The additional three zhang (approximately ten meters) of rising light was thanks to Gu You's martial soul.
The height of the spirit awakening was related to the degree of alloy fusion and the quality of the soul master's martial soul. Generally, achieving even one chi (about 33 cm) was already quite difficult, yet Gu You had reached eight chi. For a sixth-rank blacksmith, this was nothing short of a miracle.
The black, blue, and purple-gold light continued to rise and linger for more than twenty seconds before slowly fading away.
On the forging table lay an oval-shaped piece of metal, deep blue like a starlit sky, with cloud-like patterns flowing through it. The swirling vortex was no longer present, but a mist-like essence flowed within, exuding a vibrant life force. The emitted glow was black-silver, resembling the night sky filled with stars.
"Fusion degree: 96%." Gu You stepped forward, taking an instrument from a nearby cabinet and measuring the fusion level.
Gu You sighed—still a bit low. He felt that his fusion process had been nearly perfect, yet he had not reached 100%.
If others knew what he was thinking, they would be speechless with frustration. A fusion rate of 96% was something that even many Divine Craftsmen (Saint Blacksmiths) might struggle to achieve, yet he was complaining about it.
Now that the primary alloy was fully forged, the next step was to plan the mold for shaping the battle armor, designing its overall form, and crafting the wings.
This was typically not the work of a blacksmith alone; usually, mecha builders would construct it while armor designers structured its overall shape. But Gu You was used to doing everything himself. For him, this wasn't difficult—rather, it was quite simple.
Half a Month Later
Bang!The forging room door was kicked open.
Gu You looked exhausted, but inside, he was ecstatic.
A suit of battle armor, truly close to the level of a three-word battle armor, made from top-tier spirit-forged alloy, had finally been completed. And it was his. In the future, when he needed to upgrade it to three-word armor, all he had to do was reforging it into a soul-forged alloy.
As long as he integrated the soul-guided formation array, he could use it immediately. His martial soul had already established a subtle connection with the armor, proving that their compatibility was perfect.
"You actually succeeded? So quickly?" Feng Wuyu's voice echoed from all directions.
"Of course, I did."
Gu You extended his hand, his eyes clearly saying, Where's my stuff?
"Here you go!" A soul guide ring suddenly appeared in the air, landing precisely in Gu You's hand.
"Give me your armor before the array is inscribed. What primary attributes do you want in your soul-guided formations?"
Gu You channeled his soul power, sending a flash of light that disappeared into the surroundings.
Far away, Feng Wuyu solidly received the completed but unengraved battle armor that Gu You had handed over.
"In a single phrase: full attack power. Amplify all attributes related to the user's abilities. Since this battle armor is made from spirit-forged alloy, it's already linked to my heart and life. Make sure the person inscribing the array doesn't stay too far from me; otherwise, the armor will return to me on its own." Gu You said confidently.
"Got it. Just looking at you makes me mad. You're already a sixth-rank blacksmith. You can pick up your blacksmith badge anytime when you're free. Once the soul guide inscriptions are complete, someone will deliver it to you. Go back to Shrek Academy—some people have been waiting for you. After all, it's already been half a month."
Gu You waved goodbye and turned to leave.
"What a monster. Another self-created alloy, and he won't even tell me what it is... This kid is unbelievable. Judging by its properties, it's pretty overpowered. With Starfall Ore mixed in, this thing is absolutely insane!"
Gu You walked leisurely down the street with a sense of untouchable confidence. Through this forging process, he had learned something new: the wings of a two-word battle armor also required a flight inscription. Only when the alloy reached the level of soul forging and became a true extension of one's life would the soul-guide formation be unnecessary. But that was a rare case—if the alloy wasn't perfectly compatible with the martial soul, a soul-guide formation was still required for proper functioning.
Back at Shrek Academy
"You!"
Tang Wulin was visibly shocked at Gu You's sudden arrival.
"I've prepared the materials for you." Gu You waved his hand, and four types of spirit herbs floated before Tang Wulin.
"Where have you been these past few days?"
"That's none of your concern." Gu You replied calmly.
Tang Wulin didn't press further but stared in astonishment at the four rare spirit herbs before him. If he had been the one to collect them, who knew how long it would have taken? Yet Gu You had managed to gather them in such a short time.
Is this the difference in ability?
Tang Wulin shook his head. These four herbs would fundamentally strengthen his body. Even though they were meant to help him unseal his bloodline, their medicinal properties would still nourish him. Overall, he would only gain benefits.
The Golden Dragon King bloodline was powerful but also a double-edged sword. Every time he reached a certain age, if he did not unlock the corresponding seal, he would die. However, with Gu You around, that possibility seemed to be completely erased.
For now, he was the beneficiary. Gu You had forgiven him and even agreed to help him rescue his parents—this was already the best outcome.
As he contemplated this, Tang Wulin stood up and fetched a basin of clear water. Previously, he had already broken through the third seal, so now he could proceed directly to the fourth.
The first ingredient he placed into the water was the Pinewood Lingzhi. After soaking for about ten minutes, he added the Miracle Chrysanthemum.
As soon as the Miracle Chrysanthemum entered the water, the liquid turned into a faint golden hue—beautiful and radiant. Under this golden influence, the thousand-year-old Pinewood Lingzhi emitted a subtle brownish glow.
The third herb he added was the Thousand-Year Purple Cloud Wood. This herb was extremely potent. The moment it entered the water, it spread a deep ink-like color, quickly turning the entire basin dark and murky.
Watching the water deepen in color, Tang Wulin finally took out a string of Thousand-Year Vitality Fruits. Instead of placing them in the water, he ate them one by one until he had consumed all six.
The Vitality Fruits tasted awful—extremely sour and bitter. Just one made his teeth ache. However, with each fruit he swallowed, he felt a surge of powerful life energy flooding his body.
Soon, after finishing the entire string of fruit, a layer of vibrant green aura emerged on his skin. Then, he lifted the basin and started drinking the murky liquid in large gulps.
As for the taste… Gu You could tell just from watching that it wasn't pleasant.
If the Vitality Fruits were unbearably sour, then this concoction was an overwhelming mixture of sour, sweet, bitter, spicy, and salty. Tang Wulin frowned as he forced himself to drink it all.
Golden light began to appear on his skin, but a layer of blue light emerged simultaneously, trying to suppress the golden glow. However, the seal's release had already begun. Could mere resistance stop what was about to unfold?
Feeling the immense change within his body…
(To be continued)