Chapter 3307: Tense Situation

The crowd, upon seeing this, also respectfully performed a salutation, as if to repay the Blacksmith Association for its many years of kindness...

After completing these actions, they left without hesitation, not even pausing for a moment...

The remaining members of the Association witnessed this scene and sighed deeply from the bottom of their hearts, then rallied and regained their composure...

But driven by concern, they couldn't help but inquire, "President, so many from our Blacksmith Association have left, do you think the Spirit Pagoda will still hold up its end of the agreement as initially promised?"

The Spirit Pagoda had valued the Blacksmith Association for its high-level Forging Masters, including Zhen Hua, but now that such a large number had departed, it was bound to have an impact!!

Even reneging was not out of the realm of possibility!!

Zhen Hua came back to his senses and reassured them, "Everyone, no need to worry. Since the Spirit Pagoda has made a promise, they certainly won't renege on it easily!!"

Only then did everyone breathe a sigh of relief and said, bowing their fists, "With President Zhenhua's words, we are at ease!!"

The Pagoda Master of the Spirit Pagoda, Gu Yuena, was once a disciple of the president, so it was hard to believe she would do such a despicable thing!!

Just as Zhen Hua was about to signal everyone to disperse, it seemed he remembered something, "Oh yes, there's one more thing, it's time to mention it now while everyone is here!!"

Upon hearing this, everyone showed puzzled expressions...

With the greatest concern of the Blacksmith Association now resolved, they wondered what else the former wanted to clarify!!

Stroking his beard, Zhen Hua spoke in a resigned tone, "The thing is, since the Blacksmith Association will soon be joining the Spirit Pagoda, it is time for me, as the acting President, to step down!"

He had originally agreed to take on the role of acting President only because he feared the sudden loss of a core leader would leave the Association unstable!

Now, with the support of the Spirit Pagoda, it was time for him to let go!

The core members instantly became panicked and hastily objected, "What?? President, do you mean... you're going to step down from the Presidency? That cannot be!!"

"Yes, President Zhenhua, you are the cornerstone of our Blacksmith Association. Without you, what will we do!!"

"No way, I do not agree, our Blacksmith Association has only one President, and that's you!!!"

"That's right, we only acknowledge you, President Zhenhua; nobody else is qualified!"

President Zhenhua could be said to have made the greatest contribution to the Blacksmith Association, being the only Divine Craftsman of the era!!

Besides him, no one else could shoulder this great responsibility!!

Zhen Hua had anticipated this reaction and said with an undeniable tone, "My friends, I fully understand your feelings, but once the Blacksmith Association joins the Spirit Pagoda and has a strong backing, even without me as President, I am confident it can continue the legacy!"

"Moreover, I am old, and do not have many good years left. Let this old man rest properly!"

His friends, family, and even disciples had all left him!

He only wanted to live a few more years unbound and free!!

The others still tried to dissuade him, "President..."

But Zhen Hua clearly did not want to give them the opportunity, cutting them off immediately, "No more words, my mind is made up, and no one can change it!!"

"The future of the Blacksmith Association will be entrusted to all of you present!"

After he finished speaking, he seemed to have lifted a great weight off his shoulders, and his steps as he left were exceedingly carefree...

Not until he had completely disappeared from view did everyone raise their eyes to look at each other...

"What do we do now?? Without a President, whose command do we follow?"

"Maybe... we should select another acting President?? Otherwise, I fear the Association will descend into chaos!"

"Since the President has made his decision, there's no use in trying to retain him. We might as well respect the old man's choice,"

"At this point, that's all we can do, alas. I hope joining the Spirit Pagoda isn't a bad choice!"

...

At the same time, this news had already reached the Federation...

The Federation member responsible for gathering information bowed respectfully to the man before him, "Hall Master, I have important matters to report, concerning the Blacksmith Association!"

Guan Yue responded, "Go ahead, what's the situation with the Blacksmith Association?"

The former naturally didn't dare answer directly but spoke in a cautious tone, "Hall Master, we've managed to bribe many high-level members of the Blacksmith Association to defect to the Federation,"

"However, when it came to the final decision to join the Spirit Pagoda, we were still at a disadvantage in numbers!"

Guan Yue caught the implication, but he didn't pursue it further and continued, "So you're saying... the Blacksmith Association is still going to join the Spirit Pagoda!"

The former lowered his head, "Yes... that's correct!"

He had expected a severe reprimand, but it did not happen!

Guan Yue let out a sigh, "Trying to prevent the Blacksmith Association from joining the Spirit Pagoda with these methods is indeed futile!"

If it was that easy to take control of the Blacksmith Association, the Federation wouldn't have waited until now!

Seeing this, the Federation member felt the pressure lift, and even voluntarily suggested, "Hall Master, if I may be so bold, we really don't need to worry so much about whether the Blacksmith Association joins the Spirit Pagoda or not!"

Guan Yue raised an eyebrow, "Oh? And why do you think that?"

Once again bowing with his fist in hand, the former explained, "Hall Master, the situation is such that, although the Blacksmith Association's decision to join the Spirit Pagoda cannot be changed!"

"However, a large number of Forging Masters are unable to accept this, choosing to leave the Blacksmith Association, including President Zhenhua, who has also voluntarily resigned his position!"

Guan Yue's eyes brightened with surprise, "Oh? Not only has Zhen Hua resigned from his position as President, but there is also a large number of Forging Masters leaving voluntarily?"

"This is an unfortunate stroke of luck for us!"

The Federation spared no expense to woo these Forging Masters!

With this, the Blacksmith Association joining the Spirit Pagoda would not have too much of an impact on the Federation!

Seeing this, the Federation member asked again, "In that case, Hall Master, should we..."

Guan Yue immediately replied, "Of course, given the tense situation, we can't waste any opportunity to recruit more strength!"

He then commanded, "You, immediately send someone from the Federation to negotiate, and make sure to recruit all these Forging Masters, even if it costs us a bit more!"

The former understood and responded with enthusiasm, "Yes, Hall Master!"

Ao Rui, who was beside him, suddenly chimed in with a reminder, "Hall Master, is this really wise? The Blacksmith Association has stood for so many years, they may still hide some secrets!"

"They may even have a large amount of..."

Guan Yue, however, raised his hand to stop him from continuing, "Ao Rui, this is the best situation we could hope for, much better than the Blacksmith Association fully joining the Spirit Pagoda!"

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