"Heh, what kind of bullshit 'Master Ling' or 'Young Master Ling' is this? Afraid to show up and be embarrassed?" Yun Qianlang sneered.
Yun Rui also sneered contemptuously, "Anyone with half a brain knows it's impossible to have a Yellow-tier Spirit Weapon Master under twenty. The other cities have outstanding juniors, but Jiangnan City's succession is weak. I suspect it's a myth created by Jiangnan City's weapon forging circles to save face."
Zheng Bilie and the others nodded, clearly agreeing with this assessment.
Only the people of Jiangnan City dared not speak, their anger suppressed.
However, seeing Ling Fan's serene expression, they couldn't help but feel a flicker of doubt...
Could it be that Ling Fan wasn't actually a Yellow-tier Spirit Weapon Master?
Although many had personally witnessed Ling Fan forge a nine-patterned spirit weapon, it wasn't impossible that it was some kind of illusion.
If that weren't the case, why wouldn't Ling Fan step forward to address Yun Qianlang's challenge?
Jin Wudao and Jin Dazhi exchanged glances, inwardly rejoicing!
They had finally seen Ling Fan in a predicament.
Yun Qianlang said, "Heh, let's invite our Yunmeng City Weapon Forging Branch President, the Five Cities Inspector, Master Zheng, to take the stage!"
Under a myriad of complicated gazes, Zheng Bilie slowly rose.
"Then I shall offer my humble skills. I ask for your guidance, fellow Daoists."
He held prayer beads in one hand and slowly extended his other towards the Wood King Cauldron.
To the shock of all present, a terrifying true qi flame appeared on his palm. In an instant, fierce true qi flames enveloped the entire Wood King Cauldron.
"Such powerful flame true qi..."
"I didn't expect Master Zheng's cultivation to be so strong. He's likely not much weaker than Yun Qianlang."
"Forging weapons with true qi... what an incredible technique!"
The strong cultivators of Jiangnan City were immediately awestruck.
They were clearly astonished by Master Zheng's methods.
As the saying goes, an expert's move reveals their true skill.
Yun Rui clapped his hands and said with a smug smile, "This is a true master. Do you bumpkins see this! Especially you, that fellow named Ling Fan, watch carefully, learn well!"
However, at this moment, everyone's attention was focused on Master Zheng, and few paid any mind to the ostentatious Yun Rui.
As the true qi flames flowed, the golden patterns on the body of the Wood King Cauldron began to change.
Glimmers of golden light condensed, and the previously broken and incomplete golden patterns now showed signs of being reconnected.
The crowd looked at Master Zheng with renewed respect!
No matter how detestable the people from Yunmeng City were, Master Zheng's weapon forging skill was truly miraculous.
Even Master Wang was overshadowed.
Although he was unwilling to admit it, he knew that Zheng Bilie was far superior to him!
Lan Tianxiong, Lan Junjie, and Lan Xueyi from behind were also rendered speechless by the spectacle.
At the same time, a sense of dejection couldn't be concealed in their hearts.
After all, deep down, they had hoped to see Ling Fan display his might.
But Ling Fan, for reasons unknown, had not acted.
Wu Tong, standing beside Lan Xueyi, was currently relishing the moment.
She wished for Master Zheng's success, as it would make Ling Fan appear even more incompetent.
...
Under the gaze of a stunned crowd, the golden patterns on the Wood King Cauldron were continuously refined, reshaped by the incomparably powerful flame true qi.
Finally, Master Zheng took a deep breath and stood still, holding his prayer beads.
On the Wood King Cauldron, all thirty-six spirit patterns were completely repaired.
A potent and peerless spirit weapon fluctuation permeated the air.
At this moment, the entire hall was stunned into silence.
Everyone, including Master Wang, was convinced by Master Zheng's skill.
"Master Zheng's divine skill, we are convinced!"
"As expected of a Yellow-tier high-grade forging master, to be able to repair a Black-tier spirit weapon. I believe Master Zheng is not far from reaching the Black-tier himself."
