One year was still too long.
The timeline Su Ming gave was to complete the construction within a year, but he hoped to compress it to within six months, or even three months.
Just like the requirement he had given Duan Lin back then – his task for Duan Lin was to complete the construction of three branches within the three Douluo nations within three years.
In reality, Duan Lin himself had no performance pressure. Under the manipulation of Su Ming and the Body Sect, this process could be completed ahead of schedule very quickly.
Not only completed ahead of schedule, but also over-fulfilled; the Blacksmith Association had even been established in the Sun Moon Empire.
Now, Su Ming planned to auction off the subsequent association construction spots to promote the establishment of the four core branches.
Once the four core branches were completed, it would be time to establish the associations in the cities chosen by the forces corresponding to these ten spots. And at that point, who would fund the construction?
Su Ming felt it shouldn't be the Blacksmith Association's money anymore.
"What? They're even auctioning the spots?"
Xu Jiawei's face turned ugly.
The Blacksmith Association's pace was too fast, seemingly completely disregarding the continent's situation, with only one goal: expansion.
"It seems the forging technique isn't hard to learn; otherwise, they wouldn't be able to support the Spirit Metal supply for so many association branches."
In one year, the Blacksmith Association added three new Master Blacksmiths. Perhaps in another year, it wouldn't just be three new ones.
"But why haven't the disciples my royal family sent to the Blacksmith Association to learn forging made any progress?"
Could the talent requirement for forging be so stringent? Creating such an obvious gap?
Xu Jiawei summoned Xu Jiujiu.
"Brother, what is it?" Xu Jiujiu asked with a puzzled expression.
"How far along are the few trainees you're responsible for, the ones learning forging techniques?"
"Two have mastered Hundred Refinement and are learning Thousand Refinement for common metals."
"Can't they learn the Thousand Refinement with Spirit technique directly? What does ordinary Thousand Refinement mean?" Xu Jiawei frowned. "Is the Blacksmith Association holding back?"
His tone was very irritable, even directly voicing his suspicion that the Blacksmith Association was holding back.
Xu Jiujiu gave a wry smile.
"Brother, don't be impatient. The Blacksmith Association isn't holding back. It's just that those two trainees haven't met the basic requirements for Thousand Refinement with Spirit yet. The key to Thousand Refinement with Spirit lies in the Spirit Soul. They are still far from obtaining a Spirit Soul. If they had a Spirit Soul, they could indeed directly learn the Spirit Infusion technique and the skills for Thousand Refinement with Spirit. But without a Spirit Soul, they can only learn ordinary Thousand Refinement first to build a foundation."
Learning the progression logic of forging technique from Xu Jiujiu, Xu Jiawei suddenly saw the light.
"The Spirit Soul is the key. Then send another batch of Spirit Masters to join the Blacksmith Association, Spirit Masters close to a level divisible by ten. Our Star Luo Empire can't possibly fail to find them."
"Also, find high-level Spirit Masters at bottlenecks, those at level 49, 59. Match them with Spirit Bones to help them break through. The higher the Spirit Power level, the more sensitive their strength and perception become, and the faster their learning progress will be."
Xu Jiawei's face was excited.
He had found the trick.
This would surely allow them to quickly train up a blacksmith for the Star Luo Royal Family.
Xu Jiujiu did not dissuade Xu Jiawei; instead, she strongly agreed with this decision.
"Brother, I will have someone handle it. But currently, the Blacksmith Association doesn't have the ability to convert higher-level Spirit Souls; the Spirit Souls can only be thousand-year."
Xu Jiawei laughed.
"Is that all?"
He waved his hand dismissively.
"No matter. Most Spirit Masters stuck at level 49 or 59 have nearly exhausted their potential. Spirit Ring age limit isn't very meaningful to them anymore. Instead, the prospects of being a blacksmith are more attractive to them."
Mastering Thousand Refinement with Spirit means mastering core technology, potentially even more sought-after than current Spirit Engineers.
They will be willing.
Moreover, they can give up Spirit Power cultivation and focus more diligently on learning forging than talented Spirit Masters who still have potential.
"By the way, since you're here, handle the auction matter as well."
Xu Jiawei told Xu Jiujiu about the Blacksmith Association's plan to auction the spots.
Xu Jiujiu's eyes widened.
Her first reaction was: Spots could even be sold for money?
Her second reaction was the Blacksmith Association's astonishing expansion speed.
"I understand. I will try to auction them for the highest price possible. I will place all ten spots among the finale items."
Xu Jiujiu slowly let out a breath.
She felt that the forces coming to participate in this auction would have to empty their pockets.
"What about Spirit Metal? With such a large gathering of people this time, they should be auctioning Spirit Metal, right?" Xu Jiujiu suddenly thought of this question.
Xu Jiawei spread his hands helplessly.
"No. The auction houses within Star Luo City haven't received any Spirit Metal."
Star Luo Grand Hotel, Top-floor Luxury Suite.
"Fortunately, the corpse poison didn't spread. Chen Zifeng, you are a Power Attack System Spirit Master, your body's recovery ability is stronger than theirs, and you still have combat capability. However, rest and recover well during this time. Wait until your injuries are completely healed before competing. Yao Haoxuan, your injuries are more severe. Teacher Li from the academy is on his way. With his treatment, you can participate in the matches after the top 16."
Yan Shaozhe looked at the last seriously injured member.
If Chen Zifeng and Gongyang Mo's injuries were just relatively severe, then Yao Haoxuan's injuries were grievous.
Yao Haoxuan had been pierced by rubble from the explosion, with penetrating injuries to his abdomen, legs, and arms. Under normal circumstances, even if healed, he would most likely be disabled, let alone participate in this competition.
"Yao Haoxuan, your injuries are quite serious. This is my failure. Later, I will take you back to the academy to beg Elder Zhuang to treat you personally. The academy has a Life-attribute Spirit Bone. I will personally fund helping you acquire that Spirit Bone. With that Spirit Bone and Elder Zhuang, you don't need to worry about sequelae."
If students were injured during Supervision missions, the academy was not responsible.
Therefore, Yan Shaozhe had no obligation to pay for the students.
A powerful Spirit Skill like Corpse Explosion would inevitably cause heavy losses, even to Spirit Masters a level higher, let alone peers.
Yan Shaozhe's warning actually saved everyone present.
The reason he was being so responsible was also due to his subsequent negligence. He chased the Death God's Emissary for three days, leaving the Supervision Corps members behind. That was one point.
Another point was that Yao Haoxuan was an Auxiliary System Spirit King.
For an Auxiliary System Spirit Master to reach level 55 at nineteen years old, Yao Haoxuan's talent was undeniably high, with great potential to become a Titled Douluo in the future.
The academy would not abandon such a promising seedling.
Under the premise that treatment was possible, Yan Shaozhe would do his utmost to heal him.
Of course, these two points were the direct factors.
There was another factor: Mu En had just died, and Shrek Academy currently placed high importance on talent.
"Having lost three combatants, before Chen Zifeng and Gongyang Mo recover, three members from your reserve team will need to participate in the matches."
Yan Shaozhe changed the subject to official business.
"Each of you seven has different roles. Who specifically takes the field will be left to Teacher Wang Yan."
"Wang Yan, I leave this place in your hands until I return."
After speaking, he took Yao Haoxuan and left Star Luo City.
***
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(Chapter End)