcing this was the only Divine Craftsman in the world meant everyone understood that they would surely receive a lifelong beneficial inheritance from him. That was why they thought this way. If an ordinary blacksmith had said such a thing, they would have been criticized harshly.
Looking at the blacksmiths below who were worried about him, Zhen Hua smiled slightly. "You don't think I am sacrificing too much, do you? Then let me tell you, I am not. The reason I am announcing this today is because someone has shown me sufficient sincerity and also revealed the shortcomings of our Blacksmithing Association."
With that, Zhen Hua signaled to Huo Yuhao with his eyes.
The blacksmiths below also followed his gaze to Huo Yuhao. They had naturally noticed Huo Yuhao, Gu Yuena, and Bear Lord following Zhen Hua.
Huo Yuhao stepped forward. He did not say anything immediately. Instead, he took out dozens of pieces of Spirit Alloy and introduced them one by one. "This is an alloy made from Sunken Silver, Refined Gold, and Starfall Iron. This is..."
Chang Gongyan and Lin Yuhan were both somewhat surprised.
This young man famous throughout the Douluo Continent also had considerable accomplishments in forging? Or had the Spirit Transmission Tower given them to him?
As the blacksmiths' gazes followed Huo Yuhao's movements, some gradually showed expressions of disbelief. "How is this possible? Wasn't making an alloy from Sunken Silver, Refined Gold, and Starfall Iron verified to be impossible?"
A Saint Craftsman upon hearing this said in surprise, "What is impossible? I researched it long ago. Your proportions must be off, right?"
"Tianyou Crystal can actually continue to be Fusion Forged with Star Silver?"
"There is a technique. Special forging techniques can accomplish Fusion Forging. I have recently researched it."
As Huo Yuhao introduced them, the quiet hall suddenly became noisy. Many discovered that the alloys they had not yet researched were already completed projects in someone else's hands.
Of course, there were also many alloys that Huo Yuhao presented that the blacksmiths had never seen before.
At this point, many already understood what Zhen Hua had meant by shortcomings.
"I am sure you all understand what I am trying to say. The Fusion Forging techniques and forging skills that all of us blacksmiths collectively possess are actually quite extensive. But everyone keeps them to themselves. Apart from disciples, they are basically not passed on to outsiders."
Zhen Hua paused here, then continued, "This is a normal thing. I can understand it. But think carefully. The Fusion Forging formulas that you have spent countless hours failing to research have long been completed by someone else. And the forging techniques that others have painstakingly studied may be something you already mastered long ago."
"In ten thousand years, how many blacksmiths have let their techniques rot in their hands without being passed down because they could not find suitable disciples? How many Fusion Forging formulas have long been completed but been forgotten in corners? Clearly, the exchange of techniques has its necessity."
"We need a platform for exchange. The Blacksmithing Association should have played this role. But we have been turning a blind eye, only letting the association act as an intermediary, issuing forging tasks. I want to change all of this today."
"If everyone is willing to share their research results with each other and exchange insights, then the level of the entire forging world will experience a qualitative leap. We no longer have to repeat the detours others have already taken. Instead, we can stand on the shoulders of our predecessors and explore the deeper path of forging."
Among the crowd, an elderly Saint Craftsman could not help sighing. "That is indeed true. I spent ten years researching the Fusion Forging method for 'Tianxing Steel,' but was always missing the final step. Little did I know that Brother Lin had already succeeded five years ago, and I was completely unaware."
Another blacksmith also said with a bitter smile, "I conducted over a thousand experiments for the quenching technique of 'Cold Heart Iron,' only to have Senior Wang's disciple casually point out the key."
However, while some agreed, others were hesitant and worried.
After all, if their hard earned unique techniques were made public for free, would they not lose their advantage?
Someone could not help saying, "No, President. Free sharing of technology is unfair to you and to the blacksmiths who contribute their valuable techniques. Moreover, there is so much technology. A single blacksmith can only master a limited amount. Rather than directly sharing it all, why not..."
The blacksmith who spoke stopped halfway, seeing Zhen Hua looking at him with a smile. He immediately understood that he had been mistaken.
The president managed the entire Blacksmithing Association. How could he not have thought of this?
His initial words were meant to make an impact, were they not?
Zhen Hua smiled. "It seems all of you disagree with free sharing, but you are generally in favor of the proposal itself, am I right?"
The crowd exchanged glances, but no one objected.
This was a joke. The Divine Craftsman wanted to teach you forging. Did you not want that?
Seeing this, Zhen Hua smiled slightly and gently clapped his hands. A projection immediately appeared behind him. "Do not worry about the system. I have decided to establish a 'Technology Sharing Library' within the Blacksmithing Association. All members can upload their research results and, based on their Contribution Level, earn corresponding Points to exchange for others' technologies or resources."
"Sharing is not free. Exchanging for each technology requires a corresponding number of Points. Points can only be obtained by contributing your own technology or completing tasks issued by the association. All the technologies I possess have already been uploaded as a foundation."
"The path of forging has always been about gathering strengths from many schools. Isolated Development will only narrow our path. Calling everyone here today is to hope that we can advance together, allowing the Blacksmithing Association, and even the entire world of soul tools, to reach new heights."
His words were forceful, carrying an unquestionable authority, yet also full of encouragement.
Gradually, the blacksmiths' expressions shifted from hesitation to determination.
The Divine Craftsman had already entered his own technology into the library. What did they have to hesitate about? Were the technologies they possessed better than Zhen Hua's?
"I agree!" A Saint Craftsman was the first to step forward.
"I am in as well."
"Count me in."
...
Watching the crowd respond one after another, watching various technologies being entered into the library, Lin Yuhan could not help feeling a stir, even though it had nothing to do with her.
"Teacher, could we back home..."
"Impossible."
Compared to Lin Yuhan, Chang Gongyan's eyes were full of worry. "We have no Divine Craftsman. There is no blacksmith who can make the entire forging world follow his command. What the Douluo Federation can accomplish, we cannot."
And this represented the gap.
Lin Yuhan's movement stiffened. Her excited expression gradually faded.
Yes, this had nothing to do with them. They were not citizens of the Douluo Federation. On the contrary, they were enemies of the Douluo Federation.
Enemies...
Lin Yuhan looked at the scene before her. For some reason, she felt a sense of fear.
Could their Xingluo really win against such an opponent?
On the other side, Zhen Hua watched the scene with relief in his eyes. When the crowd quieted down, he said in a deep voice, "On this good day, I want to announce two more things. I plan to have the Blacksmithing Association cooperate with the Spirit Transmission Tower, combining various Fusion Forging formulas to jointly research the legendary Divine Alloy made from the fusion of nine metals."
"And as for Gu Yuena of the Spirit Transmission Tower, from today onward, she is my personal disciple. I hereby declare that she will be a future Divine Craftsman."
***
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(End of Chapter)
