It was I who forged it!
Upon hearing this, Master Wang and Hu Hao wore expressions of disbelief.
This was a top-tier mortal weapon, and its quality was exceptional, indicating that the forger’s skill had reached a pinnacle of perfection. The person who forged it must have been at least a middle-aged craftsman in their thirties or forties, so how could it be a mere teenager like Ling Fan? Moreover, wasn't Ling Fan the Lan family’s useless son-in-law? Since when did he know how to forge weapons? Therefore, they instinctively felt Ling Fan was lying.
Hu Hao scoffed, "My talent is praised even by my teacher. Even with diligent practice, I have only reached the level of a senior craftsman. If you, a pampered young master who spends his days walking dogs and fighting chickens, can forge a top-tier mortal weapon, then we might as well die of shame and stop learning the art of forging."
Ling Fan remained noncommittal.
Master Wang’s face darkened, and a certain dignity that comes from holding a high position emanated from him. He said, "You young man are so vain. I ask you again, who forged this? If you continue to lie, I will have you thrown out." He himself was a powerful cultivator, and with his transcendent status as the President of the Forging Masters’ Guild and a Yellow-tier Forging Master, his position in Jiangnan City was higher than that of ordinary family patriarchs. Even the City Lord would have to show him respect. If he were to expel Ling Fan, the Lan family would not dare to say anything about it.
Ling Fan’s expression remained unchanged. He still said, "I forged it."
Hearing this, Hu Hao’s face was filled with cold sneers, and contemptuous light shot from his eyes. His teacher had a fiery temper and could not stand hypocritical and despicable people. As expected, Master Wang flew into a rage, swept all the set components off the table, and pointed at Ling Fan, shouting, "Do you think I’m blind? Get out!"
Ling Fan remained calm and composed, retorting, "If this weapon was not forged by me, then tell me, who in Jiangnan City could forge it? Is it Li Shan of the Lan family, or the so-called Master Zheng hired by the Jin family, or perhaps a senior member of your Forging Masters’ Association?"
Ling Fan’s words stumped Master Wang. After much thought, this top-tier mortal weapon did not match any known famous craftsmen in Jiangnan City.
Ling Fan continued, "Since you are a Yellow-tier Forging Master, you must know that every forging master has their own unique style. The style, structure, and even techniques of a weapon can be imitated, but the style itself is unique to each individual, bearing a personal imprint, and is the most difficult to replicate."
Upon hearing this, Master Wang’s expression softened, and he even nodded slightly, a hint of surprise in his eyes. He hadn't expected the Lan family's useless son-in-law to have such extraordinary insights into forging. It was rare, perhaps he had overheard discussions in the Lan family.
"My style is freehand and elegant, emphasizing a flowing, natural grace. Therefore, the surfaces and interiors of the weapons I forge often form unique Azure Cloud patterns, which are evident at a glance."
Ling Fan fell silent after speaking.
For some reason, Hu Hao suddenly felt a surge of hostility towards Ling Fan. He anxiously said, "Teacher, why are you wasting time with him? He's talking nonsense! I will throw him out right now."
Before Hu Hao could make a move, Master Wang said, "Wait!" He looked at Ling Fan with a mixture of doubt and belief and picked up a gauntlet from the ground. Indeed, along the edge of the gauntlet, several cloud patterns were intricately drawn. Master Wang was slightly startled and then channeled his true qi into the gauntlet to examine it carefully.
During this process, Hu Hao’s heart was pounding in his chest. He secretly prayed that there would be no such cloud patterns within the weapon. However, his worst fear came true.
As Master Wang examined it repeatedly, his eyes welled up with an overwhelming sense of disbelief. He suddenly looked at Ling Fan. "It is indeed so… Did you really forge this?" By now, he was ninety percent convinced.
Ling Fan nodded calmly.
Master Wang had no more doubts. He slapped the table in a mixture of surprise and joy, then stood up abruptly, staring at Ling Fan as if he had discovered a peerless jade. "A prodigy of heaven! So young, yet able to forge a top-tier mortal weapon. With time, he will surely reach the Yellow-tier and forge true spirit weapons without difficulty! Hahaha, Jiangnan City has also produced an extraordinary forging genius!"
Master Wang spoke the last sentence with immense pride. The nearby Yunmeng City, Hongze City, and other places had their own outstanding rising stars among their forging masters. Some geniuses in their early twenties had already reached the level of a top craftsman or were even close to advancing to Yellow-tier Forging Master. In comparison, Jiangnan City was much dimmer, with Hu Hao, their most accomplished craftsman, being far inferior to them, which had greatly frustrated Master Wang and made him unable to hold his head high within the association. But now… Humph!
Master Wang felt as if all his recent frustrations had vanished. He had disliked Ling Fan moments ago, finding him vain, but now he liked him more and more. "Ling Fan, I wish to take you as my disciple. Are you willing?"
"I know a little about your situation. Rest assured, I still have some standing in Jiangnan City. I can even sit as an equal with the City Lord. If you become my disciple, I’ll see who dares to bully you, and you can hold your head high in the Lan family." Master Wang said proudly. Given his status, countless people in Jiangnan City wished to become his disciple, so he believed Ling Fan would joyfully accept his offer.
Hu Hao, standing beside them, had already lost half his heart. He was originally Master Wang’s most favored and proud disciple, with unparalleled forging talent in Jiangnan City. He had never taken anyone else seriously. But now, Ling Fan had completely overshadowed him. Younger, and stronger! Such a young top craftsman was unbelievable. A flicker of jealousy and hatred flashed in his eyes.
Master Wang looked at Ling Fan with anticipation. Hu Hao stared at Ling Fan with a sullen face. But Ling Fan’s words left them dumbfounded, almost as if they had misheard. Ling Fan said calmly, "I am unwilling to have you as my disciple, and you still want to be my master? Know this, the person capable of being my master has yet to be born!"
Master Wang’s eyes widened in astonishment, unable to believe his ears. What was his status? Wang Taiping was the pillar of the forging world in Jiangnan City. Which forging master dared not respect him, dared not revere him? He had sincerely offered to take Ling Fan as his disciple, only to be met with Ling Fan’s wanton humiliation! His temper was already fiery, and he was now furious.
Only Hu Hao, while outwardly shocked, was inwardly delighted. "Excellent! I didn't expect this arrogant young man not only refused but also completely offended my master. This kid is digging his own grave."
Ling Fan, however, saw nothing wrong with his words. He was, after all, the supreme Heavenly Realm Emperor Qing Yun. Even Duobao Tianzun, the foremost forging master in the Heavenly Realm, had humbly sought Ling Fan’s guidance. Duobao Tianzun dared not claim to be Ling Fan’s teacher, let alone a mere Yellow-tier low-grade forging master from the lower realm. What qualification did he have to be Ling Fan’s teacher?