"Fourth-generation disciple Han San, low-grade spirit artifact, first-rank spirit forge master!"
"Fourth-generation disciple Zhang Zhang, mid-grade spirit artifact, second-rank spirit forge master!"
"Third-generation disciple Liu Lei, high-grade spirit artifact, third-rank spirit forge master!"
"Third-generation disciple... Zhang Yang, low-grade spirit artifact, first-rank spirit forge master!"
One announcement followed another, declaring the advancement of various spirit forgers. Some were filled with joy, while others were left in disappointment.
However, compared to before, the expressions of the powerhouses on Zhujian Peak had softened slightly. As it stood, the number of disciples who had advanced their rank this year was indeed better than the last. It could be said that the grand momentum of this day had not been for naught.
Zhang Yang excitedly held his newly forged spirit sword high, running a lap around the square.
"I did it!"
"Hahaha! I, Zhang Yang, have succeeded!"
"Dad, Mom, your son has made something of himself! Haha!"
His frenzy naturally drew the attention of those nearby. Many were happy for him, while some young women covered their mouths and giggled.
"This kid is pretty excited."
"He's certainly bringing the passion."
"What do you know? His name is Zhang Yang. He entered the sect at the same time as the Little Grand-Uncle. Last year he drew a Heaven Sword, and this year he's a first-rank spirit forger. Among their batch, who else can compare besides Lin Qianqian? It's perfectly normal for him to be this happy."
"True. It's a pity for their generation, though. They are destined to be suppressed by the Little Grand-Uncle until they can't even lift their heads..."
"Listen to yourself. It's not like our generation isn't being suppressed by him too."
"I'm not boasting, but within the next five hundred years, every genius and talented woman in all of Fanzhou will live in the shadow of the Little Grand-Uncle..."
"I won't even argue with you on that!"
On the spectator stands, the elders of Zhujian Peak watched Zhang Yang running through the field, their eyes filled with unspoken praise.
Entering the mountain seven years ago and already becoming a first-rank spirit forge master—this talent wasn't the absolute peak in the Wendao Sect, but it was certainly not bad. Over the past century, he was one of the fastest. Excluding Xu Xian, he was undoubtedly the most talented among his peers. He would definitely be a focus for cultivation in the future.
"Haha, this child, Zhang Yang... this old man didn't misjudge him back then. He's a talent."
"Elder Li truly has a keen eye for talent."
"Where, where? It was just a coincidence, a coincidence..."
Ye Xianyu softly asked Li Qingshan beside her, "Xiaoshan, is this Zhang Yang from the same batch as Xu Xian?"
"Yes. Him, and that girl from Tianjian Peak named Lin—they all came in together," Li Qingshan said.
He remembered it clearly. At the head of Longevity Bridge when they first entered, it was these three little ones who had dawdled so much, making him wait an eternity.
Ye Xianyu rested her chin on her right hand, her phoenix-like eyes shifting as her gaze landed on a girl beside Yao Xiaoxiao. She mused to herself, "One entered the core formation stage in six years, and the other, though only at foundation establishment, is already a first-rank spirit forge master. Both of them even drew Heaven Swords. These two can be considered the crème de la crème of the new generation. If they weren't being overshadowed by your Little Martial Uncle's brilliance, either of them could be held up against the chosen ones of the Central Plains."
Li Qingshan did not refute her; it was the simple truth.
Ye Xianyu's tone shifted, her brow furrowing slightly as her gaze fell upon Xu Xian in the field. Somewhat puzzled, she said, "Tell me, what exactly is your Little Martial Uncle up to? It's almost dark, and he's still hammering away..."
At this moment, the sun was dipping low, painting the sky in a melancholy yellow. The square seemed to be plated in a layer of golden twilight.
The other disciples participating in the certification had finished one after another. The results from the Forging Hall had already been tallied, yet Xu Xian showed no sign of stopping. Before him remained a rough embryo larger than a millstone. He looked as if he were taking a leisurely stroll in a courtyard, not hurried in the slightest. Even Ye Xianyu couldn't help but start whispering.
She truly couldn't understand what her Little Junior Brother was trying to do.
Li Qingshan curled his lip and grumbled as usual, "Who knows? Maybe he just wants to stall until time runs out so he can take all those ores and sell them off."
