Chapter 1553: Old An's visit

The chaotic noises outside didn't affect Ye Zhongming, who was quietly enjoying tea with an elderly man.

This tea was a specialty of Blue Secret Realm. After being processed by a few Cloud Peak members who mastered pre-apocalypse tea-making techniques, it carried a rich aroma with a distinct, lingering sweetness. It was one of Ye Zhongming's favorite beverages, which he drank frequently, as it greatly benefited his health.

Of course, Ye Zhongming didn't feel its effects much—firstly because his physical constitution was too robust, making the incremental benefits negligible, and secondly because he drank it so often that he had grown accustomed to it.

But this wasn't the case for others. The elderly man before him wore an expression of astonishment and envy as he savored the lingering taste.

"Does Cloud Peak have nothing but treasures like this?"

The old man set down his teacup. He had already drunk three cups in a row but still seemed reluctant to stop.

Ye Zhongming smiled. "Since Old An is here, of course I’d bring out the premium stuff."

This white-haired elder was none other than Old An, the mastermind behind Morning Light Pavilion and the creator of Black Dragon City’s Four Dragon Heads.

Old An laughed heartily, stroking his beard. "Master Ye, you don’t seem the least bit surprised that I guessed your identity."

"Those pieces of equipment all bear my mark. Others might overlook or fail to recognize it, but how could it escape the notice of a fellow craftsman like you?"

Old An nodded and sighed. "I thought I was at least one of the best craftsmen in the region, if not the absolute best. But after seeing the equipment you’ve made, along with those on the national rankings, I realize the gap between us is so vast it’s disheartening."

Ye Zhongming waved his hand. "You’re too modest, Old An. Even from a distance, I could tell your Four Dragon Heads aren’t ordinary purple-grade equipment. They’re integrated into the city walls, capable of four different attack modes, each with adjustable intensity. I’d even guess that with sufficient energy, they could pose a threat to level-nine lifeforms."

Noticing Old An’s stunned expression, Ye Zhongming continued, "That level-nine Bear King who always comes here for sweets—it’s actually interested in the Four Dragon Heads, isn’t it? Though the dragon heads are dead, you’ve preserved their... nutrients through special means. Over time, nourished by the energy within the walls, these nutrients have grown richer, becoming increasingly enticing to it. Am I right?"

Old An’s jaw dropped. After a moment of silence, he said, "If I weren’t absolutely certain you’ve never been to Black Dragon City or seen the inside of its walls, I’d swear you had a hand in crafting the Four Dragon Heads. How did you figure this out?"

Ye Zhongming didn’t answer. Some things couldn’t be put into words—it was purely the experience and intuition he’d gained after evolving into a top-grade Glory Smith.

But one thing he wasn’t lying about: he truly held the Four Dragon Heads in the highest regard. He couldn’t even guarantee that he could replicate or create something similar.

He genuinely admired Old An.

Old An sighed. "There’s a saying: peaking right out of the gate. For me, crafting my first purple-grade equipment was my peak. I doubt I’ll ever make anything surpassing the Four Dragon Heads."

Seeing Ye Zhongming about to console him, Old An smiled and cut in, "I mean it. The creation of the Four Dragon Heads was a perfect storm—exceptional materials, my own peak condition right after evolving into a high-level craftsman, and stumbling upon a semi-finished energy-link foundation. That’s how today’s Four Dragon Heads came to be."

"In the future, even if I advance further as a craftsman, I’ll never again come across such materials or an energy-link foundation. These things are serendipitous, not something you can seek out."

After a pause, Ye Zhongming nodded honestly.

Indeed, creating a masterpiece required many conditions. Had Ye Zhongming not been fortunate enough to obtain rare materials like Ghost Metal and Ocean Gold, or had the Blue Secret Realm not provided abundant resources, he wouldn’t have advanced so smoothly to Super Craftsman status, much less produced so many purple-grade pieces.

A couple of failures might have bankrupted him—nothing like his current fearlessness toward setbacks.

"Old An, was there something you wanted to discuss?"

After seeing off those VIPs, Old An had sought him out—clearly for a reason.

Old An said, "May I first ask why you’ve gathered these children?"

He gestured toward the still-noisy commotion outside.

Ye Zhongming had Xiao Xuan spread word among Black Dragon City’s orphans—those without family or factions to rely on—that he would take them in, providing food, clothing, basic security, and even some evolution potions. In exchange, they’d have to follow him to the north.

No one understood the terrors northward better than these children. Going there meant facing extreme danger.

Yet Ye Zhongming also offered hope—freedom from hunger and bullying, with the chance to obtain evolution potions.

Weren’t these the very things these orphans strived for?

So when Xiao Xuan and his friends spread the word, Black Dragon City’s children quickly learned. Many came to see for themselves, including some affiliated with factions.

They weren’t ignoring the dangers—they saw hope.

"If it were anyone else, I’d stop them. I still have sway in this city—I wouldn’t let someone take these children. They may not be the city’s hope but its fresh blood."

"But if it’s Cloud Peak—if it’s you, Ye Zhongming—then I can’t find grounds to object, nor do I have the right. I just want to ask: why? From what I know, Cloud Peak isn’t short on manpower. At your call, evolved across the region would flock to serve under you. These children... shouldn’t qualify."

"I plan to form a youth army."

Ye Zhongming stated it plainly.