Douluo Continent: I have the Heaven-Piercing Tyrannosaurus Beast

Chapter 176 The Incompatibility of Heavenly Fire Refined Iron and Niobium-Tantalum Crystal

Chapter 176 The Incompatibility of Heavenly Fire Refined Iron and Niobium-Tantalum Crystal

Lou Gao's reappearance didn't take as long as Xiao Yan had expected; it happened almost right at dusk. Just as Xiao Yan and Xue'er were discussing booking a room at a hotel, Lou Gao came out with a face full of excitement.

Like a child whose wish has been fulfilled, he was quite fond of the square crystal he held in his hands.

"Senior Lou Gao, did you succeed?" Seeing the old man's expression, Xiao Yan knew that he had definitely succeeded. He stopped exchanging pleasantries with Uncle Si Yu and looked at Lou Gao, who had come out of his room specifically to find them.

"Of course! I told you, is there any metal or mineral in this world that I can't handle? Forging it is just a matter of a few strokes." Lou raised his head, his face full of pride.

Xiao Yan carefully took the finished product from its hand. The badge was crystal clear, and one could even see the lines on his palm through its reflection.

Although it was just a small piece in my hand, I could feel the essence that the blacksmith had compressed, which was clearly what Xiao Yan had in mind.

He handed it to Agumon, who was standing nearby, intending to have him try infusing it with a Digi-Soul, but then changed his mind. Uncle Siddy on the other side hadn't yet finished forging the necklace he needed that could be inlaid with Celestial Fire Iron.

If we rashly inject the soul of digital technology, trouble will inevitably arise again. Right now, we can't find another piece of Heavenly Fire Refined Iron of such specifications.

Unlike badges, necklaces require more patience to craft.

Lou Gao glanced at his apprentice's actions and shook his head helplessly. He looked at Xiao Yan and said, "Xiao Yan, with your help, I successfully forged this Heavenly Fire Refined Iron. As for the leftover ingredients—"

"Senior Lou Gao, you can handle it yourself. This core is enough for me." Although Xiao Yan felt that Agumon was also a little tempted by this metal, there was no need to eat whatever was available. This way, he could repay Lou Gao's favor. Just like his apprentice Si Di said, apart from the material cost of the Niobium Button Crystal, the master and apprentice never thought of charging him any extra fees. People should be content.

"You lad, you're just my type." Lou Gao grinned and patted Xiao Yan's shoulder with amusement, though due to the height difference, Lou Gao only managed to touch the corner of his shoulder.

"However, there is something I still need to remind you of. Although this niobium-tantalum crystal is an ice crystal mineral, it is extremely difficult to fuse it with the Heavenly Fire Mystic Crystal, even if each of them has been polished by a blacksmith."

Lou Gao's words undoubtedly chilled Xiao Yan's heart. Such a high concentration of Heavenly Fire Refined Iron could definitely serve as an excellent carrier for Agumon's energy, but if he wanted to utilize it, a carrier for the Heavenly Fire Refined Iron would also be indispensable.

The problem with the chain made of deep-sea silver is that the silver itself cannot absorb the massive fire element within Agumon's DigiSoul. This is also why Xiao Yan insisted on bidding for this piece of refined iron.

However, Uncle Norton's words did indeed enlighten him. If the evolution key were to be forged solely from the Heavenly Fire Iron, it would only have a temporary effect. It's like adding a 300° flame to a brazier that already has a flame; once the flame goes out, the fire in the brazier will still be just a flame.

However, if a windproof cover is placed over the brazier and oxygen is added, it can truly neutralize the flames, just like niobium-tantalum crystals, using ice crystals to achieve the purpose of neutralization.

But now, Lou Gao actually told him that this wouldn't work, which undoubtedly disappointed Xiao Yan.

"But even if this Heavenly Fire Refined Iron is forged into such a solid object, it will be difficult to exert its effect. It will inevitably need to be covered by an extreme ice attribute." Xiao Yan was puzzled.

"That's true, but theory is one thing, and practice is another. Your drawing is too simple, without any precise construction or riveting between parts. You can't expect that just by inserting them, the key and badge you want will fit together seamlessly. Metal forging is a craft. I don't know who drew this drawing for you, but logically, the person who drew it should be a skilled blacksmith. How could they not understand that two ores with extreme properties cannot be mixed?"

Lou Gao, with a pipe dangling from his mouth, looked at the blueprints Xiao Yan had handed him over and over again.

This drawing wasn't created by Xiao Yan himself, but rather by Uncle Norton based on his ideas.

Although Uncle Norton frowned when he finished drawing it, he clearly didn't think it was a problem, at least not as serious as the building's height suggested.

"Can't we even give it a try?" Xiao Yan persisted.

"Of course we can experiment. Although niobium-tantalum crystals are extremely fragile, the purpose of forging them is to increase their strength and toughness. Once Sidi has forged them, you will understand what I mean. In my opinion, these two metals are like the two poles of a magnetic field, destined to be incompatible." Lou Gao said, then sighed.

He naturally sighed inwardly at the fact that such a fine square emblem had been forged. Such excellent iron could have been used to make a piece of warm and nourishing jade, or even the most important piece on a suit of armor.

Fortunately, only half of the original stone was used to make this thing for Xiao Yan. The reason he spent so much time tinkering in the inner room was to polish the remaining half.

Even if Xiao Yan didn't offer to give it to him, he would find a way to buy it from Xiao Yan.

"Alright." Xiao Yan's expression was somewhat disappointed, but there was a stubbornness in him that made Lou Gao know that he wanted to wait until Si Di was forged before giving it another try.

Combining metals involves a sophisticated algorithm similar to permutations and combinations. It's never about simply putting whatever you think is good together; the density and compatibility between them all need to be considered.

Lou Gao didn't know who had recommended Xiao Yan's Niobium-Tantalum Crystal, but this random thought reminded him of someone—

"Vice President, Miles is here!"

The blacksmith apprentice rushed into the inner room, glanced at everyone present, and felt somewhat puzzled. He had come here to report to Si Di, but he hadn't expected to see the master blacksmith Lou Gao and his chief apprentice today.

Moreover, he couldn't figure out who the boy sitting with him on the high floor was.

"Miles, is he here to deliver money? He bought some armor from us last time, and we haven't settled the payment yet," Siyu asked.

"It doesn't seem like it. He was followed by a group of people from the Spirit Hall this time, along with his godson, Maispu. It's obviously not something good. Although it's evening now and there aren't many customers coming in to place orders, they did scare away another group of people." As he said this, the blacksmith apprentice's eyes showed a hint of displeasure.

"Hmph." Upon hearing this, Lou Gao immediately slammed his hand on the table, sending the teacup flying four or five centimeters off the surface.

"Our blacksmiths' association's repeated concessions have made this Spirit Hall bishop think we're easy to bully." Lou Gao became increasingly angry as he spoke. Normally, he would leave these matters to his apprentices to handle, while he focused on forging.

But now that they've come knocking again, there's no reason for us to back down.