In this era, Spirit Souls were a groundbreaking achievement, yet their significance was not overwhelmingly great.
Had he not utilized Spirit Souls to develop Thousand Refined Spirit Metal, their value to this era would have been merely an alternative form for Spirit Rings to exist.
After all, the impact of Spirit Souls on the Spirit Master world required accumulation. Only through millennia of evolution, akin to the period between the second and third installments, could the entire Spirit Master world be elevated. The benefits were not immediate upon the advent of Spirit Souls.
To obtain a Spirit Soul, gain an additional combat partner, and then exhaust all effort trying to persuade a Spirit Beast to become one in a perilous place like the Star Dou Great Forest?
Somewhat intriguing.
Spirit Souls were not some extraordinarily heaven-defying technique to begin with. Why shouldn't the knowledge be disseminated?
Moreover, Su Ming wasn't aggressively promoting it; he simply let the Spirit Soul make an appearance. Any incredible advantages of a Spirit Soul could be explored after one obtained it.
For now, all Ning Fengzhi could discern were the disadvantages.
"Of course, it is my patent, after all," Su Ming met Ning Fengzhi's gaze. "Before finalizing my requirements, let me offer a precaution. While the Spirit Soul contract can be semi-coercive, it is limited to thousand-year Spirit Beasts. The Spirit Infusion Technique requires the Spirit Soul's full and willing cooperation."
"A Spirit Soul can serve as an aid to a Spirit Master, but the power it exerts is also contingent on the Spirit Master. Furthermore, the risk of the Spirit Soul turning on its master cannot be eliminated. For instance, it could vengefully disintegrate the Spirit Ring, or even prevent the Spirit Master from utilizing the Spirit Skill granted by its ring during battle."
"Transforming a Spirit Soul isn't difficult; the challenge lies in finding a Spirit Soul willing to cooperate with the forging process," Su Ming stated.
Ning Fengzhi's eyes narrowed slightly.
"That should not pose a difficulty."
Beast taming.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan was vast and prosperous, boasting a small department dedicated to this, housing several tamed thousand-year Spirit Beasts.
"Additionally, Spirit Infusion isn't solely a test for the blacksmith; it's equally a test for the Spirit Soul. This requires innate talent. Without such talent, even years or decades of attempts might not yield the requisite feeling for Spirit Infusion."
Hearing this, Little Gold beside him perked up proudly.
See? Bear is the talented one.
And the kind with absurdly exaggerated talent at that—succeeding on the very first try!
Ning Fengzhi's expression shifted slightly.
This point gave him pause.
However, the difficulty was his own side's concern, and it was ultimately solvable.
He looked directly at Su Ming and stated, "I discern that the Spirit Soul contract is the key, followed by the Spirit Infusion technique. Thus, this second form of cooperation can be viewed as a transaction concerning these two aspects."
"Correct, Uncle Ning," Su Ming nodded. "My demands are not outlandish. Firstly, for today's and all future transactions, I wish for the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan to settle payments using rare metals, valued at the current market price."
"Agreed," Ning Fengzhi responded without hesitation.
"Furthermore, I require the assistance of your esteemed Clan's Sword Douluo."
Borrowing a Titled Douluo?
Ning Fengzhi revealed a puzzled expression.
"My teacher needs to absorb a Spirit Soul for his eighth ring. He has searched extensively but failed to find a Spirit Beast with the specific required circumstances. Thus, the only solution I can presently conceive is to subdue one by force first," Su Ming explained.
Zhu Jiuyang had been searching for a Spirit Ring for a long time, yet to no avail.
Su Ming could only share his teacher's burden.
A glint of understanding flashed in Ning Fengzhi's eyes.
So Zhu Jiuyang was seeking his eighth Spirit Ring independently, without seeking aid from the Spirit Hall.
In that case, having Sword Douluo accompany him for the hunt presented an excellent opportunity to win him over.
"Agreed!"
He agreed immediately without the slightest hesitation, his gaze fixed on Su Ming, awaiting the next demand.
"The new forging system will inevitably reshape the status of blacksmiths. Rare metals will no longer be useless; their prices are bound to rise. Given the scale of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan, upon your return, Uncle Ning, you will undoubtedly engage in massive acquisition of rare metals before the prices inflate, correct?"
Ning Fengzhi nodded, not concealing this intention.
Indeed.
Knowing these materials would appreciate in value, preemptive acquisition was a certainty.
Any merchant would act similarly.
