Chapter 176: Overbearing

"Logically speaking, these matters shouldn't have been paid any attention to, but the problem is that after Teacher recovered his health, the voices within the Association grew louder and louder.

Some people said Teacher obtained a treasure, some said Teacher forged a Divine Artifact, and some even spread rumors that Teacher killed a Ten Thousand Year Soul Beast that had transformed into human form and obtained a Ten-thousand-year Spirit Bone, which is why his body recovered.

That scoundrel Tai Tan was putting on an act at first, but once these voices spread, he was the first to stand out and force Teacher to hand over the so-called treasures and the like, and also demanded that Teacher present him with that Blacksmith Canon compiled some time ago.

That guy Tai Tan is a Spirit Douluo and the clan head of the Strength Clan, one of the four great clans; it is said his strength is already no less than a Title Douluo.

So, even though Teacher has already recovered his health, there is still no way to give Tai Tan a direct refusal.

In these past few days, people in the Blacksmith Association have been forced to pick a side; many have been coerced by Tai Tan and the Strength Clan with force to join the side denouncing Teacher, attempting to make Teacher hand over the treasure that restored his body, the crystals he forged, and the compiled Blacksmith Canon."

Speaking of this, Si Long couldn't help but curse.

"Not a single one of these guys even asked what the higher realm of a blacksmith is! Every one of them only cares about those external objects; it is simply a disgrace to the Blacksmith Association!"

Zhou Heng looked at Si Long, somewhat silent.

So, the thing you care about most isn't actually your teacher being coerced, but that not a single one of these blacksmiths is thinking about a higher realm?

This train of thought is a bit strange, but it also seems quite reasonable.

"Take me to see them. If Tai Tan wants to use force to coerce you all, then I will let him see what true force is."

"Could it be, Hall Master, that you want to find His Excellency Dugu?"

Hearing Zhou Heng's words, Si Long's eyes lit up instantly.

Dugu Bo held a grand banquet over a year ago to celebrate becoming a level 94 Title Douluo; Si Long knew about this matter as well.

In his mind, even if Tai Tan claims his power rivals a Title Douluo, he absolutely could not be the Poison Douluo's opponent. As soon as Dugu Bo appears, this arrogant Strength Clan will immediately and obediently offer an apology.

"For a Spirit Douluo, my own action is enough. Walking the continent these days, if one can't even beat a Spirit Douluo, then one is truly too far behind the current version."

Zhou Heng clenched his fist, and to prevent Si Long from misunderstanding, he released a bit of his aura.

Although it was only a sliver, it forced Si Long, a Soul Saint, to uncontrollably retreat several steps, until he summoned his own martial soul to barely stand straight.

"Hall Master is mighty!"

Although he didn't know what "behind the version" meant, Si Long still cupped his hands and replied respectfully to Zhou Heng.

Si Long had felt Tai Tan's aura these past few days; although it could also suppress him, it was definitely not as exaggerated as what the Hall Master displayed.

Based on aura alone, Si Long could judge that Zhou Heng's strength was definitely more terrifying than Tai Tan's.

As for whether this was reasonable?

Eh?

Si Long felt that this kind of thing was for his master, Lou Gao, to consider.

Since Master didn't say anything, then he would just consider it reasonable.

Just like joining the Spirit Hall, that was also something Lou Gao decided for him; Si Long only found out he had joined later on.

Anyway, his forging talent and soul power talent were just like that; knowing too many things he shouldn't know would do him no good.

Zhou Heng felt that this person Si Long was quite interesting; he was a talent.

A Yin, standing to the side, felt somewhat silent listening to Si Long's words.

She knew this person, Tai Tan.

He was a very loyal subordinate of Tang Hao and was deeply valued by Tang Hao.

When helping her escape the pursuit of the Spirit Hall, the Strength Clan was the most active one; Tai Tan even patted his chest and said he would risk his life to protect the Master and Mistress.

Although A Yin couldn't accept Tai Tan calling her Mistress and Tang Hao Master, in A Yin's heart, her impression of Tai Tan was still very good.

A Yin herself didn't expect that she would encounter news about an old acquaintance just when she was finally able to observe the world, and it wasn't even good news.

A Yin felt conflicted, but she didn't speak.

After all, even from A Yin's perspective, what Tai Tan was doing was a bit excessive.

Under Si Long's guidance, Zhou Heng quickly arrived at the fourth floor of the Association from the underground secret room.

The fourth floor of the Blacksmith Association was once used as an auction house to auction various items, so the space was large and the equipment was complete.

When Tai Tan wanted to coerce Lou Gao, the fourth floor was naturally occupied by Tai Tan, becoming the gathering place for the Spirit Masters and blacksmiths of the Strength Clan who supported Tai Tan.

When Zhou Heng and Si Long arrived at the fourth floor, Tai Tan and Lou Gao were in a standoff; the two had even summoned their martial souls.

As a Seven-Ring Soul Saint, Lou Gao's strength was far inferior to Tai Tan, the Spirit Douluo.

So even after summoning his martial soul, Lou Gao and the Spirit Masters standing beside him were still suppressed by Tai Tan's aura, and Lou Gao, standing at the front, was the main target of the suppression.

If it weren't for the fact that Lou Gao's body had recovered and his mental realm had greatly improved after his forging technique grew, Lou Gao might not even have been able to stand steady at this moment.

After Martial Soul Avatar, Tai Tan's body was extremely terrifying, reaching a full three meters in height. Although he was somewhat aged, the muscles on his body were still very strong, and because of his extreme path, one could even say they were swollen to the point of being distorted and unnatural.

Tai Tan wore a vest made of metal on his upper body, with two iron-like arms exposed to the air.

He wore long pants on his lower body, and the originally loose pant legs were already stretched tight by his thighs, which had surged in size after Martial Soul Avatar.

The whole person looked like a real Vajra Ape; his eyes seemed filled with malice as if he wanted to eat people, and the hair on his head and his beard, which was like hog bristles, stood straight up, perfectly interpreting what it meant to be bristling with rage, and his aura as a Spirit Douluo was revealed without doubt.

Although Tai Tan and Lou Gao had been in a standoff for some time, this was the first time it had reached such a degree.

Seeing his teacher being suppressed by Tai Tan's aura, Si Long's eyes turned red immediately. After bowing slightly to Zhou Heng, he immediately summoned his martial soul and rushed to Lou Gao's side, using his own body to help Lou Gao share the pressure of Tai Tan's aura.

Seeing Si Long crowd next to Lou Gao, Tai Tan snorted unhappily. Although he didn't use a soul skill, the large muscles on his arms began to squirm, and he tilted his head, looking as if he were ready to act at any moment.

Watching this scene, many blacksmiths who had originally stood on Tai Tan's side also stood out, but this group was divided into two types: one type bit the bullet and crowded behind Lou Gao, summoning their martial souls to show that although they leaned toward Tai Tan, they would not take action against the old president, Lou Gao.

The other part stood behind Tai Tan and released their soul power, eyeing the other side like a tiger watching its prey, as if they would all rush up together as soon as Tai Tan gave the order.

Although the strength of these blacksmiths only ranged from level ten to level fifty, so many people releasing their martial souls and Soul Rings made the atmosphere at the scene tense.

"Old Lou, don't be so stubborn. You are a God Craftsman and I am a God Craftsman; you are the President and I am the Vice President; you are a Soul Saint and I am a Spirit Douluo.

In status, I am a notch below you, but in strength, you are far inferior to me."