Lin Xia nodded, put away the fragment of meteoric iron in his hand, and picked up Larvitar.
"As for the reward, I'm not in a hurry. What I want more is to see that legendary Star Glory Crown as soon as possible, and find out whether it's truly as miraculous as the rumors say."
His tone was relaxed, but deep in his eyes burned a hidden heat, the mysteries of the soul tool formation, and the immense energy contained within its core gem that might awaken the mecha, were the true ultimate goals of this trip.
"You'll see it very soon."
Zhu Yu smiled faintly and said no more, simply turning to lead the way.
The carriage had long been prepared. It was drawn by two magnificent soul beasts whose manes were as white as snow. Inside, the cabin was lined with soft snow-wool carpets, carrying a faint calming fragrance.
The carriage departed Zhu Manor smoothly and swiftly, passing through the bustling streets of Gengxin City and heading toward the magnificent palace complex at the heart of the city, the symbol of Star Luo's supreme authority.
When the towering outline of the Star Luo Imperial Palace rose into view, even Lin Xia, steadfast as he was, could not help but feel a trace of shock.
The entire palace was not a simple structure of brick and stone. It seemed more like it had been forged from countless massive blocks of starstone, precisely cut and infused with energy through soul tool technology.
The walls were not plain gray-white, but instead bore the deep hues of the cosmic night sky, with countless fine runes flowing across them like the trajectories of stars.
The enormous archways resembled rifts torn through the heavens, their edges shimmering with eternal starlight.
The palace roofs and eaves were embedded with countless starstones of various sizes. By day they reflected sunlight in dazzling brilliance; by night, they would surely seem as though the entire night sky had descended upon the mortal world.
A strange fluctuation of energy filled the air—cold, vast, and carrying the pressure of the stars, entirely different from the pure metallic heat and fire-laden atmosphere of Gengxin City.
The ground was not paved with ordinary stone, but with a smooth jade-like material that glimmered with inner starlight—Starglow Jade. Walking upon it felt like stepping atop a frozen sea of stars.
Larvitar lay on Lin Xia's shoulder, its crimson eyes widened warily, letting out a very low growl. It instinctively felt uneasy in this grand environment brimming with overwhelming power. The dark golden dragon-mark on its chest grew slightly warm, as though resisting the omnipresent pressure of the stars.
Zhu Yu keenly noticed the subtle reactions of Lin Xia and Larvitar. A reserved smile curved her lips, appearing unfathomable beneath the palace's radiant glow.
"Well? Little one, the Star Vault Palace of the Star Luo Imperial Palace is rather more pleasing to the eye than the blacksmith furnaces of your Blacksmith Association is it not?"
She paused, then added half-jokingly, half-seriously:
"Would you be interested in staying here? With your talent and status as a Divine Blacksmith's disciple, His Majesty would surely reward you generously. Or perhaps acknowledge me as your godmother. In this palace, no one would dare treat you poorly."
Lin Xia withdrew his slightly "awed" gaze, suppressing his calm assessment of the enormous resources and power hidden behind such extravagance. At the proper moment, he showed a childlike helpless smile and spread his hands.
"Big Sister Zhu Yu, please stop teasing me. My master travels the world, and no one knows when he'll return. For something this important, I'd have to wait for him and ask his opinion first. Right now, I only want to do the work I promised His Majesty."
A glint of understanding flashed through Zhu Yu's eyes, though her smile remained unchanged.
"That is true. Senior Divine Blacksmith's opinion naturally matters."
She had only been testing him casually. She knew full well that Lin Xia possessed a will far firmer than any ordinary child. Receiving the expected polite refusal, she was not surprised, and simply continued leading him onward.
They passed through layers of starlight gates powered by soul power, walked by corridors and waterside pavilions shrouded in spiritual mist released by rare plants, and saw guards everywhere clad in armor, their auras heavy and their eyes sharp as hawks.
At last, they stopped before an especially majestic hall.
Above the gate hung a plaque forged from star-gold, upon which three ancient and vigorous characters flowed with brilliant starlight:
Star Radiance Hall.
The doors opened soundlessly to either side. A purer, more majestic tide of stellar power mixed with an indescribable aura of authority surged forth.
The ceiling inside was impossibly high, as though directly connected to the cosmos itself. Star gems embedded overhead formed a true celestial map that slowly revolved.
The enormous pillars supporting the hall were carved from single blocks of Starshine Stone, their surfaces inscribed with dazzlingly intricate circuits through which light flowed like liquid stars.
The Starglow Jade floor beneath reflected the heavens above like a mirror. Walking across it felt like strolling through the Milky Way.
At the far end of the hall, atop nine steps of star-jade, stood a colossal throne carved from a single mass of Star Core Crystal Essence.
Upon that throne sat one man.
The ruler of the Star Luo Empire.
Dai Tianxing.
He was not dressed in elaborate imperial robes, but in simple black garments of extraordinary quality, embroidered in dark gold thread with the emblems of the Star Crown and the Netherworld Spirit Cat. Low-key, yet noble.
He appeared to be around forty years old. His face was resolute, chiseled as if carved by blade and axe. His sword-like brows slanted sharply upward, his nose was high and straight, and his lips were tightly pressed, exuding the authority and gravity of one long accustomed to ruling from above.
Most chilling of all were his eyes, deep as an endless sea of stars, as though capable of seeing through the hearts of men. Beneath their calm stillness lay the vast power to control the destinies of countless lives.
With only a glance from him, ordinary people would feel their souls tremble and instinctively wish to submit.
At this moment, the gaze of this emperor who ruled a vast empire had fallen upon Lin Xia, who had just stepped through the doors.
Lin Xia's heart tightened slightly.
This was the first time he had faced the Star Luo Emperor from such close range.
Previously, at Zhu Zhuqing's awakening ceremony, he had only caught a distant glimpse of him, sensing merely a broad, collective pressure.
This pressure was even more aggressive than Zhu Yu's unfathomable depth, filled with the overbearing dominance and controlling will of an emperor.
Yet Lin Xia's back remained perfectly straight.
Sensing its master's emotions, Larvitar let out a low, warning hiss. The dragon-mark on its chest suddenly glimmered with a faint trace of light, and a proud, unyielding will born from ancient dragon blood quietly spread outward, helping Lin Xia bear part of the pressure.
More importantly, in Lin Xia's mind flashed the supreme divine might he had once felt when facing the projection of the Phoenix God within the Dragon Tomb.
Compared to the terrifying pressure of the Phoenix God, which seemed capable of evaporating souls in an instant and freezing time and space, Dai Tianxing's current spiritual pressure, though overwhelmingly powerful and enough to make even Titled Douluo feel awe, was like a mountain compared to the stars of the cosmos: fundamentally different in scale.
Lin Xia's gaze did not waver in the slightest.
His dark golden pupils remained clear, carrying a trace of curiosity befitting a child, but even more so a calmness that was nearly transcendent.
Lin Xia bowed slightly, offering a respectful yet unyielding salute.
"Lin Xia of the Blacksmith Association of Gengxin City greets Your Majesty the Emperor."
His voice was bright and clear, echoing through the vast and magnificent hall without the slightest tremor.
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