"I demand a ten percent share of all metals acquired by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan over the next decade," Su Ming declared.
"Boy, aren't you afraid of overreaching!" Gu Rong couldn't help but interject.
The first two demands were negligible, but this one was a lion opening its mouth far too wide.
"I estimate the price of rare metals will at least double. Uncle Ning, your advance acquisition, spurred by my information, will yield substantial profits. I request only ten percent of the metals. Even then, your profit margin should remain at least eighty percent."
"Agreed."
Ning Fengzhi consented.
He recognized Su Ming was blurring concepts—emphasizing profit while omitting the substantial investment required.
The sheer volume of metals an organization of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's magnitude and connections could acquire was staggering.
"Boy, isn't that enough? Three conditions," Gu Rong pressed.
"Senior, please be patient. This involves the core technique of Thousand Refined Spirit Metal forging. The difference between mastering forging oneself and commissioning others is vast," Su Ming said with a smile. "My fourth requirement is also simple. I require that any forging masters your clan cultivates in the future join the Blacksmith Association. Their learning and training must occur within the Association. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan must recognize the Association's authority in the forging world. Naturally, it is currently termed the Blacksmith Association, but it may soon be renamed the Forging Master Association."
Ning Fengzhi understood completely.
As anticipated, he aimed to alter the professional landscape for blacksmiths.
Currently, blacksmiths were disdained, occupying the lowest social stratum. Su Ming intended to leverage Thousand Refined Metal to elevate their status.
Forging Master.
A very shrewd distinction.
Spirit Masters would assume the title of Forging Master, while ordinary people would remain blacksmiths.
This was the impression it created.
In reality, only the core competencies of a Forging Master required Spirit Master abilities. Simpler forging tasks could still be handled by ordinary individuals, with internal Association grading persisting.
Without physically separating the groups, it directly engineered a profound shift in perception.
"Agreed. I can also consent to the Clan signing a cooperative agreement with the Blacksmith Association for mutual assistance."
Su Ming breathed a sigh of relief.
"That is all for now."
Ning Fengzhi also sighed in relief.
The boy had finally finished.
He was surprised Su Ming never once broached the subject of using Spirit Bones for the transaction.
Yet, he was equally aware that what Su Ming secured was immensely valuable, particularly that ten percent share of rare metals over a decade.
It was a ruthless move.
Even losing ten percent wouldn't significantly dent the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan's hefty profits, yet it amounted to Su Ming gaining a tenth of the metals essentially for nothing. Were it not for the decade-long limitation, Ning Fengzhi would never have agreed.
"These are the transaction terms. However, it is payment upon delivery. Currently, Uncle Ning, you cannot fulfill many conditions, so I cannot yet hand over the Spirit Soul conversion array."
"Young man, do you intend to give it to us ten years later?" Gu Rong dissatisfied .
"Truthfully, cultivating a Grandmaster-level blacksmith is truly challenging," Su Ming stated. "Even receiving it a decade later, you would not be at a loss. Naturally, should the blacksmiths cultivated by the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Clan reach the stage requiring Spirit Ring absorption, I will surrender the Spirit Soul array then. Before that, Uncle Ning, fulfilling the other conditions will suffice."
Hearing this, Gu Rong offered no further rebuttal.
"Regarding the cooperation with the Blacksmith Association..." Ning Fengzhi looked at Su Ming, hesitating slightly. "Should a decision be made now?"
"Let us wait a little longer. Uncle Ning, please return first, then dispatch personnel to liaise with us," Su Ming said with a somewhat awkward smile.
He hadn't yet finalized discussions with the Blacksmith Association himself.
"Very well, I shall await your good news."
Ning Fengzhi produced a jade pendant, handing it to Su Ming, explaining it was his token, to be used as credentials when contacting him later.
After Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong departed, Su Ming exhaled deeply in relief.
Beside him, Little Gold slumped directly to the ground.
"Roar." (Such terrifying Spirit Power.)
"It's fine. He was merely playing the intimidating role," Su Ming said. "Next, we must discuss matters with the Association. I just wonder if Teacher has received the letter."
His original plan presumed Zhu Jiuyang would return after absorbing a Spirit Soul, master Thousand Refined Spirit Metal, and then initiate these plans.
But reality saw Zhu Jiuyang absent for four months, still searching for a Spirit Soul, while Ning Fengzhi detected the issues with that batch of armor with alarming speed, acting decisively and personally seeking him out so promptly.
...
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(End of Chapter)