The ball in the hall had ceased, replaced by the murmurs of the crowd, all whispering about the intriguing birthday party and what development might follow next. As the sound of the forging stopped, every eye turned toward the main entrance.

Yun Xinghuisheng returned to the hall, shoulder to shoulder with Gan Jin, the Junyang Sword in his hand now utterly dull. He raised a finger, beckoning Lei Guangming over.

“Master…”

Lei Guangming watched the familiar closeness between Yun Xinghuisheng and Gan Jin, a vague sense of foreboding chilling his heart as he obediently stepped forward.

“Guangming,” Yun Xinghuisheng pointed at Gan Jin. “From now on, you must frequently seek guidance from Guildmaster Gan Jin on all matters, and you are to faithfully and strictly execute every single one of Guildmaster Gan Jin’s orders.”

“Guildmaster Gan Jin?” Lei Guangming looked Gan Jin up and down in confusion. What kind of guild was this kid the master of? Why did his master’s cordiality with him fill his heart with such dread?

Guildmaster? Mu Guwuxin blinked his eyes. He hadn't yet passed the position of Guildmaster of the Torrent Fortress to Gan Jin, so why was Master Yun Xing already referring to Gan Jin as the Guildmaster? Was this a subtle hint that he should hand over the mantle sooner?

“Precisely, Guildmaster Gan Jin!” Yun Xinghuisheng’s tone suddenly sharpened, his gaze sweeping across the hundreds of eyes fixed upon him. “Today, taking advantage of Lord City Lord’s birthday gathering, I wish to announce something important. Gan Jin, from this moment forward, officially becomes the Guildmaster of the Eternal Flow Blacksmiths’ Guild.”

“What?”

“No way?”

“How is that possible?”

The guests at the banquet exchanged bewildered glances. The two of them disappeared behind the City Lord’s mansion for some forging, and now Gan Jin was the Guildmaster of the Blacksmiths’ Guild? Shouldn't the Guildmaster of the Blacksmiths’ Guild always be an old man with a white beard? Just how old was Gan Jin?

Guildmaster! The Guildmaster of the Blacksmiths’ Guild! One of the greatest powers in Eternal Flow had suddenly changed its allegiance overnight to Gan Jin! Lei Guangming felt as if a bolt of lightning had struck his head; this news was utterly shocking—unbelievable, truly unbelievable!

Damn it! Li Deyork almost cursed aloud, unable to recognize the situation. Who was supposed to be the protagonist tonight? It was his birthday! He was supposed to be the focus! How could so many scene-stealers have emerged in an instant? After several twists and turns, Gan Jin had completely become the focal point of the ball.

That’s right! The focal point of the ball! First, the Four Great Beauties made their simultaneous entrance, followed by City Lord Li Deyork taking the stage to voice his strong support, then the appearance of Yun Xinghuisheng from the Blacksmiths’ Guild emphasizing the point with the Junyang Sword, and finally, this elder making an announcement that crowned it all. With these four major events paving the way, Gan Jin had been elevated to become the sole focus of the ball, rendering everyone else mere backdrop.

Thank the heavens that I voiced my support for Gan Jin earlier! Li Deyork felt an indescribable surge of satisfaction wash over him again. In the blink of an eye, Gan Jin had become the Guildmaster of the Blacksmiths’ Guild.

Why! Why! Why! Nordeyork couldn’t comprehend it. Why did all the good fortune belong solely to Gan Jin? First, there was the beauty Luo Qingqing, then three more top-tier beauties appeared at his side, and now he even received his father’s strong backing... and now... Master Yun Xinghuisheng had directly yielded the position of Guildmaster of the Blacksmiths’ Guild to Gan Jin, instantly making him a leader among the major powers of Eternal Flow City.

Impossible! Absolutely impossible! Lei Guangming shook his head violently. He had used every scheme imaginable to lure his master out, all to confront and punish Gan Jin, to kick him out of Eternal Flow City! How could this happen? How could his master let him become the Guildmaster of the Blacksmiths’ Guild? I should be the next Guildmaster of the Eternal Flow Blacksmiths’ Guild!

“Master, Master!” Lei Guangming could no longer suppress the turmoil within him, his voice bordering on a roar. “What is wrong with you? What is going on? Did Gan Jin threaten you? Or did he use some wicked magic on you? Is your mind clouded?”

Gan Jin watched Lei Guangming calmly. All his careful planning was aimed at achieving his revenge, but at the critical moment, his master had betrayed him. Anyone in his position would struggle to remain calm.

“Guangming.”

Lei Zhen’s face showed disappointment as he sharply silenced Lei Guangming’s outburst. Things had reached this point; no amount of shouting would help. Theoretically, Yun Xinghuisheng would need to report to the Grand Guild to decide on the next Guildmaster, but this Master Forger held such immense prestige within the blacksmithing circle of the Eternal Flow Province that his word was law. Not only would the Grand Guild likely not overturn his decision for the Eternal Flow City Guildmaster position, but even if he decided who should lead the Blacksmiths’ Guild in any other city in the Eternal Flow Province, it would be settled with a single utterance.

Lei Guangming looked at Yun Xinghuisheng with lingering unwillingness, his eyes pleading with his master. To attain the position of Guildmaster, he had been meticulously cautious and diligently attended to Yun Xinghuisheng’s daily needs for years, never imagining the outcome would be like this.

