Chapter 52: Di Tian – Avoid Their Sharp Edge? No Need!

After speaking, Bi Ji glanced at Di Tian.

She was well aware that En Ci and Hu Jie had both been slain by Di Tian, but at this moment, she no longer had the mind to concern herself with humans.

Currently, the soul beast clan was still concealing its strength, gathering power. If Di Tian's preparations were not absolutely flawless…

After hesitating for a moment, she continued to offer her advice:"Di Tian, why don't we avoid their sharp edge for now? Let Zhen Hua forge some Heavenly Refinement metal for them; setting aside half a year each year should be sufficient."

"Avoid their sharp edge?" Di Tian chuckled and asked in return.

"No need."

"Zhen Hua and Mu Ye were never truly willing to forge four-word battle armor and god-level mechas for soul beasts. It's better to have them complete the forging as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary complications."

"And the issue of Zhen Hua's Heavenly Refinement metal not circulating in the market, which might arouse suspicion?"

"You already said it yourself—I must have prepared for this. How could I let you down?"

"Right now, Zhen Hua spends most of his time burning his life force to forge Heavenly Refinement metal. We just need to find an excuse, like him seeking to reach new heights in forging, but suffering severe injuries and depleting his life force to the point where he is no longer fit to forge four-word battle armor."

"After all, burning his life force is 'voluntary' and 'self-initiated.' No one will be able to see any signs of coercion."

"Such an explanation aligns perfectly with the results of a human pushing their limits. Back when Zhen Hua broke through to Divine Craftsman, he also succeeded while in despair over love, facing a life-or-death crisis."

"If there really are fools who still insist on having Zhen Hua forge Heavenly Refinement metal, then just dismantle Zhen Hua and Mu Ye's four-word battle armor and god-level mechas, break them down and hand them over. After all, it's still their own resources in the end."

"As for your concern that major factions like the Spirit Pagoda might band together to demand an explanation?"

"I'd love for them to come. That way, I can use them to accomplish something both interesting and useful."

In the original timeline, various factions did indeed gather at the headquarters of the Blacksmith's Association to support Zhen Hua.

The attendees were representatives who frequently interacted with Zhen Hua, such as Tang Sect's Vice Sect Master, Zang Xin, one of the Spirit Pagoda's Four Grand Spirit Envoys, Xu Shengqun, and a lower-ranked member of the Battle God Hall's Eighteen Battle Gods.

Since he knew about this in advance, Di Tian naturally made all the necessary preparations.

Then, he teased Bi Ji, "Didn't you just say you were willing to trust me unconditionally? What, now you don't believe me anymore?"

Faced with his teasing, Bi Ji rolled her eyes dramatically.

"That's not true… I just worry about you."

"It's just…"

Seeing her deeply conflicted expression, Di Tian could tell she had some unspoken concerns.

So, he took the initiative to speak: "Secluded meditation for a whole year—it's mostly dull."

"Bi Ji, come take a walk with me alone."

"Mm."

Bi Ji lowered her head slightly, trying not to let anyone notice her unusual state.

Then, the two of them left the Blacksmith's Association headquarters one after the other, disappearing like a refreshing breeze.

At least, that's how Zi Ji saw it.

Only now did she finally understand why Bi Ji always got ahead of her. What did it mean for Bi Ji's presence alone to outshine everything else? What did it mean to "invite the wolf into the house willingly"?

A certain background music seemed to play in her mind as she internally complained: "Bi Ji, what kind of lousy ally are you?! You said you wouldn't compete, but not competing is the biggest competition of all!!!"

The headquarters of the Blacksmith's Association had a private garden, reserved for internal members to relax.

There weren't many people around normally, and at night, it was even more deserted.

The moon shone brightly in the sky, its soft glow filtering through the leaves and casting fragmented patterns on Di Tian's body.

Neither of them were fond of noisy environments, so as they walked, they gradually found themselves in this secluded garden.

In the quiet atmosphere, Bi Ji finally spoke.

"Di Tian…"

"The Lord… the Lord seems a little off lately. I'm very worried."

Seeing that she was still anxious, Di Tian decided to be blunt for once and got straight to the point.

"You mean to say, the Lord is showing signs of falling into human emotions, just as I predicted when I parted ways with her?"

"Tell me everything the Lord has done at Eastsea Academy over the past two years."

Then, he added, "The more detailed, the better."

Bi Ji first nodded but then froze slightly upon hearing Di Tian directly call the Lord by her true name.

Ordinarily, she shouldn't reveal the Lord's whereabouts or plans to anyone—but Di Tian was an exception.

"After the Lord went to Eastsea City, she followed through on her bet with Na'er and disguised herself as a genius girl from an ordinary family, enrolling in Eastsea Academy and actively approaching the older brother Na'er had acknowledged—Tang Wulin."

"Tang Wulin himself comes from a 'small family.' At Eastsea Academy, he only has one close friend and roommate whom he met through an initial conflict—Xie Xie."

"In order to win her bet with Na'er, the Lord approached Tang Wulin with the persona of a gentle, talented girl, ensuring there was no sense of disparity due to their differing backgrounds."

"Additionally, to make Tang Wulin feel uniquely special, the Lord would often deliberately stage various scenarios."

"She targeted Xie Xie in particular, playing the role of an annoying friend while still maintaining an appropriate distance."

"At the same time, she deliberately showed Tang Wulin signs of affection—sharing her superior meals with him and displaying clear favoritism during academy competitions."

"By contrasting her treatment of Xie Xie and Tang Wulin, she subtly planted a seed in Tang Wulin's young heart."

"The Lord followed the initial plan meticulously—participating in all the same training and competitions as human soul master students, joining Eastsea Academy's special training program due to her outstanding talent."

"She went through all the usual activities for human soul masters—ascending in the Spirit Pagoda, competing in inter-academy tournaments."

"She prevented Tang Wulin from getting close to other girls, showing possessiveness befitting a young human maiden."

"And finally, when their bond deepened, she deliberately announced that they would one day part ways, yet promised to continue studying together for years, employing the push-and-pull technique of 'playing hard to get.'"

"After all, when it comes to relationships, the one you can't have always lingers in your heart, while the one who favors you is taken for granted."

"Based on Tang Wulin's reactions, he has already fallen into the Lord's carefully designed script."

"All of these staged interactions were orchestrated and performed by the Lord. Everything should have been under her control—or so I initially believed."

Bi Ji's voice suddenly lowered, turning heavy with doubt.

"But… I don't know when, or from what event exactly, but the Lord's emotions within these false performances began to feel more and more real."

"I've seen her lose focus multiple times while tending to her during routine treatments."

"I've also tried to ask her directly about what's on her mind, but she just brushes it off."

"I can tell that the Lord is lying."

"And when I attempted to probe by discussing our arrangements within the Spirit Pagoda and whether adjustments were needed, she was just as distracted and dismissive."

(End of Chapter)