"Really?"
Li Qingshan said flatly, "It's not like he hasn't done something like that before."
Ye Xianyu recalled the several times Xu Xian had tried to swipe things from her, and her eyebrows twitched. Honestly, while others might not do it, Xu Xian really was capable of such a thing. That millstone-sized lump of crude iron in front of him had at least ten thousand spirit ores fused into it. If he really did sell it, it would be worth a fortune.
However... while the two of them thought this way, others did not. Even though their conversation wasn't loud, it was overheard by those listening intently.
One of them was Ruan Hao. Knowing the inside story, he didn't pay much mind to Li Qingshan's grumbling. He knew a fair bit about his disciple's affairs; Xu Xian had indeed scammed Li Qingshan plenty of times. The two of them seemed to have a naturally antagonistic relationship—they liked to bicker, prank each other, and show off... Even if Ruan Hao didn't quite understand that behavior, his disciple seemed to enjoy it. Moreover, he was currently more interested in whether Xu Xian's plan would actually succeed.
The second person was Elder Yao.
He wasn't like Ruan Hao. He didn't know much about Xu Xian and rarely concerned himself with mountain affairs. His only real interaction with Xu Xian was their chat in the courtyard that day. In his heart, Xu Xian's image was impeccable—a peerless gentleman, one could even say he was somewhat sacred. Therefore, Li Qingshan's words were exceptionally grating to his ears.
Furthermore, he had been holding it in for a long time, and he simply couldn't take it anymore. He glared at Li Qingshan with eyes that looked like they wanted to devour him.
Li Qingshan sensed the killing intent and turned his head, staring at Elder Yao in complete confusion.
"Li Qingshan."
"Hmm?"
"Why are you such a show-off?"
"Elder Yao, I don't follow?"
Li Qingshan really didn't understand. He felt like Elder Yao was acting strange today, showing a lot of hostility—almost as if Li Qingshan had stolen spirit herbs from his fields.
Elder Yao said aggressively, "I've tolerated you for a long time. Aren't you quite the fighter? Come, find a place, and I'll spar with you."
Li Qingshan: "???"
The crowd's eyes all snapped toward them. Everyone loved a good drama, especially Ye Xianyu, who wore the expression of someone ready to watch the show. Truly, they had never seen Elder Yao lose his temper before. They were very curious to know how the number one show-off of the Wendao Sect had offended this old gentleman.
Li Qingshan didn't have the most patient temperament either, and he immediately shot back, "Elder Yao, are you sick? What did I do to you?"
Elder Yao said indignantly, "You didn't offend me, but you spoke ill of Little Friend Xu. This old man cannot tolerate it!"
Li Qingshan felt a massive headache coming on. He was speechless. The surrounding spectators were even more bewildered.
Elder Yao continued, "From the moment I sat down, you've been yakking on and on without end. Little Friend Xu is your Martial Uncle, after all. Is this how you respect your elders? Saying a few words is one thing, but you just won't stop. Since your master didn't teach you well, I'll do it for her!"
Ye Xianyu's large eyes blinked. 'What does this have to do with me?'
Ruan Hao's expression was unreadable. 'Isn't he my disciple? If I'm not getting worked up, why are you?'
Li Qingshan's face looked like he had swallowed a fly. 'What did I even do? It was just a joke. Why are you taking it so seriously?'
The rest of the crowd looked back and forth. 'So it's all because of Xu Xian. There's something going on here, definitely something going on.'
Could it be...
Li Qingshan asked inexplicably, "Elder Yao."
"Speak your piece!"
Li Qingshan asked, "Are you trying to marry your Yao Xiaoxiao off to Xu Xian?"
The crowd erupted. "Ooh~"
Elder Yao roared, "Bullshit! Don't change the subject!"
Li Qingshan clicked his tongue. "Tsk tsk, no wonder..."
The crowd jeered. "Eee..."
Elder Yao's old face turned red as he denied it, "I am not!"
Li Qingshan grinned broadly.
The crowd chuckled and laughed.
Ye Xianyu said calmly, "I don't object to this marriage."
Ruan Hao shrugged. "I don't object either!"
Elder Yao: "..."
Elder Yao: "You're all insane!"
Rate on N.U.