“Guangming,” Yun Xinghuisheng patted Lei Guangming’s shoulder, shaking his head slightly and letting out a sigh. “If the Guild is handed over to you, its development will only regress. Focus on forging; you have a good future in that aspect. If you have any questions regarding metallurgy or smithing, you can always consult me or Guildmaster Gan.”

Lei Guangming slowly closed his eyes, despair flickering across his face. Words slowly escaped through his clenched teeth: “I, do, not, accept! Gan Jin has no foundation in the Guild; no one will listen to him. You will regret this decision! I am the most suitable candidate for Guildmaster.”

Yun Xinghuisheng merely smiled nonchalantly. Never mind that his own prestige was sufficient to utterly suppress any opposition; even if he were absent, if any blacksmith in the Guild dared to defy Gan Jin, the Vice-Guildmasters, having witnessed Gan Jin’s forging skills, would certainly rally behind him voluntarily.

Whether in the blacksmithing circle, the warrior circle, or any other circle, the fundamental nature of things remained unchanged! Yun Xinghuisheng had seen too much throughout his life and understood deeply that in this world, true capability always shines forth in its proper domain.

The current Guildmaster of the Grand Blacksmiths’ Guild was also the most skilled blacksmith in the True Policy Dynasty. Though he usually dedicated himself to forging and rarely managed the affairs of the Grand Guild, the moment he issued an order, the entire Grand Guild would execute it faithfully.

Everyone knew that for any guild to develop and survive, it needed an adequately formidable trump card.

“The Eternal Flow Blacksmiths’ Guild under my hand might maintain its brilliance for a while longer. But…” Yun Xinghuisheng’s gaze shifted to Gan Jin. “Under my hand, it will not achieve any significant new growth. It is time for a change. Only Gan Jin can lead the Eternal Flow Blacksmiths’ Guild to a higher position! Perhaps even…”

A fervor completely inconsistent with his normally placid expression surfaced on Yun Xinghuisheng’s face, and his tone gradually escalated. “…it can surpass the Grand Guild!”

Lei Guangming walked closer to Lei Zhen, turning back for one last look at the master he had served for many years only to have the Guildmaster position denied him. He shook his head repeatedly—he was crazy! His master had truly gone mad, wanting the Eternal Flow Blacksmiths’ Guild to surpass the Grand Guild.

“Gan Jin, this is for you.” Yun Xinghuisheng untied a thumb-sized iron hammer from his waist and placed it into Gan Jin’s hand. “Take this and meet me at the Guild.”

The surrounding crowd stared at Gan Jin with incredulous eyes. The ball fell silent for several seconds before someone finally reacted: this was the perfect moment to forge connections.

“Congratulations, Guildmaster Gan!”

“The old Guildmaster has truly discerning eyes. Guildmaster Gan is so young; in the future, he will surely elevate the Eternal Flow Blacksmiths’ Guild to greater heights.”

“Guildmaster Gan, do you still remember me? We met at the auction last time.”

“Is this Guildmaster Gan’s wife? I am the Vice-Chairman of the Cormir City Chamber of Commerce. I’ve long heard that the Luo family produced a commercial female genius; seeing you today confirms it. I hope for an opportunity to cooperate.”

Merchants who couldn't push their way to Gan Jin immediately turned to Luo Qingqing, seeking partnerships. If not for the dagger hidden up the sleeve of Gu Yue Jiaying, perhaps the merchants would have appeared even more overly familiar.

Gan Jin faced the tide of various guests surging toward him, hastily greeting each one in turn, and for the first time, he deeply understood the tangible effect of power and status.

Damn it! Mu Guwuxin watched Gan Jin and Yun Xinghuisheng on the steps, stamping his feet anxiously. This old smith had acted fast! He hadn’t even found time to announce Gan Jin as the next Guildmaster of the Torrent Fortress, and the other side had already pushed him into the Guildmaster position of the Blacksmiths’ Guild.

“Wait? That’s not right! Why am I anxious? I should be happy!” Mu Guwuxin slapped the back of his head hard, taking a swig from a bottle of red wine. Who was Gan Jin? A warrior of the Torrent Fortress and its next Guildmaster! If he simultaneously became the Guildmaster of the Eternal Flow Blacksmiths’ Guild, wouldn't that allow him to better support the Torrent Fortress in the future?

“Right! That’s exactly it!” Mu Guwuxin grabbed a bottle of red wine next to him and happily drank it down, mumbling indistinctly, “I should be ecstatic! Now, the Torrent Fortress won't have to suck up to the Blacksmiths’ Guild anymore—Gan Jin is the Guildmaster of the Blacksmiths’ Guild!”

This... this... Li Deyork watched as the guests he had invited were now showering Gan Jin with sycophantic attention. He helplessly wondered if tonight’s ball was his own birthday celebration or Gan Jin’s inauguration ceremony.

“Lord City Lord, well done!” Lilizago, holding a wine glass, appeared behind Li Deyork at some unknown time and lightly raised his glass toward the City Lord. “Your speech just now was truly brilliant. Remember, Gan Jin will not forget those words. And neither will the other guests.”

Li Deyork downed half a glass of red wine, his mood gradually lifting. The gamble he had placed early was finally starting to pay off.

“What a pity…” Lilizago’s eyes drifted over the four figures of Gu Yue Jiaying and the others. “If only the City Lord had a beautiful daughter who could have married Gan Jin before all this…”

Li Deyork finished the remaining half glass of red wine in one gulp and gave Lilizago a meaningful look. Did he think the City Lord hadn't wanted that? The problem was, the City Lord only had sons! And one of them, like Nordeyork, was utterly unambitious!