Chapter 580: Persuasion

As Lou Gao thought about it, he suddenly realized the value of the plans Su Ming had brought. With the blueprint for the Charged Soul Tool Gun, he had already managed to create the first level of its capabilities, and he wanted to show Su Ming his progress. Descending to the main floor, Lou Gao's gaze immediately locked onto Su Ming.

Among the group, Su Ming was the only one who looked like a young man, while most of the others were familiar faces, including the clan leaders of three single-attribute clans. Noticing Titan's absence, Lou Gao felt curious but suppressed his question. There were more pressing matters to attend to.

"It was you who provided the plans for the soul tool, wasn't it?" Lou Gao's eyes bore into Su Ming, showing a mixture of excitement and nervous anticipation.

Su Ming nodded with a smile. "Yes, Lou Gao. We finally meet in person. Those were my plans. May we go inside to discuss further?"

Lou Gao quickly nodded. "Yes, yes! Let's head to the fifth floor. And don't mind Ren Yuan earlier; he didn't know any better."

As they ascended, Su Ming noticed that Lou Gao looked every bit the part of a dedicated craftsman, his hair disheveled as if he hadn't left his workshop in days, his robe dusted with metallic residue.

In the fifth-floor office, Lou Gao excitedly displayed a partially completed soul tool gun. "Su Ming, look! Using your blueprints and samples, I've managed to make a prototype with a single setting—the power equivalent to a full strike from a Soul King."

Su Ming nodded, impressed. Lou Gao's skill was unparalleled, allowing him to grasp soul tool manufacturing so quickly. Even in the original story, Huo Yuhao, a soul tool prodigy, took years to reach this level. With a grin, Su Ming said, "Incredible work, Lou Gao! If you've achieved this already, I imagine production will only become more efficient as you refine the process."

Lou Gao laughed modestly. "It's all thanks to you, Su Ming. But I doubt you came all this way just to see an old man and his work."

Su Ming met his gaze directly. "Master Lou Gao, I'm here to formally invite you and the Blacksmith Association to join Spirit Hall."

Lou Gao's brow furrowed. "The whole Blacksmith Association? And have you all joined Spirit Hall as well?" He glanced at Taino, Bai He, and the others, recalling the enmity that had existed between Spirit Hall and the single-attribute clans.

Taino scratched his head and nodded. The four clans were, indeed, aligning with Spirit Hall. Bai He then explained the events that had led to their decision.

Understanding the situation, Lou Gao looked sympathetically at Taino. "I'm sorry for your loss, Taino. We never wanted it to come to this."

Taino nodded, accepting the condolences. Lou Gao, while saddened by Titan's fate, felt no obligation to resent Spirit Hall for it, particularly after the recent reforms Spirit Hall had made in Gengxin City, which allowed him to focus on his craft without interference.

After a thoughtful pause, Lou Gao said, "Su Ming, I'll join you personally. However, I'd prefer to keep the Blacksmith Association independent. I don't want to disrupt the balance of the continent by pushing the Association into this conflict."

Su Ming expected this reaction and continued with a gentle but direct appeal. "Master Lou Gao, wouldn't you want to see the Blacksmith Association reach its full potential?"

"Without the Association's official support, I can't let you share soul tool plans. If you do join alone, the Association could struggle without you, possibly declining without its revered master. Your guild's reputation stems in large part from your presence. Could you trust the current masters to uphold its legacy?"

Lou Gao fell silent, considering Su Ming's words. His departure would indeed leave the Association vulnerable, especially since it had just begun to recover. As he wrestled with the moral dilemma, Bai He spoke up, his tone calm.

"Lou Gao, are you afraid that if you join Spirit Hall, you'll be contributing to the war and indirectly causing harm?"

Lou Gao nodded. "Yes, to be honest. I don't wish for Spirit Hall to wage war on the empires if it means countless innocent lives lost due to the tools we provide."

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