"With Master Zheng presiding over the five cities from now on, the weapon forging world is secure."
"We shall await Master Zheng's command at any time."
The strong cultivators and artisans of Jiangnan City successively voiced their support.
Seeing that the tide had turned, Master Wang could only rise and cup his fist in salute to Zheng Bilie.
Yun Qianlang smiled without speaking.
Yun Rui clapped his hands in delight.
Zheng Bicheng and Wu Yunfeng, master and disciple, beamed with pride.
Even Jin Dazhi and Jin Wudao were filled with excitement.
"Tch." Lan Junjie from the back pouted, feeling quite displeased. He couldn't help but glance at Ling Fan.
Lan Xueyi looked at Ling Fan's back with concern.
She feared that Ling Fan might be disheartened by this.
Up front, Zheng Bilie pressed his palm down in the air. His gaze fell upon Ling Fan, who remained seated motionlessly. He couldn't help but feel annoyed.
All the people of Jiangnan City were impressed by his performance and had risen to their feet. Why could this young man still sit so calmly?
Did he not concede?
Master Zheng suppressed his anger and looked at Ling Fan, saying, "Young friend Ling, what do you think of my repair of the Wood King Cauldron?"
As Master Zheng spoke, all eyes once again converged on Ling Fan.
Ling Fan's expression remained as calm as ever, as if the sky itself falling would not cause him to frown.
"Not very good."
Ling Fan said indifferently.
Boom!
Ling Fan's words caused the entire hall to be utterly astonished.
Master Zheng had repaired a Black-tier spirit weapon with thirty-six golden patterns, a feat beyond everyone's imagination, yet in Ling Fan's eyes, it was merely "not very good"?
That was an incredibly arrogant statement.
"Utterly arrogant! I've tolerated you for too long."
Yun Qianlang stood up, his anger blazing.
Yun Rui, the young lord of Yunmeng City, narrowed his small eyes and said sinisterly, "Kid, you truly don't shed tears until you see the coffin. You dare to insult our Master Zheng. I'll give you one chance: kneel down and apologize to Master Zheng! Otherwise, you won't be leaving with your legs today."
The atmosphere in the Tianxiang Tower suddenly became tense.
Many held their breath, afraid to exhale.
Behind them, artisans from Jiangnan City whispered advice, "Master Ling, Envoy Zheng and Yunmeng City are not to be trifled with. You should lower your head and apologize."
"Yes, let's just smooth things over. Endure for a moment and peace will prevail!"
The strong cultivators of Jiangnan City wore looks of worry.
However, Ling Fan's gaze remained calm.
Within his calmness, there was a hint of disdain.
His gaze swept over the people from Yunmeng City, finally settling on Zheng Bilie.
"In my life, I, Ling, have never bowed my head to anyone, let alone apologized."
"I said you were not very good, and you are not very good! In fact, you are gravely mistaken, outrageously wrong, and harbor ill intentions!"
Ling Fan's declaration struck the Tianxiang Tower like a thunderbolt once more!
Everyone was stunned, as if struck by lightning.
No one had expected that Ling Fan, facing the immense pressure from Yunmeng City and Master Zheng, would not only refuse to yield as they anticipated but would instead become even more arrogant, utterly demeaning Master Zheng.
In the back, Lan Tianxiong and his son Lan Junjie were dumbfounded.
What was going on?
Did their Lan family's son-in-law feel restless if he didn't cause trouble for a day?
Lan Xueyi covered her small mouth in disbelief.
"You audacious brat, how dare you!"
Yun Qianlang's eyebrows shot up, his fury erupting.
Master Zheng's eyes also flashed with cold light.
He suppressed the rage in his heart and instead smiled, but it was a smile of extreme danger, like a smiling tiger!
"I must ask for your guidance then!"
Master Zheng stared at Ling Fan.
"What if I guide you?"
Ling Fan slowly stood up.