The first to react was Silong. As Lou Gao's chief disciple and bodyguard, he raised his right hand, and a burst of light flashed.
A pure gold small chisel appeared in his hand, surrounded by six spirit rings. His level wasn't low, but the distribution of spirit rings wasn't very good.
One white, two yellow, three purple.
As a Spirit Emperor, he didn't even have a ten-thousand-year spirit ring.
Silong raised the spirit in his hand and quickly stood in front of Lou Gao, shouting loudly, "You rude fellow, my master is the president of the Blacksmiths' Association. How can you, a young brat, insult him?"
Silong's eyes were filled with anger.
Lou Gao felt something was wrong and hurriedly grabbed Silong's body, shouting, "Don't be impulsive."
However, Lou Gao's movements were too slow. As he grabbed Silong, Quan Yi had already arrived in front of Silong.
He gently patted Silong's shoulder and smiled, "Master Silong, don't be nervous. I am here today representing the Quan family, and everything I say is with the utmost sincerity."
Silong didn't know how Quan Yi had gotten so close. In the blink of an eye, Quan Yi had touched him.
Silong looked at the gentle smile in front of him, but endless fear welled up in his heart.
Even though Quan Yi didn't use any force, he found that he couldn't move at all. The arm holding the chisel trembled involuntarily.
Because he saw a hint of cold killing intent in Quan Yi's eyes.
Quan Yi nodded and said, "Of course, please lead the way, Master Lou."
Seeing that Quan Yi was so easy to talk to, Lou Gao felt a little relieved.
Lou Gao instructed Silong to continue forging and went alone with Quan Yi to his private office upstairs.
Entering the office, there wasn't much decoration. There were just some drawings and two disassembled bicycles.
One was the original version, and the other was the new version.
Seeing this, Lou Gao didn't hide anything and said, "Thanks to the blacksmith of your family who invented the bicycle, we have also made a lot of money."
This was not a lie. You should know that the total annual turnover of the entire Blacksmiths' Association was only 200,000 gold spirit coins, but in the beginning, they could sell 100,000 gold spirit coins in one day.
This was also the reason why Lou Gao continued to stay in Soto City even at the risk of offending the Quan family.
Quan Yi said indifferently, "I didn't deliberately hide it. It's Master Lou's ability to imitate it."
Lou Gao's impression of Quan Yi improved again.
The two sat down in turn, and Lou Gao took the lead in asking.
"Your Excellency, I have never heard of you in the Quan family before. I don't know how I should confirm your identity."
Lou Gao carefully probed.
Quan Yi did not hesitate. A flash of light appeared in both hands, and the red and black Lieyang hand armor appeared.
Moreover, behind him appeared a terrifying spirit ring distribution of two yellow, one purple, and two black.
"Hiss ~!"
Lou Gao simply couldn't believe the scene before him, but the aura emanating from Quan Yi confirmed its authenticity.
And the Quan family's iconic hand armor spirit, Lou Gao was sure of Quan Yi's identity.
"My name is Quan Yi. I am the current head of the Quan family, Quan Yue's son, and also the current young master of the Quan family."
Lou Gao was stunned, and the shock in his heart was greater than ever before.
In the information he collected, there was almost no information about Quan Yi. Quan Yi, who rarely appeared in the public eye, was rarely known to anyone except for a few close people.
Now, suddenly learning that the Quan family has such a great heir, and that his talent and strength are so strong, Lou Gao has a deeper understanding of the Quan family.
Although Quan Yi's physique was different from ordinary people, Lou Gao could still tell that Quan Yi was not very old.
"Young Master Quan, I know your intention."
Quan Yi continued, "Master Lou, don't be nervous. I'm not forcing you. You can reply to me after careful consideration."
At this time, Lou Gao stood up quickly and replied, "I agree, I agree to join."
Lou Gao's reaction surprised Quan Yi a little, but Lou Gao's expression didn't seem fake.
Quan Yi's expression became extremely serious, and he said solemnly, "Master Lou, you should be clear about what it means to join the Quan family. Do you really not need to consider it again?"
Joining other families, becoming an affiliate, means completely obeying the Quan family's orders and not being able to betray them.
Lou Gao was intimidated by Quan Yi's power, and he also felt fear in his heart.
However, compared to Quan Yi's intimidation, he had a greater pursuit.
For this pursuit, so what if he lost his freedom and status?
Lou Gao came to Soto City and saw many gratifying changes. In just two years, the blacksmith industry, which no one cared about, showed signs of vigorous development.
The fundamental reason for the blacksmith industry's downturn was that people's need for ironware was extremely scarce, and the reason for this was the weapon spirit.
However, even with a weapon spirit, it is impossible to turn it into a means of transportation.
And the appearance of bicycles just met people's needs for travel.
The blacksmiths in Soto City also seized this opportunity and achieved great development.
When Lou Gao saw this, he truly realized that simply pursuing weapons and armor could not truly improve the blacksmith's status.
The demand for weapons and armor will fluctuate with changes in the situation.
In recent years, the situation on the continent has tended to be peaceful, and people's demand for weapons and armor has greatly decreased, and the blacksmith industry has further declined.
Now, Lou Gao came to Soto City and saw the rise of the blacksmith industry, as if he had found a vibrant flower bud in the icy frozen soil.
"I know what this means, but compared to my personal gains and losses, I care more about the gains and losses of the entire blacksmith industry.
Moreover, from what Young Master Quan has done for all the blacksmiths in Soto City in the past two years, I know that Young Master Quan has good intentions towards blacksmiths. This alone is enough for me to agree."
The Quan family did not hide it and acquiesced in the behavior of low-level blacksmiths imitating and forging bicycles, which made Lou Gao see an attitude of selflessness.
Lou Gao did not resent such a Quan family, and, most importantly, he personally had a great interest in the blacksmith who made the bicycle.
In his judgment, this blacksmith is likely to be a hidden divine blacksmith, and even a divine blacksmith who surpasses him.
If he could have close contact with this expert, his own forging skills could also be improved.
A good thing that can satisfy both righteousness and personal desires, of course Lou Gao wants to join.
"Since this is the case, then welcome Divine Blacksmith Lou Gao to join the Quan family."
Quan Yi stood up, stretched out his arms with a bright smile, and shook Lou Gao's hand.
Lou Gao also shook Quan Yi's hand with a smile on his face and shook his arm vigorously.
