Qiangu Zhangting was a man of cold logic and deep foresight. He did not leave his future to chance. He had already mapped out his path with surgical precision. He knew exactly where he would work. He knew which forces he would cultivate. He knew which targets he would win over. His eyes were fixed on the East. Specifically, he aimed for the Spirit Pagoda branch in Aolai City. From there, he would move to East Sea City. The East Sea branch was one of the eighteen heavenly pillars of the continent. It was a seat of true power.
Zhangting chose the East for two vital reasons. First, it was the birthplace of fate. It was where Tang Wulin and Gu Yuena would begin their journey. Second, the other regions were flawed. The South was choked by conservatism. It was the stronghold of the old Angel Family. The North was a frozen wasteland. It was the weakest of the eight federal legions. Its commander was a mere Super Douluo. The North was also a future battlefield. It sat on the edge of the Extreme North. It would soon face the Holy Spirit Cult and the Abyss Plane. A frontline was no place to build a stable foundation.
The East was different. It was a region under development. A developing region meant vacancies. it meant upward channels for a rising star. It was the perfect stage for Zhangting to climb step by step. He told his grandfather his choice. He mentioned he had "acquaintances" in Aolai City. Dongfeng did not question him. He trusted his grandson's instincts. But a new problem arose. It was a matter of official rules. Every Spirit Pagoda manager had to be a Douluo Armament Master.
Zhangting had no battle armor. He had focused entirely on his spirit power. He had ignored the four secondary professions. He did not want to waste his youth on blacksmithing or design. Many powerful families followed this path. They hired professionals to build their gear. They only studied secondary crafts once their spirit power slowed down. Even the famous Feng Wuyu did this. He only became a Saint Craftsman after becoming a Titled Douluo. Zhangting intended to do the same.
Qiangu Dongfeng had tried to help. He used the Spirit Pagoda's network to contact Zhen Hua. Zhen Hua was the only Divine Craftsman in the world. But even the Pagoda Master faced difficulties. Zhangting's cultivation was too fast. Zhen Hua was drowning in orders. The Federation, the War God Hall, Shrek, and the Tang Sect were all in line. Level 99 experts were waiting for years. Dongfeng suggested being flexible with the rules. He said no one would dare challenge Zhangting's strength.
Zhangting shook his head. He wanted a perfect record. He did not want to give his enemies a single flaw. He wanted to follow the rules to the letter. He turned to his teacher, Makino. Makino was a legend. He was the only master who held both Four-Word Battle Armor and Red-rank Mecha titles. He was a level nine master in three different crafts. Zhangting wanted the Dual Armor Style. He wanted battle armor and mecha to work as one. He needed Makino and Zhen Hua to build it.
Makino was troubled. He loved the Dual Armor Style. He was proud that Zhangting chose this difficult path. But he knew Zhen Hua well. The Divine Craftsman was a man of strict principle. He did not let people cut in line. Not even for his best friend. Makino doubted he could convince him. Zhangting only smiled. He told his teacher not to worry. He claimed he could "subdue" the Divine Craftsman. He had a plan.
Zhangting understood the laws of this world. He knew the Douluo Continent was a place where love was the ultimate law. He knew that even a Divine Craftsman had a weakness. He had studied Zhen Hua's history. He had found a project proposal that was perfect. He was confident he could manipulate Zhen Hua into a state of ecstasy. He knew exactly which heartstrings to pull. He was ready to make the master blacksmith work for him.
Qian Gu Dongfeng saw his grandson's confidence. He handed the negotiations over to him. He had never been disappointed by Zhangting before. Zhangting made his final preparations. He traveled with Makino and Han Tianyi. They headed toward the ancient Heaven Dou City. This city had over twenty thousand years of history. It was the home of the Blacksmith Association. Zhen Hua served as its president. The group moved through the headquarters with ease.
They reached the top floor without any trouble. Makino's high status opened every door. They entered the private forging room of the guild leader. There, they met the legend himself. Zhen Hua was a middle-aged man. He had black hair and black eyes. He looked ordinary, but his aura was that of a creator. He was the only man who could forge life into metal. Zhangting stepped forward. He did not look like a petitioner. He looked like a man who held the key to a kingdom. The battle of wits for the world's greatest armor was about to begin.