Chapter 582: The Purple Gold Carving Knife

Knock, knock, knock.

"Su Ming, are you awake? We need to start getting ready."

Outside, Niu Gao's voice rang out.

Since Su Ming and Xiao Wu's rooms were right next to each other, Niu Gao's loud knocking could be heard by both of them.

"Brother, go back quickly, don't get caught!" Xiao Wu urged.

Amused, Su Ming teased, "What's the big deal if we're found out? Everyone knows about us already; we've never tried to hide it, have we?"

Xiao Wu's face turned bright red. "It's different! Go, go quickly!"

Su Ming chuckled at her reaction, gave her a quick kiss on her flushed cheek, and slipped back into his room.

He opened the door and said to Niu Gao, "Senior Niu Gao, is everyone else up?"

Niu Gao laughed, "Yep, everyone except you, Xiao Wu, and Bai He's granddaughter. I came to wake you two, and Bai He's gone to get his granddaughter up."

He then peeked into the room with a suspicious look in his eyes. "Su Ming, why'd you take so long to open the door?"

Su Ming held back a sigh—who knew someone his age could be this nosy?

He replied casually, "I was training late last night and overslept."

Niu Gao gave him a look of disbelief, as if to say, You're at level seventy, and you're telling me you were training?

Su Ming 'angrily' replied, "Who says training is only about spirit power? Soon enough, you'll all know about something that's perfect for the Four Single Attribute Clans. It's not as durable as a soul tool, but it's incredibly versatile. Now let's go wake Xiao Wu."

Hearing this, Niu Gao's curiosity was piqued. What is this 'something' that Su Ming has up his sleeve? he wondered. Little did he know that Su Ming had already decided to show them the charms he'd crafted. Though single-use, some special ones, like spatial charms, could be more effective than certain soul tools for emergencies.

Though Su Ming himself was currently the only one who knew how to make these, he felt that Ning Rongrong might be a good candidate to learn it in the future. However, given her current focus on her cultivation, he decided to save that for later.

As he pondered, the door next to him opened, and Xiao Wu emerged, fully dressed.

"Brother, let's go," she said, pulling him along downstairs.

Niu Gao, left behind, watched the two of them go, an amused expression on his face. He's not as naive as he looks, he thought to himself with a grin.

Later, Lou Gao formally passed on his duties as the president of the Blacksmith Association to his disciple Si Long, making some arrangements before leaving with Su Ming's group. Along the way, since Lou Gao would soon be the head of the Foundry Hall, Niu Gao couldn't resist showing him designs for their new facilities. But Lou Gao's mind was clearly elsewhere, focused on Su Ming and his soul tool schematics.

Finally, Su Ming couldn't hold back and said, "Master Lou Gao, there's no need to rush. I already had Uncle Ning send you several schematics, right? You've only just managed to produce the energy soul gun; take your time. I have plenty more designs."

Hearing this, Lou Gao finally relaxed, agreeing that it was best to focus on one thing at a time.

With the upcoming construction and the need for soul tools, Su Ming suggested, "Master Lou Gao, while we're traveling these few days, it might be a good time for you to teach Tai Nuo and the others about the basics of soul tool creation. They'll be able to help you more effectively."

Tai Nuo and the others looked excitedly at Su Ming. They hadn't expected to start working on soul tools so soon after joining the Spirit Hall.

Su Ming reassured them, "If I'm willing to work with you, then I trust you completely."

These words left a strong impression on everyone—Tai Nuo, Lou Gao, Niu Gao, Bai He, and Yang Wudi all looked at Su Ming, struck by his confidence and courage.

Typically, such advanced soul tool designs were reserved only for core members. While Tai Nuo had earned a certain level of trust, most others would usually be kept at a distance. Su Ming knew this, but his philosophy was different: Even if these schematics get out, not everyone can replicate what Lou Gao did in just a few months.

The best strategy was division of labor—assigning each person a specific task in soul tool production, allowing them to master it quickly, with Lou Gao managing the connecting pieces. Over time, they could learn other parts of the process, gradually reducing Lou Gao's workload.

Later that evening, Su Ming decided to check the day's diary reward.

By now, the excitement of receiving rewards had waned for him. He already had everything he needed, and any items would ideally benefit his companions.

During his frequent diary live streams, Su Ming had suggested to the system that rewards like spirit bones would be ideal, as long as they could be earned reasonably—he didn't want the existence of the diary to be exposed too soon.

The system, exasperated by his specific requests, begrudgingly agreed to try. After all, it wasn't long ago that Ning Rongrong had drawn a hundred-thousand-year spirit bone and hesitated to absorb it, wary of raising suspicions.

Ding! Congratulations to the host for completing today's diary entry. You have received the reward of complete soul tool crafting knowledge and the Purple Gold Carving Knife.